Naruto ❯ Rubies & Sapphires Book 2: Onyx & Citrine ❯ Chosing Teams ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

By: Specula

A/N: Yo!

Important Note: Sorry about not updating the other fics, but I'm stuck with the others unless I do a big time skip, like a year or so to cut out the really boring bits no one wants to read. In the case of the Bijuu series, skip their year of training and shove them straight into the Chuunin Exams, or in the case of Living Behind a Mask, kind of allude to the training and meetings with other Nukenins as well as the occasional run in with Konoha, a surprise run in with the Suna Siblings and then get to the point where they're ready for Akatsuki… I'm still going on Rubies & Sapphires, but I'm getting an urge to write a new one. I really should stop reading new fics for inspiration, because then I find a good rare pairing that's never completed and decide to do it the way I think it should work. If anyone has any ideas on what to do with the Bijuu series and LBaM besides what I've mentioned above, I'd like to hear them.

Is it just me, or do `bad guys' these days have a thing for having one particular fingernail being 200 times the length of the others? For example, in Bleach, the current head of the research department, the guy with the Soul Slayer that immobilises people, one of his fingernails is incredibly long. Another example recently is the guy in the latest Naruto filler arc, the guy with the yellowish skin, grey hair, black eyes with blue irises. He has one fingernail that's far longer than the others. Is it some sort of fad or something? Meh…

Also, I'm going to have to do a NarutoxTayuya fic. Why? There aren't any of them with over 45k words or any of them that are complete apart from possible a one shot… I can think of two ways to do it. 1: Naruto goes to Orochimaru as a 4 year old or so year old and gets a cursed seal. HUZZAH! Or 2: They rescue Tayuya after the Sasuke retrieval arc and go from there. Personally, I'm leaning towards the former so that I can balance out my `Good-guy' Naruto stories with the `Bad-guy' Naruto stories. Unless you guys specifically want Naruto to be a goody two shoes for that fic, I'll cart him off to Orochimaru. Personally, I think Naruto would be right at home in the Sound 5, as he specialises in barriers and seals, or does after the time skip when he's trained in them.

Questions/Comments/Suggestions:

DarkPhoenix2500: Unless they've updated the TOS or the rules and conditions in the last thirty seconds, there is no rule against long A/N or anything of the sort, so I will continue to write long A/N as I see fit.

Dragon Noir: Fan Girls? At 6:30 at night? That's… Going a bit far, don't you think?

cutepuplover: No, the flower meanings are real. The only thing I'm not sure about is the exact number of tulips for the `your eyes are beautiful' thing. I know it says a bunch of different coloured ones, but is a bunch 2, 3, 5 or 20? That kind of information is pretty readily available if you look for it.

DarkSov: Is there? Mind pointing it out to me where I missed it after scrolling through the entire rules about 5 times? As for the tickets thing, maybe tickets weren't the correct word. Reservations would've been better. As for the `corny' crap, I don't suppose you've ever lost a boyfriend/girlfriend? If you haven't, shut it. If you have, then you wouldn't be saying that. Don't judge others until you walk a mile in their shoes, but then again, `ridicule is tribute paid to the genius by mediocrities.'

Uwe Dirks: Amber isn't a semiprecious stone, so I can't use it.

Matt and T.K: Yeah, he'll be back.

Kin-Ryu Chikara: Meh, I'm not really that smart. I understand a hell of a lot less stuff than I don't understand, if you get my meaning. As for how did I learn all of that… Well, like Naruto, I was an `undiscovered genius'. However, school was boring and I never learnt anything from the teacher's meaningless lectures, so I taught myself at home. By the time I was 8, I was reading basic science books like `how things work'. By 12, I was reading science magazines, and by 15 I was reading scientific journals. I just found them… Well, fascinating. Also, I didn't watch TV except for the few weekly science programs that were on, such as quantum, catalyst and more recently, new inventors. Even as a kid, I always loved Lego, and that turned into technic and that progressed into meccano. Eventually, by the time I was 15 or so, I was fiddling with real machinery parts. I guess that part runs in the family… My uncle was building fully functional motorcycles by the time he was 8. I built my first computer by the time I was 16 with no professional training or help. I'm still using that computer now, of corse with several parts replaced as they died. And I've always questioned everything. Most people think `why is the sky blue' or `why does it go red at sunset' but don't bother to find out. I actually did bother to go and find out. The vast amount of information available is far too much for any person to remember even a fraction of it. Anywho, enough of the boring details about my past.

