Uzumaki Naruto stared at the test in his hands. He knew that it was horrible. But the Genin Exam was in three months. He had that long to improve and he knew it wasn't going to be enough if he just studied and tried to do it on his own. And he also knew he couldn't ask Iruka to re-teach him everything while he was still teaching them things. It would be unfair. So he sat on the swing that night trying to figure it out. He was there until the sun was setting. He frowned really and when he saw Genin coming and going into a classroom the idea hit him. He ran from his spot on the swing and followed them to their classroom.

He felt the hand on his shoulder and he looked up to see a Jonin who said, "What are you doing here brat? This isn't the place to be playing around."

Naruto smiled and said, "Are you the instructor?"

"Yes I am. Why are you asking?" said the Jonin

The man had fair skin and short, straight, dark red hair. He was very tall, fairly muscular, and had a broad build. He wore a standard Jonin uniform. This consisted of a Konoha flak jacket, Dark blue pants, long-sleeved shirt, fingerless gloves with a metal plate on the back, and sandals. The most notable feature Naruto noticed was his eyes, they were exotic in shape as they were shaped more like a Wolf or Fox's would be and they were bright orange in color.

"Can I speak with you in private before you start your class sir?" said Naruto being polite and pulling out manners he rarely used.

The man nodded and leaned into the room and said, "Sit down and shut up I will return shortly."

With that they walked away to another room that was empty and the man turned and said, "So what ya want whiskers?"

Naruto pulled the test score sheet from his pocket and handed it to him and the man took it and read through it and said, "No offense kid but this is atrocious. You know that right."

"Yeah I know it's why I wanted to talk to you. My other teachers here at the academy have tried to make me fail. My current teacher Iruka wasn't the nicest person to me up until about a month ago. But with the exam in three months there is no way to correct everything when he's already busy teaching us." Said Naruto

The man nodded and said, "So why come to me?"

"Well I remembered that the Genin who wash out come here to take classes over pretty much. Your class is everything we were taught in the academy but at a much more rapid pace. Your classes last at least three months long. And the next one starts tomorrow at the first of the month. I was thinking if I went to the Academy during the day and attended your classes at night then I could possibly catch up in my studies." Said Naruto

"Why not just bomb the exam and take the year over?" said the man finding Naruto's logic sound but wanted a reason.

"Not many people like me for some reason. The civilians teach their children I am a monster that needs to be put down for so much as breathing the same air as them. The lesser clans teach their children pretty much the same thing except they tell them I am a demon and I am dangerous. They teach them that I am a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. I am in the class with the major clan heirs. They aren't my friends per say. But at least they treat me like I am human. I don't want to be stuck on a team where I not only have to worry about enemies slitting my throat in my sleep but my teammates as well." Said Naruto, "So I want to graduate this time around with these kids so I can at least put some trust in them and not have to sleep like an ANBU Captain every time we're alone together."

The man chuckled and said, "Been around ANBU Captain's have we whiskers?"

"Quite a few. So many in fact I am probably the only one who can walk up on Captain Hound and Hebi while sleeping and not end up in the morgue. Can do the same to Ibiki too but I don't recommend that trust me. He makes all ANBU Captain look like pregenin when being woken up." Said Naruto shuddering

The man was shocked at that cause they were the most dangerous to get near when sleeping to wake them. And the man said, "What about Anko? Can you interrupt her when eating Dango?"

"I'm usually the one the ANBU come to inform her she is requested in the Hokage's office. Plus I can steal from her plate and still retain my fingers." Said Naruto smiling

The man was impressed and said, "You realize I don't allow for anything. That if I agree you will be treated like all the other washouts."

"I am aware. I promise I'll work hard, pay attention, and not goof off." Said Naruto, "And once I make a promise I never break it, ever."

The man said, "Alright. To prove you mean it I need written permission from the Hokage tomorrow at the start of class."

Naruto smiled and said, "Consider it done sir."

The man chuckled and said, "Good get home. You got school in the morning. And you better at least keep you grades up to their current level at the beginning. I will be checking in with Umino from time to time on you. If I find your grades are slipping or you're goofing off in his class I will drop you from my program entirely and suggest to the Sandaime to drop you from the Ninja program in its entirety."

