Three and a half years had passed since the children started the academy, and life in the Rice Country had settled into a tranquil rhythm for Itachi and Anko. Their cozy home now resounded with the cries of two precious infants. "Wahhhhhhhahh!" echoed through the house, instantly rousing Itachi into action. He dashed across the room, his heart pounding with anxiousness, desperately seeking a solution. "Snake-hime, they need something, but I don't know what to do," he called out to Anko.
Anko, who had just taken the last shift, groaned, her voice laden with exhaustion. "Itachi, I had the last shift," she muttered.
Itachi sighed, his gaze tenderly fixed on the two babies nestled in his arms. With their mother's vibrant violet hair and his own piercing black eyes, the twins were a living testament to their parentage. He tried to soothe them with gentle words, an act that seemed utterly out of character for the stoic prodigy. "Hey there, Kurasu and little Mikoto, aren't you two just the most adorable?" Itachi cooed as he lovingly rocked them.
The ceaseless crying finally roused Anko from her slumber. She unfastened both straps of her shirt, and the hungry infants eagerly latched onto her, finding solace in their mother's comforting embrace. Overwhelmed with gratitude for his loving family, Itachi leaned in and planted a tender kiss on Anko's lips, wordlessly expressing his appreciation.
In the Hokage's office, a weighty discussion was underway.
"Hokage, please allow me to train all four of them. We have an odd number of future genin, and only I can impart the essential lessons of what it takes to become truly strong," Kakashi argued passionately.
"Kakashi, I understand your point, but forming a team with four members would create a significant imbalance," the Hokage replied with a hint of concern.
Kakashi continued to make his case, "Hokage, with all due respect, if any of them were placed on another team, they might inadvertently discourage their teammates more than they would contribute. We've seen that they work seamlessly together."
The Hokage sighed, realizing the merit in Kakashi's argument. "Very well, Kakashi. But you'll need to partner with another sensei since you'll be handling four genin," the Hokage conceded.
Kakashi couldn't help but smile beneath his mask at the favorable decision.
Meanwhile, in the peaceful surroundings of the Senju compound, the sun's golden rays began to bathe the landscape in warm light, heralding the start of a momentous day.
"Naruto, Mika, wake up! It's exam day, and you two need to pick up Hinata as well," their guardian cheerfully called out. With synchronized grace, the young shinobi-to-be rose from their beds, their faces radiant with anticipation. They hastily dressed, brushed their teeth, and headed for the door.
"Naruto, Mika, guess what?" Naruto burst out, his excitement unabated. "We're going to become genin!"
Mika, while sharing his enthusiasm, she still responded with a hint of fatigue, "Naruto, I've heard that all week."
They made their way to the orphanage to collect their friend Hinata, who was already waiting on the steps, a gentle smile gracing her face. Mika rushed forward, enveloping Hinata in a warm hug, followed closely by Naruto. Hinata's cheeks flushed a rosy hue, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the unexpected affection from her beloved Naruto.
Upon arriving at the academy, they spotted the missing member of their squad, Sasuke, who had already arrived. Mika couldn't contain her excitement and rushed up to him, wrapping her arms around him with her chest pressing against his. "Sasuke-kun!"
The other girls at the academy couldn't help but gaze at Mika with a tinge of jealousy, leaving Sasuke blushing. Naruto issued a warning, "If you keep acting like this, I'll tell Dad."
Mika responded with a mischievous chuckle, "And I'll spill the beans about your secret girlfriend."
Naruto blushed in response, "Well, Hinata isn't my girlfriend, but even if she were, I think it would have the opposite effect than you think."
Over the past three years, the academy students had made remarkable progress. They had honed their skills to a level that rivaled mid-level chunin. Each of them had learned, improved, and developed unique techniques based on their abilities.
Naruto had sharpened his sensory skills, delved deeper into fuinjutsu, and even created a new jutsu called Kage Bunshin Explosion. Mika had become proficient in wood jutsu, advanced her healing techniques, and experimented with her mother's taijutsu style. Hinata had made significant strides in her ice release, now capable of summoning senbon, and had developed her own taijutsu style by blending the gentle fist techniques with her bone release abilities. Sasuke, on the other hand, had mastered lightning release and created the Lightning Release: Overdrive jutsu, enhancing his speed and reflexes while exploring the art of kenjutsu.
As they approached the academy, they couldn't help but reflect on how far they'd come. Naruto now stood at 5'6, his outfit adorned with the blue Uzumaki swirl on his sleeves, black track pants with red streaks, and sneakers. Sasuke, nearly the same height as Naruto, sported brown highlights at the tips of his black hair. He wore a brown cloak emblazoned with the Uchiha and Sarutobi clan crests, along with black ninja pants and brown sandals. Mika had grown to about 5'2, her body impressively developed, following in her mother's footsteps. Her platinum-blond hair was accented with streaks of white and her father's red lines, cascading down her face. She rocked a green crop top paired with matching shorts, fishnet covering her stomach and legs, and brown sandals. A sash with the Senju crest adorned her arm. Hinata, now standing at 5 '1 with newfound confidence and without a stutter, showcased a body rivaling Mika's. Her long, dark blue hair flowed elegantly, and she wore a purple kimono adorned with the Hyuga, Yuki, and Kaguya crests, along with black shoes. As they entered the academy, the sun's warm rays signaled the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. The bond between these friends had grown stronger, and they were ready to face the challenges and adventures that awaited them as genin in the Leaf Village.
During the exams, the four friends outshone their fellow candidates with remarkable ease. Their scores were unparalleled, excelling in every test. However, the true excitement emerged during the sparring sessions. On two separate occasions, the matches had to be declared ties because if Mika, Hinata, Naruto, and Sasuke had unleashed their full power, someone would have undoubtedly gotten hurt.
Their success was undeniable, but it led to an unprecedented situation. For the first time in history, there was a tie for both the title of Rookie of the Year and Kunoichi of the Year.
At the headband ceremony, envy and admiration mingled in the eyes of their peers as the four genin proudly displayed their hard-earned accomplishments. Only Shikamaru and Choji remained unfazed, having always shared a camaraderie with the group.
Due to their extraordinary achievements, the four genin were given the privilege of choosing their own headband colors. Naruto wore a vibrant yellow headband on his arm, Hinata secured a turquoise one in her hair, Sasuke opted for a traditional white headband, and Mika proudly wore a brown one around her neck. Their eyes gleamed with happiness as the ceremony concluded, marking their official transition to genin status.
With Choji and Shikamaru joining them, the squad made their way back to the Senju compound, where they knew a joyous celebration awaited them. Upon opening the door, a burst of confetti showered them, and a chorus of voices exclaimed, "Congratulations!"
Tsunade, Jiraiya, Shizune, the Hokage, Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma stood among the well-wishers. The adults had gone all out, presenting a sumptuous feast that left everyone too engrossed in their meals to speak, for fear of losing out on the delicious dishes.
The table was laden with their favorite foods: steaming ramen for Naruto, mouth watering cinnamon buns for Hinata, succulent crab for Mika, and sweet dango for Sasuke, along with an array of other delectable dishes. As the night drew to a close, their stomachs content and spirits high, Sasuke momentarily forgot his differences with his grandfather, realizing the importance of family bonds but still wondered what itachi was doing right now or if he was even alive.
Unbeknownst to the four young genin, their journey was only beginning. In the coming days, they would discover that two of the individuals who had attended their celebration would become their sensei, guiding them on the path to greatness.