rantingmonkey: Well, my writing style is meant to do that. I have a highly imaginative mind that literally envisions what people write in full 3D movement and colour. However, I tended to find it more enjoyable if people actually leave gaps and don't describe things in so much detail that it only gives one image. It may sound strange, but I like it when people give just enough description in order for me to imagine it happening in several different ways. That's what I aim for in my writing, to let those of you who have very active minds to see it as you want rather than me forcing a set image into your head.

xxxxLostPuppyxxxx: After that display of power, who exactly did you think was going to try and kill him besides Akatsuki? Nah, it's fine, he can reveal it safely.

Monks & More: She's a real character in the anime/manga. Not sure if they're dreadlocks, but they definitely look like them.

GhostofKenshin: No, no Genin Team. I'm taking Naruto down Tsunade/Orochimaru's route, namely, taking on an apprentice.

Akira Strider: I was planning on doing more Sakura bashing. I probably will next chapter after I release her from `home arrest'.

Systemchaos: Is it a semiprecious gemstone? Citrine is, not sure about Amber though…

HeeroYuyz: I've checked all of my extensive official sources, and none of them say that. Even if they did, the skin changing red as a direct result of the amount of chakra released is only a half explanation It doesn't explain what the chakra does to the skin in order to do that, and it definitely doesn't explain the bulging veins or the eyes. Also, the first study of nature using the colour red as a stress reliever came out about the same time the Chuunin Exams were on in the manga… Kind of coincidental don't you think? No, that explanation is an incomplete one made up by fans. I'm dead certain that the `red' is the body's response to the extreme amount of stress placed on it.

Legend:

'...Human or Lesser Summon Thinking/Small A/N...'

'...Demon or Summon Boss Thinking...'

“...Human or Lesser Summon Talking...”

“...Demon or Summon Boss Talking...”

“...SHOUTING/TWO OR MORE PEOPLE SAYING THE SAME THING/CASTING THE SAME JUTSU...”

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Rubies & Sapphires Book 2: Onyx & Citrine:

Chapter Two:

Choosing Teams:

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Midday the Next Day:

The former Team 8 met at their usual B.B.Q restraint for one last lunch together as a team. They pushed aside the banner handing over the doorway and walked in.

“Irashai!”

They waved at the man and took their usual table. After they had placed their orders, they turned on the grillers and waited for their food. Naruto and Kurenai were trying to keep their relationship as discrete as possible in front of others, so they settled for more… Under the table action in the form of a hand on each other's thighs. Kurenai let a slight smile tough her lips. She had no idea that Naruto would be this affectionate, especially in public. It might have to do with the fact that he never had anyone to be affectionate with his entire life and he was `making up for lost time', as they say. Kurenai was brought out of her train of thought with all three boys staring at her.

“Kurenai-Sensei, Daijoubu?”

Kurenai snapped to attention and nodded.

“I'm fine. Just thinking...”

Both Naruto and Chouji smiled while Shikamaru sighed.

“Mendokusei…”

They smiled and looked up as the waiter severed their plates or various types of raw marinated meats. They chatted as they ate, laughing at each other's jokes. After 20 minutes, they had finished off their plates of meat and Kurenai decided to wrap things up.

“It's been a pleasure teaching you three. If you ever need some advice or anything, I'll be around. By the way, Tsunade-Sama asked for all three of you to report to her office this afternoon. I'll see you around.”

