Chapter 2

*static*

"-Entry Log #25: We have finally arrived in the area, and it's been... rough. *sigh* We've encountered a new kind of creatures, a-"

"Creatures?! CREATURES!!? THOSE 'THINGS' WERE- *static* YOU SAW THAT! Or at least they used to be! I think?! What were they!? WHAT'S GOING ON HERE!?

"HOW AM I SUPPSOED TO KNOW THAT IM ON THE -*static* -SAME MISSION AS THE BOTH OF YOU! WE BOTH SAW THE SAME THING! WE ALL HAVE QUESTIONS!"

"ENOUGH YOU TWO! Look, neither of us knows what that was or what just happened, but what we can agree on is making sure we get out of here and tell Hiruzen the situation. I've sent- *static* -enger toad to alret him of the situation. We just need to find out what Hanzo was talking about. Before.. whatever those are took and..- *static* -he said that people would develop symptoms like this when in prolonged exposure to- *static* It has to be that.

"He's right, sorry, Tsunade. We have to keep searching for t- *static* -It might be lead to am explanation to explain those.. things."

"Yeah, I guess you're right, Orochimaru. We have to keep searching for an explanation. Let's hope this is a one-time thing."

*static*


Present:

"WHY AM I THE ONE TIED UP TO THIS DAMN LOG!" yelled our orange clothed graduate while his two teammates sat beside him. He was about to continue his tantrum until his sensei spoke.

"Well, besides the fact that you tried to steal the food while the test was still going, you are the one who performed the weakest out of the group." replied the voice of his sensei. He was currently reading a book nonchalantly as Naruto cursed him for his actions.

"ITS NOT MY FAULT! YOU TOLD US NOT TO EAT AND I'M STARVING!" he continued.

'I hate to admit it, but he's right. I haven't eaten anything either, and I'm hungry, too.' Sakura thought to herself as her stomach growled quietly. She felt as if her body started digesting itself! The regret of starting a diet started to seep into her. Kakashi turned the page of his book casually before he responded lazily.

"Did I say that? Huh, I guess this will teach you to think for yourselves for a bit. After all, it wasn't an order. It was a suggestion. It's not my fault you guys followed it." Satsuki's eye twitched when she heard that statement and used her all of her willpower to not throw another kunai at her sensei's head. Not that it would do much, and she knew it. He proved himself capable when she thought she could handle him only to end up buried up to her neck by the man.

"Besides, it wouldn't be a punishment if it didn't hurt your pride a bit." Kakashi chuckled. "But don't be afraid, I'm not sending you back to the academy. I'm dropping you three from the program entirely."

"WHAAAAT!?" All three of the soon to be dropped shinobi yelled. "YOU CAN'T DO THAT WE WORKED SO HARD TO GET HERE." yelled the cherry blossom haired girl. She got a grunt of agreement from her Uchiha friend. Naruto spoke up as well "Yeah what she said you can't just undo all of our work to get here!"

Kakashi didn't seem phased by their outburst and spoke, "I'm sure I can. I'm a jonin in charge of three children at the end of the day. If I don't deem you worthy, I can take you off the ninja program entirely. I'm not in the mood for babysitting weaklings." he finished off in a nonchalant tone. Before anyone can say anything else, Kakashi casually tilted his head to the side, avoiding a kunai that had been thrown at him while Satsuki charged him. In the blink of an eye Kakashi grabbed her by her wrist pulled her towards him and slammed her into the ground before pinning her down, one hand on her head and the other holding her arms behind her back.

Satsuki struggled till she felt a knee hold her arms down before suddenly a blade was at her throat. "Sakura, you're going to kill Naruto right now, or Satsuki her loses her head." Kakashi said in a tone of voice that frightened Sakura. Panic instilled itself inside her mind, she didn't know what to do Satsuki is one of her friends, and while she didn't know Naruto to well amd found him annoying he didn't deserve to just die. Nor did she think she could look him in the eyes as she brought the knife down on him. Tears began to form in her eyes as she didn't know what to do.

"This is an example of what is possible out there in the shinobi world! It isn't a game or some grand adventure it's life or death. Sometimes, you'll be forced into a position where you have to make the tough call, " Kakashi said in a solemn tone. He proceeded to put away the kunai and help the young heiress up on her feet. He then turned away and proceeded to walk towards the edge of the clearing. "Satsuki. Sakura, enjoy your meals and prepare yourselves for another go. I've decided to give you guys one last chance. Oh, and remember Naruto doesn't get any."

"HUH?!"

Fifteen minutes passed as they ate in silence. Or as much silence there could be when the Uzumaki's stomach was growling loudly. He was quietly whining about his hunger before suddenly he felt a jab to his left. He had enough and was about ready to snap until he saw Satsuki offering him some of her lunch. She avoided making eye contact as she spoke. "Here you're bad enough already. We wouldn't want you to slow us down even more because of an empty stomach."

Sakura looked around nervously and voiced her concerns in a hushed tone. "Are you crazy?! Kakashi-sensei could return any minute!"

