The Inheritor of The Rikudo Sennin's will

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Enough said.

Chapter 5 : The true Genin test

Naruto sat under a tree with the rest of his teammates. Sai was an odd boy, even though Naruto showed no emotion it was less disconcerting than Sai. He just threw around the fake smiles like they were clone Jutsu. The boys appearance wasn't any different. He had pale white skin, and slender frame that was accompanied by straight dark hair and emotionless coal black eyes. He wore a long sleeved midriff shirt that exposed his flour coloured stomach, a black forehead-protector on his forehead, black gloves that exposed his index and thumb fingers, a small black jacket, black pants and shinobi sandals. He had a ninja-tool pouch and kunai holster at his leg. On his back he had a small bag and holstered sword, from the length it is likely a tanto.

"Stop smiling all the damn time! Its annoying!"shouted Mito. "At least if you are going to smile be honest about it."

Naruto turned his attention to Mito. Her hair was still the same blue violet, it was so long that it almost reached her waist. It was styled in a topknot with the rest of her hair cascading down her back, there were two jaw-length bangs on the side of face leaving her forehead open, with only a few strands of hair falling over it. Her eyes were deep violet eyes and three distinct whisker marks on each cheek.

She wore a, v-cut, long-sleeved, black shirt with ruby red flames along the bottom of the sleeves, a red sleeveless haori over that, with the Uzumaki emblem decorating the back of it. Around her neck she wore a necklace with a Uzumaki emblem charm and a three pronged kunai adorning it, a black forehead-protector around her left arm, a black skirt with black tight under-shorts, a kunai holster and ninja-tool pouch, and grey shin-guard shinobi sandals.

"Leave him, complain if he smiles like that while killing someone. Its harmless now." shrugged Naruto, tussling his scarlet red hair over his forehead where his forehead-protector sat shinning from the small beams of light that broke through the trees and reflected off the metal. The black cloth contrasted heavily with his scarlet spikes. He had two jaw-length bangs framing the sides of his face, they were wrapped in bandage keeping all the hair together.

His blue eyes were no longer as they once were, before they were blue and filled with hope, like the sky on a warm day, now they cold, and devoid of emotion, much like ice.

He wore a tight black shirt with elbow-length sleeves they had orange flame motives licking the bottom of the sleeve, under that he wore a long sleeved fishnet shirt for protection, black fingerless gloves with a metal plate behind the palm that had a stylised leaf carved into it, dark-red ankle length pants that were wrapped with black combat wraps at the hem. The pants had a kunai holster on each leg with combat wraps under the holsters and a ninja-tool pouch at the waist, black shinobi sandals and a Ninjatō strapped to his back.

Across them sat their jonin sensei, Raido Namiashi. He had dark brown spiky hair, dark brown eyes and a odd scar across his face that looked like veins branching off onto the left side of his face.

He wore a dark-blue Konoha forehead protector, a long sleeved navy-blue shirt with a red spiral on the side of each shoulder and a Konoha forest-green flak jacket over that with a red spiral on the back, navy blue ankle length pants with combat wraps on the ankles and dark-blue shinobi sandals. He had a kunai holster on each thigh and a ninja-tool pouch at his waist. He also had a kitana strapped his back, the handle was black, and so was the holster.

"My name is Raido Namiashi as you were no doubt informed I am your jonin-sensei. Please introduce yourselves." said Raido, in a professional manor.

"What exactly would you like to know? If we know that then we have a base point to work from Raido-sensei."said Naruto.

"Likes, dislikes, hobbies, short term and long term goals." said Raido succinctly.

"I'll start!" exclaimed Mito. "My likes are barbecue meat, pranking, my friends Kiba, Hinata, Shikamaru and Choji and my family. My hobbies are training, eating barbecue meat, hanging out with my friends and family and watching the princess gale series."she blushed at this. "My dislikes are people with sticks up their ass, my brother because he is mean, Naruto because he is cold, Shino because he is freaky" Naruto gave her a cold stare. "See! Just like that! Hmm. .er where was I. .oh right!"

"Time is money, hurry up."said Raido.

"Er right, Ino and Sakura because they fawn over Sasuke and Sasuke because he has a stick up his ass. My short term dreams are to become a better sister to my brother, and become a chunin. My long term dreams are to become the first female Hokage, become a kenjutsu master like my mom and maybe one day team up with her, and I want to find all my lost Uzumaki clan members."

"You forgot to say your name."said Sai.

"Oh right. I'm Mito Uzumaki-Namikaze future Hokage!" she grinned.

"Sai-san you're next."said Raido.

"My name is Sai, no last name. I don't have many likes besides drawing and my older brother. I do not have many dislikes besides those who take my drawings. My hobby is to draw. My short term goal is to become a chunin and I have not thought of a long-term goal."said Sai.

"And Naruto-san, its your turn." said Raido Namiashi.

"My name is Naruto Konoha and I am a bastard. I like training, ramen, hand-made deep-fried chips, Konohamaru, Shino and Saru-sama. I dislike a certain bear masked Anbu. My hobbies are training and practising calligraphy, I do little else. My short term goals are to become better at kenjutsu and become a chunin. My long term goal is to become an s-rank shinobi." said Naruto.

"My name is Raido Namiashi. I like obedience, efficiency, green tea and Onigiri. I dislike time-wasters, disloyalty and usurpers of authority, salted beef and and fish, as well those that believe that a mission can be completed without comrades. The mission is only complete when you have all your comrades with you at the end of it. My hobbies are architectural drawing, playing Shogi and kenjutsu kata meditation. My short term goals are to become a full-jonin and form get my students promoted to chunin. My long term goals are to become an s-rank shinobi and form my own jonin squad that has the same notoriety as the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, or maybe even the Densetsu no Sannin."

"Its nice too meet ya!"exclaimed Mito.

"A pleasure." said Sai as he close his eyes and smiled, prompting Mito to slap his head lightly. "only smile if you mean it."

"Its nice to meet you sensei."said Naruto.

"Now usually teams are given a test to see if they are ready to become genin." said Raido-sensei.

"But we already passed." said Mito.

"That test is only to sort the talented from the useless."he almost seemed amused. "Usually all the test requires is for jonin to deceive their students into working against each other when the true intention is for them to work together as a team. Other sensei may not elaborate on anything and merely instruct their students to find them, defeat them, hit them once or trap them. It ranges from jonin to jonin. However the prevalent factor in each test is always teamwork."explained Raido.

"Why are you telling us this?"asked Naruto shrewdly,"We're not getting a test or at the very least not one that requires teamwork or perhaps your ploy is to make us believe that no teamwork is required and then you fail us for not using teamwork."

"You are right you are not getting a test, and try not to be so paranoid all the time, or do, it may save your life, then again it may end it. No, I will give you all a month to develop your teamwork. A month to learn all your strengths and weaknesses and how to cover each others weaknesses. If you fail to impress me at the end of the month I will be placing you all in the reserve, and the remedial teamwork program." said Raido.

"But you cant do that! We passed."exclaimed Mito.

"You'll find that I can and I will. So best you stop complaining and start thinking on how you can develop teamwork."said Raido.

"Fine! Just you wait, we will have the best team in all the genin teams." said Mito.

"Good, but for now you will be fighting each other so that I can evaluate your skill. First it will be Mito-san and Sai-san, then Mito-san and Naruto-san and after that is completed it will be Sai-san and Naruto-san. Any questions? No? Good." said Raido.

(Kakashi - academy rooftop)

A man with gravity defying silver-grey hair sat comfortably reading an orange book titled Icha-Icha - love tactics: the art of love. he read it with his lone, dark-brown, right eye. He had a forehead protector covering the other eye and a face-mask concealing the rest of his face and neck. He wore a long-sleeved dark blue shirt with a red spiral on each shoulder, a forest-green Konoha flak jacket with a red spiral motif on the back, fingerless black gloves with a metal plate behind the palm, long dark-blue pants with combat wraps around the ankles and the left thigh, on the left leg he had a kunai holster, and at his belt he had a ninja-pouch.

He discreetly raised his eye from his book as two chakra signatures entered the area. Suddenly there was a whirlwind of leaves and two teen boys appeared. The one was raven haired and the other blonde with streaks of red.

"So you can keep up?"smirked the raven haired boy arrogantly.

"As if it's you who needs to keep up with me, Sasuke."scoffed the blonde boy.

"Whatever Menma."said Sasuke turning to the side and taking a seat.

Kakashi took note of the blonde boy. He had shaggy blonde hair with two jaw line bangs that had red streaks running through them, bangs that cascaded over his navy blue forehead-protector, deep violet eyes and three whisker marks on each cheek.

'If not for the eyes, the red streaks and the whisker marks and arrogant smirk he could be your mini-clone sensei. You would be Gai the second coming or would Gai be Minato the second coming?' Kakashi internally shuddered.

The boy wore a casual red shirt, a long-sleeved black haori with a red spiral on the back with eight flame motif prongs extending out of the spiral that ended behind his knees, dark grey pants with pockets at the knees, grey shin-protectors and shinobi sandals. He had combat wraps around his ankles and left thigh, on each thigh he had a kunai holster strapped to it, and a ninja tool pouch at the belt.

The raven haired boy, Sasuke, his hair jutted out and fanned at the back, he had two jaw length bangs on the side of his face on each side, and another two - one left and one right - that cascaded over his dark-blue forehead protector. He had coal-black eyes and fair, unblemished skin.

