Chapter 7: Baby Steps
Naruto eyed Soma the older man pacing back and forth on the engawa while the blonde ate breakfast.
Today was his final test for ninja academy but Soma was more nervous than he was. It was also his first time officially pulling away from the restructuring of the academy to do complete field training and dedicated focus on Gennin teams. Soma was only doing small trial runs off groups and changing up the academy structure and curriculum, so far. He had been swamped in his time reforming the shinobi academy composition.
On top of his current change and transition to employ fully following through with the team's training regiment, this year Soma was given another assistant... well the way the Hokage phrased it it was more demanded he takes on this assistance. The guy got hurt on a recent mission and was required to settle down for several months. Soma argued that he had several assistants...he didn't win the argument and was now paired with someone who would be helping to look over a future team. It didn't help that Soma himself seemed nervous about what was to be happening.
It was strange to encounter as the blonde had always known his guardian to be quite calm cool and collected. He struggled to even remember a time when Soma was ever even surprised let alone full of nervous energy. He heard his guardian even muttering under his breath about there not being enough time. This was all out of character for Soma. He acted more like Naruto did when he got stressed or nervous. It proved to the blonde that Soma was not always perfect and that they were probably spending too much time together if they acted so similarly. Naruto didn't mind but was still unsure of how to analyze Soma's peculiar mood.
Even when Naruto had blown up one of the reinforced training rooms Soma just made sure he was alright and set to work fixing the room. The blonde really aspired to be that level-headed. It was strange to see him so...unsettled.
He looked up to Soma and was really happy to have him in his life. Though this was unnerving to see. The man poured everything into Naruto, all his knowledge and tricks, and the blonde was grateful but felt anxious at the thought of being separated from his guardian. Even he knew that Soma's dedicated training ends as soon as Naruto becomes a chunin. Nagato often talked about how the day Soma returns back to his mission-filled life was fast approaching. That made Naruto's gut twist in fear a bit.
It was hard to explain but Soma and him were like two halves of a soul to him
Everything Soma was Naruto felt connected to each passion deeply in his heart. They truly were like true family even if he wasn't completely related to him.
Right now Soma was hovering as Naruto was to face the graduation exam. The blonde had tried to graduate early like his guardian had done so all those many years ago. Yet Soma, Nagato, and especially Karin were vehemently against the thought.
Soma told Naruto that being underestimated was by far better out in the Shinobi world.
Nagato agreed but added that for Soma circumstances were very different
The Uzumaki had to offer up a deal to even keep him a clan orphan until Soma was a jonnin. The details were always unexplained though Soma told him bits and pieces here and there. It had to do with the civilian council at the time and Soma offering up his own personal fuinjutsu seals to obtain the child before Naruto was to join the shinobi academy. In the early arrival of the Uzumaki clan there had been many obstacles and restrictions when they had any handling with Naruto as at the time he was still considered a civilian. So they needed to adopt Naruto and struck that deal.
The council has been filled as Some crashed through the rankings before any could protest the blonde was officially an orphan to the clan. Then Soma himself officially adopted Naruto. The only way they could was if Soma was a jonnin. The effeminate man was also kinda forced out of his childhood but that was mostly due to his status and leadership role in the clan. So it was inevitable either way for Soma to progress swiftly. It didn't mean none of them felt regret for forcing Soma to shoulder their dues to the village. The clan didn't want to make such a decision again.
Both men urged Naruto to really enjoy his life.
Karin said she would go crazy if she had to see the little boy coming back beaten and bruised from missions like she had when Soma had gone through the process of advancement. That she could bare with it only if he had a good childhood to outweigh any gained dark memories, besides Soma had been older than her and there was something about him that no one could argue against.
The blonde was outnumbered and could understand their reasoning so he accepted. Though he made Soma teach him a few new tricks in exchange for having to suffer through the academy. It wasn't all bad, his childhood friends remained in his classes, and in his final few years, he got to see Iruka sensei again who was very happy to see the blonde.
The pair grew close in the blonde's earlier years, and Naruto continued it by showing Iruka his secret ramen shop.
He enjoyed his last remaining years of youth and the blonde couldn't help but be grateful for the overbearing protectiveness of his family. It made Naruto wonder if that could possibly be what was making Soma fret. The thought of the blonde growing up so fast and him being unsure if Naruto was ready for the next path in life.
Though Soma was going to run a hole in the floor if he kept up that pacing.
"You look like you're about to propose to your mortal enemy." Naruto said munching on some fruits Soma had laid out for him. The blonde needed Soma to get it together he really couldn't be the one to be levelheaded today.
The redhead snorted and stopped to glower at his smaller counterpart. That eased the blonde seeing such familiar calmness practically take over his guardian.
Naruto was really surprised as Soma was still holding onto his everlasting youth. The man didn't look like he changed from the age of sixteen the only thing proving he aged was how his long hair now reached to the back of his knees. The glimmering strands were a brilliant ruby red and his skin was so pale it looked almost moon kissed.
Though that in part had to do with Soma training Naruto when he wasn't in school and taking on missions only at night. Naruto has heard clues from the other adults in the clan on why his guardian shifted his schedule around always to be able to accommodate Naruto and help train several of the previous Gennin classes before him.
Neji practically idolized Soma and followed him around like a puppy when he had been getting to help train Team Guy since the previous year.
That Lee kid revered Soma and praised him as much as he did his look-alike bushy-brow sensei.
Naruto had met and interacted with some interesting characters because of Soma and so long as they weren't civilians they treated Naruto kindly.
The blonde had asked why there was such a disparity between civilians and Shinobi and how they interacted with Naruto. Soma promised he would explain in detail but only if Naruto graduated from the academy.
He was getting sidetracked and Soma was back to pacing realizing he had lost Naruto's focus. Naruto eyed Soma's outfit knowing the redhead was finally going to go outside for the first time in a social setting. Well outside in the daytime at least and not about clan socialities.
It had been several years of Soma only working and training Naruto, going out on missions in the dead of night and chatting with clan elders over politics in the daytime. Naruto wondered when his guardian actually slept.
