Hey everyone. I bet you're oh so shocked that I am doing another fic right? Well anyway, I hope it can be successful with three of my other fics, them being Uzumaki Devil, Naruto DxD and Naruto Uzumaki the rising ninja. Sadly my Naruto: the path of a hero isn't as big as the above three mentioned, but I don't mind that at all. So anyway, what is "Ninja" exactly? Well Ninja is all about a story where Naruto isn't related to anyone powerful OR to any ninja clan. Yep, that's right. A civilian bred Naruto with no outstanding or super gifts, aside from a somewhat strong healing factor as I want to avoid too many hospital scenes. Now, this doesn't mean he is weak by any regards, in fact I plan to make him quite powerful, showing that while ninja's from clans are nearly always strong, anyone could be strong no matter what lineage they are from.

Anyway, this Naruto will also not have 4-5 elemental affinities, just three, and that's because I like the idea of having three elements and all. This Naruto will also not be trained by the well "known" jonin in the village, by that I mean one's that are spoken about a lot like Kakashi etc.

Also, this Naruto will have skills in every subject, but he won't learn everything within days unless it's possible. For example, he won't learn ninjutsu in hours, instead, it might take days. Same going for learning say fuinjutsu and medical jutsu.

Either way, I hope you all enjoy the story I am putting up and I hope you all go along with the idea. Anyway, like my other stories, if you have any questions feel free to ask them on the review section. NarutoNega out!

"Speaking"

"Thinking"

"Summons/ bijuu speaking"

"Summons/ bijuu thinking"

"Fire release: Great fireball technique"

Don't own Naruto.

It's been only three weeks in as genin and I watched as my team, or better yet my teammates, leave our squad… Man did it suck being the only genin left in a squad that was supposed to stick together for years… But there was a saving grace, and that was my sensei deciding to take me on as an official apprentice. Sure there were probably more suitable students he could have taken on, but I am glad he had chosen me. All it meant was that I wasn't going back to the academy after graduating and all my effort that had been pushed into team exercises hadn't been for a waste at the end of the day.

Looking back to it, I couldn't help but release a small sigh of sadness as I watched my two teammates Kijo and Akusi leave the team "because it was too hard" or "this is lame, I thought ninja's were supposed to do cool things", their words not mine.

But when I had seen that they decided to throw in the towel, I was sure that I was going to either be put on the reserves or sent back to the academy to wait another year before gaining another team. However, it seemed that I hadn't given my sensei enough credit as he decided to take me on as an apprentice when my teammates gave up.

It was for the best if I could say so myself. Under my teacher's guidance, I had managed to learn many things, including somethings that only chunin and some jonin had gotten to learn.

An example for this is elemental manipulation. Something that even my sensei said he wasn't all too sure if I was ready or enough for it or not.

I had managed to get him to agree to train me when I had trained three days straight to prove that I was worth the effort. Wasn't the brightest idea as I spent two days recovering a weeks' worth of fatigue and muscle damage.

I sure didn't get off lightly when my sensei appeared in my hospital room and berated me for over doing it. But I did get to learn elemental manipulation… Or still am I guess. I only have mastered the basic step for only two of my elements.

That's right. ONLY two mastered. Yep you guessed it, I have one more affinity… And it just became a massive pain in my ass as I tried days upon days to complete the exercise.

Sadly, I had to slow down on completing the elemental manipulation part when my sensei told me about the upcoming chunin exams soon to be taking place in a few months.

And it's for that reason why I am standing in front of the village leader, along with my sensei, trying to prove why I am worthy enough to attend it, even if I have to go in it alone.

The yondaime hokage could only look towards the genin in front of him with a narrowed stare.

It had come to him as a surprise when at the end of the graduation exams that there was four teams that had successfully passed their genin exams and had begun mission's together under the guidance of a jonin-sensei.

Now, the reason as to why he was surprised that there was four teams that had graduated was because one of the teams had been a squad full of civilian students, who usually never get the chance to become shinobi's/Genin's as they simply lacked the skills necessary enough to graduate and pass the genin exam set by the jonin instructors.

