Kushina’s POV (Uzumaki Residence - Hidden Leaf Village)

  Kushina would never claim to be the best mother. For one, she was a single parent due to circumstances out of her control, of course, but she was sure missing a father weighed on her son. She was a primarily relaxed and carefree parent; she had never been strict nor installed Naruto with any great discipline. Those had always been the areas where Minato had shined. In fact, if she had been honest, she would've preferred it if Naruto had chosen a new career path entirely.

  On that fated night, Kushina's life changed permanently. Not only had she watched her beloved husband die, but she had watched her only son be tainted. Kushina's life due to being a jinchuriki was not one she'd describe as easy. And now her son would face the same. Afterward, Kushina had to build herself back up and be there and raise Naruto to the fullest of her ability. During this time, Kushina thought: Wouldn't Naruto become a shinobi and simply risk the same again?

  As Naruto grew up, however, it became clear he was his father's child. He was fascinated by the world of shinobi, had the natural heart and guts they often needed, and had a genuine need to help others. And while Kushina would never control her son, she hadn't necessarily given her best support either—a decision she was kicking herself for now.

  Kushina knew, in truth, how powerful Neji indeed was. She had been friends with Hyuga for years now. The current heir's Hinata Hyuga mother, Hintabi of the same name, had formerly been one of her most staunch supporters during her pregnancy. However, after her death, the relationship between her and the Hyuga fell apart. Kushina had been contacted, a deal of sorts for her to improve the Curse seal. But she had politely declined. I do not agree with the seal's use in the first place, nor the servitude the Side House was subjected to. But during those meetings, she had heard whispers of a prodigy. The brother of Hiashi Hyuga, Hizashi Hyuga, had fallen in place of his brother but had left behind quite a legacy.

  Even as a member of the less decadent and even besmirched Side House. Neji gained acclaim and support from the clan purely through his skill. Furthermore, it had been made clear early on in his career that Neji harbored hatred deep inside. Hatred Naruto had unknowingly made himself the target of. Likely, her son knew, to some extent, that he had always been oddly good at reading others. But unlike most, her son reacted markedly differently.

  Naruto was not the type to take a slight sitting down, something Kushina herself was guilty of. He wasn't the type to avoid others' problems; he always pitched into absurd degrees. Kushina knew this was another case of Naruto refusing to back down and potentially running into trouble because of this.

  But as a mother, she must support him in his endeavors. Especially when they seemed foolhardy, Minato would've done the same. Kakashi had visited, informing the two Uzumaki that he had delayed the joint training exercise and giving them two days off in the meantime.

  Two days was a kindness from Kakashi, but not one they could afford to waste. Luckily, her son had never had a problem with his work ethic. While Kushina was happy Naruto had so much of her within him, it was also lovely to see Minato's influence. Just like his father, the blonde worked tirelessly and with great diligence. Naruto would not rest until he knew he could defeat Neji and would pass out before he would relent.

  Kushina wasn't truly scared for her son; Naruto was the kind of man to rise to the occasion. While he struggled in the academy, Kushina never truly minded because his talent would never be fully measured. He was something of a marvel physically, with speed, strength, and stamina most could not dream of. But in truth, Naruto's weakness was his mind. He was no fool; unlike Minato, he often showed a brilliant instinct. Learning the shadow clone jutsu in mere hours had merely shown this further. But he could not usually plan ahead; he relied on his sharp instincts in most cases. His instincts and impulses were solid, but he often fought at a disadvantage. She had wracked her brain on how to break through to Naruto. The solution was an interesting one. As proposed by another of her friends, Yoshino, the Nara family had visited. The two important ones were a motivated Shikamaru and Shikaku. Yoshino had merely asked, and the two jumped. Well trained, Kushina supposed.