Naruto bowed and said, "You have my word. Thank you for the chance sir."

Naruto returned home that night. He was especially happy with himself. The next morning he went to class. And at lunch he went to Ichiraku before going to the Mission desk. He figured it was the best place to look for the old man. He was right too. He went into the room and Genma laughed and said, "I think you're too young to be getting missions Naruto."

"Ha ha Genma." Said Naruto amused before looking at Hiruzen, "Grandpa Can I speak with you for a moment. It's important."

Hiruzen was curious to know what he wanted so he said, "Alright come on Naruto."

Naruto followed him into the office and Hiruzen said, "Do you want to speak alone?"

"Please Grandpa." Said Naruto smiling

Hiruzen sent the ANBU out of the room. Once alone Hiruzen said, "What is it your need to speak to me about Naruto?"

Naruto first took out two bowls of Ramen and placed one on the desk and said, "I got you lunch too since I am cutting into your lunch hour."

"Why thank you Naruto." Said Hiruzen as he dug into his meal

Naruto took out his test and gave it to him and Hiruzen looked it over and said, "Naruto I am sorry for this but this is atrocious."

"I know that actually. And with only three months left till the exam I can't expect Iruka-sensei to re-teach me everything. And I don't want to end up on a team where I have to not only worry about my enemy killing me in my sleep but my teammates as well." Said Naruto as he looked at his bowl, "I talked to the teacher of the washout program and he said I could come there at night to relearn everything at a more accelerated rate. But I needed written permission from you to prove I actually meant it." Naruto looked at him, "I promise I'll work hard, I won't goof off, and I'll actually do the work like I'm supposed to. He already said that if my grades are affected in Iruka-sensei's class or I goof off in his class like I have been he's going to throw me from his program and ask that you throw me from the whole Ninja program completely."

Hiruzen understood the gravity of the situation and Naruto's reason and he said, "You realize that means you won't be able to wear that right?"

"I am aware. If he knows where I can get it and not be charged an arm and a leg for it then alright. I didn't even order this Gramps. I ordered something completely different that would've looked awesome. The guy at the store changed my order form somehow and I ended up with this. So I shoved it in his face by acting like I loved it." Said Naruto

Hiruzen wasn't happy about that but he said, "Alright I will allow it. And I will hold you to what he said. If you can't take this chance seriously Naruto I will drop you from the Ninja program and send you to the Samurai instead."

Naruto paled and said, "Yes sir."

Hiruzen wrote it up and handed him the letter and said, "Give that to Sosuke-san when you get there tonight. Now eat your lunch before it gets cold. Cold Ramen tastes horrible."

Naruto laughed at that and they enjoyed their Ramen and their visit. They even went so far as to have a chess match. Hiruzen had just won when an ANBU opened the door and said, "Sir I am sorry to interrupt but Uzumaki is late in returning to his class."

Both of them exclaimed and Hiruzen said, "Thank you for inform us."

Hiruzen personally escorted Naruto back to class and upon entering Iruka and the class stood at attention and everyone bowed and said, "Good Afternoon Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen smiled and said, "Afternoon class."

"Is there a problem Sir?" said Iruka thinking the worst

"No Iruka there is no problem. I merely came to apologize. Time got away from us." Said Hiruzen as he placed his hand on Naruto's head, "We are sorry he is late in returning to your class."

Iruka was shocked and said, "To be honest sir I had thought he had skipped and was just about to run off to find him."

Naruto laughed nervously and Hiruzen looked at him with a very stern look and Naruto shocked them all by hanging his head before he bowed and said, "I'm sorry for always disrupting the class Iruka-sensei. I promise I won't do it again."

Iruka was shocked and said, "Alright Naruto. Tell the Hokage thank you for bringing you here and then find your seat."

Naruto turned and said, "Thank you."

Hiruzen smiled and ruffled his messy hair and said, "Your welcome."

Naruto as he was leaving said, "Have a nice afternoon Grandpa."

Everyone was shocked at that and Hiruzen chuckled and said, "You too my boy."

