Naruto - Neglected Sage

Everyone gathered round since the test was over. Kakashi was really tired, these brats had made him work more than he had ever had too in a gennin test. But he put on a facade that says nothing's wrong and just smiled with his visible eye.

He asked them about the strategies they used and found out it was all planned out by Naruto. This greatly shocked him and Kushina, who would've thought the boy was such a prodigy in field tactics. He even provided the seals for the smell inhibitors so the strategy would work, both Jounins took note. It wasn't everyday you'll find another seal master that could make smell inhibitors. Everyone might think it was just simple seal, but the truth is it was one level higher than explosive tags.

'The boy really is full of surprises' he thought.

"Alright, Hinata-san and Naoko-chan both of you pass" said Kakashi "Now, Hinata-san pick one other person to pass and the rest will go to the academy"

All of them rolled their eyes at him since they already know the meaning of the test, making Kakashi sweatdropped. Though Hinata did something unexpected. She tossed the other bell to Sasuke "He can take the other bell, while I share mine with Naru-kun" she said as she winked at Naoko at the end.

Getting what she meant Naoko nodded and said "Yeah and I'll share mine with Mito-nee-chan!!"

Kushina couldn't help but giggle at their antics making Kakashi glare at her. He then turned towards them and said "Guess that means...You all pass. And remember these words those who break the rules are trash but those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash"

"We passed!!" shouted Naoko in excitement as she fist bumped in the air.

Kakashi eye smiled and said "We'll meet up at the Hokage tower tomorrow at 8am and we'll get started on the missions. Now if you'll excuse me I need to report to the Hokage"

He then turned to the Hokage's wife and asked her a few questions that would be needed on the report, his eyes actually bulged as he heard the things Naruto, Mito and Hinata did to 'beat' her, he composed himself and after a few seconds said goodbye then flickered away.

"I'm so proud of you ALL" said Kushina with a huge smirk, while emphasizing 'ALL'

"Now how about we celebrate at Ichiraku's?" she said.

"Yey! Ramen!!" shouted Naoko, while Mito just nodded in agreement. Kushina giggled at their response and looked towards Sasuke.

"I suppose I could go for some food" said Sasuke.

They were excited in sharing a meal together, but Naruto splashed a bucket of cold water in their plans.

"No thanks we have some 'stuff' to do" said Naruto in monotone "Come on Hina-hime"

"But, Naruto-nii" protested Naoko. Though he ignored her and just kept on walking. Then Mito and Naoko turned a hopeful look at Hinata. Because if she were to agree then Naruto would surely follow.

"I'm sorry Naoko-chan, Mito-chan, but apparently we have some 'stuff' to do" she replied "We'll see you guys tomorrow" said Hinata as she hurriedly went after Naruto.

The three Namikaze ladies couldn't help but feel helpless. Naruto was still so cold towards them, but who could blame him.

Kushina remembered the look on his face back at the training grounds she questioned herself 'How much did we hurt him, and how stupid were we to not notice it?'

She sighed and then put on a smile for her daughters. "Alright, who wants ramen?"

********

Hokage Tower

The Hokage's Office was full of Jounin, all giving the Hokage a report on their teams. Minato sighed it seemed teams 1 through 6 was going back to the academy, and once again Kakashi was nowhere to be seen.

Minato really wanted to know if team 7 passed. He knew his daughter's were already chuunin level, but he was worried their team wouldn't be able to get past their difference and work together. Especially since the Uchiha who was always in an altercation with his daughter was there. Add Naruto and Hinata who had unknown skill level and hated them and they were pretty much screwed.

Though unknown to Minato, the twins had already begun to warm up to the younger blonde and his girlfriend. It was only him and his wife that he blatantly hated.

Minato was cut off from his thoughts because it was at that moment Kakashi walked in spouting a lame excuse for being late. The Sandaime's son Asuma was about to give his report, so Minato focused back to the task at hand.

"Go ahead Asuma finish what you were saying." Said Minato.

"Team 10, consisting of Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, And Choji Akimichi Pass." Said Asuma as he lit another cigarette.

"And what is your assessment of them." asked Minato curious about the new generation of the Ino–Shika–Cho Trio.

"Well as you would expect from the kids of the previous Ino-Shika-Cho Trio, They compliment each other well as a team. However they are not without problems, Ino is bossy, and tries to order the other two around, Though if you look closely you can tell that she cares a great deal for them. Shikamaru is lazy, he would rather spend his time watching clouds then training, On the upside I've begun to suspect he has inherited his fathers intelligence. Choji lacks self-confidence, But is very kind hearted, I also think he has a lot of hidden potential just waiting to be tapped into." Finished Asuma.

"Alright keep me informed on their progress." said Minato.

"Will do Hokage-sama" replied Asuma.

"Alright whose next?" asked Minato. Kurenai Yuhi stepped up.

"Kurenai Yuhi reporting that Team 8 consisting of Kiba Inuzuka, his ninken Akamaru, Sakura Haruno, and Shino Aburame pass." Said Kurenai.

"And your assessment of your team Kurenai?" asked Minato.

"My teams talents go well together as a Tracking, Genjutsu team and they get along well enough. Though there are a few problems that need to be worked on." Said Kurenai.

"How so?" asked Minato.

