Hey everyone. I hope you're doing well. Aj here yet again with another chapter. This time, I'll try to uncover many secrets. So, like I said, enjoy.

On a side note, sorry if I didn't update this story. I had... Some really tough time and many regrets. I'm sorry if I took an unexpected break. Also, I red some of a chapter, and let's say that I'm cursed! I swear just when I try to do my best, it's simply not enough. For that, I am honestly sorry dear readers.

I don't own Naruto.

Also, if you don't like the story, please, don't review. If there's a pairing you like better, please search for it, alright? Take care everyone.

Senju Naruto : Mokuton no Sennin

Chapter 3

Timeskip two years

Academy, noon...

It was the final week of the academy for Naruto's class. Naruto was abscent like always. Iruka started to worry about his student's well-being. Only for the masked blond to appear in the doorway, panting heavily...

"Sorry for being late Iruka-sensei. A black cat was in my way and I didn't want to disturb the poor animal or I may suffer for years by the terrible curse of bad luck."

Everyone sweatdroped at this. Especially Sasuke who knew Naruto better. Matter of fact he met him the morning in a dango shop. He knew why Naruto was either late or abscent.

"Naruto! As a punishment, I will assign you a project. Tell us about the life of Shodai-sama!"

Hinata shivered at this. She knew Naruto better than anyone. The shy banished Hyuga let her hair grow ever since she met Naruto's friends. Ino knew immediately why Hinata shivered. She became her best friend. True. But she didn't became her rival for one reason : Hinata was a true friend. She never told Ino's secrets directly. She even asked Sasuke if he liked girls with long hairs. Sasuke replied that he simply don't care. Ever since, Kakashi told Hinata to let her hair grow.

Hinata's hair made Naruto instinctly try to become closer. He didn't know why. He simply... Liked it? Well, he minded it no attention... For now!

"Well, Shodai-sama was known as the Shinobi no Kami for his unrivaled skills. So far, only one shinobi was able to be called his rival. Uchiha Madara. Also, Hashirama-sama was known for a unique Kekkei Genkai even among his clan, Mori no Senju. The Mokuton. Just the name of this Kekkei Genkai was able to scare many villages. Even Takigakure sent a jonin among the best in that time, Kakuzu, to assassinate Shodai-sama about some years after the death of his best friend and rival. The jonin failed horribly, and despite the fact that Shodai-sama spared him, his village probably turned on him..."

This went on for another thirty minutes. In which, the students were attentive to Naruto's story about his ancestor. Well, only Hinata knew for a fact that he was Naruto's ancestor...

"... And that's in short Shodai-sama's, Senju Hashirama's life."

Iruka was utterly shocked. Naruto knew the life of the first Hokage way too much. Who told him? Then the chunin remembered who was always with Naruto when he was younger...

"OK, this is great. Even I couldn't give such details. Naruto, go to your seat now."

Obviously, Naruto's seat was at the back... With Hinata!

Sasuke still remember the night his life changed. So far, only Naruto herd the story. More amazingly, he kept it to himself. Sasuke was glad he have one true friend dare he say a brother?

He remembered how the Uchiha compound was attacked by some mysterious ANBU. So far, not even Jiraiya now Shisui nor even Itachi were able to figure out. Maybe they were protecting him? He still remember how the ANBU tried to attack the Uchiha clan. The confusion, the despair. How every Uchiha who was a shinobi was revealed to be dead despite the efforts and the ferocity of the fighters. Only a few shinobis remained. Notably his mother, older brother, Shisui, that girl Izumi? However, he was glad that many Uchiha children, if not all the children survived. Even though they were few thanks to the idiotic philosophy of interbreeding, they weren't weak. Sasuke swore to repopulate his clan one day or another.

He also heard a rumor saying that many orphans were found. That many clan members who were thought lost were found again. At first, he paid it no mind. Now that he remembered, most of them had a weird tatoo on their tongues?

While he wasn't sharp like his brother, Sasuke was sharp for his age. As he put one and one together, he still however unable to solve the mystery of that fateful night.

He also wanted to know who was Naruto? That kid was an enigma, true. But he was also strong. Sasuke knew that if he was with the same team as Naruto, they would be invincible. He also knew that Naruto was a Senju. He knew that because both kids respected the other a lot. Sasuke even acknowledged Naruto's strength.

After the classes ended, Iruka asked Naruto the one question he was too curious about.

"By the way Naruto, who told you all this about Shodai-sama?"

Naruto eyesmiled. He knew exactly what to answer. Half the truth, litteraly.

"Hokage-jiichan told me. He was kind of his apprentice. And he was also the mentor of his granddaughter if you remember, Iruka-sensei?"

