Kushina's POV (Uzumaki Residence - Hidden Leaf Village)
Being a mother was often an exhaustive job. Training her son on various kenjutsu techniques had been easy enough. For one odd reason or another, he always got the offensive techniques down but failed with more subtle skills. As she watched her son spar with a clone, she realized her intervention and guidance would be needed yet again.
Kushina knew, in truth, how powerful Neji indeed was. She had been friends with Hyuga for years now. They had been friends of the Uzumaki of the past and often would come to her, offering various rewards to continue making seals for them as her kin had. But she had politely declined. Not agreeing with the seals they used. But in those meetings, she had heard whispers of a prodigy. Naruto was her joy; he was unflappable and powerful in his own right. If he had been less compassionate, there would have been no doubt that Naruto would have defeated Neji handily. He merely would have to use their shared burden. But her son refused. He called it his "ace". But in truth, she declined to use it unless around her.
But as a mother, she must support him in his endeavors. Kakashi had visited, informing the two Uzumaki that he had delayed the training. Giving them two days off. In the two days, Naruto seemed more like his father than ever, and his focus was on training. He quickly picked up the new techniques. But in truth, Naruto's weakness was his mind. He was no fool; unlike Minato, he often showed a brilliant instinct. Learning the shadow clone jutsu in mere hours had merely shown this further. But he usually lacked planning. His instincts and impulses were solid, but he often fought at a disadvantage. She had wracked her brain on how to break through to Naruto. The solution was an interesting one. As proposed by another of her friends, Yoshino, the Nara family visited. The two important ones were a motivated Shikamaru and Shikaku. Yoshino had nearly asked, and the two jumped. Well trained, Kushina supposed.
The two quickly got down to business. Kakashi and Kurenai were training Naruto in Shogi and giving him various tactic scenarios. Both are done simultaneously, of course. One week simply wasn't enough time to close the gap between the two boys as they were. But a solution had been found with the added knowledge Kushina held of shadow clones. Since shadow clones return memories to their creator when dispelled, Naruto can expedite his training to absurd levels. While she could've taught various jutsu to her son. She felt he would quickly grow if she ironed his mind out to its potential. So now Shikamaru, Yoshiro, and Kushina all played Shogi with the clones of the blonde.
Meanwhile, Shikaku would write battle scenario questions for the horde of blondes. Each brings their answers one at a time. Admittedly, the training was odd. But Kushina was sure Shogi would translate well using shadow clones. And the battle scenarios were being tailor-made to sharpen him. Kushina smiled as she defeated her son's clone rather quickly. It would be a lot of work. But for her son, she would do it gladly.
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Kurenai's / Naruto's POV (Team Nine Training Ground - Hidden Leaf Village)
Kurenai was a rookie. New to being a Jounin, a sensei, and now. New to seeing any team hold such resentment in two of its members. At least since Kakashi and Obito, anyway. Her team had arrived on their field at their regular time. Meeting early to discuss the plan for today. Team Seven arrived shortly after. Shortly after the introductions, Neji and Naruto argued before looking at Ino and making an odd adjustment. Kakashi and Ino stood sheepishly as Naruto and Neji politely talked smack. Their voices lowered, and both were mere inches from each other.
"You let them act like that?" Kurenai questioned.
"Believe it or not, this is a fantastic improvement, ne!" Kakashi replied evenly.
Naruto's POV
"Naruto!" Choji called out happily, running over to the blonde. Naruto smiled at this, shoving Neji away by his face. Ignoring the Hyuga, who stumbled back, swearing angrily. Kakashi puts a hand on his shoulder as a reminder.
"Choji!" Naruto was equally happy. "How you been, man? Haven't seen you since we kicked Mizuki's ass."
"Great! Kurenai sensei is crazy strong!" Choji leaned towards the blonde. "My teammates are kinda scary. Haha"
"Now that I understand! I got Ino on my team, after all. Sometimes, she seems like a"
"Finish that if you dare Blondie." Ino interrupted.
"You're blonde too!"
"Yes, but I'm smart. Not a brute unlike you." Ino countered with a smirk.
"Could've fooled me," Naruto replied with a smirk. Ino merely flicked his forehead.
"Oh, Ino, good to see you too. My dad says Inochi owes him 50 ryo." Choji said with a grimace. "Sorry, he insisted I bring it up."
Ino sighed. "Daddy said the same thing about yours." The two shared a laugh at the two's dads' odd friendship
.
"Oh ya, your families are super close!" Naruto exclaimed.
