Masashi Kishimoto owns Naruto.
Chapter 1: Beginning
When Naruto arrived at the cabin Mizuki-Sensei had told him about he walked over to it and leaning against the door slid down it till he was sitting. Naruto stared at the scroll until his laboured breathing returned to normal. Taking out a smaller scroll and a pencil and opened the scroll to examine all the techniques written inside of it. "Okay the first technique in here is...Tajū Kage Bunshin no Jutsu...damn it. Well what else is in here umm lets see..Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu and Bunshin Daibakuha. WHY THE HELL DOES THIS TECHNIQUE SHOW UP EVERYWHERE I GO!"
Naruto screamed, calming down after a few moments of pointless ranting he copied down the instructions for the shadow shuriken and clone explosion techniques.
"Now let's see what else is in here," Opening the scroll up further Naruto found more writing on another section of the scroll, "Hmm looks like some kind of summon called Shiki Fujin, that looks difficult, hmm and 8 Inner Gates, increases physical abilities at risk of death...hmm maybe I can find a way around that. Last is Izanagi, cool you can turn yourself into an illusion, but oh you need to be an Uchiha, that sucks." Naruto quickly wrote these down then sealing the scroll up put the copy in his pocket. Closing the bigger scroll up he leaned it up against the cabin and then walked into the middle of the clearing.
Naruto brought his hands together into the dragon seal then concentrating on his body yelled out, "8 Inner Gates," and nothing happened. After trying this again a few times with different seals still nothing happened. With a scowl on his face, Naruto opened the scroll and looked it over again before sighing. "Damn it'" Bring his hands together into the Shadow Clone Technique seal Naruto started to work on that.
A few hours later Naruto stood there breathing heavily with a huge smile plastered all over his face, hearing something moving up behind him he spun around and looked up at an angry Iruka-sensei.
"Gotcha," Iruka-senseei said in a deadly whisper.
"Heh, about time nose-bleed, I've been out here for hours training." Naruto joked. "I only managed to learn one of the techniques on this scroll but with it I will pass for sure!" grinned an enthusiastic Naruto while he pumped his fist into the air.
Now confused Iruka looked him over as he thought 'he's been training, no wonder he's so exhausted. But what's he talking about graduating…..'
"Mizuki sensei told me about this scroll," continued Naruto eagerly, "he said if I learnt a technique from it I'd pass for sure".
"Naruto.." began Iruka, but he was quickly cut off by the sound of kunai flying through the air. He quickly turned around but wasn't quick enough to evade all of them.
He glared at a tree branch above them. "Why, Mizuki, Why do this to Naruto."
Mizuki stepped out of the shadows and snorted, "Congratulations Iruka, you were just too nosey, you have signed your death warrant along with the little akki."
Naruto could not believe what he was hearing. He started to panic until he heard Iruka talking to him, "Get away from here Naruto, don't let Mizuki get that scroll, he's using you to get it for himself."
Naruto was shocked, but turned around and started to run. Before he could make it beyond the cabin, Mizuki took out his shuriken and threw them at Naruto. Iruka saw the attack and tried his best to remove Naruto from its path but in so doing ended up with a few of them in his chest, shoulder and leg while the others missed and lodged themselves into a nearby tree.
"Why do you protect him?" sneered an angry Mizuki, "After all the things that this akki did you still stand by his side? Why do you protect a demon that your killed your parents?"
"Stop it Mizuki!" exclaimed Iruka, "You know we're not supposed to speak of this. It was made forbidden for a reason!"
Mizuki however continued on. "Naruto, do you know why everybody hates you, why everybody treats you so bad, and why nobody wants to be your friend? Listen well you little akki, twelve years ago the 4th Hokage didn't kill the Kyuubi instead he sealed it away!"
Naruto just stood there numb with horror . All the things that he had once thought were a coincidence were now being explained. He had always wondered why he was treated so badly, why he always suffered beatings on his birthday, which was coincidentally the day the Kyuubi attacked. No wonder all of the parents told their children to stay away from him. The Kyuubi was sealed inside of him.
He was distracted from his thoughts when he heard his other teacher shout out "Please Mizuki, stop it". But the cry fell on deaf ears as he continued on. "You were the one chosen to contain the Kyuubi, you are the Nine Tailed Demon Fox!"
