ITN’s Naruto Museigen Ch. 40: A New Team!

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-ˏˋNaruto Museigen Ch. 40´ˎ-

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ˑ༄ؘ ۪۪۫۫ ▹A New Team!◃ ۪۪۫۫ ༄ؘ ˑ

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The Next Morning

Tenten walked through Konoha, her mind still clouded with grief and anger. She wasn’t sure how she even got out of bed that morning, but she knew she couldn’t fall apart—not yet. Team Asuma was waiting for her, and training was the only thing keeping her from spiraling. But just as she turned a corner, a cold voice stopped her in her tracks. “Tenten.” She froze. Slowly, she turned to see Danzo standing in the alleyway, his lone visible eye locked onto her. The air around him was suffocating, heavy with unspoken malice.

“ What do you want?” she asked, her voice sharp.

“ I have an offer for you,” Danzo said, stepping forward. “I can give you what Tsunade won’t—justice for your parents. Revenge against those who wronged them. I see your potential, and I could mold you into something far greater than what you are now.”

Tenten clenched her fists. “You’re the one who killed them.”

Danzo’s expression remained unreadable. “Necessary sacrifices for a stronger village.” That was it. That was the moment she snapped.

“ Go to hell.” She turned to leave, but in an instant, Danzo’s killing intent crashed over her like a tidal wave.

“ If you won’t me,” he said coldly, “then I have no further use for you.” In a blur, Danzo lunged, his kunai aimed directly for her throat. Tenten barely had time to react. She twisted to the side, the blade grazing her cheek as she flipped backward, pulling out two scrolls mid-air. With a flick of her wrist, weapons erupted around her, and she sent a volley of kunai straight at Danzo. He vanished. She spun around just in time to block an incoming strike, her blade clashing against his. His speed was unreal, but she refused to falter. She had trained under Tsunade. She had been through too much to die here. Danzo struck again, forcing her to duck. “You’re strong,” he itted, his voice calm even as they exchanged blows. “But strength alone won’t save you.”

Tenten gritted her teeth, flipping away and unleashing another barrage of weapons. “I don’t need saving.”

Danzo dodged effortlessly. “We’ll see about that.” Tenten’s heart pounded as she landed on a rooftop, panting. She kept her eyes locked on Danzo, who stood below, his movements eerily calculated. The man barely seemed fazed, while she was already feeling the weight of the battle. “You’re wasting your energy,” Danzo said, brushing dust off his robe. “I’ve fought and killed shinobi far stronger than you.”

Tenten tightened her grip on her weapons. “Then I’ll make sure you my name before I’m through with you.”

Without hesitation, she activated a summoning scroll, releasing a rain of explosive kunai. The projectiles whistled through the air, targeting Danzo from every angle. Danzo didn’t even flinch. At the last second, he disappeared in a swirl of leaves, reappearing behind her. Before she could react, a sharp pain shot through her as he drove his elbow into her spine, sending her crashing into the rooftop tiles. She coughed, trying to push herself up, but Danzo was already stepping on her back, pinning her down.

“ You let your emotions control you,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion. “That is why you will always be weak.”

Tenten growled, gritting her teeth. “And you have none, which is why you’ll never be human.” Danzo applied more pressure, forcing a choked gasp out of her.

“ I’ll make you an offer one last time,” he said. “ me, and you will have the power to destroy your enemies. Reject me, and you will die here.”

Tenten trembled beneath his weight, rage, and frustration boiling inside her. She thought about her parents, about how they had given up everything for her. She thought about Team Asuma, about the bonds she had built. And she thought about Tsunade—who had held her back yesterday, not because she didn’t believe in her, but because she still had a future. That’s when she realized it.

” Danzo wanted me to break. He wanted me to fall into despair, to be consumed by hatred. I refuse.”

Tenten thought as she took a deep breath, then did something Danzo didn’t expect. She smiled. “I’d rather die on my feet than live on my knees for a coward like you.”

Before Danzo could respond, she activated the last remaining seal on her arm. A flash of light burst from her skin, and suddenly, hundreds of kunai and shuriken exploded outward. Danzo leaped back just in time, his sleeve getting shredded by the storm of steel. Tenten rolled away, wincing as she forced herself to stand. Blood dripped down her arms, but her stance was steady. Danzo narrowed his eyes.

“ You’re more troublesome than I thought.”

Tenten smirked, despite the pain. “And you talk too f**king much.” The two squared off again, but before either could make a move, a voice rang through the air.

“ TENTEN!” Tenten’s eyes widened as she turned to see Naruto—along with Asuma and Shikamaru—rushing toward them.

Danzo clicked his tongue. “Tch. This conversation is over.” Before Tenten could even blink, he vanished into the shadows, leaving her standing alone on the rooftop.

Naruto skidded to a stop in front of her, his face full of worry. “What the hell happened?! You’re covered in blood!” Tenten exhaled sharply, her body finally giving in to exhaustion.

