Chapter 7: Congraduations

Hiruzen was looking at the results of the graduation exams. It's been over a week now since Mizuki and three ROOT members were caught as traitors. His meeting with Danzo the next day after the aforementioned mission yielded nothing concrete to tie Danzo with those specific three traitors, unfortunately.

Flashback:

Danzo walked into the Hokage's office. He wasn't scared, as he covered his tracks well. He knew this was simply a grill to try and break some information out of him. Like every time before, he will not succeed. As he stood before Hiruzen, who was busy with paperwork, time passed. 'A favorite tactic of Hiruzen,' Danzo scoffed, 'treat the person like a naughty child.' He waited out Hiruzen for a few more minutes until he had enough. He coughed to get his attention. Hiruzen sighed, put his pen down, and got up slowly. As soon as he stood straight and looked Danzo in the eye, he rushed in a shunshin, his hand wrapped around Danzo's throat quicker than Danzo could fully react, not expecting this level of anger and blood lust permeating from his old friend and political rival. The papers on Hiruzen's desk gave nary a flutter from his rapid movement.

"Give me one damned reason why I shouldn't snap your neck right now Danzo," Sarutobi spoke like frigid steel. "You purposefully worked with Orochimaru, attempted to give him access to the main forbidden scrolls from 6 of Konoha's clans, and," he tightened his grip, "attempted to capture Naruto for your fucking program." Sarutobi tossed his ex-friend at his feet, "so tell me why I shouldn't kill you right now."

Gasping for air from nearly being choked to death, Danzo glared up at the only man in his way, noticing the Hokage's hat sat upon the coat rack behind Hiruzen Sarutobi. "If you," he managed to wheeze out, "had enough proof, I'd be dead right now. Everything I do, I do for Konoha."

Hiruzen glared at the man, "three ROOT ninja, which shouldn't exist, were involved. Inoichi mind fucked them until we discovered they had orders to work with Orochimaru's man and capture Naruto when convenient. You claim I have no proof, but I have plenty." Hiruzen took out his pipe and lit it. "After all, ROOT agents still active is proof enough."

"I am no longer in charge of ROOT," Danzo stood up, "I am not responsible for the individual actions of some ex-ROOT." He returned the glare and scoffed, "if I was allowed to carry on protecting Konoha, this would have never happened."

Now it was Hiruzen's turn to scoff, "and I recall ordering a total cleanup of any and all ROOT assets. I never thought you of all people would get soft and keep his tools intact." Sarutobi sat back down. "When I ordered you to dismantle your little private army, I expected you to deal with it yourself. As your friend I gave my full confidence. I was clearly mistaken." Danzo simply stood glaring. "So you will have to pay out a fine of 15 million Ryo."

"This is outrageous! Such a fine would bankrupt most clans!" Danzo rebuked him.

"You were right, I can't simply punish you for this act. As much as I would love to kill you now, I will not besmirch sensei's good name by using the office of Hokage to overturn the system of justice he pioneered while in office. So without proof of your direct involvement, you are safe. However, using vague language in my orders to punish you post hoc? I can do this all day." Hiruzen smiled maliciously at Danzo. "Now get the fuck out of my office before I decide to make an exception."

Danzo stormed out of the Hokage's office. "This isn't over Hiruzen," he spat out, "The council will not let this slide!"

"The council doesn't have final say," Hiruzen stated as Danzo slammed his office door shut, "old friend." The tired old man went back to work, dueling the never ending stacks of paperwork that plague all bureaucracy.

Flashback End.

Hiruzen continued to properly sort the graduating children into teams. He got to Naruto's and read his score and report. 'Perfect scores all around. Rookie of the Year status indeed.' He laughed at the report and memory of the graduating prank Naruto committed. Painting the Hokage Monument with graffiti on the last day of the test, and remained uncaught until after the tests were over. He knew that was Naruto's way to get revenge for his fate. The hardest hit were the forth and fifth Hokages. He himself had a twirly mustache, a swirl under his left eye, three drawn eyelashes, and red paint made to look like blush. The Fourth's monument had buck teeth, glasses, and a penis on his forehead drawn on with paint. It was clear Naruto was lashing out, but considering everything he learned it could be worse.

One headache definitely was dealing with the council. Especially after his tirade against Danzo who headed the Council of Civilian Merchants. Pay for damages levied against Naruto was worth several times the amount necessary to perform maintenance on the monument. He fought hard and had to use his own funds to pay them off. Something that Danzo no doubt had something to do with. A tit for his tat. Still he came out on top because unlike his own funding, most of ROOT was paid out of Danzo's pocket due to his meticulous oversight on all village funding. While the council may be able to relegate village funds to investments, Hiruzen was to enforce the distribution and final say on where all the funds go. He can't plug all the leaks, especially when flooded with so much paperwork, but he is able to make Danzo's little paramilitary operations hurt hard with punitive fines on himself and plugging what holes he can find.

