The sun hung lazily in the sky, casting long, golden rays over the Hidden Leaf Village. The rooftops shimmered with warmth, and the faint smell of charcoal and grilling pork buns wafted through the air. Birds chirped cheerily overhead, and a gentle wind rustled the leaves of the trees lining the Academy training grounds. Cicadas buzzed from somewhere in the shade, completing the symphony of a typical Konoha morning. It was almost peaceful.
I stood in the field, arms crossed, wearing my customized jonin flak vest, sleek and light, made for someone like me who moved faster than most could track. My bright amethyst eyes scanned the grounds in front of me, sharp and focused. My short dark hair was spiky and unruly, headband peeking through like a crown of mischief. The Sarutobi clan insignia stood proud on my shoulder.
I was only fifteen and already a jonin. The youngest in history, and daughter of the Third Hokage. All those titles meant nothing at this moment. Right now, I was their sensei, and they were my first official team.
My eyes rested on the three standing before me... Asuma, my little brother who had more guts than brains most days. Might Guy was vibrating with so much energy he looked like he could explode into youthful confetti, and I almost wanted to see it. Kurenai, graceful and serious with eyes that could pin someone to the wall... and one hell of a pretty smile, even if she did not know it. I could not help but think about how they all were pulled together, at my own demand, no less...
~~~~~~~~
A few days ago, I stood before my father with my arms crossed as he looked over the candidates that I picked.
"You want to hand-pick your genin team?" he asked, pipe balanced between his fingers as a curl of smoke rose between us.
"Yes," I replied firmly. "I want Asuma. I know him better than anyone, and I can push him further than anyone else can."
Father raised an eyebrow but nodded. "That is reasonable, I suppose. And the others?"
"Kurenai Yuhi. She has a knack for genjutsu that could rival the Uchiha one day, mark my words. She is smart, adaptable, and steady. I think she could benefit from having a teacher who can challenge her intellectually and show her new tricks for how to apply her trade. Not to mention that her chakra control is perfect for medical ninjutsu as well."
He smiled slightly. "And the third? Might Guy." His smile dropped. "That boy is... enthusiastic."
"He is more than that. He is fire and motion. All he needs is someone to guide that energy into something focused and meaningful. I see potential in him, Father. Potential to be great."
Hurizen, my father, studied me quietly, then nodded once. "Very well, Akari. They are yours. Make them into something Konoha will be proud of."
"I will," I promised, already picturing how I would bring out the best in all three of them.
~~~~~~
I held up two small bells and gave them a small jingle, recreating one of the favor tests of genins throughout the Naruto universe, the sound light and sharp in the stillness.
"Your objective is simple," I said, letting a teasing grin tug at the corner of my lips. "Take these bells from me before the timer runs out. If you succeed, you win and become real genins. If you fail, you be sent back to the academy. And, by the way, there are only two bells, so someone will fail and be sent back."
Guy immediately tensed, fists clenched. "What?! Sensei, we have worked so hard to get here!"
I let my smirk widen. "Exactly. Now, come at me with intent. If you hold back, you will lose."
The moment the stopwatch beeped, Guy was off like a green rocket. He came in hot, launching a spinning Leaf Hurricane that had enough force to snap bone.
I side-stepped it with a bored sway, the kick slicing the air inches from my nose. The wind tousled my bangs.
Oooh, nice start. I liked the enthusiasm, Guy. Too bad enthusiasm does not equal experience... yet.
He did not slow. He twisted mid-air, coming down with a powerful back kick. I caught his ankle with one hand and slammed him hard into the dirt.
"You are fast, but predictable," I said, giving him a wink as he groaned into the grass.
Guy sprang back up with a grin, clearly thrilled. "Yes, Sensei! You are so strong! I must try harder!"
"Please do," I murmured.
Asuma struck next. He was sharper than Guy, more methodical. His hands blurred through signs.
"Wind Release: Dust Cutter!"
A razor-thin wave of slicing wind zipped toward me. At the same time, Kurenai hurled a cluster of kunai laced with genjutsu to create more images than what was truly there. Her eyes flickered with calm focus.
I used the Substitution technique to replace myself with a log just before Asuma's jutsu sliced into me, also dodging Kurenai's attack. Kurenai sensed me too late as I appeared behind her. She turned around, only for me to tap her on the forehead and cast a simply genjutsu on her, trapping her mind within her body.
"Tag, you're it," I chuckled as her body froze.
Gods above, why did I make her my student? That's just going to make it harder to steal you from Asuma later on.
Asuma, determined not to be outdone, or perhaps showing off for Kurenai I noted with amusement, launched another attack.
"Fire Release: Ash Spark Technique!"
