Author's Note: Here is the first chapter of Arc 2 and I'm more than happy with how I've kicked this off. This chapter is 100% no-nonsense. I intend for every chapter from this point on to be exactly like this. Everything fluffy will still be here, but I won't slow down or speed up the pace of the arc – if the arc is fast, it will be fast; if it's slow, it will be slow.

Chapter 12 is up on the site where people become patrons - type the usual URL and add my username after the / (eternalyujin).

That's all from me so enjoy! ^^

Chapter 11

When he looked back on the decades that had passed him by before he noticed it – and the years away from his children and late wife – Hiruzen felt a strange bitterness. Sour on his tongue, absorbing the moisture from his throat, it left him wrinkled and tired. Almost seventy years old and all he had left was a hat he thought he'd passed on, a broken home, and the unwanted weight of guilt and failure.

Minato's untimely passing left no one else to take the mantle of Hokage. No one was worthy of it.

Tragedy aside, the Nine-Tails' rampage across the village was already too much to handle but Orochimaru made his job manifolds harder. To this day, the ANBU under his direct command (which should have been all of them) made sure that the Leaf's ranks were clean of foreign influence. The discovered spies were hauled off to the Intelligence Department, where they were summarily imprisoned or executed.

He was surprised at how deeply his wayward student's spies had infiltrated the village – one even managed to become a teacher at the Academy. Orochimaru's spies were one thing, though. All of this disregarded the existence of his shinobi village, the Hidden Sound, where rogue shinobi were flocking in droves. Over a handful of years, he had gone from a problem to keep an eye on to a force threatening to destabilise the tentative peace between the five villages.

Looking over his desk, Hiruzen pushed several folders to the side in a futile attempt to create some space. Now, two mountains stood on either side of the table, stacked almost as high as his head. They were important documents, but they would have to wait until after his meeting was complete.

It was the one part of his job he enjoyed. Helping the next generation grow was always a passion of his. It was part of the reason he was given the moniker of 'The Professor'; his students, whether he taught them for long or short, all flourished into magnificent shinobi.

His office door creaked open.

"Evening, Lord Hokage."

He smiled at the shinobi. They were one he was quite fond of, after all.

"Iruka. How are you today?"

"I've been well, sir."

The young chunin took a seat in front of him and placed a folder on the table between them. As the person in charge of the bulk of their shinobi training – and their homeroom teacher, as per the new educational model – he wanted his opinion on who to put on what team.

Iruka knew them best.

Hiruzen glanced through it to refresh his memory; it was something he had seen countless times over the last few years. Iruka's cohort was the first to go through the Academy using the new curriculum. It was slower and allowed students more time to learn, make mistakes, and above all, be children.

With this change came the fear that the students would be inferior to their predecessors thanks to the lack of urgency.

Thankfully, that didn't seem to be the case. The students seemed to be more prepared across the board. Usually, the majority of the class dwindled a few notches above or below mediocrity and a few talents would rise markedly above them. However, comparing the average civilian of Iruka's cohort with an average civilian of the previous cohorts proved this without a shadow of a doubt – meaning less pushback from his two advisors and friends.

Of course, there certainly were talents who rose above the rest of the class, but the general skill of the class was simply better.

Iruka brought him up to speed on what targets he would be setting for each student for the final year, as well as what electives he would recommend. Electives were non-mandatory classes available to students from their third year onwards. On top of their previous electives, different ones would also be available for them to choose from with each passing year.

He listened to all of his points carefully, nodding where appropriate and voicing his disagreement when it arose – that rarely happened, though. Iruka pulled out a few sheets of paper out of the folder and a single glance told him all he needed to know.

"What do you think about this first draft?"

Hiruzen hummed and scanned over it. "Team Ino-Shika-Cho?"

"It's a tried and true method, though I have my own issues with it."

He turned his palm up, wordlessly asking him to continue.

"There's the obvious point that Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka do not have the best synergy. Shikamaru is a genius with an astounding IQ and his laziness isn't as big of a problem as it was when he started, but he does not like to lead – which is what he would do were I to make those three a team, or put him on any team except for one."

"What about the other two?"

"Choji isn't a problem. He's easygoing and tends to follow Shikamaru's lead on everything – a potential problem but I don't think it will become one. Ino is a bit different, though."

He sat up in intrigue. Shikaku had often talked about his friends' children but never went into detail.

