It was a day with a clear blue sky that team 10 met for their first official act as a team of genin. The members Ino, Naruto, and Shikamaru had come an extra 30 minutes early so they wouldn't get yelled at by Asuma again, though Shikamaru had cut it a little close and was making sure to complain the whole time. Usually, genin teams start off with D rank missions to get them used to working together and get to know each other. Asuma disagreed with that logic, he wanted to see what state his new team was in right out of the academy. While the risk of danger on D missions were almost nonexistent, it made him feel better to know they could defend themselves.
Since the last great ninja war standards had slipped a bit. It happened in every village, to recoup losses the standards would drop for some time while the village licked its wounds. But since the 4th Hokage died his father had to distribute power to his advisors just to keep his head above the workload. It wasn't fully his fault, he was old and had already retired, but the problem was still there.
And so, even though genin graduated from the academy they were sorely unprepared for a real fight and while rare, teams of genin died every year. Anything could happen, and so Asuma wanted to make sure his newest students would be ready. "Alright team 10, were going to have another test today." His genin groaned. "The better you do the quicker we can begin missions." And gotcha, now at least 2 of his genin were going to try now that they were sufficiently motivated. The other one was well, well he was a Nara, not much motivated a Nara.
"What's the test Asuma sensei?" Naruto was ready for anything, at least he thought he was.
"Just some simple fighting and weapon throwing tests. I need to see where we are starting at so I know what to train you on." H knew that with their family jutsu, Ino and Shikamaru were going to be crap at hand to hand because they didn't see it as important. Naruto, on the other hand, was good in a scrap but hand little to no range to his attacks and he knew almost no jutsu. Asuma was going to have to find someone to help his earth and water chakra jutsu because those were his worst.
And with that they got started, they spared 1 on 1 with each other rand their sensei as well as using throwing weapons. For jutsu, Asuma had them use every single on that they knew back to back. Ino could use her family mind transfer technique at the moment, but she only knew the most basic as she was just too young for the more dangerous and taxing techniques. Thanks to this though Ino was a fantastic scouter and spy, being able to use birds and animals for information. But like he thought she was behind in hand-to-hand combat. That would have to change, being a ling range fighter already if she got caught out or the enemy closed the distance she needed to be able to hold her own.
Shikamaru was already turning into a pain in his ass, he couldn't tell if he was just bad at something or just not giving a shit. His family Jutsu was a amazing capture technique that had close and long range capability and was silent. The drawback, he couldn't move while he used it, and it had a limited range depending on the environment. His hand to hand was decent but nothing special. He mostly relied on his mind and using his jutsu in unique ways but that wouldn't work every time.
Naruto was a special case but had massively glaring problems that thank god were easy fixes. A close combat brawler was his style and as such he was the only one able to stand his ground in a fist fight. While not a strategic genius like Shikamaru, he thrived in the middle of a fight and was a creative fighter using the environment to help him. Asuma rubbed his shoulder, who couldn't have predicted that he would launch himself at him using his own clones. He could only hit about 2/3 of the weapons he threw and knew next to 0 jutsu. His clones being the obvious exception but in a primarily mid to long range team he would rush in putting himself and his teammates in danger.
While it was going to suck for them he was going to turn them into the most competent genin as a group before they were going to take any mission. A little sparing and a lot of hard work would turn them into this years strongest team. And so he got to work. Ino would spar with Naruto's wood clones as they made great punching bags that hit back. Shikamaru would work on capturing himself and chakra saving techniques and Naruto would learn how to reliably hit a kunai. He would have liked to have taught him a jutsu for some flexibility but it would take too long and he had more pressing issues.
After an exhaustingly long day a bruised and battered group of genin walked away from the training field. Ino was sporting black and blue bruises all over herself after punching and getting punched by essentially a tree. She nursed her wound as she was the most beat up of the bunch. Shikamaru was being carried by Naruto as he used up all of the chakra he had, at least that was his excuse to Naruto. Naruto could barely use either of his arms from throwing kunai and shuriken all day. The good news, Asuma said they might be able to go on missions soon. The bad news was that they felt like the walking dead. Meals that night were eaten in silence and all three collapsed in their beds as soon as they could to sleep off such a rough day.
Asuma was proud of his group of genin. They might've complained and bitched the whole time but none of them stopped and gave up like some teams he was already hearing about. It was a small step in their progress of their career but a dramatic change he thought from the morning. They wouldn't change overnight but it was the effort that mattered. Honestly they were ready to start D rank missions and he for one couldn't wait. It was time for them to learn what being a ninja was all about.