He wore a dark-blue short-sleeved high collared shirt with a red and white fan insignia on the back, white arm warmers with a blue hem, knee length white pants with combat wraps on the right thigh with a dark blue kunai holster over it, a beige ninja-tool pouch at the waist, dark-blue shin-protectors with combat wraps and dark blue shinobi sandals.

Sasuke was practical if nothing else.

Suddenly a girl came bursting through the door. "Huh? What?! How did you guys even get here? Uh sorry I'm late."

Kakashi took note of the girl, she had long pink hair, bangs framing the side of her face, deep emerald eyes, and a larger than average forehead.

She wore a dark blue forehead-protector as a Alice band, a red qipao dress that split at the hip, a zip down the middle, curving at the side near her ribs, it had a white ring on the bottom of half and another one on her upper back, black biker shorts, with combat wraps on her thigh with a kunai holster strapped over it, a ninja-tool pouch at her waist and dark-blue shinobi sandals.

"Its fine, just take a seat will ya."sighed the masked jonin, internally he was secretly enjoying not being the late one for once in his life - his time with Obito as his teammate non-withstanding.

"Okay, now that we all together I want you to introduce yourselves." said Kakashi.

"But how sensei?"asked Sakura in confusion.

"You know likes, dislikes, dreams for the future, that sort of thing."said Kakashi.

"Sensei could you do it first so that we know what to do?"asked Sakura.

"Fine, fine."sighed Kakashi. "Well My name is Kakashi Hatake, I have no desire to tell you my likes and dislikes. Dreams for the future hmm. . ."Kakashi trailed off thoughtfully. "I have lots of hobbies."

'we only learned his name.' thought all three of the genin, tick marks present on their face.

"Okay pinky you're first."said Kakashi.

She huffed before answering. "My name is Sakura Haruno, the thing I like is. . .err the person who I like is. . .er"Sakura blushed as she gave Sasuke a longing look, but she was interrupted by Kakashi clearing his throat. "Right my dislikes are Ino-bunta, Naruto and Mito-baka, my hobbies are. ."she gave Sasuke another glance. "Err my dreams for the future are. . ." and her eyes went vacant.

Kakashi rolled his eye. 'Fangirl that's exactly what I need, more interested in love and boys than Ninjutsu.' he thought sarcastically. "You're up blondie"

"My name is Menma Uzumaki-Namikaze, my likes are Ramen, Training, my family, friends, Toads and my fathers Hiraishin no Jutsu. My dislikes are slackers, my sensei, Shikamaru, Choji and my sister. My hobbies are training, putting Sasuke in his place and making new ramen recipes. My goal for the future is to become Hokage. . ." said Menma, internally he thought. 'and to have a brother and sister tag team with Mito.'

"Next tall, dark and lonely."

Sasuke scowled at him. "My name is Sasuke Uchiha, I dislike a lot of things and I don't really like anything, I have no hobbies to speak of and I cant really call it a dream"Sasuke interlocked his fingers and gained a far-off look. "but I have an ambition. The resurrection of the Uchiha clan and to kill. . . a certain man."finished Sasuke darkly.

'Right so Menma is the only sane team member here, his major arrogance aside.' thought Kakashi while sweat-dropping. "Meet me tomorrow at five-hundred hours on training ground seven for your survival training. Oh and by the way don't eat breakfast, you might throw up. "

(Team eight)

Team eight sat in their training ground, their sensei went by the name of Kurenai Yuhi. she had long raven hair that reached her mid-back, ruby red eyes, red lips, bountiful breasts and long shapely legs. She wore a Konoha forehead-protector that had dark-blue cloth, a mid-thigh length bandage-styled dress with thorn and vine patterns over it and a lone right red sleeve, under that she wore fishnet shirt that showed a decent amount of cleavage, combat wraps from her hands till her elbows, combat wraps around her thighs and dark blue shinobi sandals.

"My name is Kurenai Yuhi. I am going to introduce myself and I want you to do the same. You are already aware of my name, so my likes are Genjutsu, the colour crimson, Sake, Vodka and Takowasa. I dislikes perverts, those who underestimate kunoichi and Genjutsu. My Hobbes are going out for drinks and my dreams for the future are. . .to fight a certain man." said Kurenai, "Inuzuka-san you start."

"My name is Kiba Inuzuka, I like Akamaru, Mito, Menma, beef, steak and jerky. My dislikes are Naruto, Sasuke and foods that aren't chewy, my hobbies are training and taking Akamaru for walks, my dream for the future is to become a great hunter-nin." said Kiba.

Kurenai took careful note of Kiba's appearance. He had spiky brown hair, slitted brown eyes and red fang like makings on each cheek. He wore a dark-blue Konoha forehead-protector, a grey fur-lined hoody with the hood pulled over his head - on top of that a puppy with shaggy white fur rested. A fishnet undershirt, dark-grey that reached his mid-calf with combat wraps around his right thigh and a kunai holster over that, on his belt he had a ninja-tool pouch, and dark-blue shinobi sandals.

"Aburame-san you are next."

"My name is Shino Aburame I like wild grass salad, winter melon, moss green is my favourite colour, Naruto, my favourite flower is the chameleon flower, and my Kikaichu beetles. My dislikes are strong smelling foods, those that judge the Aburame clan based merely upon the fact that we host insects within our bodies, those that forget about me, those that judge Naruto because he is cold. My hobbies are collecting new insects for my hive, entomology, and training in my clan Jutsu. My dream for the future is to fight someone strong like Naruto, or the other top students from my graduating class, to become an excellent clan head, and a member of the Anbu special forces."

Kurenai took note of his appearance, he was quite tall for his age and had brown bushy hair. He wore a dark blue Konoha forehead-protector, dark sunglasses with circular lenses, a grey high-collared coat, dark-grey mid-calf length pants with combat wraps around his right leg and a kunai holster over that, a ninja-tool pouch at his waist and dark blue shinobi sandals.

"Next is Hinata."

She had jaw-length dark blue hair cut in a hime-style, pupil-less pale with hints of lavender eyes, a gentle face, rather large breasts for her age and shapely legs. She wore a dark blue Konoha forehead-protector around her neck, a beige hoody-jacket with fur around the cuffs and hem, and a fire emblem on the side of her shoulders, dark blue calf-length pants with combat wraps over the right thigh with a kunai holster over it, a beige ninja-tool pouch at the waist and dark blue shinobi sandals.

"M-my N-Name is Hinata Hy-Hyuga and my likes a-are Mito-chan, K-Kushina-sama, Yaku-kumo-chan, M-Menma-kun," she blushed at the last name. "My favourite foods are cinnamon rolls and zenzai, and my favourite c-colour is purple. My dislikes are shellfish, t-those that l-look down on me, and the division in my c-clan. My hobbies are f-flower pre-pressing, training and spe-spending time with Mito-chan and Ya-kumo-chan. My d-dream for the fu-future is to unite the Hyu-Hyuga clan."

"Very good, all of you." smiled Kurenai. "now I have to tell you three, that you are not genin, you have not taken the test as of yet." said Kurenai.

"What! But we graduated the academy." said Kiba in shock.

"I concur with Kiba-san's statement." said Shino.

"That does not make you a genin, merely genin material. So I will be administering your true genin test now. It is very simple to be frank, all that you have to do is find me. Good luck." and she disappeared in a cloud of hazy pink mist.

"Come on we have to find her! There is no way that I'm going to fail!" exclaimed Kiba.

"H-hai."said Hinata meekly.

"I agree wholeheartedly."

(Team ten)

Asuma took a drag from his smoke and exhaled a plume of smoke, sighing in bliss. The jonin had spiky raven hair, dark brown eyes, a square nose, and dark facial hair running along his jawline till his chin. He wore a dark blue forehead-protector, a dark blue long-sleeved shirt with a red spiral on the side of each shoulder and combat wraps around the biceps, black bands around each wrist, a forest green flak-jacket with a red spiral on the back, dark blue ankle-length pants with combat wraps around the ankles and thighs, a beige ninja-tool pouch, a white sash with a black circle in the middle with the kanji for fire in the middle, and dark blue shinobi sandals.

"My name is Asuma Sarutobi I will be introducing myself as well as sharing a little bit of my awesomeness, after I'm done I want you to do the same." Asuma grinned in suave way, but Ino merely snorted.

"Something wrong Yamanaka." asked Asuma affronted.

"Any man who needs to act cool isn't cool." snarked Ino.

"Oh you thought I was cool back there? I didn't realise I was being cool, you'll soon notice that cool just happens with me Yamanaka I have no control whatsoever over my awesomeness." grinned Asuma, as a gale of wind suddenly blew into the training field and ruffled his hair in slow-motion. "Anyway let me begin, my name is Asuma Sarutobi as I have already mentioned, I like Shogi, a certain Kunoichi, my time as the fire Daimo's twelve guardian ninja, sausage and soba with tororo. My dislikes are those who question my undeniable studliness," he said shooting Yamanaka a pointed look. "asparagus and disloyalty. My hobbies are trying new brands of cigarettes and making my own blends of tobacco and playing Shogi. My dreams for the future. . .maybe one day I'll settle down and have children, and to apprentice someone in my personal Jutsu."

Choji stopped munching on his chips and introduced himself. "My name is Choji Akimichi, I like Shikamaru, my clan, Korean-styled Barbecue and blue butterflies. My dislikes are anything I cant eat, being called "Fat" and anyone who messes with my friends and family. My hobbies are trying new types of sweets. And my goals for the future is to become the clan head of the Akimichi clan and for this generation of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio to surpass the previous generation." said Choji.

