Here is the new chapter, this was a long one to write but I hope you will enjoy it. Please review this and tell me what you think of the story thus far.
Chapter 1
The Calm before the storm
Somewhere in Snow Country, there exists a small town where selling information is the normal way to make a quick buck. There is a man who has served some of the most notorious ninjas in the entire ninja world. But he is known as a man who can give out useful information. He is surprised by the next who is entering his establishment… Sasuke Uchiha. A smile fills his face as he greets his favorite customer.
"Well well, Sasuke Uchiha… it's been a few years my boy." The man says, holding out his hand out, so the two familiar figures to shake hands.
"Nice to see you as well Toma, how's it going these days?"
"Not too bad old friend, so I heard that you found a lovely woman finally."
"Yeah, her name is Momoka. I met her during my travels." Sasuke said while digging through his pockets and he would throw down a big bag of money.
"Ahh, so you are digging for some information I assume." He responded to the Uchiha's action.
"You know me, Toma, Naruto keeps pestering me when it comes to gathering information."
"There have been some rumors about some weird happening going on further in this land."
"Care to elaborate?" The Uchiha asks his friend.
"It's like he wants to open up some sort of portal in the sky and bring this world into the end days… or so I'm told."
He hands Sasuke a piece of paper with the location. He then tells Sasuke that he should tread lightly.
"I know you Sasuke, I wouldn't go anywhere close to that until you can get more information." He warns Sasuke, as the Uchiha pockets the piece of paper.
"I'll bring this to Naruto right away then. Thank you for your help, Toma." Sasuke says as he heads out the door.
"Take care my friend, and please be safe."
Morning in Konoha, and the entire village is a buzz. It's a big day for the ninja village as it's ninja academy graduation. In the past, it was nothing more than a school-only event. But with Naruto as Hokage, it's become a big event for the parents of the future Genin of the Hidden Leaf village.
At the Hayabusa household, Mafuyu is putting on her clothing. In a few hours, she will become a genin like her mom and dad were years ago. She is so excited, this is a day she was looking forward to. She is so focused on the task at hand when a knock on her door breaks her concentration.
"Mafuyu, can I come in?" Sakura says as Mafuyu allows it.
As Sakura entered the room, she couldn't help but think back to the day her mom walked in and saw her getting ready for her big exam.
"Honey, I know this may be a tad bit early for it… but I figured that I would just give this to you early." She says, handing her daughter a small box.
Mafuyu opens it up, and it's a locket. Mafuyu opens the locket to see a family picture of Her, Kenji, Kaito, and her. On the front of the locket is an image of the Hayabusa family crest.
"Mom, it's so beautiful. Thank you so very much." She says with a smile.
Sakura helped her place it around her neck. It takes a bit but Sakura manages to get it connected. Mafuyu hugs her mom and Sakura kisses her daughter's forehead. Sakura then whispers words of inspiration to her daughter.
"Just know that whatever happens today I love you and I will always be proud of you."
In the next room, Kenji is showing Kaito the present he made Mafuyu. He draws the custom sword and shows it to his son.
"That's cool dad, Onee-chan is gonna love it."
"I hope so, I put a lot of effort into it. But I know she is gonna flip."
"I hope so as well, I put a lot of care into making and forging it myself. But I did get some help from Hideki as well."
"Do you think you could get me a sword when I graduate from ninja academy in a few years as well?"
Kenji chuckles a bit and ruffles his son's hair.
"Sure thing my little man, if you want I can do that for you as well. Even if you don't go down the path of a swordsman I can make one for you as well."
"Thank you, Dad, thank you so much."
"Now come on, there's still one more thing we have to do before we all head to the ninja academy," Kenji says, as he calls Sakura and Mafuyu to get ready.
Sakura and Mafuyu soon head downstairs. Sakura gives her husband a quick kiss as Mafuyu hugs her father.
"Alright, it's time to go."
At the house where Hideki Harima resides, his daughter is running through the house. She is in a panic as she seems to lose some of her shuriken. Tenten would watch her run around like a chicken without its head.
"Hana, hold your horses. Now where did you last have it?"
"Well I was watching a movie last night and I sat it somewhere."
"Well, there can only be one place it could be."