"Then hurry up and help me feed him. We all need to work together to get those bells. We'll cross the bridge on who gets the bells later." Satsuki snapped back. Seeing no inherent flaws with her reasoning, Sakura also proceeded to offer her food the blonde. Naruto stared in awe at the two of them before gratefully accepting their food. Before Satsuki could tell Naruto not to read too much into her spoon feeding him, dark clouds emerged, and lightning struck.

Suddenly, Kakashi appeared in front of the three of them. "YOU! WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT FEEDING HIM? " he shouted. Sakura wasted no time cutting the rope before both her and Naruto took up defensive positions on the Uchihas flank. "To hell with that bs. We're a team. We're only as strong as our weakest link!" yelled the pink haired kunoichi in training. Putting on a brave face but deep down was terrified of the thought of having to fight a man that can kill them with no effort. "Either we go out together, or we all make it." said the Uchiha. Naruto made a grunt of agreement while nodding his head and preparing for a fight.

"Is that so you're a team, huh?!" Kakashi yelled while allowing his killer intent to release, putting pressure on the three. Satsuki's shook a bit before a hand on her shoulder brought her back before the owner of it spoke "Yeah you got a problem with that, you silver haired cyclops!" retorted Naruto. Kakashi stared at them with a murderous look in his eye. "In that case... you pass." he said as the clouds disappeared, revealing the beautiful sunny day out of the training ground. The three genin dropped the defensive stances a bit and looked at each other. Unsure if this was a cruel joke, Naruto voiced his concerns. "We pass? Like we're Ninja now!?" Kakashi chuckled at his reaction "Yes you three are now proud ninja of Konohagakure! Welcome aboard to team seven!" he stated as his lone visible eye closed as the only indication that he was smiling.

"HOORAY I PASSED I PASSED IM A NINJA NOW HAHAHAHA!" Naruto yelled in excitement as he began jumping around. Sakura let out a scream of happiness as well, while Satsuki just smiled and relaxed. "Now who's hungry. My treat!" Kakashi offered his students. Sakura made a suggestion for sushi while Naruto, to no one's surprise, yelled ramen while the raven haired girl stayed quiet. They decided on a BBQ place that they remembered the classmate, Choji Akimichi, recommended. After a bit, they finished up and started heading out. "Man, that hit the spot. It's no ramen but definitely up there as one of the best places to go eat," Naruto said as he used a toothpick to get what was left in between his teeth.

"Yeah, that was a wonderful meal now. Remember to get plenty of rest. We got training to do and plenty of missions to complete!" Kakshi said with mock enthusiasm before ruffling the hair of his students. He held out a hand sign before he disappeared into a swirl of leaves, leaving them alone. "So Sakura, do you want me to walk you home?" he asked his pink haired teammate. Mikoto always said to be a gentleman and offer to walk a woman home instead of leaving them on their own. "That's sweet of you, Naruto, but I should be fine on my own. I don't live too far from here."

"Oh well, then be safe." He turned to the Uchiha only to see her already walking down the road. "HEY! Wait up!" Satsuki rolled her eyes as he ran up to her, slowing down to meet her walking pace as they headed home together. "Sheesh so mean almost left me alone to fend for myself. After all, you're supposed to take care of me and walk me home." he said, trying to sound as innocent as possible. She punched him lightly in the arm "Your an idiot sometimes you know that. Now come on, my mom would love to hear about you graduating and getting the money my dad owes her." Noticing the look of confusion on her friends face, she answered his unasked question. "They made a bet seeing on whether or not you would graduate. Mom won." she stated in a matter of fact tone. Naruto's shoulders sagged a bit. "He thought I wouldn't graduate." He sounded hurt before Satsuki wrapped her fingers in his and started pulling him forward. "Come on, you know he cares about you. You just infuriate him is all. Which is understandable. You get on my nerves sometimes as well." "HEY!" she laughed."Let's go already. The last one there has to buy Itachi, his pocky!" She immediately dashed away, leaving him behind. Realizing what she just said, he took after her as well. "HEY WHAT KIND OF A START IS THAT YOU CHEATING JERK!"

They ran off towards the Uchiha district, unsure of what their future might hold.


*static*

*screaming and howling*

"GO! GO! GO! They're gaining on us! Kami, there's a lot more of them here!"

"We must be close to the cause of whatever is bri- *static* - to life. Quickly through there, then seal of the doorway!

*footsteps before a yell of effort is heard, debris falls, and the screams are muffled*

"All three of us here?"

"Yep,"

"Yeah, we're here."

"Hey, you think it might be that?"

"Why, Jiraiya? I believe it just might be. It's glowing, and it feels odd."

"Yeah, I get the feeling. I don't like looking at this thing.. hey, look at this."

"What did you find Tsu- *static* -de"

"It looks like they were trying to harness its energy. Could such a thing really be that good of a power source?"

"I don't know, Orochi. All I know is that we gotta report this back to Hir- *static* Let's seal it up and take it back. "

"Yes, I believe you're right. Do your thing, and I'll summon Manda to tunnel us out of here to a safe distance."

"That snake! I don't know he might cause more trouble than we're in right now!"

"Don't worry, Hime, Manda and I have become a bit closer as time progressed."

*static*