Chapter 14: Measuring Up

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Kushina's POV (Uzumaki Residence)

Being a mother was often an exhaustive job. Training her son on various kenjutsu techniques had been easy enough. For one odd reason or another, he always got the offensive techniques down. But failed with more subtle skills. As she watched her son spar with a clone she realized her intervention and guidance would be needed yet again.

Kushina knew in truth how powerful Neji truly was. She had been friends with Hyuga for years now. They had been friends of the Uzumaki of the past and often would come to her, offering various rewards to continue making seals for them as her kin had. But she had politely declined. Not agreeing with the seals they used. But in those meetings, she had heard whispers of a prodigy. Naruto was her joy, he was unflappable, powerful in his own right. If he were less compassionate there was no doubt Naruto would defeat Neji handily. He merely would have to use their shared burden. But her son refused. He called it his "ace". But in truth refused to use it unless around her.

But as a mother, she must support him in his endeavors. Kakashi had visited, informing the two Uzumaki that he had delayed the training. Giving them two days off. In the two days, Naruto had seemed more like his father than ever with his focus on training. He quickly picked up the new techniques. But in truth, Naruto's weakness was his mind. Oh, he was no fool, he often showed a brilliant instinct not unlike Minato. Learning the shadow clone jutsu in mere hours had merely shown this further. But he often lacked planning. His instinct and impulses were solid but often had him fighting 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 visited. The two important ones were a motivated Shikamaru and Shikaku. Yoshino had nearly asked and the two jumped. Well trained, Kushina supposed.

The two quickly got down to business. They were training Naruto in Shogi, as well as giving him various tactic scenarios. Both are done simultaneously of course. One week simply wasn't enough time to close the gap between the two boys as they were. But with the added knowledge Kushina held of shadow clones, a solution had been found. Since shadow clones sent the memories back 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 if she ironed his mind out to its potential he would quickly grow. So now Shikamaru, Yoshiro, and Kushina all played Shogi with the clones of the blonde. Meanwhile, Shikaku would write down battle scenario questions for the horde of blondes. Each brings their answers one at a time. Admittedly the training was odd. But Kushina was sure Shogi would translate well with his use of shadow clones. And the battle scenarios were being tailor-made to sharpen him. Kushina smiled as she defeated the clone of her son rather quickly. It would be a lot of work. But for her son, she would do it gladly.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Naruto's POV (Training Ground of Team Nine)

Kurenai was admittedly a bit of a rookie. 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 anyway. Her team had arrived on their field at their normal time. Meeting early to discuss the plan for today. Team Seven arrived shortly after. Shortly after introductions Neji and Naruto had gotten into an argument. Before looking at Ino and making an odd adjustment. Kakashi and Ino stood sheepishly as Naruto and Neji politely talked smack. Their voices lowered and both were mere inches from each other.

"You let them act like that?" Kurenai questioned.

"Believe it or not, this is a fantastic improvement, ne!" Kakashi replied evenly.

"Naruto!" Choji called out happily, running over to the blonde. Naruto smiled at this, shoving Neji away by his face. Ignoring the Hyuga, who stumbled back, swearing angrily. Kakashi puts a hand on his shoulder as a reminder.

"Choji!" Naruto was equally happy. "How 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. Haha"

"Now that I understand! I got Ino on my team, after all. Sometimes she seems like a"

"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.

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

Ino sighed. "Daddy said the same thing about yours." The two shared a laugh at the two's dads' odd friendship.

"Oh ya, your families are super close!" Naruto exclaimed.

"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.

"Felt you coming that time Bug Boy!" Naruto bellowed.

Shino merely stood the blonde down with a silent stare. "Whatever blondie." He replied dryly.

"Oh my, are we teasing the blonde?" Yuno stated as she approached the group. "I'm game. I like blondes, after all" She said as she grabbed his arm. Naruto seemed shocked, Ino as well, even Neji appeared at least mildly perturbed as well.

"Alrighty," Kakashi interjected. "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 have been struggling with this, so…"

"In the three exercises we do today. Team Seven will be at a disadvantage. 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. The first team to make physical contact wins. Of course, we will hold back a good bit 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.

Neji ended up leading the chase being the fastest. Though, he was comfortable with this. Besides Jounin or not, he had his Byakugan on her, there was no escaping his sight. 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.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto called as he summoned many clones. All of them surround the area. Pairing up the clones, each threw another at the Jounin. She managed to twirl past the first blonde missiles in mid-air. But to her shock, she heard. "Uzumaki Reflect!" The blondes flew back, being thrown by more clones and managed to crash into Kurenai. But to Team 7's shock, Kurenai merely faded away on contact.

"Genjutsu!" Ino called as she dispelled from herself. She ran over, to Naruto to release him, but the blonde had managed it 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.

"I hate to say it, but we are in trouble." Naruto commented. "I can barely detect them and even you two were caught in it. Plus, we have no clue how long we've been in one."

"Surprised you thought of that Naruto." Neji sniped with a smile. "But yes, I was worried about that as well. With shinobi, you can never be quite sure, if they are playing by the rules after all. She could've put in this as soon as we arrived."

"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 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 formed 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.

Team Seven all looked over, shocked to see Team Nine surround their Jounin. They have had to only touch him, but all three could testify just how slippery he could be. Yet not only had they landed something, but they had done it damn quick.