Soma was dressed rather lavishly. A sleek black multi-layered kimono with silver accents and details. The blonde could see the clan seal was pressed into the fabric like silver brush strokes.
The kimono barred his pale shoulders in an attractive manner and the brilliance of his hair and glimmer of his eyes really made him look beautiful. However, Naruto squinted and eyed the soft touches of makeup lining his guardian's eyes in grey and black. Some would describe him as effeminate but to Naruto he was just Soma. Maybe Soma had to attend to clan duties or see some political figure if he was wearing makeup. Soma liked to use his looks to get the upper hand in certain settings.
He taught Naruto the nuances of why he dressed as he did and the blonde couldn't refute the logic. Seduction was something they previously only taught the girls in the Shinobi academy but Soma had ensured it was to be taught to everyone. Naruto took to it like a duck to water, it even helped Naruto create a new jutsu. His sexy jutsu and when Soma saw it he burst out in laughter and tears oddly before he mimicked Naruto's jutsu. It was a peculiar way to bond but the pair seemed to be able to connect with anything and add their new skills to their own repertoire.
It was becoming very obvious the younger Uzumaki would take after Soma in many aspects of fighting style and dress. They were practically twins at this point though currently, Naruto was a few feet shorter than Soma. Though there was no doubt Naruto would be taller than Soma once puberty hit. They were both in the same training regiment and would share the same body type. Lithe, lean, and toned in muscle, as that was useful for their clan and summons fighting style. Though Naruto would learn what his summoning would be at a later date. Soma said he had been selected for these summons at his birth and wasn't that an honor.
Naruto matched Soma's clothing and fighting style to a T. The only difference between the two was their coloring. As Naruto sported Golden blonde hair and sky blue eyes Soma's garnet hair looked like ruby strands in sunlight and eyes deep and swirling like stormy seas.
Naruto looked up at the clock and pulled away from the table shoving the last bits of fruit into his mouth only to realize that Nagato and Yahiko had entered the food hall. Yahiko scurried over to him grabbed his empty plate and shooed the blonde away the orange-haired man only snickered when glancing behind Naruto.
Naruto glanced back to see Nagato hugging Soma tightly and murmuring in his ear, it seemed to be calming Soma down as the nervous energy around him dissipated. Naruto frowned as he couldn't hear a word spoken between the two older men. He had good hearing like Soma so he could only assume a privacy seal was in place, it meant Nagato didn't want the blonde Uzumaki hearing his words. Konan swooped in and hurried the blonde away also eyeing the men speaking behind a barrier to one another, Naruto would almost say it seemed...intimate. Whatever this was with Soma the others knew what was bothering him and it seemed Nagato was the only one who knew how to calm Soma down.
He was in good hands and so Naruto needed to pass the exam and make his guardian proud. That needed to be his only worry as of now, he needed to focus on the mission as Soma always reminded him. He'd become a Ninja and make their clan proud because he was an Uzumaki.
Believe it!
T.D.O.T.
Soma snorted when Naruto burst out of the academy with the biggest smile on his face and wearing a headband. The boy truly looked so proud wearing the leaf symbol. He could spot Iruka who was practically basking with pride waving the boy off.
Naruto was talking a mile a minute while Soma held him and other children eyed the duo with interest.
Soma only showed himself to graduating classes and to Shinobi council leaders for the last several years. To see the beautiful redhead was an anomaly to everyone. Especially since he was dressed so elegantly.
Nagato snickered behind the duo who both looked at him wearing matching expressions or adorable confusion. Naruto was dressed in a soft tan kimono with the Uzumaki seal pressed in the fabric with his long golden hair pulled back and held with senbon. Just like Soma, he wrote geta and both of them were as quiet as a forest predator in them.
Soma was still in his elegant black and silver kimono looking every bit like the pair were a mother and daughter rather than Distant male cousins. The long glimmering red locks were half up and held by Senbon as well. Though Soma had beautiful gemstones woven through his hair. The older man had a meeting with the Hokage prior to picking up the blonde. So even Nagato was wearing a plain black kimono top in the Uzushino style. The sides of his top were slit connecting only at the top and bottom of the seam. He knew you could catch glimpses of skin or most likely his bared chest and abs when he moved about. Nagato also wore Uzushino-styled bottoms hakama that also had a part of the hip on each side cut out showing off a lot of thigh and hip. This was all supposed to ensure he matched his leader...though Nagato doubted he'd ever look as pretty as the pair no matter how closely he dressed to match the Uzumaki heritage. Soma never made him correct himself so Nagato kept to only dressing casually when not made to go into political settings with the younger man.
Besides other than the Hokage visit this was a special day and dressing in their clan's traditional styles meant a lot.
Soma had come across a security risk in his time working at the academy and a teacher was taken in by the Uchiha police prior to the examinations. So unwilling to rush being late picking up Naruto, Soma, and Nagato opted to arrive looking like a couple out of a feudal movie.
The dark glare that Soma aimed towards the hushed murmured whispering that broke their quiet celebrating was deadly showing the Uzumaki leader would not stand for such an insult. Nagato stood behind his leader smiling darkly at any who dared look at Naruto wrong adding force to Soma's own threat. The two redheads were Naruto's main protectors and even civilians knew better than to draw either man's ire.
Naruto wasn't the only Uzumaki to pull ruthless and untraceable pranks.
The other clan children's parents weren't amused by the murmurs and the civilian parents suddenly quieted down when they all realized the children of Shinobi clans would not endure the snubbing of a clan child. It was the first time they saw such a united front and luckily none of the children paid much attention to it.
Soma and several of the Uzumaki clan collected the heir and set off to their favorite village Ramen shop. Iruka was dragged along at the word of Soma and the lingering glances given from Yahiko made it an easy excuse to invite the teacher along.
This Iruka would never be like Soma's, but the redhead knew that Iruka and Naruto still had a strong bond and connection and would do everything to foster it.
T.D.O.T.
Naruto looked to Soma tears streaming down his face but clinging to the older Uzumaki. Soma finally told him the truth about why the civilians hated him. The blonde boy didn't understand it entirely though, it felt unfair and unjust but Soma's soothing hands running through his hair made the pain practically wash away in gentle touches.