When he left Naruto turned to Iruka and said, "We are sorry for my being late. I was visiting with him and discussing something with him and we kind of lost track of time while playing chess."

Iruka said, "Your forgiven go on back to your seat."

Naruto went back to his seat and the collective thought through all the children's head was, Naruto is the Hokage's Grandson!

When class ended Naruto packed up and when he got to the front Iruka said, "Naruto come here please."

Naruto came over and said, "Yes Iruka-sensei?"

Iruka reached into his vest pocket and removed a candy bar and handed it to him and Naruto looked at him and said, "Um not to be rude by why exactly are you giving me candy?"

Iruka laughed and said, "I remember telling you the first week of class that if you stayed in class for the whole day I would give you a candy bar. And you were here all day today. So you earned a candy bar."

Naruto took it and said, "Oh man I completely forgot that. Thank you Sensei."

Iruka laughed and said, "Welcome but that doesn't count tomorrow though."

Naruto laughed and left the classroom after Iruka he was outside when Sasuke said, "Uzumaki?"

Naruto turned to look at him and said, "Uchiha can I help you with something?"

Naruto wasn't used to Sasuke calling him anything but Dobe and since he was being civil he decided to be civil and Sasuke said, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course." Said Naruto smiling

Sasuke said, "How can your grades be so horrible when your Grandfather is the Third Hokage?"

That surprised the other classrooms because they hadn't heard that. Naruto laughed and said, "He's not." He saw the comment, "Yes I called him Grandpa earlier in class. But I am not related to him by blood. I am an orphan just like you. My parents died the day I was born. My father died on the battle field fighting the fox and my mother despite just having me two hours before was helping the Yondaime while I was near them. The Yondaime didn't die killing the fox like everyone thinks. He died protecting me. The fox attacked me to get my mom to release him from her chakra chains and both she and the Yondaime protected me at the cost of their lives." Everyone was shocked, "Let me ask you one. You have a guardian yes?"

Sasuke said, "Yeah."

Naruto said, "I used to have one but it was changed several times when they started stealing the money they were given to buy me food and necessities. So the Third decided that I was old enough to live on my own in my apartment and that I was capable of controlling my own funds. But as for who is in charge of me and who punishes me when I do something wrong that's the Third Hokage. He's my guardian Sasuke. He was friends with my parents when they were alive as was the Yondaime. So I am allowed to call him Grandpa because he treats me like family. He gets me presents on my birthday and takes me out to eat when he can. I even get to run into his office any time I want and he'll drop everything just to spend time with me even if he's like super busy with paperwork and stuff he still makes time for me."

Sasuke was shocked and said, "Ok I was only wondering because your grades are horrid. And if you were actually related to the Hokage I would have to kick your butt for dragging your family name through the mud."

Naruto laughed and said, "I can understand that. Is that all you wanted of me? I have to get home."

Sasuke was confused and said, "For what? You don't have anyone waiting there anymore than I do."

"True but I have to get home and change so that I can get ready to go to work. I'm going to be cutting it close as it is because I'm talking to you. No offense." Said Naruto smiling

Sasuke was shocked as was all his classmates and he said, "You work. Why?"

"Cause the money I'm supposed to get is always either short or doesn't come at all. So I got a job that pays 10.50 an hour plus tips. It's not so bad." Said Naruto smiling

Sasuke was shocked beyond belief and he said, "Yeah that was all I wanted to ask."

Naruto smiled and bowed as he said, "Then it was nice talking to you Uchiha-san."

Before he took off running home. They all watched him leave. Naruto went to his job as a Waiter in a teahouse not far from the village center. He used his Oiroke Jutsu to become a Geisha like the other woman. With makeup on and his hair put up like he did no one recognized him as himself. That night Naruto went and got a bath and then went to the academy to go to his new class. He walked in and saw Sosuke there and went over and said, "Sosuke-sensei?"

He looked at him and said, "You have something for me?"

Naruto handed him the letter and said, "He gave me permission and said if I failed this chance he was sending me to the Samurai instead."