However, when he heard team 6's pass, the hokage couldn't help but give a happy smile knowing that he gained a new squad he could rely on… Until about three weeks into being accepted as a genin team before two of the members decided that the ninja life wasn't what they were expecting and hoping for.

And because of that, they left only a solo member along with the sensei, who, had decided to take the lone genin to become his apprentice in a similar way to that of jiraiya had done to him when his team had also given up after a few weeks.

Now that allowed him to synthesise slightly with the genin in front of him, but even with that in mind he wasn't sure if the child would be able to take on the chunin exams without a team to support him in his endeavour of become a chunin. However, he did take into the consideration of the fact that his sensei was a previously trusted anbu who decided to retire a few months prior to the academy graduation, which was a blessing in disguise as it would seem as the jonin had something else to do instead of the regular missions he had been getting.

Releasing a sigh, the yondaime hokage couldn't help but take a glance towards the jonin instructor who had short brown hair with black almond shaped eyes.

The jonin wasn't well known to those outside of konoha, something that he was glad for, but he was well known within the Anbu force as he had a near perfect mission success record during his time within Anbu.

And that is what made the jonin a very good one. He wasn't known to those outside of Anbu and is only thought of as a simple jonin.

"Tenzo" Murmured Minato as he looked towards the jonin with a hard stare, only nodding towards in respect slightly as he saw the man not even flinch when he had his gaze onto him before turning his attention to the genin towards him.

The genin stood at a good five feet tall with shoulder length spiky black hair and crimson eyes with a similar appearance to that of his own when he was a child, something that amused him as he would get an off comment from someone saying "did you have another child hokage-sama?" or "That young man could only be related to you."

Now, while he knows that it was bad for the kid to have so many people think he was related to him, he couldn't help but imagine that if the child had shorter blond hair and blue eyes, he would be a mirror image of him as when he was a child.

That single little thought and image only made the fourth smile a bit as the teen stood and faced him without any hint of fear showing within his eyes as his own blue eyes connected with his crimson ones.

That also reminded him of himself at the young age of thirteen as he too had similar eyes in regards to his passion and determination.

Yes, the child in front of him was like a mirror image of him with only a few minor differences.

However, getting back to the subject in hand, Minato couldn't help but look at the black spiky haired teen as he stood with a make shift konoha chunin attire. Or well what appeared to be one as he also had a similar appearance to that of his sensei that being a flat jacket over a long sleeve shirt and pants, which were then neatly tucked into his shinobi sandals.

He also seemed to have a skill with both kunai and shuriken's as he had two pouches on both sides of his back pockets along with his left and right thighs.

But the main difference about the attire was mainly the colouring, that being black instead of a navy blue colour for the shirt and pants, and green for the flat jacket. However, the entire set of clothing the genin had on was all black, including his pouches and sandals… And head band that sat upon his forehead.

Looking down towards the mission count Naruto, the Genin's name, had done in collaboration with his sensei. Minato couldn't help but be impressed. Sure there wasn't an A-ranks like his daughter's team had done, but it was impressive that he had accomplished more missions than his daughter's team.

"D-ranks: 32 C-ranks: 13 B-ranks: 2 A-ranks: 0 S-ranks: 0… I have to say Yamato, your genin apprentice is extremely capable with a mission stat sheet like this one… However… There is the issue of not being in a team that concerns me as the chunin exams are either a life or death situation. And without a team, there is a higher chance of young Naruto here dying within the forest. Are you sure you would like entering Naruto here into the chunin exam's in the coming months? I am sure by the time the exams appear that he will be ready, but being ready and safe are two different things." Spoke Minato as he quickly read through all the mission files that had been placed within the folder of Naruto's mission stat sheet, something that amazed him as a genin was so well organised wasn't heard of daily.

Looking towards his sensei, Naruto couldn't help but send a determined nod towards his teacher before focusing his view back onto the fourth hokage.

"Hokage-sama. Please allow myself to prove that I am worth of attempting the chunin exams. Sure I am a solo genin, but if my memory recalls from the academy, it had also mentioned that you too have done the chunin exams by yourself due to your team also giving up. So from one who has also lost his teammates and has been taken under the wing of a respectable jonin, please allow me to compete." Replied Naruto as he lowered his head slightly in a bow as he waited for the hokage's judgement.

