Naruto's POV (Team Seven Training Ground - Hidden Leaf Village)
Finding a Training Ground he'd never been to had turned out to be a difficult process. They knew which one it was, but they weren't laid out simply in numerical order. They had been built in random suitable spots along the edges of the Hidden Leaf Village. For example, they had first found Training Ground Fifthteen and were excited, sure they were close. However, the neighboring one was Training Ground Two.
Naruto subtly sent off four clones to search as well. But even with their aid, it had taken a while to find it. The only solace was that Ino and Naruto used the chance to get to know one another.
"So your Clan runs a flower shop and is also shinobi?" Naruto asked curiously.
"Not my Clan; they gain a cut of the profits since it is run by members. But it's my particular family that owns and oversees it." Ino explained. "I've been running for the afternoon shift for the last few years during the Academy. And I more than likely will inherit one day."
"That sounds sort of awesome," Naruto said with a nod. "Running your stores sounds liberating, and selling flowers must be pretty interesting."
"Interesting. You, Naruto Uzumaki, known as the class clown, have an affinity for flowers?" Ino said with a raised brow. "I approve but must admit I am surprised."
"Eh, what can I say? I have plants of my own, ya know? All of them are named Mr. Ukki." Naruto said with a shrug. "Besides, as a "class clown," I've never tried to care what people think. Plants are cool, so running a flower store sounds nice."
"To think Blondie has layers," Ino said with a roll of her eyes. "Where was this side of you during the Academy? Any other secrets you're hiding?" She joked.
Naruto felt a bit of tension at her unknowing guess. But he laughed all the same. "Not really a secret, but I'm really into ramen and comics too."
"Would've guessed that one," Ino replied.
"Well, what about you? You've been grilling me but haven't shared much in return. I even told you about that time I laced Mizuki's food!" Naruto roared.
"Alright, alright." Ino surrendered. "I suppose the flower shop is just my other job. I'll offer a hobby since you told me about Mr. Ukki. I like to study psychology. It's a common trend in my Clan, but I've always found it interesting."
"The Yamanaka," Naruto said, thinking back on the clan. "Y'all are famous for those Mind Jutsu techniques, aren't you?"
"More than that, but to make it simple, yes. We of the Yamanaka have developed techniques using chakra that allow us to affect the minds of ourselves and others. We can use this to read a mind, communicate wordlessly, temporarily take over someone's body, and more. At a high level, we can even attack the brain directly. But it works off of navigating the human mind." Ino explained.
"I guess it's easy enough while controlling it," Naruto said, though Ino's smile helped her catch on, and he was a little lost.
"We don't quite control it." Ino corrected. "Even when we control their bodies, we do not control their minds. Human minds vary from person to person and operate as a maze with a river flowing through it. The pathways are complex, making finding or manipulating anything difficult; the only way to have it at your whim is to control the flow of the mind."
"Not really getting it… but it sounds like you have to figure them out?" Naruto guessed.
"Not that simple, but closer, that's part of it." Ino complimented. "The rest is kind of a Clan secret, I'm not sorry, but it's all tied to psychology. If you can understand how their mind is set up and works and how it'll react to certain stimuli, you're on the right track."
"Sounds difficult…" Naruto admitted.
"Takes an expert." Ino agreed. "It's why we're a smaller clan; top-level Yamanaka is a rarity. We'd likely be considered a smaller clan if not for our alliance with the Nara and Akimichi. Though, to be honest, I mostly do it 'cause I find the social aspects of it fascinating."
Naruto nodded, impressed. "Huh, didn't realize how smart you were. Does that mean you like some psychoanalyzing manipulator?"
"Psychoanalyzing or manipulating you would require something going on up there, Blondie. But yes, with repeated exposure, I'm a relative rookie compared to most of the clan. So any conclusion or attempt I made would likely be inaccurate or fail."
"Yeah, yeah," Naruto said with a roll of his eyes. He had assumed Ino to be the stuck-up sort of looks alone. Her well-maintained, straight hair was styled to cover half her face and flow down her back in a ponytail. Her fashionable clothes and relatively cattish attitude had made Naruto peg her as the standard mean girl type. It was present to see if it was simply good-natured teasing, however. Usually done to merely fill gaps of silence. The two continued talking back and forth.
It was shocking to Naruto that despite how different they were, they had a similar sense of humor. Something about her sharp tongue made conversation with her like a game, an entertaining one. Naruto would goof around or tell absurd stories, and when he did so right, Ino would laugh and joke along with such earnestness that Naruto was certain they were becoming friends. It seemed there was a lot more to Ino than he had thought.
The two arrived at the Training Ground, both curiously scanning it. It was a medium-sized one located within a created clearing of a thick patch of trees. The field was cut in half with a curved creek; piles of stones at the sides provided an odd sure. Several training dummies, targets, and a beat-up training post were on one side of the clearing. The other side contained a shady section covered by overhanging trees; a picnic table was there, stashed beneath the shade. The two noticed Neji meditating on top of a log in the equipment-filled clearing. An annoyed Naruto and Ino appeared before him and sat to his left.
Naruto wasn't sure if he was impressed or infuriated by how easily Neji seemed to ignore the glares. Impervious to their fury, he meditated. It took every ounce of maturity he had not to knock the Hyuga from his perch. Naruto looked over to Ino, whose brow twitched in annoyance. She even offered him a brutal smile as she mimed pushing Neji over.
