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Naruto's POV (Hidden Leaf Village) Three Month Time Skip
Rarely would a soul witness a truly exhausted Naruto. He simply had been worked to the bone as of late. Once they had arrived home and been given time to rest, Kakashi had come into his home late at night. He quickly restrained Naruto and walked out the front door. His mother had merely smiled and asked that he be fed. So much for mothers being protective! Late at night, Naruto had barely been awake before Kakashi had dropped him in their field. An equally bemused duo of Kakashi held both Ino and Neji as well. Then he had simply said with his normal casualness that they were going on a training trip for two months and two weeks. Naruto remembered the despair Ino had shown when she looked at Naruto and Neji. But similar to Naruto, Neji was smiling and nodding. Naruto felt bad for leaving her hanging on it. But all that time focused on training? How could he pass it up? They had all stretched as the academy had taught them before a heavy workout. Before Kakashi told them to run around the village wall. Not when to stop or how fast merely run. The group knowing better than to question sensei had done so.
Oh, it had been quite the mistake. Ten laps around the village and Kakashi had shown no sign of stopping them. Naruto's infamous stamina held, but even after her growth Ino was running behind. Naruto had attempted to help her like before. Before Kakashi had warned him off. As such Naruto watched as they struggled. Five laps later and Neji's brisk jog had become a sagging stomp. Naruto himself was breathing heavily as well. Ten laps later the three all collapsed. Naruto and Ino cursed at Kakashi breathlessly. If only he had known he would get it worse from there. He had given them what seemed like ten seconds of rest before he quickly ordered them to their feet.
Naruto could only describe what happened next as a bone-crushing beating. Kakashi had engaged all three and beat them around. He allowed them to attempt to hit him or counter-attack but it would never land. Merely be countered with machine-like precision. Usually, he would go until the got tired or surrendered. But on this day he held no such rules. If they collapsed or tried to quit he would merely continue. Only stopping once the three were fully grounded and unable to move. He had given them some bentos at this point and let them eat peacefully. Eventually once they were rested, he tested their elemental affinities and started their practice for the elements. Neji had been earth and was showing immediate prowess for it, Ino had been water and was struggling with the exercise due to not quite having enough chakra. Kakashi seeing this has her tree walk until she falls, finally, Naruto had wind. Naruto had tried to demand to learn a jutsu but instead, Kakashi had him holding leaves onto his body using chakra to build his control. Warning that wind jutsu required precise chakra control. They did this for days. Some absurd exercise till they nearly passed out, followed by vicious sparring against the Jounin, finally ending with some targeted exercise for the three. Days became weeks, and weeks became months. In time the three could feel their growth. Critical flaws of the bunch were ironed out. To Naruto it was clear they were now on another level. So when Kakashi had informed them to spend a week relaxing he had done so happily. Neji was often missing from their get togethers leaving the blondes on their lonesome. Naruto would never admit it, but he preferred it often. Ino had quickly become one of his most vital people. She could have fun, was supportive, funny, and certainly attractive. Apparently Mom loved her as well. Seemingly gushing whenever he brought her up. But clamming up when he asked why she cared so much.
Ino and Naruto approached the Side House building in which Neji lived. They had a team meeting, but once the Hyuga failed to report Kakashi had asked them to grab him. The guard at the front asked for their names, recorded them, and asked them to remove their weapons. Naruto had almost rebelled before Ino had hugged his arm and swayed him to hand over his tanto. Naruto smiled lightly as they walked in, silently missing the contact from his teammate. He had been truly blessed with his team so far. Kakashi might be a complete weirdo, but he had shown himself to be a good sensei. Naruto could feel the difference now. Neji while initially someone who infuriated him had become something else. They certainly weren't best friends yet they now got along. They still bickered constantly, but now Naruto never felt earnest malice towards him. He liked to believe Neji held none either. Yet to his greatest surprise had been the blooming friendship between him and Ino. They had gotten along initially due to them uniting against Neji. Afterwards they had become friends and were relatively friendly towards each other. Something had changed though, it wasn't something Naruto could put his finger on. But during the training the friendship between the two seemed frictionless now. Naruto had never realized it but Ino had been subtly holding back. She may be friendly and social but he hadn't noticed she kept it rather impersonal. Never mentioning much about herself or diving too deep into conservation. Now she seemed to be a bit more willing. Often beforehand Naruto had been the one to engage. He was a rather talkative guy after all. But now Ino seemed to seek him on occasion. She even seemed to enjoy herself around him. He had been fearful she would treat him differently. Either hatefully or with pity. But things had remained the friendship he enjoyed but even better! He would have to ask Ma for advice on women. She always warned him obliviousness ran in the family.
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Shikamaru's POV (Hidden Leaf Village)
Shikamaru had a rule that he tried not to worry too much. Often worrying about things provided no relief or gain in knowledge so it was simply not worth his time. Yet with the Chunin Exams coming up, he knew his goose was cooked. He had always been unremarkable in his books. But one noisy teacher tricking him into taking an IQ test had ruined that for him. With his two teammates being powerful and competent with his "inherent leadership ability" it was almost a sure thing that his team would take part in the exams. Any doubt he had was crushed when Asuma started running them into the ground. Life could be a drag.
"Pineapple?" A voice interrupted his misery. He looked up to see Sai facing him. Plastic smiled locked onto his face as always.
"Pineapple? Are you trying to roast me or something?" Shikamaru asked lazily.
"Not quite, my book here says that nicknames can help friends grow closer." Sai said holding up a book titled "Making Friends for Dummies!".
Shikamaru sighed away his problems. Tried anyway, when it didn't work he attempted the doomed effort explaining this would be. "Can it at least be a better one?"
"Sorry Pineapple but the book says that the target disliking it can be even better." Sai apologized.
