Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Chronicles of Kakashi & the Kunoichi from Thunder Country ❯ The New Genin ( Chapter 3 )

The New Genin

 

“Well, this year's class is fairly promising, a few of them should make chuunin within a couple of years,” Sandaime said thoughtfully while scanning the list of graduates. “Any particular thoughts, Iruka?”

 

Iruka nodded. After six years, he was now proud to be a veteran sensei, respected, one that the Hokage could rely upon. He sat up and read each name from the list, commenting on what he felt were the students' strengths and weakness to balance the three man genin teams. The other sensei gave their input as well.

 

He stopped at Rikako's name, taking extra time to consider her abilities. “Based on these test scores she's under-rated. Like most female shinobi, her weakness is taijutsu, but her ninjutsu is superior, and she's extremely intelligent.”

 

“Hmm, but Iruka, her test scores are above average, but nothing superior. In fact, wasn't she supposed to graduate last year?” asked one of the other sensei.

 

“She didn't take the exams last year, said she was sick. I offered her a makeup and she refused, said she wasn't ready. I even offered to pass her based on her past test scores, but she said it wasn't fair to the other students. Her grades from last year were near the top. This year I think she's just been working on perfecting techniques on her own and hasn't been paying as much attention in class or studying. She's probably one of the best students I've ever had, but she's a bit of an underachiever and very independent.”

 

Sandaime said nothing but raised an eyebrow and darted a look at Kakashi, who remained expressionless. Iruka caught the subtle exchange between the two and wondered again, `What is it about this girl that involves Kakashi? All these years and I still have no idea. Damn annoying being kept in the dark like this.'

 

“Independent? Sounds like she should be assigned to you, Kakashi,” Sandaime finally said.

 

“Yes, Hokage-sama.” Kakashi nodded with his usual bored expression.

 

After the round robin discussion among all the chuunin and jounin sensei, the three man genin teams were assigned. The process was relatively simple. The top students were generally paired with the worst students. Middling students ended up together. Of course they also considered areas of talent. Those skilled in taijutsu were paired with those skilled in ninjutsu. Genjutsu was not considered as most Academy students did not have much experience in genjutsu, which usually involved more advanced techniques.

 

Kakashi quickly looked at the profile summaries of his assigned genin.

 

Mori Kenji -

Ninjutsu: 2, Taijutsu: 3, Genjutsu: 1, Intelligence: 1, Strength: 3, Speed: 3, Stamina: 3, Seal: 1 Notes: superior strength, above average thrown weaponry, excellent work ethic, enthusiastic, reprimanded for unauthorized fighting with other students

 

Otori Rikako -

Ninjutsu: 3, Taijutsu: 1, Genjutsu: 3, Intelligence: 4, Strength: 1, Speed: 1, Stamina: 2, Seal: 4 Notes: above average strategic skills, poor thrown weaponry, good work ethic, calm under pressure, reprimanded for not paying attention in class (was reading non-related books)

 

Tokudaiji Takeo -

Ninjutsu: 2, Taijutsu: 2, Genjutsu: 1.5, Intelligence: 3, Strength: 2, Speed: 2, Stamina: 1.5, Seal: 2 Notes: above average strategic skills especially trap construction, very poor work ethic, completely unmotivated, reprimanded for sleeping and snoring in class

 

'Well, this doesn't seem too bad,' Kakashi mused. `At least it can't possible be as bad as it was with my first genin team. Of course these guys have to pass my test first.'

 

Iruka thought fondly of all his graduating students. They didn't know about what came next. They weren't truly genin until they passed their respective sensei's test - and some were much harder than others. `That Kakashi, I wonder if he's still using his impossible version of the bells test. So unfair, Naruto's team was really, really lucky to have passed. I wonder how these guys will fare. But Rikako is on that team. She's a smart one. Will she be able to read beneath the underneath?'

 

Iruka thought back to Rikako's first week of school:

 

At recess the other kids would run around and play while she sat on a bench writing in her notebook. A few days after the start of classes, a towheaded boy rather large for his age, came up and snatched her notebook away.