Iruka didn't want to press the matter more than that. Also, he saw Hinata outside waiting for Naruto. He figured that those two either live near each other, either they were great friends. He had no idea how right he was...

Naruto smirked as he walked back home with Hinata. That girl was smart, strong, and amazing even to him at least. Also, he scared each and every boy who tried his luck with the shy girl. Ha even sent some rich brats to the hospital as they thought he would be intimidated. Big mistake!

"Naruto-kun, can we.. Go to Ichiraku ramen?"

Naruto nodded his head repeatedly as Hinata giggled. Naruto can be fun to be with. Not to mention that she had a huge crush on him. She even let her hair grow even for him. Her problem however was that she was too shy. And he was very oblivious.

Truth be told, the boy was afraid. Even though he didn't voice it yet, but he was terrified that Hinata looked at him as a brother or only as a friend. Was she any other girl, he would even ask her out. But Hinata lived with him in the compound. Not that he would ever be tired or bored from her company.

After twenty bowl of ramen each, the pair went back home. Naruto was mute the whole way. He knew about the tests. And he had a good plan of terrifying many kids... His mischief may lessened thanks to his training, but he was still a prankster at heart...

As Hinata greeted Kurenai, Tsunade, Shizune and even Jiraiya, Naruto simply raised his hand as he went into him room, and plunged face first into the pillow.

Naruto took his much needed nap. Meanwhile, Hinata talked with Kakashi, after the dinner which she didn't ate more a simple entry, about one thing : Naruto!

Kakashi cared for Naruto. He even viewed him as his little brother. He watched the kid sometimes. But he noticed that since a couple of months ago, he changed.

Kakashi knew where the problem laid. He knew that Naruto liked Hinata more than he showed. But if he wanted to be truthful with himself, the blond Senju was afraid.

As the silver haired jonin soon to be sensei listened to Hinata's problem, he came up with on solution.

"Well, the way I see it is that.. You make him realise that you like him more than a friend. How however, I don't know... Yet! But I think if you'll spar with him without your coat, he might fall head over heel."

Hinata blushed as she fidgeted both her indexes. She was nervous about it. Kakashi eyes smiled at her as he went to his room. Or rather, outside to read Icha Icha paradise...

About three in the morning, a blond haired masked young Senju was training. Or rather, was trying to measure up his skills until sunrise. Naruto trained like he was on a sugar rush, steroid, and an overdose of adrenaline many times so he can hope to catch up two Hokages. One was his ancestor and the other was his father.

So for three hours straight, he trained in each and every shinobi art he knew apart Fuinjutsu for obvious reasons. That art required time he didn't have. While the art was the second most interesting one to him, apart Ninjutsu and the Mokuton specificly, he couldn't waste his time for now. He knew that he have to take down a certain silver haired chunin who hated him with a great passion. Naruto was giving false information for years. Now it was time to reveal SOME truths.

Thirty minutes before sunrise, he went back home only to stop. He realised that there's someone he was too familiar with watching him and trying to approach him. He felt the hesitation in that said someone.

"Ohayo, Hinata-chan. What brings you here?"

"N-Naruto-kun? Ohayo. I.. I just wanted to... Spar with you, if you don't mind."

Naruto grained as he heard this. He knew that Hinata was strong. She might be his equal when it comes up to Taijutsu. He knew that she can even beat him, if she was a bit more... Ruthless!

"Alright. But under one little condition : you don't hold off against me!"

Hinata nodded her head as she undressed herself of her coat. Boy what a sight Naruto had. That girl he liked was... Developed and blooming early. Were her... Mounds a B-cup?

Hinata noticed Naruto's blush and smiled inwardly. He was interested in her now. Also, it gave her a great advantage against a hard-hitter like him. He might be holding off in his spars, but that doesn't mean he won't hurt her without even realising it...

As soon as a leaf fell, the two pre-teens jumped at each other exchanging blows. Naruto however was on the defensive obviously. Hinata was indeed the best sparing partner he can ever dream of. She might have a gentle nature, but when it cones up to battle, she isn't lacking any prowess.

Over the last two years, the timid girl had thrown herself into training. Naruto knew for a fact that her Jyuken was top notch. Enough to rival the Senju Kata. While Naruto's fighting style was both fast and focusing on breaking his opponent's bones with extreme brute force, Hinata's style was graceful and focus on dealing some internal damage. In short, both styles were scary to anyone who's not familiar with.

Naruto almost lost many times in the spar. In the end, his stamina granted him a win. As Hinata stopped her assault and panted. Naruto smiled at her. He knew for a fact that she was strong. He knew that she was never a fangirl. For him that was more than enough to try and be her teammate.

