Kumiko relaxed at the hot springs with her friends.

Those that survived anyway. Both of the two women were retired at this point with the one already having a lovely little girl Kumiko was the godmother of. And her other friend had dropped hints she was expecting a little boy soon.

She was honestly a little jealous. One had retired as a Chunin with modest benefits but a husband still working in the bureaucracy. She lived as a full time mother and she loved every second of it by all accounts. The other had only recently retired as a special Jonin along with her husband having mutually decided that they had tempted fate enough. Now she worked in the Yamanaka greenhouses her green thumb and security clearance serving her well. The rest were dead, insane, crippled or some other combination thereof. Of the two boys on her Genin team one died in the second war on a border patrol mission with their Sensei and the other in the Nine Tails attack. She missed him sincerely but was not close with the former.

Well, at least those who she knew personally. There were still others in her graduating class serving in various capacities but she was only barely acquainted with them. Kumiko was celebrating the commencement of her last team and eventual retirement. She boasted quietly in their private bath about having a VIP on her team and all of the added resources and privileges that entailed. She gushed about having an assigned training ground. The next two years would be easy street.

Fumiko (the former Chunin) needled Kumiko.

"So who is the VIP? I heard the fox boy had recently graduated. God help whoever gets saddled with him he is a little hellion. You should have seen what he did to Chiyo's garden."

The now named special Jonin simply nodded irate.

"Somebody outa teach that boy a lesson. He runs roughshod all over the village. He should have been taught better. Of course the spawn of that…"

Both Fumiko and Kumiko covered her mouth fearful. Looking around to see if any watchers happened by. Privacy seals or not one did not break an S-Rank law lightly. The punishment being death to all involved. Fumiko cuffed Chiyo over the head the other woman having always been a blabber mouth. The reason she never progressed past Special Jonin in fact.

"Do not mention she of hair red as blood. It would only invite doom to us all."

She whispered superstitiously.

The others nodded chagrined.

"In any case, he simply was not taught to begin with."

Fumiko gasped.

"You don't mean to say that you…"

Kumiko nodded.

"Yes. I am his Jonin Sensei. Oh it's horrible-"

The others braced in anticipation of the horrors of the boy and his various misbehaviors.

"-how could this village treat HIS son that way? Did you know he had never had fresh vegetables before I took him to the commissary earlier in the week?"

There anticipations were deflated as it hit them what she was saying. They blanched. No. No they did not know that. But instead they listened as Kumiko listed the boys conditions and his illiteracy.

"Something so basic should not have driven him to tears. He was even afraid to pick out very simple sweets."

She mentioned that he was frequently kidnapped and rescued by the Anbu or he escaped on his own. His treatment in shops that she had seen with her own eyes. All of it.

"I am honestly surprised the boy is not completely savage and feral like those children we encountered on our first mission together when we became Chunin."

Both other women winced. . That had not been a pleasant time. The second war had devastated the country-side around Rain and the neighboring countries.

"Maybe if I fix her son her spirit will leave us alone?"

She finished lamely realizing how superstitious that sounded even from her.

"I had no idea about any of that…"

Chiyo replied after a pause.

"I am glad he is getting the help he needs then. It's always great to have someone as conniving as you in their corner."

Fumiko nodded commiseratingly.

Kumiko's face went blank.

"What do you mean by that?"

The other women started laughing as Kumiko kept asking after what they had just said.

Quietly she smirked. Hook. Line. And sinker. It would hit the gossip network by evening at the latest.

Next Scene:

The psych corps.

Kumiko hated it here. They shared a building with the espionage and infiltration corps and she herself had joined briefly before switching. She did not envy her student. But the alternvative was a psych eval for freaking out and attempting to murder her and by proxy her teammates. VIP team or not that was a black mark on her record that would only hold her back. One's hair was important. But not THAT important. She could not afford a liability in the field. Even one with the potential of a powerhouse.

So she signed for the girl and the requisition forms and left very quickly. With any luck this would only make her stronger.

Apprentices are taught the ins and outs of the human mind. How to break it and how to put it back together if you are so inclined. Your own mind is exposed and you are shown parts of yourself even you were not aware of. The better so it cannot be used against you. Such an invasive procedure is not done lightly. Many dark secrets are exposed such that if certain guarantees were not made no one would ever go through with it willingly. Proclivities and sexual orientations even ones decidedly heinous and criminal, crimes committed, and desperate actions taken. Dark thoughts… Treasonous thoughts… these were guaranteed kept secret with the trainer sealed such that he or she could never break it. Not even the Hokage knew who they were. They were a valuable commodity. The only exception was actual treason of course. But if anyone had been exposed in such a manner and turned in no one ever spoke about it.

The initiates uniform was a black cloak over their normal clothing with a blank mask. This uniform could be modified for the practitioners needs or foregone entirely if the need is entirely beneficial. But here initiates had no name or face. Here you were meant to be your true self at all times. Such that the person walking around in the village could be seen as a mask. Here you were protected by anonymity with no sense of shame or consequence. The mask hid your identity completely with seals that obfuscated features. Here you could be free in the darkest place possible.