Choji was a robust boy with spiky brown hair swirls on his cheeks and narrow brown eyes. He wore a forehead-protector that was styled in a way that allowed two tufts of brown hair to sticks out from his head, a short-sleeve green haori, a white scarf, a white shirt with the Kanji for food on it, combat wraps on his forearms, black shorts, combat wraps around his right leg with a kunai holster strapped over it, a beige ninja-tool pouch at his waist, combat wraps around his calves, dark blue shinobi sandals.

"Yamanaka you're up."

"My name is Ino Yamanaka, I like bush clovers, cherry tomatoes, pudding, the colour purple, my killer figure and Sasuke-kun!"she flushed cherry red. "I dislike smoke-house sensei, sashimi, eggplant, the colour pink and Sakura-forehead. My hobbies are shopping and tending to the flowers in my clans flower shop. My dreams for the future is to become the future lady Uchiha!"

Asuma sighed 'Fangirl.' he took note of her appearance. She had platinum blonde hair in a pony tail that reached her waist, b-cup breasts - quite impressive for her age, and slender wore a high collared purple midriff blouse, combat wraps around her abdomen, white arm-warmers, a purple apron-skirt, combat wraps around her thighs, a kunai holster strapped to her right leg, a ninja-tool pouch attached to her waist and dark blue shinobi sandals.

"Nara, you're up." said Asuma.

"Tch, troublesome."sighed said Nara. "My name is Shikamaru Nara, I like watching the clouds, Shogi, sleeping, not expending energy, Mackerel and kelp and the colour white. I dislike doing anything I don't have to, like right now. Boiled eggs and troublesome situations. My hobbies are playing Shogi, napping and watching the clouds. My dream for the future is to live an average life with an okay salary, marry a regular girl that's neither a hag nor a beauty, have two children, first a girl then a boy, then I'll retire when my oldest child got married and my son could fend for himself, then spend my days playing Shogi and finally die of old age before my wife."

'fucking lazy ass Nara.' Asuma took note of his appearance. He had shoulder-length hair tied into a pony tail that resembled a pineapple and narrow brown eyes. He wore a pair of silver hooped earrings, a short sleeve grey jacket, a fishnet shirt with green lining, a dark blue Konoha forehead protector tied around his left upper-arm, mid-calf length brown pants, combat wraps around his right leg, a kunai holster strapped to his right leg, a beige ninja-tool pouch and shinobi sandals.

"Okay now that all of that is out of the way, its time for your genin test, my cute little graduates."said Asuma.

"What genin test, we passed." said Shikamaru.

"Oh no, that little thing was to set aside the awesome from the useless. So you are all awesome, but awesome isn't enough to make you genin - only I was that awesome - anyway, the first one who is able to capture me will become part of my team while the other two will fail." said Asuma.

"Wait you can't just throw two of us aside like weltering flowers!"exclaimed Ino.

"You will find that I can and I will."said Asuma. "So you best start-" Asuma suddenly jumped back as shadow - that slithered like a snake - struck at his own shadow.

"Kagemane? Not bad but I'm a jonin, so you better step up your game." said Asuma.

"Troublesome. . ."

(Training ground six - Team six - Mito vs Sai)

Sai and Mito stood across from one another, Mito anxiously hovered he hand near her kunai holster. Sai calmly waited for the signal to begin his hand inch to his back ever so slightly.

"Begin!"

Mito instantly grabbed the kunai from her holster threw them at Sai, by the time shed had released the throwing weapons Sai had already drew his tip-less tanto and he used it to deflect everything single kunai.

Mito took advantage of his preoccupation and made a criss-cross hand seal. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu." a couple plumes of smoke later and there were eleven Mito's in place, and they were charging at Sai.

Sai ignored the clones and ran to the centre where he assumed Mito to be. Instead he was blind-sided by a sharp kick to his back by one of the clones that he had passed by. "Solid clones?" he asked in surprise.

"Yeah, how do you like that. It's my Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. Pretty neat huh?" she smiled, "clones, I think its time for omnidirectional Shuriken barrage, what do you think?"

"Hai!"they said in unison, while pulling out Shuriken from their ninja tool pouch and launching them at Sai.

Sai blanched for a moment, then he went through hand seals. Tiger - Ox. When the Shuriken made contact Sai puffed into smoke and a log remained in his place. "what where did he go?"

Suddenly Sai ran at one of the Mito's with his tanto in hand, this Mito shouted in surprise, and Sai swung his blade at her cutting into her neck, she puffed into smoke and another Mito appeared behind him with a kunai to his throat. "Don't move an inch I've got you beat." grinned Mito.

Sai faux-smiled before disappearing in a spray of ink, and that's when Mito felt cold metal pressing against her throat, Sai took it one step further by pulling her arm backwards and twisted her wrist. "Sorry about that grapes. But its over, call off your solid clones."

She scowled at him. "Get him! Get him now!" Sai's eyes widened in surprise as he had to jump to the side to avoid a kunai to the eye.

"You think that's enough to beat me? You're dead wrong, I'm only getting started." she grinned as he avoided kunai after kunai.

She pulled out four Shuriken from her ninja-tool pouch and threw them at him at different intervals not aiming anywhere in particular, only his general location. She then flipped through hand seals, much slower than Sai. "Lightning release: Arc Lightening."

Blue lightning began to arc between the four Shuriken that surround Sai at random direction and intervals. He jumped to the side trying to get out of the Jutsu range, but he was zapped by the Shuriken to his right, it hit his arm, and it fell limply at his side "Ahurg!" luckily it wasn't his sword hand or he would really be in trouble.

He dashed to the side, his limp arm swinging to and fro as he ran, Mito's shadow clones peppering him with kunai and Shuriken, not giving him any room to regroup. "Just give up Sai! All you can do is run around like a fake-smiling idiot."

Sai gave her blank look before closing his eyes and giving her another one his faux-smiles. 'I'm starting to get feeling back into my arm, once I can form seal I'll end it.'

"I'll wipe that smile off your face if its the last thing I do!"screamed Mito, her clones charged at Sai, he dodged and weaved in-between the clones, dragging his tanto across a few of the clones' unprotected side. He knew which was the real Mito, he had been keeping track of her the whole time.

Suddenly he heard one of the shadow clones shout. "Lightning release :Thunderbolt." he jumped to the side purely on instinct, only just avoiding a flash of blue lightning that would have impacted with his back.

Keeping a wary eye on the clones Sai went through hand seals so fast that none of the Mito's could do anything about it. "Genjutsu: descending hell technique."

Suddenly the Mito original began to feel the the atmosphere heating up, she only had five clones left, she would have to make a few more to keep Sai on his toes. It was getting warmer still, she took a glance into the sky to see where the sun was, and that's when she noticed a great ball of fire descending from the sky.

Sai took advantage of her surprise and pulled out a scroll, a brush and ink from his bag. He unrolled the scroll and drew five wavy lines onto the scroll and made a hand seal. "Ninpou: Choju Giga(Ninja Art: Super Beast Imitating Drawing)" five snake-like constructs slithered off of the page, as Sai dodged a punch from one of the clones. "What the hell did you do to the boss! She's going crazy."

Sai ignored her and stabbed her with his tanto. When he rose all the clones were bound by the ink snakes and Sai made quick work of destroying the clones.

"Ahhhh! It burns! It burns!"screamed Mito in agony as the ball of flames crashed into her and burned her no matter where she rolled she couldn't escape the flames.

Sai took pity on her and ordered his snakes to wrap around her, once she was suitably bound he cancelled the illusion. "W-What?! I was burning and it-"

"It was a Genjutsu. Anyway I have bound you and so you lose." said Sai tonelessly. "Will you give up? Or should I knock you out?"

"Dammit! I hate Genjutsu! It's the bane of my existence." she screamed trying to throw a temper tantrum, but only managing to wiggle about like a worm. "Fine! You win, I give up."

Sai faux-smiled, and made a hand seal, the ink snakes burst into splashes of ink and Mito was released from her bonds. "Winner! Sai!"

"Finally I'm out of the icky snake things! What were they made of? Ink?" she shuddered.

"Yes, yes they were."answered Sai truthfully.

She looked positively green,

"I'll give Mito-san a chance to recover from the previous fight before she and Naruto-san fight." said Raido.

Naruto nodded, he already knew how to beat her as quickly and cleanly as possible. If it was not quick and clean, she would become too troublesome to deal with, that and her tendency to attack from long range. The clones are probably not that durable. That his why they attack from a distance, it would conserve chakra - that Jutsu no doubt takes a lot on its own - and keep the opponent distracted enough for her to launch the lightning based Jutsu. She is quite impressive, her only problem is she takes too long to enact her plans, she is way to emotionally charged and she gloats way too much.

(training ground 8 - team 8)

The three clan heirs trudged through the forest, Kiba taking point. "She is this way, I can smell it."

"Are you certain Kiba-san? I do not see any tracks to support this statement." said Shino.

"Are you saying my nose is faulty?" he growled, becoming feral.

"Ano Ki-Kiba-san, I think Shino-san only w-worries be-because she is a jo-jonin, and s-she would know a-about your c-clan abilities."said Hinata trying to diffuse the situation.

"Well he isn't wrong."Kiba grudgingly admitted. "Even Shunshin leaves tracks, my mom and uncle said so."

"Tell me Kiba-san what do you smell? And can you tell me where it ends."said Shino.