"She is certainly headstrong – almost to a fault – but it's backed up by ability. Her knowledge of poisons and paralytics is top-notch. While she's been participating in an elective on just that for two years now, I have a feeling her recently more active role in her family's business has helped. There's no doubt her ranking in sparring will increase now that jutsu and weapons are permitted."

"What is the problem, then?"

"There is none – which is why I put them together in my initial draft. I just think they would do better in other teams."

Hiruzen looked down at the paper and stared at a familiar face. "I do believe it would be better to put either of the boys on a team with Naruto Uzumaki. More so Choji than Shikamaru in terms of skillset, but it could work if we made the third member a close-range shinobi."

"So do I but I'd have to go through all the unnecessary bureaucracy. I'll see if I can convince the headmaster to stop trying to replicate the Ino-Shika-Cho formation, but it doesn't look like that'll be the case."

"The Ino-Shika-Cho formation is extremely useful, I do not know if it would be more worthwhile to break it up because the boys get along with Naruto. Just because they're closer to him, does not mean they are not close to Ino. And, while we're on the topic, let us talk about Naruto's team."

"I had a bit of trouble with that one," Iruka admitted. "Speaking as objectively as possible, it would be better to put Naruto with Hinata and either Shikamaru or Choji. I've explained why I can't do this for the boys, but my reason for Hinata is more important."

"I can already see why on the sheet, but I would like to hear it from you." Hiruzen sighed. "I do not like to see the worst in people, but if it's not just me, then I might feel a little better for it."

Iruka nodded grimly.

"It's Sasuke. His skills have only increased, but those aren't what worry me. He's grown more closed off and acerbic. He doesn't talk or contribute to lessons; I don't think he has any friends either. Everything he does or inquires about – mandatory or otherwise – is related to one thing alone: strength."

Hiruzen frowned. This was something that he'd been aware of for a while now. Sasuke was one of the few children he kept tabs on from a distance because it was better than doing so in person; thankfully, Naruto was not one of those people.

"This is where Hinata comes in." Iruka continued. "Putting Naruto and Sasuke on a team together hasn't entered my mind for a second. In some respect, Naruto has made everything going on with Sasuke even worse because of the gap between them – not a big gap, but a gap nonetheless. Yet, despite the sense of inferiority he feels towards Naruto, there's a mutual respect between him and Hinata.

"She beats him in sparring, but he does the same to her. They are not friends, but I think their skillsets are complimentary – Hinata as a close-ranged combatant and Sasuke taking the middle range but being able to assist Hinata when needed."

Hiruzen nodded constantly while Iruka spoke. There was nothing said that he disagreed with. Sasuke had been marked as a flight risk after the Academy's second year, and while being the sole living Uchiha in the Leaf Village was part of it, the boy putting power on a pedestal above all else was worrying.

He sighed, trying to expunge the guilt cloying his insides. Sasuke – and Itachi – were just another of his failures.

"And Shino Aburame is there to provide long-range support, then?"

"Yes, but the bigger reason I chose him is because he meshes well with the two. He is kind, but also logical, and unafraid to point out when someone is wrong – even when there are consequences. It is why he was a lonely boy until last year when Naruto decided to befriend him. Anyway, Sasuke and Hinata are both strong personalities. Despite being polite and put together, when Hinata takes a stand, she will not budge and Sasuke…

"Well, I'm sure you're aware."

Iruka winced and looked out the window.

"...Right," said Hiruzen. "We still haven't tackled Naruto's team. Why Sakura Haruno and Kiba Inuzuka?"

"Putting the Rookie of the Year – or years, with Naruto – on the same team as the Kunoichi of the Year and the worst-performing student in their class has become a tradition. I've never liked it, because I was dead last in my class, but I understand it."

Hiruzen interjected: "Sakura is very academically inclined, yes, but Hinata is the better overall shinobi."

"I agree," Iruka replied. "But Sakura took up the genjutsu elective last year. Given her perfect chakra control, I think she will be fine enough to keep her spot as Kunoichi of the Year – especially since this year's spars will be a crucible for them all. Hinata is fairly average academically speaking. I think between Sakura and Naruto, Kiba will see that single-mindedly focusing on taijutsu will not take him where he wants to go – once that happens, they'll become a very versatile team."

Hiruzen nodded.

His own misgivings aside, this was only a first draft. Iruka would return with his subsequent drafts in the following months and they would debate where to put each student as their abilities solidified. After discussing the rest of the teams in a little less detail, Iruka returned to the Academy to complete the rest of the preparations for his cohort's last year.

