Sunday, January 18, 2015

Chapters Fourteen to Seventeen (SPOILER ALERT!)

* For those of you who would rather read TToNU cold turkey, I suggest you turn away now. For those of you interested in some facts of the immediate upcoming Chapters, this is the purpose of the post, as I don't see myself getting around to penning these fully until this summer - as in May, to be honest. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED *














Chapter Fourteen: Clash of the Jinchuriki

 
The Ginkaku Squad has breached the border to the Land of Fire and have finally caught up to Teams Kakashi and Guy. Totaling thirty Jonin and highly-Chunin, this Special Forces group was stationed in the Land of Frost in the case of outright enemy invasion. However, Yugito Nii, the Jinchuriki of the Two-Tails, was put in charge of all the Hidden Cloud shinobi stationed in the Land of Frost, and she has some different ideas in mind when it comes to using the talents and strengths of these shinobi. Naruto, Shikamaru, and Hinata have been ordered to retreat with Tsuyu, leaving Kakashi, Guy, and the eccentric Taijutsu specialist's team of Genin to take on the enemy. Only when Tenzo and his team of Anbu enter the fray does it become more even - because truthfully, not even Might Guy and Sharingan Kakashi combined can handle thirty well-trained soldiers on their own.
 
When Naruto, Shikamaru, and Hinata think they're in the clear, Yugito finally makes herself known and stops their reluctant retreat. The trio is skilled, but they're up against one of the Raikage's best tools - a very skilled Jonin and a Jinchuriki just like Naruto, a fact that has not been explained to either of his teammates yet. Only when Shikamaru and Hinata are taken out of the fight relatively early does Naruto begin to furiously draw on the power of his own Tailed Beast.... Yet is it possible for massive, unfocused power to overcome smaller yet equally potent, more focused power?
 
 
Meanwhile, Team Ten has been dispatched on their own C-rank mission, unknowing of the very real, very lethal threat that awaits them on the path to the Hidden Sand......
 
Chapter Fifteen: The Deciding Factor
 
 
The battle between Naruto and Yugito rages on. Naruto somehow manages to add some Wind-style to his 'claws', but the additional power actually does very little in the face of Yugito's Fire-style, relentless assaults. Despite the increasing amount of Chakra Naruto subconsciously draws from the Nine-Tails while still in his feral state, Yugito continues to effortlessly thrash him around without having to go full-Two-Tails on him yet. While the Nine-Tails was admittedly amused at first at his container's reckless actions, taking glee in the amount of Chakra Naruto was drawing upon, it stopped being funny when Naruto eventually can't draw on anymore because of the Fourth's Seal, and Yugito continues to pound away at him mercilessly. The Nine-Tails finally attempts to run damage control, though even the 'almighty' nine-tailed fox finds that to be a challenge in Naruto's current state of mind. All the Nine-Tails can do is patch Naruto up as much as possible, because at this rate, Yugito could kill the blond Uzumaki.....
 
Kakashi breaks away from fighting the Ginkaku Squad when Tenzo and his Anbu team arrive to help deal with the invaders; it wasn't all that hard to miss the usage of Tailed Beast Chakra, even if the power was being thrown about some distance away. It is up to Kakashi and the Nine-Tails to calm Naruto and take Yugito down, but things look bleak for a while...
 
Meanwhile, Team Ten is attacked for real, and not by the Sand Siblings... How can one Jonin and a team of Genin hope to compete with two S-rank shinobi...?
 
Chapter Sixteen: Reinforced and Tested Bonds
 
 
 
Things go great for Teams Seven and Guy's C-rank after it gets resolved. Naruto bravely imparts the knowledge of his Jinchuriki status to his teammates and to Guy's Genin. Feeling at least slightly better with having told people his own age about his secret, Naruto and co. return to the Hidden Leaf with Tsuyu and a prisoner to show for the whole clusterfuck.
 
