I, Your Father, Carry a Big Stick

Following the introductions, Hiruzen's expression became marginally more serious as he said, "Now, as for your duties as Genin of the Leaf. It should be quite obvious, but I'm long past my prime as the God of Shinobi. There is also the matter of my responsibilities as Hokage, so I don't have time to accompany you for training or oversee your missions outside the village..." Though Wu and Kaia listened patiently, Kazuo couldn't help asking, "Then how will we improve? H-How will we advance to Jonin...?" Unbothered by the interruption, Hiruzen waited for Kazuo to finish before explaining, "The three of you have been given a rather unique opportunity. Instead of requiring you to undergo various evaluations to determine your capabilities, I am allowing you to pick and choose which organizational branch of the Shinobi Forces you would like to become a member of. Be it the Medical Squadron, the Aviculture Department, the Survey Corps, the Cryptoanalysis Team, or even the ANBU Black Ops. If you think you have what it takes, I will arrange for you to receive specialized training in your chosen field..." Shifting his gaze to Kaia, Hiruzen added, "Or, if you would prefer, you can focus on the duties assigned to you by your Clan. Just keep in mind that our Team will meet at the end of each month so that I may evaluate your progress. If your results are satisfactory, I will teach you any Jutsu in my repertoire, starting from the lower ranks and working your way up." Hearing that she would be able to remain in your Clan and focus on her studies as a Kennel Master, Kaia's smile threatened to tear the muscles of her face. She had improved considerably over the past four years, but she knew better than anyone that she would only get in Wu's way. His senses were better than hers, and everything from his speed, power, and intellect were in a league of their own. Thus, even though she really liked spending time with him, Kaia was relieved to hear she wouldn't be holding Wu back. If he came to hate or resent her because of her ineptitude, she wouldn't know what to do... Contrasting Kaia's glee, Kazuo's expression was one of shock, confusion, and a trace of fear. The part about being able to join any department he wanted was incredible news. However, if they were to be evaluated at the end of each month, he knew he wouldn't be able to compare to a monster like Wu. Even if he lost 60kgs and tried his absolute best, he would always be in the shadow of his two 'team' members... As if seeing through Kazuo's thoughts, Hiruzen's expression softened as he said, "Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Being the best at something isn't as important as 'doing' your best. So long as they make an effort, anyone can become a great Shinobi. To that end, the three of you have my full support." Feeling marginally less anxious, Kazuo nodded his head and replied, "I'll do my best..." in an uncharacteristically meek tone. He had no idea which department he wanted to enter, but having the Hokage's backing would make it much easier to achieve his dream. If he could accomplish that, he wouldn't care even if Wu became the next Hokage... ... .. . With Hiruzen giving them a week to make their decisions, Kaia and Kazuo returned to their homes while Wu joined the elderly man in his study. The moment they entered, Hiruzen immediately removed his hat, an indicator that everything they discussed would be kept between them. As Wu sat across from him, Hiruzen's silvery-grey eyes glimmered with a hint of expectation. It was a little vain of him, but he saw much of himself and a hint of the Second Hokage within his grandson. He still wasn't sure what the future held, but he believed Wu would be the Keeper of the Will of Fire moving forward... After making himself comfortable, Wu initiated the conversation, stating, "I've graduated. According to you, this was when my 'official' training was supposed to begin. So tell me, Jiji, what 'mischief' have you prepared for me this time?" Exhaling a light chuckle, Hiruzen took a moment to caress his thinning but still-pointy beard before revealing, "The next Chunin Exams are scheduled to take place in Konoha, officially beginning on June 6th. I intended you to make your debut there, but there have been stirrings along the borders as of late. Your...abilities make you especially suited to slipping in and out of places undetected. As such, I intend to employ you to Kumo and possibly Suuna on a special, off-the-books assignment..." As his interest in the other villages had increased considerably over the past few years, Wu's usually golden eyes gained a fiery hue as he said, "Now you're speaking my language. Let me guess, you want me to gather information on the teams participating in the Chunin Exams? Maybe mess up a few of their missions to undermine the trust between the villages and their respective Daimyo...?" Unable to contain himself, Hiruzen burst out laughing. He could easily imagine Wu running rampant in other countries, and because he didn't care about money, the village wouldn't have to fork over a small fortune to incentivize him. Hiruzen just needed to give