"I think its Kurenai-sensei. . .but the thing is it doesn't end, it just keeps going and going almost like it has no end." said Kiba thoughtfully.

"Hinata-san can you activate your Byakugan? Why? Because I fear that Kiba-san is under a Genjutsu."said Shino.

Kiba gained a tick mark.

"Byakugan." she made a hand seal, and veins bulged around her eyes, and they became much more focussed.

"Kiba-kun is surrounded b-by foreign ch-chakra."said Hinata. "Should I-I-I release him from the Genjutsu?"

"Yes, you seem reluctant to keep your Byakugan active for long periods of time, we will need his nose. Why? I failed to tag Kurenai-sensei with a female Kikaichu beetle." said Shino.

She made a ram hand seal, then touched Kiba's shoulder. "Genjutsu: Kai!" she pulsed her chakra into him, releasing his Genjutsu. She did the same to Akamaru and they were off.

They turned around following the true scent this time around. "Hinata it would be prudent for you to periodically check for Genjutsu. You and Kiba are the only two that are likely to be targeted, however if you activate your Byakugan you will notice it straight away." said Shino,

"Why wouldn't she use them on you?"asked Kiba.

"She could, but the Kikaichu that reside within in me would pick up a disturbance in my chakra, and my beetles cannot be placed under Genjutsu. Why? Because they lack the required components for a Genjutsu to take hold." said Shino.

"Sheesh do you always have to nit-pick?"asked Kiba.

Shino ignored him. "How far is she?"

"Not too far, maybe two kilometres out." said Kiba.

"Hinata check Kiba for Genjutsu, I'll also send my Kikaichu ahead to scout out the area." said Shino.

"Byakugan!" she yelled. "H-He is c-clear."

They continued their journey for another two kilometres, before Shino smelled something foul. He turned his attention to Kiba, who had fell to his knees, his eyes watering and he seemed to be gagging. "I-It st-stinks"

Akamaru whined in agreement, while he pawed at his nose.

"A stink pellet of some type? It is not an illusion or my Kikaichu would of noticed the disturbance in my chakra.. That means she must of been near us!" his eyes widened, though they couldn't be seen. "Hinata-san, use your Byakugan to scan our surroundings, she must be close."

"H-hai Byakugan!" she scanned their surroundings, she noticed a flicker of motion to her right, a human figure with the same figure as their sensei disappeared in a blur of motion.

"Sh-She di-disappeared that way." said Hinata pointing to the east. 'I never knew that Kurenai-san was this strong.'

"Okay good, we will pursue her. Help me pick up Kiba, we need to get him away from this stench." Hinata nodded in understanding as she picked up Akamaru and placed him inside her jacket. She swung his one arm around her neck, while Shino did the same with his other arm and they took off running.

They ran a kilometre with Kiba, when he was finally able to breath freely. "Oh sweet air!"

Kiba then turned his attention to Kurenai who was standing stoically in front of them.

"We found you!" he shouted as he charged her. He was tackled out of the way by Shino just before he reached her. A good thing too, because there was now a group of Shuriken taking up the space that he had previously occupied.

"Another Genjutsu!?" screamed Kiba, unknowingly echoing the sentiments of a former classmate. "I hate them!"

"Kiba-san you must try to relax and not act so harshly. She may escape us again." said Shino.

"Yeah I guess you're right. Check me for Genjutsu I have a scent." said Kiba.

"Hinata-san."

"O-on it! Byakugan!" she scanned him. "No Genjutsu."

"Where is she?"asked Shino.

"Near the place that we met."said Kiba, following her scent.

"I'll send my Kikaichu ahead, to make sure." said Shino. They traversed the forest using their agility to avoid tricky roots and stones in the ground. When they finally found her, she was leisurely leaning against a tree.

Hinata couldn't believe her eyes, so she activated her Byakugan to make sure that she was the real article and not an illusion. "There isn't any need for that Hinata-chan, you all have thoroughly impressed me. So you all pass."

"Why sensei? You could of just kept running." said Kiba.

"Because you accomplished the true objective of this test. Which was teamwork, I deliberately set up a trap for Kiba to stall you from tracking me with his nose after you discovered my Genjutsu and so that you three would be in the position where you had to choose to leave an injured teammate behind to accomplish the mission, or take the teammate with you - even though they are a hindrance - and possibly fail the mission. You chose to take Kiba with you, and thus you passed."

"Whew that's a load off my back."Kiba sagged in relief.

"Now I must ask you to not speak of this test for at the very least a week to any of your friends in your graduating class. If they find out that teamwork is the secret objective they will not grow as shinobi." said Kurenai sternly. "Am I clear?"

"Hai sensei." they shuddered in fear - except for Shino he remained as stoic as ever.

"Good, now lets go out for lunch to celebrate passing. Any suggestions?" asked Kurenai.

"Ano, Ku-Kurenai-sensei could we g-go t-to Yamamoto's sweets, sugar and coffee?"asked Hinata.

"Any objections?" asked Kurenai, her tone implied that even if they had objections they should keep them to themselves.

"N-no Kurenai-sensei." said Kiba fearfully.

She turned to Shino who gave her a stoic look, though she couldn't tell. "I'll come if you wish me to, however I will not be eating there, unless they have a salad or a un-sweet fruit dish."

She nodded. "Acceptable."

"Y-You d-don't have to come on my a-account Shino-san." said Hinata nervously.

"Don't worry Hinata-san we are teammates now, that means that we make sacrifices for one another." said Shino.

"Yeah! So next time you all better sacrifice and get me some big juicy steak."exclaimed Kiba, grinning widely at Hinata.

"T-Thank you Kiba-kun, Shino-kun." smiled Hinata shyly.

"There is no need for gratitude, we are your teammates. This is our duty." said Shino.

"What he said."Kiba shrugged. "Although you could thank Akamaru by getting him some delicious dog treats."

"Woof!" squeaked Akamaru.

"I told you! I cant get you chocolate its poisonous for you."said Kiba in return to his dog.

"Woof! Woof!"

"Okay fine, I'll get you some sweets, but only a little." said Kiba after his dog let loose another round of barks.

Shino could be seen moving his shoulder up and down ever so slightly. Anyone who knew him or any Aburame would be able to tell that he was chuckling at the ninken and his ninja partner.

(Training ground six - team six - Naruto vs Mito)

Naruto stood across from Mito, waiting for Raido to give them the go ahead for the battle to commence. He tensed his leg muscles, his arms tensed at his side, anticipating a swift attack.

'If I fight her 'fairly' this will be a long fight. I need to hit her where it hurts, and strike hard and fast.' Naruto strategized.

'I'll just use more clones, and have my clones use more lightning Jutsu on him.' were Mito's thoughts.

"Begin!"shouted Raido.

Naruto brought his hands together and blitzed through hand seals, only two required.

Mito brought her hands into a familiar cross hand seal.

"Genjutsu: Sea of Leaves." said Naruto, before Mito could complete her Jutsu. Mito was shocked to see a whirlwind of leaves encircling her, and obscuring her view of Naruto, or anything else for that matter. All she saw was green, and more green.

Naruto took advantage of her surprise, and weakness to Genjutsu. He sprinted towards her pulling out a kunai from his holster. As he got nearer he could feel that his chakra was still deeply rooted in her cerebral nervous system, her chakra was wild, chaotic and vast, but that didn't matter. All the chakra in world couldn't stop a Genjutsu, even a simple one.

Naruto rammed the metal ring of the kunai into Mito's temple, simultaneously dispelling the illusion and knocking her out.

"She is strong, but she has one major weakness." said Naruto simply.

"Winner! Naruto!"exclaimed Raido unnecessarily. "And yes, this something that she will have to work on, her weakness to Genjutsu will be a weak-link to the team if you all pass."

"So, are we going to get to the next fight? I didn't expend much energy in the last fight." said Naruto.

"Yes, let me just heal Mito and wake her up." said Raido.

Raido knelt down and placed his palms over Mito's temple, he went through hand seals and his hands flickered with blue chakra for a moment before it morphed into green. He held it over her temple for a few seconds before that chakra faded. "Fortunately she is a fast healer, and it didn't take much on my part to heal her."

Raido then placed his index and middle fingers against her temple and they glowed green for a moment, and Mito's eyes suddenly flickered open.

"What! What happened!?" shouted Mito, as she shot up from the ground, already regretting the action as she clutched her head and grimaced. "Oww! All I saw was green leaves, then pain and then nothing."

"Naruto placed you under a Genjutsu as the fight started, and then he knocked you out with the rear-end of his kunai." said Raido. "I healed you somewhat and then I woke you up."

"I hate Genjutsu! I'll get you back for that. I wont be weak to Genjutsu forever!" she exclaimed, ignoring the throbbing in her head.

"I certainly hope not."said Naruto.

She stuck at her tongue at him and then Raido said. "Naruto and Sai will be fighting now, I woke you up so that you could watch."

"Thanks sensei! You're the best! Now I get to watch these Genjutsu-using-pansies beat each other up. Its almost as good some nice barbecued meat!"exclaimed Mito in excitement.

After Mito and Raido cleared away from the field, Sai took his place across Naruto. They eyed each other warily, knowing full well that they had no weaknesses that they could exploit from the get go. Sai knew of no weaknesses that he could exploit from the get go, since he had seen none of Naruto's abilities.

"Begin!"

Naruto and Sai warily eyed each other as they circled the training field, Sai suddenly dashed forward, aiming a kick at Naruto's face, he barely got his arms up to block the kick.

