Naruto: The new beginning

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"No, no, I just brought them to Gai-sensei," Naruto denied Tenten's wild guess, then asked, "Why are you the only one here today?"

"Don't get me started," Tenten replied with a dejected expression. "Yesterday, our team had a dinner party. Everything was fine until Gai-sensei and Lee got too excited. But then… Lee accidentally drank a cup of Gai-sensei's sake…"

Naruto winced, recalling Lee's infamous drinking problem. "Oh no, Drunken Fist Lee? That's bad. His alcohol tolerance is so terrible that he could get drunk from eating boozy chocolates."

"Exactly!" Tenten sighed, collapsing onto a nearby bench. "He went on a drunken rampage. Neji and Gai-sensei barely managed to stop him, but by then, the entire restaurant was nearly destroyed!"

"Couldn't you just apologize and pay for the damages?" Naruto asked, puzzled. "You're pretty well-off, right? Covering your teammates shouldn't be that big of a deal."

"Normally, yes," Tenten groaned, clutching her signature bun hair. "But my teacher is… not normal. Gai-sensei said that as men of honour, Lee and Neji must take responsibility for their actions properly. Paying money isn't enough. They have to work at the restaurant to make up for the damages."

Naruto blinked. "Knowing Gai-sensei, he's probably making them work ten times harder than necessary, isn't he?"

"Exactly!" Tenten exclaimed, throwing her hands up. "He's determined to have them work all day and take on the workload of ten people. I, on the other hand, am not a man, so I don't have to join them in their insanity! I just feel a little bad for Neji, though."

"Alright, where's the shop?" Naruto asked, adjusting the three unconscious figures he was carrying on his shoulders. "I'll send some extra help."

"It's the shop right next to Ichiraku Ramen," Tenten said. "Speaking of which, it's lucky for the Ichiraku owner that Lee didn't destroy their place. He broke through a wall, but that section is due for demolition soon anyway."

Naruto shuddered at the thought of Lee's destructive power, then turned to leave. "Thanks for the info!"

"Wait!" Tenten called after him. "Naruto, you're pretty good at the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, right? Can you teach me a little about it?"

Naruto perked up. "Flying Thunder God? Sure, I can help. Where are you in your training?"

Tenten pulled out a kunai and showed it to him. "I've only just learned how to inscribe the markings. I even customized these kunai for it, but I haven't been able to use the technique yet."

Naruto examined the kunai, raising an eyebrow at the black insignia etched onto it. "Why does the mark look like a… steamed bun?"

Tenten blushed. "I… uh… came up with the idea while eating buns. I thought it was silly, but Lady Tsunade said not to change it, so here we are."

Naruto snickered internally but decided to play it cool. "Alright, I get it. Do you want me to show you how it feels to use the Flying Thunder God Jutsu?"

Tenten's eyes lit up. "Really? That would be amazing! Thank you!"

Naruto created a shadow clone, gave her a thumbs-up, and said, "Let's get started!"

Tenten flinched at the gesture, clutching her chest. "Don't do that pose casually! It reminds me too much of Gai-sensei and Lee!"

As Naruto walked away, the clone transformed into Naruko and said in a cheerful tone, "Alright, let's begin!"

Tenten gawked. "Why did you turn into a girl? And how did you end up so beautiful with such a perfect figure? Wait, why are you still wearing men's clothes!?"

Naruko tugged at her shirt, which was slightly too tight, and replied, "I thought it would be fun. You can call me Naruko now!"

Tenten sighed. "Your clones are so weird. Can we just get to the training already?"

"Sure thing!" Naruko chirped.

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Meanwhile, at the restaurant, Naruto found Gai-sensei and Lee hard at work. Standing at the entrance, he saw the two of them scrubbing the floor with such intensity that it gleamed like a mirror.

"Lee! Put your youth into it! Scrub harder ten more times!"

"Yes, Gai-sensei!"

Naruto sweat-dropped at the sight. The floor was already so clean it could blind someone with its reflection. Even flies would slip on it.

"Gai-sensei!" Naruto called out.

Gai noticed him and turned, his teeth sparkling. "Naruto! Have you come to train with us?"

"Not exactly," Naruto replied, setting the three unconscious figures down. "I brought you some helpers. They passed out sparring in front of my house."

Gai inspected them closely, then nodded. "Wonderful! These disciples of mine need more training in youth! Thank you, Naruto!"

As Gai woke the trio with his infamous enthusiasm, Naruto slipped away with a satisfied smile. I really am a great person, he thought.

Back at the ramen shop, Neji glared at the five energetic new recruits and grumbled under his breath. "Naruto… Uzumaki… you'll pay for this…"

Unbeknownst to him, Kimimaro, at the bakery, accidentally shattered a cup at the mention of Naruto's name. Both Neji and Kimimaro thought the same thing:

"Naruto Uzumaki! You will pay!"

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