Wu a bit of freedom, and the Kage of enemy villages were bound to shed tears or cough blood. After regaining his composure, Hiruzen met Wu's gaze, a sly smile on his face as he said, "So long as you don't violate the tenets of any treaties, I'll leave it to you to decide how to operate. After all, this is an off-the-books mission. Unless you uncover something that jeopardizes the village and its people, you don't need to send back a report. Just be sure to return at the end of each month for a debriefing. Understood...?" Punching his right fist into his left palm, a massive grin developed across Wu's face as he said, "Leave it to me, Jiji. I'll cause so much havoc those alphabetical apes won't even be able to imagine plotting against us. Just one last thing before I go..." Though he didn't plan to let Wu leave immediately, Hiruzen nodded his head, prompting the boy to ask, "Since it's off-the-books, I won't be able to collect bounties using the Bingo Book, right? So my question to you is: if I encounter an enemy Shinobi, should I beat them half to death or fully to death...?" Adopting a markedly wrier smile, Hiruzen paused to consider his response before eventually answering, "I'll leave it to your discretion. Just don't get carried away or go on a killing spree. If a village feels as though it's being backed into a corner, it may start a war out of desperation. I'll issue you a Bingo Book, but feel free to spare anyone that isn't listed as 'Kill on Sight.' If they have a designation like that, it means they have committed a grave sin against the village and its people. If the opportunity presents itself, do not hesitate to kill them..." Nodding his head in understanding, Wu's expression emulated Hiruzen's severity as he asked, "The First Hokage's dream, right? Don't worry, even I would feel guilty about killing children. Unless my hand is forced, I'll just break their arms and legs before healing them just enough to hobble their way home. As for those KOS assholes? Unless I shout out the name of my techniques, those bastards won't even know what hit them." Having witnessed Wu's capabilities firsthand, Hiruzen had no doubt the boy could pull what he described off. Wu had, for reasons they still didn't fully understand, struggled with conventional Ninjutsu. He was able to do all the things an ordinary Shinobi could do, but the methods he employed were unique to Wu. He had also developed techniques that defied reason, so Hiruzen had great expectations for the boy's future. As that thought crossed his mind, Hiruzen briefly lamented that things hadn't worked out between Wu and Hinata. They had yet to annul the marriage contract formally, but neither had they signed the certificate. Fortunately, while Wu didn't seem to have an interest in Hinata, there was still hope in the form of Kaia and the girl from Team 9, Tenten. And, who knows? Maybe Wu will have a fateful encounter during his journey to the West... ... .. . With Hiruzen asking him to delay his departure for a few days, Wu decided to meet up with Tenten. The latter had promised to treat him to a meal once he had graduated, so he hopped, skipped, and jumped over to the Higurashi Tool Shop. The roofs of buildings had been off-limits to him as a student, but now that he had graduated, it was like the whole world had opened up to him. Landing in Tenten's backyard, an area with stacks upon stacks of kindling and several mineral storages, Wu briefly looked around before walking up and knocking on the back door. The sounds of movement on the opposite side of the door indicated that it wasn't Tenten's mother coming to check things out, so Wu formed a Half-Ram Seal and 'disappeared.' At least, that was how things appeared. In reality, he had shrunk down to the size of an ant, slipping into the house the moment Tenten opened the door. Seeing the empty backyard, Tenten immediately became alert, pressing her back to the nearest wall as she threatened, "I swear, Wu-kun. If you jump out and try to startle me, I'm eating all of Kaa-chan's homemade ice cream..." With a 'defeated' expression on his face, Wu slowly increased to his full size, remarking, "You used to be funner...what happened?" Blushing fiercely, Tenten exclaimed, "You know darn well what happened, you perverted monkey! I let you into my room, and you went through my drawers while I was taking a bath...!" Hardening his expression, Wu defended himself by saying, "You called my name and told me to bring you some clothes. You should have been more specific. Besides, what's the big deal? Bears are-" Before Wu could finish speaking, Tenten hammered him in the face with a punch. She told him never to speak of the 'secrets' he had uncovered that day, so even though she understood it was pointless, she at least tried to punish him. As his Size Alteration Jutsu was still active, Wu shrunk down, evading Tenten's punch and adding insult to injury by slipping between her legs. He didn't touch anything, but the ruddy expression on her face became even more prominent as she covered her front and back, shouting, "You little rascal...!" Growing tall enough that he had to hunch over to avoid hitting his head against