Getting Schooled

Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Tenjho Tenge

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

There's not a lot of action this chapter but we do get to see Naruto in a new role. Here's chapter 12:

Last time:

Natsume Clan Home

Naruto was welcomed home by everybody and confided in Hanako Obaa-chan how shocked he was at the supposed 'seal masters' ANBU had. She chuckled and said, "You are very gifted with fuinjutsu Naruto-kun; don't judge them too harshly. On the other hand, I believe you could teach them a great deal."

"I'd have to teach them from the ground up Obaa-chan." said Naruto. "Half of them can hardly write correctly. If your calligraphy is wrong, then everything built upon it is too."

Hanako smiled. "I have no doubt ANBU Dragon and Hiruzen will be discussing it in detail Naruto-kun. Now that you've vented, I believe you still have unfinished homework to do. Off you go now. You have an early day tomorrow."

Naruto was just dreading Yūgao-sensei's reaction to the reports. Since they lost two team members he wondered if Red team would even pass…

…

Chapter 12

Konoha Ninja Academy, Monday 4 A.M.

"You all FAIL!" roared Yūgao in a none too gentle manner. "The whole point of this homework was a teambuilding exercise whether you accomplished your mission or not! Red and White Teams did display the minimum necessary but Blue and Black teams had NO teamwork at all! I will be reviewing your individual reports but I already have read ANBU's reports on your actions and they were atrocious! I am SO disgusted!"

So began a day filled with warm, fuzzy feelings at the Academy's Advance Genin Class…It wasn't until hours later when they had breakfast that Yūgao got off her tirade. Rather than theory the whole morning was filled with physical exercises until most of them were ready to collapse. An angry Yūgao-sensel was very scary indeed…

…

Hokage's Office 7 A.M.

After Naruto's display of fuinjutsu mastery; ANBU Commander Dragon was practically foaming at the mouth to get Naruto on his sealing team or at the very least getting Naruto to instruct ANBU's own seal masters. "Hokage-sama, Uzumaki Naruto is a true sealing genius! I need him on my team! If not that then at least let me have him teach others."

Hiruzen hid his smile at his surrogate grandson being praised. "I'm well aware of his mastery with fuinjutsu. The Arashi Seal Company already has close to one hundred seals patented that Naruto created all by himself. Frankly; he has enough money to live in luxury the rest of his life right now. He gets it from his Mother Kushina. Now; you actually want him, an Academy student, to teach your ANBU?"

"There is no doubt that the boy eclipses even Jiraiya-sama at seals Hokage-sama." said Dragon. "I want him personally to inspect and upgrade the defensive seals around the village and on the walls. They haven't been upgraded since the Third Shinobi War. If he's willing to just teach the basics to my fuinjutsu masters, it would be a huge benefit to our forces."

Sarutobi nodded. "I agree about Jiraiya and I'm sure the boy would be willing to upgrade the village defenses but the report I asked him to write on the ANBU Sealing Team is rather…despairing. I believe he used the term 'Worthless no hopers' in reference to them."

Dragon cringed. "That bad huh? Is there any way you could order him to teach my people?"

The Hokage looked thoughtful. "Considering I ended up dressed as an over the hill geisha the last time he got mad at me I'm inclined to say it would be better for you to ask Dragon. If that fails, I will request it of him."

"I was dressed as a clown sir." said Dragon shivering at the memory.

"It's your idea Commander Dragon in spite of the fact I'm in favor of it." said Hiruzen. "I would advise you to ask nicely rather than attempt to order him though. He seemed quite riled at the quality of ANBU's Fuinjutsu Team. Actually, appalled might be a better term.

Dragon hung his head and said, "Yes, sir."

…

Konoha Ninja Academy 8 A.M

Breakfast…

"Well, it could have been worse." said an exhausted Maya after a morning of complete and utter hell.

"Yeah, she could have thrown us into a pit of sharks instead of just water and a mud pit." grumbled Hinata.

