Chapter 9: Becoming Genin

AN: Hey everyone, thanks for keeping up with the story so far! You've probably noticed that Haku, Kimimaro, and Izaya have been training constantly nonstop but they haven't really had a chance to show off their skills and teamwork in a real battle, that'll be in Chapter 10 so hope you guys enjoy and look forward to the fight scene in the next chapter.

Disclaimer: Once again, don't own any of the Naruto characters or the plot of the original Narutoverse.

Chapter 9

Everyone was up early the next morning and crowded by the classroom entrance. Looks like everyone who passed the graduation exam and became a Genin are here. I walked over to where Haku and Kimimaro were standing. "Big brother, you're here early today!" Haku said with a surprised smile on his face.

"Haha, well I figured I should be early and see who all the new Genin are." I replied. I turned to look where Sakura and Ino were arguing and saw Naruto sitting on the floor. Looks like everything went as I thought it would last night. Naruto successfully learned the Shadow Clone Jutsu and graduated with us. Suddenly a realization struck me. Doesn't Naruto and Sasuke accidentally kiss during this meeting?

Lone behold Naruto propped himself up on Sasuke's desk and stared intently in his eyes. Very closely.

Haha...I inwardly chuckled. Not sure what to make of this. I'll just enjoy the show I guess. Not long after the event played out exactly as I predicted. The student sitting in front of Naruto leaned back and bumped Naruto forcing his and Sasuke's lips to meet. A full on kiss I facepalmed. As a sensory type ninja my senses were more attuned than others but it didn't take one to feel the fire of wrath and rage coming off from the mob of girls standing to the side. The whole fiasco continued to play out exactly as I remembered it as. Not long after Iruka-sensei walked in to congratulate us and explain to us what was to come.

"From here on, you'll be in a squad of three and carry out missions with your Jonin instructor."

"Eh, wonder who's gonna be paired with Sasuke." Ino remarked mockingly to Sakura.

"Who knows." Sakura replied with an air of indifference, however, internally she was gearing up for war.

Some other students were also discussing the prospect of who they were going to be paired up with. "I hope to be paired with Haku, he's so handsome."

"That's fine, I rather be paired with Izaya."

"Haku is almost too pretty he makes me look bad."

"Izaya is incredibly handsome and cool, and that blindfold makes him seem so mysterious."

"Eh, you two should probably stop daydreaming. I'm definitely getting paired up with one of the 4 Genin kings."

I shuddered inwardly as I heard that. It was a nickname that everyone in the academy started calling us after we showed off our skills. They were obviously referring to Kimimaro, Haku, Sasuke, and myself. Well, before it was just the 4 academy kings, but looks like the name changed since we've become Genin.

Please Lord Third, keep me together with Kimimaro and Haku I silently prayed. Sasuke inwardly sneered when he heard that he'd have to be paired with two others. They'll only slow me down he thought. He then gave a sideways glance at us. Except for maybe those three he thought.

We then turned our attention back at Iruka-sensei who continued to explain. "Now the groups have already been decided based on balance or synergy." As Iruka-sensei continued to list out the teams he eventually got to Team 7.

"Team 7. Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura, and Uchiha Sasuke. Team 8. Hyuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino. Team 10. Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji. And finally Team 11. Kaguya Kimimaro, Yuki Haku, Karasuma Izaya. That's all."

Right after Iruka-sensei finished his speech Naruto immediately made a fuss. Sasuke had a slight look of disappointment but otherwise remained indifferent. A girl then raised her hand and asked, "Iruka-sensei, didn't you say that the teams were made to best balance their strength. How come Kimimaro-kun, Haku-kun, and Izaya-kun are paired together? Aren't they three geniuses? If there's a mistake somewhere I don't mind being paired with one of them." A lot of other students, not just the girls nodded their agreement.

"Ahem." Iruka coughed. Then said, "I did say balance OR synergy. He then turned to look at Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji. You all may or may not know this but there is a famous formation that has been passed down from generation to generation called the Ino-Shika-Cho formation. Hence Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji were placed in a team based on the potential synergy they have. We believe this to be the same for Kimimaro, Haku, and Izaya. Anyway, I will introduce you to your Jonin instructors in the afternoon. Until then you are dismissed."