the ceiling, Wu stared down at Tenten, teasing, "Now I'm a big rascal..." With a hand that was nearly the size of Tenten's torso, Wu made as if to grab her before stopping as the dango-haired girl stood her ground and stared back at him with a defiant expression, hands on her hips. Clicking his tongue, Wu returned to his normal size, surprising the petite and athletic girl by scratching the back of his head and revealing, "I'm going to be away from the village for a while. If I took things a little too far, it's your fault for threatening my ice cream..." Ignoring the part about the ice cream, Tenten's expression softened into one of concern as she asked, "Are you returning to Jigokudani? It can't be a mission, can it? I know you're capable, but newly-promoted Genin must complete D and C-Rank Missions around the village before receiving any long-term assignments..." Adopting one of his characteristically toothy smiles, Wu remarked, "I told you before, didn't I? I'm just built differently. Besides, instead of a normal Jonin Sensei, I got saddled with the old man. This was his idea, so I'll be away for a while, undergoing training." Though she was a little surprised to hear that Wu's Jonin Sensei was the Hokage, Tenten set aside her other questions and asked, "How soon will you be leaving?" Making a so-so gesture with his left hand, Wu replied, "Three to five days, depending on how long the preparations take." As another question popped into her mind, Tenten blinked a few times before asking, "And you decided to come here first...?" Shifting his gaze from Tenten to the fridge, Wu's expression appeared to express longing as he responded, "I had to..." Completely misinterpreting Wu's words, a ruddy hue returned to Tenten's face as she lowered her head and linked her hands behind her back. A lot had changed since her initial encounter with Wu, and while it had taken her a while to figure it out, she eventually realized that her parents were attempting to set them up. She still believed it was a little early, but now that Wu had graduated from the Academy...it wouldn't be too weird if they started dating, right? ... .. .

"Don't touch anything." Since it was a little too early for dinner, Tenten invited Wu up to her room on the second floor of the Higurashi Tool Shop. The wall furthest from the door was covered in weapons ranging from sai to a large spiked mace, but the rest of the room was fairly typical of a young girl in her teens. At least according to Wu's experiences. Rolling his eyes, Wu retorted, "It was one incident, Tenten. When are you going to stop bringing it up?" Crossing her arms, Tenten looked like she wanted to retort but ultimately shook her head, saying, "Forget it. Just sit on my bed or something until I get back. I won't be more than a few minutes." Finished with what she had to say, Tenten turned to leave but stopped when Wu flatly pointed out, "You're forgetting a change of clothes, dango head..." Inhaling a deep breath, Tenten stood straighter as she turned around to stare at Wu with a reddening face. In response, the latter just wiggled his eyebrows, adding, "You're welcome." in a teasing tone... ... .. . Resisting the urge to raid Tenten's panty drawer, not because he was interested in them but just to annoy her, Wu relaxed on her bed with his hands behind his head. He generally preferred sleeping on firm surfaces, as it was better for his posture, but there was a certain 'charm' to making himself 'at home' in places that were generally off-limits. Finished with her quick shower, Tenten opened the door to her room and immediately exhaled a sigh. She used to think Wu's 'shamelessness' was fairly charming. Now, it frequently left her feeling exasperated... Rising to a seated position, Wu's brows perked up as he saw the clothes Tenten was wearing. Ninety percent of her outfits consisted of some kind of qipao, so it was rare to see her in something as 'fashionable' as a pale-pink sweater-hoodie that left much of her abdomen and lower back open to the air. She had a sleeveless, matte black top that covered everything from her lower rib cage to her neck, but it was a pretty 'risque' outfit for someone whose mother taught them to dress modestly. Noticing Wu's gaze gravitated toward her navel, a nervous tension began to build in Tenten's body as she averted her eyes and asked, "How does it look? This kind of fashion is pretty popular these days..." Instead of responding to Tenten's question, Wu lowered his steely gaze from her faint abdominal muscles to the toned thighs protruding from her form-fitting brown shorts. The effort she had put into her training showed, so he decided to humor her, responding, "It certainly fits..." Returning her gaze to Wu, Tenten flatly inquired, "Is that what passes for a compliment in that monkey brain of yours...?" As Tenten currently had her hair down, still damp and extending all the way to the small of her back, Wu couldn't retort by calling her a dango-head. Instead, he replied, "It is. If you were fat, it would fit 'too well.' If you were too skinny, it would be 'kind of loose.' As you are now...it's just right..." Though Wu's words were more than a