Dexter's POV;
“As you all know this is a turning point in your live. From now on you are a part of Konoha's defensive force. You represent Konoha and it's outside view. There will be enemies in your way, but keep in mind, Konoha is the strongest village in the Elemental Nations and we are this strong because we have young people like you. Friends that are working together and keep the citizen of Konoha save. So let me tell you how proud I am of you and how sad I'm at the same time to let you all go.
I will now announce the teams”, said Colin-sensei to the graduates. I looked around and saw everyone with shining eyes. Eager to go out and do missions.
°This academy sure does not prepare its students for the real things out there°, I mused in thoughts.
°Of course, no one would willingly send their child into war. I'm sure that the clans are the only ones who really know what will happen with their child. The orphans have no other choice and the civilians are brainwashed with the opportunity of glory. Look at TenTen, she's so determined to become like Tsunade that she forgot the hardships that come with such a reputation.
Do you think she would still want to be like her if she knew that Tsunade lost every family member and many friends during her active days?°, replied Kura-chan.
°No, I don't think she would. The things a Ninja does during his or her career are sometimes more gruesome than what I did in my second life°, I said in agreement.
“Team 8 Neji Hyuuga, Jaro Yamanaka and Fria Inozuka. Team 9 TenTen Kimichi, Rock Lee and Dexter Uzuki, Team 10....”, listed Colin-sensei and I blended her out after my team.
°So you really were right with your team°, said Kura-chan in defeat. She still had hope. But like I always say 'Hope dies at last, yet it still dies'.
“Your Jonin sensei will be here in a few moments. I wish you all a long and good live”, finished our now ex-teacher and left the room.
It didn't take long for the first teachers to arrive. And not even five minutes later we heard loud rambling and shouting. Then someone kicked the door in and jumped in front if the remaining Genin.
“HELLO MY YOUTHFUL GENIN! I AM MIGHT GUY, THE JONIN SENSEI THAT WILL TRAIN TEAM 9 IN THE MOST YOUTHFUL WAY!”, shouted the in spandex clad man with giant eyebrows.
TenTen was looking wide-eyed at our supposed teacher and Lee had stars in his eyes.
“YOSH, I WILL NOT DISAPPOINT YOU SENSEI!”, he then screamed and run up to Guy.
“FOLLOW ME, MY YOUTHFUL STUDENTS!”, screamed Guy then and run out of the classroom. TenTen and I had to hurry to keep up with both Lee and Guy. We had to run for half an hour until we finally sat down on a park bench.
“LET'S INTRODUCE EACH OTHER. MY NAME IS MIGHT GUY AND I LIKE TO TRAIN AND COMPETE AGAINST MY RIVAL KAKASHI HATAKE, I DON'T LIKE UNYOUTHFUL PEOPLE AND MY MOTTO IS TO NEVER STOP TRAINING BECAUSE THERE IS NEVER A LIMIT!”, screamed Guy and made the nice guy pose. His teeth sparkled and both TenTen and Kura-chan groaned.
“YOSH, my name is Rock Lee and I also like to train. I'm no good with Jutsus or Genjutsu, but that does not keep me from becoming a good Ninja. My goal is to be the best Taijutsu master in the world!”, shouted Lee. Thankfully a little bit quieter than Guy.
“Okay, I think I'll just go with the flow. My name is TenTen Kimichi, I also like to train. I don't like fangirls and I have two wishes. One is to be like Tsunade Senju and the other is to master every weapon in existence”, said TenTen in resignation.
Everyone then looked at me. “I'm Dexter Uzuki, I like my friends, also don't like fangirls and my goal is a secret”, I then said.
“WHAT YOUTHFUL STUDENTS I HAVE. OKAY, NOW I HAVE TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE SECOND TEST”, screamed Guy vigorously.
“A second test? I thought we already did all tests?”, asked TenTen.
“NO, THERE IS A SECOND TEST FOR ALL THE YOUTHFUL GENIN TO TAKE, THIS TEST DETERMINES WEATHER YOU BECOME A FULL FLEDGED YOUTHFUL GENIN OR NOT. IT WILL SHOW THE BRIGHTNESS OF YOUR YOUTHFUL FLAMES!”, he declared loudly.
°Is he ever going to be quiet?°, asked Kura-chan with hope.
°Like I said, hope dies at last, but it still dies°, I replied with a grin. Guy sure is somewhat unusual, but one hell of a teacher and strong as well.
