Chapter Two
Iruka smiled sitting at a table with Hiruzen as the two looked over the files of the Academy graduates. “So, Iruka-sensei. Please explain why you placed them in these teams.” Hiruzen spoke up as he set his Hokage hat down on the table to the side.
“Well, Hokage-sama it’s quite simple really,” Iruka spoke with a sense of confidence and pride in the teams he picked. “Let’s start with team ten,” The teacher smiled, placing three files down. “Shino Aburame, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi led by your son. I chose them because I feel like Shino needs to step up. Being in a team with Ino will help, and Choji may pick up a thing or two by how he sees his teammates react in a situation.” Iruka informed Hiruzen who nodded gently. “And I feel like your son would be able to help all three of them come into their full potential.”
“Alright fair enough, what about team eight?” Hiruzen questioned as he pulled out three more files reading over each of the students scored.
“Right, team eight; Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Sakura Haruno. I chose this team to be trackers. While none of them possess leader qualities just yet, I’m hoping Hinata will come out of her shell. And with Hinata’s byakugan and Kiba and Akamaru, I believe that this team could make an amazing tracking team. And with Yuhi Kurenai as their Jonin, I think the team could be whipped into shape.” Iruka explained as he watched Hiruzen then move his attention to the last three folders.
“And the last three? Why put them in the same team?” The Hokage questioned the teacher.
“Ah, team seven; Sasuke Uchiha, Shikamaru Nara, and Naruto Uzumaki with Hatake Kakashi as the team leader. This should be the most obvious reason Hokage sir.” Iruka said looking at Hiruzen who looked intrigued with Iruka’s statement. “Well, Sasuke is clearly out for blood from his brother Itachi, and with Kakashi training him hopefully he can learn to tame his anger. And to be honest, I’m hoping Shikamaru and Sasuke can both help Naruto to be the best ninja he can be.” Iruka admitted leaning onto the table softly. “Shikamaru can help Naruto use his intelligence in battle and Sasuke is there to help push Naruto to become stronger.” Iruka and the Hokage sat in silence for a few minutes which to Iruka, meant that the Hokage was thinking about changing the teams.
“Sir, with all due respect,” Iruka blurted out getting the Hokage’s attention. “I feel, no, I know these teams will work. I spent four years with these kids as they grew up. I know these teams are perfect.”
“Ah, that’s where you’re wrong Iruka,” Hiruzen spoke gently as he picked up a folder. Iruka tilted his head in confusion as he watched the Hokage place the file he picked up into team seven. “Now these teams are perfect,”
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It had been a full week since Naruto activated his Byakugan and was forced to move into the Hyuga clan house. He was still getting used to being polite to Hiashi. Naruto didn’t like the fact that now he had to return back to the Hyuga clan house after the academy. He enjoyed having the freedom of himself. Although Naruto secretly enjoyed knowing that someone was there to care about him, even if it was only for the fact he had the byakugan. Over the week Naruto was trained by Hiashi with Hinata to learn the gentle fist technique. And of course, they were both happy to be spending some time with each other, but today they have graduated and are now being put into their teams.
“Alright! Listen up because I will not repeat it. Understood?” Iruka spoke up as the group of students nodded smiling. All the students were in their seats Ino and Sakura fighting over who got to sit next to Sasuke. “Team seven will consist of; Sasuke Uchiha, Shikamaru Nara, Sakura Haruno, and Naruto Uzumaki. The team leader will be Hatake Kakashi,” Iruka stated loudly looking up seeing Sakura shout in victory.
“Eat it Ino-Pig! I’m on Sasuke-Kun’s team!” Sakura shouted.
“No way! I don’t want to be on the teme’s team!” Naruto shouted shooting up from his chair before getting a stern look from Iruka. Naruto growled lowly crossing his arms before sitting back down.