Here Aia Ahmyah sat for orientation with one other girl from her class and a few older Genin and Chunin. They had yet to dawn the uniform and would not until the end of the week. By the end of the month no one would know who was who unless they were familiar with you deeply. At least that was what the faceless instructor had said in the logistical portion of the orientation.

She was decidedly very nervous. Why had Sensei sent her here of all places? She was a Ninjutsu specialist! Her mind quietly supplied in rage. She didn't need a shrink and she was not crazy.

Sensei had given her platitudes about covering ones weaknesses.

She would get through this. She knew she could as she stared down at the mask she had been given.

But would she still be herself at the end?

No one answered.

Next Scene:

The medic corps were self-explanatory. While a small program due to Tsunade abandoning the village before completing it and the third routinely underfunding it. It was nonetheless vital.

They had even received a fresh infusion of cash from somewhere if rumors were to be believed.

Courtesy of Naruto. Kumiko thought as she walked in to drop off Yamato. Who was decidedly a little nervous. She was separating them in the corps not only to diversify their skillset but also to test the limits of the strings that could be pulled to favor her team for his benefit. How far backwards would the village bend to give the weapon of mass destruction the best resources possible. Knowing she had decided the boy would be the team medic the program suddenly found itself funded enough all applicants were accepted that year and not just 2 or 3 of the best applicants. So he walked into a room with 8 other children and slightly older youths. News would probably spread after this that all applicants were accepted leading to a glut of them the next year. They would probably find themselves disappointed as funding returned to previous levels.

This disgusted Kumiko. So many lives could be saved with a well-funded medic program. Why wasn't the village doing it even to this extent? If they could find the funds to do it this time why not before?

She would receive no answer she knew as she signed both the permission form and requisition slip for the white uniform and puffy hat that signified the medic corps. Watching Yamato put it on she could not help but internally squeal as the chubby boy looked like a Marshmallow. She dropped him off in the small classroom in the academy reserved for it.

Yamato blushed heavily at the white uniform he was put in. The puffy hat only highlighting his size.

Not to say he was not grateful for the opportunity. Medics made really good money and they were generally not considered expendable. Did they have to have uniforms that were so embarrassing?! It was almost legendary how hard it was to become one both due to the difficulty of the subject and the selectiveness of the program.

But maybe that had just been a rumor as the class while small was still much more than he had expected. He waved hello to an old schoolmate Hiroto who waved back.

Sitting down in his assigned place he saw his schedule and what he would need to learn along with assigned reading lists. It was decidedly daunting as his heart fell into his stomach.

However soon everything came to order when a boy only a few years older than him called the class to take their seats. Yakushi Kabuto he introduced himself as. A prodigy initiate if he was remembering right.

"Welcome to this semesters cohort of the initiate medic program. By the end of this 6 month course you will be certified as a field medic cleared for battlefield and expeditionary medicine."

That sounded good to Yamato.

"Of course we have never had this many students before so I expect some of you to lag behind and fail."

That did not sound good to Yamato.

"But if you persevere an exciting career awaits you with many opportunities for advancement. So as not to waste any time all relevant details are in the provided pamphlets. Your first step will be to understand the ins and outs of the human body…"

Next Scene:

She walked the real Naruto to his first day as an apprentice with the ambassador corps. With him were two clones henged as pens so as to triple his chances of actually learning something. The rest of his clones were split between the academy remedial program, Iruka Umino, and the rest were performing the tree climbing exercise still and would until they ran out of Chakra. The ambassador program was on the shorter side which worked out for her plans. She stressed to the academy teacher that Literacy was to be prioritized first. 3 months in the Ambassador corps to earn his armband and another 3 with the Paperwork Ninja (It had a different real name but no one used it much to the departments chagrine.) corps to earn junior bureaucrat status and an additional security clearance. When she had told the Hokage about her plan he had laughed and said she was certainly ambitious.

Then he had asked her seriously her opinion if they were not putting too much on the boy.

She had told the man she would do whatever it took to help her students achieve their dreams and that had evidently been exactly what the man wanted to hear. Because he told her if Naruto studied very hard and earned distinction in the program he would poach him to help with his paperwork. He framed this as a reward and maybe Naruto would even see it as such but she saw right through the old man trying to pawn off some of his paperwork on the naive child. The look she gave the old man made it clear what she thought and he only laughed that infuriating laugh not caring he had been caught. When she told Naruto her plans beyond the initial complaints and jeering at how lame it all was all she dangled what the man said as a carrot instead of the stick she saw it as. Which instantly got the boys interest when she framed it as being the Hokage's apprentice (The old man would understand) but he had to keep it secret. This would motivate the boy for a while.

