Chapter 047

Naruto turned to the body of students and was greeted by everyone staring at his new appearance. He saw how the girls were practically gawking at him with hearts in their eyes, seeing that this was their first time to ever see his face without that ninja mask and that his long hair and new clothes makes him like a junior Yondaime Hokage. Sakura even blushed at the sight of him when…

"DON'T STARE AT HIM LIKE SOME STUPID NARUTO FANGIRL!," inner Sakura scolded, "HE'S JUST DRESSING UP LIKE THAT TO SHOW OFF FOR ACHIEVING THE STATUS AS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR TO MAKE SASUKE-KUN JEALOUS!"

Sakura seemed to have accepted that reasoning, as she pulled her eyes away from Naruto and over to Sasuke, who appeared to be frowning at the appearance Naruto gave himself.

Making himself look like Yondaime, Sasuke thought, If that idiot has a death wish, all he had to do was dress in a bright orange jumpsuit that screamed 'Here I am! Kill me!'

Kiba and Chouji gave Naruto two thumbs up while Shikamaru thought blonde's new appearance was just troublesome. Shino just nodded his head to Naruto in acknowledgement. Ino and Hinata both smiled and blushed at the sight of him before glaring at the other girls staring dreamily at him. Two days earlier they frowned at him for the stunt he pulled on the Hokage Monument in putting graffiti of Icha Icha Paradise next to the monument. But they eventually forgave him and right they were thinking about how his new looks made him look as handsome as his father before telling themselves that he looks even better.

Naruto went and took his regular seat between Ino and Hinata.

"O…Ohayo N-Na…Naruto-kun," Hinata stuttered shyly for the first in a long while.

"I love your new looks," Ino praised, "It makes you look really sexy!"

"Ye-Yes Naruto-kun…," Hinata said as she shyly fidgeted her two index fingers together, "…Your new style is most…charming."

"Thanks," Naruto blushed, "I was saving these clothes until I became a Genin."

"But they make you look more like a Jounin instead of a Genin," Sakura said, "Isn't that illegal?"

"Shut up Forehead," Ino barked in Naruto's defense, "Don't get me started about talking about your idea of fashion!"

"Mind your own business Ino-Pig," Sakura shot back.

"FOREHEAD!"

"INO-PIG!"

"FOREHEAD!"

"KNOCK IT OFF!," Iruka yelled silencing the two girls. Sakura and Ino stuck their tongues out at each other before looking away from each other. Naruto and Hinata sweated-dropped at time, as did Iruka.

I see now why Naruto always hid his face underneath that mask…, Iruka sighed before grabbing everyone's attention again for his final lecture to them as their sensei. While giving his speech about life as a shinobi, Naruto's mind zoned out, remembering the incident that took place three days ago. The traitorous Chuunin Mizuki tried to trick him into stealing the Forbidden Scroll of Sealing, telling him that he could go beyond being a mere rookie of the year and attain real powers through the use of that scroll no one is allowed to read. Naruto pretended to buy into it, before informing Tsunade about it and staging Mizuki's arrest.

That same night, Tsunade gave Naruto a scroll covered with a genjutsu to look exactly like the forbidden scroll before he ran off to meet Mizuki at the designated location. Mizuki arrived at the scene and attempted to steal the 'forbidden scroll' from Naruto, before Iruka and a team of Chuunins and Jounins arrived surrounded the two. The 'forbidden scroll' was dispelled to reveal a different and smaller scroll, which was actually a warrant for Mizuki's arrest and a documentation for him to be brought to Ibiki for interrogation. Mizuki put up a fight, but being outnumbered and outmatched, the fight was short lived.

XXXX

(Two Days Earlier; At The Hokage Tower)

Tsunade was sitting at her desk with her elbow resting on the desk as her hand held her head up. She was beside herself in frustration as Kakashi, Kurenai and Asuma argued over a particular issue…

"Tsunade-sama," Kakashi said, "All I'm saying is that I would be best suited as a Jounin instructor for Naruto. Unlike Kurenai and Asuma, I've known Naruto for the longest time and I know his strengths and weaknesses, therefore I would know how to assist in his training and strengthening his abilities. And since Naruto is a most advanced Genin, he would also be a great asset in aiding in the training and developments of his fellow Genins."

"Kakashi," Kurenai countered, "You already have the Uchiha prodigy, the second best of this year's Genin class, on your Genin cell. Having Naruto placed on your team would not only throw the academic balance off but it would demonstrate unfair favoritism. Plus many Jounins are aware that you spoil Naruto and there's no doubt that you'll give him more attention than the others. Naruto would do well should I be allowed to have him on my Genin cell."

