After Hiruzen stood up to begin the meeting about the Genin Assessment, he was about to speak to the gathered crowd but before he could he saw the shocked, confused, and other different expressions on the faces of his Jonin, although Kakashi's was a bit harder to read but the wide right eye expressed his emotions enough…
Hiruzen was originally going to ignore them and speak, but once more he couldn't as a Jonin in the front smoking a cigarette who looked similar to himself beat him to the punch:
"DAD!! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOU!? WHY DO YOU LOOK LIKE THAT, ALSO WHAT'S WITH ALL OF THE SCARS, THE NEW CLOTHES, AND WHAT IS WITH THAT CANE!?! WHAT IS GOING ON!!!" shouted Asuma Sarutobi, who was the youngest son of the Third Hokage himself, he was also like all of the other Jonin in the room so shocked by the transformation of his father that he couldn't help but yell out to get even an inkling of what was going on with him… now all of the Jonin who were about to start shouting questions at the Hokage stopped and waited in anticipation of the Third's answer, and soon they got an answer:
"I had to go out and get some new clothes as my old ones weren't very good anymore… as for the scars, just a small accident with skin care, nothing to be too concerned about. As for the Cane, it is a keep's sake, and I think it makes me look a lot wiser… why don't you like it?" responded the Third Hokage, and using some of the words from his conversation with Naruto at Ichiraku Ramen, gave a response that was both believable and unbelievable at the same time… and after hearing this response, half of the Jonin in the room fell face first on the ground in shock at the Third's answer as they weren't expecting such a half-assed answer in the first place… but no one decided to dissuade or speak up to the Third Hokage as they feared a punishment from the old man, well, except one person that was:
"BULL!! THAT IS THE MOST HALF-ASSED ANSWER I HAVE HEARD IN YEARS, EVEN BY KAKASHI'S STANDARDS!! YOU DON'T JUST GO FROM AN AGED OLD MAN, TO LOOKING LIKE A MIDDLE AGED BADASS IN ONE NIGHT! ALSO!! I AM NOT BUYING THAT EXCUSE ABOUT MAKING YOU LOOK WISER ONE BIT, TELL US THE TRUTH!?!" shouted Asuma at his father, and Hiruzen stopped for a second and looked at his rebellious son and couldn't help but become slightly angry at his yelling, although he didn't show it, then he decided it was time to quite the chaos in the room.
*DOONG*
Hiruzen slammed his Cane on the ground and the sound produced from the collision was like that of a massive bell ringing throughout the room, everyone beside Hiruzen himself had to cover their ears to stop themselves from possibly getting a headache, and after a second the noise was gone, but before anything else could happen Hiruzen decided to speak up and end this farce:
"Enough! Nothing is wrong with me, I could have never felt better… also if you don't like my answer there won't be another… now let's get on with business…" spoke Hiruzen with finality, and everyone was shocked for a few moments at the steel you could hear in his voice… where had the kind elderly grandfather that the Third Hokage had portrayed himself as gone!? This isn't usually how the Third Hokage was… no… if one were to think, this is what young kids would think the Third Hokage, who is known as the God of Shinobi would think he would be like when they were taught in the Academy.
