Tradition dictates that the children of the Yamanaka, Nara and Akimichi clans are placed together whenever they are available, forming new generations of the powerful Ino-Shika-Chou combination. However, as their teacher, Iruka can't help but wonder whether that's actually what's best for this particular crop. As the formations are finalized, he sighs to himself... and his comment catches the Sandaime's ear. Called upon to explain himself, he shares his concerns... and coordinates with his leader to create some alternatives.
So opens Yana's
The Echo Remains, But The Song Is Not The Same. Rather than retaining the canonical placements, the story switches up the team assignments:
- Team Seven contains Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and Nara Shikamaru, working under Kakashi.
- Team Eight holds Hyuuga Hinata, Haruno Sakura, and Akimichi Chouji, assigned to Asuma's care.
- Team Ten consists of Yamanaka Ino, Inuzuka Kiba, and Aburame Shino, with Kurenai as their teacher.
This fanfic includes examples of:
- Adaptational Angst Upgrade:
- Far more focus is placed upon Naruto grappling with the notion that he's actually a monster after Mizuki revealed his connection to the Nine-Tailed Fox, along with his Stepford Smiler efforts to endure the constant isolation and abuse he receives from most of the village.
- Asuma swiftly realizes that he was assigned to Team Eight as a political power play: as long as he's serving as Hinata's teacher, the Hyuuga clan is somewhat more limited in the range of abuse they can inflict upon her. He's utterly furious with his father for using him this way, while simultaneously feeling trapped.
- Related to the above, Hinata lost her status as the clan heiress shortly before graduating, and lives in fear of being booted into the branch house and having the Caged Bird seal tattooed on her forehead. She also struggles with feeling guilty over wanting to avoid her home as much as possible, knowing that leaves Hanabi by herself.
- Tsume becomes an Abusive Parent to Kiba, who's terrified of her to the point that he's been secretly stockpiling supplies in case he ever needs to run away from home.
- Ino's mother passed away when she was little, and she's not fond of her stepmother.
- Adaptation Personality Change:
- Kurenai is given a more sadistic streak, as the author declares that one would have to be a little sadistic in order to specialize in genjutsu. She's also far harsher upon Team Ten, and deliberately 'spices up' simple missions with extra tests.
- Shikamaru's temper is sharpened and honed by his frustration over how the villagers keep mistreating Naruto, something his father attributes to partially inheriting it from his mother alongside Naruto's influence.
- Adaptational Sexuality: According to the tags and the author's note at the start, Shikamaru and Naruto will eventually be a couple.
- Adaptational Wimp:
- Played With; Shikamaru suffers from Power Incontinence due to his connection with the shadows being too strong.
- Sasuke struggles with his fire-based techniques to a much greater extent than his canon counterpart. Privately, he believes part of the reason for this is that he'd seen many of his clansmen with burn scars.
- Adults Are Useless: Played for Drama with how the Sandaime and other adults refuse to step in and defend Naruto against the villagers isolating and abusing him, eroding Shikamaru's faith in others to do the right thing.
- Armor-Piercing Question:
- Chouji hits Sakura with several of these when she attempts to explain why so many girls are competing for Sasuke's attention, wondering why they're "starving themselves to be thinner" and being cruel to each other in hopes of getting the attention of somebody who's mean to all of them.
- Kakashi clearly doesn't know how to answer Sasuke when he asks "If that's true. That people learn from their mistakes. Then why is history a circle?" Naruto ends up laughing at their teacher's confused efforts to counter that point.
- Awesomeness by Analysis:
- Chouji is much more observant than others realize, something he demonstrates during Team Eight's first meeting by casually outing Sakura and Hinata's respective crushes when Asuma teasingly asks if there's any boys they like.
- Zabuza reveals himself to have a surprising knack for this, as he explains to Kakashi how he realized that Mizukage Yagura was being controlled by somebody with a Sharingan.
- Big Damn Heroes:
- Chouji and Sakura intervene when Hinata is kidnapped, buying enough time for Asuma to pull one off.