"And what reasons would you have for that," Kakaski challenged. Kurenai replied, "I've seen first hand how Hinata have gradually changed from the way she used to be because of her association with Naruto. Before, she was always too timid and hesitant to give her all. Also she used to get depressed really fast and allowed whatever negativity others said and thought of her get to her. But over the course of time, Hinata, through association and friendship with Naruto, managed to break through those hindrances and gradually mold herself into the person she worked so hard to become. Even Hiashi and the main house of the Hyuuga clan have acknowledged her changes."

"So you solely intend to use Naruto as a means to give Hinata a motivational boost," Kakashi asked.

"Of course not," Kurenai retorted, "That wouldn't be fair on my part. Since his genjutsu abilities aren't as strong as his ninjutsu and taijutsu, I can do well in training him in that field."

"Kurenai," Asuma interjected, "Unlike you and Kakashi, Naruto's elemental affinity is Wind like myself. Therefore I would be a great asset in training him in developing his elemental affinity and teaching him how to use it in combat."

"Asuma," Kakashi countered, "You're the most laid back among the Jounins and that wouldn't do well for Naruto's development."

The argument continued among the three Jounins. Kakashi recently stepped down from ANBU captain to Jounin since he was the only person capable of teaching Sasuke how to use the Sharingan eye. Tsunade saw how each Jounin had reasons for wanting her son on their Genin cell. In all honesty, she never expected that the topic of her son being placed on the Genin cell would have caused so much trouble. As the argument continued, her patience was slowly declining.

After several more minutes, Tsunade was about to say something to end the dispute when the door to her office opened, revealing Sarutobi, Homura and Koharu entering the office. The three Jounins stopped arguing after seeing the Sandaime and his two former teammates entering the room with a few documents in their hands.

"It's clear that a dispute of some sort has occurred here," Sarutobi said, stating the obvious.

"My son is the topic at hand…," Tsunade sighed, "Evidently these three have a difference as to why one of them ought to be Naruto's Jounin instructor."

"I see," Sandaime said, "In all accounts, Homura, Koharu and I have studied the records of this year's Genins and reviewed them carefully. Based on what the three of us reviewed, there will be a few minor changes and adjustments, which we will discuss with all of you in detail right now."

"What adjustments and changes will occur Sarutobi-sensei," Tsunade inquired.

"For starters," Sarutobi said, "Naruto will be-"

(The Following Day)

Anko was summoned into the Hokage office for a new assignment. From what she was told it was an important one. As she made her way to the office, she pasted a gleeful smile on her face, expecting a very dangerous mission that had to be done.

I wonder what my mission will be, Anko thought excitedly, An A-rank mission in another village! Possibly even an S-rank mission in hunting down a missing nin! Being promoted to ANBU and assigned to a secret mission! Oh the possibilities! I can't wait!

Anko entered the office to see Tsunade and Sandaime waiting for her in the office.

"Anko," Sandaime greeted, "How nice of you to arrive here a little earlier than expected."

"Tsunade-sama said that she had an assignment for me that was most important," Anko explained, "So I came as soon as I could to say that I accept the mission."

Both Tsunade and Sarutobi blinked on hearing this.

"Anko," Tsunade said questionably, "Don't you at least want to know what the assignment entails before deciding to accept it?"

"I already said I accept whatever important mission it is," Anko stated, "I give you my word! So out with it already!"

"Alright," Tsunade said as she handed Anko the folder, "But remember, I'm holding you to your word."

Anko took the folder from Tsunade and reviewed the documents in it. To say that her expression came to a crash would have been an understatement.

"You can't be serious," Anko exclaimed in disbelief, "You can't expect me to-"

"You already accepted the assignment Anko and you're being held to your word," Tsunade sternly interjected, "Perhaps next time you'd do better to hear the assignment out first."

"B…But…," Anko mentally slapped herself several times for setting her hopes up too high. Her new assignment wasn't what she had in mind at all.

"Why don't you take the time to review the files in that folder," Sandaime suggested, "You'll find them quite interesting."

The Special Jounin sighed to herself knowing that she placed herself into a position that was now too late to go back on. She left the office with the folder in hand and closed the door behind her while grumbling unintelligent utterances. When she was out of the office, Tsunade turned to her former sensei and asked, "Are you sure it was a wise decision to assign Anko that assignment?"

"Anko is the only Special Jounin with the capacity to see that assignment through," Sandaime said, "Plus, judging from what I've observed from their earlier interactions, she could use the companionship."

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