The ambassador corps uniform was actually just the Konoha standard uniform with an armband that denoted your status and relative diplomatic immunity. She only had to sign for a simple armband that said student ambassador for Naruto as the uniform only applied on official missions. And Genin were never sent out of the land of Fire for diplomatic missions in any case. So Naruto being the spitting image of Minato Namikaze would not immediately invoke war with the Land of Earth.

(She still had nightmares about random Iwa shinobi recognizing him and immediately attempting to murder him. The law against telling him his parentage was completely nonsensical in her eyes as anyone with eyes and basic knowledge would know who the boy's parents were on-sight. That info was being kept away from him for another reason. But what? She pondered.)

Naruto had certainly been interested when she mentioned the course culminated with a trip to the Fire Daimyos palace. Where the lord of Fire tested you and if you were found adequate you would receive his blessing and protection and the official armband as well as the duty of representing Konoha and its political interests everywhere you went.

It had sounded… what was the word Jiji had used again? Autistic? No. Audacious? No. Ahah! Auspicious. Whatever that meant. But he did know that if he wanted to become Hokage he needed the fire lord on his side whoever he was. Being the lord of the nation he resided meant nothing to Naruto as he did not even understand what was meant by nations. He had either skipped or was kicked out of whatever lessons covered such matters. His whole world started and ended in Konoha. He had never left the walls except the rare academy field trip to the surrounding forests but he had never left the sight of the monument.

The classroom was in a lecture hall in the academy he had never seen before. There were over 20 students ranging from freshly graduated Genin like himself and Chunin who wanted to transition from field work to even an odd older Jonin likely here for the same reason.

The corps generally as a rule did not discriminate with age but by ability. With some exceptions of course. So this was not completely unusual. He took a seat nervously near some of the younger Genin who ignored him. He was uncomfortable and had no one to talk to.

Until the room was brought to order by one of Jiji's old fart friends. Homura he thinks. The man was introducing the course but it would have many teachers.

"I call this session of the 45th academy Ambassador Program cycle to session. In Projecting strength and ensuring the safety of our village the pen is no less important than the sword. Military might is useless if your enemy has sabotaged your ability to feed yourself. The other great villages are known entities with their own interests. However the courts of their respective countries as well as the many unaligned nations are fair game."

He gazed around the room as Naruto and his clones struggled to remain awake already. But he Promised Kumiko Sensei he would do his best.

"You will learn the ins and outs of many nations Konoha has dealings with along with the many skills an ambassador must know. You will learn the art of haggling and negotiation. Contracts and missions as well as diplomatic meetings all require this skill. You will learn the etiquette you are bound to abide by and it will serve you well. The cultural practices of many nations will become second nature to you. You will know every border and the geography of the land like the back of your hand. Remember it was a single mistake at a negotiating table that lead to the third war going hot."

He nodded.

"Good Luck. You will be divided into groups of 4 and you will receive an instructor. This is the group you will remain with for the next three months."

He walked off the stage.

Naruto wondered who he would be grouped with.

An aide passed around a bag instructing them to take a chit out and find others with the same color.

Naruto reached in and picked red. Meandering around he saw a Chunin and a recent graduate clustering together. Naruto joined them.

The Chunin only nodded at him with a look Naruto could not place. But it certainly was not hatred which threw him for a loop. The recent graduate was a boy who looked a little haughty and smug to be paired with the younger boy. The pity graduate. Their 4th member had yet to join them until a genin girl a little older than he and the recent graduate made her way over looking bored.

"Pleasure to meet all of you. I am Kenta."

The plain haired Chunin started them off and introduced himself. He wore an eyepatch on the right side a scar barely visible on the top and bottom. He tended to smile with his left eye somehow. Otherwise he was unremarkable to Naruto.

The recent graduate boy was next.

"I'm Hiro."

He had sandy blonde hair and a medium build with the first hints of definition. A sleeveless vest over mesh armor is what he wore

The girl was next and interjected.

"Kitagawa, Kita for short. Can we move this along?"

The girl had distinct orange hair tied in a bun with striking red eyes. But her appearance was otherwise unremarkable.

The Chunin frowned at her. So Naruto took his chance.

"My names Naruto."

He recovered some of his boisterousness as the ice began to break.

"Red over here."

A Jonin with brown hair and a mean scar on the side of his face waved them over.

"Hello and welcome. My name is Tanaka, you can call me Tanaka Sensei."

The man made eye contact and shook all of their hands.

"We will be learning a lot over the next three months. Some of you may go on missions in the meantime."

He nodded to Kenta.

"So its everyone's job to make sure you don't fall behind. Got it?"

Everyone nodded.

"Good. In that case I will give you the overview of what we will do for the next 2 and a half months. The final capstone will be a 2 week diplomatic mission to the Capital. Who knows? If the Daimyo likes you he might even invite you to the capital academy for a semester."

Naruto would later learn this was an exclusive tuition only for court scribes and the extremely wealthy. When he found out just how much money it took to attend he actually fainted.

