Chapter 18

"Team 7 has passed."

"Team 8 has passed."

"Team 9 has failed."

"Team 10 has passed."

"Team 11 has failed."

"Team 12 has failed."

"Team 13 has passed."

So on the rest of the Jōnin also told the Hokage whether their given teams have passed and become their students or failed and have been shipped off to the Genin corps.

Most of them reported failure.

"It seems that this year is very promising." Hokage said and he was honest, four teams passing in one year was pretty damn good. Especially if one considered the fact that three years ago no team had passed.

As the Hokage started giving one of his many speeches that captured the hearts of the most Jōnin, the Jōnin of the teams who passed were huddled together, talking.

"I am rather surprised you are here already, Kakashi." Asuma said as he took another drag from his cigarette and blew out the smoke much to the two female Jōnin's displeasure.

"Hmm, you said something, Asuma?"

"I'm not Gai, Kakashi." The son of the Third Hokage deadpanned, not amused with the Copy Ninja's antics.

"Hmm, worth a try."

"He is right though, it's novel to see you on time for anything. Is there some sort of occasion?" Kurenai asked Kakashi who remembered the morning when Hokage came to his home before he went to test his cute little Genin.

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"Kakashi, my boy, you are an essential force for our village and that's why we have allowed you many liberties throughout the years. But if you come late to today's meeting, I will convince Kushina that you tried to convince Naruko to read Icha Icha." The legendary professor said as he towered over Kakashi, courtesy of the chair he was standing on, with a lighter in front of his face to add more scary factor.

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"There just weren't any cats or old ladies in help on my way and the road of life was unnaturally simple today." The Copy Ninja said.

"Honestly, I am more surprised you passed your team. I was expecting you to try failing them simply to see the shitstorm it would cause from failing the Uchiha heiress." Yugao said as she looked at Kakashi who just smiled at her with his eye. She still had no idea how he did that.

"Maa, I am rather hurt Yugao. Do you really see me as someone who would ruin the future of the next generation for my own amusement?"

"Yes." All three Jōnin answered with perfect synch, much to the Copy Ninja's irritation.

"Well I'll have you know that I passed my cute little Genin because they were so talented. I wouldn't be surprised if they all ended up Chūnin before anyone else does." Kakashi huffed, he was slightly exaggerating since Sakura would have quite a bit of work ahead of her but Naruko and Satsuki could do it. If he could get his pseudo sister to focus.

"Don't get too ahead of yourself. Even my cousin had some trouble before she became a Chūnin. Not to mention my team is made out of quite talented youngsters too." Asuma said with a smirk.

"But I believe the one that everyone is looking at is in Yugao's team." Kurenai said with a smile as she looked at the purple haired ex ANBU.

"Though from the reports he seems to have used technicalities to win his taijutsu matches most of the time." She tried to tease her friend, even if it was only because how much her new student complained about the Senju beating him with cheap tactics.

"Tell that to my arm." Yugao snorted and rolled the sleeve of her right arm to show them a very big bruise on her forearm much to their shock.

"I might not be as durable as Asuma and Kakashi, let alone Gai, but Daiki still hits like a monster. I would be surprised if he didn't get promoted this year." She said while the rest of them looked at her.

"Though I kinda need all of your help. Would you all be okay with joint trainings?"

"Afraid that you might not have much to teach the Senju heir?" Kakashi teased with an eye smile.

"Yes." Which didn't seem to register at all as Yugao gave her answer.

"You serious?" Asuma said with a shaky smile. Yugao might not exactly be as powerful as him and Kakashi but she was an ANBU before his father had her take a team. Her being not sure whether she could teach a new graduate…

Just what kind of monster was Senju Daiki?

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"Bored." I said as I swung the polearm in my hands once more.

I had realized that I had been neglecting some of Hashirama's talents that I now possessed. The man might be remembered only for his wood style, wife and the tension between him and Madara; but he was far more talented than just that.

He also was proficient with all five basic nature transformation other than his wood style and had talent in many different weapons.

Which was why I was training with a bardiche. A polearm weapon that held a crescent blade which made it look like a very big axe with a ridiculously long hilt. I liked the reach it gave me along with slashing and stabbing attacks that would help a lot after learning how to use wood style with no hand seals but training alone with it was as vital as it was boring.

"Then maybe you should take a break and train something else." Shutara said as she entered the training ground in the compound, looking as cool as a cucumber while I was drenched in sweat from swinging for hours with boulders strapped on my arms.

"By your smile I am guessing your meeting with Kushina went well today as well." I said as I stabbed the bardiche to the ground and untied the boulders on my arms, letting them drop to the ground.

"It was indeed, even if I had to deal with her daughter on my way out." She admitted with a smile while her eyebrow slightly twitched.

"Well then, don't leave me hanging, tell me about everything you learned." I said with a smile.