“YOSH, I WILL GIVE MY BEST AND IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH, THEN I WILL RUN A THOUSAND LAPS AROUND KONOHA, AND IF I CAN'T DO THAT THAN I WILL DO TEN THOUSAND PUSH-UPS, AND....”, began Lee but TenTen hit him before he could continue his rambling.
“Be quiet, take an example on Dexter-kun he's not screaming like a lunatic and the strongest of us”, said TenTen.
“I ADMIRE YOUR YOUTHFULNESS LEE. WE WILL MEET AT TRAINING GROUND 8 TOMORROW AT 8 AM. ONLY THE UNYOUTHFUL WILL BE LATE”, shouted Guy and then run away, on his hands and backward.
“I TOO HAVE TO TRAIN. SEE YOU LATER MY FUTURE TEAMMATES!”, screamed Lee and also run away.
“You think they will stay like this?”, asked TenTen tiredly.
“Yup, it might get worse”, I said with a grin.
“I hope not”, she said quietly.
“Hope dies at last, but it still dies. I'll have to go, see you tomorrow”, I said with a pat on her back and then left her alone to grief.
°Please find a way to get me out of you, I don't want to listen to them anymore°, began Kura-chan to plead.
°Just cut the link for the time of our training. You know as well as I do that I haven't found a way to get you free, that won't kill me°, I replied and then used a shunshin to my home.
Yuugao-nee wasn't home yet, so I got my sealing equipment out and continued with my research. Sealing got really interesting with the revival of the Uzumaki-clan. They are truly the best of the best.
Five hours later I heard the door opening and closing. Yuugao-nee must be home.
“I'm home”, said Yuugao-nee from the entrance.
“Welcome back Yuugao-nee, guess who my teacher will be. And did you know that we have to do an additional test?”, I said with a welcome hug.
“I don't know, Varia or maybe Ranner? I just hope not Kakashi or god beware Guy! And yes I knew about the test, it's just forbidden to tell the Genin beforehand”, she said and ruffled my hair.
“Then your hope just died. It's Guy, he's loud and green and has giant eyebrows”, I said and Yuugao-nee hugged me suddenly.
“I'm so sorry for you,... so, so sorry”, she said and increased the intensity of her hug.
“Why? I think he's funny. Do you think I would look good in spandex?”, I asked.
“YOU WILL NEVER WEAR AN ABOMINATION AS THAT, PROMISE ME!”, shouted Yuugao and shook me.
“But”, I tried again, yet it seems like I wasn't allowed to say anything than 'yes mam'.
“PROMISE ME DEXTER UZUKI. REPEAT AFTER ME, I.WILL.NOT.WEAR.SPANDEX.EVER”, she ordered.
“I will not wear spandex ever?”, I asked.
“LOUD AND CLEAR YOUNG MAN. DON'T DO THIS TO YOUR SISTER. DON'T WALK DOWN THIS DARK ROAD, PROMISE ME!”, she now pleaded more than asked.
°No tails for you if you're going to wear something as this°, chimed Kura-chan suddenly in.
“I swear to chicken that I will never wear spandex!”, I quickly said and Yuugao let go of me.
“Thank god. I think I have to have a little talk with Guy, I can't allow him to corrupt my Dexter”, she then said with fire in her eyes and run out of the house.
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°What was that?°, I asked a little stunned.
°That was the active brain of a normal human. You should take some notes on their behaviour°, joked Kura-chan.
°But seriously, no spandex or you're going to never touch my tails or something else of me again. Are we clear?°, she added seriously.
“Crystal clear mam°, I replied with a salute.
“Now what? Yuugao-nee is who knows where and I'm hungry”, I then said out loud and shrugged before beginning to cook something.
Later that night I thought I heard someone screaming about youth and then something incomprehensible in a pained voice. But it must've been my imagination, cause it got quickly silent after that.
The next morning at 8 a.m I was waiting at training ground 8. It was one giant obstacle course. There were trapdoors, bobby traps, jump sections, climb sections, balance sections, ropes, and other things. The whole thing was pretty big and looked really hard to finish. It probably got as high as 30 meters. But despair not, I, Dexter, already know how to beat this monster of an obstacle course.
°Who are you talking to?°, asked Kura-chan.
°The voices in my head?°, I asked back.
°I'm sure that I'm the only voice in your head... This kinda sounded better before I said it°, she said.
°Anyway, this will be a piece of cake, as long as TenTen and Lee agree to work together°, I said and changed the topic from my crazy thoughts to my crazy team.