little unorthodox, Tenten found herself swallowing hard. Wu was the only boy, well, excluding her idiot Sensei and teammate, who frequently complimented her. He could be 'really' annoying at times, but his words had a way of making her feel like an ordinary girl, not some weapon-obsessed freak... Making her way over to the bed, Tenten sat down next to Wu, the weight of her body distorting the mattress and causing their bodies to touch a lot more than she intended. Despite this, she didn't attempt to move over and create some distance between them. Instead, she leaned a little closer, a knot forming in her throat as she softly inquired, "Hey, Wu-kun...have you ever kissed anyone?" Seemingly oblivious to the tensions present within the room, Wu surprised Tenten by nodding his head and revealing, "Three people, technically four. But the last one just kissed me on the cheek, so I'm not sure that counts." With her right eye twitching slightly, Tenten adopted a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes as she uttered, "Don't tell me it was those girls that kept going over to your place to train..." Since she asked him not to tell her, Wu remained absolutely silent. If she had pried just a little deeper, she would have learned that the kissing took place due to a treacherous pastime known as the King's Game. Wu, Kaia, and Hinata hadn't known the rules, so they got baited into playing by Ino and her accomplice, Sakura. The game began innocuously, but it wasn't long before things developed in a dangerous direction, the result of young minds acquiring forbidden knowledge and going through puberty... Exhaling a sigh, Tenten was about to turn and move away from Wu when he surprised her a second time, asking, "You don't want to...?" in a curious, almost innocent-sounding tone. When she turned back, she found him gazing directly at her with his almost luminous golden eyes, unblinking as if he was expecting something. After inhaling a deep breath, Tenten exhaled another sigh, admitting, "I do. It's just...I kind of wanted it to mean something, you know...? I might not be girly, but I expected to 'trade' firsts with the boy I liked..." Instead of trying to pressure her, Wu surprised Tenten a third time by replying, "I get that. It is a shame, though...of the girls I've kissed, you're the only one I ever seriously considered doing it with. The rest just kind of happened..." Though his words sounded like lip service, Wu was speaking truthfully. If his 'pride' hadn't been on the line, he wouldn't have kissed any of the girls he was training. The person that had kissed his cheek had also done so of her own accord, so this would have been Wu's first 'intentional' kiss...even if it was just to cover his bases. After hesitating for several seconds, Tenten released a frustrated groan and grabbed the hair at the sides of her head. This wasn't going anything like what she imagined in the shower, but she also really wanted to give it a try...! Looking at Wu, Tenten's expression became uncharacteristically serious as she asked, "Do you like me?" Instead of responding with words, Wu nodded while holding Tenten's intense gaze. He felt like she was trying to see through him, but without some kind of Dojutsu, that was impossible. His persona had been refined over four years of careful interaction. At this point, he doubted even the old man could deduce his actual intentions. After clenching her jaw several times, Tenten abruptly shouted, "I like you too!" as if it were some kind of battle cry. Her face immediately went red, but she continued to 'glare' at him as she said, "If you're serious...let's be boyfriend and girlfriend from now on. You're the only boy I've ever liked, and you've been a good friend these past few years. I think we can make things work if we continue to support each other..." Narrowing his eyes, Wu's expression appeared to soften as he asserted, "That's one of the things I like about you, Tenten...you're a very sensible and earnest person. I'm happy I was able to meet you..." Since Tenten had already started to lean closer to him, Wu mirrored her actions until their lips eventually overlapped. Things remained that way for several seconds, almost as if time had frozen. However, that was as far as they went as Tenten pulled away, her hazel-brown eyes swimming around in their sockets as she turned away and meekly muttered, "Then I guess it's official...glad to have you?" Exhaling a soft chuckle, Wu surprised Tenten with a chaste peck on her cheek before replying, "Let's continue doing our best..." in a smoldering tone. For a brief moment, he nearly reached out to touch her abdomen, but, feeling it was a little too soon, he compromised by grabbing her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. He frankly wasn't sure if he had made the right decision by choosing Tenten as his potential life partner, but that's one of the more important lessons Wu learned these past few years. At times, life just kind of happened... Spurred by Wu's words and actions, Tenten closed her eyes and leaned in for another kiss. She also had absolutely no idea what she was doing, but she couldn't deny the feeling of