"Each week we will cover a different topic and go through a variety of exercises. However we will begin with etiquette for two weeks. It's extremely important you know?"

Both Naruto and Hiro groaned. This was going to suck.

Next scene:

Earlier that day:

The lead Naruto clone looked again at the address that had been given to him. He would be meeting with Iruka Sensei at his apartment for the foreseeable future. He had a bag with items Sensei had told him to bring and a lot of paper with boxes with crosses in them. The Chunin apartments were a little daunting and he was hesitating to knock on the guard gate to be let in. But he steeled himself and knocked and handed over the piece of paper he was told to give. The guard looked at him with a sneer but let him in with no issue otherwise. One does not refuse the Hokage's word.

He made his way up to the 3rd floor and knocked on the door that was said to be Iruka's.

Iruka opened the door and Naruto could see two more Iruka's behind him.

The man smiled at the boy.

"Holy crap there's three of you Iruka Sensei!"

A tick mark appeared on the man's forehead as he resisted the urge to give the clone boy a smack.

"Just come in Naruto."

He did so.

The mans sitting room was quite cozy and nice with a sofa and coffee table already set up with learning material. Exaggerated tears already streaming from the boys eye's eliciting an eyeroll from the older man.

He had already prepared some Barley tea and Mochi tea snacks and divided the living room with sound barriers. Barriers being his specialty. His Rationale was that if each Naruto learned what they needed in isolation 3 times each independently that would greatly speed up the learning time.

He hoped at least.

Sitting down a clone to a clone Iruka brought out the learning material they used for first year academy students. The academy functioned like an accelerated elementary school in the first two years with elements of shinobi life thrown in. Its not until afterwards that things kick into high gear. Naruto looked embarrassed at the cartoon ninja renditions teaching Kana script but bit his tongue. Somone was finally teaching him to read. He knew some kana already but it was useless without context.

"We begin with the stroke order and the fundamental character a. Three strokes like so."

He demonstrated on the worksheet.

This was not so bad Naruto thought.

Without the stress of the classroom Naruto was able to ask any question he wanted no matter how stupid and Iruka actually answered.

If only his other clones could have as relaxing and informative of a time.

Next Scene:

"Listen here maggots. I am here on punishment duty damned Ibiki and I am here to make you just as miserable as I am so you shape up."

A purple haired woman wearing clothes that left little to the imagination under a beige trenchcoat belted out as everyone was performing pushups.

The clones as well despite simply being chakra constructs still felt the burn of physical exertion even though it did nothing for the main body. It required no chakra so theoretically the clones could do it indefinitely. Speaking of the students he was with had given his clones odd looks some even wondering why they had never seen the identical blonde triplets around the village much less that they all failed the Jonin test.

"As far as you are concerned I am god sent down to punish you for your incompetence."

She threw a kunai expertly within inches of Naruto's face as he lowered himself to the ground.

"And you blondie. I have orders not to pop you or your 'brothers'. But there are ways to make a shadow clone hurt without popping you."

Naruto gulped rather loudly.

"Clones are a lot more durable than people give them credit for. You can even tank a few hits. Only mortal wounds pop you. So all I gotta do is avoid stabbing you and the worlds my oyster."

She kneeled down and smiled with dim eyes down at Naruto.

"You and I are going to have a lot of fun together."

Cue Naruto's internal screaming.

"Stand up!"

She belted out and all 15 (3 clones) members of the remedial course bolted to their feet.

"Taijutsu practice time kiddies."

They all gathered around.

"Now, I will only demonstrate this once and you will practice until I say you got it. Got it?"

Everyone swiftly and frantically nodded.

She demonstrated the first most basic kata. The one they teach you in 3rd year. For most this was humiliating but for Naruto and his clones it was the first time seeing it properly. So they drank it in. Then she had them line up and perform the kata over and over again and pelted them with rocks if they got something wrong. In Naruto's case she pelted him with perfectly smooth stones with no sharp edges. It left pseudo welts on his clones but did not pierce the facsimile and disperse them.

Next was Bukijutsu practice…

Naruto despaired.

Next scene:

"Aaaaaaaahh!"

Naruto screamed as he fell on his ass once more. He could not even make it a quarter of the way up the tree before being blown off.

He hit the ground in frustration before getting up to try again. One clone had already popped because the fall had been too high and the other was dozing under a rather nice tree Naruto always felt calm around.

"Oi. Get your lazy ass up and help me!"

He yelled at the other clone. Who only begrudgingly got up to continue climbing.

Next scene:

Naruto was exhausted. Mentally, physically and spiritually while sitting in Ichiraku. He had actually ordered a Veggie Ramen this time which made Ayame crow with glee. Teuchi frowned a little but Naruto was too tired to care and only barely stopped himself from drowning in his own bowl. He wanted something light and sour. Anything heavy and he would fall asleep immediately. So Ayame made him a yuzu based broth which sated his appetite well and kept him awake.