Yamato seeing this decided to also interject for his student's sake.

"Hokage-sama, I also agree with my student. Within this past month or so, my student has put his entire being into everything he has done, whether it be D-rank missions or training. It is the only reason why he has been able to accomplish so much in the short time he has been a genin and I think it would be an excellent experience for him to compete in the chunin exams when they appear in a few months. Please give it some thought hokage-sama." Voiced out Yamato as he stood by his genin apprentice with a supporting hand on his shoulder, much to the hidden appreciation of Naruto as he awaited for the fourths judgement.

Looking over the file Naruto presented him once more, the blond hokage gave a small nod before turning his attention back towards Yamato and Naruto with a small nod.

"Very well. If Naruto here is willing, he is able to sign for the chunin exams once they appear. With that, you are both dismissed." Replied Minato as he handed the file back towards the spiky haired teen who gave a small smile and nod, but before both he and Yamato could leave the room, the hokage had once more opened his mouth.

"Naruto…. If I may ask. How have you found the time to complete all those missions?" Asked Minato, his curiosity getting the better of him as he looked towards the back of the black haired genin.

Turning around, Naruto gave the hokage a somewhat blank look before scratching his black spiky hair.

"Well, I have all the time in the world as I am an orphan and because of that, I am able to take mission's and do training exercises regularly. Something which I truly enjoy doing. It also helps me pay the rent of my accommodation." Replied Naruto, gaining a nod from the hokage as he relaxed in his chair slightly before waving Naruto and Yamato out.

Watching as the two left through the front door, Minato couldn't help but look down towards the file that had Naruto's statistics on his table with a small grin.

He was a ninja that he would keep his eye on… Well, along with his daughters and their team anyway.

(Training ground 6 (just like team seven training ground, just in different spot))

Appearing in a shunshin with Naruto in tow, Yamato couldn't help but give his black haired, red eyed genin a small smile as he was given the green sign to allow his genin to enter the chunin exams that would appear in the next few months.

Placing a hand on top of the Genin's head, Yamato gave Naruto a small smile before walking a few metres away from Naruto before falling into a basic taijutsu stance, Naruto himself following suit with a grin on his face as he awaited for the signal.

And with a small smirk from Yamato, Naruto dashed forward as he attempted to place his sensei off balance with a quick strike, however, even he knew that it was pointless when it came to his jonin-sensei, but that didn't stop him from attempting to.

Jumping slightly into the air, Naruto sent a knee strike to the Jonin's head as he attempted to put his sensei off balance, however, the jonin quickly brought his arms up to defend against the attack, giving Naruto the opportunity as he used Yamato's arms to spin his body with his knee, allowing him to place his body behind his jonin and send a cracking left kick towards the head, however, the jonin once more dodged the attack by ducking into a crouch before twisting on the floor and sending a kick towards the still mid-air genin, only making Naruto widen his eyes in shock as he attempted to counter attack.

Sadly, he couldn't react in time, thus sending him back into the air where he was left wide open once more, allowing his jonin instructor to jump up and grab the back of his flat jacket before being thrown down towards the hard earth.

Narrowing his eyes, Naruto quickly went through a series of handsign's before disappearing, only leaving a log in his falling place.

Lucky enough for him, he managed to land onto one of the trees around the clearing, giving him some breathing room as he looked towards his sensei, who was now simply standing there in the clearing, waiting for him to attack.

Narrowing his eyes at the lack of jutsu he had in his disposal, Naruto began to channel chakra into his wrists were he had his weapon of choice ready and waiting.

Flicking his left wrist, Naruto watched as a ninja wire flew out towards Yamato, who quickly jumped away from the wire, much to Naruto's irritation as he jumped out from the tree tops he had been hiding in, reason being he knew that his sensei found his position once the wire had left his wrist.

Retracting the wire he had shot out, Naruto quickly threw out his right hand in a slicing motion, sending the wire from his sleeve along the clearing in a wide arch, only watching in disappointment as his captain jumped into the air before going through a few handsign's himself.

"Water release: Water bowl!" Shouted Yamato as he threw his right hand forward, sending a continuous jet stream of water hurling towards Naruto, who, simply widened his eyes at the jutsu.

