Hey guys, back with another story lol. I been wanting to see a Naruto sensei fic for a long time. The one's I found are either abandoned or just not what I was looking for. This is to satisfy my itch for one. Hope you enjoy!
It had been a little over two years since the Fourth Great Shinobi War had come to an end. The once blood-soaked battlefields were now quiet, leaving behind a world still grappling with peace. Balance had been restored, but the scars of the war lingered, etched into the hearts of those who fought. The five great shinobi villages were working toward a unified future, holding regular summits to ensure prosperity and growth. It wasn't easy. Animosity and distrust still bubbled beneath the surface for some, but change was taking root, slowly but surely.
Naruto Uzumaki took in a deep breath as he stood outside the Hokage Tower, his eyes drifting upward toward the looming structure. Konoha was peaceful these days, far different from the chaos that had once threatened to consume it. For Naruto, however, that peace often meant monotony. The excitement of war had been replaced with more tedious tasks: diplomacy, paperwork, training… all important, but not the thrill he had once been used to.
Still, he couldn't complain. Life was good. His training was more focused now, and with fewer world-ending threats looming over his head, Naruto had finally taken the time to refine his skills. He had become proficient in his father's legendary technique, the Hiraishin, and had honed his vast chakra reserves, making him a more balanced shinobi than ever before.
But there was always that itch. It's been too long since I've been sent on a real mission, he thought as he pushed open the doors of the Hokage Tower. He had just come from his favorite ramen shop, Ichiraku's, where he'd celebrated yet another successful training session with a large bowl of miso ramen. His stomach was full, and now he was eager to see why he had been summoned.
Like always, the Anbu sent to retrieve him hadn't given much information—just a cryptic message from Kakashi that he was needed. Hopefully, Kakashi-sensei finally has something exciting for me, Naruto mused.
As he made his way through the familiar halls of the tower, he couldn't help but notice how much things had changed. The faces around the village were younger, fresher. New generations of shinobi were filling the ranks, and with them came new challenges, new futures.
Naruto approached the reception desk, where a young woman with short, brown straight hair and glasses was busy scribbling something in a logbook. She looked up and her face immediately brightened when she saw him.
"Uzumaki-san! It's great to see you again," the receptionist, Kiemi, greeted him warmly.
Naruto flashed her a broad grin, the kind of smile that could light up a room. "Good to see you too, Kiemi-chan! You holding down the fort okay? Doesn't look like there's much action around here."
Kiemi giggled, adjusting her glasses. "It might look quiet, but it's always eventful in the Hokage Tower. I don't think I could ever get bored working here."
"Whatever you say," Naruto chuckled. "I guess you're made for it. Anyway, I got summoned by Lord Hokage, so I'm here to see what he needs."
Kiemi nodded, flipping through her logbook. "Ah yes, Lord Hokage is expecting you. He's in his office, as usual. Feel free to go right up, Uzumaki-san."
Naruto waved at her before heading upstairs, his mind wandering. What could Kakashi-sensei want this time? Another diplomatic errand? Or maybe something with more action?
When he reached the Hokage's office, Naruto paused just outside the door. He could hear voices on the other side, deep in conversation. He reached out to knock but didn't get the chance before the door creaked open.
"Yo, Naruto!" Kakashi's familiar voice called out from inside. "Glad you could make it. We were just talking about you."
Naruto stepped into the office, blinking in surprise at the group gathered inside. Sakura was there, arms crossed, looking slightly amused. Shizune stood by Tsunade, who was lounging casually with a sake bottle in hand—retirement had clearly been kind to her. Shikamaru leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets, looking as bored as ever.
"Sensei," Naruto greeted Kakashi with a nod. "You called?"
Kakashi gave him a smile, his lone visible eye crinkling in that familiar way. "I did. But before we get to that…"
"I'm betting this is about a mission, right?" Naruto cut in, eager to get to the point.
"It's always about a mission with you," Sakura said with a small smile. "But this time, it's something a little different."
"Actually, it's not what you're thinking," Kakashi added, his tone more serious now.
Naruto tilted his head, confused. "Different? What do you mean?"
"You'll see," Tsunade interjected, taking a long sip from her sake bottle. "But let's just say, if you can't handle this, your Hokage dreams might be in jeopardy."
"Sheesh, you guys make it sound like I'm some kind of disaster on the battlefield!" Naruto huffed, crossing his arms. "I've grown a lot, you know. I'm responsible now!"
"Depends on the day," Kurama muttered inside him, the fox's deep voice laced with humor.
