Second Chance | COTE x Naruto

Chapter 4

"...That's all about my team. Although they do need to work hard, I believe this generation of Yamanaka-Nara-Akimichi will definitely surpass the previous generation."

Hiruzen nodded at his son. He was satisfied with Team 10.

Shikamaru was worthy to be the heir of Nara Clan. He was definitely the smartest out of young generation. If he's too lazy to follow his father's legacy as jounin commander, he could become Naruto's advisor in the future.

"Alright. Thank you, Asuma. Now then," Hiruzen's eyes shifted toward the beautiful Kurenai. "Kurenai, it's your turn."

"Yes, Hokage-sama." Kurenai took a step forward like Asuma did a moment ago. "Team 8 also passed the test," she began. "They worked together really well. Kiba's skills are good. Shino is even better. And, Hinata is truly an excellent leader. I believe that she can make Shikamaru to take her seriously in an intellectual battle."

Kurenai's statement surprised Asuma. The man had deemed Shikamaru as the smartest kid in young generation, naturally he was surprised to hear what she said.

"Her data doesn't say that," muttered Hiruzen.

"I was surprised as well, Hokage-sama." Kurenai responded. "Yesterday, there's nothing wrong with Hinata. She's shy and timid, exactly the same as her data. However, today she suddenly became like a different person. She becomes confident and extremely smart. Hinata even said that she would like to become hokage and clan head in order to unite her clan."

"Did you ask her?"

Kurenai nodded at that question. "Hinata said that she's tired of faking her personality to bring back his gentle father," she said. "Hinata believed that her father would become a gentle person if she acted like her kind mother. However, there's no result. She assumed that the death of her uncle really cracked the heart of her father. So, having enough, Hinata decided to get rid of her fake-self and become her true-self."

Hearing that, Hiruzen felt sorry about Hinata. It was his stupid mindset that inflicted pain upon Hirashi. If at that time he discarded his naevity, there's no need to sacrifice Hizashi. His death was truly regretful. Hizashi was a strong shinobi of the village.

"I see," Hiruzen muttered after exhaling a deep breath. "Do your best to help her. And, I suggest you to pass on your genjutsu on her. It will help her to achieve her goal. If Hinata-kun really wants to become hokage, she has to discard her clan pride."

"Yes, Hokage-sama!" Kurenai replied with pride. "I'll do my best to help Hinata."

Hiruzen nodded, then his eyes landed on the masked jounin. "Your turn, Kakashi," he said.

Kakashi took a deep breath. "Team 7...passed the test," he said.

So far, Kakashi always failed the team assigned for him to lead. So, his answer surprised both Asuma and Kurenai. Even though he had the best genin in his team, they didn't think Kakashi would pass the team.

However, it's natural for the pair to feel surprised. They didn't know that Kakashi was ordered to pass the team.

"They didn't work together at all," continued Kakashi. "I don't have a choice but to pass them. Sasuke and Sakura are the same as their data. Sakura couldn't free herself from a simple genjutsu. And Sasuke, while he was good for a genin, he failed to understand the purpose of the test.

"But Naruto was different. He realized the purpose of the test immediately. However, rather than trying to convince his teammates to work together, he convinced me to defeat the three of them so that his teammates could realize the purpose of the test on their own. But I didn't expect Naruto to awaken rokugan."