Team Eight is revealed to have been sent out on their first C-rank mission as well. In addition, the investigation into the destruction of the Land of Rice Fields' capital city is in full swing after Team Anko arrives. The first task in that mission, however, is to dispose of the unrecognizable group of shinobi that appear to be guarding the ruins, people that Jiraiya has been dealing with already.....
 
 
Simultaneously, things are not going well for Team Ten. Asuma is devastatingly injured having tried to keep an eye on his team and fight Orochimaru and Sasori - suffering a potentially fatal wound. Sasuke awakens his Sharingan at last, but they're only at the first stage, and he can't fight as well with them as his clansmen. Team Ten is outclassed and outmatched, yet a surprise party-crasher allows for Team Ten to get away with their incapacitated and dying Sensei.....
 
Chapter Seventeen: Survival or Starvation?
 
 
Team Ten, in their weakened state, are intercepted by the Sand Siblings as they get closer to the Hidden Sand Village. Recognizing the trouble that Team Ten is in, Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro are all in agreement about putting the spar on hold. The group of seven makes their way to the Hidden Sand.
 
Upon reaching their destination, Asuma is rushed to intensive care, and a number of people, the Elders known as Chiyo and Ebizo and the Hokage,  are contacted immediately when Sasuke reports that they were assaulted by Orochimaru and Sasori, and that they barely escaped thanks to some large shinobi with steam armor. Verbal descriptions confirm that it was the Five-Tails' Jinchuriki that, for one reason or another, saved the trio of Genin, and the Fourth Kazekage appears perturbed about Orochimaru and Sasori. When questioned about it, Rasa reveals the duo approached him a short time ago and proposed an alliance with the Hidden Mist and the Hidden Cloud to take down the Hidden Leaf; a proposal that Rasa turned down to the relief of the Genin.
 
The Hokage is informed of these developments as well, and it's confirmed that Kabuto, Rin, and Obito are on their way to help the medics with Asuma......
 
End notes:
 
Lots of spoilers in this post, but hopefully it will satiate some of your curiosity of the upcoming events. Plenty of things going on at the same time, but after this 'C-rank' Arc is over, there'll be some training before we truly hit the Chunin Exams, which will end around Chapter Thirty or so.
 
Hope the New Year has gone well so far for you all!

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Extended Part One (Spoilers!)

It's been an intensive semester, but once November and the first couple weeks of December wrap up, I'll finally be able to get some writing in. Yet this doesn't mean that school was all I was focused on; it made up a rather large chunk, and I might have been depressed with the news of Naruto (manga)  ending within the next week or so, but I have been thinking an awful lot about TToNU. I've got quite a number of details added to the timeline now, and we won't be racing to the Chunin Exams the moment Teams 7 and Guy return from their 'C-Rank Mission'. If anything else, the thirtieth chapter is now the end of the Chunin Exam Arc, and I am in the process of planning the final Arc of Part One that comes after that in more detail as you read this.
 
As usual, for those of you who don't want some idea of what I've been plotting out, just skip this article and wait about a month and a half more before the next update. Fairly long wait, I'm well aware, but I'm in no position to update any fanfics at this point in time because of college life.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bringing Yugito Nii early to replace Zabuza and Haku for Naruto's first C-Rank has been in the works for a while, and as of the last update, you readers got the tiniest glimpse of her ever since that point in the past when Team Minato encountered her and Bee. She's feisty, she's domineering, and she will absolutely get the mission done, without fail. But just what does that mission entail, you should be asking.
 
From the beginning, I had this plan to bring in Yugito as a recurring, vicious enemy. And she will be; just wait 'til you see what she does to Naruto in their battles. There is no personal agenda behind Yugito's actions; she is merely a fiercely loyal Hidden Cloud kunoichi who is proud to serve, even in battles where her fell ninja would run away against seemingly insurmountable odds. She's tough, powerful, and has every intention of ending one Naruto Uzumaki because of what he has inside him. Losing a Jinchuriki would be a devastating blow to the Hidden Leaf, after all.
 