The nodded and thanked her for her help over the years. Chouji apparently still hadn't had enough to eat, so he ordered one last plate. Naruto and Kurenai paid for theirs, while Shikamaru stayed to make sure Chouji didn't eat too much and end up in hospital yet again from over eating. Just as Naruto and Kurenai walked out the door, both Shikamaru and Chouji were acutely aware that they grabbed each other's hands. Chouji dropped his piece of meat onto the table.

“Shikamaru, when did they start dating?”

Shikamaru looked off to the side and gave an exasperated sigh.

“How would I know such a troublesome thing?”

They decided to let the subject drop for now and finish off the last plate before reporting to the Hokage's Office.

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An Hour Later, at the Hokage's Office:

Shikamaru had just managed to convince Chouji that getting another plate would be `troublesome' and they had left to go to the Hokage's Office. When the ANBU guard admitted them, they saw Naruto already standing there. Shikamaru and Chouji walked in and closed the door behind them, taking their places either side of Naruto. Tsunade kept a cool composure that most people would identify as her `business' persona.

“Uzumaki Naruto, Nara Shikamaru, Akimitchi Chouji. Since you three have become Jounin, there are several choices about which area you wish to work in as a Jounin. You can either work as a regular Jounin and work towards gaining entrance to ANBU, work as a normal Jounin and complete regular missions, or you can take on an apprentice or a Genin team. You may switch between them at will, however, should you choose to apply for ANBU, and you will be required to stay with them once you are accepted for at least one year. I don't expect an answer right now, however, I would like one by this time tomorrow.”

Shikamaru and Chouji nodded as they let themselves out while Naruto remained.

“Is there something I can help you with, Naruto?”

Naruto smiled. Kurenai had told him as they had walked to meet their team for lunch that this would happen sooner or later, so he had thought about it. After what Kakashi had told him of his time with the ANBU, Naruto crossed that off the list immediately. He definitely didn't want to have to deal with three hormone induced pre teens. His last two options were becoming a regular Jounin or taking on an apprentice. As a regular Jounin, he would be able to spend a lot of time with Kurenai while neither of them was on mission; however, all of the previous Hokages had either trained a team or an apprentice, so he decided that would be his choice. He'd still get to see Kurenai often enough if he did.

“I've already made my choice.”

Tsunade looked at Naruto for his response.

“I want to be instated as a Tokubetsu Jounin and take an apprentice. However, the apprentice will be of my choosing.”

Tsunade raised an eyebrow at the statement.

“What makes you think I'll let you chose?”

Naruto smiled lazily.

“I'll fail every single one until you do.”

Shizune sweat dropped while Tsunade sighed as she sat back.

“Fine. The latest group of Academy students will be graduating soon-“

“That's not what I meant.”

Tsunade looked up at Naruto questioningly.

“Then what did you mean?”

Naruto smiled lazily.

“I'm looking for what Jiraiya-Sensei would call `an interesting egg'. I want to be allowed to pull that `egg' out of the academy no matter how far they are through the course.”

Tsunade was on the verge of denying his request on the grounds of insubordination.

“Explain.”

Naruto nodded.

“I'm looking for someone like myself at that age. Someone who has an unusual amount of talent but can't bring it out without the help of another. If I pick up that person when they graduate, the chance to develop their talent is gone because of their age. That's why I want to be able to pick that person out early and train them.”

Tsunade considered that for a moment. It made sense; however, it was not exactly the most common practice. Hell, it wasn't done full stop. There was merit in it yes, as Naruto's case clearly pointed out. She sighed and rubbed her temples in an attempt to fight off the migraine that was threatening to settle in. The old geezer and hag on the council were going to have her head for this.

“Fine. I'll instate you as a Tokubetsu Jounin of Fuuinjutsu and allow you to scout the academy for your `egg' I want you to tell me when you find it so I can arrange for his transfer.”

Naruto smiled lazily.

“Thanks, Okasan.”

Tsunade smiled. No matter how angry she got at him, she couldn't stay that way for long. Her relationship with Naruto had recently made her develop rather maternal instincts towards the young blonde, especially after the Jounin Exams.

“No problem, Naruto.”

