Forge your path

AN: I do not own Naruto. This is true for all the fanfiction written here by me. Kindly apply.

Chapter 1: A beginning

Naruto was running. He remembered how Iruka sensei had saved him and how he was called the kyuubi. He finally found out the reason for all those glares, why he was not usually allowed into shops run by civilians, why he had trouble getting decent behaviour, why he healed so fast, why he had slightly better senses than normal. All this because he was the kyuubi container. He realised that he was not the kyuubi as Mizuki had said. He was not that dumb but hey, to a 12 y.o kid, dropping the fact that the most dangerous demon heard of was sealed in his gut and that is why he was abused and not expecting him to panic is just plain stupid.

But he also realised that he needed to run away with the scroll. Away from Mizuki and back to the hokage. He also knew that Iruka sensei was hurt and that if he did that then there was very little chance that Iruka would survive. He also did not know who would believe him when he returned with the scroll. So he decided to hide. All the noise they were making was bound to attract attention. And he was always good at hiding. All of this was running through his head during his mad dash through the forest. A small root that he did not notice tripped him and he rolled with the scroll on his back. It hurt him. But the continued and while running noticed a small hollow in a tree nearby. He immediately went towards the hollow which was slightly under ground level thus not very easy to spot. It was more like a gap in the roots.

By the time he stilled, he heard the sound of a scuffle. He stilled his breathing and all sorts of noise that he can make as he had learnt to do when pranking people. He heard Mizuki say "How did you know that I am not Iruka?"

Then he heard a poof and Iruka's voice saying "Because I am Iruka."

He heard Mizuki sigh. Mizuki said "Iruka, you are my friend. Why are you protecting the demon? He is the one who killed your parents and so many others. He is why you are an orphan. Even now I am sure he is going to run away with the scroll leaving you to die. He will use it for his benefits and learn all sorts of powerful jutsu from it. Why would you protect him?"

He held his breath. This was the defining moment. Iruka sensei had been nice to him off late but since Naruto was hidden well, Iruka would not know here was here. This was the time when Naruto would truly know what Iruka thought about him since there was no reason for Iruka to lie.

He waited, holding his breath and heard Iruka say "Mizuki, you are right. The demon would do that. He is the reason I was orphaned and would probably run away with the scroll leaving me here to die." Naruto felt like his heart was going to break but he held on and listened when Iruka continued "Naruto however is not like that. If it were the kyuubi I was dealing with, I would have joined you in putting him down. But what you fail to see and acknowledge is that Naruto is a loyal ninja to the leaf, he is a child, an exceptional one and he would never do what you said. He is behaving like a typical orphan and only needs some attention before he becomes one of the best people you would have ever seen. That is not the kyuubi. He is his own person and I will defend him with my life. It is true that he would run straight to the hokage to try and get help for me. But that is his job. That is what he should do. You however won't understand that will you?"

Naruto felt warm. He felt like crying out of happiness. He knew Iruka sensei was nice to him but he did not think that Iruka sensei liked him so much and cared for him so much. He was almost lost in happy thoughts when he heard a snarl which brought him back to earth.

Mizuki snarled and said "I was gonna leave you alive Iruka due to our friendship but I can't leave you like this. You also have been poisoned by the demon. DIE!" Saying this Mizuki rushed to Iruka with a kunai in hand. Naruto meanwhile was in a tough decision. He knew he was not good enough to defeat Mizuki. For God's sake, Mizuki was a chunin while he was still an academy student. By all rights, he should be running to the hokage. But he had seen that Iruka was hurt and would not win against Mizuki. He could not leave Iruka, one of the only people who cared for him to die. His decision was made. With determination on his face, he rushed out and just hit Mizuki full force with his body before he reached Iruka.

Iruka was waiting with a kunai ready to somehow stall when suddenly Mizuki was blown away by an orange blur. Mizuki hit a tree trunk with his back. Naruto stood in front of Iruka with an aura around him. His eyes cold blue, like deep oceans, his face determined. He stood as if immovable and growled "If you even think of killing Iruka sensei, I will kill you."