“Team eight will consist of Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka. The team leader will be Yuhi Kurenai.” Iruka stated as Hinata looked over to Kiba who had Akamaru blushing softly. “Finally, team ten will consist of; Shino Aburame, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi. Led by Sarutobi Asuma.” Iruka finished before looking at the others, not shocked to see Sakura sitting next to Sasuke blabbering on about being on his team. “Well, don’t keep your sensei’s waiting! Team ten, Asuma will be waiting for you in training field four. Team eight, Kurenai will be waiting for you on top of the Hokage building. Team seven, Kakashi will be here in a few minutes.” Iruka told the groups before exiting the room. As the two groups left the room Hinata looked over at Naruto before Kiba was shouting for her to hurry up. Hinata ran to catch up to her two teammates.
“Great, now I’m stuck on the teme’s team. At least Shikamaru is here. So it won’t be a total waste of time.” Naruto said to himself as he looked at his three new teammates. As some time passed by Shikamaru began to fall asleep leaning in his chair while Naruto was starting to get extremely irritated at how late his sensei was. Just before the blonde jinchuriki could decide on what kind of prank to pull on the sensei there was a puff of smoke. As the smoke cleared there would be a man in Konoha ninja attire standing in front of the room with silver, spiky hair, and his forehead protector covered his left eye completely. As the man took notice of the room he sighed softly.
“Meet me up on the roof.” Was all the man said to the three students before he disappeared in a puff of smoke. Naruto was staring in shock as he just saw the man appear and disappear with a snap of his fingers. The lazy nin that was asleep groaned getting up from his seat pulling Naruto out of the room as the three teammates headed up to the roof.
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{Flash Back}
“Hokage-Sama? Are you sure about this? Shouldn’t you move one of team seven to team eight?” Iruka questioned as Hiruzen laughed softly shaking his head.
“Of course not. As much as the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clan heads won’t like all their children being on the same team, I agree with your reasoning. But why have Sakura, a ninja who I believe could make a great med ninja, be on a team of trackers? Team seven will most likely need a medic ninja if you want them to do any other section other than tracking missions.” Hiruzen smiled softly before slowly standing up and heading out of the room he was in with his hat on.
{End Flashback}
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Kakashi sat at the edge of the roof staring at his four genins. He didn’t like this. He didn’t want to deal with genin, much less four of them. But the Hokage wanted the jonin to keep his eye on the nine-tailed jinchuriki and the last Uchiha. “Okay, we’re going to start by stating who you are, what your dream is, and what you like and dislike,” Kakashi informed the four who just stared at him. Sasuke looked as if he was dying of disinterest, Sakura smiled happily finding this to be a perfect time to let her feelings out for her Sasuke-Kun, Shikamaru on the other, he looked rather indifferent. He didn’t look interested, but he also didn’t look uninterested. And Naruto, well Naruto had a look of confusion on his face.
Taking it upon himself to start, Shikamaru sat up straight. “My name is Nara Shikamaru, I like looking at clouds, sleeping, and Shogi. I dislike having to actually work. And I don’t know what my dream is. Maybe to be able to spend an actual full day looking at the clouds,” Shikamaru simply spoke and Sakura cleared her throat to start.
“My name is Sakura Haruno. The person I like is Sasuke-Kun, and I hate Naruto.” Sakura stated getting Kakashi to sigh softly.
“What kind of team did I get?” Kakashi thought to himself shaking his head discreetly. Shikamaru rolled his eyes hearing Sakura. “Raven hair boy, you’re next,” Kakashi spoke up deciding not to let Sakura say anymore.
“Tch, my name is Sasuke Uchiha. I like nothing and hate everything. And my dream is to get revenge on a certain someone,” Was all the raven-haired Genin stated before holding his hands up to his chin going back to ignoring the others.
As Sasuke finished Naruto stood up with the biggest smile on his face. “My name is Naruto Uzumaki! I love ramen. I hate that teme!” Naruto declared pointing to Sasuke. “And my dream is to be the greatest Hokage this village has ever seen so people will respect me!” Naruto shouted, Shikamaru’s lips twitching up slightly not letting anyone see he was smiling.
“Laziness, Foolishness, Anger, and Ambition. Why do I feel like training these four is going to be my own little hell?” Kakashi thought looking over the four Genin. Naruto was still smiling widely rubbing the back of his head sheepishly hearing his stomach growl.