He had a bijuu sealed inside him.
It was a lot to take in and Soma was patient soothing Naruto where he could. The blonde felt like a small kid again being coddled as he was but no one could blame him. Soma definitely wasn't especially with the soft kisses pressed to the crown of his blonde head.
"I can't change that though. I'm just a container I'm not even the fox!" Naruto was a little hysterical but Soma tucked him close and just held him tight. Didn't they understand he's just the container that the demon doesn't have free will? Their hate was just directed at a child who has no knowledge of what they had been through. It's like sealing a kunai, Naruto wasn't the weapon but the thing that contained it.
"They do not understand Naru. All they see is fear and hate not you, but what you contain. Ignorance is something I cannot protect you from entirely. That will be up to you to change their perception." Naruto looked at Soma into those deep dark blue eyes of his.
He only saw the love, the understanding the kindness Soma had always offered him. Soma had always known and still loved him, still making sure Naruto was happy and healthy. Protected from the harsh reality of the world. Soma had Uzumaki create their own trade and shopping arenas, securing areas of the town where the blonde would never need to cross paths with a person who hated him without cause.
For Soma, this was nothing to change how he felt about Naruto, and that made the remaining hurt leave the blonde boy. Naruto wailed and determined then and there he would do everything to lead his clan to greatness.
He would make the villagers see they were wrong about him and that Soma's years of being 'the demon's watchdog' would never leave him painted in a bad light again.
Naruto vowed to become the Hokage. One day they would acknowledge Naruto's worth beyond the chakra sealed within him. Then Soma's efforts will not have gone to waste.
For his clan, for Soma but also for himself. For now, though he allowed Soma to soothe him and relished in the love he was given happy to not have to go through this alone.
Soma spent a long time with Naruto that night until the boy pulled himself together and stumbled into Soma's bed. The redhead had a clone cuddling the boy to sleep.
Soma sighed before moving through the hushed household feeling suffocated. He found himself outside still on clan ground but facing dense forest. Shrugging off the top of his kimono left him bare from the waist up. Slim body unmarred by the countless battles he faced in his past.
He didn't understand why but he began crying almost as if finally letting go of some resentment he had for his precious people leaving him behind. Unconsciously he traced his upper body as if searching for wounds that no longer existed on his body. Gone was the scar left behind by his Sasuke from trying to shove a chidori through his chest. Gone was the slice on his hip from Sakura's only on-field surgery she ever had to do because his bijuu was too drained to heal him. Gone was the burn on his hand from when Shikamaru had accidentally flicked ash from his cigarette his way. Gone was the tattoo that had once wrapped around his body brought to life by Sai for their battles. The first kunai Kakashi had ever given him. The first headband he had ever been given by Iruka. Those few pieces that used to ground him and he only just realized they were gone. He silently cried and gasped into the dark night ashamed this still haunted him. Horrified when each of their Dead expressions crossed his mind. Soma grieved felt the hurt eat him and sobbed softly into the darkness of the night.
Warm hands lifted his kimono top and hugged Soma. Soma sobbed for the Nagato of his past as well, he had never gotten to know peace. Nagato's deep voice soothed him and Soma determined he would know peace, that they all would even if he had to die for it. Soon the real Soma was tucked in with Naruto.
T.D.O.T.
Naruto settled next to Sasuke as usual. Despite his longtime friend's popularity the Raven-haired boy never ignored Naruto. They had only grown closer in the years of the academy harboring a healthy rivalry. Even though Soma and Itachi didn't really talk anymore, they both encouraged the boys to continue their friendship.
Naruto was surprised to see Soma follow behind him into class. The blonde knew he would regularly join in on observation of the teams and early dynamics but he didn't think he was there for assignments.
His guardian was extremely difficult to read today and Naruto glanced to the side seeing Sasuke was in the same predicament as he was.
Itachi was apparently the new assistant for Soma and the tension between the two was palpable. Naruto eyed Itachi wary of him a bit as it was difficult to get on Soma's bad side. Though Soma never spoke badly of him he just never sought the man out. He avoided Itachi and Kakashi for the previous several years the blonde had been in the academy. To see a stoic-looking Itachi standing by with several others on Soma's teaching roster. Most were usually Shinobi who had been pulled from several other divisions. Some were even pulled from anbu so that there was a breather from the harsh missions and a reminder to them of what they fought for.
That's at least what Naruto heard when he would eavesdrop on Soma's conversations with the Hokage.
The Hokage had been entirely pleased with the results and Soma had been practically praised by most of the Shinobi on duty. Naruto needed to ensure that continued for his guardian as the man sacrificed so much for their clan and even the village. It was a long road but he would get there somehow.
Naruto watched astounded as teams were called and Soma assigned assistants and sent out his wind clones to follow each group.
Naruto's group was skipped but Soma sent Itachi over to his group once they were assigned. The older Uchiha did as he was told and observed team seven. Itachi kept glancing at one member of team seven though. Sasuke seemed elated to have his brother help guide the team.
The blonde eyed his group. He was happy to have Sasuke in his group as the boys had an understanding of their strengths and weaknesses but...his other teammate. His sky-blue gaze shifted but he refused outright looking at the only girl on their team.
Sakura Haruno was a self-proclaimed Sasuke fangirl. The girl had long pink hair that she and Ino, his friend but also a Sasuke fangirl, had grown their hair out to appeal to the boy.
Sasuke was admittedly disturbed by their rivalry over him and the blonde never heard the end of the time Sakura mistook Naruto for another girl. It was the beginning of the academy and she accused Naruto of trying to win Sasuke's love... Naruto apparently humiliated her by informing her he was a boy in front of the crowd she had chosen to yell at him over.
Sakura took that personally and has hated Naruto ever since.
It definitely hadn't helped when Sasuke had declared he'd rather be forced to marry Naruto than be Sakura's fantasy boyfriend. Shikamaru had chimed in that would probably be a better option than being stuck with a shrew-like Sakura. Naruto had tried to shut up his friends but the damage had been done.