  The two quickly got down to business. They were training Naruto in Shogi and giving him various tactic scenarios. Both were done simultaneously, of course. They simply didn't have enough time to close the gap between the two boys as they were. But a solution had been found with the added knowledge Kushina held of shadow clones. Since shadow clones returned the memories to their creator when dispelled, Naruto could expedite his training to absurd levels. While she could've taught various jutsu to her son. She felt he would quickly grow if she ironed his mind out to its potential. So now Shikamaru, Yoshino, and Kushina all played Shogi with the clones of the blonde. Meanwhile, Shikaku would write battle scenario questions for another horde of the blondes. Each of the clones brought their answers to the man and was critiqued thoroughly before going back to attempt again.

  Meanwhile, the original Naruto worked tirelessly in the back. The scroll contains techniques and lessons regarding Kushina's tweaked Uzumaki Kenjutsu style. With strategy being addressed, they needed to give him an edge. Kenjutsu was a problematic discipline but a useful one. Compared to a hand-to-hand specialist like Neji, it helped to have a more extended reach. While Naruto would not become an expert instantly, even the basics would allow him to hold his own up close.

  Such was how they spent the next two days, Kushina switching between mother and instructor as needed. The large group spent the days as a unit, eating, sleeping, and working together. It was a massive undertaking, one that Kushina could feel the strain of settling on her shoulders. But for her son, she would do so again and again.

  Whatever Naruto needed.

  Various POVs (Team Nine’s Training Ground - Hidden Leaf Village)

  X-X

  Kurenai’s POV

  Kurenai was a rookie in life these days. New to being a Jounin, new to being a sensei, and now, new to seeing any team hold such resentment in two of its members. At least since Kakashi and Obito were back in the day, anyway.

  Her team had arrived on their field at their regular time. Meeting early to discuss their plans for today. Kurenai had been hesitant about joint team training, but her team had been very keen. For different reasons, of course, Shino was excited to have the chance to test himself, Yuno seemed excited to meet new people, and Choji was excited due to this interrupting their regular rough training. Kurenai was disciplined and intended to pass such along to her Genin. While some called it dull, she, in her career, had learned it would save lives. As such, her team all had strict, regimented training. Choji, in particular, was not fond of his, so stamina training for someone of his size was necessary. Which, of course, meant running.

  Team Seven arrived shortly after them. They were excited at first, but shortly after introductions, Neji and Naruto got into an argument. At first, it had been intense and ugly, but both had toned it down upon Ino's pointed glare. The two were still insulting one another but calmly and with subdued enthusiasm. Kakashi and Ino stood sheepishly as Naruto and Neji politely talked smack. Their voices lowered, and both were mere inches from each other.

  "You allow them to behave in such a manner?" Kurenai's shock was evident in her voice. "Such poor teamwork is a recipe for disaster."

  "Believe it or not, this is a fantastic improvement, ne!" Kakashi replied evenly. "Besides, such is why we're here."

  As their Genin started to get distracted from talking to one another, Kurenai decided to use the chance to grill Kakashi.

  "So why is your team so volatile anyway? Shouldn't you really be cracking down on that?" Kurenai asked, her voice betraying just a tinge of judgment. "They're too old to be acting so immature."

  "Now, Kurenai, I'm sure you remember being a young adult once. While we know what's best for us and what's not, we rarely follow our own wisdom. Furthermore, if I do that, it will ruin their chances of having an earnest team chemistry. They'll treat each other purely as colleagues." Kakashi responded quietly; even now, he sounded calm and bored.

  "I fail to see the problem. Shinobi should be attempting some level of professionalism." Kurenai replied hotly.

  "Is that why you are banging Asu-" Kakashi was cut off by a sudden rough elbow on his side. Kurenai's face burned as she flooded killing intent and glared into Kakashi's eye. The Jounin playfully mocked surrendered.

  "Touche," Kurenai replied as they focused back on their teams.

  X-X

  Naruto’s POV

  "Naruto!" Choji called out happily, running over to the blonde. Naruto smiled at this, shoving Neji away by his face. Ignoring the Hyuga, he stumbled back, offering brutal curses as he did.

  "Choji!" Naruto's voice was filled with equal parts joy and camaraderie. "How have you been, man? Haven't seen you since we kicked Mizuki's ass!"

