"Yes, she's long stated that proper intel is fundamental to mission success," said Iruka, who had already turned to other paperwork while the Hokage read.
"The Ino-Shika-Cho trio, second generation," noted the Hokage.
"There were demands from loud individuals, and the point of their synergy is well considered," said Iruka.
"Team Seven..." The Hokage considered the way of stating this.
"Tradition is to put the dead-last, the top scoring kunoichi, and the rookie of the year in one team," stated Iruka.
"How did Naruto manage to get the 'dead-last' position?" asked the Hokage. "With his abilities I would have thought he'd do quite a bit better."
"What abilities?" asked Iruka, looking up. "He falls asleep in class regularly, is often too tired and worn out to be able to muster much of a performance in taijutsu or other physical activities, and ends up distracted at odd times through the day."
The Hokage paused. "What is your security clearance again?"
"Chunin instructor," said Iruka. "So I'm cleared to Level Four. Naruto's folder has become Level Sixteen in the past three years."
"Ah," said the Hokage with a nod. "Well, too late now."
"I have to go with the information I actually have access to," pointed out Iruka. "I have no problem with Naruto's work ethic. You give him something that needs to be done and he'll get it done. It just may take awhile and require he be woken up regularly."
"I'll have to have a talk with him about that," said the Hokage out loud. "I've heard he gets along with the Uchiha boy."
"Neither of them talks much, but they DO talk and apparently they have done some training together," said Iruka. "Uchiha tends to look out for Naruto for some reason. Even if he keeps referring to it as 'paying off debt' - there's some kind of friendship that developed there."
"Good," said the Hokage, signing off on the list. "All things considered, both of them need a friend."
"Team Seven. Sakura Haruno, -"
Sakura perked up. This is it. The right team can make or break your ninja career.
"-Sasuke Uchiha,"
Sakura held both hands up triumphantly, ready to give a fierce "Yatta!" at that. I'm on the same team as Sasuke! Not only does this mean that I have a clear shot at Sasuke's heart, but his skills and talent will make us successful!
"- and Naruto Uzumaki. Your jonin-sensei will be Kakashi Hatake."
Sakura lost the urge to dance. That creepy kid who is always falling asleep?
"Going on to Team Eight," continued Iruka-sensei, though Sakura wasn't paying much attention to him.
No, what she was noticing was that Sasuke was smiling slightly. What was up with that? Never mind, it was unimportant compared to how it just made his regular mood all the cooler!
Sakura glanced over at the blonde boy who was yawning and then started looking over at an empty corner of the room and frowning at it. So weird! It'll be up to Sasuke and me to make this team a success!
"Don't," said Sasuke simply, not looking up from his book.
Sakura paused as she was about to hit the sleeping boy nearby. "But he's asleep again!"
Sasuke put the book down after carefully marking his place. "He spends most of each night training and performing a valuable service for my clan. A service only he can manage."
"Naruto?" asked Sakura, trying to make sense of this. Unfortunately, as she was fond of yaoi manga, her immediate mental image of 'service' that Naruto could provide Sasuke quickly veered off into territory that was not PG-13.
"He has some unique jutsu," said Sasuke, wondering what the girl was imagining from her reaction. He quickly decided he didn't want to know, as he was sure it would turn out to be something profoundly silly. "It's all pretty much secret, but I'm sure you'll learn soon enough."
Sakura's imagination nonetheless went where things turned very bizarre very quickly.
Kakashi stuck his head in the door later to discover that Sasuke was reading a book, Naruto was fast asleep, and Sakura... had apparently fainted with a massive nosebleed.
"My first impression... you're weird," opined Kakashi.
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(Posted Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:27)
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