Naruto Unbreakable Bonds

chapter 7

Neji woke up groggily in a training field, only to see Arashi in front of him. Arashi was sitting contently.

"Hey Neji. How did you sleep?" Arashi asked.

Neji scowled. "Did the main house send you to babysit after my humiliating defeat to that weakling?"

"For a weakling, she kinda kicked your ass. Listen kid, I know of the seal you carried. It's an awful burden to know that someone could kill you or torture you and there's nothing you could do to stop them. The caged bird seal I'd an abomination of the sealing arts...but, like any bird you can't just stop picking at the door, freedom lies at your feet Neji, will you take it?"

Neji faced Arashi fully. Gone was the confident smirk or angry fury that is normally present on the Uzumaki's face, in its place was a look of understanding. "What would you know of my burden?!?!"

Arashi smiled softly. "Nothing, but you don't know anything of mine either. The one who best understands your burden, is Naruto."

"The idiot my cousin is infatuated with? Lies!" Neji stepped back at the spike in killer intent.

Arashi sighed. "He's not an idiot. His teaching at the academy was sabataged and no one bothered to teach him to read, stores sold him expired food or just outright charged ridiculous amounts of money, people hated him so much they resorted to beatings, and one assassination attempt that I know of. His burden makes yours look like nothing, all because of a seal."

Neji just looked at the floor, wondering if his father would approve of his actions.
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"Team two is Naka Tobiro, Shinta Inuzuka, and Karah Haruno. Your sensei is Arashi Uzumaki."

The genin turned pale at the name. Their parents said to stay away from the Uzumaki at all costs.

"Team three is Shino Aburame, Sakura Haruno, and Choji Akimichi. Your sensei is Asuma Sarutobi." Sakura began crying anime tears.

"I got fat ass and bug boy?!?!"

Choji just grumbled and ate his chips, unknowingly releasing killing intent.

"Team five: Shikamaru Nara, Hinata Hyuuga, and Naruto Uzumaki. Your sensei is Kurenai Yuuhi."

Naruto high fived Hinata and I Shikamaru grumbled. "What a drag..."

"Team six is Kiba Inuzuka, Ino Yamanaka, and Sasuke Uchiha. Your sensei is Kakashi Hatake."

Kiba jumped. "Yeah! Team six is top dog, I'll beat everyone here!"

"Actually Kiba. You tied for dead last with Shikamaru, just like Naruto and Sasuke tied for Rookie of the year. The girls on your teams are the best kunoichi we had." Iruka said calmly, making Sakura jump up.

"But sensei I had the best grades!"

He sighed then looked at her. "Due to Uzumaki Arashi's presence in council meetings, he's convinced the council that more emphasis should be placed on the shinobi aspects you will use most, namely taijutsu and ninjutsu. Which is why we tested all of your elemental affinities and made you learn at least one jutsu from your element. You did excellent in theory and on tests, but when faced with the physical parts...you were sub-par. "

She threw a glare at Naruto, getting a smirk from the blonde.

"Alright class, wait here for your sensei to pick you up."

A woman with black hair and red eyes stepped into the room. She had pale skin, and a white and red dress.

Several boy's in the class blushed as she spoke. "I'm here for team five. If you're part of team five, find me at the place where four fathers stand tall and watch over all of their children." Then she vanished, just faded from view.

Naruto turned to Hinata. "Was she actually here?"

Hinata shook her head as her byakugan deactivated. "No, just genjutsu. If she is a genjutsu expert, then we can't trust our normal senses. We need to figure out the riddle though."

Shikamaru stood and headed for the door. "The answer is the hokage monument. I think Hinata should take point because the byakugan is immune to genjutsu. Naruto you take up the rear because you've got more combat ability. I'll act as support if anything happens, by using my clan jutsu to immobilize our opponent."

"You think she wants us to fight?" Naruto asked.

Shikamaru sighed. "I believe it's a distinct possibly since she's obviously testing us."

Hinata and Naruto nodded, following Hinata, who had her byakugan active.