Naruto frowned as he touched the cold slab of concrete. On it craved names of many people including Hyuuga Neji and Akimichi Chouji. The wind blew and the pink petals of the cherry blossom lightly rained in the silent memorial. He remembered the idyllic days when he was younger - when Kakashi-sensei used to bring them on incredibly boring missions like picking litter and weeding.

Then he still didn’t know how it felt with the cold brush of death even after the fight with Zabuza and ever faithful Haku. Thos were the days where Sasuke and he would fight over the most trivial stuff like who would pick up a new skill faster or even eating faster.

So many things had changed since then, since the last Chuunin exam: where he met Jiraiya, Tsunade-obasan or even Kabuto the sound spy. They had gone down the different paths both opposite of each other.

“Damn Orochimaru,” he cursed and slammed his fist onto the stone.

Everything would have fallen back into place if it was not for Orochimaru. He brainwashed Sasuke by making him believe that he would make Sasuke even more powerful when all he wanted was Sasuke’s body, curse seal and advanced bloodline - the Sharingan. Sasuke had foolishly believed him and the four gates thus leaving Leaf Village to seek power.

“That power crazy idiot,” he muttered.

But not everything was their fault. There was his fault too. Though he gained recognition from Jiraiya, Tsunade-obasan, Kakashi and even Orochimaru who saw him as a threat, he only hungered for Sasuke’s recognition. Perhaps if he had stopped there it would have been better. Sasuke who suddenly found his ‘power’ threatened by Naruto’s rising strength began to crave to top Naruto again. Maybe at the hospital, it would have been better to listen to Sakura for once.

Now everything was done, nothing could change the past. Four genin, one Chuunin and a dog left Leaf Village in pursue for Sasuke, only two genin, one chuunin and the dog returned alive. Neji and Chouji had died for one man. Yet all was in vain

“Naruto, you have better eyes than me.”

“I’ll bring him back,” Naruto said and exited the memorial.

Kakashi watched him from a corner of the memorial on the cherry blossom tree.

“He burdens himself with too many blames,” Gai remarked appearing beside Kakashi. “Looks like he’s another frequent memorial visitor.” Gai glanced at Kakashi to seemed to have not heard a single word. “AHH!! Were you even listening?!” Gai yelled exasperatedly.

“You were talking?”

“Urgh! I was! Anyway, Godaime sent me to find you. She wants you to report to her office now.” Kakashi nodded and disappeared.

>>>>>>

“Godaime,” Kakashi greeted as he entered Tsuande’s office.

“Kakashi, you’re one of our best. Sakura has been training under Shizune as a medical ninja while Naruto excels under Jiraiya’s guidance,” she started. “It’s time that you have new charges. Our forces have built up since the last attack.”

“We all do respect Godaime, but please come to the point,” Kakashi interrupted.

“Very well, ANBU scouts have reported the moving of Sound Nins. I do not intend to under trained any genin so I hope you could train them as skillfully as possible, should there be another attempt to invade or destroy.”

“I understand.”

>>>>>>

Konohamaru cursed as he sat on the bench waiting. Thankfully Udoso had managed to be in the same team with him although Moegi had not been so lucky. Konohamaru drummed his fingers impatiently, glaring angrily at the door then at his other teammate. The sight of her irked him. Her pale grey eyes stared motionlessly at the door. “Someone’s coming,” she reported softly.

“FINALLY!” Konohamaru yelled as the door slid open.

>>>>>>

“Tell me about yourselves,” Kakashi said.

Konohamaru immediately stood up. “I like ramen, I wan to be the next Hokage and I hate her!” he shouted and pointed at her. A look of disdain flashed through her eyes before returning to the expressionless look.

“I suppose it’s my turn now,” she said quietly and stood up. “I’m Hagane Ameki. I have no wish to tell you what I like or dislike, but I want to be strong enough to protect those that I love.”

‘How interesting-’ Kakashi thought as Udoso introduced himself.

Jiraiya was mulling over a bottle of Sake when Kakashi sat down beside him. “I heard you got new charges-” Jiraiya commented.

“Ya, they’re pretty interesting,” Kakashi replied watching Jiraiya as he gulped down his Sake.

“Hmm? In what ways? Don’t you have the Konohamaru brat?” Jiraiya asked, his words starting to slur.

“Ah- I do. But it’s not him that is interesting. Frankly I think he hangs out too much with Naruto. It’s Hagane Ameki that is interesting.”

“Hagane- Ameki- Sounds familiar- Isn’t that Hagane clan, the one that Tsunade’s assistant belongs to? What his name? Kotetsu?”

“Yes, but not that. She resembles someone.”

“Resembles-? Oh that reminds me, Naruto and I got a mission. We’ll be out for a while. Did he tell you- by any chance?” Jiraiya asked, slamming his fifth bottle of sake on the table and gulping down the cup of sake.

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