Chapter 1

The Academy

The young blond had been finding it hard to shake his excitement all week and now that the day he had so been looking forward to had arrived he could barely contain himself.

After having a quick shower and a cup of instant ramen, he threw on his favourite orange jump suit and admired his reflection in the mirror. He had been told countless times that the colour was inappropriate for a ninja. That it was too noticeable and that a ninjas greatest strength was remaining undetected. Despite this, the blond was very fond of it and felt some sort of attachment to the colour and so wore it anyway.

Now as he ran through the streets of Konoha he could see people were looking at him. He could see their cold stares, full of fear and hatred. He responded as he always did with a kind smile but inside he could feel all the pain he had been bottling up over the years start to spill out. Its not like he wasn't used to it, it had been happening ever since he could remember and it always left him feeling the way he did right now. He just couldn't understand why so many people felt the way they did towards him.

He sighed, clearing his mind of any thoughts or feelings. If it had been any other day, he would have been left in a world of hurtful thoughts and unanswered questions but this was not just any other day. This was the day he would start the academy, the day where he would take his first steps towards becoming a ninja. He was determined not to let anything spoil this day.

Just thinking about entering the academy caused him to shiver in excitement. He could not wait to see what he could learn, to see how strong he would get, to show everyone in the village he wasn't a nobody, that he was a ninja and a protector of Konohagakure. Although he would never admit it, what he most looked forward to was making friends. However, he was not going to get his hopes up like he had done in the past. He was accustomed to being treated badly wherever he went, it wouldn't be a surprise if the academy was not any different. Still, part of him ached for friendship, he had suffered the pain of loneliness for too long.

Soon enough he found himself entering the academy grounds. He noticed there were a few trees dotted here and there, from one tree was a swing that was rocking back and forth in the wind. Seeing as there was nobody else around he decided to take a seat and wait for others to arrive. The academy building itself was massive and looked like it was made of several different buildings, however what caught his attention the most was a giant sign with the kanji for fire on it.

Only a few minutes had passed by but many children had arrived with their parents. The blond shifted uncomfortably as he looked around, seeing that many eyes were on him the same coldness to them he had experienced earlier. Their arms around their children as if shielding them from some great evil.

It didn't take long for some of the parents to start talking about him amongst themselves, this often happened and truth be told he was expecting it to.

"Now listen to me, you stay away from that boy he's nothing but trouble." Said one of the mothers warning her daughter.

"I can't believe they let him become a ninja, after everything that has happened." Hissed another causing many more to voice their opinions.

All throughout the hurtful comments the young blond kept his eyes firmly fixed to the ground. He would never give them the satisfaction of seeing him hurt. 'A shinobi must never show emotion.' He thought to himself.

As the doors of the academy slowly started to open silence swept through the crowd. Out stepped a man the blond knew very well, his hat had the kanji for fire on it, just like the academy building and was tilted over his eyes. By his side was another man, one the blond had never seen before, he wore a leaf hitai-ate and had a large scar across his nose.

"Welcome to the beginning." Said the Hokage smiling widely at the crowd, despite the warm smile he seemed to demand the respect of everyone, it wasn't surprising seeing as he was the strongest ninja in the village. "I see many great ninja in the making here today." He continued, eyes falling on the blond sat by himself on the swing. His comment made many children smile, hope evident in their eyes. "But don't think this is going to be easy, the chances of any of you actually making it are very slim. You will need to work hard, harder than you ever have before." He said, with a serious expression on his face. "The life of a ninja is a perilous one, it is filled with pain, danger and death. It is not for the weak of heart. All of you before me have inherited the will of fire, I can see it in all of you. Work hard and have fun, never forget to laugh and enjoy yourself for these are the best years of your life." He finished smiling once more looking into the eyes of each and every child present trying to make his words as heartfelt and personal as possible.

Suddenly, the man with the scar stepped forward and started to speak. "I'm Iruka Umino, I will be your instructor during your time at the academy. If you are ready to do what it takes to make it as a ninja of Konohagakure then follow me." He said, turning around.

As he turned away he heard someone's voice shout out behind him. Looking back he saw the young blond boy that was sat on the swing, now stood on his feet. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki and I will be a ninja and I will take your place one day old man, believe it!"

The outburst earned a couple of dirty looks but nothing was said. Iruka could see that most of Narutos declaration was not directed at him but at the crowd.

Iruka turned away once more saying nothing, he walked into the academy a large grin on his face as he heard all the footsteps behind him. 'I have a feeling this will be the best generation of shinobi yet.' He thought to himself with a smile.