Timeskip..

Graduation day..

Academy..

"Alright class. For the Taijutsu section, I'll spar with you! Any volunteers?"

A certain Mizuki announced and asked. Naruto had a predatory grin behind his mask. Oh how he hated Mizuki back and with a passion. His plan was to volunteer, and beat the life out of that idiot once and for all.

Naruto raised his hand as he volunteered to go first. Well, he knew that Hinata can kill Mizuki if she left her mercy. But for her to kill, it would be hard. He remembered how he was almost traumatized by his first kill...

Iruka nodded as he saw Naruto take his usual stance like Mizuki. As fast as he said "Start", Naruto dissapeared in a blur with only Hinata and Sasuke watching him. Hinata because she was used to it, and Sasuke because... He knew Naruto too well.

One hit. All it took to knock Taji Mizuki out. One hit from a twelve years old was enough to knock the chunin out. But Naruto was never a normal twelve years old. Hinata knew that very well. Being subjected to hate is one thing. Feeling that hatred all time and overcoming it is a whole another matter. Naruto learned that from one gentle blue haired girl sixsty eight days younger than him.

Iruka finally overcame his shock and announced Naruto the winner. Naruto just nodded as he went and sat near Hinata. The shy girl congratulated him without stuttering, which was a good start for her.

The matches went on and on. Then the ninjutsu portion came. Naruto however had a plan to scare Iruka. So did Sasuke and Hinata. Since Hinata was first, she aced the Kawarimi and bunshin, as for the henge, she choosed Uzumaki Mito. Sasuke henged into Uchiha Madara. Naruto however henged into Hashirama while his kage bunshins chooses Tobirama and Namikaze Minato. Even though Sasuke saw the clear resemblance between the three, many didn't...

At the end, even though Naruto's performances were clearly terrifying, he was still the dead-last somehow. However, he knew for a fact that Hinata and Sasuke would be on his team at least.

A week have passed since the graduation exam. Apart the fact that Mizuki tried to steal the scroll of seals. (And failed miserably, as the sandal of Hiruzen had to be surgically removed from his flesh!) Nothing major happened. Naruto simply passed his time thinking about his weaknesses. Like the fact he needed to learn lightning and fire nature transformation. Also, the fact that he still had a long way to go in Fuinjutsu according to his perverted grandfather...

But his mind also think of Hinata for some reason he didn't knew. Whenever they were away from each other, he felt empty. Like he was in a total vacuum. Something he still didn't understand no matter how hard he thought about it.

Also the fact that he was a bit distant from her was kind of bad. During the week, he went to the Uzumaki compound. The problem was that he missed Hinata like crazy. The real problem was that he just don't know if she could, if ever, reflect his feelings toward her. He knew that she considered him her best friend. He knew that she liked his company a lot. He knew that he likes her more than a friend. But he would never give her any kind of wound. He still remember how she was treated cruelly in the Hyuga compound. He knew that from his friend Neji. While they didn't get along, after a vicious battle with no hold barred, Naruto won. Neji opened up to him...

Naruto did beat the living hell out of the Hyuga prodigy once he knew how he faught Hinata with no mercy. He beated him for committing the SIN of idiocy. Naruto considered those who choose to be idiots are sinners. After all, if someone can be smart, then why not try to?

Then again, after making Neji (And the whole branch family soon afterward) know that Hinata is the only hope for their clan, he simply felt that he did something good for his oldest friend. Then her own father turned against her. Something he didn't understand to this very day. Then again, humans are mostly a very flawed species that self-destruct flow into their veins, right?

So, after the week passed, he went with her to the academy. As they arrived a bit too early, Naruto took a nap only to wake up hearing Iruka announcing his team...

"Team 7 will be Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke and Hyuga Hinata. Your jonin instructor will be Hatake Kakashi."

Naruto smirked. Sasuke smirked evilly. Hinata smiled shyly. Their jonin instructor is and ex-ANBU captain and ninjutsu expert. No matter what he'll teach them, it would be useful.

"Team 8 is Haruno Sakura, Aburame Shino and Inuzuka Kiba. Your jonin instructor will be Yuuhi Kurenai."

Apart the fact that Sakura was angry about the fact that Hinata may took away 'her' Sasuke-kun, which earned her a fuma shuriken landing in front of her with a note that says 'Keep him to yourself. Hinata-chan would never date him even to be the Hyuga clan head!'. Nothing else happened unless Sasuke thanking Naruto under his breath.