 

She stared at him but said and did nothing. She appeared completely calm, even smiled slightly, but the air seemed to change as if it had become statically charged. Iruka was on the other side of the yard when he felt…something. He turned to see Shigeru holding the notebook high above her.

 

The boy towered over her saying, “What's so important about this notebook that you can't join the rest of us? Do you want it back? Beg for it!”

 

Another bully, another schoolyard incident, Iruka was about to intercede when Shigeru suddenly yelled out in pain and dropped the book. Rikako quickly grabbed the book off the ground, clutching it to her chest. With tears forming in her eyes she ran toward Iruka.

 

“He tried to take my book,” she sobbed, but there were no full tears. Iruka told her to go inside and then he walked over to the bully.

 

“I was just trying to get her to join the rest of us, I didn't do anything, but look at my hand,” Shigeru complained.

 

But his hand was fine, normal, not a scratch, yet the boy claimed it was throbbing in pain.

 

After that incident, Iruka kept his eye on her. What was that strange feeling he had? And was she really crying? And what's with that notebook? He was very tempted to take a peek himself. But there were no more incidents. She became more like the other children. She no longer had her notebook out during recess and she made a conscious effort to play with the other kids. Over the years, there was still a distance between them and she never had any close friends. But in general she was well liked, especially for giving advice to others and helping with their techniques. And she always kept a smile on her face.

 

-...-...-...-...-...-

 

 

“Maybe he's on a super dangerous mission,“ said the large boy who wore his forehead protector covering the top of his head and tied in the back.

 

“Maybe he's dead,” yawned the sleepy-eyed boy who covered his eyes with his forehead protector.

 

“Maybe this is a test of patience,” surmised the sole female member of the team. “Or maybe he's just an irresponsible idiot,” she added with a laugh.

 

“That can't possible be true,” objected Kenji. “He must be on a dangerous mission. After all, he's an elite shinobi right? All jounin must take their duties seriously!”

 

“Well, he can't take it seriously if he's already dead,” muttered Takeo fatalistically.

 

Rikako shrugged. “Well, you'd like to think all shinobi are responsible, but that's probably not a promotion criteria. Essentially you just need to be able to fight well. But I doubt very much that they'd let someone irresponsible be in charge of a genin team.”

 

“Fighting…ugh…that's the worst part about being a shinobi. Who wants to get hurt?” sighed Takeo as he laid his head on his arms.

 

“That's what it's all about! Testing your strength!” Kenji looked down at the sleepy boy with disgust.

 

"Do you guys know anything about him?" asked Takeo with his eyes closed and hidden under his forehead protector.

 

"Well, I think my dad was on the ANBU with him for a short while. When I asked him about the sensei we might be assigned, he said that he hoped I wouldn't get Kakashi-sensei, but he didn't say why," Rikako replied thoughtfully.

 

“Your dad's a shinobi?” asked the larger, awake boy.

 

The girl nodded. “Well, he was. Now he's a civilian, a village doctor. My mom works with him as a nurse.”

 

“That's great that your dad was a shinobi. You must know a lot already. My parents just run the dumpling restaurant.”

 

“That's better,” said the near-sleeping genin, “you get all the dumplings you can eat. I love dumplings.” The last thought was enough to cause him to raise his head and smile at his new teammate. `Can't hurt to make friends with him. Maybe he'll treat us to a free meal.'

 

“So what do your parents do?” asked Rikako politely, just in case he didn't have any.

 

“Umm, well my dad's an architect. He travels a lot since there's not much call for that around here. I don't get to see him much. My mom…well…she works part time at Pink's Bookstore,” he mentioned the last part reluctantly.

 

“Pink's Bookstore? That sells only…adult publications,” Rikako pointed out.

 

“Really? Really? You mom works there?” asked Kenji with great alacrity.

 

“Yeah, well, it's only part time. My dad sends home money, but we have a large family so she still has to work. You know…I think she mentioned Kakashi-sensei is one of Pink's best customers!”

 

“No way! We get a perverted sensei!” groaned Kenji. `What is he doing then? Is that why he's late? Is he with some woman? He's not on a mission?'