ROOT will be operating at reduced capacity for at least a year or so. That did bring a smile to his face.

The door to his office opened, the Jonin's started filing in to receive their fresh students to review and place either under their squad, back to the academy, or into the Regular forces. "Good afternoon," Hiruzen spoke up when everyone was inside. "Here are the listings for teams based on performance, grades, skillset, and requisitions." He passed each Jonin a paper containing their team composition. "Here is this year's graduation class. Some impressive showings this year. If any of you have any questions as to your team, please speak now."

"Lord Third, I thought my request for Hinata Hyuga was approved for my tracking team, why do I have Sakura instead?" Kurenai asked innocently enough even though she was a bit miffed at losing a Hyuga of such potential.

"Ms. Hyuga showed herself to be a formidable close quarters fighter. I felt that since you already had both a long range tracker and close quarters fighter in Kiba, you could use one who has a penchant for genjutsu like Ms. Haruno. She scored highest in intelligence." The Hokage puffed on his pipe as he explained his reasoning. Unable to dispute that logic, Kurenai rescinded her question. "If there are no further questions, we can call this meeting." The Jonins filed out as the meeting ended.

The Third Hokage sat and finished paperwork until Kakashi and Ibiki appeared before him. "Sorry I'm late, an old lady crossed my path and I had to help a black cat across the street," Kakashi said with an eye smile. "Wait, I said that wrong." He shrugged. Ibiki grunted in annoyance.

"No matter, Kakashi, I expected this." Hiruzen then looked up and handed him a list, "as promised you will receive and be able to train Naruto so long as you train Sasuke in his bloodline limit. You will also receive Hinata allowing you to create a strong assault and infiltration squad."

"Should they pass of course," Kakashi stated.

"Of course." The Hokage then pointed at Ibiki, "if they should pass your test, then Ibiki's information on Naruto's current skill level will be necessary. If they don't, then Naruto will end up back under Ibiki as an apprentice, while Hinata and Sasuke will go where you suggest."

"I'll have a full report on Naruto's skills and knowledge ready in two days. I am certain that Naruto will lead them to passing," Ibiki nodded and then was dismissed by Hiruzen.

"Kakashi, you must meet your team tomorrow at one in the afternoon." Kakashi nodded and was also dismissed by Hiruzen.

Naruto woke up, the day of team assignments, ready to go. He felt better after his biggest prank ever. He had to clean it afterwards, but he didn't mind. Not only was he top of the academy, beating some long standing records like the Fourth Hokage's lap record in the stamina running test and nearly beating Itachi's bukijutsu record, missing only the bullseye of the target behind a rock by inches. His wallet was fat from his A-rank mission pay, plus bonus for becoming Rookie of the Year. Ibiki sensei gave him the bonus pay himself, congratulating him for his skills and gave him a critique as well as some jutsu to practice. He also checked Naruto's chakra nature. He was a wind and water nature. The two jutsu he was given were C-ranks: Great Breakthrough and Water Bullet. A wind and water nature jutsu respectively.

Currently he hasn't had much time to practice any further than the hand signs somewhat. Naruto left his apartment after dressing with a cup of insta-ramen in his hands. He ignored the glares and looks of disdain as he rocked his hitai-ate and orange and red coat with gray-black pants and navy blue sandals. He traveled the village a bit, knowing he would be early, enjoying the chill morning air, feeling calm and happy for the moment. He was slowly coming to grips with the idea of the Fox inside of him. One thing was certain from the moment he found out about it; no way in hell was he letting it out.

Naruto finished his ramen as he walked into the classroom and threw his ramen cup away. He greeted Hinata and sat down, awaiting for teams to be called. This was the second time he went through this. He was able to graduate early and beat his true genin test. Ibiki whipped him into shape while Anko simply whipped him. He blushed at that thought. 'Oh no, I'm becoming masochistic.' He groaned and slammed his head face down on the desk with a thunk.

"Are you alright Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked worriedly, seeing his display.

"Yeah, just thinking about my life." Naruto mumbled into the desk. Hinata heard him and giggled.

"So I never did ask, since it was a sore subject, but what happens after graduation? I thought you became a Genin?" Hinata asked, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"There's a second and final test that determines whether you stay in the shinobi forces or get sent back. You'll find out soon enough. Every teacher has their own set of tests depending on what they focus on teaching wise."

