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Chapter 5: Bonds
Kohana spent the next few weeks training rigorously, honing her skills and pushing herself to the limit. She practised her Chakra control, improved her physical strength and speed, and worked on perfecting her jutsu techniques. With each passing day, she could feel herself growing stronger and more confident in her abilities.
She tested out her Eagle Vision, to understand it better and was surprised. It seemed to show the Aura of persons, animals and things. Already she learned that blue meant allies, gold was important or a target and white was mostly neutral.
Also, she spent as much time with Obito and Rin as she could. If they would go training together, eat something or just enjoy a fun afternoon at the movie theatre, the bond between the three depended, which pleased the green-haired girl greatly. For that, she took Rin's blatant and nearly shameless matchmaking between her and Obito.
Kohana loved Rin, she really did, but she wanted to strangle her sometimes.
Obito didn't even seem to SEE Kohana as a girl. For him only Rin matters.
Perhaps she had screamed into her pillow a few times for it. She had read in Sakuya's diary that the Uchiha-Clan was famous for loving long and passionately, which meant she probably would never have a chance with the Uchiha.
Sign.
Anyway, their Genin Exam was up in a few days, so the trio decided to get some more training in.
They would first study for the writing exam in the library and then train their jutsu in a free training field.
As Kohana entered the library and only saw Obito reading with a frown over the books, she got a bad feeling.
Rin had made strange comments throughout the whole day.
Like that, her mother had said she needed her to help with their shop. Rin didn't know how long that would take. They should get started without her.
The brunette wouldn't, wouldn't she?
She wouldn't leave Kohana alone with her crush.
Then Kohana thought it over and groaned.
Of course, Rin would do that!
Her best friend, and after weeks of bonding she could say that without a doubt, was, even more, invested in her love life with Obito, than her own.
Urgh.
What should Kohana do?
They were scheduled to learn together, she couldn't leave Obito.
Kohana took a deep breath and decided to focus on the task at hand. She approached Obito and sat down next to him, opening her own book. They studied in silence for a while until Kohana couldn't take it anymore.
"Is something bothering you, Obito?" she asked softly.
He looked up from his book and sighed heavily. "It's just that I'm having trouble understanding this concept," he admitted, pointing to a paragraph in the book.
The glass-wearing girl smiled reassuringly and began explaining the concept to him in simpler terms.
As they continued studying together, she couldn't help but feel a tiny bit grateful for Rin's matchmaking attempts. Without them, she never would have gotten so close to Obito and been able to help him like this.
After finishing their study session, they headed out to the training field where Rin was waiting for them with a mischievous grin on her face.
"What's going on?" Kohana asked warily as Rin handed each of them a blindfold.
"We're going to practice our sensory skills," Rin explained excitedly. "One person will be blindfolded and the other two will try to sneak up on them without making any noise."
Kohana nodded eagerly and put on her blindfold as Obito and Rin took turns sneaking up on her.
As they continued training, Kohana couldn't help but feel grateful for both Rin's matchmaking attempts and their upcoming Genin Exam. It had given her something positive to focus on instead of worrying about whether or not she could stop the end of the world.
Okay, it was a bit dramatic, but the future wasn't as bright as it should have been.
Nonetheless, Kohana was sure that she was doing anything in her power to avoid a terrible future.
Keep Rin alive.
Don't let Madara Uchiha get Obito in his hands.
Get rid of the old Uchiha.
Kill Black Zetsu and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Space, yeah she finally learned the name of the creepy thing, thanks to a vision.
Also, Danzo had to go too, because he was way too fishy.
The kunoichi to be had her hands full for the next years that one was clear.
Proudly Kohana caressed her forehead protector, which she wore as a bracelet on her left arm.
A week ago was the Genin Exam and she had passed with flying colors.
Mai-Sensei even congratulated her on being kunoichi of the year. This had pleased her greatly. It showed that her hard work had paid off.
Now she was sitting in her classroom, for the last time, between Rin and Obito.
Rin gripped her hand and squeezed.
"We really did it!", whispered the brunette excited.
"Of course we did it, Rin-Chan!", told Obito proudly, fiddling with his forehead protector he wore in the intended way. "We three are the best!"
This made both girls giggle.