Yugito will be stirring up trouble at the Chunin Exams as well as this C-Rank that Naruto and co. are on, so stay tuned for more from this powerful kunoichi...

 
In addition to Yugito, Utakata will be making an appearance in the Hidden Leaf during the Chunin Exams as well. However, he won't be that aloof man we saw in the Tsuchigomo filler arc; he's experienced a totally different upbringing to be anything remotely close to that. Inspiration for Utakata's character in this AU was derived from Etc Flip's 'A Different Result', where Utakata becomes a vicious shinobi under Orochimaru's care and tutelage. In TToNU, Utakata was still reared in the Hidden Mist, but what with the radical changes in government going on there, he won't be given the option to break away from the village. He will have been molded into a perfect weapon to serve the current Mizukage. Of course, whether he comes out of the Hidden Leaf alive will be a horse of different story...
 
 
One of the main reasons that Part One was extended was because it felt like the rookies were hardly getting any experience as Genin prior to the Chunin Exams. It also felt a bit rushed in that there was no time for the little things, which the canon (and filler) made time for. Teams 8 and 10 will be getting their own respective C-Ranks before returning home to train for the Exams, which were postponed to prepare for an invasion at the Exams. At the moment, Team 8's mission is hardly dangerous. But Team 10's will turn into a doozy, and may result in near-death. In that mission, Sasuke will gain the Sharingan, and he will feel compelled to get stronger for his team and himself.
 
In the two extra prep months for the Exams, Sasuke and Naruto will be swapping instructors when it comes to a certain part of their training - elemental affinities. This does not mean they'll be masters at their elements. Sasuke will be able to use Chidori, and Naruto will be able to apply some Wind Chakra to his weapons and body, but that's about it; Naruto won't be able to split a waterfall yet, and Sasuke won't be able to branch off from the 'basic' Chidori yet. They'll get better in Part Two, naturally.
 
 
This will be the final tidbit for now. Kabuto will be gaining a more prominent role in the next few chapters, and he is not planning to betray the Leaf, believe it or not. As a result of his memories being wiped from his days in Root and not getting personal training from Orochimaru, you would think that Kabuto would be weak as a Chunin of the Leaf. You'd be wrong. Kabuto was on Konan's Genin Squad in this AU, and he still developed a fighting style with his medical Ninjutsu - he has no qualms about revealing that he's a prodigy; he did as a spy for Orochimaru, so without that restraint, he can get close to people and soak up knowledge and Jutsu from someone high up on the ladder like Konan.
 
 ............ But will he remain this way...?
 
 

Monday, August 11, 2014

The Moon's Eye Group Profiles (Spoilers!)

 
The Immortal Duo
 
Perhaps one of the most dangerous pairs of shinobi in the world, Kakuzu and Hidan now serve the Moon's Eye Plan and its goals. Kakuzu was enlisted into the group fairly early on, and did not require 'convincing' to remain loyal - as long as Kakuzu is paid, he will serve whatever cause, no matter how unethical or twisted. As for his partner, Hidan, the young man is a member of a cult religion, worshiping Jashin. Hidan did require 'motivation' to join, as well as 'persuasion' for his permanent membership in the Moon's Eye group. He now follows orders religiously, and takes satisfaction in al the killing he gets to do now. Hidan is assigned the Two-Tails for capture, while Kakuzu is assigned the Seven-Tails.
 
 


 



 
The Swordsman and his Tool
 
Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Hidden Mist, was among the first to be recruited into the Moon's Eye Group. Like his fellow Swordsmen, Zabuza faithfully serves the Moon's Eye Plan and its goals, and even goes so far as to make use of a kid he encountered early on in his career as a member of the Moon's Eye. A child that devotes his mind and body to protecting Zabuza and carrying out his will. Zabuza craves challenging fights, and loathes missions that are merely about collecting money. He is assigned what is perhaps the most important capture of all - the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Haku is assigned the Three-Tails, originally.
 