longing in her heart and the butterflies in her abdomen... ... .. . With his preparations complete, Wu, garbed in an outfit that could give Naruto a run for his money with how 'loud' it was, turned to Hiruzen and asked, "Are you sure about this? If I discover that the outside world is more interesting, I might not return..." Exhaling a light chuckle, Hiruzen surprised Wu by replying, "That's fine. Though I imagine the young Higurashi girl will be disappointed, I believe that, even if you were to go 'rogue,' you would never go out of your way to harm the village. Take care on your travels, Wu-kun. And remember, even if you venture to lands far beyond, Konoha and Jigokudani will always be your home." Clicking his tongue, Wu turned away from Hiruzen and muttered, "Damn you, old man..." before taking off at a blinding speed and vanishing into the nearby treeline. However, despite his efforts to suppress it, Hiruzen caught the smile that had briefly graced Wu's face before he took off like a yellow bolt of lightning. Wu might never openly admit it, but Konoha had become a home to him...at the very least, it was a place he could return to if shit hit the fan... ... .. . Though the continent comprising the Shinobi World was colloquially known as the Elemental or 'Five Nations,' there were actually a total of nine prominent countries and thirty-eight minor ones. However, except the Lands of Earth, Fire, Lightning, Water, and Wind, the borders of the other nations were constantly shifting as various minor countries were either created or destroyed. With Hiruzen giving him the option to choose where he traveled first, Wu stopped at a random crossroads before pulling an ornate, 180cm long bo staff from his Storage Pouch. The moment he did so, his feet sank nearly a full centimeter into the dirt as, despite how thin it appeared, the staff in Wu's hands weighed approximately 8,000kg. Its base resembled stained redwood with accents of gold near each end, yet, despite the best efforts of Konoha's R&amp;D Department, they couldn't even take a sample from it. As far as they were concerned, the staff that had split apart the stone statue that Wu apparently 'popped' out of was utterly indestructible. Placing the staff on one of its ends, Wu released his hand and allowed it to fall freely. It embedded itself into the ground upon contact, but he was able to call it back to himself by simply extending his hand. Thus, with the end of the staff leaning toward the North, Wu decided that his first target would be a recently established village known as Otogakure, the Village Hidden in Sound. They would be participating in this year's Chunin Exams, so Hiruzen had requested that he investigate them if his path happened to take him North. With his destination set, Wu took a moment to observe his surroundings before grinning like a demon from Hell as he reached into the 'bottom' of his Storage Pouch and produced a pair of stylish, red, and golden greaves that perfectly conformed to the shape of his forelegs. He had to remove his sandals, but the moment he did so, Wu felt a 'breeze' against his soles before leaping high into the sky. Then, the moment he reached the peak of his jump, pale golden clouds formed beneath his feet, allowing him to continue bounding through the sky at virtually no expense. And boy, did it feel great... ... .. .

Following Wu's 'pep talk,' Sakura and Ino began putting much more effort into their training. Their effort couldn't compare to Hinata's, who managed to get on speaking terms with Naruto after around seven months, but Wu wasn't complaining. The trio had become more open and honest with both themselves and Wu, so his job as their instructor and apparent 'confidant' had become significantly easier. They would sometimes come to him with problems they were facing at home or with other people, but, as children, most of their issues could be resolved with simple compliments or words of support. On a markedly more positive note, Tenten's father, Saizo, had relented to permitting Wu to learn the basics of forging. However, instead of teaching him directly, the muscular man left the explanations and demonstrations to his daughter. This allowed him to confirm that his daughter had taken his lessons to heart but, more importantly, ensured that the two spent a fair amount of time together. While Wu could see through the intentions of Tenten's parents, especially after the stunt pulled by Hiruzen, he didn't particularly mind. Teten was a decent option if he ever actually cared about acquiring a spouse. She was smart, high-spirited, fairly attractive, and, most importantly, earnest when it came to improving herself. She was also proficient in bojutsu and a host of other weapon arts, so Wu could actually learn from her while helping to actualize her dream of being a capable Kunoichi. If there was one thing that annoyed Wu about Tenten's character, it was her penchant for 'doting' on him. He had proven himself superior to her in almost every way, but because she was a little over a year older than him, she acted like he was a little brother that needed her care. She frequently fretted over his appearance, making