Hiruzen returned to his work, reading through various mission requests from all over the Land of Fire. The chair in front of him creaked with the weight of a person. Hiruzen did not look up. His ANBU had not moved from their various positions around the room, nor had his attendant burst through the door after them.

It was most likely Iruka.

He continued reading the requests in silence. The person didn't leave. An undisturbed minute passed and he asked, "What can I do for you, Iruka?"

A hoarse chuckle followed a snort.

"Years gone and you don't even look up when I come to see you?"

He abandoned the scroll.

"S-Son?"

Asuma sat back in the chair, sash around his waist, with a cigarette still burning in his mouth. "What's good, old man? It's nice to see you haven't croaked yet."

Hiruzen goggled at him. There was nothing in his posture that suggested anger, or any sadness on his face. For the first time in a long time, his son looked happy at seeing him. He tried to get it across, but his tongue wouldn't form the words and everything that left his mouth was incomprehensible.

"I know, old man – it was hard to get under all that stuttering but I got you. I'm doing better; spent some time at the Fire Temple in the capital when I could. The Abbot there helped me work through a few things and once my five-year stint was over and the Guardian Tournament came around, I decided to resign and come back. Took me a while to work up the courage to come here, though."

Hiruzen took the moment to digest the information. His son decided to come back – after their massive falling out shortly after the Nine-Tails attack, he drifted away until he left the village entirely. Asuma had been in the village for a few months now, but hadn't come home to live with him – he thought they would never speak again and his return alone made Hiruzen happier than he'd been in years.

"...Welcome back, son." Hiruzen reclined in his chair until the brim of his hat covered his eyes. They pulsed with heat as he squeezed them shut, taking a few moments to collect himself. "What brings you to my office? You could have waited for me at home."

Asuma choked. "I-I'm still welcome?"

"It seems it is your turn to stutter."

He laughed. "Seems so."

"Why wouldn't you be welcome, Asuma?"

"…I just didn't think you'd let me back. I said some pretty ignorant things – and some very horrible things. Not just about you but mum as well."

"While I was certainly furious, I've had time to try and understand you."

"Same here." A ghost of a smile flickered across his face. "A few years will do that to you."

"That is what old age feels like." Hiruzen stopped and chuckled at his affronted expression. "I was never the most attentive parent. My job took me away from you and while it was bad when you were a little boy, it grew worse after you graduated from the Academy – when we lost your mother."

"Mum always tried to help me understand but I never did. When she died and you weren't there when I needed you… my resentment turned into hatred."

"Which is why you left," Hiruzen finished. "I said it before but I will say it again: welcome back, son."

"Thanks, old man."

Asuma shifted in his chair. Hiruzen immediately realised his son was hiding something and wanted to admit it. It was one bad habit – among others, like one they both shared – that he never managed to kick.

"What is it, Asuma?"

"I was standing outside the office when that chunin teacher was in here. Since you're my dad, no one stopped me when I peeked through the door – it was already open just a little bit so I heard what you guys were talking about while I waited."

Hiruzen sighed.

"Now, before you say anything, if it were something important, your ANBU would've stopped me."

Asuma jabbed a thumb behind him – right where Ram was somewhere in the high ceiling.

"...Can you?"

"What, sense them? Yup. It's one of the things I learned at the Fire Temple. To use their techniques, you've got to be able to mould your chakra in a very specific way using Nature Energy – it's not the same as the old pervert's Sage Art, but it's a kind of Sage Art, I guess."

"A Sage Art? That's amazing, Asuma!"

He could not contain his pride for his son. The Sage Arts were the one thing that eluded Hiruzen's grasp. What felt like aeons ago, when he was much younger, he relentlessly tried to learn the art from the Monkeys – including Enma – but gave up when it was clear he had no aptitude for it.

"Truly," Hiruzen smiled. "You do not understand how proud that makes me."

His son looked away and scratched at his beard.

"This isn't about me… and I hear you've got a bit of a problem child."

"Sasuke?"

"Nope. I'm talking about Naruto Uzumaki."

Hiruzen sighed. "He's not a problem per se."

"Isn't he? I've heard people talking about him in the village, you know? I wouldn't be surprised if he decides to up and leave once he's able to. If people called treated me like an ill omen? I'd be gone instantly."