Naruto poofed out of the office, leaving a rather frustrated Tsunade reaching for her emergency supply of Sake as she continued her dreaded battle with the paperwork.

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5 Minute Later, at the Academy:

Naruto decided he might as well start with a basic scout of the academy as the students left for home. Naruto instantly dismissed the students who ran up to adults that were obviously their parents and took their hands as they walked home. Most likely, his `egg' would be someone who didn't have anyone to acknowledge them, which usually turned out to be an orphan. There were several children who did not meet up with a parent, but Naruto could tell that their parents thought they were grown up enough to get themselves home from the looks in their eyes. Naruto waited until the last student had left and found nothing interesting. Naruto's head shot up as he heard Iruka losing his temper at someone. And rather severely too. Naruto jumped out of his tree perch and used a simple Genjutsu to hide himself as he looked into the classroom where Iruka was talking to four young boys probably in their first year that could seem to care less about Iruka's rant. Naruto looked over each of them carefully, dismissing the first three after carefully scrutinising their body language. The fourth one, however, sparked his interest. The boy had a mop of untidy brown hair and seemed somewhat malnourished in fairly poor clothes. Iruka seemed to take particular interest in pointing out the boy's flaws, and although the boy hid it well, Naruto could tell it cut deep from subtle body movements. After Iruka had finished his rant, he told them to go home and started cleaning up his desk. Naruto watched as the first three boys ran out, laughing while the fourth boy trudged out and glared at the other three before walking to the orphanage. Naruto smiled. He may have found his first `egg'. He poofed off to his house and decided to watch him for a few more days before reaching his decision.

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Three Days Later:

Naruto had watched all of the classrooms every day. There was always a `dobe' in every class, but all of them were the Dobe because they didn't have the potential to be more than that. The boy he found on the first day though, was a very different matter. The others pushed him round, bullied him and even played cruel pranks on him. By the end of the second day, Naruto had made up his mind. Naruto walked into the classroom after Iruka had finished. Iruka looked up and smiled.

“Naruto. It's good to see you. What can I do for you?”

Naruto smiled lazily.

“I'm interested in one of your students.”

Iruka raised an eyebrow.

“Interested? In what way?”

“I'm not taking on a Genin Team. It's too much of a hassle to deal with three pre teens, so I'm taking an apprentice.”

Iruka nodded slowly.

“You obviously have an idea who you want. Do you know his name?”

Naruto nodded.

“Fujiwara Akira is his name.”

Iruka's eyes widened.

“May I ask why?”

Naruto smiled.

“He has the potential to exceed anyone who's graduated this Academy since I left. It's just that no one's bothered to realise that.”

Iruka's eyes widened further but he nodded slowly.

“It's unfortunate… His family died when he was still a toddler. No one's adopted him yet.”

Naruto nodded. He'd found the one he wanted.

“I'm pulling him out of the Academy.”

Iruka practically face faulted.

“What? You can't do that!”

Naruto smiled lazily.

“According to the Hokage, I can.”

Iruka didn't know what to make of this, which showed in his face. Naruto smiled lazily.

“He'll receive more of the kind of attention he needs than he could get here. I'm brining the documents tomorrow. I'll still bring him back for the graduation test, though.”

Iruka nodded.

“I know you don't do things without good reason, Naruto.”

Naruto smiled and raised a hand.

“Ja.”

Naruto poofed out of the classroom and reappeared just outside the Hokage's Office to request the documents for the transfer.

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Next Day:

Iruka was in the middle of a history lesson on the Kyuubi and how the Yondaime sacrificed his life to destroy it when Naruto made a rather flashy entrance in the form of a loud bang and a poof of smoke. Everyone flinched except for Iruka. Naruto looked at his former Sensei.

“I've got the papers.”

Iruka nodded and Naruto handed him an official document with the signature of the Hokage. Iruka looked up at the class.

“Fujiwara Akira, you are being removed from the academy.”

Akira looked distraught while the other kids laughed.

“I knew the Dobe had no talent!”

Naruto looked up at the boy.

“On the contrary, he has more talent than all of you combined.”