 

Rikako shrugged. “I'm sure having a preference for adult books won't affect his teaching performance. It's not like someone would read that stuff all the time or in front of kids our age.”

 

The three new genin waited in the classroom for hours. All the other genin teams left long ago with their sensei. At first they talked about their past classes, what they've been doing, and their plans for the future. After two hours, they lapsed into silence. Takeo decided to take a nap. Kenji started doing pushups on the floor. Rikako took out a book she just started, “The Ninja Wars, a Revisionist Perspective.” Another hour later Rikako closed her book, Takeo woke up, and Kenji finally stopped exercising.

 

“He'd better have a damn good excuse for being this late,” complained Kenji as he placed the chairs and tables back in position (he had been using them as weights). “If it's a mission, I hope we get to hear about it.”

 

“I still think he's testing us to see how patient we are,” Rikako reasoned. “Everything from now on is a possible test to see if we can be shinobi.”

 

“Well, it's still annoying,” muttered Takeo, “I wish we could do something…”

 

-…-…-…-…-…-

 

'Okay, I think I've made those guys wait long enough and I did finish most of my new book already. They should have spent enough time together to form some bonding. Let's see how pathetic this group is,' Kakashi thought on his way to the Academy. Leaving the team alone for a few hours was his way to encourage the genin to learn about each other, to bond, in the hopes that they would act as a real team in the test that was to come. Of course that never worked. The genin would spend time together, yes, but when it came time for the test, it was always every man for himself (or every woman for herself). He always gave them a second chance too, and all but Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura had failed.

 

'My ex-genin,' he thought fondly but a bit sadly. `I hope this time things will work out better. Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm just not cut out to be a teacher.' Kakashi went through the usual emotions he had before meeting a new team, first near giddy anticipation, then hopefulness, doubtfulness, then self-doubt, not that anyone could tell by his nonchalant demeanor. He opened the door and stepped into the classroom. `No falling eraser, good sign of maturity.'

 

“Hello, sorry I'm late but...” he started to say, but stopped abruptly. All three genin were sleeping! He walked to the front of the class and raised his voice. “You can call me Kakashi-sensei...” They all continued to ignore him. Kakashi raised his hands and slammed them on the desk in front of him. None of the three even flinched. `Impressive,' he laughed to himself, `they've coordinated an effort to annoy me. Maybe I should use a justu to teach them a lesson, but I guess I deserve it.' “Okay, that's enough you guys. I'm sorry for being late. But my first impression of you is... you're all annoying lazy brats!”

 

The large boy with blondish hair peeking out from under his headwrap woke up first and asked sleepily, “Excuse me, did you say something?”

 

The smaller boy with unruly dark blue hair stretched his limbs in an exaggerated motion and gave a huge yawn.

 

The petite girl with erratically braided hair blinked her large dark eyes, and asked, “Is it time to go home?”

 

”It's time we took a field trip. Let's go outside for some sun and fresh air.” The three genin followed Kakashi to a pretty pavilion surrounded by flowers, where he asked each of them to tell him something about themselves.

 

Kenji volunteered to start. “I like to keep active and train all the time otherwise I get bored and I hate being bored.”

 

'Ooookay...attention deficit disorder,' Kakashi appraised.

 

Takeo spoke next. “I like working with my hands, making things or designing things. Maybe I'll design weapons someday. I actually want to be an artist, but there's no money in that. Being a shinobi is at least a regular job. Umm, I don't like pain.”

 

'How...practical,' Kakashi mused.

 

“I like learning new things. And I hate waiting,” Rikako said pointedly but with a smile.

 

'Was that a slight?' Kakashi arched an eyebrow. The genin waited for Kakashi to tell them something about himself, but he didn't. He just said, “We'll meet again early tomorrow for survival training, 6AM. Bring your weapons and ninja gear.”

 

Kenji asked, “What's survival training?”

 

Kakashi began to chuckle. “You'll see. But if you don't pass, you'll have to go back to the academy. The average failure rate is 67%. Oh, and don't eat anything for breakfast because the training will make you throw up.” He chuckled again gleefully.