Sosuke was shocked he hadn't meant that but was glad the Hokage would allow it and said, "Alright then take a seat. Anywhere you want you're the first one here."

Naruto smiled and sat down in the first row right in front of the podium and Sosuke chuckled and said, "Think you're safer there."

"Well I was always placed in the very last row of the class on the far side of the room. So I wanted to try my luck here in the front and see if it's any better." Said Naruto smiling

Sosuke said, "Alright I'm not going to argue. But it's not safer there in front of me. It's worse actually."

"Yes sir I understand that." said Naruto smiling

When the class arrived Sosuke gave them all a blank look and spoke in a loud clear voice, "All of you are here for one reason or another. The underlying reason is that all of you here have washed out of the Academy training program. None of you are any longer on the fast track for advancement and few if any of you are likely to be making Jonin Rank. You are plain grunts from now on. I am the only person you need to impress while I see if I can salvage any of you into passable Ninja. I will not tolerate backtalk or slackers in my class. After today, all of you will come to class in suitable attire and respond to military discipline. You will address me as Sir. That is the only way you will refer to me. Do you understand me class?"

All of them said, "Yes sir."

"I could not hear you. Do you understand me class?"

The whole class responded louder, "Yes, Sir."

"In the future all replies will be loud and clearly spoken. You will wear dark blue, dark green or black clothing to class. Brightly colored hair will be covered when on duty or dyed to a darker color. It will not be loose below your neck." He Glared at Naruto at that point but Naruto knew it was just to prove a point. "When I call on you in class, you will rise and stand straight before replying to me. Are there any questions for me?"

One kid groaned and Sosuke snapped at him and told him to do pushups for not having permission to groan. Naruto raised his hand above his head and Sosuke pointed and said, "Yes Uzumaki."

Naruto stood up perfectly straight and said, "Sir, I have no other clothes that could be used for Ninja work. I also don't have enough money to buy better ones."

"You may go request suitable clothing from the quartermaster. The cost of it will be deducted if you make Genin otherwise you will be billed for it if you are washed out entirely and sent to the Samurai program." Said Sosuke handing him a paper, "Give them this."

They then went over their schedule. They would be doing group exercises daily to see if they could handle the physical aspect of the career they chose. After that they were dismissed. Once they left Naruto was the only one and Sosuke said, "Problem Naruto?"

"Um was just wondering where exactly is the quartermaster located at sir?" said Naruto embarrassed for not knowing.

Sosuke chuckled and said, "No worries Naruto you needn't be embarrassed for not knowing. Not many pregenin know where that is heck I don't think even the Genin know where that place is. Where is your house exactly?"

"I have an apartment on the bad side of town." Said Naruto

"OK then you knows where the hangman's bar is yes?" said Sosuke

"Yes sir." Said Naruto smiling, "I take shifts there sometimes when I need the extra money. I occasionally wait tables but mostly I'm in back washing dishes."

Sosuke was shocked and said, "What exactly do you do for money? Or are you just on the Orphans stipend?"

"The Stipend is usually late or short so I had to find a job. I work at a tea house as a Geisha actually." Said Naruto turning a light pink, "I get 10.50 an hour so it's not bad money for a civilian job."

"No it's not." Said Sosuke, "Why not use your inheritance though? You're an Uzumaki. I know Kushina had money before she married Minato-sama."

Naruto was shocked and it showed and said, "Wait my dad was the Yondaime?"

Sosuke said, "You didn't know that?"

"No every time I asked I got told they didn't know." Said Naruto in awe, "My dad was awesome."

Sosuke chuckled and said, "Yeah he was. But there was probably a reason for not telling you alright. So for now keep it quiet till you talk to the Sandaime about it ok."

"OK but to answer you sir, I don't have an inheritance. If I do I've never gotten it or had access to it." Said Naruto

"Get up early tomorrow and meet me at the Hangman. I'll take you to the Quartermaster myself to make sure he treats you fair. Then we'll go see why the Hokage hasn't given you your inheritance yet." Said Sosuke

Naruto smiled and bowed as he said, "Yes sir and thank you."

When Naruto stood up again he said, "Your welcome Naruto."