That shut everyone up. The boy smirked at Naruto.

“How can the Dobe have more talent than us?”

Naruto sighed. He didn't have time to explain things to overconfident brats so he decided to show them by channelling a small amount of chakra. The chakra made the air hum and crackle, which the kids shrunk back at. Naruto stopped and looked at Akira.

“I know someone with potential when I see them. He's just never had someone to realise that potential and bring it out. Akira, we're leaving.”

Akira shot up and grabbed his things and hurried out after his new instructor, acutely aware of everyone staring at him. After they got outside and a short distance away from the academy, Naruto stopped and took a seat on a bench, indicating for Akira to sit down next to him.

“You're probably wondering why I took you out of the Academy.”

Akira nodded slowly. Naruto looked up at the clouds in the sky as they drifted past.

“I was like you once.”

Akira's eyes widened.

“An orphan?”

Naruto nodded.

“I had the potential to exceed everyone that graduated the academy for the last 17 or so years. The only reason that potential was realised was that someone saw it and brought it out. Now, I'm this generations' Fuuinjutsu Master.”

Akira's eyes widened even further and his jaw hit the floor as Naruto continued explaining.

“The reason I pulled you out is because I'm going to be training you one on one. The Hokage has approved of it. If I had pulled you out any later, the chance of brining that potential out would be lost. The only thing at the Academy you'll still have to do is be at the graduation test. By then, it'll be beneath you, but you have to do it for the sake of what we call `red tape', or official reasons.”

Akira nodded slowly, trying to take this all in. Naruto turned to him.

“Iruka was actually worried about you. The reason he pushed you harder than everyone else was so that you could try and catch up to them. However, Iruka-Sensei's methods aren't exactly… Helpful in that situation.”

Naruto stood up and smiled lazily at Akira.

“I want you to meet me here at 8 am sharp tomorrow morning. We'll begin training then.”

Akira shot to attention.

“Ossu!”

Naruto smiled lazily as Akira rushed to the orphanage, happier than he had ever been in his short life. Naruto poofed away from the scene to decide what to teach Akira tomorrow.

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Next Morning, 8 am:

Akira turned up a minute before 8 to find no one there. He hung his head and was on the verge of tears. Maybe it had been a dream… Just as Akira's watch indicated it was 8am, Naruto appeared a few metres from Akira, who jumped back in surprise. Naruto smiled at him.

“Good to see you're punctual. Let's get started. Come on.”

Akira nodded and followed Naruto through the streets to the training fields. Naruto chose a specific one that had been assigned to him. Training Area 19. Naruto led Akira into the open field and took a seat on one of the stumps there. Naruto smiled at Akira who took a seat in front of him.

“Ok, first things first. We'll start with introductions. I'll go first. My name is Uzumaki Naruto. My likes are training, my girlfriend as well as some other things. My dislikes are people who judge others by first appearances and label others because they can't be bothered to find out what they're really like. My hobbies are eating, creating new seals and hanging out with my friends. My dream… It's not so much as a dream as a personal ambition, but I'm aiming to become the Rokudaime Hokage.”

Akira listened in wonder to this guy. He was fast becoming a personal idol. Naruto looked at Akira.

“Your turn.”

Akira snapped back, glad for the attention was on him in a way that he was not the subject of torment.

“My name's Fujiwara Akira. My likes are training and eating. My dislikes are people who tease me and people who take things for granted. My hobby is pulling pranks. My dream… Well… I don't have one…”

Naruto smiled lazily at Akira.

“You'll find it, eventually. Well, I think we should get started. I think we should work on your Taijutsu to start.”

Naruto hopped down and jumped back.

“Try and attack me with just Taijutsu.”

Akira nodded and charged blindly in, trying to land a hit on Naruto who dodged them. At certain points, Naruto would call for Akira to freeze and would correct his stance in the slightest manner, such as turn a foot inwards, or move an elbow closer to his body. Naruto explained that by themselves, these changes would make little difference, but together, the change would be very noticeable. Akira nodded and tried to keep those changes in mind. By around midday, Akira could feel a definite change. It wasn't much but he just seemed to be able to flow through the moves with greater ease. Naruto could see Akira was only managing to stand upright by sheer will alone, so he called for a stop as he pulled out a scroll and produced two bento boxes. He handed one to Akira who was still trying to figure out where exactly Naruto had gotten them from while he took one for himself. Naruto smiled at Akira.