"Pineapple it is!" Tenten chimed in, sitting next to the Nara. "Wanna argue about it?"
"My life is such a drag."
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Yuno's POV (Hidden Leaf Village)
Yuno smiled happily as she watched her two teammates spar. Her team had come a long way. The fight between Naruto and Neji had been brutal. It had made it abundantly clear that they were behind. Neji was to be expected, he had always been a genius after all. But Naruto was shocking. Shocking enough to where Yuno had wanted to play with him a bit. Ino of course had vetoed this. But afterward, her team seemed to have a fire in them. Choji was determined to show that he too could be a powerful shinobi. Muttering about being tired of watching Naruto win? Shino simply seemed to dislike his friends outclassing him. So the two had trained like demons. Yuno, ever the good teammate, had matched them. After all, it fit her purpose to become Chunin. And in the process, she would meet many more interesting shinobi. But more than anything she wanted to see Neji. Seeing him cut loose as he had that night had caught her attention. His normally cold and unflappable persona simply made it more appealing. She always preferred them a bit more difficult.
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Lee's POV (Hidden Leaf Village)
Lee continued what seemed to be an endless assault on the training post. Gai often was known for being a task masker but recently had doubled their efforts. Lee had never truly minded, youth rewarded hard work. But his teammates had seemed less willing. Lee had faith in Gai's methods and had assured them of such. Kiba being a bit temperamental attempted to get through it all using nothing more than spite. And to his credit, it had worked to several degrees. Sakura had met it head on and using her healing had increased the amount they could train. Not the smartest idea admittedly. Gai had merely worked this into training to get even more mileage for them. Gai had decided to give the two weights similar to what he and Lee used. The two had struggled greatly and for the first time in three months were free of them. The two had seemed doubtful but upon removing them had shown a devastating level of speed. Not faster than Lee, but now their Youth shined. Lee had no doubt they would ace whatever problems lay ahead. After all, they were still at the pinnacle of youth.
Neji's plan to make up with and influence Hinata was doubtlessly working to some degree. In the months he had to train her she had grown considerably. Her Gentle Palm taijutsu allowed her to trade blows with him. Briefly, but considering his considerable strength it was expected. What hadn't been expected was for Hinata to grow in other ways. She had created some techniques to bridge the gap as it were. Her confidence had grown as well. She had stuttered less and now even fought earnestly against her sister.
Neji flinched as Hinata launched Hanabi across the room with a palm strike. Much more earnestly he supposed. It appeared even the ever gentle Hinata could hold a grudge. And years of the younger woman mocking and beating her had done it. To her credit the fifteen-year-old girl raced to her feet. She looked awfully like Hinata. Though with longer hair and fiercer eyes. She wore the garb of the main house unlike Hinata making her appear somewhat above the older woman. Yet despite her normal snide and arrogant behavior, she could do little more than a desperate retreat from the new and improved Hinata. Each strike was slapped back. Punished with a finger jab here and there.
It was surprising how far Hinata had gone with support. Trying certainly, he was simply used to conducting himself harshly. Often leading to him snapping toward her. Hinata was ever forgiven but seemed doubtful of the arrangement. But upon earning the woman's trust she had sprouted. Still a bit over-polite and meek. But now powerful in her own right. Hanabi seemed to lose balance for a second before Hinata sweeps her legs from beneath her. Hanabi cried out in pain and held her leg. Neji raised an eyebrow at this. The chances she had been hurt from that kick seemed low. Before he could ponder this more, Hinata ran to her sister worriedly checking on her. Even in her anger she wished no ill will to her sister. Before she could even ask if she was ok, Hanabi, like a snake, struck forward with all her weight with a palm thrust. Hinata's head snapped back as blood flew from her nose. Leaving her open to a crushing kick to the ribs sending her flying back. Neji dashed in between the two before Hanabi could capitalize.
"What is the meaning of this? You may be my sensei but your still-"
"Lady Hanabi, it was a taijutsu sparring match. Feigning an injury should be saved for serious fights or full spars." Neji interrupted simply.
Hanabi looked thinking of a response before growling and heading for the door. As she does it opens a large Hyuga walking in. She backed up allowing him entry and immediately stood beside him with a smile. The man easily stands seven feet tall garbed in the Main House robe. He had no eyebrows and a buzz cut. He was sneering cruelly and Neji knew there would be an issue.
"In case you don't know servant, my name is Hirat Hyuga. Unlike yours, my blood is pure, Main House. Which is why I am confused? Side Branch is beneath us yet they talk back to the heir?" The man's excitement seemed to drip from his voice. "Guess I'll have to show you what happens when you don't play your role!"
Hinata gasped and called. "P-Please don't hurt him!"
Neji, being experienced, quickly removed his headband and put it in his mouth. It would ensure he wouldn't bite off his tongue during the event. The man roared angrily as he formed the hand sign. Neji didn't remember falling or screaming, merely the feeling of his every fiber being lit a flame. His vision started to black out as he howled his voice hoarse. Somehow in the chaos, he could hear the screams of Hinata begging the man to stop and the laughter of Hinabi. It soon turned into Hinata attempting to rush the large man but was blindsided by a chakra strike from Hanabi to her legs.
"Sorry sister but this is happening!" Hanabi said with a cruel smirk.
"Naruto Spear!"
A blur of Naruto flew by, a flight path not unlike a spear. As both of his fists smashed into the face of Hirat. Naruto roared angrily as he poofed away revealing a clone to have hit the man. Hirat flew back and into the wooden wall with an audible crunch. Caving it in slightly as he slid down it. The man angrily crawled to his feet as two shinobi walked into the room. His face now covered in blood from a gash on his head.
"Who the hell are you to hurt my friend?" Naruto yells furiously.