Everyone went their separate ways until the afternoon. Clearly everyone went to find someplace to have lunch before coming back. I silently thanked Lord Third for keeping me together with Kimimaro and Haku. "Big brother! We're together with brother Maro! Let's go out and get some food to celebrate." Haku said excitedly.

"Mn. I'm glad we were put in the same group also.

I would have protested if I wasn't." Kimimaro said.

I stared blankly at Kimimaro for a second. Eh...Really? I silently thought to myself. While I'm glad we were put in the same group so I could help monitor his situation and all, he really is still dedicated to that one track mind of his. He's gotten better at opening himself up but he really is a bit too stubborn once he sets his mind on something. I put on a genuine smile. "Alright, let's walk around the town for a bit and grab some street food. We should relax and enjoy the outdoors for a bit before meeting our Jonin teacher." I said.

I gave a quick glance at Team 7 before heading out the door. It didn't take long before we had to come back to the classroom. Everyone waited obediently as their jonin instructor came to pick them up. The only ones who were left in the classroom were Team 7 and Team 11, us.

"Oi, Kakashi, why did you drag me along with you." Yamato said.

"Hm...Because I felt like it." He replied.

Yamato face palmed. "We're really late you know. I have to meet my team still!" Yamato said dejectedly.

Kakashi simply gave him a smile before turning serious. "Yamato, Lord Third has asked me to not only look after Naruto and Sasuke, but also those three kids that you've been put in charge of."

Yamato turned serious as well. "I know. Aside from you Lord Third has also tasked me with the job of being on standby incase the Ninetails goes out of control, and because you are skilled in the use of your sharingan you're the best suited to guide Sasuke, but why did he ask you to look after those three kids as well?"

Kakashi took something out from his pocket with a ringing sound. A pair of bells. He then handed them over to Yamato. "To be honest I'm not too sure. Lord Third didn't really explain much to me except for the fact that those three have certain special circumstances concerning their background. That kid Kimimaro is supposedly the last remaining survivor of the Kaguya clan and that kid Haku is the only known sole surviving member of the Yuki clan. Other than those two Lord Third told me that the kid Izaya has an even more special identity than the other two and should be protected with great care."

Yamato had a look of bewilderment at this revelation. Sweat was visible on top of his forehead. "And Lord Third put me in charge of this group of kids? That's a bit much no?" He then looked down at the bells that Kakashi handed him. "You want me to give those three kids this test?"

Kakashi nodded. "That's right. Other than Naruto and Sasuke Lord Third has also entrusted me to look after those three kids, therefore, I want you to test them. The reason Lord Third placed you as the Jonin in charge is because you're one of the most skilled Jonin in the village. No one else is more suitable."

Yamato let out a long sigh in defeat. "Alright senpai, for you and Lord Third I'll do my best, but seriously we need to get going. How are my new precious students going to view me now that i'm so late!"

Not long after Kakashi and Yamato made their way to the classroom. Eh? I mused internally. So it's Yamato. Indeed, other than Might Guy, perhaps the only other truly notable combat Jonin would be Yamato. I was inwardly elated. If Yamato truly is our instructor than I will have plenty of chances to learn how to do the Wood Style Jutsu from him. Just as I had guessed Yamato took the three of us to a separate location as our Jonin instructor.

Yamato paused and took a good look at us. Hm, this is the first time I'm seeing these kids but they give off an air of being pretty capable. "Alright, we should first do introductions to get to know each other. My name is Yamato and I'll be your jonin instructor. I want you guys to introduce yourselves, tell me what kind of hobbies you have and what dreams you have."

Haku smiled and went first, "Hello Yamato-sensei. My name is Yuki Haku. My hobbies are reading, studying medicinal herbs, training, and being with my two brothers. My dream is to be a person who my brothers can depend on and be strong enough to protect them forever."

Guh. Yamato felt an emotional tear well up. This child is very precious he thought.

Kimimaro went next. "My name is Kaguya Kimimaro. I am the last surviving member of my clan. My hobbies are keeping my brother's safe. In the future I want to be strong enough to protect them from any harm."

Yamato nodded. "Very well. Your goal is very straightforward and clear. I can tell you are a straightforward person as well. Just don't forget that you must also think about yourself. If you cannot help yourself, then you are no help to your brothers."

At that moment Kimimaro recalled the words that Haku and Izaya had spoken to him the other day. He stood up and bowed towards Yamato as he finally realized that he should also try and rely on his brothers more and said, "Thankyou Yamato-sensei, I shall remember your teachings."