Mizuki snarled. There was something broken in his body and he could not bend appropriately. But he still thought he could take down an academy student and a weak chunin. He armed himself and stood up saying "How are you going to do that? There is only one of you and you are only an academy student. Let's see you try." He was about to start rushing when he heard Naruto say "If the problem is that only one of us can't beat you, then not to worry, get ready to get thrashed." Saying this Naruto put his hands in a weird cross shaped handseal and started channelling his chakra. The feeling of the chakra brought both Iruka and Mizuki to a halt. Neither had felt chakra in such quantities. There was almost a blue shine around Naruto.

He shouted "Kagebunshin" and released his chakra. There was a huge puff. Then suddenly the whole place was filled with orange. Everywhere one could see, there was only Naruto in his orange jumpsuit. They started shouting "We will pummel you thousand fold." Suddenly on command, half of them henged into Iruka and carrying the kagebunshin version of the scroll started randomly attacking Mizuki and running away. Two of them had kawarimied with the original Iruka and Naruto.

Mizuki snarled and arming himself with two back to back kunai he started a melee battle. He started popping clothes left and right. He was too fast for them even if they were dog piling him. He kept moving and started attempting to thin the numbers. He was still getting hurt though. Random shots that somehow with luck managed to hit him. He was still slowly thinning the clone crowd. Naruto kept getting updates and wondered how. When he started realising that Mizuki was slowly winning, he asked Iruka "Iruka sensei, Mizuki sensei is too fast for me. My clones are hurting him but he is slowly killing more and more clones. He is using a clever combination of shunshin and kawarimi. He is coming to a place, killing a few and moving away before the rest could react to him. Could you signal the other ninjas in some way?"

Iruka said "I did not carry any of the flares with me Naruto. In my hurry to come searching for you, I did not get all my equipment."

Naruto asked "Do you know any fire jutsu that we can shoot into the sky?"

At seeing that Iruka nodded surprised as to why he didn't think of it. He immediately started handseals and sent out the great fireball jutsu. It blasted right above the treetops over his location. Seeing Iruka finish the jutsu, Naruto clones kawarimied the two of them again and it was just in time as Mizuki had just arrived there. Mizuki said "So you are the real Iruka eh. Time to kill the two of you and run away".

Saying this he approached with more care since Iruka was fast enough to see him normally. This was his undoing since all the nearby Narutos threw kunai in his direction. He heard whistling and substituted again but by this time his chakra was running low. Constantly enforcing his body with chakra, shunshin, kawarimis tired him out. He also was afraid that the other ninja would come to him soon. He then had a brainwave. But before he could implement it more Naruto fought him. They were slowly improving. The understood his tactics and their reaction times got better little by little. This was causing him more injuries since he already had a lot of small shallow cuts and a kunai sticking out of his thigh. He slit their throat and shunshined away again. He henged into an ANBU and suddenly appeared in front of the clones saying "what is going on?" The clones stopped and told him "Mizuki sensei tricked me into stealing the scroll and learning a jutsu. I learnt the jutsu and was waiting for him to pass me. Iruka sensei found me and we were returning with the scroll to clear up the situation when Mizuki attacked me and Iruka sensei. Iruka sensei is hurt enough to not be able to fight and we are trying to stall Mizuki sensei waiting for you to arrive. Where is your team?"

Mizuki stood paying attention to the clone talking thinking that he had fooled them. This was why he did not realise that two other clones were slowly sneaking up on him. He was saying "Ok, my team will find Mizuki to take care of him. Tell me where Iruka and Naruto are so that I can escort them."

When he finished he suddenly heard whistling but could not do anything to dodge in time and found two kunai both insert into his knee caps from behind shattering them. He also found two kunai inserted into his shoulder caps as well. The pain became unbearable and he dropped to the floor. He fought through the pain and looked up to see a Naruto clone looking at him with a gleam in his eyes saying "Nice try Mizuki sensei. Unfortunately for you, henge does not in any way hide smell and I could smell that it was you." Saying this, he suddenly felt a sharp hit on the back of his head and then knew no more.