Ino, Sakura and Shikamaru barely had the energy to eat whereas Choji and Emi were packing it away as if it was their last meal.

"We got off pretty easy Naruto." said Kiba. "We got ripped new ones but the way Yūgao sensei reamed the Blue and Black Teams made me almost wet myself if fear."

"Yeah, our team and Maya-chan's team both got off lightly in relation." said Naruto. "I blame Sasuke-chan and Sai personally. Everyone else gets along well enough. I can't believe that almost all of us 'died' though. You got lucky and lived but Sakura? Not so much. I've been in ANBU prison lots of times for pranks and it's not pleasant I tell you."

"I had no idea you were a jailbird Naruto-kun." said Emi between bites.

"Oh yeah, the ANBU down there know me well." said Naruto with a chuckle. "I'm sure that it was really scary for Sakura though. The first time I was in I was seven, so I've developed an immunity to it."

"You were seven?!" asked Emi in shock. "What did you do?"

Naruto smiled. "An old man knocked me down and called me vermin, so I climbed up on a roof and took a major piss on him. After his golden shower it turned out he was some sort of dignitary from the Fire Capital, so Jiji locked me up." Naruto laughed. "That's when I feel I truly launched my career of evil and became the Prankster King from Hell. Ah, good times. Shame I've had to straighten up my act."

Hinata shook her head in amusement while Maya laughed…

…

Hokage's Office, Noon

So far, Hiruzen was having a capital day given Danzo was dead (not that he'd announced it yet). His 'trusted advisors' Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu arrived and Hiruzen sat down with them for tea to discuss things.

Koharu said, "You seem so relaxed Hiruzen; I haven't seen you this way since you retired the first time." while Homura nodded in agreement.

"Funny you put it that way." said the Third Hokage. "It's good to sit back and relax with friends now and again. I have to admit I've been a bit tense lately with the massive smear campaign that you helped launch against me along with Danzo."

Both Village Elders got extremely tense. Koharu asked, "Whatever do you mean Hokage-sama?" as perspiration formed on her brow.

"Oh, come now." said Sarutobi conversationally. "Did you think I wouldn't know that Danzo intended to replace me as Hokage and that you supported him and his little coup? Rumors have been flying among our shinobi forces that I'm too old and too weak to lead Konoha and that I should step down in favor of Danzo because of the upcoming conflict. You both voiced this opinion to several on the Jonin Council in private and have tried to contact Jiraiya on Danzo's instructions because you know Jiraiya doesn't trust or like Danzo in any way."

"T-that's ridiculous Hiruzen!" said Homura. "We've been comrades and teammates for decades! What would Tobirama-sensei say?"

"He'd say I should put you two to death for treason against the Hokage and Konoha." said Hiruzen in an iron tone. "You two have become bloated and corrupt with the power you wield and I've decided to do something about it."

"But Hiruzen-" choked out Koharu.

"It's a shame really." said the Third Hokage. "I do realize I've lost my edge; I am an old man. My successor Senju Tsunade will be here soon; within days actually. I knew you two would oppose Tsunade and stand in her way…Oh dear, are you two not feeling well? …Paralyzed perhaps? Must have been that tea…Former ANBU Commander Raven executed Danzo for high treason yesterday. I don't suppose either of you had any idea he had Uchiha Shisui's sharingan implanted in his eye socket or that he had an arm made up of the First Hokage's cells with multiple sharingans implanted in it either? It was an interesting autopsy report to read. Our medics suspect it has something to do with Orochimaru given his previous experiments with Hashirama-sama's cells."