  "Great! Kurenai sensei is crazy strong!" Choji leaned towards the blonde. "My teammates are kinda scary, but really good people! I was fortunate with my placement!

  "Now that I understand! I got Ino on my team, after all. Sometimes she's all pretty and nice, but she has this temp-"

  "Finish that if you dare, Blondie." Ino interrupted.

  "You're blonde too!"

  "Yes, but I'm smart. Not a brute unlike you." Ino countered with a smirk.

  "Could've fooled me," Naruto replied with a smirk. Ino merely flicked his forehead to counter.

  "Oh, Ino, it's good to see you, too! My dad says Inochi owes him 50 ryo," Choji said with a grimace. I'm sorry; he insisted I bring it up."

  Ino sighed. "Daddy said the same thing about yours." The two laughed at their dads' odd friendship. Naruto smiled at the idea of two old friends bickering over a small amount of money.

  "Oh ya, your families are super close!" Naruto exclaimed. "They call the Akamichi, Nara, and Yamanaka some kind of super-team, don't they?"

  "That's because of an alliance made back in the Warring Clans Era. They had formed an alliance called the Ino-Shika-Cho formation." Shino said, appearing behind Naruto. "This trio was a tactful, sound, and balanced team that wreaked havoc against the Leaf's enemies. In time, so much so they were often placed on squads together by default."

  "Felt you coming that time, Bug Boy!" Naruto bellowed with a smile. Shino was someone he wasn't overly familiar with, but they had met, and it seemed Shino had a habit of sneaking up on people.

  Shino merely stared at the blonde down unnervingly. "Whatever, Blondie." He replied dryly.

  "Oh my, are we teasing the blonde?" Yuno asked as she approached the group. "I'm game. I like blondes, after all," she said as she grabbed his arm and pulled it to her chest. This very friendly gesture shocked all of Team Seven.

  "Don't mind Yuno; she has a habit of flirting with most males and even some females." Shino started to explain. "She's also very touchy…"

  "Shino hates it!" Choji joked Genin saved Shino, and Neji laughed at such a thing.

  "Alrighty," Kakashi interjected, getting the attention of the group of Genin. "I think it's time we begin. Now, this is a joint team exercise. This, officially, is a mission, but, in reality, we are merely training. Our focus for the day is teamwork. Now my cute little Genin has been struggling with this, so…"

  "In the three exercises we did today. Team Seven will be at a disadvantage throughout. Today is not a competition but a chance for growth. I will not tolerate any of you spoiling it." Kurenai stated. Her presence was the epitome of professionalism. Something Naruto, Ino, and Neji immediately felt envious of.

  "The first activity? Tag." Kakashi stated excitedly.

  "Team Seven will pursue me while my own team will pursue Kakashi. As mentioned, my team was aware of the full details and had time to plan ahead. The first team to make physical contact wins. Of course, we will hold back so you can catch us." Kurenai lectured. "Any questions?" Silence follows.

  "Begin!" Kakashi called the two Jounin immediately after taking off. The Genin stood stunned for a second before both teams raced after their set target.

  X-X

  Neji ended up leading the chase, being the fastest. This seemed more than okay to the three as they were chasing after Kurenai using his eyes. Naruto and Ino tailed behind the genius. Neji saw the Jounin pause, seemingly attempting to mask her presence. She had rested just ahead on a branch. Quickly, Neji silently closed in from "Above!" Neji called out as he jumped straight up, attempting to tap Kurenai's ankle. But she merely jumped up higher, avoiding his attack.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Neji cursed as he fell, but Naruto used the opportunity for his own attempt. "Naruto Missile!" He cried out as several clones spawned around them and picked each other up. Each pair hurled the other through the air headfirst. Kurenai managed to twirl past the first series of blonde missiles in mid-air. But to her shock, she heard. "Uzumaki Reflect!" Throwing his clones like weapons was a unique strategy that became difficult to avoid when he used enough clones. Each missed Naruto was caught and thrown back at Kurenai, who could not prevent them in mid-air. However, as they collided with a thud and poofed away, it was revealed that Kurenai wasn't even there.