"I will not tolerate such, so you know." Neji chided the two with his eyes closed. "Attempting to do so would likely lead to the perpetrator suffering."
"Cute," Naruto replied with a roll of his eyes. "Acting above it all and threatening us in the same breath. Hate arrogant assholes like yourself."
"Naruto has a point," Ino agreed. We may not be best friends, but we will be teammates; surely, we can try to get along."
"Perhaps with yourself," Neji replied with a shrug. "You are a member of a reputable family; my only problem with the current arrangement is the likelihood of being held back. The two of you are well below me, and while Ino seems able to at least become useful, I'm certain Naruto will become the burden."
"Whatever," Naruto said tensely. He wasn't new to this kind of treatment; he had learned long ago that rising to it would only beget more.
However, Neji smiled, perhaps seeing this as a weakness on his end. "See, I know exactly who you are, Naruto Uzumaki; I even know your future. In this world, there are forces beyond human control. Death, time, and fate. I have always seen these throw forces as laws that dictate life. But I see the most important of the three as fate. Every living being in this world has a preordained fate. They are all set in stone From the very first breath they take till the last. We are born the way we are, strengths and weaknesses alike. Meaning that the future of someone like you is plain to see. An unremarkable, unimportant man-child playing at Shinobi. You will serve a mediocre career until an untimely and unsurprising death, unremembered by the masses even then. So unless you intend to prove me wrong… Stay. Out. Of. My. Way. You were always fated to be beneath me."
Naruto didn't respond; Neji's words cut deep. Perhaps the Hyuga could see the future, for as Naruto leaped to his feet, murder on his mind, Neji leaped from his perch, dropping into a relaxed stance with a smile. Naruto glared at him as the two began to square up.
"Woah! Woah! Woah!" Ino called out, stepping between the two with a worried expression. "We've been a team for a few hours; we can't already start tearing each other apart!"
Neji and Naruto paused, eyes still locked on each other. Even through the anger and moment, Naruto felt a bit of dread. He had known there was a chance his team would not get along, but this was ridiculous. Naruto was sure this wasn't over.
However, before anything else explosive could happen, Kakashi suddenly appeared in front of them in a massive cloud of smoke. The Jounin strolled through the cloud, still reading his book. "Excellent, you have all arrived," Kakashi joked. I apologize for the wait. I found a monkey who could talk, but I had to protect them from evil scientists intent on dissecting it. Luckily, I managed to save the day."
For the first time today, Naruto, Ino, and Neji were on the same page.
"It's absurd that he arrived last of us." Neji pointed out that bitter anger was beginning to tinge his tone.
"Not to mention even telling or taking us here." Ino agreed with a nod.
"He's definitely messing with us." Naruto finished the thought of the three, all sharing a grim look as they realized just how eccentric their new Sensei was.
"Anyway, let's introduce ourselves to each other. Likes, Dislikes, dreams, and such." Kakashi said, seemingly unaffected by the three's anger. "Let's start with blondie. Oh, there's two blondies, then let's start with the runty-looking blonde male if that doesn't help." He finished with what could only be assumed was a smile.
"Firstly, I'm not short, you ass! I'm average height! My name is Naruto Uzumaki! I'm a hardworking guy who enjoys snacking on ramen, training for the future, and gardening. I dislike arrogant people, tests, paperwork in general, and waiting! My dream is to be Hokage, ya know?" Naruto sounded out. His voice nearly dripped with enthusiasm. It always felt good for him to proclaim his goals. The first step is making them a reality.
"Hmm, a more impulsive kind of guy," Kakashi nodded. "So slightly thick-headed but strong-willed. Also short."
"Ah, good, so he should answer to the runt," Neji added with a smirk.
"Call me that one more time, either of you!" Naruto threatened with a growl.
"Alright, girlie, your turn," Kakashi said, ignoring the blonde. To Naruto's dismay, his teammates followed his lead.
Ino narrowed her eyes but complied. "My name is Ino Yamanaka. I like flowers, fashion, and psychology. I dislike fangirls, secrets, and poor fashion. My dream is to become the first female head of my clan."
"Hmm, expected and a little on the nose, boring but fair enough. Should be obvious who's next," Kakashi said.
"My name is Neji Hyuga. I like training, meditating, and calligraphy. I dislike weaklings, slavers, and fools. Two of the three apply to the two next to me. You may choose which ones. I have no dream of being a branch member; my fate has already been decided to serve them in my life. A decision made by the rightfully ruling Main House." The last sentence was soaked with sarcasm.
Naruto tried to let it go; he really did, but before he could think it out, he rushed forward with no warning. He struck Neji directly in his face with a hook, sending the young man sliding back. An instant later, Neji kipped up, growled, and charged the blonde. The blonde drew his tanto and met his charge. Before either could reach the other, Kakashi appeared in the middle quickly and savagely, slamming two hammer fists atop each boy's head and flooring them with ease.
"Now, let's behave ourselves, me?" Kakashi asked playfully, entirely at odds with his violent intervention. The boys crawled to their feet, glaring at each other but leaving it be for now. Naruto was shocked at just how hard Kakashi hit. "Hmm, this won't do. You all have too much energy. As a sensei, I must make sure you're all properly entertained. What to do, what to do." Kakashi pondered, tapping his head, "Ah!" He slammed a fist into his palm. "Go run ten laps around the village."