°They will, TenTen admires you and Lee will do anything someone asks him to do°, said Kura-chan knowingly.
“Hey Dexter-kun”, said TenTen suddenly, she had a bunch of scrolls with her.
“Morning TenTen, are these sealing scrolls?”, I asked and eyed the scrolls. There were many, at least ten. She mustn't be good enough to only use one scroll, yet.
“Yes, I store my weapons in them”, she said and put them down in a neat line.
“Why not using only one?”, I asked and she looked a little embarrassed.
“I'm not good enough with seals yet. It's really hard to make them”, she answered.
“I might be able to help you with that, I know a few seals”, I offered and she beamed a smile at me.
“Really? You know seals? But they aren't thought in the academy”, she then said.
“There is a section in the library. I looked into it and good kinda addicted”, I said with a small grin.
°Kinda is the understatement of the century. Even the seal masters of the Uzumaki clan aren't as crazy about seals as you. Seriously, how can you like them so much?°, was Kura-chans comment. Hehe, we seal master in Uzu have a monthly meet out where we discuss seals. It's really cool and last time I was voted to Seal Geek of the Year. It was such an honor that I almost began to cry.
°They remind me of runes from my previous live and are the most versatile and strongest Ninja-art there is°, I said in defense of my loved seals.
°Yeah and hardly usable in an actual fight°, she countered.
°There are uses. You just have to be able to apply seals with your Chakra and instantaneously°, I shot back.
°Which is one of the last and hardest steps someone has to learn in order to become a seal master. The epitome of a seal user is the seal master. So it is not really an offensive skill if you have to be this far in the art of sealing to even begin thinking about the use in an actual fight.
I stay on my opinion, seals are for ambushes and preparations before the fight starts°, she argued back.
°I'll show you, once we are alone°, I said and decided that this argument was closed.
“Dexter-kun?”, asked TenTen. She was suddenly really close.
“Yes?”, I asked and stepped back.
“You kinda spaced out, I asked if you can show me”, she said in a friendly tone.
“Sure, do you have some ink and a scroll?”, I asked and she promptly took the tools out.
“Good, look, you have to use this sign in combination with these three. This will allow you to get a picture of each tool in the scroll. Then add this sign and you can take them out whenever you want.
This circle, linked to these 10 signs will increase the capacity and I would recommend these six signs as a safety against thieves. Anyone who will now try to steal them will get a nasty shock. You just have to drop some blood on this section to register your Chakra signature”, I explained while drawing the seals. Once finished I waited for the ink to dry and then looked up at Lee, TenTen and Guy. All of them watched me silently and with interest.
“This is one of the most advanced sealing scrolls I've ever seen”, commented Guy in a normal and quiet tone. I also noticed that he had a blue eye.
“Äh, hi”, I said, suddenly embarrassed about all the attention. No one likes to be watched when you do something that you really like. It kinda makes you insecure.
“Thanks, Dexter, this is really cool”, said TenTen happily and took the scroll like a sacred object.
“YOSH, I decided to learn the art of sealing!”, shouted Lee determined.
“You need to infuse the ink with Chakra and then control the seals from a distance, I don't think you will be able to use them”, I said and he cried anime tears from the quick end of his declaration.
“Now that we saw the burning fire of Dexter-kun's skills about seals, let's start with the test. You can all see the obstacle course right?”, said Guy then and we all focused on him.
“You will have to reach the top and acquire one of the bells on it. The way you do this does not matter, as long as you reach the top in 5 minutes. You will also have to carry these weights”, explained Guy and gave each of us a set of weights, probably around 20 kilograms.
TenTen squinted her eyes and then asked; “But sensei, there are only two bells”.
“That is right, only two of you will be accepted as Genin, the remaining one will have to reignite his or her flame of youth in the Academy”, answered Guy to the shock of TenTen and Lee.
“I'll give you three minutes to make a plan. Each of you has three tries and you'll get another three minutes to think after each try. But you're only allowed to start, once everyone failed”, he said and jumped to the very end of the course. We all put the weights on and then waited for Guy to start the test.
“YOSH, I'll see you at the top”, declared Lee the moment Guy gave us the signal and run off.
“I can't get beaten by him”, said TenTen and also run off.
“Dexter, don't you want to go as well? The others will be there before you if you don't start soon”, asked Guy who was now suddenly next to me. I looked at him, then at the top and saw that this one was a clone.
