35 Chapter 1: A New Beginning 1/2

Welcome to Part 2 my lovely readers! Team 11 and company are back and stronger than ever! Will the small, but unknown changes Kenta has made to the world be enough to save everyone he loves? Or will it push the world deeper towards the brink of destruction. We're going to find out!

As always, I love each and every one of you. Your support has made everything worth it. I hope to deliver an exciting part 2 and conclusion to Kenta's journey to you over the coming weeks.

Voting is open for "Kenta's Man Crush List!" You can vote for up to 5! Top 5 will be added to his board, no more! If you have one in mind that isn't on my list, PM me and I'll add it :D

Let's get right into it! Simple, boring, catch-up chapter. We're jumping right into the action though next time :D

Jaguar looked out across the village from his vantage point at the peak of The Hokage Monuments. He stretched his senses, making sure that not a single individual slipped through the cracks. He finished his sweep and sat back on his haunches, waiting for his team to report. He didn't have to wait long, Bull appeared to his left, already kneeling in salute as he made his report.

"Cpt Jaguar, we have completed our patrol of the Eastern Forest, nothing out of the ordinary to report, sir." He reported stiffly. Jaguar sighed, Bull and Panda both were always so formal around him, he just couldn't understand it. He was very lenient and laid back compared to most ANBU Captains.

"Good work, Bull. Anything else to report?" Jaguar asked.

"Parrot caught up to me about 30 minutes ago. He said that Lord Fifth requested our team report once our patrol was finished." Bull said.

Jaguar nodded. "Go let Panda and Cobra know. I will meet you all there in five. Do not be late."

Bull saluted once more and disappeared as quickly as he arrived.

Jaguar sighed once more and stretch his senses to the max, looking for any sign of what he'd been searching for the last six months. His shoulders slumped slightly at getting nothing back. He stood and took a deep breath.

'Well, don't want to keep Lord Fifth waiting. I'll meet my team at the administration building, I guess.' Jaguar thought to himself. Hopefully it was a mission. Lord Fifth had had them on standby for the last week. Jaguar wasn't going to get his hopes up for what he was praying it was for. It could be awaiting intel for this potential mission. Everyone knew that Team Zetta was the best of the best when it came to hunting down dangerous targets. This one would be no different.

With barely a twitch of his muscles, Jaguar was gone from his previous position. The only indication he was even there was slight gust of wind he created leaving his post. To anyone that had been watching, Jaguar just performed a picture perfect 'Body-Flicker.' Those would people be wrong, Jaguar was just that fast.

**************************************KY*********************************************

Jaguar knelt before Itachi Uchiha, Fifth Hokage of Konahagakure. Down the line, one of his members twitched and Jaguar frowned heavily behind his mask. The apprehension in the room spiked. Everyone knew you did not do anything to embarrass Cpt Jaguar unless you were ready for the consequences.

Lord Fifth laughed to himself, seeing the tight ship Jaguar ran. It was similar to his own days in ANBU when he was Captain of Team Ro. Itachi would have been worried for the man, but he knew that the person behind the Jaguar mask was the complete opposite of who he was as an ANBU when the mask came off.

Captain Jaguar was serious, meticulous, and accepted nothing but the best from himself and his team. It was one of the reasons Team Zetta's reputation had risen so quickly in such a short amount of time. A Captain of just a little over two years, Jaguar had led his team to a perfect mission record with zero casualties and limited injuries.

The man under that mask was… none of those things. There was no way to describe Jaguar when his mask was off, so Itachi didn't even try. He was simply happy having such a competent commander under his command, regardless of who he was off duty. Which was why the reason for summoning Team Zetta was going to be that much more of a blow after the news was delivered he had called them in for.

"Rise, Team Zetta, and be at ease." Itachi commanded. Team Zetta snapped to attention, the apprehension turning to sheer panic when Jaguar noticed that Panda was a half a second behind the other members. That man didn't miss a damn thing. Itachi reached for a folder and opened it to the page he had marked previously.

"Team Zetta, under the command of ANBU Cpt Jaguar. 78 B-Rank missions, 138 A-Rank missions, 44 S-Rank missions. Every mission completed to exact mission specifications. The only team with a perfect mission record." Itachi mused out loud. His eyes met Cpt Jaguar's who stiffened under his gaze. Itachi internally smirked. At least he still had it. "Team Zetta. I first want to say congratulations on your team's success. You have let the way, with you actions and not empty words, to push the rest of ANBU to soar to new heights."

Team Zetta gave no outward reaction to the praise their supreme commander had given them, but the mood in the room lightened a bit. Not too much though, Jaguar did not let his subordinates off when they embarrassed him in front of The Hokage.