Naruto ducked under a punch that was sent his way, but failed to see the rising knee that crashed into his jaw, from there Sai, littered his body with a body shot combo. A fist to the ribs, another to the kidney and finished it off with a swift kick to the stomach that sent him tumbling backwards.

He rolled out the impact of the kick a little longer than necessary, before he sprung up letting loose a hail of kunai, dead centre on Sai's position. Only for him to burst into a great spray of ink.

Naruto looked around warily, when suddenly a figure obscured the sun, and their heel came crashing into his shoulder, it sent him barrelling backwards harshly into the thick trunk of a tree.

Naruto resisted the urge to grunt in pain. "Give up now Naruto-san, you cant beat me. You are too slow." said Sai in a tone that wasn't mocking, merely fact. "and you do not have the numbers to slow me down like grapes did."

"No." Naruto drew a kunai launching it at Sai who pulled his own kunai out to lazily swat it way. Naruto wasn't done there however, he blitzed through hand seals before clapping his hands together. "Wind Release: Gale Palm." and suddenly the speed of his kunai was boosted by the gust of wind that he emitted from his palms.

Naruto ran forward as Sai jumped back to avoid the attack. When he reached the white boy he lashed out with a straight punch, which Sai easily saw and blocked, only for his hand to phase right through the arm, suddenly another lashed out at Sai, this one from Naruto waist, in the form of an uppercut.

It caught unaware, forcing his jaw closed and sending a jarring spike of pain through his whole face. Naruto capitalised on that, and sent a snap-kick into Sai's ribs that the boy didn't even see coming, he grunted, and then Naruto went through hand seals. "Wind Release: Bladed Knuckles."

Naruto punched Sai once more, but this time the black haired youth had the sense to block it, except he belatedly noticed that there was a slight glow on the boys knuckles. When the fist impacted his arm, he suddenly felt a stinging sensation, and then he felt blood trickled down his arms.

"This isn't any wind Jutsu that I have ever heard of." said Sai.

"Nor would you have." said Naruto not giving him any respite, sending another punch his way, Sai dodged having learned his lesson. "I created it myself."

Naruto shot forward cocking his fist back, Sai dodged to the side, having already predicted the path the punch would take, unfortunately it was a fake-out, and Naruto lashed out with a spinning back-kick to the ribs. "Spinning leaf."

Sai grunted in pain from the blow to the ribs, then Naruto took opportunity that was presented to him and buried his wind encrusted knuckles into Sai's exposed midriff, giving him a thin cut across his pale stomach.

He hissed in pain from both the sting of the cut, and the force of the punch to his stomach. Naruto then launched another and another, until Sai was littered with small stinging cuts all over his upper-body. His clothes had a series of incisions wherever Naruto hit him, not even his face was saved from the onslaught of Naruto's punches.

By the time Sai had gathered his wits enough to avoid or block the blows Naruto had already dealt too much damage. "You should give up Sai."

"These pinpricks are nothing."said Sai, although his pained tone showed evidence to the contrary.

Naruto was sweating heavily, he cancelled the wind technique and drew his sword. 'It takes a lot of chakra to maintain that blade on my knuckles for so long. I've never had to control it for so long, and I ended up losing chakra.'

Sai drew his own blade, trying to ignore the stinging sensation that littered his entire body, they charged at each other, though Sai was noticeably slower than before, no doubt the small cuts that Naruto's Jutsu had inflicted throughout his body had taken their toll.

They clashed their blades together, parrying and striking. Sai had much more technique than Naruto's rudimentary swings and parries, but the constant stinging all over his body stopped him from taking advantage of that. Naruto cut across Sai's stomach, the sword in a one-handed grip, Sai easily parried the strike, but Naruto kicked him hard into the shin, causing hiss of pain to erupt from Sai's lips, but he never buckled. Much to Naruto's surprise. Sai used this as an opportunity to slice his blade across Naruto's unprotected stomach. Only Naruto's fishnet-wire undershirt stopped the cut from being fatal, still it was a cut nonetheless.

"Arrgh!" Naruto grunted as he brought his hand to his pained torso, blood running down from the cut and soaking his shirt.

This brought a smile to Sai's face. Not a true one, but as close as he was going to get to one. Not wasting his chance Sai, brought the blade across Naruto's arm and cut him across his shoulder and upper arm, Naruto hissed once more, and then Sai finished it by bringing the pommel of his sword into Naruto temple.

Or rather he thought he had, Naruto burst into a plume of smoke and a log took his place. "Damn you!" Naruto roared from behind him his sword a flame with chakra, though it seemed thin and sharp.

Sai turned around and blocked the blow with his sword only for it to be carved in two by both the force and cutting edge behind the chakra. Naruto's eyes then widened at what he almost did, if that had been Sai, he would be in fatal state, he brushed that thought aside, and slammed the pommel of his sword into Sai's jaw. Knocking him out, he brought another pommel smash to his head for good measure, as he breathed raggedly from the exertion that the brutal fight brought on.

For a moment Naruto almost wished that he had been the one that was knocked into unconscious. Then he wouldn't have to feel the pain of the cuts to his stomach and arm respectively.

"Winner! Naruto!" exclaimed Raido.

"Wow Naruto! Now I don't feel so bad for losing to you. You're awesome." said Mito in awe.

"Thanks." Naruto grunted. "Sensei can you heal me like you healed Mito?"

"I can give you a patch job, but after that you will have to get to the hospital so that they heal you properly, I have more skill in killing than in healing."said Raido. "You better go to the hospital, is that clear?"

"Hai sensei, just hurry up and heal Sai and I so that we can get to the hospital." said Naruto, in annoyance. Showing emotion only the second time that day.

Raido walked over to Naruto and asked him to sit, he placed his hands over his stomach and his hands glowed blue before flickering to green. He held his hands there for several seconds, the chakra was warm and comforting, the pain began to dull and the bleed stopped, he did the same to his shoulder before the chakra flickered away. "I stopped the bleeding and dulled the pain, thankfully you seem to be a fast healer. Must it will open up eventually, so you better get to the hospital, Mito and I will take you there to make sure neither of you get lost."

"I know the way sensei." said Naruto stubbornly.

"I know you do."

Naruto grumbled. "Whatever."

"Oh brighten up Naruto, it only the hospital." said Mito cheerfully.

"People die in hospitals, it is not a place that people brighten up in, its a place where they dull down and die." said Naruto, brushing off her cheerfulness with cold hard truth.

(Training ground 10 - Team 10)

Ino threw a trio of kunai at Asuma, he swiftly dodged them, but before she could go any further she simply stopped in her tracks. Upon further inspection, a long dark shadow was connected to her shadow, a long dark shadow that lead to Shikamaru Nara.

"Shikamaru what the hell!" exclaimed Ino.

"First, stop being so troublesome, if the first one to capture Asuma-sensei gets an apprenticeship, do your really think that we would sit idly by while you get it? And second all masters have to have already taken a full genin team before they can take any students as their apprentice. This is Konoha and we use the standard team of genin. Namely three genin and one jonin. The test is a farce, he wants us to work as a team before he passes us. If one of us fail, we all fail, or have you forgotten that we are the next generation of the Ino-Shika-Cho."

"Now that you mentioned it, that does make much more sense." said Ino bashfully.

"Just because you know the objective, doesn't mean you pass." said Asuma, as he jumped forward, Shikamaru jumped to the side and forwards, Ino doing the same. He released his hold on her, and instead sent his shadow to Asuma's shadow. Completely restricting the man.

"You are trapped Asuma-sensei, we used teamwork, so do we pass?"asked Shikamaru.

"Maybe if this was the real me, but unfortunately I am but a humble clone." said Asuma before dispersing into a cloud of smoke.

"Dammit! We almost had him!" grumbled Ino.

"Don't be so sure Ino-chan." Asuma's voice echoing all around them. "Who is to say whether or not I planned that exact outcome from the beginning? Who is to say indeed." the voice was coloured in amusement. "Now that was me being cool, if you do pass. . .I may pass on my coolness to you."

"I'll kill him!"screeched Ino.

Choji continued to eat his potato chips, it was a new combo, a chilli-chicken-tomato flavour. He wondered what the next flavour would be, but he brushed that thought aside as suddenly as he had it. He needed to focus now, on how to catch Asuma-sensei, he could use the Bunshin(clone), Henge(transformation), Kawarimi(substitution) and Bubun Baika no Jutsu(partial multi-size Jutsu. Shikamaru had his Kagemane no Jutsu(shadow imitation Jutsu) and Ino had her Shintenshin no Jutsu(mind transfer Jutsu).

"Shikamaru why don't we combine our Jutsu?" asked Choji. "The clan ones I mean."

"Well they do compliment each other, that's why are fathers are so famous,"said Shikamaru thoughtfully. "Okay, I'll distract him with my Kagemane(shadow imitation), Choji hit him hard where I herd him, then Ino will use the Shintenshin(mind transfer), and I will follow that up with Kagemane(shadow imitation), and then Ino can release her Jutsu."

"Okay lets go."

Ino, Choji and Shikamaru ventured off into the forest in search of Asuma Sarutobi. The forest around the training area was littered with great trees, and small trees, all of them had twisted roots that snaked through the forest grounds making any sort of journey through the forest, in the words of Shikamaru "Troublesome".

