Inheritance

CHAPTER 6

Fuuton: Goukuuhou, a C-rank wind technique developed by Sarutobi Asuma. However what is not commonly know was that the Yondaime, had spent an entire year just before he became Hokage with various shinobi of note, developing ninjutsu with them. Asuma had been, one of those shinobi Minato had worked with, and Fuuton: Goukuuhou was the only C-rank jutsu the duo had come up with; instead focusing on producing a slew of A-rank Fuuton jutsu. It was practically his birthright to learn it.

"I've just seen something very interesting at Training Ground 56."

Sarutobi looked up tiredly to see his student jumping down from his usual perch on the window.

"Ah, Jiraiya. You finally came."

"What the hell is the point of this again?" The Naruto clone grumbled, his hands fixed into the single ram seal required from the Kage Bunshin.

"You understand the basis of the style we're going to try to create, correct?" Yuugao questioned, patience not faltering, despite the fact that this wasn't the first time one of the Kage Bunshin she was working with had complained.

"Yeah, it's going to be based on using pairs of Kage Bunshin to create a flexible and maneuverable style that combines power, speed and unpredictability." The clone replied in a sing-song voice, almost as if it was reading from a book.

"Correct. Now, how much control do you have over where your Kage Bunshin appear?"

"Almost none." The clone answered, knowing it had already been defeated. He watched as Yuugao's grin became slightly smug.

"Control over when and where your Bunshin appear is vitally important for this to work. That is where you come in, you are to practice focusing on where the bunshin appear in relation to the original. The second clone, is working on being able to delay how quickly the bunshin appears, allowing for even more unpredictability, a key element to the style you are trying to create."

The Bunshin muttered and grumbled under his breath, and whilst Yuugao suspected what was said wasn't exactly polite, the clone got back to work, focus, at least momentarily, renewed.

She glanced over to the original Yuugao, who was working with another slightly larger group of energetic blondes, teaching pairs of them a single 'set move'. This was the term she gave to the fundamental movements in almost all taijutsu styles, basic punches kicks and blocks; the building blocks of hand to hand combat. Naturally, he took to this far easier than he did perfecting the nuances of the Kage Bunshin, it's benefits were far more apparent. All the same, it was astonishing how quickly he learned when he set his mind to it.

"You're seriously thinking about putting on a team with Kakashi and the Uchiha?" The Sannin inquired, as if the mere suggestion of doing so was entirely ludicrous.

"It's the best team for him. We can't break up other, cohesive units just for Naruto's benefit. It would destroy their functionality. Where else would he fit Jiraiya?" the Hokage questioned, an unusual glint in his eye; as if he had just come up with something thoroughly cunning and evil. By the way he was openly smirking at him, Jiraiya wasn't sure he wanted to know.

"Sensei, Uchiha Sasuke is an exact mirror of my bastard of a team mate. I would bet all the smut in the world on him going the same way. Itachi wasn't even half as arrogant as that kid is, that in itself kills any chances of those two developing any kind of teamwork. Sure, Naruto would try and form a bond, but the Uchiha would never reciprocate it in the same way. On top of that, you've got Kakashi'. He's under duress from the grizzled old bastard Danzou, as well as half of the damned village; to focus on Sasuke, even at the expense of his other team-mates. It's not the kids fault, and i know all too well that he chomping at the bit to teach Naruto; but Naruto isn't as stupid as he comes across, he'll spot what he perceives as favoritism almost instantly. it just doesn't work."

"Neither does putting him anywhere else Jiraiya. The Ino-Shika-Cho combination is completely impractical to separate, and kurenai's team of the Hyuuga, Inuzuka and Aburame is pretty much perfectly balanced for a recon team. Team 7 isn't just the logical choice, it's the only choice." The Sandaime took a breath as he looked at the growing frustration on his former student's face. He cared so much for the boy, but had always found a reason as to why he couldn't get involved with him. Sarutobi suspected that it was initially his grieving that prevented him from taking in his godson, who bore such a striking resemblance to his father. then, as time passed; and Naruto's life became progressively worse, it was guilt that kept the Sannin away. That and the fear of rejection. Which was entirely natural when you thought about how Naruto could potentially perceive events.

No matter, it was time for him to go in for the kill.

"Of course someone could take the boy as an apprentice..."

Jiraiya looked like he had just been winded. He opened his mouth repeatedly, before closing it immediately after, genuinely lost for words.

"Naturally, the council would fervently oppose such a suggestion; but there would be nothing they could if, say, one of the Sannin wanted to." Sarutobi placed a great emphasis on the word Sannin, driving his point even further home. Finally jiraiya had collected his thoughts enough to actually speak.

"Absolutely no way! I can't teach him, what about the spy network? Someone needs to keep an eye on Orochimaru. Besides, I swore I wouldn't take another pupil after Minato, and I meant it. The kid would probably hate me anyway, once he learns what I am to him." Jiraiya paused, somewhat startled that the last sentence had left his mouth. "I just...can't. If there's nothing else, sensei; I need a drink"

Jiraiya didn't wait for confirmation before leaping from the window by which he entered. Sarutobi didn't stop smirking. He knew his pupil would come around.