No one could say anything and they quickly scrambled around the room to get back into formation with their backs ramrod straight waiting for the Hokage's directive, no one tried to even breath loud enough for the Hokage to hear, that's how shocked and nervous they were now in his presence… even his loud, brash, and rebellious son Asuma was like everyone else, he even went one step further and snuffed out his cigarette that he could always be found smoking… this just showed how shocked he was by his father's change, he hasn't seen this side of his father before in a long time, he can't even remember the last time he has seen his father using this tone with anyone…
Kakashi who a few minutes ago, had been dragged to the Hokage's office after his Genin assessment… he was originally going to stay a while at the Memorial Stone to reflect on his past like usual but to his surprise he found Genma Shiranui, a guy he hasn't seen in a while, suddenly appear in front of him with a Body Flicker, and before he could even greet his fellow Jonin Genma decided to speak:
"Kakashi, come with me, Hokage-Sama has sent me to get you…" said Genma and Kakashi stopped for a second, as he wouldn't think that the Hokage himself would send another Jonin to get him… he should know that he would usually go the Memorial Stone to reflect for a while and then show up in his office to do his usual greeting and get down to business afterwards… what was so serious with the old Hokage that he would have to send another Jonin to get him for something as simple as a meeting about Genin? Though, while Kakashi was thinking these thoughts, he didn't let it show an inkling on his almost covered face and just gave his usual eye smile, pulling out his book, and responded to Genma:
"Mah Mah, Genma… it has been a while since I have seen you, also tell Hokage-Sama that I'll be there in a bit… just let me finish a chapter of Icha Icha, it's getting to the good bit…" spoke Kakashi with a bit of a drawl in his voice, but Genma responded back after he finished:
"No can do Kakashi, Hokage-Sama specifically told me to get you after you finished your Genin Assessment as he knows of your habits… he even said that I had permission from him to drag you back if I must… so please come with me…" now Kakashi has his full attention on Genma, since he can tell that if the Hokage would even give permission to Genma to physically drag him to the Hokage office, it was definitely more serious than he thought. Kakashi narrowed his eye slightly at these thoughts, but it didn't stay on his face and then spoke again to Genma:
"Hahh, alright… since Hokage-Sama is so adamant about me being there immediately, I guess all I can do is go with you…" said Kakashi and Genma nodded while walking over to him, he then stretched out his hand and put it on the silver haired man's shoulder and both vanished in a Body Flicker a moment later… then the duo arrived in the Hokage's office a few moments afterwards and history played out… Kakashi now can understand why Genma fetched him, it's because the Hokage had changed now, massively as well, and he won't be tolerant of his tardiness anymore…
Now that Hiruzen had everyone in order, he slightly nodded with his face the perfect example of calm stoicism. He then looked towards all the Jonin again and spoke with his voice authoritative:
"Now that I have your undivided attention, we shall begin this meeting… I wish to hear the results of this year's Genin, as well as your thoughts on their attitudes and what they need to improve on… also I will let you know in advance for those who's Genin Passed, this year's Chunin Exams will be held in Konoha, usually I would have told you this around a week or two in advance before the Exam started, but I thought that it would be better to tell you now so that you can better prepare your Genin for a chance at promotion if you were to submit them for participation… Now Squad 1 Begin!"finished Hiruzen, and the Jonin who was in charge of Team One's assessment jumped in surprise for a second before he responded:
"Y-yes! Team One Failed Hokage-Sama. No teamwork or coordination among them, and all of them were brash and ran head first into the situation without thinking…" stuttered the Jonin who managed to get his bearings under the gaze of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen frowned for a second before he gave a blank nod and looked at the next Jonin who understood that it was their turn, and the result was the same all the way through to Team Six.
Now Hiruzen in his head was a bit displeased, after seeing the coordination and cooperation that Shinigami had when he was Yamamoto, he is now dissatisfied at the success rate of this year's graduates… he is going to look over the Academies curriculum later and see if there is any room for team work exercises or any possible lessons for students to cooperate with each other more, because if what he expects to happen will happen, then over 70% of this year's graduates will be sent back to the Academy because they couldn't cooperate with each other since Konoha's foundation is built on Teamwork and it always has been since the founding of the Academy by his teacher Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage…
Next was Kakashi, and personally Hiruzen didn't have much hope that Kakashi was going to pass them, even though this year's Team Seven had two important individuals on it… since he has consistently failed teams because they never met his standards, the Bell Test which is a tradition passed down through Team Seven has always been to pit teammates against each other and to test if they would work together regardless to get a bell. Though he still decided to ask for formality reasons more than anything else:
"Next, Squad Seven, Status!" asked Hiruzen and Kakashi instinctively straighten up, and like Asuma who snuffed out his cigarette, he put away his book which he could be found reading literally everywhere he goes… Kakashi then spoke:
"Team Seven Passed Hokage-Sama." he said, then Kakashi continued.
"They nearly failed though, as they didn't cooperate throughout almost all of the assessment… it was only when I tied Genin Naruto Uzumaki to a post and made his teammates eat in front of him did I pass them because instead of following the order of not feeding him, they instead feed him as they knew that they were going to need him to even have a second chance with me… now for personalities and what they need to improve on, well… they need a lot of work Hokage-Sama, Sakura Haruno is a complete fangirl for Sasuke Uchiha and won't even use her own brain for situations as she only follows what Sasuke does… she even has a weird obsession with hitting Naruto, Sasuke himself is an emo who is hellbent on revenge and strength wanting nothing more to kill his older brother, and finally Naruto himself is an idiot… he lacks the basic concept of being a Shinobi but that really isn't his fault as he has been sabotaged consistently throughout the entirety of his education… overall this team needs work…" finished Kakashi.