Scene break
2 weeks later
Team 10 were enjoying the life of a genin, raking crap and plowing a field for a farmer who had busted his leg. It really didn't get any better after the first few days, Naruto hoped that walking dogs their first mission was fluke, a coincidence maybe. But no, that's the type of things that they did now for a living. The past 3 weeks of their lives were mixed with dog walking, delivering packages, and the occasional manual labor for someone who was hurt.
"Asuma sensei please, let me use them. I can't take it anymore and I need to meet with the old man this afternoon OW!" Naruto rubbed his head.
"Have some respect for the Hokage Naruto." Ino couldn't believe he called the Hokage that and was still walking.
Asuma stomped out another cigarette. "No Naruto, it would defeat the whole purpose of these missions to cheat like that." Naruto had been banned from using his clones to help speed up the missions. Not every mission, just these miserable D ranks.
"I don't see how this builds teamwork sensei." If only Asuma would lift that stupid rule, they could get missions done so much faster.
Flash back
"Get ready you three, this is our first mission so I want each of you to give it your all. Got it?" With 2 yes's and 1 sure they walked into the office of the Hokage of the village hidden in the leaves. "Team 10 reporting for mission briefing Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen smiled, Naruto was finally here ready to start missions. He looked at the list of available missions and smirked. He had taken a bet with his son on how each member of the team would react to the missions they were cleared to do and was ready to make some money. He had known Naruto long enough to know what was going to happen. He had grown up a lot since he found out he was a Senju, no longer pulling pranks or using the sexy jutsu in front of people. But he was still Naruto, nothing could change that.
"Good, you came on a good day, you have your choice of missions today. Let us see, you have a choice of cleaning out a recently evicted house, finding a lost cat, or planting a garden." And as promised the look on their faces were priceless. A mix between shock and disappointment. He did love this tradition, the first mission was always given by the Hokage.
"That can't be it right?" Unlike Ino and Shikamaru, who were both cowered and starstruck to be in front of the Hokage for the first time, Naruto had been there before so he spoke up. Ino's mouth dropped, he just questioned the Hokage. Asuma decided to save him and explain his place.
"This is it Naruto, as a fresh genin team these are the missions you do. Once you do enough of them we can do C rank missions." Damn it, Naruto had just lost him some serious money. He didn't think he was that close to his father and would question him like that. "Let's get going you three, we'll take the garden job Hokage-sama."
Scene break
"Alright you three, our job is to dig up the dead plants, spread fertilizer, and replant new ones. Get started." Grumbling, the three genin got to work in the garden.
As Naruto put his hands elbow deep into the fertilizer a plan formed in his head. This was just like chores, he threw his hands into the snake seal and was just about to create a few clones to make life easier he was knocked down face first into the poop. "Pte Ple aww gross" he had a mouth full of the stuff and he couldn't see. He could hear Ino and Shikamaru laughing their asses off at him as he spit to clear his mouth. He took both hands and wiped the crap off his eyes so he could see. He of course saw his so-called teammates laughing at his misery, as well as Asuma standing over him arms crossed. "What the hell was that for?" He looked down and he was covered.
"That's cheating Naruto, from now on you are not to use your clones on D rank missions. Got it?" As much as he himself hated wasting time on D ranks they were needed. While they admittedly sucked, it got the genin more comfortable around each other. Trust was the key component for a team to function, especially in life threatening situations. If you couldn't trust your teammate to have your back what did you have.
Naruto grumbled as he stopped the futile process of trying to get clean and continued to spread the crap on the ground instead of on himself. "That's a good look on you Naruto." Ino said with a laugh. Naruto stopped the futile attempt to clean himself and went back to spreading it on the ground instead of on himself.
"Shut up Ino." Needless to say, Ino did not in fact shut up and for such a crap mission, she was having a great time.
After a miserable mission of planting flowers which Ino did enjoy. The team collected their pay for the day as Asuma addressed them. "How did you three enjoy your first mission as ninja?" smirking already knowing the answer.
Shikamaru answered "Is manual labor the majority of what we are going to do. Because if so, being a ninja is too much trouble."
Naruto chimed in "Come on Shikamaru, we only have to deal with D ranks until we hit the threshold right Asuma sensei?" he received a nod. "Once we reach that we don't have to deal with them anymore." At least that's what he hoped, he didn't know how many more of these that he could deal with.