The blonde had given Sasuke and Shikamaru a week's worth of pranks for that one. Sasuke refused to apologize as Sakura was out of line and Sasuke needed to look after Naruto. Shikamaru only stated that he'd always defend his friends from harpies like Sakura.
It was far too heartwarming for Naruto to stay upset at either friend over.
Now though, he got to watch Soma actually be a ninja...at least in a monitor type of way. He had never seen him so focused even when waiting for a now two-hour late instructor.
Soma did have that crease between his eyebrows though and seemed pissed. Even Naruto was annoyed with having to wait so long for their sensei.
Sasuke was ignoring Sakura by talking to his elder brother and asking him about his previous mission so Naruto took it upon himself to bring his new sensei some retribution.
He knew if he tried to approach Sakura the girl would try to rip his hair out and Sasuke was busy. He would have approached Soma but the blonde really wanted to get a bit of revenge for their wasted time.
Soma idly watched Naruto create several shadow clones silencing the room as they set about making a trap...or several.
Soma had been glad he was able to obtain permission to show Naruto shadow clones from the forbidden scroll. The Hokage had been informed of the blonde's trouble with regular illusion clones.
Soma spoke of his wind clones as a replacement but informed Hiruzen just how dangerous a wind clone could be. It made the old man hesitate to allow Naruto to be taught that just yet. Though they needed a durable and usable replacement for the boy to be able to grow in skill and pass the graduation exam.
It was Iruka who brought up the shadow clone jutsu created by the second Hokage. Soma knew how to do the jutsu, it was expected as he was a high-ranking member of anbu, so the Hokage entrusted him to teach Naruto about the ability. Even if they were hesitant, to Hiruzen it was a better alternative than Naruto working with clones that could blow up. Especially since that boy was already difficult to track down after pulling a prank. Imagine having his anbu chase the boy around the village to capture him and for it to be a clone that exploded.
So that chapter was settled and Naruto was taught how to make shadow clones from Soma.
"What are you doing idiot!" Sakura's voice yelled out pulling the room from his thoughts and conversations to focus back on Naruto who was finally settling himself back into his seat. His seals were sinking into the classroom floor to disappear from sight.
"What does it look like, are you too stupid to understand what a trap looks like?" Sasuke spoke practically sneering at Sakura who recoiled back as if she was slapped. Itachi's firm grip on his shoulder kept Sasuke from saying more.
"No Sasuke Kun it's just we could get in trouble because of Naruto's stupid pranks." The Pinkett tried to pull Sasuke to her side by offering this logic but both her teammates looked at her with deadpanned expressions.
"Sakura, he's a jonnin. If he falls for my childish pranks then we can take measures in how active and involved this sensei will be committing to us. Either way, it's a quick way to gauge his actual interest levels and investments in us." Sakura growled between her clenched teeth as Naruto spoke.
"Why would we have to put it sensei under scrutiny?" Naruto sighed at Sakura's words and Sasuke actually looked about ready to pop a blood vessel.
"Did you do zero research on the Sensei for the graduating class? They gave up their names at the beginning of the year and you didn't even think to gather information on any of them?" Sakura looked chastised by Sasuke who chose to speak up next.
"No, it's just a teacher. He's meant to be teaching us past the academy years... right?" Sakura looked unsure between the two boys and glanced at the two quiet adults in the room.
"Sakura, Kakashi sensei has never passed any gennin team in his entire career as a jonnin sensei." Naruto was solemn but Sakura looked pale.
"You're lying!" Sakura shrieked but Sasuke and Naruto only looked at the two quiet men in the room.
"He's only taken on apprentices, and they were both prodigies. Never a team." Both Naruto and Sasuke looked away from the blank expressions of their elder brothers and back to Sakura who looked ill.
"So, he's only interested in strong Shinobi." Naruto shrugged and Sasuke huffed at Sakura's stricken expression.
"You aren't listening. He had never taken a Gennin team. He took on two chunin as apprentices. It's not like just anyone can be approved for field training." Sasuke spoke seeking to now settle himself in an angle to watch the door.
"But we graduated, he can't refuse to take us on...can he?" Sakura spoke airily losing wind.
"That's just the start of our Shinobi careers." Naruto pulled out a scroll from his wrist and began reading it surprising Sakura.
"Where in the hell were you hiding that!" Sakura screeched out.
"Asking about one's clan secrets is a no-no, Miss Haruno." It was the first time Soma spoke and it startled Sakura. She had mistaken the beautiful redhead for a woman. His deep voice made it abundantly clear that the beauty was a man.
Itachi quirked a brow because Soma didn't normally seem to mind when the other clans asked questions about the Uzumaki clan's abilities. Though Sakura was a civilian and not from a Shinobi clan. It would be wise to guard their secrets a bit here, Itachi hummed in thought on Soma's demeanor.
They could all read the girl as her expression was trying to size up Soma.
He was wearing a blush kimono for crying out loud. Soma's way of life must have been confusing to an outsider despite everyone else being fairly used to the red-headed jonnin.
Either way, Soma was still Sakura's superior, and getting sized up for his appearance was a bit much.
Now Sakura understood why Naruto looked and acted like a girl. He was the spitting image of his relative or maybe it was an Uzumaki clan thing being so effeminate. She knew Naruto didn't have an actual mom or dad. Her mother had warned her to stay away from the blonde Uzumaki and especially the Uzumaki leader though Sakura wasn't sure who that was exactly.
It wasn't like she had much of a choice right now though. She was stuck on a team with Naruto and even if her mother wanted to tell her anything it was out of her hands.
Either way, they were all interrupted by the door opening. The door slid open and they spotted silver spiked hair for a moment before a flash of light and a plume of orange was covering the man in orange powder.
Kakashi coughed up a small puff of orange smoke fizzled from his mask. A net was wrapped around the irritable-looking Jonnin. Kakashi shifted and the orange shimmered. Kakashi sighed, glitter was a pain to get rid of.
Soma snickered and Itachi coughed to hide his own amusement. Kakashi glowered at the room his gaze lingering on Soma a breath longer than the others.
"My first impression of you all is that...you are all unique. Meet me on the roof." Kakashi, Soma, and Itachi disappeared without even a puff of smoke. The net falling to the floor was the only sign Kakashi had been there in the first place.
