Ino / Kakashi's POV (Team Seven's Training Ground - Hidden Leaf Village)
Worse yet, Ino didn't push back Kakashi once, did not last half the time of even Naruto, nor did she do much of anything other than eat punches and cry out in pain unlike Neji.
Finally, it ended. Ino would've loved to listen to her new teammates kindly tear her apart, but she was so tired, and pain throbbed through her so loudly that she couldn't hear.
Not that it would matter. Ino had been thoroughly humbled and shown her proper place among her peers. She had always assumed that Clan Heir, with access to the resources and support she provided, was among the high level of her peers. But after seeing the supposed bottom and top of the barrel, she was behind them…
All Ino could do was pant as she awaited her next turn. Naruto had already gone again, somehow scrappily lasting another five minutes before he had nearly been choked out by a guillotine headlock.
Neji, seemingly determined to get revenge, had been just as determined as Naruto. And just like the blonde, he seemed to be using pure spite, grit, and pride to fight past his limits. Not that it seemed to be worth much against Kakashi.
'Damn it, did I really waste these last few years?' Ino asked herself. 'How didn't I realize I was so behind? Am I destined to be deadweight in Team Seven?'
"Ino," Naruto spoke between grunts of pain as he massaged his neck. "You alright over there? Seem down or something, ya know?"
Ino inwardly sighed at being discovered. She hadn't assumed Naruto would notice, let alone care. "Oh, no need to worry." She assured him half heartedly. "Just realizing how far I have to go."
"Eh, I think you did pretty well," Naruto replied bluntly.
Ino rolled her eyes at the attempt; while she appreciated the effort, she didn't need pandering. "I performed the worst out of us today."
"You did well at the testing, and when we rushed the bastard, you nearly caught him with that flower jutsu." Naruto pointed out with a smile. "That was pretty cool, by the way, flashy but deadly."
Ino offered a small, more genuine smile at the blonde. "Thank you. But I still have a long way to go…"
"My Ma always told me when I was younger, we're all different. Not only in looks and personalities but in strengths and weaknesses too. You might not be a hand-to-hand genius like Neji or a human punching bag like me, but there's much more we do than fight." Naruto refuted. "Besides, we all are here to learn; it would be lame if we had it all down already."
Ino rolled her eyes and playfully punched Naruto's shoulder. It was surprising the blonde could be comforting and caring like this. She had assumed he was always a loud and brash clown. But it seemed he was the big softy Shikamaru had told her he was. Attempting to cheer her up and managing it. "You're alright, Blondie," Ino said.
"Blondie?" Naruto said with a raised brow. "You're blonde too; how is that a good nickname?"
"Doesn't matter, for you, the blondest of the blondes. You make me seem less blonde by mere proximity." Ino joked. "At least I have brains to go with my beauty."
They were interrupted as a downed, furious Neji landed between them. The Hyuga scowled furiously at them both as he attempted to rise but failed.
"Can the two of you be silent?!" Neji roared incessed. Clearly, this spar had gone just as poorly as the one before, and now he was taking out the frustration on them. "It's impossible to focus on battle with you heedless fools babbling on!"
"Yeah, I heard you laughing during my own match." Naruto pointed out, flicking off Neji. "I return what's given."
"It's different; there is not a single world where that spar went well for you. In fact, neither of you could hope to ever be the best or even match our sensei, regardless of how much time has passed." Neji spat.
"I outlasted you in everything we did!" Naruto replied furiously.
"You are honored to be hit the most; what a prestigious title to gain! Then again, even you did more than Ino!" Neji joked as he shakily rose to his feet.
"Oh no!" Ino joined the fray, snapping her patience at the mention of her name. "I'm tired of this attitude problem from you!"
"Resenting your betters is the trait of the envious trash," Neji responded.
Naruto went to reply, but Ino covered her mouth as hatred fueled her following words. She wasn't proud of it now but had always loved drama and gossip. Such a habit led to more confrontation than most, and Ino had gained a sharp tongue to match it. "How fitting for you. Your clan treats you like trash, so you come here and project it on us. You mention "knowing one's place" and "accepting fate." Well, maybe look at yourself; by your logic, you are nothing more than a meek servant!" Ino roared.
There was silence in the training ground afterward. While Neji hadn't truly opened up to the three of them, his background was an open secret of the village. He was one of the unfortunate and infamous House branch members, having even harmed several members of the Main House in the past. This meant they all understood the personal slight Ino had just spat.
Neji himself seemed stunned for a moment. Shockingly, his anger and creased face relaxed as he locked eyes on her. She didn't see him move; she merely blinked and saw a fist fast approaching her face. However, another hand burst in front of her vision and caught the fist with ease. As Ino flinched, stepping back, and Neji locked eyes with Naruto, both were shocked as the blonde suddenly floored Neji with a punch thrown with his full weight.