"Team 10 will be Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji and Yamanaka Ino. Your jonin instructor will be Sarutobi Asuma."

Ino sighed. At least she had her two best friends among boys. But she had to make the team move if they wanted to improve.

"Finally, Sai will join an old team. Team 6 from last year required you."

Sai just nodded as Naruto smirked. Sai will join his older brother, Shin and the Kurama clan heiress.

"Finally everyone, take an hour break before returning here in class. I hope you can realise your dreams everyone."

Naruto simply told his team to take an extra thirty minutes. He knew that Kakashi would be late at least half an hour...

When they went back in class, it was empty. Safe for them of course. Hinata used her byakugan to confirm it. Naruto tried to feel any source of chakra to no avail. While Sasuke tried to hear anything strange. Soon they became bored.

Sasuke, Hinata and Naruto pulled a book each and tried to read. Naruto's sensing alerts were waiting for anyone. Hinata and Sasuke seemed relaxed and burried deep into their books, yet look can be deceiving. Ten minutes of reading went only for Naruto to pull out a small scroll.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow but did nothing. Hinata used her Byakugan only to mutter quietly that they should be ready.

Naruto immidiately told Sasuke to put his book away in ninja hand language. The Uchiha did as the Senju slash Uzumaki said. Hinata's book simply vanished, scaring even Naruto a bit. As the one-eyed jonin got in, he had an idea what to say...

"My first impression of you... That maybe you're the ones. Rooftop, in five minutes."

Before any of them reply, he simply vanished in a plume of smoke. Naruto simply went to the window.

"Really, baka-tonkachi? He said the rooftops."

Naruto shook his head...

"I think we better walk to him up the wall. I know him enough to tell you that he may have laid some nasty surprises for us. Ten minutes for a jonin are actually an hour for a genin."

Hinata nodded as she went with him outside and walked up the wall. Sasuke sighed as he decided that maybe Naruto wasn't truelly stupid? Maybe it was his mask all along?

As they arrived to the rooftops, they realised that Naruto's plan was the right choice. Their future jonin sensei was eyesmilling at them.

"You know? You took the right path! The hallways and stairs were rigged with traps. Beside, this way is faster no?"

Sasuke looked at Naruto who replicated Kakashi's eyesmile. The Uchiha wondered if those two were truelly related? Hinata blushed as she glanced her crush slash housemate. Kakashi took it as his cue.

"So, my cute little future genins, care to introduce yourselves?"

Sasuke surprisingly replied this time while his tone was dripping sarcasm.

"Wow Kakashi-san. Do we need to re-introduce ourselves? I mean, those two doesn't live with you and Nii-chan didn't tell you anything nor I told you practically everything last week?"

Kakashi eyesmiled at them again as he gave his reason.

"Well, I was hoping to follow traditions. Sensei is sorry. Anyway, about the test, you passed the first half. I know for a fact how you three trained together. I was going to say siblings, but well... I know two of you like each other and are afraid to confess. Before you jump to any wrong conclusion, your feelings are mutual.."

Naruto's and Hinata eyes widened beyond huminly possibility. Sasuke and Kakashi snickered before Kakashi cough loudly. The bluenette and the blond immediately looked at him while blushing madly before Naruto asked the question.

"Since when you knew? And why you never told us in private?"

Kakashi was decent enough to smile sheepishly. As Sasuke showed no interest at all. Beside, he considered those two as his brother and sister. Well, his very distant, a millennia distant brother and sister.

"OK. Now that you two will... Date each other a few hours later, let me tell you that you all have an individual test. Sasuke will spar with team 1. Hinata needs to take down team 2. Naruto, you will steal everything from Tenzo... Without alerting him before he gets into his house."

The sadistic and evil smile and glint in Naruto's eyes scared the three others. Naruto however had just begun.

"Mokuton : Moku bunshin no jutsu!" (Wood release : wood clones jutsu!)

Four wooden clones erupted to life as Naruto nodded to Sasuke and Hinata. Without a word, the three graduated students went separate parts. Kakashi created two shadow clones to watch his teams. Well, Sasuke and Hinata. He then shunshined to Tenzo's apparetement.

An hour later...

Kakashi felt his clones dispel. Sasuke challenged team 1 to individual spar after getting permission from their jonin sensei who failed them. The three academy students took the bait and got a very fast defeat. He expected that. He knew that Itachi trained his younger brother sometimes. He knew that was a third of the reason why Sasuke and Naruto are kind of rivals.

Hinata on the other hand agreed to fight although reculently. Needless to say, Team 2's test was to fight Hinata. The team was dysfunctional, and Hinata proved that she was skilled. Small wonder as she was able to hold on against a near jonin level Senju.