Naruto laughed and scrambled to the window. "Race you guys to the top!"
"Dobe!" Sasuke growled but Naruto had already begun his walk up the wall. Sakura looked stunned and the Uchiha scrambled out of the classroom running to the roof. Sasuke was cursing his brother for not letting him learn that chakra control technique. Now he has to scramble to catch up with Naruto.
"Wait for me Sasuke!" Sakura yelled out hurrying after the moody boy.
T.D.O.T.
Soma was settled sitting on the railing his legs crossed but showing a long line of thigh. His pale shoulders were bare and his long hair was loose and flowing in the breeze.
"Nice of you to finally Show up Kakashi senpai." Soma spoke eyeing his two counterparts who both looked like they were trying to contemplate a hundred questions between the two of them.
Kakashi was much like Soma remembered from his earlier years. He somehow got rid of the orange chalk Naruto had covered him in the brief few moments of their travel. Though Soma eyed a few sparkles of glitter still sprinkled over him gleeful he had not left unscathed.
Still wearing his hitaiate askew and sloppily dressed in his blue jonnin attire. Itachi had looked healthy as well. Wearing a black net undershirt with his black training tank and pants Soma often saw him in.
"That's the first thing you say to me after all these years. No sight or sound of you, actively avoiding both Itachi and me. All over a stupid argument from years ago." Kakashi had crossed over into Soma's space but the man didn't intimidate the redhead.
Soma kept Kakashi at a distance with a single arm pressing his chest. "Naruto is bound to be up here in several moments and I'm sure Sasuke won't be that far behind. Right." Soma spoke this directly to Itachi who hadn't moved from the far corner of the roof by the only access door.
"You would be correct, my brother moves swiftly." Itachi spoke in a monotone and Soma hummed in response.
It figured the closest friends in this life and his last had the emotional range of celery. Soma shook his head snickering to himself quietly.
"Then I suggest we hold this conversation for another time." Soma smiled sweetly but surprised Kakashi by pushing the older man back with just the tips of his fingers.
Kakashi frowned, that power was new as he had not wanted to move. Did stepping away to train some brats really help Soma grow as a Shinobi?
Blonde hair popped up over the railing on Soma's side and curious blue eyes looked at the three figures there.
"I've been waiting but is it safe for me to come over now? No more grown-up talk right?" Soma smiled and nodded as Naruto swiftly jumped and landed at Soma's side. The other two men stood dumbfounded that Naruto knew how to wall walk.
The boy seemed to have practiced it to the point of being able to maintain holding it without a problem. Kakashi and Itachi were surprised the blonde could do so effortlessly with the amount of chakra he carried.
The rest of the team burst from the door, Sasuke first and several moments later a panting Sakura behind him.
Once the kids were settled Soma felt that this moment was strangely surreal. Kakashi gave his half-assed responses to the gennin's questions. Sakura's declaration of hating Naruto and indirectly saying she loved Sasuke was still the same.
Sasuke just saying he wanted to surpass even prodigal geniuses like Soma and Itachi. Naruto was the most surprising.
"I want to make my clan proud, to repay all their blood, sweat, and tears they put into me becoming a person. I want Soma especially to know that all his efforts and time he put into me were worth it." It eased so much hurt that had once been in Soma's heart. All the hurt from his own past felt washed away as if cleansed from within. Just knowing he did right by Naruto let go of some unclenching fear that had always festered within his gut.
It felt off to hear Kakashi try to trick the kids about survival training but it was nice to see the skepticism in Naruto's eyes and the snort escape Sasuke. The only one not doubting their Sensei and his word so far was Sakura but Soma knew it would take time to change for her.
They would all have to wait until it happened.
T.D.O.T.
Kakashi, Itachi, and Soma stood in awkward silence as the children ran off. Naruto was practically dragging his teammates away to go eat ramen one of his and most of their clans, favorite meals. Even despite Sakura's protests of the blonde associating with her.
Kakashi turned to Soma and immediately bowed surprising the redhead.
"I've been an idiot and I'm going to apologize." Kakashi spoke after he stood up "I forgot that you're so damn devoted to Naruto and his development. That our mission life was going to pull away from you being able to teach him what it meant to come from a clan. Skills, and secrets that take a lifetime to develop and learn. I forgot that you were showing him not to just be a Shinobi but an Uzumaki. For that, I apologize for doubting you and your choices all those years." Kakashi said his piece and Itachi cleared his throat.
"I too wish to ask for your forgiveness. I was wrong, I have been holding Sasuke back from growth...from his own potential while you were not just training Naruto but building a bond. Something between you two that makes him want to be better for you, your clan, and the village. It was wrong of me to question you and doubt you. I'm sorry." Soma blinked once, twice, and then sniffled before bursting into tears startling both his former teammate and sensei.
"I forgave you both a long time ago." Soma spoke between the tears and then pointed in the direction the kids went. "Did you hear Naruto he's so grown up." Soma was a blubbering mess throwing himself into his quietly horrified friend's arms. Both men caught the redhead but each winced when his wailing got louder.
Soma Uzumaki, always surprising those around him especially the two men in his life that had the emotional range of celery.
T.D.O.T
Soma snickered watching Naruto gloat over a sulking Kakashi. Sakura was hiding behind Sasuke who looked quite smug about their victory.
Itachi and Soma were impressed that the kids found the man's weakness and exploited it swiftly. Naruto made clones act out Kakashi's favorite pervy one-liners, Soma regretted keeping Jiraya's Icha Icha Paradise collection anywhere near the Uzumaki grounds now.
While distracted Sasuke trapped him with the same head hunter justsu he had almost been trapped in several minutes prior after the boys had Sakura pull the bells off Kakashi's belt tossing them to a Naruto clone that kept them out of the sensei's reach while the gennin retreated to a safe distance. Then the true trick came out once the kids were hidden behind one of Naruto's fuinjutsu barriers. Sakura was waving around his Itcha Itcha Paradise. That had been the true goal other than the bells. Sasuke was there as a threat to burn the book Should Kakashi come any closer or disagree with the three gennins demands.