"What did your sensei last year focus on in his test?" Hinata asked.

Naruto laid his head down on his desk while looking at her, "Ibiki sensei made us look for information on the team, including him."

Hinata noticed something, " wait… were you already a Genin throughout the year?"

Naruto stiffens visibly, "N-no, of course not. Why would I be here if I was?" He avoided eye contact as her eyes bored holes into him.

"Naruto…"

He started sweating until Iruka came in. "Oh look, it's Iruka, let's pay attention to him!"

"This isn't over Naruto," Hinata promised him with a small glare.

Naruto sighed as Iruka started announcing team composition. "Team 7: Hinata Hyuga, Sasuke Uchia, and Naruto Uzumaki. Your team sensei is Kakashi Hatake. Team 8: Shino Aburame, Sakura Haruno, and Kiba Inuzuka. Your team sensei is Kurenai Yuhi…" He continued on like that until the last team was called. When he was finished giving out instructions for the fresh Genins to meet their senseis after lunch here, he then spoke to them, pride filling his voice, "you are all new Genins, fresh and ready to prove themselves and to protect our home from enemies both foreign and domestic. I am proud of all of you for your outstanding performance. May you all work hard, and live long." The bell rang soon after, dismissing the class for lunch.

Naruto tried to run, but Hinata was hot on his tail. Sasuke merely got up and left last, Naruto and Hinata popping their heads in as he was about to reach for the door, "Hey, Sasuke, want to get lunch together with us? Since we're a team and all now. I kinda forgot to ask. Hehehe." He laughed awkwardly.

Sasuke grunted his agreement, and followed his two teammates out of the academy and to Ichiraku Ramen Stand. He cringed at the place, not really liking the deep umami and carby taste of ramen noodles and preferring the fresh sweetness of fresh tomatoes. Oh well. "So Naruto," Hinata spoke with her mother voice, "care to properly answer my question?" Naruto was sweating, and Sasuke can see all this. While he didn't care, he was curious. Very curious. He would never admit to being so curious. "Well?" their battle of wills continues and Naruto is sweating profusely.

"Hey there, brat," a voice called to him from behind. Anko walked into the stand, brushing aside the separating fabric that blocks the inside of the stand from view of the street.

"Hey Anko sensei." Naruto was thankful for the distraction. "What are you doing here?"

Hinata interrupted, "Naruto just admit you were a Genin already while in this last year of the academy!"

Anko raised an eyebrow at that, "Not even five seconds out of the academy and already failed to keep your identity up?" Anko smirked at that, knowing him being a ninja already was in the register and can be viewed by any one Genin rank and above. Well for those of the same rank can view their comrades registration their rank and below. Still, any chance to fuck with her favorite blonde brat must be taken, "I thought we trained you better than that. Tsk."

Sasuke spoke up. "Wait, you've been a ninja this entire time? Why were you in the academy?"

Anko spoke up before Naruto did, "sorry but that's above your pay grade. It was a mission, suffice it to say." Hinata nodded in understanding. "Anyways, brat, I heard you got top marks. As expected thanks to yours truly," Anko had a smug expression with a stick for dango in her mouth, "I'm proud of ya, brat." She ruffled his golden locks. Naruto grumbled in response even while smiling into his ramen.

She left them to their lunch where they ate and he told Hinata about what happened over summer after he graduated last year until it was time to head back to the classroom to meet their sensei.

It was five hours later. They've been waiting for their sensei for five hours. "It's been four fucking hours," Hinata chastised him for his language, "since the last team got picked up by their sensei. Why is he so late!" Naruto was very vocal as he was setting up a small prank to catch their sensei.

Hinata sighed in exasperation, "Naruto, such a simple trap won't prank a Jonin. He'd see it a mile away." Sasuke raised his head from his arms on the desk and grunted in agreement after seeing it.

"Like always, you're right Hinata." Hinata blushed lightly at that, "but the eraser is a distraction." He ran a wire, with a hair trigger right under where the eraser would fall, to the side wall with a bent board with shaving cream on it held in place to whack him at stomach level. "This is the bread and butter." He quickly sat down, hands folded in front of him, looking innocently at the door, waiting. Everyone sat comfortably in silence waiting for their sensei. In minutes, Kakashi, having seen the eraser, bent low and stuck his head through the door. The eraser dropped and missed his head as it was closer to the wall of the opening.

As it came down he started speaking, "Nice try, bu-" WHACK! Kakashi received a large board of foam into his face, cutting him off and knocking him on his ass. Naruto was cracking up while Hinata and Sasuke looked absolutely stunned. "My first impression of you all is that you're annoying." Naruto laughed harder while Hinata started fiddling with her fingers in worry. Sasuke simply raised an eyebrow.