"That's because of an alliance made back in the Warring Clans Era. They had formed an alliance called the Ino-Shika-Cho formation." Shino said, appearing behind Naruto.
"Felt you coming that time, Bug Boy!" Naruto bellowed.
Shino merely stood the blonde down with a silent stare. "Whatever, Blondie." He replied dryly.
"Oh my, are we teasing the blonde?" Yuno said as she approached the group. "I'm game. I like blondes, after all," she said as she grabbed his arm. Naruto seemed shocked, Ino also, and even Neji appeared at least mildly perturbed.
"Alrighty," Kakashi interjected. "I think it's time we begin. Now, this is a joint team exercise. This is a mission, but, in reality, we are merely training. Our focus for the day is teamwork. Now my cute little Genin has been struggling with this, so…"
"In the three exercises, we did today. Team Seven will be at a disadvantage. Today is not a competition but a chance for growth. I will not tolerate any of you spoiling it." Kurenai stated. Her presence was the epitome of professionalism. Something Naruto, Ino, and Neji immediately felt envious of.
"The first activity? Tag!" Kakashi stated excitedly.
"Team Seven will pursue me while my own team will pursue Kakashi. The first team to make physical contact wins. Of course, we will hold back so you can catch us." Kurenai lectured. "Any questions?" Silence follows.
"Begin!" Kakashi called the two Jounin immediately after taking off. The Genin stood stunned for a second before both teams raced after their set target.
Neji ended up leading the chase, being the fastest. Though, he was comfortable with this. Besides Jounin or not, he had his Byakugan on her; there was no escaping his sight. Naruto and Ino tailed behind the genius. Neji saw the Jounin pause, seemingly attempting to mask her presence. She had rested just ahead on a branch. Quickly, Neji silently closed in from "Above!" Neji called out as he jumped straight up, attempting to tap Kurenai's ankle. But she merely jumped up.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto called as he summoned many clones. All of them surround the area. Pairing up the clones, each threw another at the Jounin. She managed to twirl past the first blonde missiles in mid-air. But to her shock, she heard. "Uzumaki Reflect!" The blondes flew back, being thrown by more clones, and managed to crash into Kurenai. But to Team 7's shock, Kurenai merely faded away on contact.
"Genjutsu!" Ino called as she dispelled from herself. She ran to Naruto to release him, but the blonde managed it himself.
"I thought your eyes were all seeing!" Naruto complained.
"I don't understand," Neji replied, frowning. "Most Genjutsu are useless against the Byakugan. She must be nothing short of a Genjutsu master."
"We're doomed!" Ino added in
.
"I hate to say it, but we are in trouble," Naruto commented. I can barely detect them, and even you two were caught in one. Plus, we have no clue how long we've been in one."
"Surprised you thought of that Naruto." Neji sniped with a smile. "But yes, I was worried about that as well. With shinobi, you can never be sure if they are playing by the rules. She could've put in this as soon as we arrived."
"So this exercise is more complicated than we first imagined. Also, we should be on guard; we could still be in one." Ino summarized. "Anyway, your vision can tell if we're in one now that you're aware?"
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"Yes, I should be able to detect them, but only once they're in play. Kurenai-sensei has some way of hiding the chakra of her genjutsu. Meaning in battle, we'll be sitting ducks. She would easily escape while I free us. I can say we're free of one right now." Neji explained.
"Well, couldn't I do this then?" Naruto asked as he made an all-too-familiar hand sign. "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" One hundred clones formed around Team Seven.
"I'll never get used to you doing that," Neji complained. "I assume we will send them out en masse with us transformed to look like you."
"Yep."
"So she can't accurately tag us with genjutsu!" Ino called out. "Plus, nothing makes a chase easier than numbers."
"For once, Uzumaki, you've done well," Neji concluded. With this, the three tensed up. Prepared to achieve their well-earned victory-
"Sorry, my cute Genin, but Team Nine takes this one," Kakashi calls out.
Team Seven looked over, shocked to see Team Nine surround their Jounin. They have had to only touch him, but all three could testify just how slippery he could be. Yet not only had they landed something, but they had done it damn quick.
"Good work, Team Nine. Team Seven, I saw you strategizing. It's a step in the right direction, but you need to be prepared to work together from the start. My team did so and was able to touch Kakashi, who is a significantly more powerful ninja." Kurenai hammered the message in with efficiency.
Naruto and Neji were obviously upset, visibly reigning themselves in. Meanwhile, Ino just looked slightly agonized.