“You can seal practically anything inside scrolls. It saves space and weight. Here.”

Naruto chucked a scroll to Akira who caught it lightly and looked at it. Naruto looked at Akira.

“How much do you think the contents of that scroll weigh?”

Akira didn't have the foggiest idea. It felt like the scroll was about one kilogram.

“One kilo?”

Naruto smiled.

“Closer to 500.”

Akira practically dropped the scroll and stared at Naruto in incomprehension. How the hell did that work? Naruto sighed and went into the basics of scroll sealing.

“Scroll sealing is a very complex process. Using a special set of written characters in a certain order, an item can be turned into its' Kanji equivalent until it is recalled. For example-“

Naruto took the scroll back and opened it. He pointed to a Kanji that said `food'. Naruto palmed the kanji and put a bit of chakra into it. The Kanji was surrounded by smoke and a packet of chips appeared. When Naruto brought his hand away and the smoke cleared, Akira could see that the Kanji was no longer there. Naruto lobbed the packet of chips to Akira who took them. Naruto smiled at him.

“Open them if you don't believe me.”

Akira ripped them open to be assaulted by the smell of honey soy chips. He couldn't resist putting his hand in when Naruto shook his head.

“Eat your bento first, and then you can have the chips.”

Akira nodded and dug into the bento box to find that the food was not only real, but extremely tasty. He wolfed it down, much to Naruto's amusement and then started on the packet of chips. Naruto looked in horror at the speed at which Akira was eating.

`He could give Niisan a run for his money…'

As Akira finished off the last of the chips, he looked back up at Naruto, clearly showing that he was still hungry. Naruto sweat dropped. Was this what it was like when Kakashi first took him in? Naruto palmed the scroll again and pulled out a packet of rice balls and handed them to Akira, taking one for himself. After they had finished, Akira seemed to be fairly satisfied when Naruto heard a rumbling in the distance. Naruto looked up with a blank look on his face as he saw a cloud of dust coming from a solitary black haired figure in a green spandex suit. Naruto sweat dropped. He really didn't need to deal with Lee's `springtime of youth' speeches right now. However, Lee didn't seem to be able to tell that as he bowled Naruto over in his enthusiasm.

“Naruto-Kun! I hear about you taking on an apprentice! Where is this fine young man?”

Lee turned to see a rather scared looking young boy looking at him, trying to figure out what to make of him. Lee pumped a fist in the air and his `fires of youth' flashed in his eyes.

“Yosh! What a fine example of youthfulness!”

Lee decided a close inspection was in order and peered at his face before his eyes exploded into flames of youth, scaring Akira witless. However, what startled him more was that an older mirror image of this green spandex wearing boy came out and saw Lee scaring this child witless. He charged in and gave Lee a massive punch to the face.

“BAKA!”

Akira was now unsure if becoming Naruto's apprentice was a good idea. Naruto squatted next to him.

“You'll get used to it.”

Gai walked over to Lee and kneeled down in front of him.

“Lee… Omai…”

Lee got up to a seated position.

“Gai-Sensei!”

“Lee!”

“Gai-Sensei!”

Naruto slapped his forehead with his hand as they hugged each other and turned on the waterworks as they were surrounded by a strange Genjutsu that to this day, no one could explain. Akira looked at Naruto.

“Naruto-Sensei, what's with the waves and the sunset?”

Naruto groaned.

“I was trained by a Genjutsu specialist for over 7 years and I still don't know…”

Akira nodded slowly until he realised that the one known as Gai was standing in front of him.

“Lee has caused you trouble. Please forgive him for the sake of my face… This refreshing face, that is.”