The Naruto clone talking to him felt for a pulse and found one. Then he opened his eyes to see if he was knocked out. On finding out he was he asked one of the clones to slowly dispel to let Naruto know about what happened. Each of the Naruto clones got experience from the clones fighting and figured that the original also got it. Thus this could be used to send a message. One of the clones dispelled and then another dispelled to let him know they were coming. He then organised a guard of sorts around Mizuki while starting to strip him of weapons.

Naruto meanwhile suddenly stopped while running saying "Iruka sensei, they subdued Mizuki. You have given a signal to show where we are. The Hokage tower and the hospital are still too away. Let's go back to the clearing and rest while waiting for the others to come. My clones will patrol and lead them there."

Iruka looked at Naruto and said "Ok. Let's go." Saying this, he took the shoulder offered by Naruto and his clone. He watched another clone dispel and they slowly got back to the clearing. The closer he got to the clearing, the more impressed he seemed to be getting. There were Naruto clones patrolling in groups of three in the arrowhead formation. This was in three layers. There was also another layer that was hidden which was there in case someone fought their way through. This layer of clones could ambush them. On reaching the clearing, he was even more surprised. Mizuki was stripped. He did not mean this lightly. Mizuki was literally only in his underwear. All his clothes and weapons were on one side far away from where Mizuki laid with a three-man clone team guarding it. There were another two three-man teams guarding Mizuki with what he assumed to be the leader clone walking to Naruto. The leader clone hugged Iruka and said "Thank you, sensei."

Naruto looked on and said "Hey! I should do that. You are a clone."

The leader clone gave the original a stinky eye. Then became serious and said "Boss, Mizuki-sensei is injured. We most probably shattered his knee-caps and shoulder joints. Then knocked him out. I don't think he will bleed out. You.." Suddenly both the clone and the original supporting Iruka cocked their heads. Then both sighed.

Iruka looked lost. He said "What just happened? How could you take down a chunin? And what now?"

Naruto looked at Iruka, and then realised that the clone information does not pass to him. He said "I will tell you this during the report Iruka sensei. Currently there is an ANBU team that is being escorted by my clones on its way."

He just barely finished saying this when the team arrived and landed on the floor a little distance from Naruto and his set of clones. The clones all surrounding Naruto and Iruka armed themselves while the original and Iruka who looked injured slowly separated from the rest.

Seeing them getting ready to protect, the two ANBU slowly raised their hands saying "We are friends. Chunin Iruka, report what happened? Why are you in consort with the traitor Uzumaki?"

Seeing Naruto bristle at being called a traitor Iruka quickly said "He is not a traitor. In short, he was tricked by Mizuki into stealing the scroll over a misunderstanding. I found him and we were returning to the hokage towers to return the scroll and clear up this misunderstanding when Mizuki attacked us to take the scroll. A short fight ensued and Mizuki is captured. He might bleed out so needs to be given medical attention so that he can be interrogated."

The ANBU stepped forward relaxing and said "Thank you. Now we would like the scroll so that it can be taken."

Naruto immediately shouted "Nothing doing." Immediately the ANBU tensed and seeing that the clones also tensed. But before a fight could break out Naruto continued "Mizuki already tried to impersonate ANBU to get the scroll. You can escort us to the hokage towers but the only person that I am handing this scroll over to is Hokage-jii himself. That is all the concession I am willing to make. I made a mistake and I will make it better."

The ANBU captian Wolf had to make a decision. He knew that he and his team could take out the clones and the original Naruto and Iruka but he was ordered to not hurt Naruto lethally. Also Naruto was not being traitorous. He only said that the scroll would be with him till he met the hokage which was fine so long as the scroll was safe-guarded. He also accepted an escort. So although the scroll should not be in the hands of an academy student, an insubordinate one at that he also knew that no true harm would come out of it.