The not really one-eyed jonin eyesmiled. Naruto's wooden clones weren't needed after all. Also, it seems that his team was skilled. Well, he would be amazed if they were below chunin level in skills. Hinata who was supposedly the weakest, was easily the third strongest among her age. But then again, an Uchiha and a Senju are supposed to be monstrously strong for their ages.

Kakashi knew that this team may surpass the Sannins, and maybe even his father in due time. He knew that Hinata may not be weak in any sense. Well, she lacks only self-confidence. Apart that, she needed to learn about nature transformation. Sasuke may need to learn another nature? Naruto however... Well, that kid who was his surrogate little brother, may need to learn more about wind nature. And maybe the two other nature transformation like him?

This moment however, Tenzo interrupted his train of thoughts. The wood user greeted him.

"Hey Kakashi-sempai. How are you doing? What brings you to my neck of wood?"

"Well, Tenzo you see, I needed to ask you about Naruto's.. Abilities? You know, seeing that you're the only one who can help."

"About that... He learned everything I know. I'm sorry but honestly, now only he can help himself. Wait a second, where did I put my keys? And my wallet? And my MONEY?"

Naruto immediately appeared from the floor. Kakashi was not surprised one bit. Tenzo however, was startled by this and wondered if Naruto was also of Aburame lineage.

"Looking for these, Tenzo-sensei?"

Tenzo was shocked. Everything he lost was in Naruto's hands. Not only that, be he knew for a fact that he didn't drop them...

"So, do I pass, Kakashi-sensei?"

"With flying scores Naruto. Only if Tenzo tell us if he caught you?"

"Kakashi-sempai, I think that I need some explanations."

Naruto to his credit, was able to hold his laugh for ten full seconds before he litteraly exploded. Kakashi told Tenzo about Naruto's test. Then the silver haired man looked at Naruto with a small hint of sorrow in his eyes.

"Although you three passed, I need to give you a team test. So, tomorrow at seven training ground three."

Naruto nodded. Then he dissapeared in a shunshin, leaving a spiralling gust of wind, water and leaves. Something that made Tenzo rise an eyebrow.

"Well, he asked me for an advise about improving his shunshin."

"Great. All we needed is a second Kakashi-sempai."

Kakashi shrugged it off. All that remained was for Naruto to read some Icha Icha novel and taa-daa. A second Kakashi as cool as the first.

That if Kurenai, Shizune or Tsunade would ever let him try his luck. Well, he knew that if he tried, like Jiraiya did, it would be the mistake of his whole life. He witnessed how those women can turn... Extremely aggressive when it comes up to the finest literature that ever existed. The funny part was that Naruto loved two of the toad hermit's books.

The tale of the utterly gutsy shinobi was definitely one hell of a book. Too bad that a few appreciated it. Kakashi and Naruto and even the late Minato loved that book. For Naruto however, it was his first book. The second book was about Fuinjutsu. Naruto didn't just red the book. He became the book. Unfortunately, the young Senju and Uzumaki couldn't progress more when it comes up to Fuinjutsu. Kakashi found one way to help his student. Well, if his team will pass.

As a matter of fact, he kind of lied to them. The team test was obligatory only IF the jonin sensei deemed it so. However, Kakashi knew that this team is Konoha's hope at making the three descendants of the sage of the six paths at the same team. The closest team was Madara and Hashirama. Now it was Naruto, Sasuke and finally Hinata.

Kakashi heard about the prophecy of the old toad sage. He knew that this team is loyal to Konoha. But he knew that Hinata's kindness, Naruto's compassion and Sasuke's wits can give them something more than they ever dreamed for.

Now it was Kakashi's second chance. Naruto pushed him out of the self-pitying pit he was in when the boy was but a toddler. Now it was Kakashi's turn to give the boy all the help he can to put him in the right path. He knew that his future team is a team of hard workers and geniuses at the same time. All he needed was to find a way to improve them even more.

For Obito, well, the old Obito. For Rin. For Minato. For Kushina. And finally, for his father, Sakumo. Kakashi vowed to push his team like an old brother, and to be their father figure...

The next day

Hokage's tower

Hiruzen frowned as Kakashi was the first to get in. Well, the first among all the jonins that's it.

"So, you failed another team?"

Kakashi eyesmiled at this. Oh this is going to be funny...

"Honestly, they didn't fail. Matter of fact I'm just late... Well, maybe we should wait for everyone else, Hokage-sama?"

Hiruzen simply filled his pipe with tabacco and lit it. After taking a few good drags, he released the pent up smoke, feeling slightly better.