The two advisors keeled over out of their chairs with their teacups clattering to the floor. They could no longer see Sarutobi from their positions on the floorboards though they could certainly hear him. Hiruzen said, "Don't you two worry one little bit my dear friends; you'll be dealt with by my loyal ANBU before you are put to death. Since treason and execution are such ugly words, you will be recorded as honorably retired in favor of Tsunade's reign as the Fifth Hokage. No one will even know that you're gone. ANBU, take these traitors to the holding cells until further notice. Anko and Ibiki will deal with them in turn. They will be put to death later. Everything mentioned in this conversation is an S-Class secret. The penalty for revealing it is termination. Take them away." With that, the ANBU vanished with Homura and Koharu…

After they were gone, Hiruzen sat back down and sighed. He truly felt the weight of his years. He remembered the good times when Homura and Koharu (and even Danzo) were his trusted friends. Hanako appeared from the wall behind him and put her hand on his shoulder supportively. "It had to be done Hokage-sama." she said without preamble.

"I know Hanako…but it's still painful knowing they betrayed me." said Sarutobi. "I knew it deep down inside but the papers we seized that Danzo kept damned them. Have you considered my offer to be one of Tsunade's advisors? I know she holds immense respect for you Hanako."

Hanako sighed. "I am considering it Hiruzen but remember I have a house full of children that need my guidance and I have to keep the entire Hyūga clan at bay. I won't let them touch a hair on either of my granddaughter's heads."

"You're training young Hinata to be the next Raven aren't you?" asked Sarutobi.

Hanako nodded. "She has been treated cruelly ever since her dear Mother Himawari was murdered." said Hanako. Her eyes turned hard. "I will make sure Hinata-chan is able to defend herself against gods if need be." Hanako sighed. "I have to go Sarutobi. Call upon me if you need my assistance." Hiruzen nodded and patted her hand before she vanished in a body flicker…

…

Fire Country –Road to Konoha

"Another three days and we'll be in Konoha Mito-chan. Are you excited?" asked Jiraiya.

Mito was riding on Jiraiya's shoulders. "You bet Tou-san! I can't wait to see where you and Kaa-chan grew up. Is it as big as you say?"

"It's pretty big." said Shizune. "I think it will be nice to see home again; don't you think so Tsunade-sama?"

The blonde nodded. "It will be interesting to see how things have changed Shizune. An entire generation has grown up in our absence. I hope we are accepted well."

"Don't worry; you and Tou-san are awesome Kaa-chan!" said Mito excitedly. "Everything will be great. Living in the home you grew up in with your Jiji is going to be exciting. Is everything really made of wood he made like you said?"

Tsunade smile at her daughter's exuberance. "Yep, every last piece of the Senju Compound was created by Hashirama Jiji. He would have just loved you. I know he'd have spoiled you rotten as much as your Tou-san does."

The group was in high spirits. Even Tonton was happy and it showed.

…

Natsume Clan Home 5 P.M.

Hyūga Natsu (age nineteen) was a very nervous young woman. She'd been sent to the Natsume household by Hiashi-sama to help around the house and to take care of Hanabi-sama. In all honesty; the kunoichi/maid would have felt safer marching into Kumo buck naked. She didn't know if Hanabi-sama would accept her and Hiashi-sama said his meeting with Hinata-sama had been very negative. She also knew Hyūga Kō had been demolished by an angry Hinata-sama and had a healthy bit of fear of the girl since Kō was NOT a weakling. Natsu could barely pull of a thirty-two palms on a good day and apparently Hinata pulled it off flawlessly. Kō was a total wreck when he got home. Rumors that the Hyūga Heiress was a weakling were obviously a lie. Worst of all was Hyūga Hanako-sama. Natsu knew the older woman could destroy her in a heartbeat. She truly feared Hanako.