Flames erupted and surged forward, wild and hot. But he made a mistake since I was still next to Kurenai. I pushed "her" into the line of his attack to his horror, but I was using another Substitution technique since I did not want to put her into real danger.
"Kurenai!" he screamed as the flames exploded against the log.
While he was distracted, I rushed through the smoke and struck low, sweeping his feet out before slamming a palm into his chest. As he smashed into the ground, Guy came roaring back.
"Dynamic Entry!" he called out.
He came in from above, ready to drop an axe kick on my head. I shifted to the side, grabbed his leg mid-arc, and flung him across the field like a frisbee. He skidded through the dirt, limbs flailing, just as Kurenai broke free of my genjutsu.
"Still fast, still obvious," I muttered, shaking my head. I somersaulted backward and landed in the center of the field. "Three minutes left," I called out, letting my voice carry.
They froze, then looked at each other. Finally, they realized that they would only have a chance if they worked together. They leapt back into the forest brush and regrouped while I waited with my arms crossed and a smirk on my face.
They moved as one. Guy zig-zagged, erratic and fast, his feet tearing up grass. Kurenai threw a handful of kunai to my left with several illusions mixed within. Asuma formed hand signs on my right.
"Wind Release: Dust Cutter!"
With a thrust of his hands, two air blades came flying at me, herding me left and into the path of Kurenai's kunai. I twisted, letting the wind pass, and deflected the kunai with a shuriken spinning on a finger. Guy was back on me in a flash. He planted his hands and launched a rapid barrage of upward kicks that I deflected with my elbows.
Damn, he is already this strong without the Gates. Once he gets some real experience and a bit older, he will be terrifying to face directly.
Kurenai tried to distract me with an illusion, but my mental fortitude was on another level, even compared to other jonin. Asuma finished another set of hand signs, drawing out the last of his chakra.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
The fireball roared to life, massive and bright. I kicked Guy away and leapt backwards, allowing the jutsu to pass by both of us with only a wave of heat felt. Raising my hand to throw the shuriken, the stopwatch beeped.
"Time," I called out with a chuckle.
Everyone froze. Their faces were pale. They had fought hard, with everything that they had yet I had been toying with them the whole time. Of course, I would not be their instructor if they could match my strength straight out of the academy, but I saw their potential.
I let the silence drag for a few moments then I grinned and said, "You all passed."
Asuma slumped to the ground. Kurenai looked stunned. Guy sprang to his feet and cheered so loud I think birds fled the trees.
"Let's go get something to eat and get to know each other, my treat,"
Later, we sat around a circular grill at Yakiniku Q. The savory sizzle of beef filled the air. Guy inhaled food like a vacuum with no off switch. Every bite vanished before I could track it. Kurenai watched him wide-eyed while Asuma looked on with growing annoyance.
"Where does he put it all?" Asuma muttered under his breath.
"Into his muscles, unlike you, little brother," I retorted.
Kurenai laughed softly, hiding it behind her hand. Asuma glared at me for a moment then stared a little too long at her smile. I almost felt bad for my plan to steal her heart later on, but I would make sure that he would become far stronger than he had been in the anime as a form of repayment.
"Ground rules," I said, pointing my chopsticks at them. "On missions or during training, it is Sensei. Off-duty like this? Just Akari, except for Asuma; I still expect you to call me Onee-chan."
"Figures," he muttered. "But, dad would never approve of of such casual rules."
"Yes, well, the old man would also lecture a brick wall about proper protocol and the 'Will of Fire'. I am not him, nor do I intend to act like anyone but myself."
Kurenai smiled warmly. "I think you are amazing, Sensei. I mean, Akari. You are everything I hope to become."
I almost choked on my food. Praise from her hit differently. I glanced away. "Thanks, Kurenai, but don't say 'hope to become'. You make me sound like an old lady like Tsunade-sama."
Asuma chuckled while Kurenai blushed lightly. I glanced at Guy, who had slowed down. His plate was nearly empty. He kept glancing at the grill, eyes hungry, but did not reach for more.
"Guy," I said gently. "Eat more. You need the calories."
"I... I should not," he said. "I can't afford..."
"No," I cut him off. "You passed the test. You are my student, and I am buying. No arguments."
He looked like he wanted to cry. "I will make this worth it. I promise."
Kurenai reached over and dropped another piece of beef on his plate. "We take care of our team."
Asuma grunted, but even he added a skewer to Guy's plate.
We ate in silence for a few moments before Guy suddenly stood up, fire in his eyes.
"I swear, I will become the greatest taijutsu master in the world! You will see, Sensei! I will show you, and the world, the power of my youth!"
Several patrons turned to stare.
Asuma groaned and dropped his head into his arms. "Every. Single. Time."
Kurenai giggled, and I just laughed. Yes, they were chaotic, especially Guy. But they were mine, and I would turn them into legends.