Suddenly a loud shout of pain roared through the house, as both Harima girls ran into the living room. There was Hideki, holding his butt. And both girls should have figured out where the shuriken was gonna be.
"Princess, I think I told you time and time again. So I think it should be repeated that for the love of all that's holy, please don't place any sharp weapons on the chair."
"Sorry Daddy, I didn't mean to place it there. But there was a really good movie on last night and I must have forgotten it."
Tenten sighed and went to get her pliers. It took a bit of effort but they would yank the weapon from his posterior. He would yell out in pain once again. This did cause Hana to chuckle.
"I'll get the peroxide." Tenten said, heading to the medicine cabinet.
After Tenten treated her husband's injury, the Harima's would sit down and eat breakfast as Hideki looked over at his daughter who grew up so beautiful and now is gonna graduate and become a Genin.
"What's up Daddy, you haven't averted your gaze on me since we sat down for breakfast."
"Nothing Hana, I am so happy that today you are gonna graduate and become a power kunoichi like your mother. My little princess is finally becoming a strong woman."
This causes Hana to blush, Tenten knows how proud he is of his daughter. While Hana isn't the strongest of her class. She wanted to become like her mother and master ranged weapons. Tenten, like Kenji teaching his daughter the art of the sword. Taught her the art of ranged combat.
"Aww shucks, you know you don't have to flatter me, Daddy." She responded, rubbing the back of her neck out of embarrassment.
After they eat, the three of them clean the dishes and soon head off to the exam. Hideki and Tenten needed to find good seats.
Ryuzan was watching Hinata and their son Neji train with some hand-to-hand combat. Hanabi was there as well. Both saw the intensity of their training with his Byakugan activated. While Hinata advised not to, she wanted to see how far he could go with it.
Neji was like his uncle, not in terms of a cold-like personality. But with how smart he could be. He was the smartest member of his graduation class. He didn't like to gloat though, he believed that for the most part, he was very tentative with his classmates. But still, Ryuzan was so amazed at how strong he was getting.
They would both stop after training for about half an hour. Ryuzan got up and walked over to his son and patted him on the shoulder.
"Very good Neji, You have improved quite a bit."
"Much appreciated father, thank you for the words of confidence."
Hinata approached her son and gave him a present. He would open it to reveal a special necklace with the modified Hyuga symbol. She then hugged her son and kissed him on the cheek.
"Neji, your father and I are so proud of you for getting this far. And I know if your Uncle Neji was still with us he would be as well."
"Thanks mama, I will always cherish this keepsake."
"And this one is from me, nephew," Hanabi says, giving him a book of advanced fighting styles of the Hyuga clan.
"Thank you Auntie Hanabi." He says, bowing to her.
Ryuzan gets up and places his hand on his son's shoulder. He gives him a hug and Neji returns it, he starts to tear up.
"Show them what us Zakuba can do today and burn with strength and honor, my boy."
"Thank you, Father, I vow never to disappoint you or Mother."
"That's my boy."
Kenji and his family are walking through the village and will make a stop at the Yamanaka flower shop. They know it was only open for a few hours today due to Ino having to head to watch her son graduate. It was pretty busy at the moment, parents and family members were buying flowers for the graduates today. Sakura spotted Ino at the counter, finishing one of the last orders she would allow for that moment.
"Hey Ino, seems like you're pretty busy today." Sakura said, with her best friend looking exhausted.
"No kidding, it's like people were just waiting for the last minute to do this." She responded with a sigh.
"Auntie Ino, Auntie Ino!" Kaito said, running up and giving her a big hug.
"Man Kaito-kun, you're getting so big." She said, returning the boy's hug.
"Did Menma already go by chance, Auntie Ino?" Mafuyu asked, blushing a bit.
Ino caught on to this, she always knew since Menma and Mafuyu were kids they had a crush on each other. And it was becoming more clear as they would get older. Menma would always talk about Mafuyu, so she wasn't blind to this blooming romance.
"Yeah, he left already. He was too excited that he wouldn't wait for his poor old mother." She playfully sobbed. This caused Sakura and Kenji to chuckle a bit.
"I guess he's just like his father in that aspect then." Kenji said, with Ino walking back to the counter.
