Here he was again.

Uzumaki Naruto was always known as a loud mouthed fool who didn't have any idea about the real world. Many saw his persistent confidence in himself and found annoyance, especially considering the life that people made him go through, no child growing up in that kind of environment had any right to be as self-assured as he seemed to be.

But the truth is, Naruto is a child with a heart as big as the mountain he claimed his head would be on, joining those who've been overlooking the village in life and in death. And this was one of those times where that little facet proved to be too painful to possess.

Covered in near-darkness, with only a small amount of moon-light streaking in through his little home's window, Naruto sat on his bed, hugging a pillow clad in his sleep-wear with his favourite hat covering his blond, spiky hair sadly replaying the sound of his teacher's voice in his head.

"You've failed."

It wasn't the first time either, and that fact made it all worse for poor Naruto. He was always one to believe in himself, what choice did he have afterall, he was alone. He had no one else to count on. So the thought of failing his genin exam the second time made him doubt all he had, and all he had was himself. And that hurt.

Sighing, he got up from his bed, and decided to go out for a while. He didn't like it when his mind started thinking like this. He found that he'd be better off ignoring it until he bounced back as always, to his more cheerful ways.

Putting on a pair of black pair of shorts and an orange T-shirt, Naruto stepped out of his house, into the empty darkness of the night. It was past midnight, and pretty much everyone was asleep. He found that he liked the cold, quiet and dark atmosphere much more than what he was usually accustomed to, by the general public of Konoha.

Making his way through the streets, through the barely noticeable late night crowds, he made his way to his favourite spot in the entire village, on top of the head craving of the late Yondaime Hokage of Konoha, the village hidden in the leaves.

With a few lights still burning bright, despite the darkness of night, he once again found peace. And despite the contrary opinions of others, Naruto could think. Think in ways that many others couldn't possible hope to...even if those occasions were rare, they were still there.

So he had failed, now what would he do? Go back to the academy, try again? Surely . If there was one he was sure about, it was that no matter what, he'd become Hokage. For that was his dream. To finally be acknowledged, as Naruto. Not the 'Brat' or 'Demon', why they called him that, he'd always wondered, but as 'Naruto'.

But this time it had to be different. He'd tried the same method twice, and both had failed. He tried going along with everything, all the while hoping things would sort themselves out in the end and he'd become a Shinobi.

Yes. This time he would truly work hard. If that meant studying boring scrolls, listening to his most of the times unfair teacher or even asking other ninja for help, even if that takes numerous attempts, he'll do it.

With that thought in mind, and vision a lot more clearer than before, he left the iconic sight and headed home.

Deep in the woods right outside of Konoha, a man with long silver hair wearing dark blue pants and matching T-shirt, under a green vest waited, and a headband with a swirling leaf pattern imprinted, showcasing his status as a Chunin of Konoha.

It was still dark, and the place was at an acceptable distance from the village. It was the perfect place for his meeting with a certain... beneficial person he was waiting for, leaning on a tree.

Feeling a presence behind the tree infront of him, he called out to it, even though the chakra didn't feel the same, he had no doubts that only He would've known to come to that particular spot.

"Greetings, Oroch-" he started with a smirk, but gradually narrowed his eyes at the unexpected person who'd come out from behind a tree. 'Who are you?' he asked, getting ready in the event of being compromised.

The figure wore round glasses, and had a similar but darker shade of silver hair. He smiles and answers, 'A servant of Orochimaru-sama, Kabuto Yakushi. I trust you know why I'm here?'

'Ofcourse. Here's the current crop of them. They all seem useless, compared to ofcourse, what we'll be having next year. He's the one Orochimaru-sama really wants, right?' He says a bit disappointed, though in retrospect he guesses he shouldn't have actually expected the Sannin himself to show up here, and hands the now named Kabuto a folder.

"Just because they're useless doesn't mean we shouldn't keep an eye on them. And you may just be right, about that Mizuki." Kabuto says, already heading away from Mizuki, and stops again. "And do well to remember the next phase of the plan...and the rewards that'll accompany them for you from us upon their completion." Kabuto seemingly reminds him, bringing a grin to the Chunin's face.

Power, more power than he could imagine. That was his precious reward, for the completion of the plan.

Mizuki doesn't reply, only nods his head at the reminder with a grin. Taking that as the cue, Kabuto disappears into the dark, as all ninja do, with Mizuki joining him a second later, heading back to Konoha.

Inside Konoha-

Upon a few minutes of re-entering the village, Mizuki comes across an interesting sight. A head covered with spiky blond hair sticking out from the darkness of the village, he makes his mind up.

This plan wasn't supposed to take place till much later, until the next year. But this was the perfect opportunity. He'd get the stupid demon into trouble an year earlier than he thought, and get the power Orochimaru-sama promised him for handing him the Forbidden Scroll. He'd be more than happy, Mizuki was willing to bet, especially since he'd still be in a good position to monitor Uchiha Sasuke's progress in the academy. Who knows, with Orochimaru's gift, he may even be able to become the Uchiha's Jounin sensei and keep an even closer watch on him, it'd all end up well!

Besides, would enacting the plan an year earlier really seem detrimental to his cause?

Ofcourse not... or so he thought.