- During the Mission to Wave, backup arrives in the form of Tenzou and six other ANBU just in the nick of time.
- Both Sides Have a Point: Hiruzen and Shikaku aren't wrong about how Shikamaru needs to learn how to deal with unpleasant clients without defaulting to insults and escalating hostilities. But that doesn't change Shikamaru's point about how unfairly Naruto is being treated, or that somebody needs to defend his friend from the rampant abuse.
- Conditioned to Accept Horror:
- Naruto is used to being an outcast, and thanks to Mizuki, believes that he deserves it for 'being a monster'.
- Hinata blames herself for the abuse she's suffered at the hands of her father, family and clan, believing it's all due to her 'weakness'.
- Cynicism Catalyst: While Shikamaru wasn't exactly a Wide-Eyed Idealist before, seeing how callously and cruelly most Konohans treat Naruto, coupled with how nobody else seems willing to step up and defend him, makes his Deadpan Snarkery grow into more pointed call-outs. Having the Sandaime and his own father treat him as the issue only makes matters worse.
- Dating What Daddy Hates: Part of the reason why Asuma and Kurenai have to keep their relationship under the radar is because of the scrutiny she'd face for dating a Sarutobi. Asuma is also convinced that his father doesn't approve of Kurenai. Hiruzen actually likes her Brutal Honesty.
- Deconstruction Fic: Typically, somebody defending Naruto from the abusive villagers is praised for protecting their friend. Here, Shikamaru's efforts run into several complications:
- Insulting the abusers doesn't shame them into stopping; they just get angrier and nastier. It's Shikamaru who gets into trouble instead, told that he should shut up and endure their cruelty, especially when the villagers start filing fewer D-Ranks because none of them want to deal with Team Seven. As far as the Sandaime is concerned, correcting one person's behavior is easier than trying to rein in most of the village.
- Shikamaru also grows used to snapping back, loosening his tongue to the point that he reflexively goes on the attack at the slightest hint of anyone insulting Naruto, often making matters worse in the process.
- Driven to Suicide: Discussed; after his return from the Land of Waves, Yoshino explains to her son that one of the reasons why she retired is because she saw too many of her fellow shinobi break under the strain of war and take their own lives. This is also why she encourages him to let his emotions out rather than bottling everything up.
- Eye Scream: In a Moment of Weakness, Hinata nearly gouges out her own eyes so that they can't be stolen. Fortunately, Chouji stops her.
- Failed a Spot Check: When Team Eight helps an elderly couple move into a smaller apartment, one of them remarks that their children don't live with them anymore. Sakura nearly asks what happened, but Chouji stops her, silently indicating a memorial alter that she'd missed.
- For Want Of A Nail:
- A stray comment from Iruka catches Hiruzen's attention while they're sorting out the teams, and he convinces the Sandaime to rearrange them. Though it's eventually revealed that he had other reasons for making this move; namely keeping all three members of Team Seven out of Danzo's clutches.
- Hiruzen learns that Hiashi stripped Hinata of her heiress status right before her graduation, spurring him to put Asuma in charge of her team as a protective measure.
- Shikaku speculates that his son inherited some of Yoshino's temper and stubborness, and that being on Team Seven alongside Naruto and Sasuke is bringing out that aspect far more than it would have otherwise, especially since he's witnessing firsthand how cruel Konohagakure's citizens can be.
- The Hyuuga Incident had slightly different fallout, as the Raikage was not in on the plan (or at least claimed not to be) and banished the conspirators as traitors, spurring them to make another attempt as missing-nin years later.
- The Wave Mission concludes with backup arriving from Konoha, including Tenzou, and the Mizukage himself arriving with his own ANBU to execute Zabuza.
- Forced to Watch: During the denouncement of the Wave Mission, Haku can only watch as Zabuza is beheaded and torched to ashes by the Mizukage and Kiri ANBU.