"Ah well, what's a mother to do… So what can I get you today?"
"Four of your most beautiful flowers please?" Kenji orders, with Ino knowing which ones.
"It's been a while hasn't it? Hard to believe it has been a few years since you lost her." Ino says, grabbing one of her most beautiful flowers to give to the family.
"Four years I believe, it still hurts to think what would have happened if she hadn't passed away." Sakura says, wiping away a small tear trickling down her cheek.
Ino hands the flowers to the family and places her hand on Kenji's shoulder.
"Tell her both Me and Naruto say hi, and we'll make sure to visit her after the graduation as well."
"Thanks, Ino, we will." He says as the family steps out. "See you at the main hall."
Ino places a "Closed" sign on the door to the flower shop, as she heads to the ninja academy building.
Hideki and his family soon arrive at the main auditorium of the ninja academy and see Ryuzan and his family taking their seats. Tenten and Hideki sit right next to them.
"Hey bro, how's it going today?" Hideki says to Ryuzan.
"It's going rather well right now. I just can't believe that our kids are graduating, it's amazing to think how far they've come."
"I know right, it just seems like the other day we were fighting enemy ninjas, settling down with the loves of our lives, and raising a family." Hideki reflects, with a grin of warm satisfaction.
"Yeah, I still remember when you were trying to pick up any girl that went your way. It was pretty funny to think about." Tenten joked with her husband.
"I still landed you, and you and Hana are still the best thing that ever entered my life."
Tenten gives Hideki a quick peck on the lips.
"You got that right babe."
Hinata looked around and didn't see Kenji or Sakura anywhere. She does see Ino enter the auditorium and she takes her seat next to them.
"Hey Ino-san, have you seen Kenji and Sakura?"
"They stopped by my flower shop to pick up some flowers."
"Well, I hope they arrive soon. I don't think Mafuyu would appreciate being late for her final exam." Tenten said hoping they would arrive soon.
Hinata spots Kenji and Sakura with Kaito entering the hall.
"Alright, they arrived on time." Hinata says as Sakura And Kenji take their seats.
"Sorry we're late guys, but trying to enter this auditorium is quite a headache today." Sakura responds as they wait for the exams to begin.
Kenji would invite the families for a post-graduation dinner.
"Sure, sounds good Ken-San." Hinata responded to his invitation.
Menma, Hana, and Neji were waiting eagerly for Mafuyu. They knew they had less than 30 minutes before the exam was to take place.
"Do you think she'll be here soon?" Hana said as Neji sat there in anticipation of the exam.
"She wouldn't miss this for the world." Menma said, as two other ninjas in training approached them. Shikamaru's son Shikadai and Choji's Daughter Chou Chou approached them. Both of them grew to be great friends with Mafuyu and her friends over the years.
"Hey guys, so how do you think you guys will do during the exam?" Chou Chou asks the group.
"You know us, Chou Chou, we'll probably do phenomenal today." Neji said, with a brash smirk.
"My father said his ninja exam was quite a pain, to be honest, but then he was one of the smartest. To me, this could be more of a headache since our folks are watching us do the exam this year." Shikadai says while rubbing his neck.
Chou Chou and Hana soon see Mafuyu enter the room.
"About time you showed up Mafuyu, what took you so long?" Chou Chou asked her friend.
"We had to stop by the flower shop and pick up a few flowers for later tonight. So it took a bit longer than usual."
Suddenly a voice interrupted their conversation. A young man soon got up with a bit of swag to his walk. He had a very cocky smirk to him and dressed like a self-proclaimed rock star. He wore a black T-shirt that said "Best in the world!" and wore white shorts with a red stripe on both sides. He had long black hair and had a toothpick in his mouth.
He was named Subarishi Watanabe, and he was the son of a bully that Kenji and the others had to endure during their ninja academy days. He approached Hana and the others and started to scoff at the potential future ninja.
"What do we have here, a bunch of losers." He laughed as Mafuyu clenched her fist. Hana put a hand on her shoulder.
"Come on Mafuyu, it won't be long until we're done with this asshole." She whispered to her friend.