"So how was your first week as a Ninja Naruto?"

His older sister in all but name asked him.

"Huh?"

Naruto groggily asked between slow sips.

She ruffled his hair and examined his new armband.

"I said how was your first week? And nice armband I like the color."

The color was a deep red which stood out from his orange and blues.

"Oh yeah…"

Naruto slurred mustering the energy to get excited and share his week with who he considered pseudo family.

"First week was alright. I like Yamato and Aia is a little scary but I think I am growing on her. There are me's running all over the place. A couple in the remedial program, crazy snake lady is really scary and she hurts. Couple just climbed trees all day. And a couple were…"

Naruto brightened finding his second wind.

"Oh yeah Iruka Sensei is teaching me how to read! It's awesome, he thinks we will get done with all the Hiragana by the end of the week."

Both Teuchi and Ayame were varying degrees of worried and angry at that proclamation though Naruto was unable to tell what he said that set that off. Seeing he was clamming up Ayame hurriedly told him it was alright and to continue.

Taken aback Naruto did so a little more timidly now.

"And I spent the whole day with two clones doing etiquette lessons with the Ambassador Corps. We spent the whole day on meal etiquette lessons."

And it was true they had noticed he held himself more formally and properly used and put down the chopsticks.

She nodded, crossing her arms.

"Mhmm. Its about time someone showed you the proper ways to eat."

Teuchi just rubbed the back of his neck as his daughter went on one of her little rants.

"-Neechan that's no fair!"

The boy whined. He simply turned around back to minding his tare (tar-rey) pot as he made to serve other patrons who were arriving and smiling at the children's antics.

All seemed to be right with the world.

Next Scene:

It was super-hot. Kumiko noted fanning herself with her folding fan as they concluded training for the day. In the field she would never expose such weakness but here in the village she could show her discomfort with no fear. She was monitoring her students as they dragged themselves up. Huffing and puffing after a grueling day of Chakra control exercises and teamwork exercises. She had even sprung the first of the traveling jutsu all shinobi should know, a minor e-rank fire njnjutsu Fire Release: Campfire.

Of course Aia was only able to perform sparks. It was not that her bloodline disallowed all other releases to be performed. It just made creating elemental chakra from another element impossible which drastically increased the amount of chakra and control a technique from a different element would require. Turning an E-rank into a C-Rank chakra wise.

Naruto had the same problem of a technique escalating when a simple flame became a fireball that burned the small kindling they set up to ash in a second. She told him to only work on it with an adult around to avoid forest fires.

Only Yamato got it first try. Happy at the praise she gave and Naruto returning the affection he gave before jumping him from behind and calling him awesome. Even Aia gave a small nod of acknowledgement.

Now it was time for their mission today and Kumiko had a treat.

Torah.

The unsuspecting Genin made their way to the Hokage's office. Which Kumiko still marveled at. When she was a Genin her team received missions from the Genin coordinator at the mission desk. She knew now the Hokage saw personally to those he had an interest in but it was still so surreal to her how effective the information embargo was. These kids had no idea.

In any case, she resisted the urge to bow in Madame Shijimi's presence as one did not disrespect the first wife of the Daimyo of Fire. She liked hanging around Konoha for whatever reason. Others postulated she was a kind of hostage. But Kumiko knew she came and went as she pleased.

Some excuse about liking the air.

"Oh my poor confused Torah has run away again wont you please save her and return her to my loving arms." The Rotund woman hugged herself dramatically as Hiruzen only smiled serenely. Naruto piped up.

"Don't worry lady we will bring you kitty back stat. Believe it!"

She did a double take at the boy. Looking as if she had seen a ghost.

She glanced back at the Hokage who subtly shook his head to leave it causing her to roll her eyes. Before continuing as if nothing had occurred. She scooped the small boy up and crushed him in a hug that had him sympathizing with the cat already as she said.

"Of wonderful you would do such a thing for me!? Oh make haste."

She plopped him down as he gasped for air his ribs almost crushed. That lady was strong.

As they took the mission scroll Kumiko frowned when they left to pick up short wave radio's. She knew. She had no context but that short interaction gave it away and she obviously did not approve of whatever it was. Another piece of the puzzle she supposed. Madame Shijimi was one of the few people in the village Sarutobi could not legally execute lest he provoke war with the fire lord. Her knowledge meant the fire lord was in on something to do with Naruto… But what? It was clearly above her pay grade but she was nosy. You had to be to excel in infiltration.

Something for another time.

Aia was briefly afraid the younger brat she was both annoyed by and infuriatingly fond of already, had just gotten them killed with the disrespect to the Daimyo's wife and instead deadpanned at the woman's hysterical reaction. Why were all of her superiors such wierdos? Not even the first mind exploration the night before had been enough to dampen these feelings.

She shivered. They had probed at her earliest memories and her first experiences with her families bloodline. The conjuration of a little water from the air. That's when everything had begun going downhill she felt but would have never said. But that damn faceless freak had ripped through her every blockade like tissue paper.

