"Team Seven, Uzumaki Naruto,"
"…."
"Haruno Sakura.."
"I'm with Naruto-baka?…" Sakura said with annoyance and sadness.
"And Uchiha Sasuke, you're instructor is Hatake Kakashi."
"Yatta! Beat that Ino-pig, I'm with Sasuke-kun!" she screamed loudly.
"Hmph" Sasuke said coolly.
"Curse Kami-sama, I'm with the no talent, loud banshee and an emo…Guess it'll have to do until they die on the battlefield." Coldly thought the newly graduated genin.
"Alright class, you're instructors should be coming in soon to pick you up, just remember that being a ninja isn't all fun and games. You'll be going on missions that could be a life or death and one mistake could cost you your life or your comrades. Good luck to you all and I wish only the best for you!" stated Iruka, the class' ex-sensei.
Hours passed and all the genin left with their sensei's, except for Team Seven who were all visibly pissed for waiting so long for their instructor to arrive.
"Damnit I've waited long enough!" Sakura yelled walking up to the door and opening it rather angrily then suddenly there standing in front of her was a tall man with gray, gravity defying hair, a Konoha Leaf headband on his forehead which also covered his left eye, a Jonin Flak Jacket on his chest, which covered his blue full body suit, and he had the audacity to smile with his right eye. "Yo" he said, "My first impression of you all is…I hate you". He stated simply not losing his eye smile.
"Meet me at the rooftop, we'll discuss everything up there". And then he was gone in a puff of smoke.
(5 Minutes later)
"All right you three, tell me something about yourself, you're likes, dislikes, hobbies, dreams".
"Ano, Sensei could you tell us about yourself first?" Sakura requested. "All right, I'm Hatake Kakashi, My likes…. My dislikes… and hobbies, not interested in telling you three". 'So we only know his name' they all thought in unison.
"So what about you pinky?" "Oh, well I'm Haruno Sakura and for whom I like is…*Squeal* for who I dislike is Ino-pig and Naruto-Baka, and my hobbies are…*Squeal* and my dream is too…*Squeal*" all while looking at Sasuke and blushing.
'So a fan girl huh? I need to work on that' Kakashi deducted. "Ok, ducky what about you?"
"Hmph, my name is Uchiha Sasuke, I don't have any likes, I dislike many things and for hobbies, I like to train and get stronger, as for my ambition I want to resurrect my clan and I will kill a certain man."
'So cool!' Sakura screamed to herself. 'As I thought, Sasuke is a special case, while I understand his rage I'm going to try and help him see reason.' Kakashi promised to himself. "And what about you whiskers?"
"(Sigh), My name is Uzumaki Naruto, I like ramen, I dislike this village and the civilians, my hobbies are to train and my dream..." he thought hard about this. "My goal is to become one of the strongest ninjas in this unforgiving world so I can change it."
'Naruto, he must've had it really hard ever since the incident with the Kyuubi being sealed in him by our late Hokage, even more so since the village openly despises him and he doesn't even know why." Kakashi also blames himself for his cold behavior, if only he had... No, what's done is done, all he can do now is guide all three of them to the right path and make them strong, that's if they can pass his test.
"Alright, so know that introductions are out of the way, let me explain something to you three". Kakashi said, getting eerily serious. "You guys, aren't genin." "Wait wha-"Sakura said before being cut off by Kakashi.
"I know you have question just let me explain. You guys aren't genin yet because tomorrow we'll be having a test to see if you can prove yourself to be an effective team together. Out of the 26 squads only 9 will pass and officially become Konoha genin".
"Sorry Sensei but what happens to the rest of the failed squads?" Sakura asked.
"Oh, well they get sent back to the academy and have to redo the whole process again." Kakashi said with his usual eye smile. To say all three were shocked would be an understatement. "The purpose of this is to wheedle out the weak."
"Makes sense" said Naruto regaining his composer. "Makes sense!? That's completely unfair!" Yelled Sakura. "Sakura, didn't you hear Iruka-Sensei before he left? The ninja life is cold and heartless, once you're in the battlefield the rules that were used to living by changes, it's us or them, that's the way we ninja live by". Simply stated by Sasuke. "But..!"
"It's true Sakura, as a ninja, we kill for the sake of our village, casualties are unavoidable in the battlefield it's hard to come to terms with it but it's best you understand now." Kakashi somberly told her. Sakura couldn't argue, it's what she signed up for, it's best if she accepts it now or risk dying on the field.