"Listen up losers, none of you will be passing this exam. I know you all will do terribly, I know most of you will buckle under the pressure with all of our parents watching you. Just waiting for the chance to be disappointed by a lot of you. But I'm sure if you walk away it will be better than embarrassing yourselves in front of that huge crowd."
"Enough Subarishi, what's wrong with you?" Shikadai said as the loudmouth continued his rant against the potential graduates.
"You want me to smack him down?" Chou Chou asked before Menma would step in.
"Hey Subarishi, enough of it. You should try to eat a bit of humble pie because what makes you think that you have the chance of graduating as well? Don't you think that you could choke as well?"
"Shut it Uzumaki, I was referring to the offspring of Team Zero." He says, pointing at Mafuyu, Hana, and Neji. "Face the facts, you are in that tainted blood pool. My father told me what colossal failures your fathers were. You should be lucky that your mothers were more successful, because if it wasn't for them, then you would not even be here. In fact, I think that your mothers felt so sorry about how lame your dads were that I think they just felt sorry for those abstract failures." He said, laughing like a mad man.
This caused Hana to start crying, and Neji went to her side. This pissed off Mafuyu to the point where she wouldn't mind getting in trouble for old-time sake. But before she would go and pound his face into an unrecognizable mess, Menma would do the honors for his friend and decked him across his face.
"Oww, my face." He said, holding his cheek.
"Listen up numb nuts, how dare you insult not only my friends. But to insinuate that Mafuyu, Neji, and Hana are colossal failures is crossing that fine line. And the next time you open that pie hole of yours, then so help me to any god out there, I will kick your ass to Suna and back. Now shut your pie hole NOW!"
Subarishi does what Menma roared and ducked in a corner. Hana thanks Menma as well as Neji. Shikadai and Chou Chou are happy that someone finally shut that loud mouth up. But Mafuyu was more happy than the others, she was blushing like crazy as her best friend shut him up.
The proctor for the finals soon entered the back area to talk with the students before they took the final 3 tests. It was Rinka Haruno, Team Zero's former sensei. Even though she had retired, Naruto wanted to give her a more normal job these days, so he made her exam proctor going forward. Mafuyu ran up and gave her aunt a huge hug.
"Auntie, you giving us the final exams?" Mafuyu asks the elder Haruno.
"Yeah, I mean it was either this or desk duty under Naruto. I just you to do your best and give it all you got out there."
Subarishi was seething in anger, he sensed favoritism would play a factor in Mafuyu graduating. He would have to try and have at least one of these losers fail. And his eyes were set on Hana.
"You are going to fail so hard!" He thought, as a villainous grin formed.
As Kenji and the others sat, waiting for the exams to start, a loud voice from their past would belch out what could be identified as words would sit right behind the families… He was one of the many bullies that tormented Kenji and the others, it was Shinji Watanabe. He has a bald spot where he once had glorious black hair and a goat tee. He wore a white tank top with a hula shirt and green pants, he had on a necklace with a skull and crossbones on it.
"Well if it isn't Team Zero, how's it going losers?" Shinji asked the attendees.
"Hey Shinji, I thought you were busy picking up cow manure." Tenten said, with a tick on her forehead.
"Gonna watch my boy graduate and become rookie of the year. Too bad none of your worthless kids will even come close to my boy garnering anything close to winning that award."
Everyone glared at the loud mouth snook producing word vomit, as they tried to ignore him. However, there was one person who was willing to go to bat for one of the students he just insulted.
"Stop insulting my sister you loser." Kaito said, giving Shinji a raspberry.
"Why you little pest, how dare you call me a loser." He said, however before he would try to go after Kaito, Sakura would grab him by his collar and look right into his eyes.
"A quick warning Shinji and it will bear not repeating… but I want you to know that if you go after any of my children or even insult them, I will crush you with my bare hands. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"
His eyes darted to Kenji, Hideki, Ryuzan, Hinata, Tenten, and Ino glaring at him and emitting so much killing intent it would scare even Madara himself. Like his son, he would shut his pie hole and stay quiet.
"About time someone shut him up," Hideki said, as the lights began to dim.
Naruto would soon make his way onto the stage. With him was his father figure Iruka and his main advisor Shikamaru Nara. Kenji was wondering something though.
"Hey Hideki, why aren't you up there? I thought you were part of Naruto's advisor team?"