regular remarks about the clothes he wore, how he should style his hair, and how he should act if he wanted to impress the 'ladies.' Simply put, she was an idiot. Clever, but irredeemably dense... ... .. . With the Academy going on break for two months, permitting students a much-needed vacation, Wu was looking forward to making up for the ten months he had 'squandered' playing a student. He had used the fact they were going on vacation as an excuse to give the girls a chance to improve on their own, and, as an extra precaution, he planned to spend the entire break at Jigokudani. He hadn't returned a single weekend since his arrival in Konoha, so while Hiruzen had attempted to convince him to spend the vacation playing with his 'friends' and visiting their families, Wu forced the man to send him back. Needless to say, Wu's seven weeks in Jigokudani were more productive than the forty-six he spent in Konoha. Old man Enma and the remaining Monkey Clan Elders viewed Wu as one of their own, so when he appealed to them for assistance, Enma agreed to oversee his training personally. In exchange, Wu had to pledge he would remain an ally to the Sarutobi Clan, not because they were worried he would betray Hiruzen, but because the Monkey Clan had forged an ancient pact to that effect. In other words, if he wanted to inherit their techniques and receive their aid as an extended member of the Monkey Clan, he had to abide by their traditions. Since it wasn't like he had any intention of betraying Hiruzen, someone who would die of his own accord in a decade or two, Wu had no problem agreeing to Enma's terms. He had a fair amount of respect for the elderly monkey, and, as annoying as Hiruzen was, Wu didn't hate him. He might not be willing to fight and die to preserve the Clan's honor, but the name 'Sarutobi Wu' had grown on him... ... .. . &lt;Three Years Later&gt; From his seat at the back of the classroom, allowing him to observe the entire class, Wu couldn't help admiring his handiwork, a triumphant grin adorning his ruggedly handsome but still youthful face. Sakura and Ino flanked Sasuke at the same table, Hinata and Naruto chatted happily in one of the aisles, and Kaia slumbered peacefully at his side. The latter somehow appeared even more boyish than she did as a prepubescent brat, but Wu didn't care in the slightest as her appearance didn't detract from her usefulness as a subordinate. As if she could sense Wu's thoughts, Kaia stirred awake, shamelessly wiping away the drool from her mouth before asking, "Did you need me for something, Aniki?" Shaking his head, Wu maintained his smile as he replied, "I was marveling at how much everyone has changed since my first day at the Academy. If I didn't know we could meet whenever we pleased, I would grieve at the notion our days at the Academy have reached their end..." Adopting a toothy grin, Kaia reached up to thumb the headband that now protected her forehead. A similar headband rested on the heads of nearly everyone present, the only exceptions being people like Ino and Sakura, who, like many of the girls, elected to wear the band like a belt. Before the conversation between Wu and Kaia could continue, the entire class fell silent as their scar-faced instructor, Umino Iruka, entered the classroom and made his way to the central podium. The clipboard in his hands drew the gazes of nearly everyone present as, now that they had all graduated, they would soon be learning which 'team' they belonged to. Though virtually everyone would have preferred if he got straight to the point, Iruka was famous for being the most earnest yet overly sentimental instructor at the Academy. When he reached his position at the podium, a proud smile adorned his face as he said, "First of all, let me congratulate each of you for a job well done. While there may have been differences in the way each of you performed, it doesn't change the fact that, from this moment onward, you are all fully-fledged Shinobi of Konoha. Take pride in that fact, no matter what your future holds." Finished with his speech, Iruka stared down at the clipboard in his hands and began announcing the team distribution. To the surprise of absolutely no one, Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji each ended up on one team. What 'did' surprise the class was that Naruto had been placed on the same team as Sasuke and Sakura. The blonde-haired youth had the third-highest scores in the class when it came to physicality, but his lazy demeanor and lack of focus in every other class had him ranked 26 out of 27 students. He was also dating one of the Academy's 'Three Goddesses,' so nearly every male in the class resented him. Earning even more ire for himself, Naruto loudly groaned, "Aww, man. And I really wanted to be on the same Team as Hinata-chan..." Disproving of Naruto's outburst, Iruka's expression hardened as he said, "These Teams were carefully decided during a conference with Lord Third himself. No complaining." Rolling his eyes, Naruto turned his attention to Hinata, whispering, "We can still meet between missions. Do you think your father will let me come over to your place...?" Seeing Naruto brazenly