Scientists and Immortality-seekers
 
Another perfectly matched pair, Orochimaru and Sasori make brilliant multi-taskers. Sasori seeks to make eternal beauty - his vision of Art - as well as become a true puppet. Orochimaru craves immortality and to know all Jutsu, and has established the Hidden Sound Village, an establishment that their Leader has designated as an outpost for the group, as well as a smokescreen, should certain parties attempt researching their group. Sasori is allowed to use anyone or anything in the Hidden Sound, provided that it does not inconvenience his partner and his research into various fields. Orochimaru's main research project is the Impure World Resurrection Technique, and he has made great strides in perfecting it, making meticulous notes as he does so. In addition to being scientists, this duo also serves as the Moon's Eye's main intelligence network managers; Sasori has spies all over the Elemental Nations, and Orochimaru has a few of his own. Some of the spies are so deep undercover they don't even realize that they serve this duo. But when they come to collect information, the spies suddenly remember... Sasori is assigned the capture of the One-Tail, and Orochimaru is assigned the Eight-Tails.
 
 

 
A Destructive, Artful Maelstrom
 
Like his fellow Swordsmen, Kisame was brought into the Moon's Eye first. But unlike his 'brothers-in-arms', Kisame did not require the Leader's 'persuasion' due to his bloodlust. Though there certainly is more to this shark-man than meets the eye... And then there's his partner, Deidara. Deidara is one of the group's most recent recruits, and he did not come willingly initially. But after a heated battle with Kisame, Deidara seemed to come around and accept that he would be joining the Moon's Eye. The Leader suspected he would need to 'persuade' Deidara to be permanently loyal, yet Kisame vouches for him, and so these two become the only pair in organization to not be mindlessly brainwashed into fulfilling the Moon's Eye Plan's goals. Kisame is assigned the Four-Tails, while Deidara is assigned the Five-Tails to hunt.
 
 

 

The Leaders
 
Without Nagato to use as a puppet, Madara Uchiha firmly steps up and rules the Moon's Eye group with an iron fist; insubordination will not be tolerated at all. His mysterious partner, Zetsu, serves as another spymaster of the group, and as the go-between when the group is separated and out on missions. These two took over the Hidden Mist singlehandedly, manipulating the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist and the minds of shinobi and civilian alike. Of course, there is still talk of rebellion, but for the most part, the Hidden Mist is now ruled by Madara Uchiha - or so he proclaims himself to be - and the hidden village's resources are now at his disposal. Meaning that the Jinchuriki of the Six-Tails reports to him personally; thus his capture will not be an issue. There are many secrets with this duo, and time will tell if some of these secrets are kept from one another as well... 

Thursday, June 5, 2014

The True Mastermind (SPOILERS!)

 
 
So as all of you manga readers know, stuff has been getting 'interesting' lately. If you don't mind spoilers, feel free to read on ahead; but if you're only an anime-only type of guy/gal, I suggest turning back now.
 
You've been warned.
 
 
 
 
 

So recently, Madara was stabbed in the back (figuratively and literally) by what he (and we) thought was the one subordinate that would never, EVER betray him. Black Zetsu. Some of you may be aggravated at this turn of events; Kishimoto always seems to be changing Zetsu's backstory. But the way I like to think about it, he's been revealing everything in onion layers; and now we're to the innermost layer, what is likely the last 'shocking' revelation with these clones. Everything we've learned about Zetsu has come from Obito, and Madara by proxy. Therefore, if MADARA'S information was wrong, and he was not aware of what Zetsu really were, can we really be too furious with this latest revelation?