'He has been a Konoha ninja for years, this must be like a second home to him. He could create an ambush whenever he wanted to, I'll have to work fast.' they soon came upon a clearing Shikamaru studiously ignored, they kept to the edge of clearing until Shikamaru lobbed three smoke pellets into the forest. One to his left, the other in the clearing, and the last was some way in front of him. He grabbed Ino and Choji jumping left and the forward then right. He quickly took off into the smoke. "Shikamaru-" Ino started.

"Not now." he whispered harshly. He fingered his ninja-tool pouch, taking inventory of each of his tools, merely by the feel of them. He quickly got to work, sending Choji into the bushes. While he worked near a tree he spoke to Ino. "When he arrives, all I want you to do is throw Shuriken and kunai at him wherever he dodges. Don't answer me."

Shikamaru finished his work just as the smoke cleared, they were in the clearing that Shikamaru had been studiously ignoring. Across from them stood Asuma, a confident grin marring his face. "What ever you did, just know that it wont be enough, of that I'm certain."

"Don't be so sure." Shikamaru said coolly. "Kagemane" it came out as nothing but a whisper, Asuma heard it nonetheless. A shadow snaked out from Shikamaru's own, it was swift in its approach, but Asuma easily dodged to the side, and Ino threw a kunai where he dodged, the jonin caught it by the ring and returned it to the sender only for a shadow to come mere inches from his own, he avoided the shadow just in the nick of time, Shikamaru moved to the side with Ino to keep Asuma in his line of sight.

"That shadow of yours and her pathetic throwing skills aren't enough, and don't think that I don't know about that little ambush that you have planned with Choji." said Asuma.

"Just because you know about it, doesn't mean you can stop it." Shikamaru fired back, settling back into the rat seal and sending his shadow at Asuma, looping around, and striking from the side. Asuma quickly avoided the deceptively fast shadow. Although he didn't notice the shadow joining the shadows that the sun and trees cast, and then suddenly Shikamaru ran across the training ground while Ino peppered him with kunai and Shuriken.

"Just a little more." said Shikamaru as he sent his shadow snaking off after Asuma, he jumped back, Ino sent a trio of Shuriken at him, he deflected each and everyone of them with smooth ease demonstrating that he had earned the title of jonin. "Choji now!"

Asuma turned to the left, fully expecting the attack, except Choji jumped out from the bushes to the right his arm enlarged to massive proportions. "Bubun Baika no Jutsu(Partial multi-size Jutsu!) Rahh!"he jumped back to avoid it, Choji's fist crashed into the ground creating a small crater and kicking up a large amount of dust. Then the sound of metal blades cutting through the air could be heard.

"What! How did he even!"Asuma exclaimed, his voice riddled with shock.

When the dust cleared, Asuma was entangled in wire that was anchored in a tree by Shuriken and Kunai, others were anchored into the ground around him leaving him with nowhere to go. Not one too be caught unaware Shikamaru had moved closer to Asuma, his shadow connected to Asuma's.

"So, do we pass?" asked Shikamaru, he was breathing raggedly.

"You pass."said Asuma looking at Shikamaru in awe, there may of been teamwork involved but Asuma knew deep down it was Shikamaru's masterful planning that had given them the win.

Shikamaru let out a grateful sigh before he promptly went limp, his shadow retreating from Asuma's own and he hit the forest floor.

"Damn I wanted to know how in the blazes he did that!" Asuma sagged in dejection, though it wasn't noticeable in his current condition. "Could one of you cut me down?"

Ino placed a finger on her chin in a thoughtful pose. "No I don't think we will. we'll let you stay here a little longer, that'll teach you to treat your students with dignity."

Asuma eyed her dryly. "You do know that when I get free, I'll just torture you and call it training as is my right as your sensei. So will you cut me down?"

"Fine." she huffed. "but I wont forget about this."

"Nor do I expect you too." he replied while Choji and and Ino cut him free. "But we have to take Shikamaru to the hospital, he may be suffering from chakra exhaustion."

Little did they know that Shikamaru wouldn't be the only genin that would be admitted to the hospital that day.

(Next day - 8 a.m - Training ground seven - team seven)

Menma sat Boredly against one of the trees in training ground seven. Sasuke sat against another while Sakura shot him looks of longing. They had been here since five in the morning waiting for their sensei to show up for this survival training. Menma had failed to follow his sensei's advice on not eating breakfast, his mother stopped that at the head and said if he didn't eat breakfast he would be leaving the house. The choice was obvious.

Menma suddenly looked up, feeling a change in the atmosphere. There stood their sensei, only he and Sasuke had noticed his presence. Menma was getting anxious.

"Kakashi-sensei." said Menma in greeting. At one point he had been quite familiar with the man, but he disappeared off on missions for so long that Menma almost forgot what the man looked like. "You're late, we were supposed to meet here at five."

"Sorry about that, but my alarm broke, and when I finally woke up my water was turned off, so I went to the onsen, but on my way there a black cat crossed my path so I had to take the other way around." said Kakashi in a solemn tone.

"You're just a big liar!"screeched Sakura.

Kakashi eye smiled. "Anyway, your survival training for today is called the 'True Genin Exam' otherwise know as the bell test."

"What do you mean 'true genin exam'? We already passed our genin exam."said Sakura.

"Yeah Kakashi-sensei, don't tell me you were late to the genin squad meeting too?"asked Menma.

"No I was on time." said Kakashi. 'your father bloody teleported me to the meeting to make sure.' he grouched internally. "Now then, the genin exam only thins out the herd so to speak. So, it is up to jonin sensei to give their students tests of their choosing to decide whether prospective genin are ready to actually become genin."

"What's the test?" asked Sasuke, a grin marring his face. He loved a challenge.

"You have until noon to take these bells from my hip." said Kakashi gesturing to two silver bells joined by a red string that were dangling at his hip. "Whoever among you does not get the bell, will be sent back to the academy."

"You cant do that!" exclaimed Sakura. "and besides, there are only two bells and three of us."

Kakashi graced them with another eye-smile. "Exactly, when I set my alarm clock this test begins, and from then you will have until noon to retrieve a bell."

Kakashi pulled an alarm clock from his ninja-tool pouch, and began winding it up. "I thought your alarm clock was broken." said Menma.

Kakashi scratched his head sheepishly. "I-Uh bought this one on my way back from the onsen."

"Whatever, just start the test." said Sasuke.

"Tsk, tsk. . . Don't be so impatient Sasuke." Kakashi finished winding up his clock and put it on a rock that was nearby. "And begin!"

The three disappeared, taking cover in the forest that surrounded their training grounds. Menma went much further into the forest than his teammates, he knew that he would need time to think without his teammates and examiner distracting him.

(Sasuke)

Sasuke watched from his hiding place as Kakashi slid his hand in his ninja-tool pouch. He tensed. Kakashi pulled out a orange book and began reading. He wanted to sweat-drop, but Uchiha don't sweat drop so he held himself back.

He waited for what felt like hours and then turned his back to Sasuke and relaxed some more. 'His open.' Sasuke pulled out six kunai, three in each hand, he crossed his arms in front of him, lowered his head and fired.

Every single kunai hit their mark. 'Got him!' until Kakashi popped into smoke, revealing a log that was lodged with kunai. 'What?!'

"That wasn't nice Sasuke."said a voice behind Sasuke, before Sasuke could turn to face the voice he felt himself take a sharp kick to the back, it sent him flying out of the tree, fortunately he managed to roll when he hit the ground.

When he turned around Kakashi stood reading his orange book. "Don't take me lightly!"

Sasuke rushed at Kakashi, he jumped up sending a sharp kick to his face, which Kakashi swatted aside easily with his free hand. Sasuke made himself fall to the floor, and he balanced on his hands and swung his legs around to sweep Kakashi's legs.

Kakashi easily jumped over the attack, only for Sasuke to swing his legs around completely and use his arms to launch himself at Kakashi feet first, taking the man by surprise and moving him back a little.

Sasuke pulled out two kunai and launched them point blank at Kakashi, one was aimed at the man's groin area and the other was launched at his book. Kakashi jumped back, and pulled out a kunai from his holster to deflect the one that was aimed at his book.

"Sasuke that was unforgivable, not only did you try to take away my precious Icha-Icha, but you tried to take away all my pleasure! I'll give you no mercy." said Kakashi, his only visible eye narrowing.

Sasuke shuddered. 'What a weirdo!' then he had to dodge a kick to his face, however Kakashi didn't lash out again, he simply faded from view, almost as if he wasn't there to begin with.

Sasuke turned to his left, then his right, up , then down. He repeated the process once more, and he found him leaning against a tree, reading his thrice damned perverted book.

"Take me seriously dammit!" whispered Sasuke, forming hand seals. "Fire release: fire clone."there was a puff of smoke with a red-orange hue, and a replica of Sasuke stood beside him.

Without a moments hesitation Sasuke ran forward, keeping his eyes on Kakashi, as he neared Kakashi he blurred through hand seals as fast as he could, he landed on the last hand seal as he came within Kakashi's personal space. He was then obscured by a cloud of smoke.

"Ignite!"called a voice.

Suddenly the smoke cleared and Sasuke dispersed into a small burst of flames.

"That's so pedestrian." said a cool voice, it was Kakashi.

Sasuke's eyes widened. "At least try to kill me, or I'll just fail you right now."

Sasuke gnashed his teeth together. "Don't underestimate me!" Sasuke charged at Kakashi in a burst of speed that surprised the jonin, as he reached the jonin he slid to a stop kicking up dirt, then he cartwheeled to the side, his eyes flashing red, a tomoe in his left and two in his right.

