Naruto failing the bunshin test was apparently a "hard" point. Unless the track had been completely altered and had built up enough momentum to bypass that sequence of events entirely - it tended to follow the same pattern.
1) Naruto fails the genin exam where he had to produce a clone. Sometimes he forms some other form of clone, and in this case he usually ended up failed anyway because it wasn't the right kind of clone or some other excuse.
2) Mizuki coming up with a silly plan for an Academy student to sneak in where he would fail, acquire a scroll of forbidden spells/jutsu/special techniques, and then take the scroll to where Mizuki could kill his accomplice and take that scroll to where he could sell it or use it to get into another village with a higher rank.
3) Naruto learns that he's the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tailed Fox (Kyubi) and consequently using his newly learned jutsu to defeat Mizuki.
4) Naruto graduates for proving that he wasn't the Fox and that he was at least capable of beating down a low-talent chunin.
There were times where something was a little different. For example, in this instance where Naruto had friends he could talk to and be afraid that they'd drop him if they learned of his prisoner.
Or the fact that in this instance he'd used Kage Bunshin (Shadow Clone) to beat up Mizuki as usual, then use the Sword Of Brilliance to determine whether Mizuki was telling the truth.
There were consequences of this however.
Ibiki raised an eyebrow as he prepared to pour a shot of liquor into his glass.
The Hokage shook his head slightly, but took a seat. "So, something interesting?"
Ibiki swirled the glass around slightly, watching the amber fluid as if contemplating its mysteries before draining it in a single gulp. "I interrogated the boy regarding the sword he manifested, had him sit around while I interrogated Mizuki and a couple of other prisoners, and then pulled both of the boy's friends and interrogated THEM. The results were enlightening."
"I'd expect no less," said the Hokage, acknowledging Ibiki's talents in that regard.
"The boy, Uzumaki, has the ability to summon swords but he can't always control which one he gets." Ibiki poured himself another shot but didn't drink it. "He's been getting trained in kenjutsu by the genin, while assisted in taijutsu and ninjutsu to some extent by the Hyuga girl."
"This I had heard of, though hadn't paid it much attention," said the Hokage. "That the boy was making friends with anyone was welcome news to me."
"The sword he drew against Mizuki and used at my direction allows him to be able to tell when someone lies in his presence," said Ibiki. "A truth, partial truth, or outright lie. He immediately knows through the sword's ability."
"That... is quite useful," mused Hiruzen Sarutobi, thinking of the times he could have used that himself. Higher level ninja tended to be difficult to read.
Ibiki nodded, thinking that the boy could prove useful in his own department from time to time. Being able to clear someone who was innocent without having to get messy or using psychological tactics to break them down over time - quite handy.
"What else?" asked the Hokage.
"The summoning abilities of the two friends had been noted, though not where they got those contracts," said Ibiki. "Now we know. The identity of the interloper we're less clear on. Someone under a henge that the Byakugan couldn't penetrate, so very high level whoever they were. Also quite possibly insane."
"I wouldn't expect the children to know how such a one managed to penetrate our security," noted the Hokage aloud.
"The small cards this intruder handed to the two girls were examined," said Ibiki. "No indication of sealwork or anything out of the ordinary. They could have been made in just about any city in any country."
"Your assessment?" asked the Hokage, prepared for whatever was necessary for the benefit of the village.
Ibiki shrugged ever so slightly. "Nothing much to say about it, other than whoever gets the two new genin should be prepared for their summonings. The established genin is already well known for her summoning abilities, able to pull a fire-breathing canine companion out has established her as a very talented and adaptable kunoichi. Uzumaki's ability to summon swords is potentially even more powerful and useful in more situations than simple combat. The Hyuga girl's Owl Contract has also some serious possibilities for the future. She needs to work on her chakra reserves though."
"No objections to assigning them to teams?" asked the Hokage.
"I'd object if they weren't," said Ibiki drily. "You going to make them a team? Pull the kunoichi off Team Gai and stick the three of them together under some other jonin?"
"I'd thought of that," admitted the Hokage. "Tenten's ranged skills would compliment Hinata's melee abilities and Naruto's kenjutsu. However, Tenten is already established on her team."
Ibiki shrugged. "It'd make keeping an eye on them and watching for that intruder to contact them again easier."
The Hokage poured himself a drink from the bottle, making a face at the taste when he drank it.
"Acquired taste," admitted Ibiki.
"Be that as it may, I think," began the Hokage.
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(Posted Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:41)
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