Now; here Natsu was acting as a gift of sorts to foster goodwill from the Hyūga household to Hinata-sama and the others living in the Natsume household. She wasn't a spy or anything but she was to convey that Hiashi-sama wanted to make amends. Truthfully Natsu also missed young Hanabi-sama. The girl was very dear to her and she would be happy to take care of her rambunctious little charge again. Now all she had to do was convince Hanako-sama, Hinata-sama and Natsume-sama that she wasn't a spy or threat of any kind and to let her live there as a house maid. Everything was being paid for by Hiashi-sama in advance but Natsu was worried they'd think she was an enemy in their midst. Natsu gathered her courage and timidly knocked on the front door…

It was dinner time and the children were chowing down on their meals when they heard a knock. Hanako briefly activated her byakugan before she went back to eating and said, "Ignore it." Three attempts later Natsu was feeling frazzled and Hanako said to Naruto, "Please answer the door Naruto-kun and know the woman there is Hyūga Natsu. She dislikes you for your burden so be prepared to remove her person from Natsume grounds if necessary." Naruto sat down his chopsticks and went to answer the door.

Hanabi was surprised and said, "Obaa-chan? Why is Natsu-san here?"

"We will find out when the time comes." said Hanako. "Go ahead and finish your dinner." Hanabi nodded and went back to eating. Hanako noticed a rather hardened look in Hinata's eyes but didn't comment on it.

Naruto heard a fourth set of knocks at the front door and opened it. He saw an attractive young Hyūga woman in a maid's outfit with a forehead protector. The woman seemed to stare at him in shock before she regained her Hyūga composure. "Ummm…Hello Uzumaki-san." she said lamely.

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "So you're Hyūga Natsu; I heard you hate the Kyubi brat. What brings you out here to the Natsume Clan Home? If you're here to see Hanako-sama or Hinata-chan they are eating right now so you'll have to deal with me."

Natsu recoiled a bit at Naruto's killing intent and said, "I've come in peace Uzumaki-san. I have no quarrel with you I assure you. I bring a message from Hiashi-sama and I'd like to deliver it to Hanako-sama or Hinata-sama personally."

"Then you'll have to wait out here until they're done eating Hyūga-san." said Naruto flatly. "I won't let you or your clan hurt Hinata-chan anymore."

"Ummm…. Aren't you going to invite me in?" asked Natsu uncertainly.

"No, people who have caused Hinata-chan pain and hate me for my burden can sit outside on the porch." answered Naruto harshly. "When Hanako-sama is done with her meal she may come out to see you. Hinata-chan might also but considering how she dealt with that Kō character you'd probably be safer with Hanako-sama." Then he closed the door in her face.

'This is going from bad to worse. I didn't expect Uzumaki-san to be here. Is he a dinner guest or some kind of lodger?' Natsu wondered. 'I'd hate to see him influencing Hanabi-sama in some way. He was just rude.'

About that time ANBU Dragon arrived in a body flicker. Natsu jumped a bit (It wasn't every day the ANBU Commander appeared in front of you). He looked at Natsu briefly and asked, "Are you lost Hyūga-san?" Natsu silently shook her head 'no' to his question. Dragon nodded. "Good, maybe Naruto is home." He knocked on the door loudly and Naruto answered.

"I told yo- Oh, Dragon. What brings you by?" asked Naruto.

"I have a business proposition for you Uzumaki." said Dragon. "I've already cleared it with Hokage-sama. It regards your particular area of expertise."

Naruto said, "I see, come on in where we can discuss this in private." as he showed ANBU Dragon in.

'Uzumaki is on friendly terms with the ANBU Commander and he lives here with Hanabi-sama? What is going on?' wondered Natsu.

…

Inside…

Naruto informed Hanako and the others that Natsu was sitting on the porch and he would be chatting with ANBU Dragon. After that Naruto sat down with Dragon in the office where he did his fuinjutsu work. The first thing Dragon noticed was the office was completely neat, clean and organized. It was spotless. He recalled the Fuinjutsu Team's area was covered in paper and had ink all over the place. It was a pit. This did not bode well...

"So what brings you by Dragon? Need a seal deciphered?" asked Naruto conversationally.

"Actually, I have a favor to ask. You would be well paid for it I assure you." said Dragon with a bit of nervousness in his voice.