“ Danzo,” she muttered before collapsing. Asuma caught her just before she hit the ground, his expression darkening.

“ This just got a lot worse.”

Meanwhile

Hinata walked through the quiet streets of Konoha, her body sore from the intense training session with Guy, Choji, and Lee. She kept her hands clasped in front of her, her mind replaying the sparring matches. She had done well, but she still felt she needed to push herself harder. Just as she turned a corner near the Hyuga compound, a chilling voice stopped her in her tracks.

“ You’ve been working hard, Lady Hinata.” Hinata stiffened. That voice—cold, calculating—sent a shiver down her spine. She slowly turned and saw him. Danzo stood in the shadows, his lone eye peering at her with unsettling scrutiny. His presence alone made her uneasy.

Hinata swallowed. “L-Lord Danzo… What do you want?”

Danzo stepped closer, his movements slow and deliberate. “Your growth is… surprising. Most expected you to fade into irrelevance after your father cast you aside.”

Hinata flinched but quickly lowered her gaze, gripping the hem of her jacket. “I-I don’t know what you mean.”

Danzo chuckled, though there was no humor in it. “Of course you do.” He circled her like a predator. “You train with those beneath you, yet you still lack the conviction to claim what is rightfully yours.” Hinata clenched her fists. She didn’t want to be here. She wanted to leave, but something in Danzo’s tone held her in place. “You remind me of your uncle, Hizashi,” Danzo continued. “A man who knew his place. A man who sacrificed himself for the main house without hesitation.” His eyes darkened. “Tell me, Hinata… will you do the same?”

Hinata’s breath hitched. She had heard those words before—from her father, from the elders. A disgrace. A failure. But now, coming from Danzo, they carried a deeper malice.

“ I-I…” She struggled to find her voice.

Danzo tilted his head. “You could be so much more. The Hyuga clan—your clan—needs strength, not weakness. You’ve been discarded, abandoned by the very people meant to protect you. Why do you still cling to them?”

Hinata’s hands trembled, but she took a slow breath. Then, despite her nerves, she met Danzo’s gaze. “B-because…” She swallowed hard but pushed through. “Because… strength isn’t about a-alone. It’s about… w-who you fight for.” Danzo’s expression barely changed, but there was something unreadable in his gaze. Hinata continued, surprising even herself. “I w-won’t let myself be used like a t-tool.” She took a step back, putting distance between them. “I won’t be like you.” For a moment, there was silence.

Then, Danzo sighed, as if disappointed. “A shame.” Hinata tensed, expecting him to attack. But instead, he simply turned, fading back into the darkness of the alley. “ this moment, Lady Hinata,” he said over his shoulder. “When the time comes, and you are forced to choose between survival and sentimentality… you’ll see how naïve you truly are.” And just like that, he was gone. Hinata stood there, frozen, her heart racing. She should have felt relief, but all she felt was cold dread creeping into her chest.

” What did he mean?”

Konoha General Hospital

Tsunade stepped into the hospital room. The steady beeping of the heart monitor filled the quiet space. As she entered, her eyes landed on Naruto, slouched in a chair beside Tenten’s bed. His arms were crossed, and his expression was unusually serious. Tenten lay still, her body wrapped in bandages. Though she was stable, the bruises and cuts on her face told the story of her battle with Danzo. Naruto didn’t even look up as Tsunade approached. His gaze remained locked on Tenten, his brows furrowed in frustration. “You’re supposed to be resting too,” Tsunade said, folding her arms.

Naruto sighed. “I know… but I couldn’t leave her alone.” He clenched his fists. “She tried to fight Danzo on her own. If I had gotten there sooner…”

Tsunade pulled up a chair beside him. “This isn’t your fault, Naruto.”

“ I know that, but…” He exhaled sharply. “I may not be the brightest guy in the room, but she lost her parents. And Danzo’s just playing with her head.” His voice turned bitter. “He knew exactly what he was doing.”

Tsunade glanced at Tenten, her chest rising and falling steadily. “She’s strong, but grief makes people reckless.”

Naruto nodded. “That’s why I have to be here. She’s my teammate.” He looked down. “I get it, you know? Losing someone and feeling like you gotta do something about it.” His hands gripped the sheets tightly. “I just don’t want her to go through it alone.”

Tsunade softened at his words.

” Hiruzen is right. He is the hope of this village… He really is like a little brother to everyone he cares about.”

She reached out and placed a hand on Naruto’s shoulder. “Then be there for her. But don’t carry her pain as your own. She’ll need you—not as a protector, but as a friend.”

Naruto looked up at her, and after a moment, he nodded with a fox grin. “Yeah… I get it.”

Tsunade stood. “I’ll be back later to check on her. Get some rest, Naruto.”