"You mean, because Hatake-San already is a Genin, so he can't be Rookie of the Year again, didn't you pass by sheer dumb luck, since you got the clone jutsu down, the day before our exam.", reminded him Kohana playful.
She may be crushing on the Uchiha, but he was first and foremost her friend, and what kind of friends didn't tease each other in good humour?
"Kohana-Chan don't remind me!", whined the Uchiha, which made Rin giggle harder. "Ah, Rin-Chan come on!"
More complaining the boy couldn't do, because Mai-Sensei finally entered the classroom. All brand new Genin fall into silence.
The woman smiled at them all, congratulating them on becoming Genin. She explained how now they would go out on a mission for the village and help in the war.
This sober all up.
The Third Shinobi World War was still going on and seemed not to end. That's why their class was promoted to Genin at nine years. Konoha and her allies needed Shinobi forces.
"As you know, normal a team is made up of one Jonin and three Genin.", began Mai-Sensei in her explanation. "However due to a few drop-outs these years, we are now an uneven number. So one team will be a Jonin with four Genin's."
The classroom erupted into whispers and excited chatter at the news. Kohana's heart raced with anticipation. She exchanged nervous glances with Rin and Obito. They had become such a close-knit group over the past few weeks, that she couldn't bear the thought of being separated from them. Also, it was better for the future if she stayed with them.
Hopefully, the three were a team.
Mai-Sensei began to read aloud the first teams. Automatically Kohana gripped Rin and Obito's hand. Both her friends squeezed back.
All three of them wished to stay together but were scared they wouldn't.
"Now Team 7 under Namikaze Minato, Hatake Kakashi, Nohara Rin.", read aloud Mai-Sensei. Sweat broke out all over Kohana's body. One of her friends was already away in another team. She was happy Rin could be with her crush Kakashi, but how should she protect her friend now? "Uchiha Obito and Haruno Kohana. You will be our five-member squad."
...Did she hear right?!
Obito let out a happy yelp and hugged herself and Rin to him.
"At least we are together!", he celebrated. "Even with stupid Bakashi!"
That earned him laugh around the classroom and even more as Kakashi deadpanned at him and said: "I rather have Haruno, the kunoichi of the year and Nohara, the second best in my team than be with you, deadlast!"
Immediate Obito stopped his hug and waved a fist in Kakashi's direction.
"What was that asshole?! Who is here the death last, you stupid protege! Only because you became a Genin at six, doesn't mean you are better than us!"
Kohana and Rin couldn't help but laugh at the banter between Obito and Kakashi.
It seemed like things were going to be okay after all.
As Mai-Sensei continued to assign teams, Kohana felt a sense of relief wash over her. She was grateful that she would still be with Rin and Obito, even if they were now part of a larger team.
With Kakashi.
The protege.
Come to think of it, was not Namikaze Minato his mentor?
So they just joined them, huh?
Well, whatever, at least she would have Rin and Obito by her side.
After lunch break the Jonin Senseis came to pick up their Genin.
Both girls blushed as they saw their Sensei.
Namikaze Minato was a young beautiful man, probably Kizashi age, with golden spiky hair and blue eyes like the sky.
With a gentle voice, he greeted them, made them feel welcome and led the four Genin to a free training field.
There the kids sat down on the ground, while Minato sat on a stump.
"As you probably know, I'm Kakashi-Kun's mentor, so I know him quite well, but I would like we all introduced each other to each other.", he said with a smile.
You could clearly see, how Kakashi didn't want to.
"Is this really necessary Sensei? The three are friends and I know them, no need for that."
"That may be true, but I don't know the other kids.", Minato reminded gently. "I will even start. My name is Namikaze Minato, proud Jonin of Konohagakure. I like creating new jutsu and the food my girlfriend cooks and dislike blind hatred. My hobbies are reading and training. My dream for the future is to help you all become great ninjas and one day be Hokage and serve our village."
The blond-haired young man couldn't help but chuckle a little at the little awed faces of his three new cares.
"How about you now?", he pointed at Obito.
"I'm Uchiha Obito! I like dango and spending time with my friends, mostly Rin-Chan and Kohana-Chan. I dislike arrogant assholes and people who left behind their friends. My dream for the future is also to become Hokage! I wanna make the world better for all of us and end all wars."
