Chapter I

It was a bright and sunny day, only some clouds in the sky. Villagers all around town were talking, doing business, and various other things. I was enjoying the day... in class but it's not a boring class, mind you. I'm a student at the Ninja Academy in my home village The Village Hidden in the Leafs. My name is Ziuma Sarutobi and I'm 12 years old. And this is my life as a Shinobi.

Suddenly the classroom door flew open and a yellow, spiky haired kid was thrown into the classroom, tied up. It's my friend, Naruto Uzamaki. I smiled to myself, thinking 'Wow I can't believe he got caught, Iruka must be pissed'.

Our Sensei Iruka Umino walked in, angry at Naruto for skipping class.

"I'm at the end of my rope, Naruto" Iruka sounding disappointed in him."You failed the graduation test last time, and the time before that. Tomorrow you have another chance and you're messing up again."

Naruto huffed and turned his head having an attitude. Sensei looked like he was about to blow a fuse, and then he look and pointed at the class "Fine, because you missed it, Naruto, everyone will have to review the Transformation Jutsu."

Everyone in the class groaned expect me, I chuckled to myself. To me the Transformation Jutsu was a piece of cake.

We all lined up in front of the class. Iruka Sensei leaned against his desk and asked us to step forward when we are called upon, and do the Transformation Jutsu. It was my turn, after me it was Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, and then Naruto.

"Ziuma Sarutobi." Iruka called me. I stepped forth and made the Tiger hand sign, and in a puff of smoke, transformed into 3rd Hokage. Iruka smiled looking impressed "The 3rd Hokage! Very good Ziuma."

I transformed back and got back in line. Iruka then called Sakura Haruno, who stepped forward and spoke "Sakura Haruno here! Ok, let's do it." She transformed into Iruka, and he smiled "Transformed into me, good."

Then she ended the Jutsu and cheered a little "Hey Sasuke did you see that?" Sasuke did not answer. Iruka called Sasuke up next, he walked up and Transformed into Iruka "Good."

Iruka replied as Sasuke ended the Jutsu and Naruto was called afterwards. Shikamaru Nara spoke feeling really annoyed "This is a total waste of time, Naruto." Ino Yamanaka spoke right after him with the same attitude as Shikamaru "Yeah we always pay for your screw ups."

"Like I care." Naruto responded getting tired of everyone complaining, as he stepped forward. I tried to give him some encouragement "You can do it, Naruto this is nothing." I smiled at him and it put a bit of a smile on his face. I looked left and saw Hinata Hyuuga blushing a little and pushing her index fingers together.

"Transform!" Naruto yelled as he began to build chakra, in a puff of smoke he transformed into a beautiful woman doing a sexy pose and then winked at Iruka Sensei. He was completely taken by surprise. I looked completely calm on the outside but inside I was laughing so hard it took every ounce of energy I had not to roll around on the ground, Naruto ended the Jutsu smiling and point at Iruka while laughing

"Got you, that's my Sexy Jutsu." Iruka recovered quickly and shouted at Naruto "Cut the stupid tricks, this is your last warning!" Seeing Iruka Sensei shout at Naruto made me laugh and happy. Before, Iruka didn't really care about Naruto but to see him yell at him like this showed how much he cares.

After class ended I saw Iruka grab Naruto so I decided to follow them. They went to the Stone Faces and I saw what Naruto did and I was impressed. I then heard Iruka talking, so I got closer to hear but stayed out of sight. "You are cleaning up all this graffiti, understood?" Iruka looked at Naruto still not believing Naruto did this.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I got it..." Naruto huffed as he grabbed the bucket of water and rag. I walked up to them "Hey, you want some help?" I offered smiling. Naruto face lit up "Yeah I could use a hand!" smiling.

After a few hours Naruto smile faded and he started to groan and mutter under his breath."You're not going home 'til you clean every drop of paint." Iruka reminded him. Naruto stopped for a moment and responded "It's not like I have anyone waiting for me back home..."

He starts washing again and what he said got me thinking.

Why the other villagers do treated Naruto so coldly, even before he pulled pranks like these? They treat him badly. Why do they do that? Look at him with ice cold stare, like they just hate him.

"Hey, Ziuma, Hey!" Naruto yelling knocked out of my deep thought

"Oh, yeah, what is it Naruto?" I started to scratch the back of my head like I just got caught sleeping in class, which happens a lot. Naruto chuckled at how I was acting "Iruka said he was going to take us to get some Ichiraku Ramen when we finished up."

He was smiling really hard when he told me that. He loved eating ramen. Even the instant kind! It was frankly amazing how much ramen he ate. "Sounds good, let's get this work done then, so we can eat!"

Naruto kept his smile and replied "Yeah!"

Later that night, at Ichiraku Ramen, Iruka, Naruto, and I were sitting at the bar eating ramen. As I finished most of my ramen I heard Iruka and Naruto start talking. Iruka asked why did Naruto draw all over the hokage face and then asked him if he knew who the hokage are.

"Yes of course I do." He replied, answering the second question first, then finishing his ramen "Everybody knows they were the greatest shinobi of their time, right? The best of the best, the undefeated ninja champs… and the Fourth Hokage was the one who saved the village from the Nine Tailed Fox. He was the most amazing." when Naruto finished, I began to think about my dad. He also fought the Nine Tails during that time.

"Then why did you…" Iruka began to repeat his question when Naruto cut him off "Because I'm going to be greater than all of them. Me, Naruto, the next Hokage, a ninja legend! Then everyone will have to stop disrespecting me and look up to me. Believe It!" Naruto ended that statement with a raised fist.

I could see the fire in his eyes, he was serious. Iruka, however, was stunned.

I had finished my bowl of ramen, and left without telling them. I wanted to be alone so I started heading home. While walking home, I began to think about my future.

Wonder what I should do "Maybe I should talk to dad or bro about it… No, I'm sure they're busy... Oh well, I'm sure things will work out."

I said to myself as I approached the house, walked inside, took off my tabi, and sat them by the door near the others.

'Wow dad and bro are home? That is strange...' I thought to myself as I went into the living room.

"Welcome home, son."I see my father Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage sitting at the table, relaxing. Well, sort of, he was looking through some scrolls.

I also see my big brother, Asuma Sarutobi, lying on his back. "I hear the graduation test is tomorrow, you think you are going to pass this time?" Asuma snickers.

"Now, now, Asuma, don't laugh, I'm sure he will pass. He has improved in the past 2 years." Father told him smiling.

"If you say so... you know what? I will treat us all to barbecue if he passes. "

Dad and I smiled "Well get that wallet ready for tomorrow, because you are going to be seeing the leaf village headband across my head!" I said, grinning with confidence.

"Good, son, keep that confidence. I know you will do great. I have faith in you." He smiled at me. "Now you better head off to bed. You don't want to be tired tomorrow." Father said while grinning, taking the scrolls to his study. "Goodnight." he told us before closing the door to his study.

"Mm well I'm heading to bed, night, Ziuma, and good luck tomorrow." he headed off to bed.

I got up and headed for bed as well. I climbed into bed and drifted off to sleep, hoping I would pass my graduation test tomorrow.