"I am, but not when it pertains to ninja academy matters," Hideki answered back.
"Ahh, I guess that makes sense."
"I would love to personally welcome all of you to the Ninja Academy Exams. In the past, we always had these exams within the confines of Konoha's Ninja Academy. However, I felt like having an audience would add a new degree to it. Plus once our future Ninja and Kunoichi pass this exam, they will be welcomed to our ninja corps. So it's showtime, bring out the first wave of students."
The students will be judged on a few basic techniques this year. Transformation, Genjutsu Kai, and a basic clone. A few students enter as part of wave 1. A few make it with the three techniques but sadly a few fail. Naruto comforts the ones that failed and tells them that they can try again later next year and they will always be welcomed to the Konoha ninja corps.
Wave two will feature Neji, Choi Chou, Shikadai, and Mafuyu. Neji steps on stage first, and everyone can hear Hinata cheering on her son, Ryuzan couldn't help but beam with pride. His Aunt Hanabi is on the other side of the auditorium rooting for her nephew, louder than Hinata. He appreciates the cheers, a bit distracting but goes with it and performs the three trials effortlessly.
The next person on stage is Shikadai and like Neji before him, Performs it with no problem. He walks back and bumps his knuckles with Neji. Chou Chou has a bit of trouble with the Genjutsu Kai part but does great. As she comes back, she and Mafuyu hug it out. It would be Mafuyu's turn.
She takes a big gulp and walks on stage, she closes her eyes and the sound of her mother, brother, and her father cheering her on and rooting for her fills her with more confidence than she's ever had. She goes right into the three trials and soon accomplishes them with a hiccup when it comes to the clone test, but she manages to skirt past it. The proctor of the exam congratulates the 2nd wave of students and tells them they pass.
The third wave of students had a few failures but they managed to pass a few of the students. Then it would be the final wave of students turn for the exam.
Subarishi, Menma, Hana, and one other student would be the final four students to take part in the exam. Menma would do his best to pass, getting through the three trials. Ino cheered her boy as Naruto looked on with a smile. While he faltered with a few of the trials, he would pass all three. The one other student would fail the test, he couldn't get past the Genjutsu portion.
Subarishi would whisper in Hana's ear, filling her with a sense of self-doubt. He did whatever he could to fill her with Dredd and told her that if she failed she would have to go back to first-year Ninja Academy. He would continuously tell her how badly she would do. Normally it wouldn't get to her. Hana was one person who was solid-minded enough to brush it aside. But could be right? The potential to screw this up was higher than usual. Rinka would soon call Hana to the stage, but as she walked out Subarishi would stick his foot out and trip Hana badly. Causing her to fall flat on her face.
This raised Mafuyu's ire, and she grabbed him by the collar. And slammed her fist against the wall right by his head. This caused him to yelp like someone kicking a dog. He looked and saw the anger in her eyes that her mother was infamous for.
"Subarishi, I am warning you. If you did anything to sow self-doubt in Hana. I will make you wish you were never born. You get me?"
"Crystal clear Mafuyu-chan." He said with a smirk.
Hana was helped up by Naruto and she dusted herself off. Naruto looked at her concerned, he saw the red in her eyes, it looked like she was crying earlier.
"Hey Hana, if you want to take a quick breather, I can have the next person take your place for now."
"It's alright Hokage-sama, I can do this." She responded, trying to get back into a more stable mindset.
She heads out and stands there waiting for the 3 trials, She does the transformation jutsu with no problem, however, it is the Genjutsu test where the echoes of doubt start to overpower her. The mindless dribble that Subarishi fed into her mind overwhelmed her and she crumbled to the ground. This caused Mafuyu and the others to run to her and check up on her. Neji would release the jutsu and she clung on to Neji sobbing uncontrollably. She would continuously say "I failed, I failed, I'm a failure, I'll never be a ninja now." Neji continued to stroke her hair and comforted her.
Naruto decides that they will take a short break. Sakura and the other parents soon went to the stage. Hideki and Tenten went to their daughter's side and Hana continued to sob, as Hideki kneeled and placed a hand on her shoulder and she looked at her father.
"I'm sorry papa, I failed you and Mama."