 

The girl raised her hand. Her sensei looked at her and raised his eyebrow in response. “Actually, to avoid nausea, you should have something in your stomach. I recommend some saltine crackers to help absorb the stomach acid,” she explained.

 

Kakashi was slightly annoyed at the blip in his plans. It was fun watching them puke. Disgusting, but quite amusing. `But that still won't help them,' he thought. `Guess she picked up something from her father. After all, he was a great shinobi medic.'

 

-...-…-…-…-

 

Next morning the three genin arrived on time at the designated place - the training area with the three posts. It was still dark but the grassy clearing was wet with dew. After the first half hour of waiting, the sun peeked through, but all three genin went back to sleep. Rikako didn't actually sleep, though her eyes were closed, instead she silently performed her meditation and chakra control exercises. After two hours she took out a book from her backpack on “Medicinal Herbs Native to Konoha” and started to read and take notes. Kenji woke soon afterwards and began his morning exercises. Takeo continued to sleep.

 

“What's with this guy?” grumbled Kenji. “He's late again! And he's the one who picked the time. Good thing I had some toast before I left home.”

 

Rikako shrugged. “I'm sure he's just testing us again. He can't be that irresponsible.”

 

“Well, he didn't have an excuse yesterday. He'd better have a good one today!”

 

Kenji's ranting finally woke up poor Takeo. “Why don't you two just get some more sleep before he gets here? You can save your energy for whatever's coming.”

 

“I'm too wired to wait any longer! Ugh! I can't wait for the test. I hope it involves lots of action.”

 

“I hope it's a written test so I don't have to move,” yawned Takeo.

 

“That seems very unlikely,” Rikako reasoned. “He said it was survival training, so maybe we have to hunt for food.”

 

“That sounds like fun! We can use our shuriken and kunai to hunt rabbit or deer, and then skin them for their fur.” Kenji was now enthused.

 

“I think fishing would be better,” muttered Takeo, thinking of sitting in a boat all day and not having to move at all.

 

“Well, we should know soon enough. It can't be too much longer. It's already been three hours now.” Rikako sighed at the waste of time.

 

-…-…-…-…-…-

 

'Well, that should be enough time for them to bond some more, and to make them good and hungry.' Kakashi finally arrived, scratching his head with an embarrassed laugh, “Sorry guys, I was on my way when this huge flock of sparrows attacked me and...” He stopped when he saw the expressions on his new genin's faces. The larger boy looked ready to kill him. The other boy was still sleeping. The girl looked at him doubtfully, but she greeted him with a smile and an exaggerated bow.

 

“Good morning Kakashi-sensei. We're all pleased that you could join us despite the horror you must have endured on your way.”

 

Kakashi was over four hours late, which was actually an hour better than the last time he gave this test (Naruto's team annoyed him more because of the eraser incident which caused him to use up all his shampoo). `Maybe I was wrong, maybe this team is no better than my other one,' Kakashi thought as he evaluated their reactions. `A hothead like Naruto; a guy even lazier than Shikamaru; and the girl - I can't tell if she's being sarcastic or polite. Sigh, it's already been three years since the last time I gave this test. Time sure flies, whether or not you're having fun.'

 

He decided to get down to business and not finish his lame excuse. He gave them his usual test. “I have here two bells and two lunches. Whoever can grab a bell from me gets to stay as a genin and a free lunch. Unless you can grab a bell from me, you'll have to return to the Academy."

 

The two boys looked flabbergasted. The girl remained expressionless except for the slight smile she maintained as part of her normal expression.

 

"You have got to be kidding! After all the exams and graduation ceremony, you're saying one of us has to back?" Kenji was nearly shouting at the veteran shinobi.

 

"There are only two bells and two lunches so one person will definitely have to go back. But if none of you gets a bell, then you all go back. Come at me seriously, with the intent to kill or you'll all fail. When the alarm clock goes off, time is up.” Kakashi chuckled as he walked away, but then stopped within range to observe them.

 

'Should be an interesting group based on their different personalities and complementary skills,' Kakashi thought as he watched the three huddle together.