"Heads up, kids! The next one is easier or harder, depending on your preferences. Where have you all beat the tar out of each other, ne!" Kakashi said, childlike wonder somehow in his tone.
Kurenai glared at the eccentric Cyclops, who rubbed his head and stepped back. Once he was appropriately cowed, Kurenai added on. "The first fight is Naruto VS Yuno and Ino. Neji Vs Shino and Choji."
"You heard the lady." Kakashi timed in. "Chop, chop."
The non-combatants left the field, leaving Naruto standing against the two females. The blonde gulped nervously. Ino could be scary as hell, and it was growing quickly. Yuno was an unknown, but he knew she was a Uchiha. Which was one of the big clans in the Leaf. Even in its diminished state. Which meant she was probably crazy strong. Maybe it was just plain crazy because of that weird behavior earlier. He was in deep trouble. He thought back to his intelligence training. Naruto knew his plan; if he did it right, they wouldn't even get to fight back. He looked over at them, planning. Who knew what kind of devious plan they were cooking up.
Ino wasn't one to be embarrassed. She was popular in the academy. Had paramours all around. And tended to get her way. Yet this Yuno woman had her back foot. So much so that Ino considered retreating.
"You're telling me you don't think he's hot?" Yuno asked with a giant smile.
"Not really, he's a giant goofball. Do you remember that orange jumpsuit he wore in year one?!" Ino asked incredulously.
"I thought it was cute. But come on, the weird whisker thing. Giant warm smile. One of the few genuinely nice guys. Plus, blonde means bonus points." Yuno listed.
"Being blonde is awesome. But firstly, sure, Naruto is nice and funny and all that. But where's the interest at?" Ino asked. "He's no Sasuke or anything. Secondly, I need something different; some average guy won't cut it."
"Firstly, Sasuke is my cousin. That is gross." Yuno countered. "Secondly, my cousin is a stick in the mud. Thirdly, you don't pay attention if you really think Naruto is just some nice guy. I barely know him, yet I've seen such pain in his eyes. I was merely informing you to be kind. I may want him for myself." Yuno said as if discussing the weather. Ino looked at her. She knew she had no right to do so but wanted to cut that off. She growled; there was no way Naruto would wish for a floozy like this! Besides, what did she know about Naruto?
"I don't like how you're talking about him," Ino said, her voice sounding annoyed. "But before I talk about boundaries. Let's win this thing!"
At this shout, Ino and Yuno immediately fled, seemingly filling the air with kunai. Naruto merely grinned at this. He drew his tanto and took an odd stance. Legs spread out, and his body hunched. The man holding the tanto as if planning to slice from the ground to the heavens.
"Uzumaki Style: Rising Spiral!" He said, slashing upwards while spinning. Visible chakra swirled from the blade, deflecting the storm of weapons. "Like my new technique!" The blonde called a foxy grin, challenging the ladies. "My turn! Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Fifty clones surrounded the woman.
"I hate him sometimes," Ino said as she drew two kunai and a scroll. Placing the scroll in her mouth. "I think I can take care of these clones."
"Excellent, I'll pursue the real deal," Yuno said, dashing forward, weaving hand signs as she did. "Water Style: Water Geyser!" She said as she slammed her palms into the ground before her. A miniature geyser formed underneath a group of clones, destroying all but one, who rolled away desperately. Yuno went to pursue dodging various clones who tried to stall her. Ino jumped into the air, spitting out the scroll and releasing its contents. Flower petals flew into the field from the scroll.
"I Was saving this for Kakashi, but you and your damn clones, Naruto!" Ino yelled as she formed a hand sign. "Scattered Petals: Explosive Beauty!" As she said this, various flower petals fell from her sleeves. The petals filling one side of the fields started booming with mini explosions. These destroy most of the clones and fill the clearing with smoke. Ino and Yuno go back to back once she lands, attempting to spot the blonde.
But with a sudden burst of speed, two of them appeared holding kunai to the two girls' throats. "Sorry, ladies, but this fight is mine."
"You men. Always trying to end things too fast." Yuno said with a smile.
"Unfortunately, we women like to play it patiently." Ino continued. As she finished this sentence, she and Yuno faded.
"Demonic Viewing: Shifting Reflection," Yuno stated simply as she and Ino formed behind each blonde, holding kunai to his neck.
"You're not wrong!" The clones answer at once. "But we're not him; we're much worse!"
"They sure are," Naruto replied, walking into the field from the opposite side. "Ino, you know what my walking landmines can do. This match is over."
