Chapter 052

(Two Days Later)

Word got out that Naruto's new Jounin instructor was Mitarashi Anko. It went without say that it spread like wildfire. Many were wondering what the Hokage was thinking placing someone like Anko as Naruto's instructor. Some who knew of Tsunade's drinking habits thought that she must have been incredibly drunk when setting up the Genin teams. Many gave Naruto their pity for being stuck with a psycho or whom many regard as a female version of the Snake Sannin and Konoha's worst traitor, Orochimaru.

Kakashi, Kurenai and Asuma were caught off guard that day when Sandaime announced to them that Anko was selected as Naruto's new instructor. Needless to say, all three Jounins argued with Sandaime about it, but the Sarutobi wouldn't hear of it and made it clear that Naruto is in an entirely higher level than the other Genins and has different training to undergo. Tsunade explained to them that Naruto would be assigned to work with their teams from time to time depending on the mission or assignment. Although it wasn't exactly what the three Jounins wanted, especially Kakashi, but they reluctantly accepted.

It was noted on Team 7's first day with Kakashi that Sai and Sakura don't get along well and that Sai have insulted her by asking her to wear a paper bag over her head to conceal her ugly face when in public together. Sakura was enraged by Sai's remarks and was about to attack him had it not been for Kakashi's intervention to calm Sakura's anger.

Naruto later learned from Kakashi that his Genin team passed his test, though they failed in acquiring the bells from him. Kakashi told him that he was given Genins to train before, but they all failed because they didn't grasp the concept of team work and supporting their teammates. He then told Naruto that Sai was victimized from his infamous "One Thousand Years Of Death" jutsu and was sent flying into a lake. Naruto cringed at the thought of what Kakashi did to the boy and only hoped that Kakashi would never attempt that attack on him.

Kakashi then related how Sasuke at first tried doing it solo only to end up buried into the ground up to his neck and Sakura didn't bother helping Sai after he was ambushed by Kakashi but instead backed off and left him behind after seeing how Sai was overpowered by him and remembering how he insulted her.

As a result Sakura ended up being tied to the log while he gave lunch boxes to Sai and Sasuke, telling them to eat in front of Sakura and that they'll be allowed to try to get the bells again, but that if they feed Sakura they will fail and be sent back to the academy. After he left, both boys fed Sakura anyway, telling her that she would be of no use to them if she's hungry. Kakashi told Naruto that kind of thinking was what allowed all three of them to pass his test before he explained his ideals on helping your teammates and not abandoning them, regardless of the reasons.

When Ino and Hinata found out that Anko was Naruto's new instructor, both girls were furious since they never forgot what took place a couple of months ago in that dango shop. Kiba kept his distance from Hinata whenever she looked in his direction with a glare, remembering the stunt he pulled and the fact that Naruto is now stuck with the woman he unintentionally gave his first kiss to. Kurenai saw that she had to work on steaming Hinata's fury against Kiba if they and Shino are to be working together as a Genin cell under her supervision.

Asuma, Shikamura and Chouji had the displeasure of hearing Ino rant on and on angrily about how Naruto shouldn't be stuck with Anko and that the team arrangements ought to be re-evaluated. Shikamaru found Ino's interest and desire to be with Naruto that badly troublesome.

(Three Days Later)

Sandaime was in his former office reviewing a few of the many documents on the desk in front of him. He sighed to himself being looking at the stacks of papers before him.

Why did I agree to substitute for Tsunade and temporarily take this job again, Sandaime thought to himself taking a puff of his pipe. Tsunade left Konoha with her ANBU entourage to meet the Sandaime Hoshikage (Third Star Shadow) in Hoshigakure No Sato (Hidden Star Village) for a treaty alliance since Hoshigakure was a much smaller village than Konoha. Though small, Hoshigakure was a prideful village because of the "star" that was said to have fallen from the heavens and land down in their village two-hundred years ago. The Shodaime Hoshikage discovered that the strength of his chakra increased by training by the meteorite. For this reason their village has been targeted by foreign nations countless times.