"By the way, the ANBU are still searching about an unknown suspect who raided many stores last night. Do you know anything about it?"

Kakashi simply shook his head. Of course he knew. He taught Naruto how to pick locks ANBU style. He didn't knew what he was thinking, but it was anything but a good idea...

Hiruzen proceeded to smoke more from his trusted pipe while Kakashi took his opportunity to read Icha Icha violence. That book was a masterpiece. Jiraiya may be whatever you want to say, from pervert to idiot a few times, but he was the best author hands down.

As the other jonins got in, Hiruzen looked at them with his 'Give me the report' kind of expression. Kakashi spoke first.

"Honestly, Hokage-sama, I think that I got a team of monsters. Uchiha Sasuke is a solid chunin level. Hinata is a solid chunin at Taijutsu. Naruto however, is almost a jonin if not for his lack of experience. I think that his file at the academy is only good to be burned down to ashes to be honest."

All the jonins at the room were shocked. Even Kurenai who lives at the same compound was taken back. If that wasn't enough, Tenzo added his on his own along with Aoba and Raido...

"Naruto managed to walk behind me, steal something from me, and dissapear unnoticed. If this doesn't qualify him as a jonin, either we're biased, either we're unprofessional! Oh, and team eleven pass. Sai is pretty good, but he's kind of naïve..."

"Team one fail. Yesterday, Hyuga Hinata from team 7 challenged them. Instead of working together, each choose his individual fight. Not only did they lose and fast, but also it was a clean win. Not only that, but today I gave them one of the easiest tests I can think of. None have passed..."

"I can relate Aoba. Team two did the same with Uchiha Sasuke. And today, I felt ashamed that I let them pass. None of them was thinking like a genin."

"Team 3 fail. However, I think they should train harder."

"Team 4 is simply hopeless to be a ninja. I wonder if the academy is to blame?"

"Team 5 is a nightmare. I asked them to work together, and well, it ended up in a big fight..."

"Team 6 should be disqualified to be a team of ninja. I gave them the answers on a golden plate, and it ended up in a heated argument, then a fight, then I had to knock them out to stop it from spreading. I think they should work at anything but shinobi related. At least last year Shiho was smart. I guess that karma have its way..."

"Team eight pass... Barely. Sakura is smart, but she got knocked out by a Genjutsu that should be the easiest to detect. Kiba is way too brash, and lack the stealth of a chunin, however, he choose the team before anything else. Shino is a born leader but you know about his... Clan's issues... But at least they showed the necessary judgement..."

"Team ten pass, although I thought I would fail them. Ino is too bossy. Shikamaru is a genius, but screams laziness. Choji is too kind, but he choose to be the one who go in the academy, thus he passed."

Hiruzen sighed at this. The reports about the academy was truelly a nightmare. Not even Iruka was able to instill the sense of hard work a ninja should have. At least no clan heir or heiress were left out...

"OK. Now, I thank all of you. Those who failed their teams, I want a report on my desk by tomorrow's morning at latest date. Those who passed their teams, please stay!"

As Kakashi, Asuma, Tenzo and Kurenai staid, Hiruzen took a deep inhale from his trusted pipe. After he enjoyed the aroma of the tobacco, he released his pented-up smoke...

"So, only three teams passed, and one got its replacement? Great! No wonder many considered us weak. Even Danzo disbanded his Ne. The military police is no more, and the fail rate is sky high. I don't know what you plan on teaching your cute little genins, but if I was in your shoes, I would push them more than I planned."

Kakashi was the first to eyesmile. Asuma sighed as he simply lit a cigarette. Tenzo was already thinking what he should teach his team. Kurenai bit her lips.

"Worry not Hokage-sama. When I'm done, even Naruto won't be able to do anything but eat his dinner and sleep. Hinata can easily improve. Sasuke have one thing I doubt would push him forward..."

"And I was planning to play shogi and take it slow? Great! Thanks old man!"

"I think that Shin said many good things about Sai. Beside, they live down the street from my aparetement, so, yes. I think I have a good plan, Hokage-sama."

"To be honest, Hokage-sama, I'm not quite sure if Sakura would be the best addition for the team. However, she may prove herself. Kiba and Shino though needs to develop in more than their clans jutsus."

Hiruzen smiled as his loyal jonins had already a good plan. He simply added before dismissing them.

"Good to see that all of you already have a plan. It warms my heart to see that even my jonins are good enough to be my successors if things goes south. Although, I tested my genins affinities since day two to be honest. Just make sure to impriment the value of hard work, and why it's so important to have a team to balance you, and help you whenever you need help. Anyway, I hate to say it, but I have so much paperwork and so few time before my training, so, see you in a week, or a month for their first mission."