'No,' thought Naruto, 'No if I really was the Kyuubi, I wouldn't care about Iruka or the Old Man so much.' Mizuki, seeing his chance took a fuma shuriken from his back and flung it full force towards the paralysed Naruto.
"Nooo!" shouted Iruka as he sped towards Naruto. A shadow blurred infront of Naruto and he looked up as something warm fell into his hair.
"Iruka-sensei why?" he whispered. "Why did you protect me?" Naruto was confused. He knew that Iruka cared for him as a student, but having never been shown such compassion he could not understand.
"I protected you because you're precious to me." He said. "You and I are a lot alike Naruto. We're both orphans, and pranksters. We both grew up alone and ended up seeking attention as the class clown. If only I'd seen it; how much you were hurt. Growing up alone, I would've helped you more because I've been in your situation. But I didn't and I'm sorry Naruto. From now on I swear to protect you Naruto, to help you as much as I can. Now, get out of here, run as fast as you can towards Hokage-sama and explain everything to him."
"No Iruka-sensei I won't leave you here alone!" said Naruto with tears threatening to fall from his eyes.
"Now look what you've done." Said Mizuki. "He thinks he is brave, the little akki thinks he can fight me" he laughed. "Why to you protect that akki Iruka?" asked Mizuki. "It killed your parents Iruka! Don't you hate that stupid fox for killing your parents and leaving you homeless?"
"You're right" replied Iruka, "I Hate the fox for doing that."
Naruto immediately broke down with his shoulders slumped. 'To think that I thought that he actually cared for me' thought Naruto. But hearing the next few words that were spoken by Iruka made him brake down even further.
"I hate the fox sealed inside of Naruto, but I can never hate him! He may not be the brightest student, and he may be clumsy and pull pranks but he's one of my precious people and one of the future Hokages of Konoha. He's Naruto Uzumaki, he was and never will be that fox.
"Whatever Iruka," said Mizuki. "I was saving you for after I killed the akki but I'm gonna be finishing you off first, so much for well thought out plans."
With that, he quickly removed a giant shuriken from his backpack and flung it full speed towards Iruka.
'So this is how I die' thought Iruka 'I'm sorry Naruto, I couldn't protect you.'
Naruto was amazed by the words that his teacher had spoken, and after hearing such a confession from his teacher he would rather die before he let him go so easily. Mustering as much strength as he could, he flew through the air and kicked the shuriken away When he landed, he stayed in a crouched position with his blonde hair overshadowing his face.
He then said "If you lay even one finger on Iruka-Sensei, I'll Kill You"
Mizuki simply laughed out loud and said "You and what army punk!"
Here was the dead-last of the academy threatening a Chuunin with death. The very thought was hilarious to him. What Mizuki failed to notice was the chakra burning the air around Naruto while he brought his hands together in a seal.
He still continued to taunt Naruto by saying, "Tell you what, I'll give you a chance before I kill you."
Naruto, not wasting anytime time said "Do your worst you bastard, I will send it back at you a thousandfold. Kage Bunshin no Jutsu! With those words smoke exploded outwards from Naruto and continued to rush till even the trees all around them were covered in it, as it cleared it revealed a sea of orange.
As both beheld the extent to which Naruto had mastered the B-ranked Kinjutsu in the span of mere hours both had two very different thoughts running through their heads. Mizuki couldn't believe his eyes! So Naruto took advantage of the situation and said one word, "Charge."
After about ten seconds of agonized screams all that was left of Mizuki was a bloody pulp. Naruto stood there looking down at the injured Chunin, "No one hurts my precious people, if you ever try again I will kill you."
Iruka having had little time to process all that he had seen could only stare at the change in his student. Even though he had failed the graduation exam here stood a child who had truly earned the right to be called a Shinobi.
"Come over here Naruto" he said.
"Ok" laughed Naruto and ran over to Iruka.
"Close your eyes."
Naruto did as asked and closed his eyes and was about to ask what was the matter till he felt Iruka-sensei's hands against his forehead. "You can open them now."
"What…" Naruto was kind of confused until he saw that his teachers forehead was bare, and that he had Naruto's goggles in his hands, he gasped and reached up to stroke his new headband.
"Congratulations on passing Naruto, I expect great things from you" Iruka said. Naruto just stared at him for a moment before hugging Iruka.
"Iruka-sensei thank you!"
"Oomph" stifled Iruka as Naruto literally crushed him. "Easy there, we've got to get to the hospital and get this looked over okay."