Naruto narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "What kind of a favor is this Dragon?"

Dragon gulped. "Your expertise in the sealing arts is astounding." he said trying to stroke Naruto's ego a bit. "I want you to teach the ANBU Fuinjutsu Team and a few others in the sealing arts to the point they are competent."

"…"

"…"

"You aren't serious, are you?" asked Naruto.

"I'm as serious as a heart attack." said ANBU Dragon. "I need your help Naruto and they do too obviously. All I want is to get them up to snuff. I'm not expecting them to be on you or Jiraiya-sama's level."

Naruto closed his eyes and thought for a few minutes. "I have twelve-hour days in the advanced genin course and homework on top of that. I am in the Academy. Talk to Yūgao-sensei. I'm not putting my ninja career on the line for a bunch of talentless, incompetent, bumbling-"

Dragon raised his hand to ward off a tirade. (Seriously, Naruto really got his personality from the Red Hot Habenaro!) "I'm not asking you to put off the Academy. I'll talk to Yūgao. I'm thinking an hour a day and maybe two hours Saturday if we can work it out."

"What's the pay?" asked Naruto bluntly.

"Ongoing B-rank until they are up to par plus a bonus for each that graduates your course." answered Dragon.

Naruto shook his head. "Teaching that lot of six idiots is ongoing A-rank, no less." Naruto's tone was absolutely resolute.

"Ummm…actually there are eleven candidates and I'd have to talk to Hokage-sama to get A-rank authorization." said Dragon.

"Then it sounds like you need to talk to Hokage-Jiji and Yūgao-sensei then." said Naruto. "I'll show you out."

'Gee. I had no idea that the village prankster could be such a hard ass. I guess it's because of it being about fuinjutsu.' thought Dragon. 'I'd best talk to Yūgao and Hokage-sama.'

…

Meanwhile...

While Dragon was talking with Naruto; Hyūga Natsu was in the front room facing the firing squad, errr…Hanako, Hinata and Maya. The tension was unbearable. "H-Hiashi-sama sends his warmest greetings." said Natsu. She couldn't read Hanako-sama at all. Hinata-sama had a frosty look that chilled her to the bone and Maya looked…curious.

"So what is your actual reason for coming here Natsu-san?" asked Hinata coldly.

"Hiashi-sama has sent me to resume my duties as Hanabi-sama's caretaker and to serve as a maid in the Natsume household." said Natsu nervously. "He has made generous financial arrangements so I will not be any sort of burden and I promise to serve the Natsume household well and take care of Hanabi-sama to my best ability. He wishes to mend the broken bridges between himself and his beloved daughters Hinata-sama."

"Don't you mean burned bridges Natsu-san?" asked Hinata forcefully. "I won't have you spying in this household as a flunky for Hiashi-sama or trying to turn Hanabi-chan against us. Do you take us for fools?!" Hinata's anger was palpable and the killing intent she was throwing off frightened Natsu.

'Who would have thought Hinata-sama was so strong? She was always so kind, shy and gentle. What happened to her?' Natsu said, "Hinata-sama, I don't know what happened between you and Hiashi-sama but I assure you he has only the best intentions towards you and Hanabi-sama. You are his daughter and his heir. He is very distraught since you and Hanabi-sama left."

Hanako asked, "So it was never revealed why my granddaughters left the compound to live here?"

Natsu answered, "No Hanako-sama, all we know is many members of the main house and the medical staff were arrested and Hinata-sama had some sort of falling out with her Father. I know personally that the Hokage took Hanabi-sama into protective custody but I don't know why. It isn't talked about because it upsets Hiashi-sama."

Hanako locked eyes with Hinata briefly and then said, "Let me retrieve the report Natsu-san; it will educate you as to why Hinata-chan and Hanabi-chan left." She stood up and departed for a few moments.