Sasuke bent down as he came to a stop, withdrawing a collection of Shuriken and launching them at the jonin, his tomoe spinning around, as soon as he released the Shuriken he launched a salvo of kunai, right after he launched the Shuriken.

Kakashi avoided the Shuriken, then the kunai easily enough. 'His corralling me.'

Sasuke suddenly appeared from the side, sending a round house kick with the outside of his leg, Kakashi crossed his arms over his chest blocking the kick. Sasuke leaned on to the floor with his right hand and sprang back up pushing his foot against Kakashi. The silver haired ninja was sent back from the force, though he managed to get a grip on the the young Uchiha's leg.

'He has unlocked the Sharingan? Impressive.' Sasuke twisted his body around and punched Kakashi. He shifted his arm around catching the blow. Undeterred Sasuke twisted his body once more, bring his only free foot down on Kakashi's head, Sasuke's own head was mere inches a way from the bells at the Jonin's hips. They jingled tauntingly at him.

Sasuke growled, grasping at the bells at the Jonin's hips, as his hand neared the bells Kakashi pushed him away and leaned back. Sasuke somersaulted through the air, landing like a cat.

'He is good, much better than I expected.' thought Kakashi. 'He has even activated his Sharingan.'

"You have definitely impressed me." remarked Kakashi in a complimentary tone.

"Tch, as if I care." Sasuke blurred through hand seals.

"But that Jutsu? How does he even have the chakra for that!" exclaimed Kakashi. "Fire release: Grand fireball Jutsu."

Sasuke's chest swelled greatly, then he released a bout of great flames from his mouth, in the form of a fireball that exceeded twenty square metres. He didn't relent, scorching the earth black, ensuring that he gave Kakashi some sort of injury. 'there that ought to do it.'

When the flames finally died down, there was no sight of the jonin. "Where is he?"Sasuke scanned the field his Sharingan spinning wildly. "in front?" Sasuke scanned the area in front. "no." Sasuke then looked behind him and left and right. "Not to the side nor behind." Sasuke surveyed the air, and the trees his eyes flashing dangerously. "Not in the air either."

"You forgot the ground or rather underground." said a voice, just before Sasuke felt a tight grip around his ankle. "Doton: Shinjuu Zanshu no Jutsu." Sasuke was suddenly pulled underground by Kakashi, his head the only thing visible. Kakashi towered over the boy. "Shinobi fighting lesson number three, Ninjutsu."

"Water release: water trumpet Jutsu!" exclaimed a voice far off, and then suddenly Kakashi had to jump backwards to avoid a great torrent of water from impacting him.

(Menma - a few moments earlier)

Menma was broken from his musings by the sound of great explosion. When Menma turned turned to the direction of the noise he noticed smoke in the distance, so he moved moved to the direction of the smoke. He avoided a number of roots and branches that obstructed his path, but he got to the edge of clearing before too long.

he could make out two figures, the first figure was obviously Sasuke, and the other soon emerged from the ground as he pulled Sasuke underground, leaving only his head above ground.

Menma wasted no time with the opportunity that presented itself to him. He blurred through hand seals. "water release: water trumpet Jutsu." he released a great gush of water from his mouth, aiming for Kakashi, he angered it a little high so that it wouldn't hit Sasuke.

Menma knew that Kakashi would avoid the attack so right after the Jutsu ceased, he formed a cross-hand seal and said "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu." there was a plume of smoke, and three clones surrounded the Namikaze heir. He sent two clones around the clearing, and had one remain in the trees as he approached Sasuke.

'He is powerful no doubt, to defeat Sasuke like he did is no easy feat. Even for a jonin he avoided by attack so casually. I know how to defeat him though, I hope Sasuke is agreeable.' Menma thought as he made his way over to Sasuke.

"Before I dig you out, I have a few terms."said Menma.

"What?"asked Sasuke.

"We team up with Sakura to beat Kakashi." said Menma. "Don't give me that face, you know that we are the best genin in our age group. But I'm willing to bet so was Kakashi. He is just too strong. Plus I am the Hokage's son, if I didn't know how Konoha worked it would be a serious affront to both him and myself - I'm going to Hokage after all. Anyway Konoha genin squads are formed with three genin and a jonin-sensei. Most squads are formed with either four or three members. So either we all fail or we all pass, there is no middle ground." said Menma.

"Fine." said Sasuke after a while. "We'll team up, just don't get in my way."

"I should be telling you that." Menma smirked.

"Whatever just get me out of the ground."grouched Sasuke.

Menma dug out Sasuke to the waist then he pulled him out. "Lets go find Sakura."

"Kyaaa!"exclaimed a high pitched voice in the distance.

"Looks like we found her."said Menma.

"Hn."

(Sakura - a few moments earlier)

Sakura could of sworn that she saw smoke, and she knew that the only one awesome enough to make so much smoke was Sasuke. Because where there is smoke there is fire and he is and Uchiha what other element would he use?

Where could he be? He had to be nearby. Sakura continued on, until she noticed Kakashi, calmly reading his perverted book. She swiftly dived into a bush, and took a small peak. He continued reading as if nothing had happened. 'Thank Kami, he didn't notice me.'

"Sakura behind you." it was Kakashi's voice, yet that was impossible, he was just in front of her. When she turned around, all she saw was Kakashi leaning towards her with his ever-present eye-smile.

"Kyaa!" exclaimed Sakura.

Kakashi quickly went through hand seals. 'Demonic illusion: hell viewing technique.'

Sakura took notice of leaves that began to surround her, obscuring her view of her sensei, then it began to twirl around her like a vortex, she couldn't tell how long it swirled for, but when it finally stopped she forgot about all of that.

Kakashi was nowhere to be seen. "where did sensei go? What was the point of all those leaves?"

Then she heard it, it was faint at first but it steadily got louder. "Sa. . .kura."

'that voice.' she immediately brightened. "Sasuke-kun!"

Then she saw Sasuke come into view, he was stumbling around, his back hunched over, kunai and Shuriken littering his body and limbs, crimson blood trailing from each wound. "Sakura. . .help me."

'Sasuke.' Sakura became fearful, sweat dripping from her face, tears gathering in her eyes. "Ahhhhhh!" she screamed, and passed out from the shock. Foam forming on her lips.

(Menma - Sasuke)

"What the hell, why is she saying your name like that, and why is she looking there any way? Is she squint?"asked Menma.

"She's in a Genjutsu idiot."replied Sasuke.

"Oh-uh I knew that." said Menma nervously.

"Ahhhh!"screamed Sakura.

"Man, you gave her an orgasm by pure proximity."remarked Menma, as he waggled his eyebrows.

Sasuke looked away while blushing, he was both embarrassed by the comment and oddly proud. "Hmff how pathetic, to fall for a Genjutsu so easily."

And indeed she was a pathetic sight, foam running down the side of her lips, and dripping down her chin. "Yeah, she truly is a pathetic kunoichi. She's focussed on her academics and she even fell for a academic ninja art, one of the most academic there is, I almost want to fail if she is going to be on my team."

"What do you mean, I know she is weak but that's a bit much."remarked Sasuke.

"Its because she used the fact that she is academically inclined to free-ride through the academy, if there is one thing I hate, and that is lazy people. There is only one person in the whole class that I truly respect and admire, and that's Naruto." said Menma. "Do you remember his first fight?" asked Menma.

"Yeah Kiba made him look like a loser." smirked Sasuke.

"And now his Shurikenjutsu is as high as yours, and his Taijutsu is almost on par with our own. I haven't seen his Ninjutsu, but he passed on the high end of class. He went from pathetic to as good as us, children from two prominent clans, and me? I'm the son of the Hokage, he trains me, and Naruto - the clanless orphan - is catching up to us." said Menma, his tone coloured with reverence.

"Tch, he will always be a loser." said Sasuke in annoyance. "lets wake her up already."

Menma sighed, he may be arrogant and derisive to weak people, but he never feared anyone becoming stronger than himself, in fact he welcomed it, it would only mean that he would have to step up his game and become stronger, but Sasuke, he relished in his strength, he didn't like anyone being more powerful than himself, and he absolutely detested anyone who was once weak, becoming stronger than him.

They shook Sakura awake, it took some doing but she finally stirred. Her eyes flutter open, and then widened. "Sasuke-kun!" she flung her arms around his neck, when he tried to push her off, he discovered that she had a strong grip. So he did the logical thing. Kawarimi no Jutsu. Soon Menma took his place. 'Ah sweet victory.'

Menma on the other hand had other ideas. "Get off me!"

"Sasuke-kun please. ."she begged.

"I'm not your damn duck-butt boyfriend."said Menma angrily.

"Wh-What? Menma-baka? What did you say about Sasuke-kun? I'll kill you!" she released one hand from around his neck, Menma quickly went through hand seals. 'Two can play at that game!' he disappeared in a puff of smoke, when Sakura made contact.

There was a hiss of pain, but it wasn't Menma's, it was Sasuke's, who now sported a shiner over his eye. "Aww, no Sasuke-kun I didn't mean to."

Sasuke shrugged her off. "Whatever its not like it hurt."

"Menma-baka what did you do! You should of taken your punishment like a man!"she exclaimed.

"And who are you to give me punishment? Just because I hurt your precious Sasuke-kun's feelings? As if I would listen to a stalker like you."replied Menma.

"I'm not a stalker!"