Ino looked at Yuno and nodded. Yuno smiled. "Advice for next time. When facing a Genjutsu specialist, expect layers." Naruto's eyes widened as he formed a hand sign to dispel it. Once he had, he saw Yuno inches away, holding a kunai to him.
"I like you, Naruto, you're fun," Yuno told the blonde. "Lemme knows if you ever want company," she said, patting his face. The Uzumaki rolled back, escaping her touch.
"Something about you freaks me out," Naruto called from afar.
Ino bumped Yuno's shoulder as she walked by. Seemingly perturbed by Yuno's mannerisms. "Back off." She said,
Yuno chuckled. She doubts either of them knew it quite yet. But the blonde was spoken for. Yuno would have to find another toy. Shino may be broken yet.
Kurenai walked up as the fight concluded. "Good work, everybody there. Naruto, great job going on offense when you're outnumbered. You wanna be on offense, not defense. Also, playing cautiously is wise. But remember how your opponent will react to what you're doing. It was smart to use your clones to set a trap. I guarantee Yuno would've been much more problematic otherwise. Ladies did an excellent job hunting him down and dispatching his plans. As well as having a backup plan like that. Naruto would've won if you hadn't put two genjutsu on him. Bold of you to risk it like that, I must comment, though. If he had caught on, he may have blown you to bits."
"Nothing risked, nothing gained," Yuno responded with a shrug.
"Very true!" Kakashi called it merrily. "Your turn grumpy."
Neji, Choji, and Shino walked out. Akimichi and Aburame on one side. The Hyuga, on the other.
"Begin!" Kakashi called.
"I warn you both now. You cannot defeat me-"
"You shouldn't waste time talking like that," Choji said as he enlarged his hand. "Take it from a guy who knows you don't wanna give Shino time."
Neji responded by charging. Choji swept his giant hand horizontally, attempting to knock Neji out. He ducks this and jabs at his chakra point. But to his shock, Choji didn't react. Merely slammed his hand this time. Neji rolled out of the way. His nearly 360 vision showed Shino behind him, aiming a roundhouse for his head. Neji ducked this and jabbed at the man, who rolled back instantly, dropping back. Neji, still seeing Choji as he focused on Shino, jumped in the air, avoiding Choji's giant palm slam.
"Sorry!" Choji called. "My chakra points are too large to damage like that!"
"That's the beginning of the end." Shino started. As he said this, Choji expanded into a ball. As well as giant patches of insects covered the front of trees. "That's because you wasted time with idle threats." Shino continued. Choji started to violently wheel about, clearing every time he slammed into a tree; a patch of insects seemed to allow him to bounce off with increasing speed. "Choji made this technique using an insect of mine that is filled with gas, making them function as a cushion. This nearly makes them immune to being crushed. Pair this with the Choji Full Body Expansion technique. And you make a deadly combo.
Neji stuck to a tree."Then I will merely hold the high ground." Neji taunted.
"The high ground almost always applies to me." Shino replied casually. As he said this, swarms of insects came from the forest. "You really must get that ego in check, Hyuga. Neji desperately dodged the insects and looked to the ground. But Choji was getting even faster. Even the Hyuga would be helpless against that. He dodged even more insects, but Shino was adding to the barrage, with the ocassional shuriken or kunai. Every time he tried to retreat to the forest, more insects came and the kunai would pepper him.
Eventually, Neji decided to risk it. He landed and within seconds Choji was coming in fast. Neji smiled just enough time to activate Kaiten. As he did so though insects flew into it. They absorbed a large portion of the jutsu right when activated allowing Choji to land a blow absolutely flooring Neji. He rose to his feet with a murderous expression on his face.
"I saw we call it there, ne?" Kakashi said walking between the combatants. "You ok Neji?" Neji sighed and nodded. Looking a bit angry but still able to control his emotions.
"Alright, a bit more straightforward on this one." Kakashi informs. "Neji you may be strong, but when you're outnumbered like that. You should play for keeps. Act like that and there's no doubt in my mind Naruto will defeat you."
"That is preposterous! That loser could never!" Neji countered.
"Kakashi sensei!" Naruto called out calmly. "Allow me to fight Neji right here. Right now." He then eyed his sensei.
Kakashi thought about this. He had given the week timeframe so Naruto would have a chance to catch up. But honestly, apparently, the extra training for Kushina was working wonders. The blonde seemed determined as well. "Are you sure about this Naruto?" Kakashi asked.
"Damn straight," Naruto replied
"Neji?"
"Indeed."
Kakashi sighed heavily. "Kurenai do you mind?"
"Not at all besides. Your old team was always like that too." Kurenai replied.