As she turned to leave, she heard him mutter, “I won’t let Danzo get away with this.” Tsunade paused but didn’t turn around. She shared his anger, but right now, her priority was keeping both of them from making the same reckless mistake. With that, she walked out, leaving Naruto to watch over Tenten in silence.

Next Morning; Uchiha Compound

Hinata stood nervously outside the Uchiha compound, shifting her weight from foot to foot. The imposing gates made her feel small, but she was determined to wait for Sasuke. However, before she could gather her courage to knock, the gates creaked open. Mikoto Uchiha stood before her, a gentle yet unreadable expression on her face. Hinata tensed, fearing she had overstepped by coming here.

“ You must be Hinata,” Mikoto said warmly.

Hinata hesitated before nodding. “Y-Yes, Uchiha-sama…”

Mikoto chuckled softly. “There’s no need for such formality. Come inside.” Hinata blinked in surprise. She had expected hostility or at least suspicion, given how protective the Uchiha were of their clan. But Mikoto’s kindness disarmed her. She cautiously stepped inside, following Mikoto through the quiet corridors of the compound. When they reached the dining area, Hinata froze. Itachi and Sasuke were seated at the table, eating breakfast. Both brothers turned to look at her, their reactions vastly different.

Itachi raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Sasuke, I didn’t know you had a girlfriend.” Hinata’s face turned red instantly. She opened her mouth to deny it, but Sasuke scoffed, rolling his eyes.

“ She’s not my girlfriend,” he said plainly. “She likes Naruto.”

Itachi blinked, clearly amused. “I see.”

Hinata, still flustered, nodded quickly. “Y-Yes! Sasuke-kun and I are just friends…”

Mikoto watched the interaction with a knowing smile. “Why don’t you us for breakfast, Hinata?” Hinata hesitated, glancing at Sasuke, who just shrugged. Itachi had already gone back to eating as if nothing had happened. Slowly, she nodded and took a seat across from them. Mikoto placed a bowl in front of her, her voice soft yet firm. “Eat. You’re welcome here anytime.”

Hinata swallowed, touched by Mikoto’s warmth. She didn’t fully understand why Mikoto was being so kind, but in that moment, she felt something she rarely did—safe. Unbeknownst to her, Mikoto had her reasons. She was well aware of what Danzo and Hiashi had put Hinata through. She saw a younger herself in the girl—shy, quiet, underestimated, yet capable of great strength. And if Hinata had no real home to turn to, then at least here, in this house, she would always be welcome.

2 Days Later

Tenten, Naruto, and Sakura stood in Tsunade’s office, exchanging confused glances. They had no idea why they were called here and confusion was written all over their faces. They hadn’t been allowed to speak about their involvement in the Root investigation, so why were they being called in now? Tsunade leaned back in her chair, eyeing them seriously. “I’ve made a decision,” she said. “I’m forming my own team,” she said bluntly. The three Genin exchanged surprised glances.

Naruto perked up instantly. “Wait—your own team? Like… you’re gonna be a sensei?”

“ Exactly.”

Tenten furrowed her brows. “But… why us? Especially me…”

Tsunade sighed, folding her hands together. “Because out of all the Genin I’ve worked with, you three are the ones I trust the most. I’ve trained you in different ways, and I know what each of you is capable of.”

She glanced at Tenten first. “You’re a master of weapons and sealing techniques, and you have a strong tactical mind. You lack hesitation in battle, and your determination to improve is one of your greatest strengths.”

She turned to Naruto. “You have raw power, a never-give-up attitude, and unorthodox thinking that keeps opponents guessing. You’re also learning the Rasengan and perfecting Flying Raijin. That kind of versatility is invaluable.”

Then, she looked at Sakura. “You’re a genjutsu prodigy, and your chakra control is second to none. You may not realize it yet, but you have the potential to be the smartest strategist of your generation.”

Sakura’s eyes widened slightly at the praise.

Tsunade leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk. “Individually, you’re strong. But together, you could be unstoppable. Especially since Naruto and Tenten are already used to working together on Team Asuma. You have balance—power, tactics, deception. Naruto, you’re constantly overlooked because of the Nine-Tails. Tenten, people ignore you because you don’t have a clan legacy backing you. Sakura, everyone assumes you’re weak because you aren’t from a prestigious bloodline. But all of you have already proven yourselves beyond what people think. And under me, you’re going to sur those expectations. I’ll refine your skills and teach you how to fight like a truly elite team.”

Naruto’s grin widened. “Heck yeah! I’m in!”

Tenten smirked. “Me too. If it means getting stronger, I won’t complain.”

” A new team under one of the Sannin? That was huge.”

“ What’s our first mission?” Sakura, still processing, but finally asked.

Tsunade’s smirk widened. “Training, of course. And trust me—it won’t be easy.”

Sakura hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Fine. But don’t hold back on the training.”

“ Oh, trust me, you’ll regret saying that soon enough.” Tsunade chuckled.

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