She had cracked and told him or her she hated them and wanted them to die.

They had only laughed. A demonic thing and said.

"Good. Good. That makes things easier and less personal. Hate me, hate me all you want let all of it out."

That had honestly freaked her out and she had instantly clammed up which seemed to disappoint the trainer but he had only shrugged. There was always next time, and the next time.

Yamato had simply smiled at Naruto's antics. He found the boy oddly cute and wondered if this was what having a little brother was like. But he was still a little too shy to express it. So he simply hugged the younger boy sometimes and hoped he got the message. He still barely remembered the abuse at that horrible orphanage and the little blonde skeleton that always got the worst of it. He had desperately wondered what happened when the masked ninja took him away in a hurry. The cruel matrons who starved them were never seen again. He had a suspicion this bright blonde spaz was that same blonde skeleton. He regretted never being able to help him but he had been starving himself. He winced at the bone crushing hug the woman gave and could swear he heard bones cracking.

That was not good. Kabuto sensei had demonstrated yesterday exactly why that was not good with a cadaver. A sight that still made Yamato green. But he knuckled through.

In any case they made their way to the last known location of Torah and split up looking for the cat with the ribbon. He munched on simple nuts this time savoring the saltiness as they set up and discussed the search pattern and the directions they would go. Walking off into the brush of the park he gazed around lazily.

"Here Kitty kitty kitty."

Echoed over the leaves from Naruto's direction which made him chuckle. But who was he kidding the cat would hear all of them coming a mile away. Speak of the devil…

Yamato found her first in a bush and the cat chose immediate violence and attempted to maul him. Thankfully his thick purple shinobi coat that stopped the felines claws as she evaded his chakra enhanced attempts to grab her. She escaped and running after her Yamato relayed their location. Looking at his arms he winced seeing that the cats claws had cut the outer layer. God this cat had sharp claws. And he would need to pay a tailor to fix it.

Aia found it second fleeing with Yamato in hot pursuit and she attempted to ambush it and trap it in a water bubble. A d-rank form of the water prison jutsu. She smirked having successfully caught the cat or so she thought. It looked around at all the water and did not react like a normal cat. It stopped and looked her right in the eyes which unnerved her. Yamato panting as he caught up.

The cat snarled and hissed and jumped right through the bubble to maul her face catching her off guard as the cat bit and scratched at her face. Screaming in an undignified manner as it scored a nice gash along her cheek she fell back as the cat took off.

"I got you!"

Three Naruto clones screamed as they descended from the heavens to attack the cat. But the cat was having none of it and attacked with its wicked claws popping all but one who caught hold of it no matter how much it struggled and cut him up and he whined in pain.

"Stupid Cat!"

Ahh that was the real one she thought as she quickly capitalized on the situation and trussed the cat up with blunted shinobi wire. Creating an effigy that simply oozed hate and growled and meowed with a vengeance.

None of the children had any sympathy cut up as they were. Though both Aia and Yamato noticed the shallow cuts had already closed on Naruto.

Hmph, Lucky boy had a regeneration bloodline she thought jealously. She would have to go to the clinic for her own wounds to avoid cat scratch fever.

Yamato was a little bummed it looked like his skills would maybe be useless for the boy but he did not fully understand the nuance of his power. He would ask later.

Kumiko sensei dropped down from where she had been watching grinning like the cat that stole the canary pun intended.

"So how was your first Torah mission?

She only laughed at the pitiable killing intent her team sent her way.

They made their way to the Hokage's office and she made a note to bring Aia to the clinic before telling Naruto to change before he left for his lessons.

All three Genin grinned heavily at the treatment the cat got from the Daimyo's first wife. For being back before she had even finished her afternoon tea with the aged Hokage she even threw in a bonus which they all appreciated. She also ran her hand through Naruto's hair meaningfully shooing them away while Naruto whined Sarutobi looking on disapprovingly but unable to say anything.

Then they all walked to the clinic to treat Aia and discuss what to do next. She had budgeted a few more hours for the Torah mission so she simply let them go for the day after ensuring Naruto sent his clones back to the training ground to keep up with the tree climbing exercise. Yamato had just finished and she would have him go until he could run up and down effortlessly. Aia was about halfway and Naruto a third though he was gaining steadily. With any luck she could start them on water walking the next week. She was still thinking of what to do for both Naruto and Aia. Yamato while on the upper end of supply was still within the range for newly graduated clan children. Aia was a standard deviation beyond that and Naruto? The classified file she saw labeled him as a mini Tailed beast which fell in line with the previous Jinchuriki. For a normal Genin team the water walking exercise would be enough. Yamato would receive instruction from the medic corps and they had their own exercises focusing on fine control so he would have plenty to do...

Maybe she would simply have to ask… Wait there was one that she knew that would use their greater reserves. Yamato might struggle but it would certainly help develop his reserves. An exercise she had to learn for the Jonin exams.