Minato smiled at him. "Then we have something in common, how about the brunette lady, now?"
"Hello, I'm Nohara Rin.", began the girl. "I love anything with strawberries, cake, sweets you name it. I like training and having sleepovers with Kohana-Chan. I hate to mean people and suffering. I would like to become a medical ninja, as great as Senju Tsunade and help where I can."
"An admirable dream. Now how about you with the cool glasses."
This made Kohana giggle, no one ever said her glasses were cool and said: "My name is Haruno Kohana. Maybe you know my older brother Kizashi? Anyway I like my best friends Rin-Chan and Obito-Kun and would kill for the Tonkotsu Ramen of Ichiraku and my Kaa-Chan Okonomiyaki. I also like learning new things and history. I dislike ignorance. For my dream of the future...I just want to be the best kunoichi I can be and help create a better world."
This earned her a nod from her Sensei, till he turned to Kakashi.
Both mentor and protege stared at each other, till Kakashi spoke. "I'm Hatake Kakashi. I have no intention of telling you my likes and dislikes. As for my dream…hobbies are a waste of time you could use to train."
The three other Genin sweat dropped at this.
"He only told us his name.", hissed Obito to his two female friends.
The girls nodded, still in disbelief.
Minato just rubbed his forehead. He should have known that Kakashi would pull something like that. His protege hadn't been happy that he suddenly had to work with a team.
"I can see in all of you a great potential.", told them Minato. "So we will do a training exercise to see how good you all really are."
Under the curious eyes of his Genin Minato showed them four bells.
"Now, your object is to get these bells from me. Come with me with anything you got or you won't get a bell. Understood? If you aren't ready to use all means, you can go straight back to the academy."
This shocked all four, even if Kakashi hid it the best.
"Now on my go, get ready. Alright?"
The four Genin stood up and nodded as one.
"Ready! Go!"
With that, all jumped into a safe location to assert the assignment.
Kakashi was already in the trees, observing his new team.
Let's see if you can keep up with me..., he thought.
Kohana could feel her heart racing with excitement and anticipation. She had heard stories about Kakashi's legendary skills and was eager to see them in action. Rin looked just as excited, while Obito seemed a bit nervous.
As they began their attack, Minato proved to be a formidable opponent. He moved quickly and effortlessly, dodging all of their attacks with ease. Kohana tried using her Chakra control to create illusions, but Minato saw through them immediately. Rin attempted to sneak up on him from behind, but he sensed her presence and knocked her away with a swift kick.
Obito tried using his fire jutsu, but Minato countered it easily with his own wind jutsu. Kakashi remained hidden in the trees, watching silently as the battle raged on.
Despite their best efforts, none of them were able to get even close to the bells.
As Kohana, Obito and Rin sat on the ground to catch their breath, was when Kakashi made his move.
The Hatake attacked their Sensei with such force and precision that it was impressive.
Even more impressive he got all bells!
"Oh come on!", whined Obito and let himself fall on the ground fully.
Rin was blushing and admiring her crush, while Kohana realized that she was far from being a protege like Kakashi.
This meant she had to train even harder.
Oh, kami!
Kakashi stood in front of them, holding the bells triumphantly. "See Minato-Sensei I don't need a team. We two work fine together."
Kohana couldn't help but feel disappointed in herself. She had hoped to at least get close to one of the bells. But she knew that this was just the beginning of their training together and she had plenty of time to improve her skills.
Minato walked over.
"Kakashi we talked about this, let's not have this discussion again.", reminds the blond-haired man, then he turns to the other three with a smile.
"You all did well," he said encouragingly. "Remember, teamwork is key in any mission. And don't worry about not getting the bells today, it was just a test to assess your strengths and weaknesses."
Rin nodded eagerly while Obito grumbled under his breath about wanting another chance to get those bells. Kohana smiled at her Sensei's words and made a mental note to work even harder in their training sessions.
"Tomorrow we will have our first mission as Team 7, so off you go kids. Have a healthy dinner and then early to bed early. We will meet each other here at 7 p. m., sounds good?"
"Yes, Minato-Sensei.", the kids chorused together.
Thus ended the first day as a Ninja for Konoha, she hoped she was ready for the real-life ninja work starting tomorrow.
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