“Nah, they are only trying. I will wait and it's not like this test will really decide if one of us will go back”, I answered and sat down.
“How so?”, asked Guy interested.
“It's a test of teamwork”, I said with a grin. Guy didn't show that he was surprised in any way and just asked; “Why do you think it is?”.
“You gave us hints. First, we have to reach the top in five minutes. We don't have to take the bell in this time, then there is the way we can do it. Anything is allowed, this also means working together. The course is also too large for a fresh Genin to finish in five minutes, and that is without weights. The best hint was that we have to start at the same time, why do we have to do this if not for working together and lastly there are no Genin teams with only two Genin. So I think it doesn't matter who will get the bell, as long as we work together”, I said and watched Lee getting hit by a tree trump. Guy chooses to say nothing and simply dispelled himself. But the real one had a small smirk.
A few seconds later was TenTens turn. She lost her balance on a small pole and fell down as well.
They both trotted back to the starting line and looked at me with confusion.
“When did you fail Dexter-kun?”, asked TenTen.
“I didn't start at all. I choose to look out for a possible way of doing this as fast as possible. And I found one, alas I need help. So do you two want to get to the top in no time at all?”, I said with a grin.
“But the bells”, said Lee.
“We can speak about them once we reach the top, so what do you say?”, said with a wave of my hand.
“I agree, Dexter never did something unnecessary in the academy”, agreed TenTen with me.
“You were also always a fair sparring partner, I agree as well”, said Lee.
“Good, here is the plan. There is a box on a line, directly in the middle of the course. It goes up to the bells in one go. The thing is I'm not strong enough to pull myself up on my own and I also think there will be traps. So Lee and I will pull us three up and TenTen will shoo down anything that might come at us. Do you agree?”, I said and pointed to the box.
“This might work, I agree”, said TenTen with a nod.
“Such a brilliant strategy, I agree wholeheartedly”, shouted Lee.
“Good, then let's get started”, I said and we all sprinted to the box. And like I thought there were a few Kunai throwing traps, however, each of them was skillfully disarmed by one of TenTen's own Kunai.
We all climbed into the box and both Lee and I began to pull us up. More traps activated and Tenten had her hands fully occupied with deflecting each knife that got shot at us.
Not even two minutes after the start we reached the top. Guy still looked emotionless.
“Good, you reached the top, now who's going to get the bells?”, he then asked.
“My pride won't allow it to take a bell for me alone, I wouldn't have reached the top without TenTen's skillfully Kunai throwing and would never have the idea to use the box without Dexter-kun. So I will decline the bell and allow you both to continue”, said Lee with teary eyes.
“I won't take a bell as well. While I did deflect the Kunai, I wouldn't have been able to do so without Lee and Dexter-kun pulling me upwards at the same time”, was TenTen's opinion.
“You know what I think”, I simply said and Guy suddenly began to cry.
“SUCH FLAMES OF YOUTH! RARELY HAVE I SEEN SUCH BRIGHT FLAMES! YOU ALL PASS, I'M ALREADY SO PROUD OF MY YOUTHFUL STUDENTS”, he shouted and crushed us in a hug. I tried to reason that it was a manly hug, but he and Lee were crying like someone died.
“THANK YOU GUY-SENSEI! I WILL NOT DISAPPOINT YOU!”, declared Lee loudly.
“I'm Genin? For real? YES!”, screamed TenTen, now also fully engrossed in the flow.
“WE WILL START OUR YOUTHFUL TRAINING TOMORROW MORNING AT THE SAME PLACE AND HOUR”, declared Guy-sensei and let go of the hug. To which I was thankful, he almost broke a rib.
“But for now let's go celebrate your official Genin acceptance. I know a good restaurant”, he then said a little quieter and we all followed him to an all you can eat buffet at an Akimichi restaurant.
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Third Person's POV;
Every Jonin instructor stood in front of the Hokage. They were to report about their Genin test. They were now waiting for two hours, thanks to Kakashi. He thought it was okay to be late because he saw a black cat and then got lost on the road of life.
“Good, now that everyone is here, let's begin with the reports. Which of you is going to keep their team?”, said Sarutobi once Kakashi arrived.
“Team 1 will not, maybe in a year or two”.
“Team 2 as well, recommend to not allow them for further academy years”.
“Team 3 managed, even if barely”.
“Team 4 did good, I'll like to train them”.
“Team 5 wasn't able to see underneath the underneath”.