carrying on a discussion in the middle of class, even if they were no longer students, Iruka's left eye twitched. He was half tempted to grab the boy by the ear and take him outside, but, as that wouldn't be fair to the other students waiting to hear the teams they were assigned to, he begrudgingly returned to reading the list. Following the pairing of Hinata, Shino, and Kiba, several other teams were called until the only people remaining were Wu, Kaia, and the only person ranked lower than Naruto, an overweight boy with messy brown hair and a pig-like face named Kazuo. His mother was one of the Chairwomen of the Civilian Council, so even though he underperformed in every subject, he had a chip on his shoulder. At the very least, there were a ton of crumbs... Hearing that he was on the same team as the Academy's 'Little Professor,' Kazuo's expression became gloomy as he bellowed, "Why did I get put on the same team as that monster and his pet!? This is discrimination against the students from civilian households...!" Narrowing his eyes, Iruka explained, "You are no longer a civilian, nor are you a student, Genin Kazuo. These Teams were decided and approved by the Third Hokage, our Commander-in-Chief, and the leader of our village, Konohagakure. From the moment you were given that forehead protector, you became a 'soldier' of the village. If you deliberately disobey orders, it isn't just you who will be held accountable..." Though he was ordinarily a very kind and cordial person, Iruka wanted to make it clear to everyone present that they were no longer children. Being a Shinobi meant following orders and risking your life to ensure the peace and stability of the village. If a low-ranking Genin could speak out of turn or refuse assignments given to them by their 'most-superior' officer, the system supporting their village would collapse, and their enemies would show them no mercy. Cowed by the intensity of Iruka's words and gaze, Kazuo shrunk into his seat and swallowed his argument. He planned to complain to his mother the first chance he got, but that would have to wait until he got home. For now, he was stuck in the same group as the 'brat' he resented more than any other... ... .. . While Kazuo dripped with more sweat than a leaky radiator, Wu and Kaia were comparably calm and relaxed as they sat in front of the elderly man that had been assigned as their Jonin Sensei. After all, the former lived in the same house with the man, and the latter had encountered him dozens of times over the past four years. Noticing Kazuo's nervousness, Hiruzen exhaled an amused chuckle and asked, "What's the matter, my boy? I may be old, but you look like you've just seen a ghost." Feeling even more nervous, Kazuo was wholly incapable of responding to Hiruzen's words. He had never once imagined, not even in his wildest and most delusional fantasies, that he would end up on the Team of the Third Hokage. The man was a living legend in the Shinobi World, and one of the only two people Kazuo's Kaa-chan feared to ridicule, even behind closed doors... Exhaling through his nose, Hiruzen decided to allow Kazuo to collect himself, turning to Wu as he said, "For now, let's have everyone introduce themselves, their dreams, and their hobbies. I'll start off..." Clearing his throat, a mischievous smile developed across Hirzuen's face as he appended, "My name is Sarutobi Hiruzen. You may refer to me as Sarutobi-sensei from this moment onward. My dream is to ensure Konoha remains a fixture of the Shinobi World into the far future, a haven for those who carry the 'Will of Fire.' My hobbies are...let's just say I enjoy reading a particular series written by one of my students. Hohohoho~" Since Hiruzen was staring at him as he spoke, Wu understood it was his turn to go next, stating, "The name's Wu, Sarutobi Wu. My dream is to be the strongest in the world. My hobbies are training, beating sense into my so-called peers, and opening up tabs in Jiji's name." Wincing at Wu's final remark, Hiruzen resisted the urge to ask where his adoptive grandson had opened a tab 'this' time. He didn't regret giving Wu permission to do so, but some of the items the boy ordered were... Shaking his head, Hiruzen directed his attention to Kaia, prompting her to shout, "My name is Kaia! I'm a member of the Inzuka Clan, and my dream is to be the greatest Kennel Master in the village! My hobbies are training, eating, sleeping, and spending time with my Aniki!" Nodding his head in approval, Hiruzen remarked, "You're certainly not lacking in spirit." before shifting his attention to Kazuo. In response, the boy swallowed audibly before meekly stammering, "M-m-m-my name is Kazuo. I...my dream is to create a Clan of my own someday. My hobbies are..." As his only real hobbies were eating and cooking, in that order, Kazuo couldn't bring himself to continue. He knew he was the odd one out in the group, so the confidence he usually presented in front of others was now nowhere to be seen. If not for the fact his cheeks pushed up, somewhat obscuring his brown eyes, everyone present would have been able to see tears forming at the edges... ... .. .

Chapter 24: Freedom