I only have my interpretations and speculations to go off of. We'll have to see if there are anymore flashbacks in the chapters to come; but here's my theory on what I think happened. Madara survived his battle with Hashirama at the Valley of the End - let's set aside the debate whether or not someone 'helped' him to survive for now - and awakened the Rinnegan 'near the end of his life', having implanted Hashirama's DNA into himself somehow. Madara summons the Gedo for the first time. Now, even if he had gotten a look at the Uchiha Tablet, do you really think that there would have been information about Kaguya's army on there? The Ten-Tails was the bigger threat, as was Kaguya. If there had been mention of an army of Zetsu, Madara sure disregarded it. Because he must have infused some of that Hashirama DNA into the Gedo and began to make stuff 'grow'. And since these clones could move through the earth and some could use Wood-style (Spiral Zetsu), he assumed he had created clones of his irritating rival - perhaps the Zetsu clones even lied to Madara's face and told him they were clones of Hashirama, when they were in fact leftover clones from the last time Kaguya pulled everyone into the Infinite Tsukoyomi and transformed their bodies.

Obviously there were a lot left over, because Obito was able to harvest 100, 000 clones with the help of some Tailed Beast Chakra.

The point is, Madara messed with something beyond his comprehension. He THOUGHT he knew what he was doing, THOUGHT he was in control, but if Black Zetsu's speech was any indication, Madara had no flippin' idea, and he definitely wasn't the one pulling the strings. Whatever the coming chapters reveal, Madara was manipulated. Masterfully.

So what effect do these latest revelations have on the Tale of Nagato Uzumaki's universe? Since it's ancient history, I can't change that, really. I mean, I could, but then it'd definitely be AU from past to future. I like making the past concrete, though, so Kaguya, her sons, their children, and the Zetsu clones will all have to have happened. What I can do, though, is debate the final battles - whether Kaguya actually resurfaces.

Somewhat mean to write Kaguya off, but on the other hand, we've only started learning about her within the last forty chapters or so - and that's being sort of generous. What will likely happen is that Madara will be the final villain; Black Zetsu will be dealt with before he can take Madara over. That's not written in stone, but it seems like a simple solution. How will I deal with Black Zetsu? Well, I'll leave that to your imaginations. I believe I have a plan for how he'll end up, but that could change depending on the coming final chapters. I could change my mind and make Kaguya the final villain; but for now, I think it would be more appropriate to make that final villain Madara. I honor Kishimoto's decision to end with a strong female villain - the strongest, even. Yet compared to Madara, we've heard so little about her throughout the series that it seems inappropriate somehow. So until further notice, TToNU will build up to Madara's return, and see him as the 'ultimate antagonist', even if I don't care to hype up the Uchiha all that much. Uchiha are strong, but I'm not the biggest fanboy when it comes to them.

Until next time! ~Yaxon

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

675 Does Not Change Plot For TToNU

The usual warning to you folks - this will spoil the latest manga chapter, so read ahead at your own risk.




 
With the revelations of 675, we learn that Madara actually manipulated Obito over to his side by orchestrating Rin's death. I'd speculated about that for the longest time; the event seemed too convenient, but it was never delved into until this point. Turns out that Madara planned for Rin to become the Jinchuriki of the Three-Tails and go ravage the Leaf Village - not the Hidden Mist. He controlled Mist Anbu, and waited for Minato to be away on a mission, thus isolating Rin and Kakashi. Madara's goal was to have Rin killed by the puppet Anbu, thus persuading Obito over to his side, but it still worked out for him when Kakashi actually did the deed. So now we know why Rin couldn't commit suicide herself.

 
What does this change in the TToNU-verse? Nothing. Nothing in the long term, nothing in the short term. Obito was still the original target, but something occurred that resulted in Obito being spared and a certain someone else taking up the mantle as Madara's successor. There is a reason that the Rin Kidnapping still took place, and a reason that Obito gained the Mangekyo through that incident. I will eventually be writing the omake for that incident, and might even post it as a bonus chapter in the main story. Not right now, as I intend to make weekly updates, but maybe when school starts back up for me in August.
 