Hiruzen himself is actually a bit surprised that Kakashi actually passed the team, but this means that Hiruzen himself needs to speak to him afterwards because it's very possible that he will be playing favourites due to past incidents with certain individuals… Naruto and Sasuke himself he can see him playing favourites with and while he certainly doesn't mind them being trained a bit more, he doesn't want them to have a huge anchor on them in the name of Sakura Haruno, a civilian girl…
Seriously, what made him originally choose to have a fangirl with their affection on the same team, also 'having a weird obsession with hitting Naruto'? what the hell is wrong with this girl… he definitely will need words with Kakashi to fix this team… anyway he looked to the next Jonin, who was a beautiful female with many admirers in the village, Kurenai Yuhi, the Genjutsu Mistress of Konoha:
"Team Eight passed Hokage-Sama. They have good teamwork with each other, although Kiba Inuzuka is a bit of a pervert, much to my ire..."
"Shino Abarame is a bit quite but he is very smart and has a tactical mind, he was mainly the glue that held the team together as Kiba is brash and likes to rush head on into every situation, although at least he is loyal and is willing to work with his team mates… as for Hinata Hyuga, she is a bit shy and needs a bit of work in the confidence department but I can say that all three of these Genin work together, with Kiba's enhanced senses, Shino's Kikaichū, and Hinata's Byakugan they make an excellent tracking squad…" finished Kurenai as she herself is quite happy that she got such a team, although she needs to break Kiba's habit of being a pervert as she is not willing to tolerate him doing anything indecent with herself or Hinata on the team… as for Hinata, she is happy that she got her on the team…
While Kurenai was having these thoughts and when she finished her analysis and summary of her team Hiruzen turned to his son who isn't smoking his cigarette and was looking at his father with an analysing gaze… Hiruzen ignored the look and spoke to his son:
"Since Team Nine is still in circulation, Team Ten continue…" asked Hiruzen, to which Asuma nodded for a second and spoke:
"Team Ten passed Dad. This generation's Ino-Shika-Cho have excellent teamwork, no doubt from all three clans being allies… as for personalities, Ino Yamanaka is somehow a fangirl for the Uchiha and wouldn't stop complaining about not being with him."
"Shikamaru while a typical lazy Nara is exceptionally intelligent, maybe even more so than his father and was the brain of the team, and Choji Akamichi is a bit reluctant to hurt people but nothing that can't be fixed, although he still likes to eat, even throughout the exercise, but that is typical of the Akamichi clan… overall they just needs some time out in the field and development in some specialties and this team will be great…" finished Asuma and Hiruzen gave a small nod in satisfaction… at least the three teams that have important figures on them passed, even if some have problems they can be fixed over time…
Hiruzen turned his attention to the next Jonin, and Team Eleven through Thirteen failed like the Team One through Six… Hiruzen who was satisfied that Team's Seven through Ten had passed, now frown slightly as this means with doing some mental calculations that only around 23% percent of this year's Genin passed, while the rest will be sent back…
Hiruzen now made a mental note to do an overhaul of the Academy Curriculum as this is something he will not tolerate, especially all the potential talents that are being wasted by getting sent back to the Academy to do another year will only cripple Konoha's forces instead of bolster them… then since everyone was finished with their report Hiruzen spoke once more:
"Very well, I wish to speak with Jonin Kakashi Hatake, Jonin Kurenai Yuhi, and Jonin Asuma Sarutobi afterwards, everyone else dismissed!" spoke Hiruzen who once again slammed his cane on the ground again, which this time it wasn't as loud as the first time, dismissed the unnecessary crowd with only the three mentioned individuals staying behind. After the rest of the Jonin left Hiruzen then pulled up his chair from behind his desk and sat down in it, he turned his attention back to the Jonin and spoke:
"Now, since that only your Genin have passed the assessment, I wish to clarify some things with you before you begin teaching them. Make note and remember, that these aren't just children, these are Shinobi, treat them as adults and make sure that they all get fair treatment…" started Hiruzen.