- Gone Horribly Right: One of the main reasons Iruka wanted to put Shikamaru on the same team as Naruto was so he'd have a friend in his corner. This works a little too well; once Shikamaru sees the extent of the abuse Naruto gets from most of Konoha, he becomes a staunch, stubbornly outspoken defender... which puts a severe strain on the whole village, especially when villagers stop submitting as many D-Ranks, not wanting to risk Team Seven taking them.
- His Story Repeats Itself:
- The Hyuuga Incident involved Kumo-nin attempting to kidnap Hinata right out of her own home while celebrating a peace treaty. Years later, another attempt is made during an otherwise peaceful mission.
- Haku witnessed his mother's death at his father's hands, spurring him to kill his father in response. In Wave, he witnesses Zabuza's death, and laments his inability to avenge him in the same fashion.
- History Repeats: Discussed by Team Seven while returning from their mission to Wave; when Kakashi asserts that bad things have to happen so that future generations can learn from their mistakes, Sasuke counters by asking why history is a circle. Kakashi fumbles, trying in vain to salvage his point.
- I Am a Monster: Naruto fears that Mizuki was right, and that he's really nothing more than a monster in human guise.
- Innocently Insensitive: While visiting the Nara clan compound for the first time, Naruto gushes about how lively the place is and asks how many people live there. He does this while standing right next to Sasuke, only realizing his mistake when he glances over and sees his teammate mutely staring at his feet.
- Internal Reveal:
- Late into the Wave Mission, Zabuza reveals to Kakashi why he turned against the Mizukage; in the process, he causes Shikamaru to realize that Sasuke wants to resurrect his clan after they were nearly wiped out, just what a jinchuuriki is, and that Naruto is one.
- Following their second C-Rank mission, Team Eight learns about the Caged Bird seal, and the Sadistic Choice hanging over Hinata's head as a result.
- After the Wave Mission concludes, Sasuke tells his teammates that Itachi killed his family.
- It's All My Fault: Thanks to her abusive family, Hinata tends to blame herself for everything that goes wrong. After her team's second C-Rank, this includes blaming herself for not requesting that they seal her eyes with the Caged Bird, leaving her as a tempting target for would-be kidnappers.
- Jaw Drop:
- Shikamaru feels his drop upon hearing his name called after Naruto and Sasuke.
- He does this again when hearing Zabuza's conversation with Kakashi enables him to put together the pieces and realize that the Nine-Tailed Beast is sealed inside of Naruto.
- Men Don't Cry: Averted and Deconstructed. Yoshino encourages Shikamaru to cry and express his emotions freely, explaining that everyone has moments of weakness and trying to bottle up everything just leads to people breaking.
- Motive Rant: After kidnapping Hinata, Iyana gives one about how he desires revenge upon not just Konoha, but the Raikage for expelling him from Kumogakure in the wake of the failed abduction attempt.
- Mundane Utility: The Byakugan proves quite useful during an ornithological mission to take stock of the local population of the rare azure bee-eater, letting Team Eight count heads and nests without disturbing the birds.
- No Social Skills: Since Shikamaru was his Only Friend for a long time, Chouji's unaware of certain social rules. Such as when Asuma teasingly asks the girls on Team Eight if there's any boys they like, and he casually answers for them, not understanding why Sakura insists that was meant to be secret.
- Off with His Head!: The fate of Momochi Zabuza, at the climax of the Wave Mission.
- O.C. Stand-in: Sarutobi Mikan provides a name and identity for Asuma's sibling/Konohamaru's parent. In this case, his mother, who is seven years older than Asuma and a member of ANBU, serving as The Dutiful Daughter to contrast her brother.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business:
- During an argument over how Naruto's been mistreated, Shikamaru is taken aback when his father raises his voice and slams his fist into the table, leaving him afraid of Shikaku for the first time in his life.
- Shikaku is similarly harsh with his son after learning about his chakra leakage, due to Anger Born of Worry — left unaddressed, such issues could result in the shadows greedily turning upon the Nara and swallowing them up whole.