Waterfall walking. Combining both Tree and Water walking It required precision and a large chakra output. Yeah that would do nicely and give her time to think of something else. She shuddered thinking of the simple campfire jutsu Naruto used turning into a fireball. Yeah he really needed more control exercises. It was an order of magnitude more difficult so it would maybe buy her 4-5 weeks. Though they could only dedicate a few hours a day to it as after the initial control exercises she generally began teaching her students infiltration skills. Busy Busy Busy.

Next scene:

After the nurse scolded them all they went their separate ways for their extracurriculars.

Ambassador Program:

"No, no never put your chopsticks in the food that's only for funerals!"

Naruto got thwapped on the head crying dramatically.

With Iruka:

"This stroke order Naruto not that one."

Naruto corrected in the next box.

"Yes exactly do that one a little longer…"

Remedial Program:

"I love target practice."

The sadistic snake woman could be heard saying by all.

The clones and a few others were crying as they were somehow trussed up against the targets by blunted Kunai.

The Training Ground:

"Yowch!"

Said one clone as he fell on his face having just made it too the midway point.

"Quit your whining!"

The other two hypocritical clones said as a response as they took their turns.

In a deep dark dungeon:

"Yes let the hate flow through you…"

Aia dragged herself up from the ground and wiped the drool from her cheek as she attempted to physically assault the train who only darkly laughed and dodged her every attempt.

"You almost put up an effort to keep me out that time. Almost. But no dice. Its such a pity your family only ever recognizes your power and potential but never poor old you. No that power must be controlled."

She screamed as she redoubled her efforts unable to channel her bloodline due to the complex seals on the wall.

"You mustn't get angry Aia. You must learn discipline Aia. You are our families future Aia."

The voices came from all around her as she broke down the walls of her anger to get that much more force and screamed blasting out raw chakra but stopped when she found herself back in the chair from the start.

The trainer had never moved at all. She gazed around shocked with a start. Had that happened at all?

"Yes."

The trainer spoke.

"You did well it generally takes longer to force someone out the first time. Good Job."

She had not even known what she had done.

"You will."

The trainer answered her unasked thought.

She became very afraid and cursed her sensei to a thousand hells.

The trainer only laughed.

"Here you are free."

He whispered as he drew her into his own mind this time.

A medical examination room:

"The juncture of the femoral artery is here at this point."

Kabuto sensei demonstrated with the flayed cadaver on the table.

All lectures would be practical in nature and the first two months would be on cadavers. Demonstrating proper wound care and the nature of the human body and injuries.

Wisely Yamato had left his snacks at home because this was making him queasy as they finished the practical lecture and moved on to common medicinal herbs in the land of fire.

He demonstrated making a practical poison with ingredients that could be found locally and simple antidotes that could counter it. And this continued as Yamato frantically jotted down notes. The others were in little better condition than he was. Then the practical. They had to make the poison and test it on themselves and make the antidote while impaired.

Oh this was going to suck!

He grinded the herbs trepidatiously added the right amount of water. Then they measured out the same amount and they all swallowed their own poison.

They had a five minute timer before they would be allowed to begin making the more complex antidote. He could already feel electricity buzz unnaturally in his limbs and his sense of balance begin to falter. He desperately tried to stop himself from vomiting. So when the timer beeped he wasted no time gathering the ingredients. Pounding them in the small mortar and grinding them into a tincture. He eyed the amount hoping he had chosen the right quantities as nausea began to overtake him. He measured out the water adding perhaps a bit more than he wanted to and immediately took a swig before he collapsed on his backside. The others were in little better condition with 3 having severe troubles making the antidote. He could not tell who as his vision came in and out. Thankfully that was the worst of it. His vision began to clear and the electricity in his limbs went away. He stumbled to his feet and made his way to his assigned chair. Exhausted.

A training room in Anbu headquarters:

Kumiko fell flat on her ass exhausted. The simulated Nine Tails breach had been super intense. Mostly genjutsu with some tailed beast chakra saved from the disaster used as flavoring and hazard. She had passed this time but her genjutsu self had paid with her life to apply the seal paper.

Not good. It had been horrifying reliving that day again even in miniature. And in the guise of a possessed form of her student. But for the village she would shoulder on.

Time Passes…

A new normal was established as each Genin went through their routines day by day getting used to the minutia of being a shinobi. They learned about each other. Did missions together. And eventually they all ate together at their favorite restaurants. Naruto skittish at first was relieved and freaked out when the Tea shop he distinctly remembered physically throwing him out letting him in with a look of guilt he did not like. He marveled at Yamato's favorite Okonomiyaki joint which he had never been in and tasted before. He loved the sparkling soda they served. While it was not Ramen it was a delicious second. He had never had the melon flavored drink before. Yamato had attempted to order beer pointing to his headband but the old woman behind the counter had only laughed and mussed the older boys head and handed him a soda and Aia simply ordered water. Teuchi and Ayame hit it off with the two immediately though there was some friction between Aia and her. Sensei even joined in from time to time. Though there was a tiredness to her they could all sense.