 

Takeo was a wiry boy with gray eyes and wavy bluish hair that could use a trim. He was of average height and always looked like he could use a nap, or rather just woke up from one. He wore a dark blue hooded sweatshirt with matching pants. His forehead protector was worn in the usual fashion, but over his eyes when he napped.

 

Kenji was tall for his age, only half a head shorter than Kakashi, and built like a brick. His blondish brown hair was cut very short and his bright blue eyes were full of energy. He wore a gray T-shirt with an unofficial green ninja vest and khaki shorts with lots of pockets. His forehead protector was worn as a head wrap to cover his skull from the sun.

 

The girl had dark, dark eyes, darker than his own gray ones, almost black, that had just a hint of green when reflecting the sun. Her long hair, a shade lighter than her eyes, was pulled back and tied in a loose braid. Strands of hair constantly escaped from the braid so she was always tucking them back behind her ears. She was slightly under average height and looked a bit thinner than she should. She wore a simple long sleeve black T-shirt and slim fitting black pants with a brown belt. Her forehead protector was worn on her left thigh to strap a second shuriken pack to her leg. `She must be ambidextrous,' Kakashi noted to himself.

 

-…-…-…-…-

 

Takeo, the smaller boy, leaned on a tree and sighed. ”I had a feeling it would be a bad day. I guess it's back to the Academy for me.”

 

Kenji said excitedly, “Going up against a jounin on our first day. Should be interesting. I can try out some of the techniques I've been working on.”

 

“Wait, let's think about this. There's no way any one of us can beat a jounin. Even combined we can't do it. He can beat all of us, blindfolded, with one hand tied behind his back. He doesn't even need hand seals. This isn't what it appears. This must be a test of another sort,” said the girl.

 

“What kind of test?” asked Takeo wearily. `I'm so sick of tests! If this village only had other job opportunities.'

 

Rikako pondered slowly, “Well, from what I know about Kakashi-sensei, he was on the ANBU. The ANBU are organized into military units, platoons. They complete missions as a team rather than individually. He probably wants us to act like a team.”

 

“A team? We hardly know each other,” groaned Takeo.

 

“There's only two bells. If he wanted us to pass as a team, there should be three. What you're saying doesn't make sense. I have a better chance of getting a bell than either one of you. Umm, no offense, of course,” boasted Kenji.

 

“Listen, if we act as a team, there's a much better chance of getting both bells. Maybe he'll only pass two of us, but then whom would he choose if we acted as a team? He's got to pass all of us, right?” Rikako inferred.

 

The larger boy shook his head, “What if you're wrong? I'm not willing to take that chance. I'd rather rely on myself.”

 

Takeo walked over to stand by Rikako. “What Rikako-chan says makes sense. If you're not willing to work with her, I will.”

 

“That's because you're not strong enough. You need a girl's help!”

 

“Tell you what. You work with us and if only two can pass, I'll bow out and go back to the Academy. Another year won't matter to me,” Rikako offered coolly, ignoring his slight.

 

Takeo shook his head. “Well, that's not fair, maybe we should draw straws.”

 

Kenji shook his head. “No way, I'm not taking any chances. The two of you can decide who goes back.”

 

“Fine, you're guaranteed a bell. Takeo-kun and I will do rock, paper, scissors or something.” Rikako negotiated seriously.

 

“Sure, any chance is better than none.” Takeo smiled in relief at not having to go up against a jounin on his own.

 

“Okay, first, what are your strengths and weaknesses?” The girl assumed charge now that the two boys agreed to her plan. “Oh, by the way, I brought some cereal bars and crackers. I was going to the library after this so I wasn't expecting lunch anyway. We can share my water, too.”

 

The three genin discussed and planned their strategy against one of Konoha's top jounin, while wolfing down the food. They only had an hour to get organized.

 

Kakashi heard enough to know they were going to come at him together. `Good,' he thought, `this should be interesting.' From his hip pack, he took out the latest novel by Jiraiya (“Icha Icha Tactics Vol 2”) walked around, settled on a log and began to read.

 

-…-…-…-…-