He looked to see Iruka berate Naruto while Naruto steadfastly refused to back down from that stance. He signalled his team to relax. He said "Fine so long as we can escort you. Our priority is the scroll. Eagle will take care of Mizuki. Chunin Iruka, do you require immediate medical assistance or can it wait till after the report?"

Iruka said "Thank you for accepting. I am unable to move very fast but I do not require immediate medical assistance. I also need to make a report to Hokage-sama. So I will come along."

Wolf nodded and gave some signs. Eagle stored Mizuki into a statis scroll and his stuff into another storage scroll. After this Eagle vanished. Naruto meanwhile stored the scroll on his back while two clones went to help Iruka. With an honour guard of clones surrounding both Naruto and Iruka they moved towards Konoha. The ANBU kept up with them, one on each side except in front. It was a very weird sight.

Hokage's office

Hiruzen was still keeping track of them using the crystal ball on his table. He was impressed by Naruto's tactics and was thinking of field promoting him since the only reason he did not graduate is the clone jutsu but he used the Kagebunshin appropriately thus making him eligible. Apart from that he also showed effective tactics in taking down a chunin traitor reacting well and as required at various points of the situation. He just stopped the crystal ball from working when the ANBU team, Naruto and Iruka walked into his room after knocking.

Naruto immediately rushed to him and gave him a hug saying "I am sorry Jiji. I did not know it was a bad thing. I was told it was a test and that I had to steal the scroll and learn a jutsu on it to pass. So I did."

Hiruzen patted him on the head and said "It's ok Naruto. Be careful next time not to get tricked. But this time there are no issues. You did what an academy student would have done when a teacher commands you. Now most importantly, where is the scroll?"

Naruto silently handed over the scroll which Hiruzen handed to Bear. Bear vanished with the scroll. He slowly moved away from Naruto and said "Chunin Iruka, report."

Iruka immediately said "Academy student Naruto was tricked by Chunin Mizuki to steal the forbidden scroll masking it as a graduation test. I found Naruto and after clearing the misunderstanding between us started on my way back to the hokage tower with Naruto and the scroll. Chunin Mizuki attacked us at that point and released the secret of the kyuubi to Naruto…" the moment he said that there was a huge weight pressing down on everyone in the tower. Iruka struggled to keep standing and the ANBU were noticeably stiffer. Naruto was unaffected and was looking around in confusion. Hiruzen calmly said "Continue."

Iruka gulped a little and continued saying "I was injured and managed to stall him a little. When Mizuki was attacking to kill me, Naruto intercepted, used kagebunshin, henged into me and carried team warfare against Mizuki while moving us away safely. Then we signalled hoping to gain some ninja assistance since Naruto was losing. Then suddenly the tides changed since we got to know that Mizuki was defeated and when walking back found Mizuki unconscious and in his underwear with all his weapons and clothes placed at a side location. He had a lot of gashes on him and looked to have wounds on his knees and shoulders. We encountered the ANBU at that point and returned with them to return the scroll."

Hiruzen said "I see." He was turning to speak to Wolf when suddenly Iruka said "May I speak my mind Hokage-sama?"

Seeing Hiruzen nod Iruka continued "I make a recommendation to grant a field promotion to Academy student Uzumaki Naruto. His failure was due to him unable to make a clone but he has successfully demonstrated his proficiency with the kagebunshin as well as the other two. Apart from this, he shows teamwork and tactical skills and enough strength to take down a Chunin."

Naruto looked at Iruka wide-eyed. He didn't think that this could happen. He was still confused and had to get some doubts cleared about the kyuubi but this added to his load more. He looked hopefully towards Jiji. Hiruzen meanwhile looked at Iruka as if measuring him. After a few seconds he seemed to find what he was looking for and said "Noted. We will get back to this in a minute." Then with a stone-like face he turned to the ANBU and got his report.