  "Genjutsu!" Ino called as she dispelled it from herself. She ran over to Naruto to release him, doing so with ease while Neji managed to do the same for himself.

  "I thought your eyes were all seeing!" Naruto complained.

  "I don't understand," Neji replied, frowning. "Most Genjutsu are useless against the Byakugan. She must be nothing short of a Genjutsu master."

  "We're doomed!" Ino added in. "Not only is she apparently a magician, but she's on the move again."

  "I hate to say it, but we are in trouble," Naruto commented. "I can barely detect Genjutsu, and you two were caught in it. Plus, we have no clue how long we've been in one. She could be back at the main village now." But despite the grim situation, the team was determined to learn from their mistakes and improve their strategy.

  "Surprised you thought of that Naruto." Neji snarked with a smile. "But yes, I was worried about that as well. You can never be sure they are playing by the rules with Shinobi. She could've put in this as soon as we arrived and never even been there in the first place."

  "So this exercise is more complicated than we first imagined. Also, we should be on guard; we could still be in one." Ino summarized. "Anyway, your vision can tell if we're in one now that you're aware?"

  "Yes, I should be able to detect them, but only once they're in play. She has some way of hiding the chakra of her genjutsu. Meaning in battle, we'll be sitting ducks. She would easily escape, while I would be forced to free us. I can say we're free of one right now." Neji explained.

  "Well, couldn't I do this then?" Naruto asked as he made an all-too-familiar hand sign. "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" One hundred clones formed around Team Seven.

  "I'll never get used to you doing that," Neji complained. "I assume we will send them out en masse with us transformed to look like you."

  "Yep."

  "So she can't accurately tag us with genjutsu!" Ino called out. "Plus, nothing makes a chase easier than numbers."

  "For once, Uzumaki, you've done well," Neji concluded. With this, the three tensed up. Prepared to achieve their well-earned victory-

  "Sorry, my cute Genin, but Team Nine takes this one," Kakashi calls out. The Jounin had somehow snuck above them in the tree Kurenai had been in.

  Team Seven was shocked. Somehow, Team Nine had caught Kakashi that quickly? In the brief time they knew the man, he was the definition of slippery. The idea of them catching him was absurd, and doing so with ease was even more so.

  "Good work, Team Nine. Team Seven, I saw your attempt. A step in the right direction, but you must be prepared to work together from the start. My team did so and was able to touch Kakashi. Who is a significantly more powerful ninja." Kurenai hammered the message in with efficiency. "However, it should be stated the three of you did not perform too poorly; without the advantage my team had been given, this may have been competitive."

  Naruto and Neji were obviously upset, visibly reigning themselves in. Meanwhile, Ino just looked slightly agonized.

  "Heads up, kids! The next one is easier or harder, depending on your preferences. Where have you all beat the tar out of each other, ne!" Kakashi said, childlike wonder somehow in his tone. "Some good old cross-team sparing!

  Kurenai glared at the eccentric Cyclops, who rubbed his head and stepped back. Once he was appropriately cowed, Kurenai added on. "The first fight is Naruto VS Yuno and Ino. The second will be Neji Vs Shino and Choji."

  "You heard the lady." Kakashi timely added. "Chop, chop."

  The non-combatants left the field, leaving Naruto standing against the two females. The blonde gulped nervously. Ino could be scary as hell, and it was growing quickly. Yuno was an unknown, but he knew she was a Uchiha. Which was one of the big clans in the Leaf. Even in its diminished state. Which meant she was probably crazy strong. Maybe it was just plain crazy because of that weird behavior earlier. He was in deep trouble. He thought back to his intelligence training. Within seconds, Naruto had devised a clever ploy; he needed to catch them off guard and overwhelm them at once. He just needed an opportunity…

  X-X

  Ino’s POV

  Ino wasn't one to be embarrassed. She was popular in the academy and had paramours all around during her short life. She tended to get her way, a fact she was rather proud of. Yet this Yuno woman had her back foot and had even done so with ease. Her friendly yet personal questions made Ino consider switching teams.