"With that being said, it is with a heavy heart that I announce that effective immediately, Team Zetta is disbanded until further notice." Lord Fifth's hard voice announced to all those in the room. Itachi noticed, again, no outward reaction. None except the miniscule tightening of Cpt Jaguar's forearm. "You wish to speak, Cpt Jaguar."

He nodded and stepped forth. "Forgive me, Lord Fifth, but may I ask why? Are we being punished? Did I do something personally to insult you or a client? If so punish me, do not punish my men."

Itachi shook his head. "No, Cpt Jaguar. Nothing like that. You and Cobra are to be reassigned on a long term mission. Bull and Panda will be reassigned to another team."

Jaguar nodded and even though it didn't show in his body language, he relaxed slightly. Jaguar may be hard on his men, but if you ever questioned his devotion to them you'd quickly find yourself on the receiving end of an epic beat down.

"Bull, Panda, say your farewells, I must debrief Cobra and Jaguar on their mission. Report to ANBU headquarters in three days to receive your new assignments." Itachi ordered.

Cobra immediately ran to the two and gave them both big hugs and hurried, hushed words of farewell. Once she stepped back, Bull and Panda faced their, now former Captain, with mixed feelings.

"Panda. Bull. I won't bore you with long goodbyes or any of that nonsense. I'll see you at poker night in two days anyway. You may no longer be under my command, but you will still be representing me to the rest of ANBU as my previous subordinates. Do not embarrass me. I will hear about it and I will find you. Other than that, remember all you learned in Team Zetta. Make Konoha proud." Jaguar told his men one last time. They saluted and with a cheeky wave from Panda, departed Lord Fifth's office.

Jaguar turned to his commander, teeth grinding at Panda's last act of defiance, and saluted one last time as a member of ANBU.

"Cobra. Jaguar. Remove your masks. They will be retired until your return." Lord Fifth ordered. Jaguar and Cobra obeyed at once. They removed their masks, revealing two very young but happy looking faces.

*************************************AK**********************************************

Kenta Yamanaka, code name Jaguar, smiled brightly at his Hokage.

Ami Kogure, code name Cobra, had an equally bright smile on her face.

It was time for the two members of previous team 11 to step out of the shadows, and once more into the light.

*************************************NU*********************************************

I laughed loudly. "Lord Itachi, does this mean what I think it does? Are they finally coming home?"

Lord Fifth nodded. "I just got the message, they will arrive in the village within the week. Naruto finished his training and is excited to be home. He also told me that he's going to "kick Kenta and Ami's ass into next week if they slacked off the last 3.5 years." Itachi smirked, knowing that neither of us had done such a ridiculous nothing.

Ami laughed, and I chuckled along with her. Yes, Naruto would put something so crass in a letter addressed personally to The Hokage.

"Now, before we get into all that, we have one last piece of administrative work. Ami Kogure, please step forward." Ami did as commanded though anyone could see the confusion that was painting her face. I was equally confused. Did we need a final debrief before we were officially suspended from ANBU?

"After assessing your performance in ANBU, talking to your previous Captain, and with a recommendation from Commander Bear and Jonin Commander Nara. I, Itachi Uchiha, Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure, do hereby grant you the rank of Special Jonin, with a recommendation of promotion to full Jonin after gaining the required leadership experience. Congratulations."

Ami looked flaberghasted but quickly smiled brightly. She saluted Lord Fifth and then bowed deeply. "Thank you, so much, Lord Fifth. I will not let your confidence in me go to waste. I will prove I deserve the full promotion in no time." She replied respectfully.

Lord Fifth smiled at her and nodded. "I expected no less. I see a promotion within a year. Congratulations once again."

Ami stepped back and then crashed into me. Babbling excitedly as she crushed my ribs. I laughed out loud at her exuberance until she finally let go, tears of happiness swimming in her eyes.

ANBU only had two ranks. Three if you counted Commander Bear. ANBU member and Captain. You earned your respect with your strength, and no title or rank separated one person from another. Everyone started at the bottom once they were in ANBU. It mattered not who you were before, only what you did once you were in.

"Kenta Yamanaka. Please step forward." Lord Fifth called out after letting Ami's excitement died down. "After assessing your performance in ANBU and with a recommendation from Commander Bear and Jonin Commander Nara. I, Itachi Uchiha, Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure, do hereby grant you the rank of Jonin for your service as ANBU Captain and your exemplarary leadership over your two years as a Captain. Congratulatoins."