Yamato didn't expect such a drastic show of respect so he embarrassingly nodded his head in acknowledgement. I was the last to go. "My name is Karasuma Izaya. My hobbies are training, and making sure my brothers are safe and happy. My future aspiration is to become one of the strongest shinobi in the world and be strong enough to protect those I care about. I also hope to travel and see many places and discover more about the world and leave my mark upon it."

"Oh. Those are quite the aspirations for one so young. I'm sure you'll do great." Yamato assented. "But first, you will have to pass my test."

Haku gave a sideways glance. "What kind of test Yamato-sensei?" He asked.

"Hehe, it's a survival exercise. I'll explain more tomorrow. Meet me at training ground 3 at 5am tomorrow. You should skip breakfast so you won't cramp up. Bring all your ninja tools and whatever else you need to prepare for a survival exercise. You're all dismissed." Yamato said.

I left right after with Haku and Kimimaro in tow with a smirk on my face. Ha, so it's the bell exam. I wonder if every team does this or if this was a request from Lord Third or Kakashi-sensei. Oh well, it doesn't really matter since the most important facet is teamwork and there's no problem with our teamwork. More importantly, now that we're Genin I suppose it's okay for us to show off a little more skill than we normally do. Early the next morning Haku, Kimimaro and I showed up at training ground 3.

"Surprisingly sensei isn't here yet." Haku said aloud.

"Well, he was really late when picking us up yesterday." Kimimaro replied.

Haku then turned to see me carrying a large bento. "Big brother, why do you have a large bento with you?"

I smirked. "For our breakfast of course. I know Yamato-sensei said that we should skip breakfast but I don't sense his presence anywhere near here. I suspect that he told us that on purpose so we'd lose focus during the actual exam, therefore, we should eat something first." I then proceeded to open the bento box and distributed our fair share of food. As we sat there and waited, the seconds became minutes, and minutes became hours.

"Wow, big brother was right. Yamato-sensei probably told us to skip breakfast on purpose. This means that the actual survival test had already began yesterday." Haku said.

"Mn. Izaya has good foresight." Kimimaro chimed in.

"Haha…" I simply gave an embarrassed chuckle. Can't tell them that I suspected it already do to my past life's knowledge. I then turned serious. "Kimimaro, even though this is just a survival exercise and there's no external danger to your life, you must still exercise caution. This time, Haku and I will be in the vanguard while you be the support. Don't overexert yourself okay?"

"Big brother is right. If you absolutely have to, only use your small scale Kekkei Genkai techniques or Earth Style." Haku commented.

"Mn. I'll do as you both say." Kimimaro consented.

We ended up waiting until 10am when we finally saw Yamato-sensei approach us. He had an apologetic look on his face and apologized but we didn't take it to heart. He then placed an alarm clock on one of the wooden practice logs and pulled out a pair of bells. "Alright. These are a pair of silver bells. Your objective is to take these bells from me. One bell represents one person. You will have until noon to succeed."

"Eh? But Yamato-sensei, there are only two bells and three of us. You aren't suggesting that only two of us will pass are you?" Haku asked concerned.

"Ahem." Yamato coughed. "That's right. The first two who obtain these bells are the two who pass." Inwardly Yamato cursed himself and Kakashi. This wasn't his style of teaching and he was a terrible actor. Haku looked at both Kimimaro and I with a concerned gaze.

"Sensei, may I have a word with my brothers?" I asked.

Yamato nodded.

I simply brought them over a bit further away to huddle up in discussion. "Okay you two, the plan remains the same. Haku and I will be the vanguard and Kimimaro will back us up. I don't think sensei has realized what he's up against. We can afford to show a little more skill than we normally do now since we've become Genin. No need to go all out, but we should show enough skill to pressure sensei into realizing that we're more skillful than he originally thought. As for the bells, instead of snatching them away lets aim to destroy them. That way sensei can't say anything about it since that wasn't against the rules. If the rules are placed against us in the first place, then we'll just make our own."

"Mn, this sounds like a good plan." Haku nodded.

"Very well, I'll watch both of your backs." Kimimaro consented. We then returned by sensei's side.

Looks like they're done discussing Yamato mentally thought. "Alright. Remember, come at me with the intention to kill. If you don't then you might regret it later. If you're ready. Then start." He said.