"Then why do you follow him around, follow him home, follow him to the onsen." said Menma, Sasuke blanched as did Sakura. "Face it, you're a stalker."

"I'm not damn it!"she screamed. "I just admire him from afar."

"Yeah and Ero-Sennin likes the colour of the towels on the female side of the onsen" said Menma dryly.

"Are you all going to sit here arguing or are you going to at least try and get these bells?" said Kakashi, making a sudden appearance.

Suddenly Sakura made hand seals. "Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu!"

"What that's impossible!" exclaimed Kakashi as he hastily jumped back to avoid the massive orb of flames.

Except he seemingly didn't notice Menma releasing a great blast of water from his side, he managed to twist in the air at the last second, only just avoiding the blast of water. "That was close you two but -"

Kakashi suddenly felt something brush against his hip, when he looked down he saw a head of yellow with red streaks rush past him, a gentle jingle was heard while he moved, getting a little fainter, his hip was clear of any bells.

'Both of those Jutsu were feints, he used them to angle me in such a way that I wouldn't be able to avoid or stop it, I wouldn't even expect it. I mean who expects a genin to know any solid clone Jutsu?let alone the Kage Bunshin.'

"Looks like we pass sensei." said Menma cheekily.

Kakashi sighed, how could he let this happen? He was beaten by two genin, and how the hell did Sakura use that grand fireball Jutsu? "Actually I said whomever gets a bell passes, so you can give one of the bells to Sakura or Sasuke, or you can keep both. The choice is yours."

Menma stared at him unblinkingly. "I choose option three."

"Oh, and what is option three pray tell." said Kakashi, then his lone eye widened, Sakura was covered in a veil of smoke and Sasuke took her place. Not too long after that Sakura appeared walking sluggishly from the forest.

"Sa-Sasuke-kun you're alright!" exclaimed Sakura in relief.

"Huh? So Sasuke replaced himself with Sakura and used henge no Jutsu when she passed out, then Menma created a Kage Bunshin which transformed into Sasuke. Then you had that whole argument to distract me and get me to lower my guard." remarked Kakashi, sounding impressed.

"More or less."said Menma, 'we waited a little after she passed out, I wasn't going to admit to Kakashi that I didn't know that she was under a Genjutsu.'

"And now the bells, who gets one?" asked Kakashi.

Menma looked at Sasuke then Sakura. "Here Sakura catch."

She was started, yet she managed to catch the bell. His action certainly caught Kakashi by surprise, if the widening of his eye was any indication.

"Sasuke catch!"exclaimed Menma, throwing a bell to him, even Sasuke was caught by surprise with that action, obviously Sasuke wasn't part of this stage of plan. Then again Menma was likely improvising during this stage of the exam.

"So you're willing to fail and allow your teammates to pass?"asked Kakashi, deadly serious.

"Yes." said Menma then he thought, 'I know what the secret to this exam is.' "Though we both know that if I fail, so do they and even if I do fail and they pass, I'll just be transferred to a team who needs a replacement, the Konoha police force or the reserves."then Menma added, in a sarcastic tone. "But thanks for your concern."

"Then. . .my choice is clear." said Kakashi, in a serious, but solemn tone. "You pass." Kakashi added with an upturn of his eye.

Menma grinned, already predicting Kakashi's response. His two teammates on the other hand were surprised. "What?!"

"You guys are the first to pass this exam." said Kakashi,

"What?"asked Sakura.

"You three are the first team I have passed. All the others simply tried to work alone, failed to sea underneath the underneath and they took everything at face value, and above all failed to sacrifice themselves for their teammates." said Kakashi, oddly serious. "It is true that those that break the laws and the codes of the ninja world are trash, but you what? Those who do not take care of their comrades are worse than trash."

Sakura gave him a look of awe.

Sasuke grunted, yet there was a look, he seemed thoughtful.

Menma grinned. "That's a philosophy I can get behind. In fact I think it should be the philosophy of team seven."

"Yeah!"exclaimed Sakura. "Team seven will always take care of one another!"

Kakashi watched his team with pride before he came to a decision. "Come on team, I need to show you all something."

They followed Kakashi, appearing near the area where they started the test. "This is the memorial stone, all those who are considered heroes of this village their names are carved here. Though they're not normal heroes, no they gave their life for this village, for their comrades and in the name of duty. This is what you face as a shinobi of Konoha, to sacrifice yourself for your village, if you cannot do that, then you should just quit right now."

Menma only paused a moment. "For Konoha, for team seven, for my family and for the respect of the title Hokage, I'll give my life for Konoha - even if I have to protect the lazy, even if I have to protect the weak, because as a future Hokage if I cannot sacrifice, even for the sake of those that disgust me. . .I'll never be able to make my father proud."

"H-Hai for Konoha." said Sakura, shakily. 'for Sasuke-kun mom, dad. . .and even you Ino-bunta'

"Hn. . .I'll protect Konoha, I'll protect her with my life. I'll never let that happen again, I am an Uchiha and even if it means our end, I would never be able to wear my clans symbol with pride if I didn't serve Konoha until my last breath." said Sasuke, his eyes flashing red, his left eye shifting a little to the left and another black tomoe took form in his left eye.

Sakura gave him a look of pure adoration. 'Sasuke's so cool!'

Menma gave him a nod of appreciation.

Kakashi beamed. 'His conviction must be strong, if attaining a new tomoe is anything to go by. Then again emotions are very powerful, my own eye is evidence of that fact, since that day. . .'

"Well this calls for a celebration!"exclaimed Menma. "And ramen will be served!"

"Yeah, my treat."eye-smiled Kakashi.

"sweet free ramen that's even better!"exclaimed Menma.

"How can you be such a cheapskate when your father is the Hokage? its not like you're hurting for cash."asked Sasuke in annoyance.

"Because I'm not paying for it, duh!"said Menma. "Now lets get some sweet, sweet ramen!"

(Konoha hospital - Naruto)

"So what are you in for?"asked a voice, it was one Naruto recognised.

Naruto looked down at his arm, his shoulder and upper arms was wrapped in a bandage, and so was his stomach. 'A waste if you ask me.' he sighed internally. "Shikamaru? Is that you?"

"Yes, as troublesome as it is I have to rest in this place, this place really makes naps feel wrong. I'm here for chakra exhaustion, what about you?"

"My teammate cut my shoulder and my stomach."said Naruto. "Though its already healed - they used medical-Ninjutsu - all these bandages are such a waste."said Naruto.

"Great, then if you're alright do you want to play a game of Shoji?"asked Shikamaru.

Naruto sighed, then he relented. "Sure, its much more productive than waiting here for these medical-ninja and doctors to realise that I'm completely healed."

Naruto easily got up, showing indeed that he was completely alright. He pulled back Shikamaru's hospital curtain. Shikamaru shifted backwards against the headboard, albeit sluggishly. He crossed his legs. "My board and its pieces are in this scroll. Cant release the storage seal, if I do, I may have to stay here longer. So troublesome."

Naruto took the scroll from him.

"Hi I'm Sai, I have a concussion. Can I play too?"said a voice.

Naruto looked over at Sai, the pale boys patented fake-smile on display.

"Who?"asked Shikamaru, rather disturbed by the boys fake-smile. 'he has no emotion.'

"My teammate, ignore him."said Naruto as he unsealed the Shoji pieces. "He had a concussion, its been healed. Now lets play."

A/N - so this exceeds all my other chapters in length by quite a bit. The rest of my chapters may not be as long as this one, though if I get enough requests I may make my chapters longer. Though its up to my readers, if they prefer longer or average chapter length. I would like to thank all of those that followed and favourited this story. Truly the amount of follows I have truly moves me, now yes like most authors I would love more reviews, because the more reviews I get, the more readers I'm likely to get. However, follows. . .that's where the gold is for me. Why? Because that tells me that you want to read this story, it tells me that every time I update my story you all want to be notified so that you can read the newest chapter, and really what else could I ask for but an audience who wants to ready my work.

Reviews

Alpha scribe - I'm not confirming or denying the identity of the Anbu, and yes things are picking up, I hope that this series of fights was enough action. And the arcs, well we shall see.

Lord Kabuto-sama - well I needed to give Naruto a tutor, though the shinobi at large wouldn't have a very negative opinion of Naruto because their hero of the third war and their Hokage still lives, so there isn't much to blame on Naruto, besides those who blame him for the deaths caused by the Kyuubi, additionally Naruto doesn't prank so he doesn't have the 'delinquent' reputation.

Naruita 14 - thanks.

Lara5170 - so a bit of spoiler, all of your questions should be explained around the chunin exam and I don't see Minato as an ass, he is a practical man, yes sometimes he sees the needs of the many over the needs of the few, but he has good intentions.

Ezeakel - yes I needed to kill he rabbit, it was actually an idea that I had a while ago. My dog had come close to death. . .he survived but I thought about it and I thought. . .well they're ninja, they should have a humane way to prepare for their first kill, and then it hit me. Danzo, he may be ruthless but he isn't wrong. Ninja are not ethical, they kill plain and simple, I aim to make this story at least semi-realistic, so there will be deaths, though too many character deaths are unlikely. Not enough characters for that, this isn't game of thrones. If not for that I would of written a Uzushiogakure-centric story long ago, unfortunately it would have way too many ocs. All your other questions will be answered as the story progresses.

Phantomsoul2015 - I understand your concerns, however I'm fleshing out his character, so he still has room to grow.

AN: Sorry if this chapter took a while, but I've bee having internet problems.