I was stunned. I honestly wasn't expecting this, but I wasn't going to go the humble route and say I didn't deserve it. I did. I worked my ass off training, developing and leading my troops. It was all in preparation for today.

I saluted sharply. "I will not let you down, Lord Fifth. I will fulfill the obligations set upon me as required of my rank. Thank you for this opportunity." I then smiled brightly as Ami once again crashed into me.

"Oh, Kenta. You deserve it more than anyone I know. Congratulations, Jonin!" She said happily. I hugged her back, smiling at what Mom, Dad, and Kono were going to say.

"I'm sure you two want to go inform your friends and family. We just have one last thing to go over. Your new assignment." Lord Itachi spoke up cutting us off. Ami let go and went back to her position.

"As you both are aware, I was once a member of a mercenary group known as the Akatsuki. I was never able to deduce what their final goal and intentions were. What I do know, is that their primary goal, for now, is the capture of the 9 Jinchuriki and extraction of the tailed beasts inside them. For what, I hope Jiraiya was able to find that out. We can guess it isn't anything good." Lord Fifth briefed to us. I swallowed, knowing what that meant. My best friend and girlfriend were 2 of the 9.

"Originally, we thought that protecting and guarding our two Jinchuriki was the best course of action. However, I do not think that is the appropriate course of action anymore. Being a member, I know that if we simply wait for them to attempt to take Naruto and Fu, then we let them make the decisions. Instead, I will be putting together an elite group who will be taking the fight to the Akatsuki." Itachi stated boldly.

I thought about what he said. Though it sounded suicidal, it did make sense in a way. "By actively hunting them, we can pick and choose the battlefields. We do not let them gain the element of surprise, nor do we allow them to isolate Naruto or Fu. Doing this, while dangerous, allows us some measure of control." I deduced out loud.

Lord Fifth nodded. "Preciously. We kill them before they can kill us. It's crude, but I believe will be most effective. Play the offense and not with our backs against the wall."

"So Kenta and I will be part of this team. Who else? I'm assuming Naruto and Fu so that they are with us at all times." Ami asked.

"Correct. The four of you. The main commander of this Akatsuki Task force will be Kakashi Hatake with co-commander Genma Shiranui. The last two members will be circumstantial depending on intelligence gathered. It will always be an 8 man squad though. Akatsuki travel in pairs. If we can isolate them, we can initiate them in battle of 4 on 1."

I smiled. "Sounds like a good base, Lord Fifth. I'm excited. Let's take these bastards out before they cause too much damage."

Lord Itachi nodded. "That is the hope. However, our requests for alliance and cooperation from the other villages has been… problematic. Only Sand has responded back positively. We will not let it hamper us though. As heartless as this may sound, if other Jinchuriki get captured before ours we can gain help intelligence into the abilities or even identities of different Akatsuki memebers."

"Well, one is better than none! You tell us where to go and who to kill and leave the rest to us." Ami chirped happily. I glanced warily at her. She'd grown even more bloodthirsty since our time in ANBU.

Lord Fifth smiled. "That's the plan. Well then, I won't keep you longer than necessary. We have a baseline plan, we can make details once Naruto and Kakashi return. Dismissed, you two. Go celebrate and have fun with your friends and family."

We saluted our leader and then flickered back to ANBU headquarters. Our masks may be off, but we still had to get out of the very telling ANBU uniform!

*************************************NU*********************************************

"MY BABY IS A JONIN?!" Mom asked near hysteria. "Oh, Kenta! Baby I'm so proud of you! I knew you could do it!"

I gasped for air as mom held me in a bone crushing hug. She stepped back and wiped away a few tears of happiness.

"Thanks, Mom." I gasped out. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to my father. It was so strange having to look down slightly to meet his gaze. For so long, he towered over me. A mountain I had to climb before I could claim to be on my way towards my final goal.

"Son. Words can't express my pride in you. It was only yesterday you were spouting off becoming S-Rank. I never doubted you, I just simply knew the path you chose would be a long and hard road to travel. Today, you stand before me and I can see that it's not merely a dream. You're nearing the end of your journey. Keep climbing son. Here, a promotion present." Dad said with an emotionally laced voice.

I couldn't claim to be immune to the moment either. A lump was in my throat. I simply nodded before taking the small black book dad held out to me.

"What's this?" I asked turning the book over.

"Latest bingo book. Your last mission out of uniform earned you a bit of a reputation," Dad smirked. "Page 178."

I smiled widely and started flipping through the pages. The mission dad spoke about consisted of a fill-in position as one of the 12 Ninja Guardians. I may or may not have killed some rouge shinobi that had abducted the Feudal Lord's youngest daughter. Brutally.