Gai did a nice guy pose as his teeth sparkled as they did when illustrating a point. Naruto and Akira face faulted. Gai's face was many things, but `refreshing' wasn't one of them. Naruto recovered quickly due to the fact that this was a somewhat regular occurrence while Akira took his time. Once they had recovered, Lee looked at Akira and then Naruto.

“Knowing you, Naruto-Kun, you wouldn't take a boy this young as an apprentice without a good reason.”

Naruto nodded and smiled.

“I have my reasons.”

Lee nodded and did a nice guy pose.

“Akira-Kun, if you ever need training in Taijutsu, come to our training ground and I'll teach you our incredibly youthful style of Taijutsu!”

Akira sweat dropped as Lee and Gai turned and zoomed out of the training field to do whatever this `youthful' style of training was. Akira looked to Naruto for an explanation.

“Who were they?”

Naruto sighed as he smiled at Akira.

“Despite all that talk about youth, they are possibly some of the strongest Taijutsu specialists in Konoha. The older one, Gai, was my Sensei in regular Taijutsu for quite some time. Their method of training usually involves insanely heavy weights and rather unusual methods to build up stamina.”

“Like what?”

Naruto sighed.

“Running 500 laps around Konoha for fun.”

Akira sweat dropped. He wasn't in any rush to do that sort of training. Naruto rolled the scroll back up and put the empty packaging to the side before standing up.

“Let's continue.”

Akira nodded and got up as they restarted Akira's Taijutsu evaluation. Naruto made several more corrections, and wasn't surprised when Akira got them down first or second try. By the time the sun was setting, Akira was exhausted. Naruto straightened and smiled at Akira.

“Good work today. Meet here at 8 am again tomorrow, ok?”

Akira nodded and began trudging off, weary, but happy. Naruto called out to Akira.

“Akira, what exactly do you usually eat?”

Akira look perplexed at this question but answered it.

“They don't serve much at the orphanage, so I have to buy other things like ramen. That's really all I can afford.”

Naruto sighed. Those bastards at the orphanage were definitely going to get it. Naruto looked at Akira sternly.

“Do all children get treated like that?”

Akira shrugged.

“Most of them get about what I do.”

Naruto's eye twitched. This is how they treat orphans? They were definitely going to hope they had some good answers; otherwise they would be lucky if they were able to work again.

“Akira, are you lying?”

Akira shook his head, but the brief flash of emotions that appeared on his face was all the convincing Naruto needed.

“I'm going to talk to the Hokage tomorrow morning. I want you to meet me there instead of here at 8 am.”

Akira nodded slowly before he turned and left. Barely containing his anger, Naruto went straight home and fixed himself a quick dinner before getting an early night. Tomorrow was going to be one hell of a day for Konoha.

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Next Morning, 8am:

Naruto was waiting outside the Hokage Tower when Akira arrived and Naruto led him in. The guards and clerks nodded at Naruto who nodded politely back at them. When he approached the Hokage's door the ANBU guards looked at him.

“Can I help you, Naruto-San?”

Naruto looked at the ANBU, his face devoid of emotion.

“I need to bring something serious to the attention of the Hokage.”

The ANBU looked at the child.

“Any reason he's with you?”

Naruto nodded slightly.

“He's part of it.”

The ANBU nodded and knocked on the door before going in. After a few moments, the ANBU came back out.

“Tsunade-Sama will see you now.”

Naruto nodded as he led Akira into the office where Tsunade was finishing signing something and looked up. Tsunade noticed the barely constrained anger rolling of Naruto and adopted a serious expression.

“Naruto, what's so serious that you had to interrupt?”

Naruto's eye twitched.

“Have you inspected the orphanage lately?”

Tsunade raised an eyebrow.

“Not first hand. The reports say everything's fine.”

Naruto let his chakra flare as his emotions got the better of him.

“Fine? Define what they said was `fine'.”

Shizune had not seen Naruto this angry in a very long time. Neither had Tsunade, frankly. Tsunade pulled out the most recent report that the orphanage had sent to her and handed it to Naruto. Naruto skim read it and laughed bitterly before looking straight back at Tsunade.