Naruto mentally swatted the bijuu away, deciding not to dignify that with a response. He turned his attention back to Kakashi. "So what is it? I'm ready for whatever you've got."
Kakashi leaned forward, resting his chin on his interlocked fingers. "Well, it's not a traditional mission, per se. Graduation for the newest genin class happened today, and we're assigning teams tomorrow. There's a need for one more jounin to take on a genin team."
Naruto's eyes widened, taken aback. "You want me to be a sensei? For some squirts?"
"Essentially, yes," Kakashi nodded. "There's a team I've put together, and I think you'd be a good fit for them. You've come a long way, Naruto, and while I might not have been the best teacher myself…"
"Understatement of the year," Naruto muttered under his breath, earning a quick elbow from Sakura.
Kakashi ignored him and continued. "… I believe you have the potential to guide some young shinobi. You've been through a lot, and you've learned more than you realize. It's time you passed that on."
Naruto stood there for a moment, absorbing the information. His initial reaction was a mix of surprise and… well, doubt. Him? A teacher? But then, the more he thought about it, the more it started to make sense. He had taught Konohamaru the Rasengan, after all, and that had gone well. He'd mentored others before, whether it was leading teams during the war or offering advice to younger shinobi. Maybe, just maybe, he could do this.
Tsunade smirked. "Quite ironic that you're calling them 'squirts' when not too long ago, you were one."
"Can it, Grandma," Naruto grumbled, though he quickly regretted it when Tsunade grabbed him by the ear and yanked him down to her level. "Ow ow ow! I take it back!"
The retired Hokage whispered something threatening in his ear before releasing him, and Naruto paled, gulping audibly. Kurama's booming laughter echoed in his mind as Naruto rubbed his sore ear.
"Still the same old Naruto," Shikamaru commented lazily, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone. "But Hokage-sama is right. If you're going to be Hokage someday, you need to know how to lead the next generation. You've got the skills, now you just need to prove it."
Naruto straightened up, brushing off the lingering sting of Tsunade's grip. "Alright, I'll do it. Who's on this team?"
Kakashi's eye crinkled again as he opened a file on his desk, flipping through it before sliding it over to Naruto. "Meet Team 7."
Naruto's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the old team name. Nostalgia flooded him as memories of Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi came rushing back. Team 7, huh? He opened the folder and skimmed the names of his future students.
The sun was barely peeking over the horizon when a young blonde girl stirred in her bed, her face buried in her pillow. Her dreams were pleasant—vivid, colorful scenes of her running through the woods with her squad, missions full of adventure and excitement. But those dreams were cut short when something wet and cold nudged her face.
"Mmph…" she groaned, swatting at the source of her irritation. She expected it to go away, but instead, it persisted, accompanied by a soft, insistent whimper. Blinking her eyes open, she found herself nose-to-nose with a small black and white husky pup, its tongue lolling happily as it stared at her.
"Wha—Yuna?!" the girl yelped, sitting up abruptly. She wiped the sleep from her eyes, blinking against the morning light streaming in through her window.
Before she could fully wake up, another voice—this one distinctly human—chimed in from the doorway. "Good morning, sleeping beauty."
The girl whipped her head around to see her friend leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed and a grin plastered across her face. It was Ashi Inuzuka, the unmistakable red streaks on her cheeks making her heritage clear. She was practically radiating smugness as she watched her friend panic.
"Ashi!" the blonde groaned, rubbing her temples. "What are you doing here?"
"Saving your butt, that's what. You know you're going to be late for the team assignments, right?" Ashi gestured to the clock on the nightstand with a knowing smirk.
The blonde girl, Hikari Sato, followed her gaze and felt her heart drop into her stomach. The clock read 7:45 AM. Team assignments were at 8.
"Crap, crap, crap!" Hikari shrieked, bolting out of bed and running for her bathroom, tripping over her blanket in the process. The husky pup, Yuna, yipped and hopped out of the way, watching the girl dash around in a frenzy.
"You were always the one who bragged about how organized and punctual you were," Ashi teased as she stepped fully into the room, plopping herself down on Hikari's bed. "Funny how that works out, huh?"
Hikari didn't bother replying as she brushed her hair and teeth in a rush, throwing on her ninja gear in record time. She darted out of the bathroom, hair still somewhat messy but at least presentable, and started tying her forehead protector around her head. "Why didn't you wake me up earlier?!"
"I figured you had it all under control, Miss 'Punctuality,'" Ashi replied, her grin widening. She reached into her teal hoodie's pocket, pulling out a small breakfast bar and tossing it to Hikari, who caught it in mid-air.