"Sure thing Sensei" replied Naruto enthusiastically, "Will you be okay?" Iruka nodded and once he was on his feet stretched wincing from the various wounds covering his body. Reaching into his pouch he pulled out 2 pills once black one red and popped them into his mouth.
Chewing on them he said, "These are two types of pills Shinobi use in combat situations, the red one is a Blood Replenishing Pill that helps the body create more blood when a Shinobi loses a lot in battle, The black pill is a Military Rations Pill that replenishes one's stamina, chakra and nourishes the body. Now the blood pill can be dangerous because if your wounds have not closed up like mine then you will make yourself bleed harder and faster, got that?" Iruka explained.
"Sure, but sensei why are you telling me this?" Naruto said as they started up the path back to Konaha.
"You are a Genin now and having as much knowledge as you can will increase your chances of becoming a Chunin." Iruka finished explaining.
A short while later they reached the closest entry to Konaha and Naruto saw that the Hokage and some strange looking ninja were waiting for them. As they reached the doors the Hokage nodded to the leader of the ninjas and they all rushed over and started examining Iruka. When they tried to examine Naruto he pulled out a kunai and told them to back off. The Hokage seeing this walked over, "Naruto why won't you let the med-nin examine you?" Surprised at his reaction.
Naruto looked up at the Hokage with hard eyes, 'They can look me over after we talk old man." He said harshly. The Hokage understanding merely motioned the astonished med-nin to back off. Naruto looked surprised for a moment then looked down at the scroll in his hands and sighed, walking over he tried to hand it to the Hokage.
Looking down at Naruto the Hokage didn't accept it, "Why don't you look after that for me until we get back to my office okay, Naruto." Naruto looked surprised but just nodded and placing it on the ground and created 4 clones and handing it to them told them to keep it safe.
Walking over he sat near the Hokage until the med-nin were done with Iruka. "Hokage-sama Iruka-san is stable for now but we would like to take him back to the hospital for further tests." The head med-nin said.
"In your opinion can he made it to my office for a debriefing and then to the hospital on his own Kira-kun." The Hokage asked while still looking at Naruto who was studiously ignoring him.
The med-nin answered with an affirmative and with that the group split up, the med-nins heading to the hospital to prepare a room for Iruka, and the Hokage, Iruka, Naruto and his clones to the Hokage Tower. "Hey Old man why am I the one carrying the scroll back and why haven't I been arrested or something yet." Naruto asked quietly.
The Hokage looked down at the boy, "Three reasons Naruto, look around you, you may not have noticed but we sent alto of people out to look for you and therefore a lot of people know you stole the scroll. Letting you carry it back shows that you are here of your own accord that you are the one who brought it back. The second reason is that we are not sure if Mizuki was acting alone and Iruka and I need to be able to defend you at a moments notice. The third reason is I trust you with the scroll. The Hokage looked down at Naruto and smiled as he said this.
Naruto merely looked up at him surprise on his face, "Really, but how can you trust me I betrayed the village by stealing this." Naruto said painfully.
"From how I see it, you uncovered a traitor in our midst and apprehended him, you also proved to me that being a member of this villages protectors means everything to you and that you will do anything to reach that goal, and you protected your Sensei without a second thought against an opponent that you had no reason to believe you could beat." The Hokage explained. "Tonight you proved that you are a person befitting the title of Shinobi, a human being worthy of that headband on your forehead." the Hokage finished quietly.
Naruto looked at the Hokage in awe for a second before lowering his eyes until his hair hid his face. He was quiet until they reached the Hokage's office. When they entered the office he dispelled the clones and taking the scroll placed it on the Hokage's desk, he seemed to consider something then grimaced and reaching into his pocket removed the scroll he had copied the techniques down onto and placed it beside the original before sitting down in one of the chairs.
The Hokage walked around his desk and picked up the scroll, turning around he returned it to its place on the wall behind him. Turning back around he noticed the other scroll Naruto had placed on his desk, picking it up he glanced at Naruto before he opened it, looking at the gibberish inside he shot a confused glance at Naruto, "What is this Naruto."
Naruto laughed at the look on the Hokage's face before he answered, "That is the copy I made of the original scroll."
Looking back down at the gibberish again confused him even more, "Really then why does it look like you have handed me a scroll of gibberish?"
Naruto laughed again, "Old man you're the Hokage, can't you recognize cipher-text when you see it?"