“Not a single thing they said in there was true. Does Akira look `well fed' and `groomed' to you?”

Tsunade glanced at Akira and her eyes narrowed. He most certainly didn't. Naruto continued with his rant. Poorly treated orphans struck a very deep nerve with him.

“According to Akira, he receives just about as much care as the others do. I had to feed him a bento box, a packet of chips and a tray of rice balls just to keep him going after lunch on the first day of training.”

Tsunade's eyes narrowed further.

“Are you aware of what you're saying, Naruto?”

Naruto smirked darkly at the hidden meaning.

“I'm aware of exactly what I'm saying. If you still don't believe me, ask Akira or any of the others from the orphanage.”

Akira paled. He was going to have to speak out against those evil women called matrons? Luckily, Tsunade saw the look of pure terror and pain in his eyes. Tsunade looked back at Naruto.

“I'll look into it. However, judging by the look Akira gave at the mention of that, I think it would be best to keep Akira away from there for now.”

Naruto sighed.

“I can't keep him at my apartment. Even if there was enough room, I'm not going to expose him to Niisan's… Hobby…”

Akira raised an eyebrow while Shizune and Tsunade's eyebrows twitched.

“What's his hobby, Sensei?”

The other three in the room sweat dropped. This was going to be hard to explain without either telling him the full details or avoiding it completely.

“You'll find out eventually…”

Akira seemed to buy that as Tsunade went back to figuring out what to do. Replacing the entire staff of the orphanage would be difficult to do, especially on such short notice. For now, she really only had one option left.

“Naruto, I need some time to deal with this. For now, we need to get Akira an apartment to rent until we can sort this out.”

Naruto nodded. It wasn't ideal, but it would have to do. After they had discussed some other details about what could or should be done, Tsunade handed Akira a single key.

“That's the key to a new apartment. It's not much, but it's better than what you have now.”

Akira took the key gingerly and looked up at the Hokage glassy eyed.

“Arigato gozaimasu…”

Tsunade smiled at him. He looked so cute like that… Tsunade shook her head and told Naruto to show Akira where his new apartment was and then dismissed him, saying she'd handle his discharge from the orphanage. Naruto led Akira out of the room and out of the Hokage Tower towards the address he was given. He entered the poorer area of Konoha and arrived at a rather dilapidated apartment block. He sighed as he went up the stairs and along a walkway before arriving at a door. He pushed the key into it and opened the door to a dark three room apartment. Naruto flicked on the switch to reveal a decent apartment. Apart from the fact that the floorboards were faded and badly needed repainting, it was liveable. Naruto smiled at Akira.

“I guess this is your new home. We'll come back here later, but for now, we have to train.”

Akira nodded slowly until Naruto realised another problem. Akira's `clothes' may have been alright for the academy, but not for this kind of stuff. Naruto definitely got more than he bargained for and was almost having second thoughts about taking an apprentice over a team.

“You need some new clothes.”

Akira was trying to get his head around the fact he'd been given his own apartment, and now he was getting new clothes? Was the orphanage really that bad compared to what was `normal'? Naruto led Akira back out of the apartment block and to his first stop for ninja clothing, the store Kakashi had first taken him to get his clothes from.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&

An Hour Later:

Naruto walked out of the shop with Akira in a new outfit. Just like when Kakashi had taken Naruto in there, the owner had treated the boy nicely, and had helped the boy get the stuff he needed, which ironically was a mirror image of what Naruto had gotten when he first went in there. The only thing Akira now lacked was a facemask, but Naruto wasn't going to get him one just yet. By now, it was almost 11am as Naruto took Akira back to his apartment to dump his new clothes and get something to eat, which Naruto produced from one of those oh so handy scrolls. They ate on the floor of Akira's apartment in silence. Naruto sweat dropped at the amount of food Akira was eating. He was really going to have to teach Akira how to make his own scrolls soon… After their early lunch, both of them disposed of the garbage and then left to train. Naruto sighed mentally. This was going to be an interesting several years…