  "You're telling me you don't think he's hot?" Yuno asked with a giant smile. For some odd reason, the Uchiha had spent the time just before the battle and after their planning gushing on about Naruto.

  "Not really, he's a giant goofball. Do you remember that orange jumpsuit he wore in year one?!" Ino asked incredulously. "I mean orange as the primary and practically only color? It's a fashion sin!"

  "I thought it was cute. But come on, the weird whisker thing. Giant warm smile. One of the few genuinely nice guys. Plus, blonde means bonus points." Yuno listed.

  "Being blonde is awesome; no one is denying that. But firstly, sure, he's nice and funny. But where's the interest at?" Ino asked. "Being nice and cute is awesome, but I need something to hook me. A bit of edge or something, like Sasuke, for example, hot and interesting."

  "Firstly, Sasuke is my cousin. That is gross." Yuno countered. "Secondly, my cousin is a stick in the mud. The guy is a workaholic; if not for me, he'd probably not have a social life. Thirdly, you don't pay attention if you really think Naruto is just some nice guy. I barely know him, yet I've seen such pain in his eyes. Like he's hiding something deep down, it weighs a ton. Not to mention his humor and proclivity for chaos. I think he's a lot more interesting and fun than Sasuke. Besides, this was mostly for me to test the water, sort of speak. I may very well want him for myself." Yuno said as if discussing the weather. Ino looked at her in shock. She knew she had no right to do so but wanted to cut that off. She growled; this was no way Naruto would wish to be a floozy like her. Besides, why would Ino care? It simply was concerning that such a woman was interested in him.

  "I don't like how you're talking about him," Ino said, her voice sounding annoyed. "But before I talk about boundaries. Let's win this thing!"

  At this shout, Ino and Yuno immediately leaped back, seemingly filling the air with kunai as they did. However, Naruto merely grinned at this. He drew his tanto and took an odd stance. Legs spread out, and his body hunched. The man holding the tanto as if planning to slice from the ground to the heavens. The tension in the air was palpable as the three warriors prepared for the impending clash.

  "Uzumaki Style: Rising Spiral!" He said, slashing upwards while spinning. Visible chakra swirled from the blade, deflecting the storm of weapons. "Like my new technique!" The blonde called a foxy grin, challenging the ladies. "My turn! Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Fifty clones surrounded the woman. The air crackled with chakra as the clones prepared for battle, a testament to Naruto's mastery of the Shadow Clone Jutsu.

  Ino cursed, realizing that her previous encounter with Kakashi had been no fluke. Somehow, Naruto Uzumaki wasn't the loser the academy had assumed; she was actually quite the game combatant.

  "I hate him sometimes," Ino said as she drew two kunai and a scroll. Placing the scroll in her mouth. "I think I can care for these clones and get him."

  "Excellent, I'll handle the setup then," Yuno said as she ran forward to meet the clones, weaving hand signs as she did. "Water Style: Water Geyser!" She said as she slammed her palms into the ground before her, shy of the army of blondes. A miniature geyser burst from beneath the clones, destroying many and causing chaos amongst their ranks. This bought Ino enough time and left Naruto distracted. The perfect opening.

  "I Was saving this for Kakashi, but you and your damn clones, Naruto!" Ino yelled as she formed a hand sign. "Scattered Petals: Explosive Beauty!" As she said this, she unflustered the scroll from her mouth and released a litany of small, purple, glowing flower petals that rained to the ground below. As soon as they made contact with anything solid, the petals exploded in small bursts, filling the clearing they had their battle in with minor explosions.

  Ino and Yuno landed at the edge of it, watching the smoldering area to see what had happened to the blonde. However, they had underestimated him. Suddenly, a presence appeared behind them. Naruto pointed Riptide at their backs with a smile.

  "Sorry ladies, but this round is mine," Naruto assured with a smile.

  "You men. Always trying to end things too fast." Yuno said with a smile. Ino matched hers as she did.