Aia had really begun to open up and become a little less volatile. But she was very much not the handsy type flat out telling him not to hug her without permission, but her small smile was enough for Naruto. She liked gentle music and beautiful subtle foods. The food gems and starry gelatin they were served made Naruto afraid to even touch them. A contrast to her earlier explosive behavior. Naruto had really begun to like Yamato's affection too not knowing what to call it or do with it so he simply accepted it. He sat in older big boys lap sometimes which made him blush really heavily to Naruto's amusement. Two could play this game. He thought that sometimes the boy looked like a blonde choji with softer features. It helped him like the big boy more. He also had really great snacks he shared.

They were quickly able to master Tree and Water walking. After testing Aia was able to do her water dragon technique a time or two without being wiped out. Yamato was able to more skillfully utilize the few earth techniques he knew. Naruto… Well his benchmark was the clone technique so instead of looking like a corpse it only looked like it was on deaths door. Naruto was super frustrated until Sensei told him to make as many clones as possible. Suddenly the clearing was filled completely with illusory Naruto's who only looked mildly constipated.

"Reduce by half."

She commanded.

Naruto did so.

These ones looked only mildly queasy.

"Half again."

These ones looked really sick. Aia quickly counted there were over 200 of the illusions.

Kumiko counted the same.

"Stop there."

The clones dispersed with a waver.

"Every time we perform and master a new chakra exercise I want you to practice the clone technique and reduce the number of clones until they look like those. Ok Naruto?"

The boy nodded embarrassed.

"Alright follow me."

She led them through the village and behind the Hokage monument further beyond the forest until they came across a narrow waterfall that went further up the mountain.

"This next exercise may be the most difficult and brutal one there is. Or at least that I know."

She demonstrated and walked on water which disappointed Naruto until he saw her place a foot on the waterfall and begin walking up. Dumbfounding all three Genin.

"Whaaat!?"

Naruto yelled.

"Until you master it I want you to come here at 8 ever morning until 10 then come to team practice. Don't exhaust yourselves though. This is a Jonin level exercise and if you master it I have no doubt you will rocket ahead of your peers."

She turned and impossibly stood sideways on moving water.

"This combines the principles of Water and Tree Walking. You need the fluidity and rigidity of Water Walking but the power output and stickiness of Tree Walking. Get a running start and try to make a platform under your feet."

They all gulped.

Each attempted, each was instantly dunked into the cold mountain spring.

'There.'

Kumiko thought.

That outa keep them busy.

She went grocery shopping for the week mindful of the timer until 10 as she told them.

Next Scene:

"So… for the past three weeks we have gotten to know each other and done the basic teamwork exercises and Chakra control as well as the travelling techniques."

She looked at them fondly. No hiccups so far. Naruto had even ambushed her the other weekend proclaiming that he had passed the First two Kanji Kentei. Taken off guard she had awkwardly told the boy she was proud of him which seemed to make his heart sing and his eyes shine. She only gulped seeing the avenging image of Kushina Uzumaki pounding her fist behind him. She really needed to lay off the Ume wine…

"Now is the time we start specializing."

They all came to attention.

"By all accounts this team has the makings of a Heavy Combat team and indeed you are slated to learn those skills."

The Genin appeared to have mixed feelings about it. Yamato was nervous, heavy combat teams had high mortality rates.

Aia was indifferent. It was what she was expecting to begin with. Her bloodline demanded nothing less.

And Naruto…

"Ooh ooh, Iruka Sensei talked about that. He said teams specialized in different things and that the rookie of the years team were almost always Heavy Combat teams."

She rolled with the interruption.

"Indeed. But I am not a heavy combat type. I am a master of infiltration and espionage. But there are other team types. Rescue, Tracking, Capture and Interrogation…"

They held on to every word.

"There are even disaster relief teams. You will be a specialty that combines heavy combat with infiltration. A rare team that has not been used since the third war. A Commando team."

This stunned the Genin.

"You will be expected to expertly infiltrate your targets and achieve your objectives then raise holy hell on your way out."

She had discussed the direction of this team extensively with Hiruzen and he approved.

"This will be a hard road are you ready?"

They all nodded determined.

"Alright then. Let's begin."

AN: Setting up plot threads for later. Did you know Choza was one of the people calling for Naruto's death in Chapter one of the manga? While I don't think his character or much of Naruto was fleshed out at this point and he was probably just a background character thrown in and repurposed later it's still extremely funny to me and I am going to play with that. Oh yeah some of you may have already noticed but Canon is basically torn to ribbons. I will let you make of that what you will. For instance as I mentioned in the previous chapter the Uchiha were only decimated not rendered nearly extinct. Will be performing a small time skip in the next chapter maybe. I want to show off her craftiness more but these first two chapters were foundational for everyone's characters.