Kenta "Mind-Breaker" Yamanaka

Rank: A-Rank

Age: 17

Height: 6'3'

Weight: 185lbs

Abilities: Dual elemental releases of water and lightning. Possible advanced elemental release combining the two; information is still unconfirmed. Poison specialist, slightest contact is lethal without immediate treatment. Advanced Yamanaka Clan techniques. Recreated Shisui of the Body-Flickers fighting style. Extremely agile, speed unmatched by all but a few.

Warning: Opponent is heavily skilled in the art of Psychological Warfare. Turned entire squad against each other before easily picking them off. Do not engage unless assured in self and teammates. Able to take down 2 Jonin and 6 Chunin without a scratch. Do NOT engage lightly.

I finished reading the entry and smiled wickedly. I was a little bummed out that so much information had been revealed about me. On the flip side, just because they knew my abilities didn't mean they could counter them.

A-Rank. I kept smiling widely at that. Almost there. S-Rank was within my sights. I was cut off of my musing by the air being forcefully expelled from my lungs. I heard a squeal of delight and excited babbling.

Kono had crashed into me. Smile stretching her face almost painfully. Mom was holding Iroko, my youngest sibling. He was born two years ago in an unexpected nor planned pregnancy. It mattered not, I was smitten with the little shithead. He was just as adorable as Kono and the happiest little toddler in the world. I had only seen him cry a single time. He was either laughing or sleeping. Those were his only two modes. I snatched him out of mom's hands and began to cuddle the adorable creature.

"Big Bro! Is it true?! I heard the gossip in the compound. Did you really get promoted to Jonin?!" Kono asked a mile a minute.

I ruffled her hair and laughed at her tiny little glare. So cute.

"You bet, squirt. You're looking at Konoha's newest Jonin. Ami got promoted to Special Jonin, with a note in her file to promote once the required minimum required amount of missions as a leader was met." I told her with a smile.

"GAH! Yes! My Brother and Big Sis are so cool! I'm going to have so many more bragging rights now!" Kono cheered loudly, Iroko laughing at his sister's excitement.

"More bragging rights?!" I laughed. "Kono, you graduated the general studies course as Rookie of the Year, and you're graduating the Illusions study at the top of your grade, and after just a year! You don't need to throw me into the mix, you have your own bragging rights."

She shook her head. "No, Kenta. That would make me arrogant if I bragged about myself. But if I brag about my brother and his teammate, then it's ok." She said in exasperation. As if this was the most common knowledge in the world.

I nodded. "Good answer. I'd take you out back and pummel you if you got a big head."

I glanced out the corner of my eye, Mom stood next to dad with her head on her shoulder, smiling softly at the scene before her. Dad was on the verge of tears, but he was smiling just the same. I scoffed. Of course my father was the emotional one.

I turned back to Kono. "How's your elemental training going?" I asked. I decided to test Kono early, to see if she had the signs of our elusive bloodline. I was incredibly disappointed she only had the single element, but it was at least one of mine. I could train her in it to complement her fighting style, whatever she chose to do. Mom was sad it wasn't water, but I was more than happy it was lightning. It would give my baby sis some extra firepower in the field.

She pushed her index fingers together and when she slowly pulled them apart, a single arc of electricity dancend between them. I smiled widely in pride. She moved her fingers slowly apart, centimeter by centrimeter until she hissed in pain and the spark went out.

"That's as far as I can get. Three inches is where I start to struggle. I'll get there though, big bro. You'll teach me a technique once I make it to six inches and hold it for 30 seconds, right?" She asked hesitantly.

I crouched down until I was eye level with here, Iroko grabbing her long golden hair and playing with it happily. "Kono. I'm proud of you. You're going to surpass every kunoichi in history at the rate you're going. I swear, I will teach you everything I know once you meet great-grandma's strict requirements. It's for your safety, I hope you know. Not because I think you can't do it. Don't ever think that, got it?"

She gave a small but happy smile and nodded. "K big bro! Hey, are you busy tomorrow? I invited a few friends over and they want to meet you! Maybe show them a few tricks?"

I straightened and adopted an over exaggerated thinking pose. "Well, what do I get for helping your snotty little friends?"

Kono placed a hand on her hip and cocked it to the side, eerily reminiscent of mom when she was scolding me. "One, my friends are not "snotty." Two, I'll give you a big hug and make you some dango."

"Deal!" I held out my hand to shake. Kono's dango was absolutely atrocious, but she was so determined to be a good cook I had to bear it. Practice makes perfect, right? Right?!