"Thanks," Hikari mumbled, tearing it open and taking a quick bite. "What would I do without you?"
"Probably still be in bed," Ashi said matter-of-factly, standing up from the bed and whistling for Yuna to jump into her hood. The little pup happily obliged, nestling itself in the back of Ashi's hoodie like it belonged there. "Now, c'mon, we don't want to miss the big reveal!"
As the two girls rushed out the front door, Hikari's mother poked her head out from the kitchen. The woman, a slightly older version of Hikari with the same blonde hair but with more refined features, smiled warmly as her daughter passed by in a blur.
"Running late, darling?" she teased. "Nerves finally caught up to you?"
Hikari paused only long enough to give her mother a quick hug and a sheepish smile. "I'm fine, Mom! Just… lost track of time last night."
Her mother chuckled softly and kissed the top of her head. "Well, good luck today. I can't wait to hear all about your new team when you get back."
"Thanks! I'll be home as soon as it's over!" Hikari called out as she darted out the door, already running to catch up with Ashi.
The streets of Konoha were buzzing with energy, as they always were in the early morning hours. Merchants were opening their stalls, civilians walked briskly to their destinations, and shinobi of all ranks were heading toward the various missions assigned to them. The village was vibrant, alive with the routine of daily life. The aftermath of the war had brought a sense of renewed vigor, with everyone playing their part in rebuilding the future of the Hidden Leaf.
Hikari and Ashi weaved through the crowded streets, dodging vendors and other shinobi as they made their way to the Academy. Despite the rush, Hikari's mind couldn't help but wander. Today was the day. She was going to be assigned her first official genin team. She would finally be a true shinobi of the Leaf, working under a Jounin sensei and embarking on real missions.
"I wonder who we'll get as a sensei," Hikari mused aloud, half to herself. "I hope they're nice. And strong. And good at teaching."
"I hope we get someone like Naruto!" Ashi said, eyes sparkling. "He's the best! Could you imagine being trained by the guy who saved the whole world? That would be amazing!"
Hikari smiled, though she doubted they'd be that lucky. Naruto was practically a legend in the village now. He wasn't just a hero, he was the hero. It was hard to believe he had ever been just a knuckleheaded kid, like the stories said. "Yeah, that would be cool," she agreed. "But I bet we'll get someone—"
She was interrupted by the sound of the academy bell ringing in the distance.
"CRAP!" Both girls shouted in unison, realizing they were seconds away from being late. They bolted the rest of the way, pushing through the Academy doors just in time to see Iruka-sensei standing at the front of the classroom, holding the roster for team assignments.
As they stumbled into the room, panting slightly from the rush, Iruka's stern gaze met them. He raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. They had made it just in time. Barely.
Ashi flashed a sheepish grin as she and Hikari slid into their seats. "Made it," she whispered.
Next to them, Kazaya Li, a tall boy with dark hair and a perpetually bored expression, leaned back in his chair and smirked. "Barely made it. I was just telling everyone that you two were probably lost in one of your dumb arguments again."
"Shut up, Kazaya," Ashi snapped, glaring at him. "We weren't arguing, we were—"
"Late?" Kazaya finished for her, his smirk widening.
Hikari sighed and buried her face in her hands, already feeling the weight of the day pressing down on her. "This is not how I wanted to start our first day as official genin…"
Before Kazaya could reply, Iruka cleared his throat and began speaking, silencing the chatter in the classroom. "Alright, everyone. Today is the day you've all been waiting for. You've graduated, and now you'll be assigned to your respective teams. Your Jounin sensei will be meeting with you shortly after."
He paused for a moment, scanning the faces of his students. "I want to say that I'm incredibly proud of all of you. You've come a long way since your first day here, and I'm confident that you'll all go on to become excellent shinobi. Now, let's get to the assignments."
Hikari felt her heart race as Iruka began reading off the teams. One by one, names were called, and students were grouped together. Hikari kept glancing at Ashi, hoping that they would end up on the same team. Ashi seemed to be thinking the same thing, as she kept nudging Hikari and whispering under her breath.
"Please, please, please let us be on the same team," Ashi whispered, fingers crossed.
Finally, Iruka called out the names Hikari had been waiting for.
"Team 7: Hikari Sato, Ashi Inuzuka, and Kazaya Li."
Ashi let out a small cheer, fist-bumping Hikari under the desk. "We're together!"
Hikari smiled, relieved, though she couldn't help but feel a little nervous about having Kazaya on their team. He wasn't a bad guy, but his constant bickering with Ashi could be a distraction. Still, it was better than being stuck with people she didn't know at all.