However, the Sandaime Hoshikage later forbade the training with the "star" ten years ago because many of the shinobis of the village died from exposure to the meteorite's negative side effects on the person's body. The Sandaime Hoshikage decreed that the village of Hoshigakure would train without the use of the "star."

Sarutobi's train of thoughts was derailed when the door to the office opened.

"Hey jiisan," Naruto greeted as he entered the office before closing the door behind him. Five days earlier he had Shizune fix his hair after he sliced off a large portion of it. His trimmed down stringy-style haircut that let some of his hair reach his shoulders made Naruto looked distinguished among the Genins and it helped bring out his resemblance to his father Minato.

"Naruto," Sandaime greeted back, "What do I owe the pleasure?"

"Nothing," Naruto said, "Anko-chan gave me the day off; something about meeting Ibiki for some criminal interrogation or something."

"Hmm," was all Sandaime said. The elderly man was about to say something when…

"I'll get you this time old man and then I'll become Hokage!," said the seven-year-old boy as he charged towards the man intending to take the man's life with the shuriken in his hand. The boy barely got halfway across the office before he tripped on his own feet landing down to the floor face first. A sweat-dropping Naruto looked at the boy and thought, This kid has as much agility and grace as a man with a heart attack.

The boy whined as he got up and looked around before he saw Naruto who was now face to face with him.

"Hey! You jerk you tripped me," said the boy pointing his finger at Naruto. The blond-haired Elite Genin was almost surprised that the boy didn't recognize him.

I never thought that my change in wardrobe and hairstyle made me that unrecognizable, Naruto thought before smirking, I'll play along with this.

"Kid, you're not worth wasting a fraction of my chakra on. Furthermore, you tripped yourself on the wooden floor due to your own lack of common sense. That and from the way you ran across the room you also lack coordination and grace," said Naruto smirking at the boy who was glaring at him with a fury.

"Honorable Grandson? Honorable Grandson, are you in here," said another voice looking around for his wished-for target.

"He's in here Ebisu. Don't worry he's all right. Just tripped and hurt himself...again," sighed Sandaime.

"Honorable Grandson," questioned Naruto with a pretense that he didn't know who the boy was. Sandaime saw through Naruto's façade but he decided to see how the whole thing was going to play out.

"Yeah! I'm Konohamaru, the grandson of Sandaime Hokage so you can't do anything to me or you'll get in trouble," said the boy whose voice seemed to have a form of arrogance to it. Naruto brought his right hand to the kid's forehead and flicked him, sending him flying off the floor before landing down and rolling on the ground before coming to a stop, lying on the ground momentarily knocked out.

…Tsunade's insane strength and character are really manifesting in Naruto…, thought Sandaime as he sighed at the display.

"Don't worry. I didn't hurt him…much," said Naruto walking by Sandaime Hokage and a still in shock Ebisu as he exited the office.

That spoiled blond brat. Being with that snake whore only makes him worst. I'll get him for doing that to the Sandaime's Grandson, thought Ebisu before pushing his glasses up slightly before he realized the seven-year-old boy he was in charge of was no longer in the office.

"It appears Konohamaru has left to seek out Naruto," Sarutobi said while taking a small puff from his pipe. Ebisu left in pursuit of the two.

(Konoha Streets; Several Moments Later)

Naruto was walking through the busy streets of Konoha. As he walked down one of the alleys he noticed the terribly disguised boy trying to blend in with the wall.

"Kid if you're going to blend in with the wall try doing it right the first time," said Naruto.

"You're strong I can tell," said Konohamaru approaching Naruto, "Maybe you can train me!"

Naruto looked at he boy with a raised eyebrow.

"Don't you already have a teacher? That Jounin with dark glasses I believe seems to be a capable type," said Naruto putting his hands in his pocket.

"Ebisu-sensei is all right, but he is always getting me to do all this boring ninja stuff that he keeps saying are all shortcuts for me to be Hokage," said Konohamaru kicking a small rock on the road in a depressing tone.

"So you disapprove of his methods because they're shortcuts or is it something else," Naruto inquired.

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