She shook my hand and laughed. "Yes! Thank you, Kenta! They're so excited to meet you. They think you don't exist since they've never met you. I couldn't really tell them you're in ANBU, could I?"

I laughed sheepishly. Being ANBU when you lived with your family was the worst kept secret. They all knew, they just didn't know which mask was mine at least, we had blanks we wore if we had to change at home for an emergency.

"Well, now you can tell them why they never saw me. And you can tell them I was not only ANBU for three and a half years, but I was captain for two of them." I boasted proudly. She smacked me in the side.

"What did I say, Big Bro? Bragging about yourself is arrogance." She said in an annoyed tone.

"Yeah, well, when you become as awesome as me, you're allowed to be arrogance." I tossed her the bingo book dad had handed me. "Show them my bingo book page if they doubt you. Also, homework assignment. Memorize every single person in that book. You graduate in two weeks, you need to know who's out there and if you need to retreat." I told her seriously.

Kono nodded in complete understanding. It was so nice having a sibling who took your words as law. I was a nervous mess thinking of Kono being out in the field, but the only thing I could do was do my best to make her as prepared as I possibly could. This must have been what it felt like for mom and dad when I became a genin.

"Now, let's go out back and spar. Show me what you got, kid."

**********************************KY*************************************************

I strolled casually through town, not in a rush to get to my destination. I admired the sights as I walked along and took in the atmosphere. I waved to people I knew and stopped for short and polite conversations when appropriate. I spotted a spiky mess of hair and large frame I knew all too well but hadn't talked to in ages. I smiled widely as I called out.

"Choji! Hey!" I yelled and waved.

The large teen turned and smiled when he saw who was calling him. He jogged over and stopped just short of colliding into me.

"Kenta! Long time no see! How are you? I heard you got promoted! Congratulation!" Choji said kindly.

I faltered for a second, wondering how the hell Choji already knew. It hadn't even been a full 24 hours!

"Ino." He supplied helpfully. "Ami stopped at her house yesterday and told her the news. She wanted help planning a joint promotion and welcome home party for your team."

Ah. That would explain it. If Ino knew, half the village already knew by now.

"Gotcha. Well thank you, man. How have you been? I heard your team is competing in the Jonin selection exams in a few weeks! Nervous?" I asked.

He nodded. "I am, but I'm also excited. I know I'm ready. Lord Third wouldn't have written my recommendation if he thought I wasn't."

"How's being Lord Third's apprentice? He ended up taking a few more students after your first year didn't he?" It was hard keeping up with everyone and their training over the years. I swear I was away from the village more than I was in it when I was ANBU.

"It's been great. I was released as his apprentice a year ago, but he still trains me once or twice a week if I'm in the village. He's a slave driver, but he's fair and knows everything!" Choji excitedly babbled.

We shot the shit for a few more minutes before I took my leave. I wasn't in a hurry, but I still had a destination in mind and errands to get to.

************************************AK***********************************************

Twenty minutes later, I arrived at my destination. I knocked sharply on the door and waited for an answer. I didn't have to wait long.

"I swear, this had better be important! If another person interrupts my research due to some frivolous task, I swear I will- Kenta! Hi! How are you, come in!" The young woman smiled warmly at me.

"Honoka, how are you?" I asked as I stepped into the foyer and removed my shoes.

Honoka was an Uzumaki. Before Naruto left on his journey, he asked Lord Fifth if the Uzumaki clan compound could be opened. If he found any Uzumaki, he wanted to send them to Konoha and give them a place to call home and settle down. Honoka was the second to move in, right after Tayuya. Naruto had sent us a letter regaling us with a tale that sounded more fiction than fact. An island dedicated to summoning animal research gone horribly wrong. Naruto, Jiraiya and Kakashi managed to stumble upon the location and save the girl at the last minute. Apparently the researchers had succeeded in creating an "Ultimate Summoning Beast" but the thing went berserk and killed everyone on the island. Honoka was the sole survivor, and with the trio's help, was able to seal the beast away.

With nowhere to go now that she had fulfilled her duty, she came to Konoha at Naruto's suggestion. She arrived two years ago and since then had opened her own sealing shop. Providing much needed, high quality basic field seals at a reduced rate. She quickly monopolized the market, much to the ire of a few ex-councilmembers.

Tayuya was another special case. After spending eight months in a cell in T&I and being worked over, she was finally released on probabtion. Apparently the girl had only served Orochimaru as a means to an end. She was captured due to her suspected bloodline and was then forced to fight to the death against 100 other prisoners. On coming out one of 4 remaining, she was given the curse seal and had served Orochimaru since. She knew she wasn't powerful enough to escape and survive, so she did what she had to do.