Scene break End of flashback
Hiruzen shook his head, what was the point of telling him it was important if he was going to show up late. While in the end it wouldn't really matter it made it harder than it had to be. Dealing with his advisors and the council was beginning to wear on him. While they used to be his friends ever since Naruto came into the equation he could barely recognize them. After they learned of the Kyubbi they had petitioned to kill Naruto to attempt to kill the beast inside him. He quickly struck them down but their treatment of the boy was deplorable. When he expressed his want to join the academy they tried to block him and bar him from any school saying he was too dangerous to be around children. And now they had grown so bold as to demand today's meeting.
While he would love to send them packing once again today was out of his hands. Several clan heads also expressed a desire for the council to convene. Clan matters were considered separate from the Hokage's reign of influence and had been since the foundation of the village. The clans were able to retain a large amount of autonomy in personal matters and clan business. Though the timing of the council meant they most likely would be deciding on if Naruto's claim on the Senju name was valid.
Their decision wouldn't change the fact that Naruto could use the Mokuton it would bar him from taking up the name Senju. He honestly doubted the vote would swing against Naruto it just showed the lengths some of the council would go to deny the boy anything.
Before he could think anymore on the subject Naruto burst through the door panting, it had seemed he ran here from wherever he was. "I'm huff here." He was leaning forward with his hands on his knees trying to catch his breath. "My bad Jiji, had to get cleaned up before I came here."
"That's fine Naruto have a seat, we need to have a talk before you meet with the council." Naruto took a seat in his usual chair. "Today the council that helps to govern Konoha has called this meeting to decide whether or not you can use and claim the Senju name. I would ask you to try and keep your temper and remain respectful." Naruto nodded and followed the Hokage to meet with the council.
Scene break
"Finally, he decides to show up." Naruto and Hiruzen entered the council's chambers. It was a large meeting room with the seats set up in a semicircle facing the door. Each seat was filled with someone of importance to the village. All the major clans of the village held a seat for the head of the clan to deal with clan disputes and help advise the Hokage on Shinobi matters. Every clan head was present except for the Senju and Uchiha as they had no clan head. The civilians of the village also held a place on the council, albeit a smaller number of seats. They oversaw running the commercial side of the village and other tasks vital to running a village. The Hokage's advisors also held their own seats as well as Danzo, a significant leader of a portion of the Leaf's military strength. All were assembled to discuss Naruto and now that he was officially a ninja, Hiruzen couldn't fully control his fate.
"Yes, he is, his mission seemed to run a bit over schedule. Now that we are here this council can begin." He took his seat at the center of the room at the middle of the table.
Homura, one of Hiruzen's old teammates turned advisor, began. "Very well, we have called this council in order to discuss and decide on Naruto Uzumaki's right to call himself a Senju, as well as what will happen to what's left of the Senju property."
Shbi Aburame chimed in. "Why is the Senju property being brought up, it bears no relevance in Naruto's case?" The shinobi clan heads nodded in agreement, those not in clans bringing up clan issues was worrying.
"It is important because if it is decided that Naruto doesn't bear the Senju blood then something needs to be done. Tsunade hasn't been seen in years, at this point she should be declared dead or at the very least rogue. With that the clan would be extinct and property can be used for the betterment of the village."
"There is a simple way to know if he bears Hashirama's blood." Danzo calmly spoke, all heads turned to the man. "Have him attempt to enter the Senju compound, that would erase any doubt to his claim." An unsteady feeling shifted throughout the room. The Senju compound was like he said a good test but it was a dangerous one.
The Senju compound was a small group of households surrounded by plant life. For any other place it would be beautiful but the Senju compound was deadly, Hashirama himself created much of the gardens and tree life and to a certain extent they seemed sentient. Ever since Tsunade left the place was a deathtrap to enter. Every year traitors and other villages elite ninja would attempt to enter the compound to steal its secrets and every year they would never come out. No one not of Senju blood could enter and that's what made it a perfect test much to Hiruzen's discomfort. It was an all or nothing test and there would be no takebacks once it was done.
Naruto had heard the stories about the legendary home of the first Hokage, hell, some kid's years ago tried to dare him to try and get in the place. He knew it was dangerous but it would erase any doubt about him. "I'll do it." Every head snapped to Naruto who was standing confident in his choice.
"Very well, let us head that way."