Hiruzen instantly waved the idea off. Naruto wouldn't leave the village. His childhood was awful – which was his fault for blinding himself to Danzo's ills until it was too late – but he had friends, people he cherished and wanted to protect. At the same time, Hiruzen was well aware of his contention with the Will of Fire.

Naruto liked to debate philosophy with Iruka – something the man often complained good-naturedly about – but that was all it was… right? Was Naruto bottling up his resentment for the village because he had come to care for the good people within it?

"He doesn't agree with the Will of Fire entirely – and often points out its flaws – but that isn't a problem, right?"

Asuma shrugged. "I didn't agree with the Will of Fire and look at me. I turned out alright in the end. It's better to let him actually say these things than not, trust me. If he feels strongly enough, then he'll be the difference he wants to establish and if not, then it's also fine. Keep it all bottled up and they'll explode."

Hiruzen nodded, remembering the night the two of them argued. It was the result of disagreements bottled up for ten years that only made Asuma hate the village – and him – in the end.

"The two of you are similar, now that I think about it."

Asuma laughed.

"If this is because of us both being the sons of people like you, I'm going to stop you there. I, at least, know who my father is."

He winced at the accusatory tone Asuma took.

"You're right, but no, that's not why you're similar. You said it yourself. You both have your problems with the Will of Fire – had, in your case."

He sat back. "You're right. The more I think about it, the more I want to become this kid's jonin sensei."

"Are you sure? You understand what he is, right? There is a reason why he will most likely go to Kakashi."

"Kakashi?" he said. "Alright, I've got to get this off my chest: he's a shit teacher."

"Asuma."

"What? He is. He's failed more children than anyone ever – and you can't say none of them had potential. The only reason Kakashi of the Sharingan failed them was because he was grieving and didn't care. Someone like this cannot be a good teacher."

"Naruto is his—"

"So what if he's his sensei's son?" Asuma folded his arms. "I'll admit I barely know the guy, but what I do know of him is through people who've interacted with him — and all the crying children who complain that he failed them without letting them try. You should be able to hear them since they end up right next to this building for a year – then again, some don't."

It was certainly a sight to see every year – and a mighty headache when their teachers inevitably stormed into his office to complain about Kakashi's decision.

"You make a fair point. What is your alternative? Kakashi's eye will be able to deal with any unforeseen circumstances that should befall Naruto. He also knows rudimentary sealing, which is more than can be said for you."

Six years ago, Asuma would have blown up at the statement, but he instead muttered a small prayer to calm himself as he fiddled with the dark wooden beads around his left wrist.

"I will learn sealing then. In terms of strength, I'm not weaker than Kakashi. Especially now."

His voice held no arrogance; the words were delivered without any uptick in tone and with such unassuming confidence that Hiruzen found himself believing him. He glanced over Iruka's initial draft of his class' genin teams as Asuma's words echoed in his head.

Were he to go with this version of the document, he could place Kakashi with Sasuke – which would be important once the boy awakened the Sharingan. Letting him have the two most talented students in the graduating cohort would not bode well for the balance of power across all the teams either.

He spoke his next words carefully, making sure nothing would be set in stone.

"If," he said, fixing Asuma with a pointed stare, "you can become proficient at intermediate-level sealing and make sure you at least know the workings of Naruto's seal and its maintenance – do not worry, I will provide you with Minato and Kushina's writings on it – and can make a strong argument in the Jonin Sensei meeting in nine months, then I will consider it."

Asuma nodded. "I can do that."

"There is also the matter of proving yourself stronger than Kakashi. None of it will matter if you cannot prove that you are capable of making sure Naruto returns to the village in any case – something Kakashi can certainly do."

"Trust me, old man. I'm not the same Asuma you remember."

"We will see. Remember, son, that it is not only me you must convince. There is Danzo, Koharu, Homura, and Shikaku as well. I could unilaterally decide to make you Naruto's sensei, but that would do little to convince anyone else that you are the best choice."

"Leave it to me. I've been itching for a protégée of my own. Don't think I'm quite ready for kids yet so a genin team will have to do."

Hiruzen laughed at the joke and waved him out. "Will I see you for dinner?"

"Don't buy anything," Asuma called from outside the office. "I'm cooking. We'll… catch up more during dinner. Wouldn't want to disturb you from your work."

Six years ago, his son couldn't cook a thing. Smiling to himself, Hiruzen wondered what else he'd learned at the Fire Temple and how much he'd grown since then.