"Well for instance Kiba has an alpha male personality, He sees himself as the leader of the team. The problem with this is he sees his teammate Shino as a rival for the position of 'Top Dog' so to speak, Shino on the other hand, is very silent will only really speak when spoken to. But given what clans their from its to be expected. In truth the only real surprise was Sakura." said Kurenai.

Minato raised his eyebrows in a sign for her to explain.

"Well she is a fangirl that showed no signs of usefulness at first" said Kurenai.

"And now?" asked Minato.

"Now she is focuses in developing chakra control and Genjutsu, I gave a few pointers and some basic Genjutsu and she actually shows a lot of talent for the art, I might have taken her as an apprentice. But, I still feel reluctant since every time the Uchiha was mentioned she reverts back to being a fangirl and a useless Kunoichi" explained Kurenai.

"I see, hmm, train her hard so she could forget about the Uchiha and focus more on her role as a member of your team. If this doesn't work and she still retains that attitude" said Minato as he paused "I suggest you give her a little tour to the hospital. Show her what happens to a Kunoichi when she is captured. Although a little extreme, this should shock her out of her fangirl attitude. If any trauma develops report to Inoichi" ordered Minato.

"Y-ye-es s-sir!" said Kurenai as she visibly paled. She knew the gruesome scenes a captured Kunoichi experiences, since it happened to former teammate of hers. She didn't want her student male or female to see any of that. But, the Hokage was right, it's better for Sakura to witness the gruesome scene and wake up from her little fantasies rather than experience it herself.

"Alright Kakashi it seems your next in line." said Minato more than a little anxious to hear if his children passed, or not.

"Team 7 consisting of Sasuke Uchiha, Mito Namikaze, Naoko Namikaze, Hinata, and Naruto pass." said Kakashi in his normal lazy voice, Shocking all the Jounin, it was a well known fact that Kakashi never passed a single team.

"Go on" said Minato silently happy for his children.

Sighing Kakashi continued as he told them about Hinata and Naruto's prowess, how Naruto took control of the team and lead them in defeating two Elite Jounins. They all laughed at Kakashi's remark about him getting punched and sent flying. Though with a glare and a serious expression they shut up as they knew he was being serious. Kakashi told them about Naruto's tactics, how he utilize their skills to complement each other, how Hinata could lead at his absence, how they out smarted both Jounins, how they took the bells from the Red hot Habanero, and how they managed to preoccupy said S class Kage level Kunoichi with only two Gennin, therefore giving his teammates enough time to gang up on him. By the time Kakashi finished his tale. All of the Jounins had their jaws on the floor. They all thought the same thing 'Wasn't this too much for a Genin? Are they on steroids or something?'

"A-alright *cough* Kakashi is there anymore you wish to add" asked Minato.

"Yes, I am led to believe that Hinata and Naruto had yet to use their full strength in the test. Its like there is something else their not telling us" speculated Kakashi as another shock ran through the Jounins present.

"So you believe they are hiding something?" said Minato.

"Yes." said Kakashi simply.

Sighing once again, Minato figured it was better to take precautions now rather than regret it later.

He gestured something to Hiruzen, the previous Hokage and his now temporary secretary. He nodded as if understanding and grabbed his crystal ball.

"Lets see if we can see for ourselves, what it is Naruto-kun and Hinata-san is hiding" said Hiruzen, As Minato and all the Jounin gathered around the crystal. What they saw shocked them, and it also brought a smile to Hiruzen's weathered face.

If you looked into the ball you would see Naruto pushing Hinata on a tree swing, smiling lovingly at her like everything was all right in the world, while Hinata, giggled in delight, enjoying spending time with him.

Though Kakashi thought 'This is far from their m.a.t.u.r.e and indifferent attitudes, is this who they really are?'

While Minato 'Is that really Naruto?' he thought 'They look so cute together, but why do they look so..... childish here, where's the maturity they've always shown, where's the cold indifferent look? and Why can't he show this kind of face to us?' he questioned himself, although he already knew the answer.

Then Naruto stopped smiling, narrowed his eyes, looked around and sensed a dense concentration of chakra above a tree. He threw a chakra enhanced Kunai he took from his inventory towards that direction and the feed on Hiruzen's crystal ball disappeared.

"It would seem you were right Kakashi, Naruto and Hinata were hiding something." said Hiruzen amused, as he put his crystal away.

The old man really did care for the young blonde, but due to his son Asuma joining the 12 ninja guards of the fire Daimyo, he was left in his position of clan head, couldn't pass the title on, and tortured by paperwork that rivalled the Hokages.

This was all due to Danzo and his two former teammates pushing all the work of the 'old' elder council to him. That was why he wasn't made aware that his favorite grandson was neglected.

'At least he didn't lose his smile, I have that Hyuuga girl to thank for that' he thought as a smile crept through his old face.

The Jounins were shocked that Naruto was able to sense the Third's Technique, but just shrugged it off since most experienced sensors could do the same.

The reports had finished, but Minato was still saddened at what he witnessed, he knew full well that it'd take a lot of effort from them for Naruto to show him that kind of smile. He sighed and then coughed once to get their attention. Then told everyone "For all Gennin sensei's that passed their team, you can now get your D rank missions tomorrow at the mission desk below. That is all, you are all dismissed"

""""Hai Hokage-sama!!"""" shouted everyone.