"No Hana, no you didn't honey." He said, pulling her into a hug and trying to calm her down.
Naruto walks up to her and extends his hand to her. She would wipe away some of the tears and she grabbed his hand.
"Hey Hideki, Tenten, I would like to have a word with Hana… is that alright?"
"Sure Naruto, go right ahead." Tenten said, with Hideki also giving his approval.
Naruto and Hana soon arrive at the location Naruto wanted to take her to, the swing in the courtyard of Ninja Academy. He sat her down and placed his bandaged hand on her shoulder. He would let her catch her breath and would get her a glass of water to drink if she needed to. After about 5 to 10 minutes she would eventually calm down.
"Hana, are you feeling alright now?"
"A bit Hokage-sama, I don't know why but I let him get to me. And because of that, I lost it. Now I'll never become a ninja." She said, with her eyes starting to water again." Naruto would wipe away the newly created tears.
"Hana, sometimes it can be tough. I can attest to that, and sometimes the pressure can overwhelm anyone. But once you focus and work hard and keep an eye on the prize, one day you will overcome it. Take it from me, I failed the ninja exam a few times around the time I was your age."
"My dad told me about that, how did you become a ninja then."
He would tell her about the night he stole the scroll after failing the ninja exams. How Iruka would stand up for him, how he saved Iruka, and how he became a ninja after that.
"All it takes is having a drive to help you become something greater than you want. And having someone who loves you becomes that focus. Always keep that in mind Hana and one day you will become a great and powerful kunoichi. Believe it!"
Hana looked down and thought of the two people who love her, she thought of her mother and father. How goofy and loving her father was. And how focused and creative her mother was. She smiled and decided that was the focus for her.
"Mama, Papa, that's my drive. I will not let them down."
She hugged Naruto and thanked him for helping her see past her self-doubt.
"Naruto, would it be alright if I gave it one more shot please?"
"Alright honey, we'll head back in. And just remember to block out that self-doubt and do your very best Hana... is that clear?"
"Yes Lord Hokage!"
Hana and Naruto came back into the main auditorium. She ran to Tenten and Hideki and both parents embraced their daughter.
"So, did everything work out?" Rinka asked the Hokage.
"Yeah, she will be allowed to do the trials once again."
However, A loud yell came from the stands, as Shinji bellowed out a complaint at Naruto and Hideki.
"Hey, I don't think that should be allowed. She failed lord Hokage, and shouldn't be granted a do-over. It wouldn't be fair to the other students that failed" He said, before something would happen to him. It looked like he was about to launch into another tirade before he would drop to the ground, convulsing in agony and foaming at the mouth.
Everyone looked over and saw a glow emulating from Hideki. He glared at his prone body and grinned. He hit some Genjutsu at the idiot who tried to complain about his daughter getting another chance.
"Moron should have kept his mouth shut." He said as Naruto got everyone to get back to their seats so Hana would be allowed to go again.
All of her friends would voice their support, however, the one who started this tried his damnest to mess with her once again.
"Try not to choke Hana, you will fail." He would squawk before Chou Chou would kick him in the ass.
"SHUT YOUR MOUTH LOSER. Go ahead Hana, do your best." She said, giving Hana a thumbs up.
Hana goes up and like before she would transform into the one person who cheered her up and gave her strength… she turned into Naruto. The second trial like before would try to send her into the crippling self-doubt that hit her hard, but she thought of the two people she loved more than anyone in this world, her parents, and would break the Genjutsu, then would come the clone test. She made a standard clone, nothing too unique but enough.
Rinka congratulated Hana for passing the trials, and everyone in the auditorium erupted in applause for Hideki's daughter. She bows to Rinka and then to the rest of the crowd.
It would finally be Subarishi's turn for his set of trials. He gave Hana and his former classmates a raspberry as he took center stage. He would perform the transformation stage of the trials, he would turn into a bloated carcass of a woman. Then he would be put into a Genjutsu but fail to break it, going into convulsions, and then the final test would be the clone test… he would make a clone worse than Naruto's clone when he took the exam. Subarishi would fail the test and would not be promoted. Causing everyone to laugh at him, he would run out of the room balling his eyes out.
