Chapter 14 – The Beginning

Disclaimer: Naruto and its characters do not belong to me

Previously on Secret Keeper:The arrival of the Genin Trials brings with it new opportunities, for the winning team, at least! And Team 7 are determined to win - if only to catch up with their old classmates...

"So, that's three pens, a notebook, three different coloured inks, and a small bag of bird treats?" Kakashi glanced at his cute genin.

"Yes, Sensei." Sakura chirped, the boys grinning beside her. "We'll take the clue now, please." she smiled sweetly.

Kakashi nodded, mentally noting the smile could become a powerful weapon, if utilised correctly.

"Maa, let me see, how about, other than Team 7, there are two prime team numbers?"

His cute genin blinked, before huddling round Sasuke's notebook. After a short discussion – and some notes – they refocussed back on their sensei.

"So, what's the next clue worth, Sensei?" Sakura asked eagerly.

"Miso soup with eggplant." Kakashi replied promptly. He was rather hungry, having missed breakfast.

"Yatta! One clue, coming up!" Naruto cheered, breaking into a sprint.

Kakashi was soon savouring the delicious soup as his genin, once again, were gathered around the notebook. The clue? Two of their competitor teams had female senseis.

And so, it continued. The genin completed as many D-ranks, training exercises and 'missions' as they could, piecing together the various clues their sensei gave, until the dawn marked the Trail's beginning. As the genin of Team 7 were now accustomed to, they met up early at the bridge.

"Right then. Gear check?" Sakura asked hesitantly.

The others nodded. This was their chance, no way were they failing! The fact that their opponents most likely already had access to the Village Library went unsaid.

"Who's first?" Sakura asked, glancing between her teammates.

"I'll start." Sasuke muttered, already having his weapons pouch open. "I've got 20 kunai, 20 shuriken, 50 senbon, a fūma shuriken, and about 50 feet of wire. Sakura?"

"Huh? Um, right, er, 10 kunai, 10 shuriken, 5 smoke bombs, 2 exploding tags, and, um, 3 coloured chalks, white, black and pink." she blushed. Now that she was with her team, the chalk seemed idiotic.

Sasuke nodded.

"Good thinking. We might need to leave messages. Naruto?"

The blond grinned.

"Well, 3 brushes, 5 stacks of sealing paper, 10 ink bottles, 50 kunai, 50 shuriken, 20 feet of wire, 50 smoke bombs, 10 paints, streamers, 2 katanas, a tantō, basic pranking/trapping kit, er, think that's everything? Oh, 5 soldier pills and 10 ration bars."

"Right," Sakura giggled. "Let's head out!" she proclaimed, punching the air.

The prestigious Genin Trials take place once a year, a month before the Autumn Chunin Exam. Due to the Hokage only choosing four teams, and the various requirements needed to be considered, most jounin-senseis would carefully work out the chances of their new genin team of passing the Chunin Exam. If there was any doubt, the team wouldn't be entered, in the hope of being chosen for a Trial. The sensei would then do everything in their power to ensure their genin team stood out.

Of course, the Hokage actively encouraged this, as it lead to better-trained genin. This time, however, was different, as only three genin teams had passed the Genin Test, normally five or six teams managed to pass. As a result, the senseis of the new teams appeared to be determined to prove something. It certainly hadn't helped Hiruzen when the time came to choose this year's competitors.

But, such is the life of a Hokage, making difficult decisions. He did have to admit to being a bit disappointed with some of the jounin-senseis, however. They were just being lazy, not really teaching their genin and relying too much on Clan Techniques. Although, he did get a laugh out of watching Kakashi's exchange. Team 7 had actually succeeded in emptying the D-rank pool yesterday! Chuckling at the memory, he finished preparing and set off for the start of the Trials.

Upon arriving at the Village Gate, he was pleasantly surprised to find Team 7 ready and waiting.

"Ah, Kakashi-kun! This is a surprise!" Hiruzen exclaimed. He had been expecting to have to delay the start.

"Maa, maa, I have no idea what you mean, Hokage-sama?" the silver-haired jounin responded, head buried in his book.

The rest of Team 7 sweat-dropped, before returning to their conversation. Hiruzen was amused to discover it consisted almost entirely of facial expressions. What was Kakashi teaching his genin?

Before long, everyone had assembled. Hiruzen took a moment to observe his various shinobi as they milled around. The two older teams and judges kept to themselves, while one of the younger teams attempted to mix with the other – key word being 'attempted'. For their own part, Team 7 seemed to be having a silent discussion.

Hiruzen shook his head slightly in amusement, before calling for the introductions. The Academy Instructors would go first, he decided.

The purple-haired kunoichi sighed, before stepping forwards and looking the genin teams over.

"Name's Mitarashi Anko. I specialise in poisons and espionage." she shrugged, before pulling a stick of dango from her pocket and moved back.

Iruka smiled as he took his turn.

"Umino Iruka, as I'm sure you all know. I specialise in barrier jutsu, and a couple of others." he winked, or it could have been a trick of the light?

"Funeno Daikoku," the jovial chunin nodded happily. "I don't really have a speciality," he shrugged.

The final instructor stepped forwards. With his eyepatch and thin face, he didn't look like someone to be trifled with.

"Akame Iwana. That's all yer getting." he glared at the assembled genin.

Team 7 exchanged glances, before their attention was called back to the Hokage.

"We will begin with the older teams, I think." Hiruzen hummed, causing the jounin-senseis to nod.