Maya said to Natsu, "So you honestly have no inkling of the situation or the fact that Hinata-chan was hospitalized?"

Natsu gasped. "I-I had no idea. Were you injured Hinata-sama?"

"You are just as blind as the rest of the clan." said Hinata darkly.

Natsu was confused. "What do you mean Hinata-sama?"

About that time Hanako came back in with the report and medical file on Hinata. She asked her granddaughter, "May I Hinata-chan?" Hinata closed her eyes and nodded. Hanako said to Natsu, "This is the medical report and its findings on Hinata-chan's case. You will see the conclusions written about it at the end. Read every page in detail before you say a single word Natsu; do you understand?"

Natsu nodded at the older woman as she was handed the folder. Natsu quietly read the initial findings in disbelief but then she saw the pictures of Hinata's injuries and the detailed examinations. Tears started running down Natsu's face as she looked over the information. When she got to the part about Hinata-sama being poisoned and Himawari-sama having died of the same poison she was horrified. Natsu wanted to burst into apologies for not noticing. By the time Natsu got to the final pages about Hinata and Hanabi not being safe at the compound and being placed in Hanako-sama's custody she was openly crying.

Natsu closed the folder and prostrated herself on the floor before Hinata as she sobbed. "I beg your forgiveness Hinata-sama. I should have noticed your pain and helped you. I am so ashamed and so sorry! Please forgive this most unworthy person! You are completely in the right to have moved out of the compound."

Natsu had her forehead touching the floor for a long time before she heard Hinata say, "Get up Natsu." The kind and sweet tone that Hinata-sama always had was gone. Her tone was more like Hanako-sama's. It was clinical and authoritative. Hinata then said, "Go home to the compound and think hard about what you have read tonight for a couple of days. If you still want to come here, then come back Wednesday and we will discuss it. Maya-sama, Hanako Obaa-sama and I will discuss whether or not you are welcome in this house or whether or not you can be trusted with Hanabi-chan's care." Natsu was about to say something when Hinata held up her hand and said, "You are dismissed Natsu-san."

Bowing her head, the rather distraught Natsu went back to the Hyūga compound and wondered what she should do…

…

Hokage's Office

"A-rank?" said Hiruzen flabbergasted.

Dragon nodded. "That's what he said. He was quite adamant on the subject. I also have to talk to Yūgao about working around his schoolwork at the Academy."

"…And Naruto knows he's the only one with the knowledge necessary. He's got us by the proverbial balls doesn't he Dragon?" asked Hiruzen.

"I'm afraid so sir. If you don't mind my saying; he's as clever and sly as a fox." said Dragon.

"Damn that brat…" grumbled Hiruzen. (Sigh) "I'll authorize the A-rank. I know his elective courses aren't chosen yet. Inform Yūgao his first class is still his option but his second is 'Educating others in the art of fuinjutsu.' Do not tell her he's getting paid for it either or we may have a very dangerous, enraged ANBU level kunoichi on our hands."

Dragon nodded. "I'll do that immediately sir."

…

The Golden Leaf Restaraunt

ANBU Dragon arrived and waved down Yūgao who was eating dinner at the Golden Leaf with her boyfriend Hayate. She was calmer now but still a tad steamed. On the positive side her student's after-action reports and the questions on the back were answered very honestly. At least all her students were very truthful. Yūgao saw ANBU Dragon and saluted. "Is there something I can do for you Commander Dragon?"

Dragon nodded. "Actually, there is. Your student Uzumaki Naruto-"

"If he's started pranking again, I'll have his hide!" said the angry purple haired kunoichi.

"Calm down Yūgao." said Dragon trying to ease the tension. "Hokage-sama has a job for him at my request."

Yūgao raised a delicate eyebrow. "A job for Uzumaki? What kind of a job?" she asked suspiciously.

"We want Uzumaki's second elective hour to be used to train the ANBU Sealing Team in fuinjutsu." explained the ANBU Commander. "Hokage-sama called it educating others in the art of fuinjutsu."