"Serves the bastard right for what he did to Hana." Mafuyu said as Hana giggled.
The graduation ceremony was shortly after. All of those who passed the exam got their Konoha headband. It would be announced that the rookie of the year was Neji Zabaka. Naruto would shake Neji's hand. Naruto would once again take center stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, friend and family. This is your graduating ninja academy class." Naruto said, as all the graduates bowed to the crowd and gave them one more huge applause.
Everyone would meet up with their families. Hana tackled her father with a hug. He and Hana both nuzzled each other's cheek. With Tenten laughing at the father and daughter joining in.
"I'm so proud of you Hana, you did such an amazing job."
"Thank you guys so very much, I promise I will not let you guys down."
"You did good my little weapon princess. Uncle Kenji and Aunt Sakura are having a cookout tonight and we're going."
"Just try not to eat too much Daddy, remember the last time you ate too much." Hana teased her father.
"You underestimate the power of Hideki and his Iron-clad stomach."
"Just keep telling yourself that one honey." Tenten joined in with her daughter to tease her husband.
Neji was getting a hug from his mother and aunt. Hanabi ruffled his hair and he was blushing like there was no tomorrow. Hanabi caught this and couldn't help but tease him.
"Didn't figure Mr. Rookie of the Year would turn red like a cherry?"
"What… no… it's just… Shut up!"
Ryuzan extended his hand to his son. As Neji accepted his hand. However, Ryuzan pulled him into a hug.
"Fantastic job Neji, you did great on stage today."
"Thank you very much, father."
"It's time to head out, Kenji's having a huge dinner tonight and has invited all of us. So let's get cleaned up and head on over there."
Mafuyu looked at her headband as Kaito was sort of jealous of her. She saw him pouting a bit.
"What's wrong Kaito, you seem kind of envious?"
"In a way I am, you get a cool headband. It's not fair."
"Don't worry Kaito, I'm sure you'll get one in a few years." Sakura tells her son.
"You think I will mom?"
"Of course, you will Kaito, at the rate I'm teaching you I'm sure you will get the Rookie of the Year award like Neji did."
As the family began to leave for their final destination, Sakura would elbow her husband in his side.
"Ken-kun, I think it's time for Mafuyu to receive her present."
"You got me a present Dad?"
"Of course, I guess it's about that time."
Kenji took a scroll from his back pocket. He channeled a bit of chakra and suddenly a puff of smoke would pop from the scroll. There was a big package with a ribbon on it. He would give it to her.
"Happy graduation Mafuyu, I hope I did a great job."
Mafuyu opened the box and there was a beautiful katana. This was the sword Kenji worked on in Iron Country. She took it out of its sheath and her eyes sparkled, it was the most beautiful sword she'd ever seen. She began to tear up and she hugged her father with a bone-crushing hug.
"My very own sword... really Daddy, you made me my very own sword?"
"With you graduating you have taken the next step of being a swordswoman. And I feel like I have nothing to teach you at this point. Congratulations Mafuyu, I am so proud of you."
Mafuyu, with tears in her eyes, wrapped her father in a bone-crushing hug.
"Thank you daddy, I will wield this sword with honor and pride."
"Alright you three, we have one more stop before the bbq." Sakura said, with the family heading out to their final destination.
Kenji and Sakura soon arrive with the kids at the graveyard in Konoha. As they walk through the graves and memorial stones, they soon arrive at their destination… a small grave with the Hayabusa symbol on it. It is the name of a young girl that Kenji and Sakura took in a few years ago. It says Sena Hayabusa, she was roughly 8 or 9 when she died. The events that lead to her demise are something Kenji and Sakura have only told a few people. But one day they hope to go into more details about her demise.
All 4 of the family would place the flowers they bought earlier on her gravestone. They would then say a silent prayer. Kaito says how he misses her and wishes she would have been here to have fun with him. Mafuyu shows off her headband and tells her that going forward she will do whatever she can to protect the family in her honor.
Sakura says she loves her and every day she wishes that she were here. She hopes one day she can see her again. And then Kenji reiterates what Sakura said but says she will always be part of his heart and knows she's watching over all of them. They love her and like Sakura said, they hope to see her once again.
They would stay there for a few more minutes before heading back home to get started with the big dinner.