"Anyway, tomorrow meet me at Training Field 7 at dusk", said the Jonin turning away from his cute students. "Oh, and one last thing, don't eat breakfast otherwise you'll puke." Then he left in a puff of smoke.
With that all three genin went their separate ways. Sasuke went to his compound to continue his training, Sakura went home and as for Naruto, well let's find out. As we see our favorite yellow headed ninja walk down the heart of the village, you can't help but notice the looks of fear on the villagers as they shield their kids from him and tell them never to speak or go near him ever. When he passes by them, the utter hatred in their eyes is unquestionable as he keeps on ignoring them. They all whisper behind his back thinking he can't hear them but he can. The whispers that he hears are, "demon", "monster", "murderer", "demon child" and so on. While he ignores them he can't fathom what he ever did to deserve this, While Naruto is cold to most. Once you get to know him you find a sad, confused teen who's up all night questioning his own existence and why he was put in this cursed village. Trying to get of the subject, he hurry's to the best ramen stand in the whole world, Ichiraku Ramen.
As Naruto is about to get there he senses someone watching him, normally he would ignore it but this feeling seemed… Different, and he couldn't describe it himself so with a quick stop he turns around and sees only the deserted street, the feeling of uneasiness leaving him. "Huh, I could've sworn someone was watching me," 'but what was that feeling just now?' he thought "Whatever, better hurry."
As he runs off to Ichiraku's, he had failed to notice the short blue haired teen girl who was blushing madly at almost being caught stalk-watching over her crush. Who is this girl you may ask? Well it's Naruto's #1 stalk- I mean fan girl, Hyuuga Hinata the shy heiress of the famous Hyuuga clan.
As Naruto leaves Ichiraku's full and satisfied he decides it's time for a new look and more ninja equipment seeing as his orange and blue jumpsuit is worn and that he sticks out like a sore thumb. Going further down the street he is once again in the crowd of the villagers. Looking around he sees a ninja store just across the street called "Konoha Ninja Shop". Gathering a lot of chakra to his feet, he was sprung up over the crowd and landed safely in front of the store. As he heads in, the bell indicating a customer has arrived, rings and within a few seconds Naruto heard what sounding like a women tripping over something, followed by curses. Once the women came out from the back, he was greeted with quite a beauty, an average tan, brunette hair with two Chinese-style buns on top, and a pink sleeveless qipao-style blouse with red sleeve trimmings and yellow fastening buttons as well as dark green pants, a pouch adjusted to her thigh, and standard blue ninja sandals.
"Hello my name is TenTen, how may I help you?" she greeted.
"Names Naruto, I was looking for new clothes and for more ninja equipment."
"Ah, can I assume you're a freshly stated genin?" question TenTen. Receiving a nod as an answer. "Wow, I can remember being a rookie like it was yesterday, say kid who's your sensei?"
"Uh Tenten, was it? Can I find clothes first, I'm in a bit of a hurry".
"Oh, ha-ha, sorry Naruto" she said looking sheepish. "How about this, let me help you with find clothes and you'll answer my questions, deal?" Naruto really was in a hurry, if he didn't get finished with all this shopping he wouldn't be able to train to be ready for his test tomorrow, but he also wasn't good with his own shopping counting his purchase of the jumpsuit and Tenten was willing to help him, so he said the logical answer. "Deal."
TenTen helping Naruto out with his clothes couldn't be anymore then a blessing. He would never say it but with her help he looks and feels more like a real ninja. No more blue and bright orange jumpsuit, now what took its place is a black uniform-style jacket with an orange zipper that features several buttons on the waist and sleeves, also wearing a red armband with an Uzumaki crest on his left arm and dark-orange pants with steel-plated boots, and instead of the normal blue for his headband cloth, he chose to change it black.
Tenten eye's him, she can't help but think he looks more professional and cooler with his new look. 'Good job Tenten, A+ as always!' she silently acknowledged herself. "Now! Let's find you some weapons, what were you thinking of getting?"
"A pair of knuckle knives, kunai, shuriken, paper bombs, trip-wire and smoke bombs."