Yūgao looked confused and then got a sardonic smile on her face. "Just how bad is our ANBU Sealing Team to need an Academy student to teach them? Is this some kind of joke?" She let out a chuckle.

ANBU Dragon sighed. "Unfortunately, it's no joke. Uzumaki's skill in fuinjutsu is staggering. Our sealing team is a bunch of rank amateurs compared to him. Hokage-sama said Uzumaki already is better at seals than Jiraiya-sama and the boy is only sixteen. The Hokage and I wish for him to teach the Fuinjutsu Team and a few others to bring them up to acceptable levels. I have yet to confirm this with him but since you are his sensei I want to know if taking away one of his electives is going to affect his overall performance or hurt his ninja career in your opinion."

"The specialized classes are designed to teach my students to branch out." said Yūgao. "If it helps him to learn to teach others then he's learning something valuable (and it serves him right). I have no problem with it as long as he keeps up in class. Is he really that good at sealing?"

"We believe the recent mass prank was all enabled by advanced seal work." answered Dragon. Yūgao's eyes widened in shock. "The boy is a genius in fuinjutsu. Make no mistake. I'd induct him into ANBU as head of the Fuinjutsu Team if it was up to me, but Hokage-sama disagreed."

"Consider it done." said Yūgao. "When do you want him to start?"

"I will set him up starting tomorrow." answered Dragon. "Depending on how long it takes to set up I hope to have the class started as soon as possible."

…

ANBU Headquarters, Wednesday 3 P.M.

It was Naruto's first day as a sensei and he was a bit nervous. He'd started yesterday evening getting everything together, but he didn't have a syllabus of any sort yet. (He didn't know where to start). It was his first time in ANBU Headquarters where he wasn't a prisoner or being questioned as well. That was a rather novel experience in and of itself. He'd asked Hanako Obaa-chan for advice on how to teach a class…

Flashback…

"Lace your words with killing intent whenever necessary and accept nothing but the best efforts from your students. If they are dead weight, then throw them out Naruto-kun." said Hanako. "Remember, while you are teaching them you are Mother, Father and God Almighty to them regardless of their ages or ranks. If you let them walk all over you then you not only failing yourself; you are failing them as a sensei. Be strict but be fair. Some will need more help than others. This is perfectly acceptable and natural. A good sensei helps their students who need it. But if they are rebellious or disrespect you in any way then you send them to the ANBU Commander. There is no place for that kind of behavior in ANBU."

Flashback end…

Naruto came in with his Fox mask (how appropriate) on his hip and saw the eleven candidates before him. Putting on his game face Naruto said, "I am Uzumaki Naruto; my assigned codename is Fox. You will address me as Uzumaki-sensei or Naruto-sensei. Everyone should have twenty scrolls, a fresh bottle of normal ink and whatever calligraphy brush they have been using. Chakra ink will not be used until we are ready. I have already witnessed that several of you have substandard brushes and have ordered new high-quality brushes for you. They should arrive next week. I want to start out with something basic. On your first scroll write 'I am a fuinjutsu master and my name is….and write out, do not sign, your name. Also add your codename. Below it create the symbols for a basic sealing tag." Naruto then fixed them all with a glare. "This is important no matter how mundane this may seem as is everything you do in this class. After you have done this call me over and I will inspect it."

The class grumbled quietly among themselves and ANBU hand signs were flying as they did their 'assignment.' (No doubt they were all insulting). Tortoise raised his hand and said, "I'm done writing my name Naruto-sensei." with condescension and sarcasm in his voice. This drew several quiet chuckles.

Naruto came over and examined the paper. Naruto made a disgusted face. "Tortoise, your calligraphy is pathetic. There are ink spatters. The lines on your seal are not perfectly parallel and the swirl pattern is uneven. This will not do. FAIL!"