- Poor Communication Kills:
- Thanks to Hiruzen's orders, Shikaku can't explain to his son just why the villagers treat Naruto so poorly or help him understand why nobody seems to care enough to intervene on Naruto's behalf, leaving Shikamaru increasingly frustrated and straining their relationship.
- Problems like Shikamaru's issues with chakra leakage are normally detected and dealt with in the Academy; however, the problem isn't brought to anyone's attention until Shikamaru finds himself struggling with tree-walking. His father berates him for ignoring his training and not getting this addressed sooner. Shikamaru is unaware of why this bothers his father so much — namely that for the Nara, this can be especially life-threatening.
- Asuma is not warned about the Hyuuga receiving a death threat, with Hinata nearly paying the price for that oversight. On top of this, Hiruzen is reluctant to reveal to his son that somebody else was responsible for the miscommunication, signing off on their mission without his knowledge.
- Zabuza notes the stupidity of Kakashi and Konoha choosing to keep Naruto Locked Out of the Loop regarding the Nine-Tails, leaving the boy completely unprepared for when he taps into its powers for the first time.
- Power Incontinence: Shikamaru's chakra control wavers and fails him during their tree-walking lessons, leading to the discovery that he's developed a problem with chakra leakage, suggesting his connection to the shadows is a little too strong and they're leeching away more energy than they should.
- Red Eyes, Take Warning: Kakashi himself is petrified by the glint of red he sees in the Mizukaze's eyes.
- Sand In My Eyes: Naruto tries to hide how he's crying over his first experience with a home-cooked meal by claiming the steam got into his eyes.
- Scars Are Forever: Downplayed; Sasuke comes away from the Wave Mission with some minor burn scarring on his fingertips. He recognizes how fortunate he was to have gotten off lightly, privately musing that the scars he'd seen on some of the other Uchihas might factor into his own struggles to master fire-based techniques.
- Spared by the Adaptation: Poor Haku survives the events in Wave.
- Supreme Chef: A Running Gag with Team Eight is Chouji effusively praising Hinata's cooking while begging her not to let his mother know how much he enjoys it. As his mother is an incredible chef herself, but he thinks Hinata is even better.
- Team Member in the Adaptation: Switches Shikamaru into Team Seven in Sakura's place, has Asuma heading Team Eight instead of Kurenai, and rearranges most of the other students accordingly.
- Tempting Fate: When Naruto groans upon hearing he's been placed with Sasuke, Shikamaru silently empathizes, thinking about how he wouldn't want to be on the same team with someone as arrogant as the Uchiha. He hasn't even completed the thought before his own name is called.
- This Is Gonna Suck: When Mebuki warns her daughter that the Hane woods are filled with insects around that time of year, Sakura shudders with revulsion.
- Title Drop: A partial one happens shortly before the Wave Mission begins:Hiruzen: I promised Itachi to look after Sasuke, and you were there when I promised Kushina the same with her own son.
Shikaku: But the echo remains.
Hiruzen: (smiling sadly) The echo remains. - Traumatic Superpower Awakening: During the Wave Mission, Shikamaru's desperation to protect his teammates manifests in the form of his freezing Haku in his tracks by grabbing onto his shadow bare-handed, without consciously activating the shadowbind or any other jutsu.
- Unsatisfiable Customer: Played for Drama; Many of the villagers whom Team Seven tries to complete D-Rank missions for prove to be unsatisfiable because they aren't happy about Naruto's presence. Shikamaru snarking back at them only amplifies the problem.
- What the Hell, Hero?:
- Shikaku accuses Shikamaru of slacking off on his training to the point that he developed a problem with chakra leakage.
- Asuma confronts his father over his failure to warn his son or Team Eight about Kumo-nin sending death threats to the Hyuuga before their second C-Rank mission.
- Zabuza combines this with Casual Danger Dialogue when he asks Kakashi if he taught Naruto how to handle the Nine-Tails' power. When Kakashi simply tells him to shut up, Zabuza just shakes his head.Zabuza: I knew Konoha was losing its former glory, but to not tame their own Jinchuuriki? Wait until your enemies find out.