The Hokage looked at the scroll again and tried to decrypt it using the ciphers he new from working with the ANBU over the years but none worked. Admitting defeat The Hokage looked up at Naruto and said, " I'm impressed I can't crack it, so how do you decrypt it."
Naruto smiled, "Can't tell you prankster's secret." Naruto said proudly. "I made that code up myself for getting out of trouble I am not about to tell the guy in charge of the village and my teacher how to decrypt my work." By the time he was finished Naruto had become serious.
"If that is the case Naruto why did you give this scroll to me?" Naruto lowered his head avoiding The Hokage's eyes for a moment before looking back up.
"After what you said about trusting me, it felt wrong to keep it." he replied sadly.
The Hokage looked down at the scroll in his hands coming to a decision but before he acted on it he looked through it in every way possible looking at it from every angle before deciding that it was a good decision, if a risky one. "You said you came up with this cipher by yourself?"
Naruto started to nod but stopped, "Well I used some of the books at the library to get a general idea of how ciphers worked," he admitted.
"And you are sure you are the only one who can decrypt it," The Hokage asked.
"Well I'm the only one who knows how it works," Naruto said. The Hokage looked back down at the scroll then handed it back to Naruto. The boy's eyes bulged before he accepted it carefully, "Why are you giving this back to me Gramps?"
"2 reasons Naruto, the first is I do trust you with it, though there are some conditions you will need to adhere to," Naruto nodded he had guessed there would be. "Second considering the the Tajū Kage Bunshin no Jutsu is a forbidden technique that kills most who use it, and you not only used it but created a thousand clones, I believe you may be able to find a way to use the techniques in that scroll in the same way. All I ask is that you talk to me before you use the 8 inner gates or the summon, okay?"
"Um sure no problem, considering both said that you will most likely die using them I have no problem coming to you about those." Naruto said shakily.
"Yes those two I would advise you wait a few years till you actually use them." The Hokage advised Naruto. "but I have no problem with you working on ways to figure out a way around their faults as long as it is theory not practical testing okay." Naruto nodded.
"What are the conditions?" Naruto asked quietly.
"Don't worry they are simple, first IF you have anything written down at home that has to do with decrypting this cipher-text I want you to either bring it to me or destroy it preferably the latter. Second you are to keep this scroll with you at all times while in the village and are to make no copies of it or share what it says with anyone. Third when you are outside the village you are to bring it straight to me before you leave, this scroll contains knowledge that I only give to you out of trust and the potential you possess Naruto." the Hokage finished, looked at Iruka, "DO not think I have forgotten about you Iruka-kun, do you have anything to add I know everything that happened tonight through my Tōmegane no Jutsu but even I can not read the human mind." The Hokage joked.
"All I ask is that you stand by my decision to make Naruto a Genin and allow me to head to the hospital because my wounds are catching up with me." Iruka had sat down during the lengthy conversation and was now having some trouble standing up.
Ringing a bell on his desk the door opened to reveal a ANBU standing there, "ANBU-kun could you please escort Iruka-kun to the hospital they are prepared for his arrival." The ANBU agent nodded then helped Iruka out o the room closing the door behind him.
"Now Naruto I think it is time we moved onto happier matters, like your reward'" the old man said enthusiastically.
"Um, what reward?" The old man laughed again
"Like I said you uncovered and apprehended Mizuki the traitor and you also returned the scroll to Konaha so I believe that would count as two missions both about B rank considering Iruka would have died without you, so that is 400, 000 ryo for you." Naruto just sat there blinking, shocked at the amount of money just given to him.
"Th-thank you Hokage-sama!" Naruto stuttered out.
"You deserve it you know." he said. "And now there is one last thing to do tonight, I think it is time that I told you who your parents were."
Not to fussed about getting reviews, I planning on finishing this fanfic but I am an essentially lazy person so I can not guarantee it, umm don't flame my work I started writing this for fun but now I've decided to write it as how I think the series should have worked out. I may put translations out later but again lazy person, I will try and post at least once a week but again, I am very lazy and have trouble writing for any great length of time.
I also have exams next week so ya, even greater chance of no chapter out. On OpenOffice this is almost a full 7 pages long, I was kind of inspired for this chapter so it may be a one time deal.
THANK YOU FOR READING.
Anyways got some complaints akki means demon or devil, gaki means brat so ya look it up before you go after me.