The gates of the Senju compound were slightly intimidating to say the least. Made out of thick beams of wood stronger than steel it was a sight to behold. The nearby plant life had begun to grow over it and the trees on each side seemed to lean closer as if trying to protect it. Vinces and thorns wrapped around the beams like snakes ready to strike. And now Naruto was standing right in front of it a little more than nervous.
'This cant be too hard right, I mean I can use the Wood style I'm going to be fine, right?' Naruto began to slowly make his way closer to the entrance feeling worse and worse as he took every step. Every step closer he took the trees seemed to block out more of the sun and move closer to him. The vines seemed to point towards him and the thorns grew longer and jagged.
From his point of view it was terrifying but from the safe distance the council was watching there was a sense of dread as they watched the trees bend themselves towards the approaching boy. There had been stories that the trees would rip intruders apart and the thorns would tear them to shred but now it was clear that it was all true.
Naruto slowly stretched out his hand to touch the gate and had to sipe his hand back as a vine snapped at him like a snake. The air was suffocating and he could barely swallow and his mouth was dry but he knew it was too late to turn back. He surged forward and pushed the gate with both of his arms keeping his eyes shut waiting to get attacked. But as the seconds ticked by nothing happened. He peeked with his left eye and nothing was moving, the plants frozen in the air from the second he managed to touch the gate.
Just as quickly as they seemed to grow towards him the vines and thorns retracted and untwined themselves from the gate. The trees shifted back upright as if they were just swaying in the breeze. He took it as a good sign and pushed hard and the gate groaned in protest. Giving it a little more umph and the gate gave way opening to show a decently large courtyard and a few houses.
The audience let out the breath they were holding, many thinking they were about to see a child get ripped apart and Hiruzen breathed out deeply and greedily sucked in a new breath. He had almost ran forward an grabbed Naruto before he could get too close to save his grandson. As the council preceded to get its bearings Naruto was already heading inside and checking the place out.
Danzo was pleasantly surprised at this turn of events, his agent had never been able to enter the compound before because somehow the plants could tell he wasn't a true Senju. But now, this opened up many possibilities. The single scroll he had taken so long ago seemed like a pittance compared to what Naruto had access to and even better, had the ability to use to its full extent. He was right not to act aggressive to the child, it would take time but that's something he had learned in the years, patience. A pleasant smile was plastered on his face as he made his way back to the Root to think on this more.
The shinobi on the council stayed clear of the entrance still very much wary of the danger they knew was present while some of the others began to walk towards the gate eager to get a glimpse of the inside. Before they could get within arm's reach of the entrance the plant life raised up threateningly. Causing many to jump or run back behind the Clan heads for safety.
Naruto was looking at the gardens and turned around and realized that no one was following him. He jogged back to the entrance and saw that they were keeping a good distance from the admittingly killer plants. He quickly walked through the gate "Come on Jiji, you gotta see this." He said excitedly.
Hiruzen admittingly had to steel his courage as he kept a calm face and walked towards the gate. Ready to jump away at a moments notice he crossed the threshold and realized nothing had happened. Breathing a sigh of relief he once again gazed upon the Senju compound. He could feel tears building in his eyes as he stared at the place he hadn't seen for so long. Tobirama would have him meet here to begin their days of training all those years ago. He could see images of Tsunade waddling around as an infant on these very grounds and clearly remember when she was old enough to enter the academy.
"Thank you, Naruto, for letting this old man relive his past. Now I believe you have a compound to explore and most likely clean. If you need me I will be in my office." And with that he walked out of the compound and headed towards his office all the while the council tried to get a response out of him about what he had seen and what this meant. He didn't answer any of them, let them figure it out on their own. He needed to draft a letter to a former student and hope it would find her.
Scene break
Naruto looked around again and couldn't believe what he was seeing. This place was freaking awesome! It was decided, he was moving in here as soon as possible. The inside of the houses was disgusting but once it was cleaned up it would be great. No more of that crappy apartment, goodbye mattress with a hole in it. Goodbye rent.
Going through the rooms there was tons of stuff, a weapons room, a big ass library and the biggest and comfiest looking bed he had ever seen and it was his. The best part, honestly, was the security. It was clear that he wouldn't have to deal with graffiti or broken windows ever again. He sneezed again, he really was going to need to clean before he moved in, the dust was inches thick in some places. Cleaning was his bane but with clones it was going to be a piece of cake. He just needed to buy some supplies but that could wait. It was getting late and he had more missions tomorrow. Going back to his apartment was depressing but hopefully this would be one of, if not, the last night he would spend in this place.