The four jonins dissapeared in four shunshins as Hiruzen swore that the papers from hell had multiplied...

Uchiha compound

Itachi's room

Uchiha Itachi still wondered who were those ninjas who attacked them? His first suspect was Danzo's Ne branch of ANBU. But he knew for a fact that the survivors weren't some Ne ANBU. Then he had many theories that ended up be thrown out of the window. Finally, he had one suspect clear in his eyes.

Iwagakure was out. No matter how strong, he knew for a fact that it couldn't be from Iwa as none used their jutsus nor Kekkei Genkais. Beside, he knew many jonins from Iwa either from a mission, especially reconnaicense.

Kumogakure may have an interest. Yet, they had no reason to send those ANBUs just to annihilate them. True, their Raikage is one vindictive bastard. Yet, he knew that A respected the late Minato more than anyone else.

Kiri then? Well, a village divided by civil war and their strongest shinobi going rogue wouldn't bother.

As for Suna, Rasa wouldn't sell his soul to the devil he didn't know.

The culpcit could be anyone. The problem was that he couldn't identify any of a large enough interest unless one twisted minded as much as, if not more than Danzo...

And those kind of people are few. So few he knew them ALL by name...

No name is more interesting than a certain Orochimaru. That guy was just crazy, nuts, insane, and the list goes one all combined in one. And Itachi knew why that guy fled. But he wasn't quite sure that it was ONLY Orochimaru who was the true mastermind. If there's one thing he knew, is that the snake-human hybrid is just a coward who's afraid from death since the time he went rogue, after all, why Jiraiya held off against him?

Then he remembered many, many, many things and clue which made him lose the tip of the wire so to speak. Sighing in frustration, he simply walked out from his room, many files and plans scattered around his desk...

Hokage's tower

Hokage's office

"And that Sarutobi is the whole list my investigation led toward. I might be a power-hungry, emotionless, evil, and even sometimes borderline insane, but I had gave your plan a thought, and truth be told, you knew better. But honestly, what am I supposed to do to prove my innocence from the Uchiha clan's blood? Give you all the 'Ne' operatives I have, take off the juin, and let you question them yourself in front of a thermal camera?"

Hiruzen took another drag from his trusted pipe. The case of the Uchiha clan attempted genocide had almost succeeded if it wasn't for his and Danzo's ANBUs. Hiruzen however never lost his skepticism toward the elders. Former teammates or not, they didn't share his philosophies...

"Alright. I know what you can do. Shimura Danzo, I, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Sandaime Hokage of Konohagakure no Sato and Sarutobi clan head, appoint you as the ANBU instructor. Your experience is required to make Konoha great. Do you accept?"

'This may be my last chance of redemption. Maybe it's better than retirement or jail or getting killed? The hat may be the best price, but then again, Sarutobi is right. Tobirama-sensei, what would you've done?'

"I accept my new post!"

"Good to hear this, Danzo. After all, even our experience is required to pass down to the next generation. Let's just hope that Orochimaru won't have a second coming."

"Let's hope so Hiruzen. By the way, I know two shinobis, an Aburame and Yamanaka with some unusual talent. Want some jonins?"

"Of course we need all the hands we can get, old friend."

The next day

Training ground three

"I'm telling you Sasuke that no one but a nutcase can win against a Nara in shogi."

"So that's why you utterly defeated Shikamaru?"

"Hey! That's offensive!"

"It is supposed to be. Beside, Itachi-niisan won against pretty much everyone."

"The only one who's more insane is Kakashi-sensei. Then again, insanity isn't that bad considering our job. Isn't that right, Hinata-chan?"

Hinata simply nodded while resting underneath the tree stump. She didn't tell Sasuke that there's no fighting Naruto unless you are above chunin level. While Naruto was close to a jonin in term of skills, he was lacking the ability to cast a Genjutsu. Also, his Taijutsu was never the best, since it relies on brute strength.

"Ok. What did you do to my younger sister?"

"Just a spar. What's wrong, Sasuke-yaro?"

Sasuke twitched dangerously as Naruto waved his hands defensively in front of him.

"Take it easy. You know that it's my way to tell people that I like them."

Sasuke sighed at this. Naruto will either drive them nuts, or to the edge like a lemming, or to the grave.

"So. You never told me about what Jiraiya-sama is doing?"

"He's still investigating and spying on many things. I swear that he's the only one who have as much chakra as I do last year."

"And he's the only person to be easily distracted."