So don't fret if the latest revelations seem to make the events in TToNU's timeline illogical. I'd intended for Madara to be manipulative from the beginning, and had reasons for the Rin Kidnapping playing out the way it did this time around. It's just convenient for me that Kishimoto-sama was kind enough to play along. Haha. ^^
 
I will post more later! Ja ne! 

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Clarification for the Future of TToNU Universe (MAJOR SPOILERS!)

 
WARNING: Unless you've been reading the manga, or don't care if the future plot of the anime is spoiled for you, read on. Otherwise, turn back now, or there's no going back...
 
You have been warned...
 
 
 
 
So as a lot of you may know, the latest two chapters of the manga have been particularly crucial in explaining a lot of things. Some of you may be disappointed in the lack of action, but I enjoy chapters like these, where things start to make sense. We're far from having a complete and total understanding of everything, where it's all heading, but at least Kishimoto has started to give us answers.
 
Naruto and Sasuke have had this 'bond' for the longest while, and now we know that it's majorly because of who they are - the successors of the Sage of Six Path's sons, Ashura and Indra. That doesn't mean they are Ashura and Indra; Kishimoto gave 'reincarnation' a special twist here: The chakra of Ashura and Indra are a part of Naruto's being and Sasuke's being respectively, but they do not make up the entirety of who Naruto and Sasuke are. Naruto is still Naruto, and Sasuke is still Sasuke. They're still going to do things their own way.
 
Now, whether or not this will lead to an inevitable clash somewhere down the line remains to be seen. Kishimoto has hinted at it, and we can see why that would happen, since they're the successors of Ashura and Indra, but will this clash be in the traditional sense, or will it be something new? I suppose we'll have to wait and see. The Sage is giving Naruto and Sasuke some of his power, but what that will enable them to do, or whether the power is temporary or permanent, remains to be seen. Guy might very well die for nothing, if Madara lives through his next attack through a miraculous healing, and Naruto and Sasuke might still be needed; or Madara might very well lose to Guy, and now is the time for that fight between Naruto and Sasuke.
 
Again, we don't know yet. That's in the weeks to come.
 
I'm kind of beating around the bush, but the point I'm trying to make is that Naruto and Sasuke are, essentially, the central figures in the Naruto universe. Madara and Hashirama were their most recent predecessors, and it's up to Naruto and Sasuke to end the 'natural flow' of things, where the powerful come out on top and rule over the weak. The Rinnegan seems to be caused by joining together the Chakra of Ashura and Indra, which is why only Madara and the Sage have it; the Sage because he's the father of Ashura and Indra, and Madara because he made Hashirama's 'power' a part of himself. Obito isn't going to awaken the Rinnegan. Danzo never did. And Naruto and Sasuke likely won't, unless that's the 'power' that the Sage is bestowing upon them (which I'm really hoping isn't the case).
 
I began writing TToNU because I thought I could make Naruto and Nagato the saviors of the world, that it wouldn't mess with the overall plot too badly, since it seemed only Naruto was going to be the main hero as the successor of the Sage (when in reality, he's the successor of Ashura). Sasuke was (and still is) an enigma, and I wasn't sure what his role in things would be. He has been so conflicted for the longest time, and only now does it seem like he's resolved to go down a path, finally; his own path, whether that be good or bad, in the end. We still don't know Sasuke's intentions and ambitions, but if he truly succeeds Indra, I can see him changing for the better, even if it doesn't appear that way at first. Of course, I can see it go the other way, too, ending up similar or worse than Indra, but I'd like to think Madara has that base covered, and that Sasuke will help Naruto instead of hinder him to the end.
 