Kazaya, meanwhile, groaned. "Great. I'm stuck with you two loudmouths."
Hikari shot him a small glare, but before she could say anything, Iruka continued with the remaining team assignments. As soon as he was finished, the room grew quiet in anticipation. It was time for their Jounin senseis to arrive.
Iruka glanced toward the door and gave a small nod. "Alright, your Jounin instructors will be here to pick you up. Please wait patiently for your names to be called."
The door slid open, and in walked a familiar figure that sent a collective gasp through the room.
Naruto Uzumaki stood at the entrance, his bright blond hair as spiky as ever, his face sporting those signature whisker marks. He wore a green Jounin vest over a black long-sleeve shirt, and his orange ninja pants stood out like a beacon. The room fell silent as everyone stared, wide-eyed, at the legendary shinobi who had just walked in.
"Is there something on my face?" Naruto asked with a confused grin, scratching the back of his head.
Iruka recovered from his shock and laughed, stepping forward to greet him. "Naruto! I didn't expect you to be here today. Are you picking up a team?"
Naruto grinned back at his former teacher. "You bet, Iruka-sensei."
The room erupted into murmurs as the genin whispered among themselves. Naruto Uzumaki? The hero of the Fourth Great Shinobi War? He was going to be someone's sensei? The excitement was palpable.
Naruto scanned the room, his gaze settling on Hikari, Ashi, and Kazaya. "Team 7, where are you guys at?"
Ashi jumped to her feet, nearly knocking over her desk in her excitement. "Here! We're right here!"
Hikari smiled shyly, still processing the fact that Naruto Uzumaki was going to be their sensei. Kazaya, ever the picture of calm indifference, simply raised his arms lazily, giving a slight nod of acknowledgment. The classroom remained awash in whispers, disbelief rippling through the other students as they looked enviously at Team 7. It was clear that most of them would have traded places in a heartbeat. Naruto Uzumaki was more than a hero—he was a living legend, someone who had once stood on the brink of destruction and saved the entire shinobi world.
Naruto's grin widened as he watched Ashi practically bounce with excitement, her red Inuzuka markings standing out as she beamed up at him. Hikari's shy, wide-eyed expression reminded him a little of himself, back when he was fresh out of the Academy. Kazaya, however, looked bored out of his mind, his arms crossed and his gaze set somewhere far away from the present situation. Naruto chuckled inwardly at the stark contrast between the three.
"Alright, you three," Naruto called, raising a hand and gesturing for them to follow. "Meet me on the roof in five minutes. We've got a lot to talk about."
Ashi was the first to respond, practically dragging Hikari and Kazaya toward the door before they could even react. "You heard him! Let's go! I can't believe we're gonna be trained by Naruto!"
Hikari stumbled slightly as Ashi pulled her along, still trying to make sense of it all. Naruto Uzumaki… our sensei? she thought, barely able to contain her own excitement now. This was far beyond what she had expected for her first day as a genin.
Kazaya, on the other hand, didn't seem nearly as thrilled. He shot Ashi a sideways glance, raising an eyebrow. "You're acting like we're meeting some kind of celebrity or something."
Ashi glared at him. "He is a celebrity, you idiot! He's the reason we're not all living under some crazy moon-genjutsu or whatever!"
Kazaya just shrugged. "Doesn't mean he's going to be a good teacher."
Hikari, watching the two of them bicker, sighed softly. This is going to be a long team dynamic, she thought, trying to balance the excitement of meeting their new sensei with the reality of managing her unruly teammates.
When they finally reached the roof, Naruto was already there, standing near the edge and looking out over the village. He didn't seem to notice them at first, lost in thought as he gazed out at the bustling streets of Konoha below. The wind tousled his spiky blond hair, and for a moment, he looked like a completely different person—older, more serious than the boyish grin he had greeted them with downstairs.
Hikari hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to approach, but Ashi had no such reservations.
"Naruto-sensei!" Ashi called out, running ahead. "We made it!"
Naruto turned around, his expression instantly softening into the same cheerful smile they had seen before. "You guys are fast. I like that," he said, clapping his hands together. "Alright, now that you're here, let's get down to business."
Kazaya plopped down on the ground with a yawn, leaning back against the side of the building. "Business, huh? What exactly is the plan?"
"Patience, Kazaya," Naruto said, holding up a finger. "First things first—we need to get to know each other. So, I want you all to tell me about yourselves. Your goals, your dreams, why you want to be a shinobi. It doesn't have to be some deep, life-changing answer, but I want to hear what drives you."