As Kenji and Sakura cook the big dinner, there would be a knock at the door. Sakura answers it to reveal it to be Hideki, Tenten, and Hana. They wondered if they were late for the cookout. Kenji told them to enter. Shortly after they arrived it would be Ryuzan and Hinata's turn to arrive with Hanabi and Neji. And then Naruto, Ino, and Menma arrive afterward.
The families sat around eating their weight in meat and veggies. Rinka would arrive afterward with some refreshments. It was a reunion of Team Zero, and everyone was having one hell of an amazing time. Kenji and them bonding at this time of peace.
After the BBQ, everyone would leave as Sakura and Kenji would put their kids to sleep. After the 3rd course, Kaito was out like a light. Mafuyu would see her friends out the door but would talk to Menma for a bit longer, both hoping to be placed on the same team together. Hideki, Ryuzan, and Kenji exchanged fist bumps and would see each other later.
Kenji and Sakura would sit on the couch and reflect on the day they had and how fast Mafuyu was growing up. They held each other's hands and just enjoyed the silence of the moment. They would exchange a quick kiss and head to bed.
After Neji heads to bed to get ready for his first day of team assignments, Ryuzan and Hinata spend the rest of the night walking in the garden area of the Hyuga compound. Ryuzan has never been happier in his life. His son has finally become a ninja and he got to experience it with the woman he loved.
"Neji would have been amazed to see his nephew becoming a ninja, not only that but rookie of the year as well," Hinata said, with a sad tone in her voice.
"He may be gone, but his spirit lies in our son. Like I said in the past, he will become a fine ninja. We did a damn good job forging that first part of his path. Now it's time for him to continue onward." Ryuzan said, with pride.
Hinata kissed Ryuzan and the both of them stood on the bridge, looking at the moon reflecting on the pond.
"Your right about that Ryuzan, we did a damn good job." She chuckled with her husband.
At Hideki's house, Hana fell asleep on the couch. Tenten placed a blanket on her daughter as she slept soundly. She saw that Hideki was on the porch, sipping a cup of hot tea. She came and topped him off.
"What a day, it went from chaotic to normal at breakneck speed." She said, looking up at the night sky with her husband.
"I'm just glad that everything turned out the way it did. If Naruto wasn't there to help Hana, I don't know if she would have recovered from that episode."
Tenten placed her head on her husband's back. He stood still, feeling his wife's presence behind him. The two of them stood there with the stars shimmering throughout the night sky.
"I'm so relieved for it Hideki, and knowing how crushed she would have been because of Shinji and his brat made me so mad. But in the end, it all turned out for her. Both you and Hana are big parts of my world. And I'll be damned should someone like Shinji and his bastard hurt my family."
Hideki looked back at the fierce look in his wife's eyes. And he would walk over to her and hold her.
"Both of us will make sure that happens. Keep that in mind my weapons queen."
In wave country, Sasuke would arrive and head to where the location. While Toma told him not to venture there alone, he had to at least observe what was going on. He would see some weird-looking men in black cloaks making their way to a weird cloud formation.
As Sasuke looked up at the sky, he saw some sort of weird vortex forming up in the sky. He was perplexed by what he saw. He would sneak up behind one of the weird cloaked individuals and knock him out. He would then put on the man's attire and follow the others to a weird rock formation.
He would enter and what he saw was a citadel with torches surrounding the stage. A man with a black robe soon entered, his face completely covered with a weird mask and black hood. He had a staff with a clock and an hourglass. He saw a few of the man's followers approach the stage. He then took center stage and began to speak.
"My followers, As you know the threat to our dimension is upon us. I'm asking for your life energy to expand the dimensional vortex in the sky to bring the chosen ones to the other world to stop this dimension-ending threat. A threat, that if not stopped by the chosen ones will not only end that world but ours as well."
What Sasuke observed next were the followers being changed into spheres of light and floating up to the vortex in the sky. Sasuke didn't know how, but he had to put a stop to it. However, the man in the cloak knew that he was in the crowd.
"I know you are in our presence Sasuke Uchiha, so if you wish to try to stop me you are free to try."
Sasuke threw his cloak to the ground and charged at the man with a Chidori in his hand.