"Double layer trap, difficult for anyone to see!" Naruto stated between breaths. Kakashi was covered in shaving cream foam.

"N-naruto! That could have seriously hurt him." Hinata was absolutely horrified at what her friend did.

He just waved her off, "he's a Jonin. If that hurt him, then he's one weak ass Jonin."

"Naruto is right, it didn't hurt anything except my pride." Kakashi got up and dusted himself off. He had already cleaned the cream from his face while they were arguing about whether or not he was ok. "Chakra is flowing through us as naturally as we breathe, so that means our bodies are naturally more difficult to injure. Now little ones, meet me on the roof!" Kakashi ended his command with a shunshin. Naruto walked with his team to the roof, meeting him up there. "Good! Now let's all take a seat, and go around the horn and tell a little about ourselves."

Naruto didn't wait, and took initiative, introducing himself first, "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, I love ramen, my friend and mentors, and acting. I dislike secrets, traitors, and those who blame others for something they can't control. I dream to be the greatest. Either as a Hokage or Spy Master. I haven't fully decided."

Hinata went next, following Naruto's example. To keep from stuttering, she took a calming breath before she stood and started speaking, "I'm Hinata Hyuga. I love flower pressing, cooking, cinnamon buns, training with my friends, and making people who look down on me eat crow. I dislike people looking down on me, my clan's structure, my tendency to self loathe, and hurting those close to me. I dream one day to unite my clan as one big happy family and marry and have lots of kids who I can love." She finished with a respectful bow and sat back down.

Sasuke sat there for a second, hands folded in his face, trying to look menacing, but failing. "My name, is Sasuke Uchiha. I like few things, and I hate many things. I do not have a dream, but an ambition. To kill the man who slaughtered my family." That brought the mood down immediately.

Naruto tried to bring the mood back up by asking, "So sensei, it's your turn to tell us about yourself."

"Of course!" Kakashi eye smiled, "hmm, let's see. I am Kakashi Hatake, a Jonin sensei. I have many likes and dislikes. My dreams… I don't feel like sharing."

Everyone sweatdropped, even Sasuke, at their sensei's lack of information. Naruto couldn't stand it. "How is it you gave less information than the Uchiha?"

Kakashi just closed his singular visible eye, smiling behind his mask. Naruto face-faulted at his non response. "Sensei, what is our final Genin test?" Hinata asked before Naruto could go on a tirade.

Kakashi raised his eyebrow, "Oh I see some little Genins like to gossip. That takes the fun from seeing your cute little faces contort into fear. Yes, your test will be a survival test and take place at 5 am in the morning at training ground 3. I wouldn't eat breakfast if I were you. You'll throw up. See ya!" Kakashi left in a shunshin. Naruto noticed the direction he left in as he stood up and turned towards his new team.

"Okay then! We need to scout for more information. Ibiki sensei always said," he wrapped his jacket around his head and scowled, trying to poorly imitate Ibiki Morino, "'Information is the most vital tool for a shinobi. Without it he is lost.' So I suggest we split up. Hinata," Hinata gave her full attention, "head that way," he pointed towards the direction he believes Kakashi went, "and see if you can track sensei. Note down anything that seems of interest. Especially if he trains. Knowing what he does and how he fights might help us understand the test's purpose." Hinata nodded as Naruto turned to face Sasuke, "Sasuke-"

"Who made you squad leader?" He interrupted Naruto before he could speak further.

"Naruto is our senpai. Furthermore he was trained by someone who specializes in gathering info." Hinata spoke on Naruto's behalf before he could. "So…" she started to lose confidence, "I-I think we should l-listen to… him." She blushed in embarrassment as both Sasuke and Naruto stared at her with astonishment.

"Umm… what she said." Sasuke merely grunted in response but stayed silent. "Anyways, Sasuke I need you to go to training ground 3 and map out the area. Look for ideal trap positions. I'm gonna get supplies. We meet at training ground 3 in about 4 hours at 9 p.m."

"Umm, Naruto, I have to be home b-by nine. Father insists that I don't stay out longer than necessary." Hinata informed him of her father's rules.

"Just tell your father it's for a mission. He can't deny the necessity of shinobi work right?" He asked hopefully. "Besides we need the time together to spend working on a plan. So we will camp out on the training ground to prepare for the test tomorrow." Sasuke merely shrugged, while Hinata did look a little worried but still nodded her acceptance. "Now break!" The three of them split off, with Naruto using shunshin and Hinata and Sasuke using the stairs.