Muttering a quick "Shit" Naruto threw his left hand out, once more sending his retracted wire towards a tree before quickly infusing the metal wire with chakra, making the wire that had wrapped around the three connect with the main wire before using it to quickly move out of the way, much to his relief… Until he watched Yamato simply aim his hand towards Naruto's new position.

Seeing this, Naruto quickly used his free right hand to pull a kunai out of his pouch before using his left wire to swing between the tree's surrounding the clearing, mildly noticing the wire cutting his hand slightly as he swung into a position where he could effectively disrupt his sensei.

It didn't seem to work as his sensei created wood clones who then also joined in on the jet stream, only making more streams of water fly towards him at a ridiculous pace.

Swinging behind a tree, Naruto quickly retracted his wrist wire before taking cover behind the hard oak tree which stood against five separate waves of jet speeding water.

Tilting his head slightly to that he could see for any possibility of moving, Naruto could only shut his eyes in slight irritation as one of the wood clones noticed his head stick out slightly and redirected its hand towards where his head had appeared.

However, it had given Naruto an idea as he watched the water splash along the tree's and floor.

Releasing a sigh to calm himself, Naruto pulled out a smoke bomb from his pouch before slamming it down on the branch, engulfing the area in a thick black smoke.

It seemed to be in vain however as all the Yamato's did was stand there and continue their jutsu while now aiming around the original tree, restricting him from moving without getting damaged in the process..

And that made the hidden black haired genin grin as he began to change his chakra into that of raiton as he felt the slight tingle of the torrents of water pushing against the wire.

It wasn't a few seconds later did Naruto release all the pent up raiton chakra into the wires attached to his wrist, which then travelled along the water jets his sensei had created along with his clones.

Sure he may only have the first stage of lightning release completed, along with his water release nature, but by all logic shown in the academy lightning can conduct through water, and because of that, even if his sensei used an earth release jutsu to counter, the earth jutsu would be weaker to the lightning type attack as wind has the advantage over lightning… Too bad his sense' didn't have his wind affinity… Which he hasn't sadly even mastered the first stage… But still… It was nice to have three affinities, even if you couldn't use them to the highest point.

Watching as two of the water jets disappear, Naruto quickly threw his right wrist out…

Only to widen his eyes as he noticed his body wrapped around in tree branches as he was formulating his plan.

Gritting his teeth, Naruto attempted to build up raiton chakra to help loosen himself from the grip, however, the odd metal feeling of a kunai pointed towards his neck made him release a sigh of disappointment as he looked up slightly to see his sensei smiling at him from the tree branch that was slightly above his head.

Naruto couldn't help but look down once more before admitting defeat, prompting his sensei to mutter a quick "Yamato: 47 Naruto: 1" The one was when he had created a destructive jutsu named "Sexy jutsu" which he then used in collaboration with his wires to take down Yamato.

But now that he thought about it, all he really had to do was the sexy jutsu and he would win.

Dam….

Getting free from the tree, Naruto couldn't help but cross his arms and give a disappointed sigh as he looked towards the somewhat happy sensei as he looked down towards his student.

"Ok Naruto. We will continue our training tomorrow. Make sure to be up and early so that we can hopefully finish your wind manipulation training and progress in both your chakra control and taijutsu. We may even have time to work on strategies and simulation's using my wood release clones, we could maybe also finish implementing your wires into your taijutsu training now that I think about it… Either way, be ready for tomorrow morning. Understood?" Asked Yamato, getting a nod from Naruto before disappearing with a shunshin with tomorrow's lesson in mind.

Blinking slightly at the smoke, Naruto could only shake his head before hopping off the tree branch he was on and landing in a crouch against the training ground floor.

Looking up towards the sky, the black haired teen couldn't help but grin as he saw that he had a few hours before dark.

And seeing as how there was a lake there…. He could always get a head start on his chakra control training.

"Let's go." Muttered Naruto as he stared towards the lake with his crimson coloured eyes.

And that is all folks. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I should be able to manage updating for three fanfictions at the same time, although this might take longer to update as I am really hooked on my other fanfics, just a heads up about that. Anyway, I am now going to begin writing the next chapter of my "Uzumaki Devil" so later everyone.