Chapter 16: The Apprentice

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"Shikamaru Nara, and Shino Aburame. I, along with the shinobi council, hereby promote the two of you to Chunin for your smarts and tactics during the Exams." The Hokage said with a warm but small smile. He handed the two new appointed Chunin their best as the took them graciously. Naruto looked down at the ground feeling slight left out.

"I'm guessing you're wondering what your doing here right Naruto? Since you weren't promoted to Chunin?" Naruto nodded before the warm smile of the Hokage turned into a grin. "Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze, I, along with the shinobi council, hereby promote you to Jonin for your services in stopping an army coming towards the village. Thank you for your service."

Naruto smiled brightly as he was handed a Jonin vest. "Thank you Ojisan." Naruto said. Sarutobi smiled at his name that Naruto once again called him.

"Now, as a Jonin. You have a few choices in what you can do. 1. You can do regular missions like any other Jonin would. 2. You can take a team or an apprentice. And 3. You can apply to ANBU." The Hokage finished. Naruto replied without a seconds hesitation.

"I wish to take an apprentice sir. But I will choose who I will get. I need someone fresh. And an orphan." Hiruzen rose an eyebrow.

"Why an orphan?" He asked curiously.

"Because they will be missed less when I take them on a training trip in a month or so." The Hokage nodded and agreed with Naruto's logic. "Okay. I'll allow it. But one restriction. It has to be out of Konohamaru's class." Naruto nodded.

"Okay. Bye Ojisan."

At the Academy

Naruto walked in Iruka's classroom while Iruka was giving a lesson stealthy, hoping that Iruka wouldn't notice. He didn't. However a couple kids did and decided to Snitch. 

"Iruka-sensei, who is that?" A random civilian said as he pointed at Naruto sneaking. Naruto cursed. Iruka turned around to see Naruto and frowned slightly.

"Hello Naruto, may I ask while your in my room?" He asked politely. Naruto straightened up and walked to Iruka's desk and sat on it.

"I'm surveying your class for today Iruka." He replied casually as he looked at the group. He said the Konohamaru Corps sitting together which drew a smile. He also saw Hanabi Hyuga with a smug smile. He pointed at the girl.

"Iruka, who is that?" He said. Iruka looked where Naruto was pointing and smiled.

"That is Hanabi Hyuga, the Rookie of the Year so far. And please call me Sensei, for we are not equals quite yet." Naruto laughed.

"You're right, were not equals. Sorry Iruka." Iruka's eye twitched slightly.

"I'm looking for an apprentice." Naruto said aloud. "Raise your hand if you wish to be my apprentice." He said as the whole class raised there hand except for a boy in the back who just looked at Naruto with pain filled eyes that were a grass colored green. He had messy brown hair and a white trench coat on. 

"You can't pick an apprentice Naruto, you have to be a..." He said with a smile before he saw Naruto's Jonin vest. "You're a Jonin?!" Naruto nodded.

"Hyuga, put your hand down. Konohamaru Corps, put your hand down. Everyone that has your hand up put your hand down now." He said calmly. He looked into the boys eyes in the back of the room. The only one who didn't raise his hand.

"Why didn't you raise your hand...?" He said as he hinted for a name.

"My name is Tatsumi. And the reason why I didn't raise my hand is because I know you won't pick me." He said. Naruto's eyes bored into the boys skull making him look away.

"And why is that?" He asked before a random kid shouted out.

"Because Tatsumi-baka is the deadlast. He can't do anything right." A boy shouted. "You should pick Hanabi-chan. She's the strongest ever." Naruto narrowed his eyes at said boy.

"Shut up kid." He growled out.

"How are you going to call us a kid when you were last year's graduating class and we're this years? You're barely a year older" Hanabi asked. "Do you have brain damage?"

"When I was 8, I was stronger then any of the Genin or Chunin in this village so you are a kid. So please you idiotic Hyuga. Shutup." He snarled before adding a little KI which made the effect immediate. He turned around an face Iruka.

"I've made my choice." He said.

"Who?" Iruka asked, slightly curious on who Naruto chose.

"Tatsumi, come here. You are my apprentice." He said. Tatsumi stood there in shock. "Come on, don't want to miss your first lesson right?" He added with a smile. Tatsumi smiled brightly as he quickly grabbed his stuff and ran next to Naruto. As they were about to leave, Hanabi spoke.

"Why did you choose the deadlast and not me?" She asked. Naruto glared at the girl.

"Because, he has the most potential in this classroom. Plus, he reminds me of myself." He said before the new Master and Apprentice left the room leaving a class filled with shocked people.

Later somewhere else

"Did you hear that Naruto-kun took an apprentice?" Kurenai asked her friend. Anko nodded and sighed happily.

"Yeah. I know. I'm just happy to be with him again." She said with a smile plastered on her face. Kurenai smiled.

"Yep. Good for you. You're a very lucky woman." She said as she felt a pang of jealousy hit her slightly. Anko frowned slightly before grinning like a mad woman at the Genjutsu Mistress.

"We can share Kure-chan. I'm sure he won't mind." She winked at Kurenai. "I mean, I saw him stare at you more than a few times when we broke up for that period of time. But now, he's just to loyal to. Maybe I have to tell him straight up." Kurenai blushed.

"No no Anko-chan. No need. I wouldn't want to cause any trouble." Anko just shook her head.

"I'm being serious Kure-chan. You need a real man in your life." Kurenai smiled down at the drink in her hand softly.

That would be nice. She thought.

A couple weeks later

"Do you really have to go Naru-kun?" Anko asked as she buried her face into the crook of his neck. Naruto smiled warmly at his girlfriend.

"Yes Anko-chan. I have to take Tatsumi where we won't be distracted. He needs his training." He said, ruffling Tatsumi's hair. Tatsumi was only a few inches shorter so he had to reach higher than usual.

"I don't see why we have to leave the village sensei. I mean, can't we train here?" Naruto shook his head.

"Sorry bud. But you need experience. I weak ninja with tons of experience can always beat a powerful one with no experience. Remember that." Tatsumi nodded but he didn't completely understand his master.

The training trip was going to be 2 and a half years long so Anko was going to miss him greatly.

"I love you Anko-chan." He whispered as his forehead connected to hers. She had a slight height advantage but he was growing fast. He was pulled into a deep kiss which made Tatsumi gag and look away.

"I love you too foxy-kun." She whispered before taking a step back. "Come back safe and you'll be getting a special present. Plus, we have to get married soon right?" Naruto's smile widened.

"Sure do. Let's go Tatsumi. Bye Anko-chan!" He said with a wave. Just before he turned around a sudden force grabbed his collar and a soft lips connected with his. His eyes widened slightly as the person disconnected to find Kurenai.

"What she said." She said with a slight smile as she pointed to Anko who was grinning like crazy. Naruto's face turned as red as Kurenai's eyes.

"W-w-well, ummm, bye l-ladies." He stuttered out before grabbing Tatsumi and running. Kurenai and Anko walked off laughing, hoping that he'd be back soon.


Yay. Another chapter done. I'm proud of myself. I update regularly and it's great! I appreciate the views! Til next time!

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