Pass all three of them as a team or they will destroy his precious book before his eyes.
It was bold and they understood the true meaning of the exam. Teamwork. Soma and Itachi had refused to give any of team seven a hint on what their survival test with Kakashi would be. They remained neutral until the kids were to be taken on by their new sensei. So instead of Naruto and Sasuke splintering off as a two-man unit, they took Sakura in and made this plan to remain as a promised unit.
Kakashi had no choice but to pass them. Though the humiliating way the man lost was the true cause of his sudden bout of depression. Soma and Itachi both knew he hated having his ego slapped like this. It would seem team seven would get more intense training than when Soma's past dictated.
All because they threatened the man's perverted book.
Soma and Itachi knew firsthand how petty Kakashi could be if he was bested. "How long do you think they'll last?" Soma loosely whispered holding back a snort when Naruto snapped his gaze to him.
Not very subtle Naru but it's a start.
"A week. Kakashi looks madder than the time you arrogantly proved you could learn his sensei's technique in front of Jiraya sama and did so." Soma grimaced at the memory of 'learning' Rasengan.
"At least I wasn't the one that landed ass-first on his head after beating his record in that jonnin obstacle course." Soma snipped making Itachi flush in embarrassment.
Kakashi had been livid at Jiraya for even daring to teach Soma but the redhead had pissed the silver-haired man off by 'learning' it in under a month. Especially since Soma finally completed it by adding his wind affinity to the move.
Kakashi had given Soma the silent treatment for a week before saying 'My sensei would have really loved you.' Then storming away only to come back and push Itachi and Soma to the brink of insanity in training regiments.
Their dynamic was a peculiar one after that since Kakashi had been bound and determined to test Soma at every opportunity after that. Not just physically but mentally. It had been exhausting being trained by the man after that. Kakashi only really respected intelligence and capability.
It was why it had been so difficult for Kakashi to focus on training his team when they had been young the first time around. Soma didn't get his attention really until he came back from his training trip with Jiraya in his original timeline.
It has been why Soma had arrogantly learned Rasengan the way he did now. A bit of revenge for the previous lives neglect. Boy did Soma regret becoming one of Kakashi's 'obsessions'. Both he and Itachi had been practically broken down and reformed into the perfect anbu operatives despite Soma only promising back then to become a jonnin.
Kakashi saw the perfect mind to mold as both Soma and Itachi were raw potential. Plus Soma was pretty sure Kakashi ensured he was powerful mainly to protect his sensei's son. It was good the man had faith in Soma with such an important duty. Soma blinked back to the present snickering and realizing this team seven was Kakashi's new obsession. Boy would they regret impressing Scarecrow sensei now.
With Naruto's and Sasuke's quick and well-thought-out plan it would only serve to make Kakashi very interested in their training. Sakura would not be looked over but Kakashi had seen very easily who were the brains behind that plan to obtain the bells. It was the shinobi world, using your enemy's weakness while not listening to his threats of only taking on two individuals makes them a good team. A first in Kakashi's long history with gennin teams.
Of course, it would be the team with his sensei's son in it that would pull Kakashi into finally becoming a gennin sensei.
So with their new sensei obtained and an order that return to the training ground the next day Naruto grabbed his new teammates to bring them to the Uzumaki clan grounds for dinner. The blonde only yelled back at Soma to hurry home himself.
Kakashi staggered over to Soma's side and threw himself into the redhead's arms whining about never being able to get cute sweet students.
Soma hummed and patted Kakashi's back a condescending 'there, there' was given. Kakashi clung to the deadpanned redhead until Itachi sighed and tugged Kakashi away. So the redhead invited his two former teammates to his home for dinner.
It was Soma's turn to cook so several clones were at home cooking for the clan and now their new guest. It was sudden but a clone of Naruto ran up and began dragging the redhead home. Soma was notorious for being late even if he was the one cooking.
"Ne Kakashi Sempai." Kakashi looked over the redhead being tugged along by the clone of one of his new students.
"The next time you visit my clan home to check up on Naruto, stick to his room." Soma glowered at Kakashi who did not look ashamed one bit.
One of Soma's clones had dispersed and all the memories of the day came flooding back. It would seem the Hokage and Kakashi had visited each member of Team Sevens' homes. Kakashi had been a bit nosy after seeing several of Soma's shadow clones. Invading Soma's bedroom despite the redhead's clones scolding the masked man the whole time. Hiruzen had looked unimpressed right up until Soma rudely kicked the pair out of his home.
Soma was impressed Fugaku allowed them anywhere near his family home, that man despite being Soma's friend was a big grouch to outsiders. The older Uchiha was still running on the notion of trying to convince Soma to marry his eldest, Soma was happily refusing to acknowledge that.
Still, Fugaku sought out Soma on occasion to just talk, Some in both the Uzumaki and Uchiha clans thought at first it was just to convince the redhead to marry his son. Though now the Uzumaki leader realized it was because Soma was one of the Uchiha leader's few friends.
Despite that huge age gap, Soma was also one of the few people most of the clan leaders could talk to. Soma was young and had an open mindset but was able to come at each situation with a different solution and took no offense to others denying his thought process.
Soma was accepted well into the fold of the people, and other clans were beginning to take notice of the Uzumaki leader. Fugaku took it upon himself to scare away as many as he could from the boy, whereas Shikaku found this entire situation hilarious. Especially when some of the single Nara clan members would suddenly need to visit their clan head on days when Soma was over for a game of shogi. Soma was just a magnetic person always drawing those around him in.
The older the Uzumaki leader became uncomfortable with each admirer he obtained. Men, and women, it made Soma embarrassed mostly. That amused Shikaku as his reactions to the attention reminded him of his long-passed friend. Soma brought up a long of bittersweet memories but it was like a balm to an old wound at times. Shikaku knew the boy had never met Minato, hell he had watched the redhead grow up from a child to the young man he was. It was amazing to see the personality of his friend reside in the Uzumaki man that resembled Kushina. Shikaku wondered who blessed them all to have this vibrant boy waltz into all their lives and just...fix everything wrong, to say the least.