"Yosh! Let me get them for you in the back, wait one second." Determined to finish out his request. As she left the room, Naruto honestly thought she was a very nice person. While she was helping him with the clothes situation, they briefly talked about him as he tried to avoid most of her questions, answering mostly about his team and that he isn't a genin yet and that he has to take his test tomorrow with his new sensei and team to prove he's qualified for the job. After that, Naruto started asking Tenten questions about her team and how long she's been a genin for and why she's working at a shop instead of training or out on a mission.
(FLASHBACK)
"I'm stuck with Guy-sensei, Lee, and Neji Hyuuga." Naruto being familiar with the latter's name since he was last year's Rookie of the Year. "We've been working together for a year and a half now getting stronger and having more experience as ninja instead of taking last year's chuunin exam". Naruto could see reason to her sensei's plan, being more experienced as a ninja and a team would greatly benefit there chances of winning the chuunin exams. "As for working in the store, well whenever I have time off, I help my family with the store for the extra money and plus I meet all kind of interesting people."
(END FLASHBACK)
If what Tenten said was true about how strong her team was, than if Sasuke, Sakura and him were to pass this test tomorrow and make the chunnin exams then they all would have to train their butts off to overcome them. Suddenly Tenten came out with all the items that he requested. "Here you go Naruto!" Happy she could be of help. "Thanks TenTen, you really helped me out, how much do I owe you?" As Naruto paid the bill for his weapons and put them away in a sealing scroll he thanked her again, and was about to leave, before she stopped him. "Hey wait Naruto, when you become genin would you like to spar sometime? I'm interested on how you'll progress over time." Not expecting the request, he turned around and did his rare but genuine smiles and said, "Of course when I become genin with can definitely spar."
Walking out the store with Tenten waving bye to him, Naruto couldn't help but smile all the way to training ground 44, hoping that he gained a new friend and potential best friend. Growing up alone and having the old-geezer Hokage as his only friend, while he was content, the Hokage couldn't see Naruto every day or hang out with Naruto whenever he wanted to play as he had a village to run. Plus, with all the villagers avoiding him like the plague, he would be left alone or be bullied before he stopped that when they were bullying a blue haired Hyuuga kid about his age after they made her cry for no reason. So for Naruto finding a person like Tenten who openly shows genuine kindness and treats him like an actual human being, makes Naruto feel less like a monster that the villagers keep saying he is and like a normal 12 year old kid.
(Next Morning, 6am)
We now see three tired looking kids walking to Training ground 7, all visibly hungry as they didn't eat dinner last night as there bellies grumbled loudly. Naruto greeting both his teammates, Sasuke returning his acknowledge and Sakura too, albeit reluctantly but she did it anyway because Sasuke did.
(3 hours and 47 minutes later)
Naruto decided to get more sleep if their sensei was going to be a dick and make them wait this long, after the extensive training with his shadow clones learning how to use the knuckle knives and fending off the animals that inhabit training ground 44 he deserved the rest. Sasuke practiced his Taijustu while Sakura watched him practice not at all mad as she got to watch Sasuke workout. *Puff of smoke* "Yo." Kakashi states coolly. "YOU'RE LATE!" Sakura yells getting dangerously close to Kakashi.
"Hehe, sorry a black cat walked by, so I played it safe and took the long way here." Kakashi said while taking out his a timer. LIAR! Sakura mentally thought. "Alright, you have till 12 to get this bells off from me, but remember if you want these bells you'll have to come at me with the intent to kill ". Saying the last part serious. The soon-to-be genin eyed each other and nodded, then they look at their sensei determined to pass at all cost!
'Oh? It looks like I won't be able to get a chance to find out what happens next in Icha Icha' Kakashi thought as he analyzed the seriousness in his student's eyes.
"Begin!"
Answers from Author:
Naruto is a lot more wiser and stronger then he was in the manga, he wasn't persuaded to take to scroll of sealing from Mizuki, and he passed his entrance exam earning his ninja headband. Because of that, he hasn't figured out about the Kyuubi and why the villagers hate him, REASON FOR THIS, which I'll get to later ;)
Naruto's outfit is the same but smaller as they one that he wore in the movie "The Last" except with the steel boots and the headband. No reason for it, I just like it better than the jumpsuit he wore in the manga.
As for pairings, not sure yet, no yaoi's, not interested in stuff like that. I'm open for suggestions so feel free to write them down.
Also I'm a new writer so please bear with me and provide me feedback be it good or bad so I can learn from my mistakes and improve to make this story popular for others to enjoy.
Thanks for Reading! 3 Doug