At any rate. Sasuke and Naruto are the central figures because of who they are. That doesn't mean I can't add Nagato into the mix; he's not gonna be some 'third son' of the Sage or anything like that, but he's still going to have a role to play at the end of things. Nagato will make mistakes, and there's no guarantee he'll be able to safeguard the Rinnegan forever with Black Zetsu about. But if there's one thing I can guarantee, it's that Nagato's not going to die a sacrificial death; not for resurrecting everyone after the war's over, not for resurrecting Madara. Rinne Tensei may very well be a technique of the Rinnegan, but he won't be aware of it for a looong time. There will be the threat of Black Zetsu taking him over, of course, perhaps even Shisui influencing him to hand over the Rinnegan, but Nagato won't die by using Rinne Tensei.
 
Nagato will aid in ending the war, he just won't have this huge role like I initially imagined. That's okay, the story's still young. Part One will slowly introduce Naruto's significance, while Nagato paves the way for him by attempting to right things himself. "Great men are forged in fire, it's the privilege of lesser men to light the flame." Nagato will go further than Minato did, but he'll still fall short of ideal peace; he'll have high moments and low moments, but he won't waver from his shared dream of an ideal peace. He just won't be the one to achieve that. When it comes down to it, no single person will be able to do that on their own, no matter how powerful, and I think the canon will reflect this. Ninshuu will probably become the new way, like the Sage intended, and Ninjutsu might very well die out. Time will tell.
 

Monday, February 24, 2014

Revamped Teams

 
Team Seven
 
 So, very recently I decided to scrap the decision to keep Teams of Naruto's generation the same. One, that's been done before. A lot. Two, I'd only be able to do so much change in certain sections if the Teams remained the same. Three, I haven't seen these combinations of Teams yet on ff.net, so I wanted to give them a spin.

The main premise behind the new Team arrangements is to balance the Teams more; sure, specialized Teams are awesome, and I respect them in canon, but again, switching the Teams around so they are still specialized in some way has been done before, too. I haven't read too many fanfics where Naruto is placed on another's Team, and the author simultaneously puts much thought into the other Teams Naruto isn't on; the Team Naruto is on usually makes sense, but the others don't mesh as nicely. Of course, that's just a personal opinion after some observation. I still like many of those aforementioned fanfics.

At any rate. Each Team will have some kind of tracker, someone to restrain the enemy or divert their attention, and a human tank to fill out the third slot. At least. Some are multitaskers on the team, and sometimes the strategies are just more flexible. The new Team Seven led by Kakashi will have Naruto, Hinata, and Shikamaru, as pictured above - Hinata uses her Byakugan to watch out for enemies, Shikamaru ensnares them with his Shadow techniques, and Naruto (and Hinata) pummel the enemy while they're restrained. Why is Kakashi leading Naruto's Team when he 'should' be leading Sasuke's? Well....... you'll find out. Let's just say that he won't be 'needed' to instruct the Uchiha.

One thing's for sure: With a residential genius, a pride and joy of the Hyuga Clan, and a devious, mad genius, Team Seven will certainly be very..... interesting......


















                                                                 Team Eight

Led by Kurenai, Team Eight is composed of Sakura, Shino, and Choji. Shino locates the enemy and drains their Chakra; if Shino needs time, Sakura comes in and casts Genjutsu to confuse and stall the enemy; finally, Choji rolls in after Sakura and Shino have done their jobs, and finishes them off.

Don't underestimate this Team....



 
Team Ten
 
That's right! Led by Asuma, Team Ten is composed of Sasuke, Kiba, and Ino. Sasuke Rabid Fangirl #2 got the youngest son of Fugaku on her Team this time. But there are certain reasons everyone's 'favorite' Uchiha isn't so angsty and broody this time. In this Team dynamic, Kiba sniffs out the enemy, Sasuke utilizes Genjutsu to distract them, and Ino uses Mind Transfer Jutsu to incapacitate them long enough for Sasuke and Kiba to take them out. By far one of the most versatile Teams of their generation, Team Ten is proud to brag of their strength...