Soma was always there resolving issues even before they sometimes take any true traction. He said as much to the redhead once but Soma was grateful the man never pressed further on Soma's information network and knowledge.
Soma sighed being pulled into his clan home with their guest. He watched Naruto eagerly explain his parasol weapon to Sasuke and Sakura, Soma sent a clone their way just in case Naruto wanted to showcase its battle capabilities. Pluse the clone was there to keep Sasuke and Naruto from leveling part of the clan grounds. They fight over the littlest things at this age.
Nagato immediately came up to the pair wrapping an arm around Soma's slim shoulders and leading him away from the now glowering shinobi at the entrance. "Naruto seems to be very happy, I take it Scarecrow sensei took them on as students."Nagato had tucked the smaller man into his side and Soma brightened up and smiled beautifully making the duo left behind grumble out of character for both men.
"Yeah, I almost feel bad for what I'm going to have to do to them all." Nagato hummed and kissed Soma's forehead, Soma being the only Uzumaki who hasn't noticed the clear irritation leaving two of the elite shinobi behind them.
"It's for their own good Soma, I'll be sure to gather the senseis for you in a week's time." Soma looked to Nagato with clear relief in his gaze. Nagato was learning to take over after this year, then it would trade over to Yahiko and down the line of Jonnin every year. Soma looked back confused why Kakashi and Itachi looked so offended, maybe Soma was being a bad host by leaving them at the door.
"Hey guys let's eat." Both men seemed to soften at his call and Soma turned away followed behind by a snickering Nagato who kept his arm around Soma's shoulders. The smaller redhead didn't mind just made a beeline for the food.
T.D.O.T
Genma huffed watching Shikamaru lazily train. Choji was munching on chips and both boys were ignoring their this teammate Ino. Shikamaru was difficult to encourage and Asuma sighed heavily beside Genma who was chewing on a senbon. They were due for the first-ever combined training course led by Soma. Just killing time until they were to group up.
"You guys need to take your training seriously, Sasuke and Naruto would have been way better teammates than you lazy jerks!" Ino was yelling quite loudly.
Asuma groaned and eyed the secondary instructor other than Genma. He ran off to secure the area with the others and Asuma's dark gaze aimed down to his senbon counterpart.
"Ready." Asuma spoke softly and Genma hummed spitting his senbon into the nearby tree.
Suddenly shuriken shot out of the trees right into the throat of Genma stalling the field and throwing Asuma into action.
Ino's horrified scream spurned Shikamaru into motion, as he pulled the girl away her having just avoided Shuriken aimed her way.
A masked man jumped their sensei and Asuma was fighting him off just a few feet away from the crumpled dead body of Genma.
Shikamaru cursed, angered and trying to figure out what to do.
"Run!" Asuma yelled at the kids and the command made bile rise to Shikamaru's throat. "Run and get help, warn others of this. Now damnit!" Asuma yelled out trying to hold off several others who had emerged from the foliage to go after the children.
Shikamaru grabbed Choji and Ino and told them to run towards his house hoping they could get there swiftly. His clansmen would be of help and they would have to cross through several training grounds. The others would be training in them as well they could warn them on the way.
Shikamaru just hoped they could get help to their sensei quickly.
T.D.O.T
Hinata scrambled away from the bloody body of Kurenai. As her sensei had pushed her to take the blow that was aimed at the heiress initially. The red-eyed sensei growled and struck down the man that injured her.
Ibiki their secondary trainer rushed to get aid taking down a masked man aimed for Kurenai's back.
Hinata did everything she could to not look at the bloody body in the far corner, her vision was blurred by the tears in her eyes.
"Run, get help! Warn the others if you can, I can't hold them all off." Hinata shook her head but Kiba tried to jump into the fray to help their sensei that was demanding they leave.
"That's an order. Go!" Ibiki's powerful voice made Kiba hesitate in his attack.
Shino immediately grabbed his teammates and tugged them away. Kiba jolted as he narrowly missed the swinging blade that had missed him by a fraction.
Kiba cursed realizing they would be of no help and turned helping tug along a limp Hinata with Shino's help. Kurenai's scream in the distance didn't encourage any good thoughts on this situation.
T.D.O.T
"Soma!" Naruto was crying fighting against Itachi's hold. The blonde had never seen the redhead hurt before. Watching the blood drip down one of his arms while he held a blade in the other helping Kakashi fight off masked Shinobi. They had never seen Kakashi look so determined and it had shocked them all to see he had eyes like Itachi.
A Sharingan.
"Let me go Itachi, Soma needs my help damnit!" Sakura was pale but helped Itachi pull Naruto into the older Uchiha's hold even if it made her sick to do so.
"Get them out of here Itachi, please. I don't want them to watch me die." Itachi grit his teeth and plucked up Sakura and Itachi summoned another clone to carry Sasuke whose gaze was blazing red.
Itachi jolted hearing Kakashi's scream.
"Soma!" Itachi had to struggle to hold a wailing Naruto who was expressing signs of his bijuu leaking power out.
Naruto watched a blade impale Soma and froze in shock as Itachi carried the kids off.
"Warn the others Na-ru-to." That was the last thing the group heard Soma say while they were pulled further away.
They didn't get far till Itachi was cursing and the group had to watch as Itachi and his clone tossed the kids before he too was fighting masked men off.
Sasuke tried to jump into action but Itachi's clone ran out and protected the boy from being ripped in half.
"Go! Get help. Now Sasuke! Mother doesn't know, she's in danger!" The color drained from Sasuke's face and the boy spun running and grabbing the hands of his shell-shocked teammates on his way.
Team Seven caught up with Shikamaru, Ino and Choji. They were facing off a lone masked Shinobi. Anger surged through Naruto and Sasuke and as Choji was standing frozen about to be struck down. Two yells bellowed out and a blonde and black blur zipped in front of Choji.
"Fire Release: Great fireball!" "Wind Release: Great breakthrough!" A torrent of flames powered by wind melted down the masked man saving Choji. Though the man's screams as he died haunted them all momentarily.