  "Unfortunately, we women like to play it patiently." Ino continued. As she finished this sentence, she and Yuno faded.

  "Demonic Viewing: Shifting Reflection." Yuno stated that they now held kunai to his neck as she and Ino formed behind one blonde each.

  Ino felt pride as Naruto froze, realizing he had been duped again. Before the fight had begun, even with Yuno's aid, the idea of defeating him was absurd, but together the two were holding their own.

  "Not bad at all; seriously, the two of you are pretty damn strong." Naruto complimented. "But you are confused; I'm not the one in danger here. Surrender."

  "I'm telling the truth, ya know?" Naruto quipped as he walked out of the settling dust from Ino's attack. The blonde looked positively smug as he stopped in front of the two. "Not only is he a clone, but he's one that you really don't want to dispel. If that happens, you might get hurt…" Naruto warned worriedly. "Seriously, don't move, please."

  Ino looked at Yuno and nodded. Yuno smiled sweetly at Naruto. "Advice for next time. When facing a Genjutsu specialist, expect layers." Naruto's eyes widened as he formed a hand sign to dispel it. Once he had, he saw Yuno inches away, holding a kunai to him. Close enough for countering in any way to be impossible.

  "I like you, Naruto, you're fun," Yuno told the blonde. "Lemme knows if you ever want company," she said, patting his face. The Uzumaki rolled back, escaping her touch.

  "Something about you freaks me out," Naruto called from afar.

  Ino bumped Yuno's shoulder as she walked by. Seemingly perturbed by Yuno's mannerisms. "Back off." She said.

  Ino herself had been often called a flirt; hell, she supported flirting usually. But something about Yuno gunning for her teammate annoyed her. Couldn't she wait until their team was more solidified before complicating it?

  Yuno chuckled. She doubts either of them knew it quite yet. But the blonde was spoken for. Yuno would have to find another toy. Shino may be broken yet.

  Kurenai walked up as the fight concluded. "Good work, everybody. Naruto, that was a great job going on offense when you're outnumbered. You wanna be on offense, not defense, in that case. You always stand a better chance when outnumbered when you're setting the pace. Also, playing cautiously is wise. But remember how your opponent will react to what you're doing. It was smart to use your clones to set a trap. I guarantee Yuno would've been much more problematic otherwise. But you didn't prepare for them to counter it and were caught flat-footed as a result. Ladies did an excellent job hunting him down and dispatching his clones and traps. As well as having a backup plan like that. Naruto would've won if you hadn't put two genjutsu on him, but you overcame him by playing using your strengths. Bold of you to risk it like that; I must comment. If he had caught on, he may have blown you to bits."

  "Nothing risked, nothing gained," Yuno responded with a shrug.

  "Very true!" Kakashi called it merrily. "Your turn grumpy, buggy, and ch-, big-boned."

  Neji, Choji, and Shino walked out as well, with the Hyuga on the other. While Neji looked calm and confident, Choji looked nervous, and even Shino seemed uncomfortable.

  It seemed that, like her, the two were aware of Neji's attitude and skill, though Shikamaru had always described him as cool and collected.

  "Begin!" Kakashi called.

  "I warn you both now. You cannot defeat me-" Neji started, but Ino felt a spike of joy at them, not only interrupting but shifting in attitude now that the battle had begun.

  "You shouldn't waste time talking like that," Choji said as he enlarged his hand. "Take it from a guy who knows you don't wanna give Shino time."

  Neji responded by charging. Choji swept his giant hand horizontally, attempting to knock Neji out of the field like one would swat a fly. Neji quickly ducked under the arm, jabbing liberally at his chakra points as he did. But to his shock, Choji didn't react to his blows; he merely slammed his hand downward this time. Neji rolled out of the way with a curse. His nearly 360 vision showed Shino behind him as he got to his feet, aiming a roundhouse for his head. Neji ducked this and jabbed at the man, who rolled back instantly, dropping back instantly. Neji, still seeing Choji as he focused on Shino, jumped in the air, avoiding Choji's giant palm slam once again, attempting to crush him.