"WHHAATT?!" was the reaction of the class.

Tortoise colored up and said, "What do you mean fail you brat?!" I should-"

Naruto cut him off with a question. "Do you know how to make an exploding tag Tortoise?"

"Of course I do!" said the man insulted.

Naruto said irritably, "It seems a practical demonstration is in order then." He got out a standard bottle of chakra ink and hung a blank scroll on the board. "Tortoise, please demonstrate your expertise and make a level two exploding tag."

"Level Two?" asked Tortoise. All the others in class had equal looks of confusion and Naruto face palmed.

Naruto said, "Fine, make a standard exploding tag that you are familiar with as quickly as possible."

Tortoise went to the board and after about five minutes had created an exploding tag and said "Seal!" before stepping aside to show his work with a smug look on his face. Naruto shook his head. It had all the same flaws as the previous scroll Tortoise wrote did.

"Does anyone see any flaws with this?" asked Naruto. "No one? Very well, observe as I make an exploding tag. Note I'm using and identical scroll and the same bottle of chakra ink. He hung a scroll on the board and fifteen seconds later Naruto said, "Seal!" and went to clean his brush. It happened so fast no one could follow it. After Naruto finished cleaning his brush he said, "Does anyone see a difference between the two?"

A pretty young purple haired girl said, "Yours looks like a work of art sensei! It is perfect."

"And you are?" asked Naruto.

"I am Gazeru*①, I specialize in kenjutsu like you do judging by your swords." She seemed friendly enough.

Tortoise growled, "So it's pretty; so what? That won't count when you're fighting the enemy!"

The class soon adjourned to a training ground to test the two tags. Naruto set the two tags about forty feet apart. He turned to Gazeru. "Since you seem impartial Gazeru; I ask that you set off these two tags individually with the minimum amount of chakra necessary. Do the one Tortoise made first. Everyone looked puzzled but Gazeru did as asked. She sent a chakra burst to the tag Tortoise made and…nothing. She tried again with more chakra with the same results. She glared at Tortoise for a second and sent out twice the normal amount necessary. It blew up forming a seven foot, unevenly shaped hole. The ground shook a little.

"Very good." praised Naruto. "Now go back to the minimum amount of chakra and set off the tag I made." Gazeru nodded and sent a minimal chakra burst. There was a massive explosion that left a thirty foot, perfectly round crater and nearly blew the class off their feet. After the dust settled everyone was gawking at the massive hole in the ground. Naruto then said, "Note it took Tortoise five minutes to make an unreliable tag that would have taken out two or three enemies. Also note it didn't explode evenly so if it had been thrown in the center of the group of enemies it might not have taken out the primary target."

Naruto then pointed to the thirty-foot crater. "Everything in the kill zone of this tag would have been destroyed from the center evenly which gives you four times the blast radius to knock out your target. It worked the first time with a minimum of chakra and was created in less than twenty seconds which means it could have been made ON the battlefield. Now, does anyone see a difference between the two?"

Most of the class was in awe and Tortoise was utterly humiliated. Gazeru had stars in her eyes. Naruto's voice was laced with killing intent. "This is what I have to teach you to be competent seal masters. If you want to learn follow me back to the classroom. If you don't report to Commander Dragon that you have failed and stop wasting my precious time." Oh, boy…Hanako Obaa-chan would be proud…

...

POSTSCRIPT:

① Gazeru is young ANBU in the Manga that helped protect Tsunade during Pein's attack on Konaha. There isn't really much said about her other than she has purple hair and carries a sword. For the purposes of this story her name is Tomoe Hikari and she is a year older than Naruto and the others which would make her 17. For all practical purposes she is an OC based on Kishimoto's background character.

Well, Naruto-sensei seems to be taking lessons from both the Uzuki and Hanako schools of ANBU training. Will he teach an outstanding class or will he send them all away running and screaming? See you next time. Blue out. 6/8/23