Ashi shot her hand into the air immediately. "I'll go first!"
Naruto laughed, motioning for her to continue. "Go ahead, Ashi."
"I want to be as strong as you, Naruto-sensei!" Ashi declared, her eyes shining with determination. "I'm gonna be the best Inuzuka ever—better than Kiba, better than anyone! And Yuna and I are gonna be famous ninja, just like you!"
The small husky pup, Yuna, barked in agreement from Ashi's hood, wagging her tail enthusiastically.
Naruto smiled, impressed by her spirit. "That's a great goal, Ashi. You've got the passion, and with hard work, you and Yuna will go far."
Ashi beamed, clearly pleased with the praise. "Just watch! I'll prove it to you!"
Naruto nodded before turning his attention to Kazaya, who was still lounging on the ground. "Your turn, Kazaya. What's your goal as a shinobi?"
Kazaya lazily opened one eye and glanced at Naruto. "Honestly? I don't really have a goal," he said with a shrug. "I just don't want to deal with anything too troublesome. As long as the missions are easy and don't require too much effort, I'm fine."
Naruto raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "No goals at all? No ambitions?"
Kazaya sighed and sat up slightly, scratching the back of his head. "Look Sensei, I'm not saying I won't do my job. I'll be a good shinobi, I'll follow orders, and I'll do what I have to do. But I'm not out here trying to be the next Hokage or anything."
"Fair enough," Naruto replied, though he could sense there was more to Kazaya than the boy was letting on. He decided not to press the issue for now.
Finally, Naruto's gaze shifted to Hikari, who had been quiet throughout the conversation. She stiffened slightly under his attention, her fingers nervously fiddling with the edge of her sleeve.
"And what about you, Hikari?" Naruto asked gently. "What drives you?"
Hikari hesitated for a moment, gathering her thoughts before speaking. "I… I want to become a great strategist. Someone who can protect the village and help lead teams in difficult situations." Her voice wavered slightly, but there was a quiet determination in her eyes. "I want to make sure that no one I care about gets hurt. If I can be strong enough and smart enough, I'll be able to protect everyone."
Naruto watched her carefully, nodding as she spoke. He could see the insecurity in her posture, the way she seemed to second-guess herself even as she answered. But there was something else there too—potential. A fire that just needed the right spark to burn brighter.
"Those are good goals, Hikari," Naruto said with a reassuring smile. "You've got a sharp mind, and with the right training, you'll be able to use it to protect the people you care about."
Hikari's cheeks flushed slightly at the praise, but she nodded, feeling a little more confident.
"Alright," Naruto said, clapping his hands together again. "Now that I know a little more about you, let's get down to the real reason we're here."
Ashi practically bounced on her feet, her excitement returning in full force. "You mean… the test?"
"That's right," Naruto confirmed, his grin widening. "I'm going to test you to see if you're ready to be real ninja."
Kazaya frowned. "Didn't we already pass the graduation exam?"
Naruto chuckled. "That was just the beginning. My test will show if you really have what it takes to be genin. But don't worry," he added with a wink, "it's nothing you can't handle."
He reached into his pouch and pulled out two small, silver bells, holding them up for the team to see. "Your job is to get these bells from me. You have until noon to grab one. If you don't get a bell, you fail."
Kazaya's frown deepened as he glanced between the two bells and his teammates. "But there are three of us… and only two bells."
Naruto's grin widened, clearly enjoying their confusion. "Exactly."
Hikari's eyes widened in realization. She had read about this kind of test before—the infamous bell test that Kakashi-sensei had used on Naruto's original Team 7. A test designed to pit teammates against each other, to see how they handled pressure, competition, and teamwork. It was both a simple and cruel exercise, one that forced the genin to think beyond the obvious.
Ashi, however, didn't seem to catch on. She cracked her knuckles and grinned. "Well, then I'm definitely getting one of those bells. Kazaya, Hikari—better keep up!"
Kazaya rolled his eyes. "Here we go…"
Naruto tied the bells to his waist, the familiar jingle filling the air as he took a step back, motioning for them to come at him. "You can use whatever means necessary. Show me what you've got."
The team tensed, eyes locked on the bells as they prepared themselves for the challenge ahead. Ashi, predictably, was practically ready to pounce, Yuna barking excitedly in her hood.
Hikari analyzed the situation as her mind raced. This isn't just about the bells, she thought. We'll need to work together if we want to have any chance of passing.
Naruto watched them with a patient smile, his eyes sharp, ready for whatever they were about to throw at him. The test had begun.
Thanks for reading!