Finally, he turned to Naruto and said "Taking into account today's incidents, Naruto you will not be punished. You have also shown enough skill and strength of character to be considered for a field promotion and under the recommendation of Chunin Iruka, I field promote Academy student Naruto Uzumaki to a Genin. Iruka will fill you in on the details tomorrow in the academy. Meet him there at eight in the morning. Now Bear, take Iruka-kun to the hospital and get him some medical assistance."

On hearing this, Iruka and Naruto relaxed and Iruka smiled at Naruto ruffling his hair. When bear arrived, he stepped away from Naruto and bear shunshinned Iruka away. At a signal, the other ANBU in the room vanished back into the shadows, not that Naruto could tell.

Now hiruzen said "Naruto, are you fine? Did you get hurt? Is there anything you want to ask me?"

Naruto said "I am fine Jiji. I did not get hurt, my clones did most of the fighting. I just supported Iruka sensei." Then in an angry tone he said "Why didn't you tell me about the kyuubi? I had to find out from some traitor who told me I was the kyuubi and not it's container. What the hell Jiji. I thought you trusted me."

Hiruzen said "I do trust you Naruto. But the kyuubi is a secret. I trust you with my life but I cannot yet trust you with Konoha's. You were an underperforming academy student who shouted anything and everything out loud. How would you have reacted if I told you about the kyuubi? I was going to tell you about it when you became a genin. I honestly expected you to pass this time. I am sorry that this happened and you had to find out this way but this was the safest."

Naruto said "So what else are you hiding from me w.r.t me Jiji? Do you know who my parents are?"

Seeing Hiruzen grimace he snarled in anger saying "You do know who my parents are don't you Jiji?"

Hiruzen sighed and said "Yes Naruto I do. And again, for your own safety, I cannot tell you this unless you can protect yourself or at least run away. This I will deem you worthy when you become a chunin with jounin level speed. I don't want to hide it from you Naruto but it is either then, or sixteen, or when I can see you mature enough that you will keep it safe. I am sorry Naruto."

Naruto looked angrier with tears running out of his eyes but he knew jiji's form face. He asked "Did they love me or did they leave me because of the kyuubi?"

Hiruzen said "They loved you Naruto. They died saving you from the kyuubi. I promise more when you become strong enough to protect yourself."

Naruto stilled at that and then his anger slowly became determination. He said "Just you watch Jiji. I will do that very fast. I noticed that I gained the experience of the kagebunshin which made my reflexes faster against Mizuki. Can I use it for other training as well?"

Hiruzen smiled at that saying "Good job Naruto. And yes, you can train with the kagebunshin for everything which is memory and chakra related. You cannot train physical muscles. That you have to do yourself. I would however recommend learning whatever you know thoroughly instead of learning thousand different things at once. Take two or three skills at a time and master them. Don't take too many or it won't profit you."

Naruto nodded determined saying "Thank you Jiji. When can I get my headband? And I need to sleep if I am to meet Iruka sensei tomorrow at 8. It's already 2. I will become strong fast enough for you to tell me who my parents are in six months Jiji. Just you watch."

Hiruzen smiled saying "Iruka will give you your headband. Go rest. I will be waiting Naruto. I will be happy if that is the case. Take care."

Saying this, Hiruzen dismissed Naruto who went home. He wondered how Naruto would go about his training and decided to help him out a little. He took out the war-time academy instruction books and handed them to Iruka with a note saying

"Make Naruto master every jutsu he has learnt. Make him work on his chakra control, physical conditioning, henge and kawarimi first. Use Kagebunshin. He will explain it to you tomorrow. After that, slowly work on his taijutsu and get him to know the war time academy books inside out. By the time that is done, he should be chunin level. In the storage scroll you will find the list of chakra control exercises he has to do before he starts on the academy book and other training. You will also find a scroll containing the old academy books. Train him well. You have two weeks.

Sandaime Hokage

Hiruzen Sarutobi"

Saying this, he had a note delivered by the ANBU to Iruka's home. Then he slowly turned to look out of the window at Konoha thinking about how this will change things.