"Damn." Shikamaru turned to Naruto and Sasuke who both seemed shocked at having killed someone. Shikamaru eyed the dead body that he had killed with a shadow strangle. Ino's frozen just feet away having helped scramble the man's mind until he was twitching and gasping on the floor for Shikamaru to finish off.
"Ino!" Both Sakura and Choji shouted this each reaching for weapons. The blonde girl was jerked to the side by Shikamaru and both Sakura and Choji had sunk kunai into the throat of a Shinobi sneaking up behind the girl.
"T-thanks." Choji spoke realizing he could have died earlier due to his hesitation but Sakura's horrified yell broke him out of his stupor and into action.
Shikamaru could have gotten his friend killed when he made the decision for his team to run openly toward his home. He should have had them stick to the trees, been more careful. He assumed there would be more Shinobi training but he had been wrong.
They heard a scream in the distance and Naruto bolted to the noise.
The group came upon and panting Hinata who was standing over a dead masked intruder bugs were buzzing in a swarm obviously from shino but the body had a hole in it's chest. Kiba and Akamaru were off to the side. Kiba was vomiting from the body he must have dug into with the help of Akamaru. The crevice in his chest was visceral.
Shino was shaking watching his horde suck the last bouts of life of the masked Shinobi he helped to kill.
"What the hell is going on?" Kiba growled out to the group and Shikamaru sighed. "Obviously we're under attack, we're all outnumbered and inexperienced though. We need to get help fast." Everyone nodded and turned to Shikamaru. Naruto stepped forward though looking determined and like he had a plan.
"I will go to my clan we have barriers to keep intruders from entering our land. Sasuke needs to come with me as his clan is next to mine." Shikamaru nodded.
"My hive will inform my father, and he is with his former teammates. So both Hinata and Kiba's parents will know of our situation." Shino spoke making quick on his action and sending out part of his hive.
"I need to tell my father."Shikamaru spoke but Ino shook him. "He's with the Hokage remember. Our dad's all had to go to a meeting today." Ino was moving around with nervous energy.
"Go to my clan grounds, Nagato and Yahiko are strong and Big Sister Konan can get word to the Hokage and our clans so long as we can all get there." Naruto spoke and they all moved in agreement. Everyone determined to ensure they followed through with their parts to make a run for it but clapping interrupted them all.
"Good job guys." Soma laughed and the dead bodies that they had come across turned into red sludge before melting into the ground.
"Soma!" Naruto was a blur suddenly clinging to the redhead who didn't even look as if he had a hair it of place.
Itachi patted a surprised Sasuke who had suddenly clung to the older Uchiha.
"Maa maa I'll feel left out. You need a hug too Sakura?" Kakashi spoke making the pink-haired girl collapse as her legs suddenly felt like jello.
Asuma and Genma waved to Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji who each looked completely relieved.
"I've got to say Uzumaki you have some skill with this stuff. Maybe we could use you in TI." Iniki spoke with an exasperated Kurenai at his side.
Shino's hive returned to him at his beckoning and soon the kids were made to sit and listen to Soma who had apparently created this survival exercise. Several of the kids were angry with the trick.
"What was the point of this?" Naruto growled out now that he knew Soma was safe.
Itachi was guiding Sasuke on shutting off his Sharingan but the younger boy was also mad at his brother for his part in this trick.
"This is what it means to be a Shinobi Naruto." The blonde looked confused as Soma bit through his thumb and created a clone. It looked like Soma but the redhead pulled its arm and drew a seal the the clone turned into the masked Shinobi they kept facing.
"This is the appearance of the first man I ever had to fight, the first man that nearly killed one of my teammates when I was a young Shinobi. In an ideal world, we would never have to kill. Yet others won't always adhere to those moments of peace."Soma suddenly struck out with the base of his parasol surprising everyone cause they hadn't even seen him remove the hidden blade.
The clone crumpled its head missing and sluggish blood escaped the wound. "I'm realistic though. We need to be pragmatic about what we do. Killing isn't always the answer but it is something that is a necessity and the faster you all understand this the better." Soma eyed Choji.
"You would have died had Sasuke and Naruto not been there and willing to do anything to save you." Choji gulped but Soma moved on.
"You're hesitation and recklessness drew the attention of those protecting you away from the battle." Soma addressed Kiba but the redhead had already moved on.
"Those seconds we lost with you struggling against Itachi could have been seconds you lost in trying to save your friends further ahead. Your struggle also serves as a distraction to your Allies." Naruto looked stricken looking away after hearing the words and grit his teeth.
"We can't save everyone. I could be struck down by an enemy tomorrow but that would not mean to go out and kill that same Shinobi that had won out that day. This is the career you all chose, but you have to see if you can live with these options." Soma eyed everyone and it was somber.
"Hesitation, letting emotions take over, even pure recklessness can get you or your comrades killed. We are Shinobi of the leaf but we are human. By the time I'm finished with you all, you will each have the tools to survive. The only question is if you can all take on this burden. Death is our profession but we will ensure you understand the difference between being pragmatic and killers. Congrats on your first kills, remember this feeling and understand how it weighs on you. Dismissed." Soma watched as the kids before him struggled to their feet some still shaking others pale but bowed and each scattered.
"Pragmatic, I don't quite remember teaching you and Itachi that." Kakashi spoke as the children left. Soma shrugged and smiled at his former sensei.
"We can't all be cold-blooded killers Kashi." Soma's glimmering gaze gave it away that he didn't hold it against the silver-haired man.
"I think that's a good outlook to have." Itachi spoke eyeing the redhead who snorted.
"Wow only took you forever to realize that." Soma grumbled before waving off the other jonnin sensei and teaching assistants.
"Don't tell me your both going soft on me." Kakashi eye smiled and Soma snorted.
"Kiss my ass." Soma spoke and followed the angry trail of Naruto. Soma snorted hearing Kakashi mumble 'Promises, promises Soma chan' before getting smacked by Itachi.
He was ready to sleep but knew Naruto was going to rant at him. The blonde didn't like the thought of leaving behind comrades. Not in his past life and definitely not in this one. He knew the boy was going to be very mad especially because he had to be literally dragged away
Soma groaned marching home, he wasn't looking forward to this.
Thank you for reading
please review
until next time