  "Sorry!" Choji called. "My chakra points are too large to damage like that!"

  "Heh," Naruto chuckled as they all watched the battle unfold. "It feels good to see the bastard on the back foot. I fought with Choji recently; he packs a hell of a punch."

  Ino nodded as well with a smile. But Yuno seemed confused before she gasped with realization.

  "Oh, so the rumors of Neji's nasty attitude are true?" Yuno asked.

  "Oh yeah," Ino answered, more than happy to complain. The guy is openly hostile and insulting most of the time, and worse yet, he and Blondie here are incapable of getting along."

  "Yeah, well, the bastard treats me like garbage. I feel more than justified paying him back that kindness." Naruto responded dryly.

  "Ah, he sounds like Sasuke in some ways. He's a decent guy once you get to know them, but abrasive as all hell in the meantime." Yuno signed off. However, the group focused back on the combat, which seemed to be nearing its end.

  "That's the beginning of the end." Shino started. As he said this, Choji expanded into a ball. As well as giant patches of insects covered the front of trees. "That's because you wasted time with idle threats." Shino continued. Choji started to violently wheel about, clearing every time he slammed into a tree; a patch of insects seemed to allow him to bounce off with increasing speed. "Choji made this technique using an insect of mine filled with gas, making them function as a cushion. This nearly makes them immune to being crushed. Pair this with the Choji Full Body Expansion technique. And you make a deadly combo."

  Neji desperately avoided the speeding ball of Choji several times, cursing all the while. He casually ran up a tree once Choji's growing speed became too high.

  "Then I will merely hold the high ground." Neji taunted. "The two of you cannot defeat me without coming close. This attack is a waste."

  "We're merely limiting your options. The ground below is unsafe, and you'll find high ground almost always applies to me." Shino replied casually. As he said this, swarms of insects came from the forest. A massive swarm flew from the tops of trees. "You really must get that ego in check, Hyuga. This would've gone differently if you had approached us earnestly from the start instead of this performance. Neji desperately dodged the insects and looked to the ground below. But Choji was getting even faster. Even the Hyuga would be helpless against the speed at which the human pinballed. He dodged even more insects, but Shino added to the barrage with the occasional shuriken or kunai. More insects came whenever he tried to retreat to the forest, and the kunai would pepper him back towards the clearing.

  Eventually, Neji decided to risk it. He landed, and within seconds, Choji was coming in fast. Neji smiled just enough time to activate Kaiten. As he did so, though, insects flew into it. However, they were not batted away; instead, they managed to drain the chakra from the orb, dispelling it to Neji's shock and awe. This left him wide open as Choji smashed into Neji unaided; the blow sent Neji skidding across the clearing in a painful heap. Choji immediately shrunk and dizzily fell to his behind. Shino appeared before him, wielding kunai and staring down the downed Neji.

  "I saw we call it there, me?" Kakashi said, walking between the combatants. "Are you okay, Neji?" Neji sighed and nodded. He looked a bit angry but was still able to control his emotions.

  "Alright, a bit more straightforward on this one," Kakashi informs. "Neji, you may be strong, but when you're outnumbered like that. You should play for keeps. Act like that, and there's no doubt in my mind Naruto will defeat you."

  "That is preposterous! That loser could never!" Neji countered.

  "Kakashi sensei!" Naruto called out calmly. "Allow me to fight Neji right here. Right now." He then eyed his sensei.

  Kakashi thought about this. He had given the week timeframe so Naruto would have a chance to catch up. But the extra training from Kushina was working wonders. The blonde seemed determined as well. "Are you sure about this Naruto?" Kakashi asked.

  "Damn straight," Naruto replied

  "Neji?"

  "Indeed."

  Kakashi sighed heavily. "Kurenai, do you mind?"

  "Not at all besides. Your old team was always like that, too." Kurenai replied.

  AN

  Remastered: The original chapter contained the join training and Neji VS Naruto, which, while acceptable, felt a little all over the place pacing-wise. So, I split the chapter into two parts to make for better reading, etc.