"I don't want to see any favouritism happening amongst any of these Genin as they are the future of Konoha (Hiruzen looks at Kakashi and Kurenai when saying these things, which cause the Jonin to tense)… they are soldiers and adults in my eyes, and make sure they understand that as well… this though doesn't mean they can't have fun, but they should understand that there is a line between enjoyment and business." Spoke the Third Hokage, but he wasn't done and continued without waiting for the three:
"Also, I will say this now, do not coddle them… make sure that they treat every injury or broken bone as a learning experience (He especially looks at Kurenai when saying this)… I am only telling you these things because I don't want your student's to end up like mine, one a traitor, one who is a fool and coward staying away from the village, and one that gambles and drinks her life away… these Genin are your responsibility, so make sure you train them well and address any problems with them now before its too late, this means if you must, break them and rebuild them to become stronger…" said Hiruzen once more and this time a slight narrow of his could be seen when addressing the three individuals, but he wasn't done and finally finished:
"I will warn you now though… I will be watching over all of your progress, so don't even try to slack off or try to hide away from me, this means no being late (He looks at Kakashi), don't be lazy (He looks at Asuma), and don't be hesitant (He looks at Kurenai)… now that is all I wanted to say, you are dismissed…" finished Hiruzen, with his tone full of steel...
The Jonin when hearing what the Hokage said were slack jawed because they weren't expecting this, this is definitely not what the old Hiruzen Sarutobi would have said… this is someone who has definitely seen too much and was able to guess anything that they would possibly do, he even dropped a warning on them to make sure they stayed in line…
Kakashi inwardly shook from the words and gaze the Hokage gave him, he could swear that he saw someone standing next to the Hokage when he said those words, though, now that Kakashi thought about it, from what the Hokage said, it sounded something that he would definitely do, be late, try to do more for another student then others or just effectively not do enough… it seemed as if the Hokage saw the future and knew what he would do…
Kurenai like Kakashi, also shook under the Hokage's scrutiny… it seemed as if the Hokage saw through her and knew her thoughts, she did in fact plan to do more for Hinata as she was in a way like a daughter to her… she was planning to be more gentle with her than the boys because she knows of the problems she faces at her home and clan, but it seems that was flushed down the drain by the Hokage…
She also felt like she would be hesitant with training the three as for one she is a newer Jonin and doesn't have much experience with teaching, but she was thinking to help Hinata a bit more than with the boys as she needed more attention than with the boys because from what she saw was that they were good enough without her supervision for a while until Hinata was up to par with them… but she didn't dare try this under the Hokage's gaze, his words like huge bars, locking away these thoughts and actions…
Asuma was also like the two, cause although he noticed that most of the speech was for the other two who tensed slightly under the indirect accusation, he still shook under the weight of those words because he definitely felt that some of that was for him as well… it is well known by his father and a lot of the Jonin circle that he is sometimes as lazy as a Nara, and can slack off in his duties…
The threat was also there as he knew that when his father said he would be paying attention to their progress, he meant it like supervising more than just 'watching'… although what struck home the most was that his father didn't want any of their Genin ending up like his students, it is also well known who his students were and what happened to them, so Asuma can agree that he wouldn't want his own Genin to end up like that in the future…
The three Jonin after having their own individual reflections finally looked back at the Hokage with expressions that even Hiruzen couldn't identify.
All three of them were so shocked that the Hokage would read each one of them like a book, but this just means that the Hokage saw through all of their intentions from the beginning and how they would go about doing things… Kakashi and the other two Jonin felt naked under the gaze of the Hokage because those eyes aren't the eyes of an aged old man who just wants to retire… no… those are the eyes of the God of Shinobi, the man who fought in Three World Wars, and a man who trained three legends who stand at the top of the world…
Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma will now always remember that those eyes will always be watching over them, like a ever knowing observer, so they all unanimously thought one thing in their mind:
'I better not screw up!'
Hiruzen seeing that his words had the effect he was wanting inwardly smiled in satisfaction, because in the centuries he was alive as Yamamoto Genryusai, he has seen many such characters do the same as these three in front of him. So, he decided to give them a wakeup call before they do anything wrong, but it seems that they forgot he said they were dismissed so he decided to remind them:
"I said you were dismissed…" said Hiruzen simply, and this caused all three to snap out of any stupor they were in and all three disappeared in their own personal Body Flickers, no doubt to return to their homes and think and plan the best ways for teaching their Genin, all the while they thought on the words of their Hokage and how he was accurately able to guess everything about what they would do in the coming days…