"At least he doesn't do something twisted. Sometimes I wonder the sanity of many shinobis? Mikoto-basan and Tsunade-baachan are sane. Hinata-chan is sane and wise. Shizune-neechan is surely reliable and sane..."

"Why am I feeling that you don't want to talk about the others?"

Naruto simply shrug it off as he shook his head.

"Because those are the ones I'm sure about them."

Sasuke sighed again.

"Say, never thought about a dream?"

"Hn."

"Burning Konoha to the ground?"

"Hn."

""Finding world's peace?"

"Hn."

"Going on a date?"

"Hn."

"Great! Avenging the ones...?"

"You know that it is my duty?"

"That I know!"

"So, what's the real one? Your true dream?"

Naruto had a true smile as he told Sasuke and Hinata about his true dream.

"A family!"

For some unknown reason, Hinata passed out while she had the brightest smile any girl can have. Naruto tried to wake her up only for Sasuke to shake his head.

Kakashi was watching the whole scene from above. He simply eyesmiled as he red his trusted book : Icha Icha paradise. Kurenai allowed him to read it only if he was away from anyone else. Well, he wasn't going to look in a gift horse's mouth.

The next day

Hokage tower

"So, we'll pick option C. I make a few kage bunshins, Kakashi-sensei's bunshin order them around, everyone win! We don't lose a day doing chores, but we also complete the mission. How is that a bad idea?"

Iruka palmed his face. While Naruto's idea wasn't wasting any time, it's still debatable if it could be truelly a good idea. D ranks are missions that were designed to build teamwork above anything else. But team seven was closer to be a family than a team.

"This is truelly a genius idea. But then again, it's against the rules..."

"Rules are just aword. But this is the best shortcut I heard about."

Naruto smiled as Hiruzen took the bait. He knew that his idea would be the best shortcut for his team. After all, being an errand boy would definitely make his teammates angry. Hinata thanks to her father. Sasuke, well, being Sasuke.

Kakashi eyesmiled at this. Naruto was simply very Jiraiya-like. Creative and always picking the only option no one would expect. He may no longer be a hyperactive, loudmouthed, bratty shinobi, but he was taking the path to be a legend.

Rule one : No rules!

Rule two : Shortcuts are the best ways!

Rule three : Expect the unexpected!

Kakashi doubted that Naruto was always adopting those rules in his life. After all, Jiraiya himself adopted them for years. Look at him now. He was a dead last and now everyone knows better than to cross him. Also, it doesn't hurt that he was the best author in their world... Of adult books.

"Now then, team seven, mission assist the farmers at their harvest, approved."

The four ninjas nodded as they went off to accomplish their mission. With Naruto's few hundred bunshins, time wasn't against them.

Two weeks later

Hokage's tower

Sasuke gave Naruto a glance. The Uchiha was now sure that his teammate was always thinking outside the box. Their mission to capture Tora was a snap. Catnip and fish was cat's charm. And it worked against that demon cat called 'Tora!'

"Mission retrieve lost pet accomplished, Hokage-sama! If it is not too much to ask, I think my team is ready for a little C-rank mission?"

Hiruzen smiled a bit. Team seven's growth was scary. While every genin team progressed, team seven was terrifying when it came up to progress. Maybe because the three genins are among the best any village can dream of? A Senju, an Uchiha and a Hyuga. Add a Kaguya and the team of the sage of the six path would be ready!

"I don't see any problem. Bring in Tazuna-san!"

As an old man wearing an A-tank, a short, and a straw hat entered, Kakashi immediately smelt troubles..

"What is this? I asked for a team of ninjas and all I get is two brats and a blind gir.."

He was rudely interrupted by the sound of two shuriken cutting the sake bottle cleanly in three pieces. And Naruto was livid with pure undilatable rage...

"Bad mouth Hinata-chan again, and you'll see first hand what kind of brats we are!"

Kakashi griped his student's shoulder. Naruto was just slightly calmer. But if that old man would try it... Well, he'll dig another hole.

"So, what do you think, Tazuna-san?"

Tazuna simply nodded. For once, he was terrified from that blond masked kid.

"Ok team. See you tomorrow at the gate, ten A.M. and don't be late!"

Sasuke simply went home. Naruto and Hinata however took the scenic route to Ichiraku ramen first before going back home...

Little did the team knew that this mission will take them to the next level...

A.N. :Sorry for being late. Kakashi found me lost in the road of life like he is and many things happened.

Anyway, sorry if I wasn't at my best when I wrote this chapter. Next time, let's hope I won't see my one nightmare, and I find a job. Finally, I might write some other stories? Take care everyone, I'll appreciate your reviews greatly, but you're not obliged to if you don't want to. See ya'll!