“Team 6 did”.
“Team 7 won't become Ninja's ever”. This one came from Kakashi.
“Team 8 wasn't able to work together. It's a pity, this Hyuuga was really good for a Genin”.
“Team 9's FLAMES OF YOUTH BURN BRIGHTER THAN THE BRIGHTEST SUN. THEY PASSED WITH FLYING COLOURS”. You can guess who said that.
A cat masked woman had to smirk at the news of this particular team.
“Team 10 barely won”.
“Team 11 isn't ready yet”.
“Team 12 as well”, finished the last of the Jonin.
“Good, Guy please stay, the rest of you is dismissed”, said Sarutobi.
“” Yes sir! “”, was the reply from several Ninja and the room quickly got quiet.
“ANBU, you're also dismissed”, Sarutobi then said and the ANBU left the room as well. He then activated an anti-spy seal and looked at a confused Guy with a serious expression.
“The following is an S-class secret. You are under no means to speak about this to anyone, am I clear”, he said in his commanding tone.
“Yes Hokage-sama”, said Guy with a salute. Also fully serious.
“Good, before I start, tell me about the test. What is your opinion on your Genin?”, the Hokage then asked.
“Yes Hokage-sama, my Genin squad consists out of Rock Lee, TenTen Kimichi, and Dexter Uzuki. Rock Lee is a young and energetic Genin. He is sadly not able to use Jutsu, but his determination is above anything I've ever seen, he never gives up and is ready to help his team at all times.
I think he will become a strong Ninja with the right guidance.
TenTen is a young woman who has really good aim and an even better understanding of weapons. She is serious and isn't shy to make her hands dirty. She might become one of the best weapons users that have ever existed.
And then there is Dexter Uzuki. I think he has the most potential. He isn't hotheaded, thinks about what he does and is good with his words. He was able to quickly pull TenTen and Lee into his boat and almost instantly came up with a way to beat my obstacle course. He also saw through the test from the start and told me several reasons why he did it so easily.
I also saw him making a really advanced sealing scroll, he is probably beyond any Chunin or even some Jonin in terms of sealing. I can't tell you anything about his other skills, as he hasn't shown them yet”, narrated Guy his observations.
“Good, really good. They will surely be a fine team. Now let me tell you the secret, Dexter-kun is Naruto Uzumaki in disguise”, said Sarutobi and dropped the bomb.
“You mean the Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi is one of the most prodegious Genin we ever had?”, asked Guy stunned.
“Yes, there were... circumstances that led to this and we thought it would be the best for him to become incognito. The Naruto that runs around the village is merely a Blood Clone of his”, explained Sarutobi.
“But aren't Blood Clones a Kinjutsu of the highest order?”, asked Guy.
“Indeed, but Dexter, like he wants to be called, has the needed Chakra to do more than one of them and knows about the risks. Your order is to keep him as safe as it is possible during missions and also to watch his seal for any weakening. Understood?”, ordered the Hokage.
“Sir, yes Sir!”, shouted Guy with a salute.
“Good, try to encourage friendship between him and his team. Dexter already lost his best friend and I don't think he will overcome another tragedy without major damage”, said Sarutobi suddenly in an extremely tired tone.
“Sir, may I ask what happened?”, asked Guy. This might be personal, but any information might help him to understand someone like Dexter. Who isn't like your average Genin.
“A bunch of our own Ninja found the idea to kill the 4-year-old best friend of Dexter in front of him while blaming him for this because he has the fox inside of him. This day we lost two foolish Ninja and the fox's Chakra leaked out of the seal. It also showed us that Dexter was tortured by the orphanage and I agreed to a way out. Only Kakashi, Yuugao, Itachi and Tenzo know of this secret. You are the sixth and I hope you will stay the last for a long time”, retold Sarutobi this particular dark moment in his life.
“And his flames of youth are still this bright?”, asked Guy. He was crying rivers and even asked this in a small and quiet tone, so shocked was he.
“Yes, I don't know how he does that, it might be thanks to Yuugao Uzuki, but I apply to you to keep his 'flames of youth' burning”, asked the Hokage.
“I will do my best. No one will harm my students”, declared Guy with all his youthfulness.
“Thank you, your are dismissed. I think your time as a Jonin instructor will be eventful”, said Sarutobi with a weak smile and walked out of the meeting room.
Guy, now alone in the room, vowed to himself to increase his training again. No enemy, inside or outside, will harm his students.
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