Blood spurted from Neji's nose as he flew back, skidding along the ground from the force of the blow. He recovered and rolled to his feet, instantly launching himself back towards Naruto. Kakashi sighed, marching forward slowly.
Neji smashed a palm into Naruto's face, stunning him. Neji followed up with a left hook to his ribs and a spinning back-kick to send him stumbling back.
Ino was shocked at the sudden violence. Neji had truly intended to attack her, and Naruto had defended her without hesitation. She attempted to rise to her feet to aid Kakashi in stopping this but was too tired to do so.
Neji chased after the off-balance Naruto. The blonde offered a desperate straight kick, but Neji caught it and swept out Naruto's remaining leg. He attempted to raise his foot for an axe kick, but a powerful, wild kick from Naruto hit his knee, bowing him. The second knocked him on his back, allowing a reprieve from both as they clumsily climbed to their feet. They dashed in for each other. However, Kakashi appeared between both and smashed his fists atop Naruto and Neji's heads, grounding them instantly.
"That's enough, boys," Kakashi chirped. "Neji and I obviously need to have a chat. And I understand defending a teammate, Naruto, but picking a fight with another is not ideal either. That being said, clearly this one-" Kakashi stopped speaking to somehow pick up a struggling Neji. "Is the main problem. You two help each other home while I handle this. That being said, this is the first official meeting of Team Seven over." His piece said Kakashi poofed away with an angry muttering Neji in tow.
The exhausted and beat-up blondes matched eyes and shared a tired laugh.
"Long first day, aye?" Naruto asked with a shit-eating grin.
Ino only shook her head. "Help carry me home, Blondie, I've had enough of you today." She joked. Honestly, after today, was pleased that Naruto was her teammate.
X-X
Kakashi's POV
Kakashi and Neji appeared, landing in a tree some distance from the others. Neji quickly climbed to his feet, attempting to leave. But he tripped and fell as a rope suddenly wrapped around his ankle, leaving him bound upside down from the branch. Neji swelled with embarrassment and immediately raised his upper body to free himself. This left him open to a second rope attack that quickly bound his arms to his sides, leaving the angry prodigy effectively helpless, hanging upside down.
"Sorry about that, ne," Kakashi said, his voice casual yet with an unmistakable edge to it. "I figured you might try something foolish. And just happened to want to try out my rope Ninjutsu."
This whole situation felt familiar: the proud genius and heartful loudmouth clashing. One of the two is more guilty than the other. In his day with Obito, Minato mainly left it to them to mediate; Ren had been helpful then. But Kakashi would attempt to do that himself here and now. There is no need to remake the mistakes of the past.
"Free me now! Jounin or not, you can't treat me like this!" Neji screamed, his composure completely shattered.
"Firstly, whether you like it or not, you are now my subordinate. If I consider you insubordinate, your career will end early at my earliest word. Maybe I am a mere Jounin, but you'll find few as well-tapped in as I. Secondly, team dynamics can be difficult, but neither Ino nor Naruto has done something truly worthy of your ire. Yet, especially with Naruto, you seemed determined to pick a fight with them all day. Keep at it, and you'll get your wish. I find myself certain Naruto will prove to be a better match than you think." Neji scoffed at that. "Thirdly and most importantly, though. I will not allow you to treat your teammates this way. They may not have your combat prowess. But both of them have inherent use. Ino's clan allows her unique skills for information gathering, ambushes, and more subtle aspects of kunoichi life. Naruto has a unique versatility with his shadow clones, information, backup, manual labor, human shields, and even literal bombs. Together, you all should be able to tackle any mission that comes your way. But only as a cohesive team. I don't care how skilled you are; I won't tolerate a selfish shinobi rising from our ranks. Certainly won't offer my sage training to one of my own team either. Unless I see your effort, I'll have you demoted." The Cyclops lectured.
A sigh could be heard from the restrained Hyuga. Some of his tension has faded from Kakashi's speech. "I know there's wisdom in your words. I am being incredibly unfair towards them. I admit this to be true. The woman I find easier to forgive, at least she knows her inadequacy and place. But Naruto? He pushes for the very top. The very apex of the shinobi world. I've heard of his goal and determination; he seeks to become a Hokage… He stands firm despite his mediocrity, lack of talent, and even my confrontations! Seemingly intending to defy the fate of one like him." The young man's voice seemed drained at this.
Kakashi felt a spike of anger toward Neji. But with years of experience, he worked to keep himself calm. His voice, much smoother and more relaxed than his mind, showed his maturity and control. He would need to hear Neji out if he hoped to sway him.
"There's no doubt he's a hard worker. He's friendly and personable. His desire to succeed and his refusal to quit can even be inspiring. But it's his ignorance that wounds me. He has yet to learn that fate is a burden we all carry. That we cannot escape the boxes we were placed in. Merely try to accept the meager future ahead." Neji's voice carried the weight of his struggle, his words resonating with the Jounin.