A/N
So this is my child. I know that may seem stupid or cliche, but its the honest truth. The first time I wrote this Fanfiction I was sixteen, I'm twenty-one now.
Back then I was moronic, and my grammar was so poor people thought I was ten. I'm not saying i'm a master now, but I personally believe i'm just a tad bit better.
When I first posted this story, I had little confidence. So after the second chapter I deleted it. I regret giving up so easily, and now i'm back to give it another shot.
I'm not asking you to go easy on me. In fact if you hate it let me know. Just please review no matter the input you have to offer.
Disclaimer: I own nothing involving the trade mark of NARUTO™
-lineBreak-
It was another beautiful day In Konohagakure. The sun was warm and high in the sky. The people of the hidden village were already well into their day, and were out and about.
There was only one thing breaking up the quite peacefulness of the day. A young blonde boy blurred down the street, weaving in and out of startled crowds of people.
Chasing the young boy was a stampeding heard of Chuninn and Anbu alike. As strange as this sight may seem, it wasn't a very unusual sight in Konoha.
You see, the young boy was somewhat of a dynamo when it came to mischief. Even though he enjoyed causing some harmless chaos, he was a good boy at heart.
Not that you would come to that conclusion by asking any average Konoha resident. If you were to ask of the boy you'd get answers like.
"That brat? He's a menace!"
Or
"Stay away, and watch your back when he's around!"
These people didn't know Naruto. What they saw when they look at him, was their loss and fears.
Enough of that for now. Right now Naruto was running from his angry pursuers. It wasn't like they were unjustified in their anger. Naruto in the end had stolen all of the chunnin instructors vest's, he then smuggled them home and dye them one by one in his small bathtub in his small apartment. Then some how put them back into the multiple chunnin's combination locked lockers. He did all this in one night.
If one was to stop and think about it for a moment, they would realise the amount of skill it takes to accomplish such a prank. The Chunnin chasing him dressed in bright neon pink vest, didn't stop to think about it though.
Suddenly Naruto darted down a side road, kicking up dirt at the quick change of direction. His pursuers nearly toppled over each other trying to copy the blondes turn at such high speeds.
Naruto wasted no time by turning down yet another branching street getting out of the line of sight of the angry ninjas. Up ahead Naruto spotted a open window, seeing his opportunity he dove head long through it.
Landing in a heap, Naruto stayed still as possible as he waited for the sound of his pursuers to pass by. After the last of the Chunnin and Anbu ran passed unaware of the blondes departure of the chase, Naruto sat up and took in his surroundings.
He apparently had jumped into a restaurant, more specifically into the seat of a booth in a restaurant. He wasn't the only occupant either. Across from the boy sat a older gentleman.
Naruto quickly took in his appearance. His hair was long and grey, reaching down to his shoulders. His face was wrinkled and weathered. He had those lines in his face that you only get from years of frowning.
The clothes he wore were unlike anything Naruto had ever seen. It was patched together with thick segments of leather, some areas more padded than others. (Think any Act. Adv. RPG basic leather armor sets)
The armor looked like it would offer good protection to Naruto, but he had to wonder how hot it would be to wear all that leather. What really caught Naruto's attention was what the old man wore around his head.
A ninja headband, Naruto would recognise one of them anywhere. Something was off though, the symbol was different than usual. Instead of the symbol of the leaf inscribed into the metal, there was what seemed to be an hour glass.
"Hey old man! Are you a ninja?"
The elderly man seemed to balk at the blondes rude way of addressing him.
"Were is your manners kid. When you meet someone for the first time, you introduce yourself."
Naruto rolled his eyes, but obliged his elder none the less.
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto, and don't forget it. After all you're looking at the future Hokage!"
The grey haired man didn't seem impressed at all, but did give a small amused scoff.
Naruto's face twisted into a scowl at the mans lack luster response to his dream.
"You don't believe me, you old bastard?!"
The man frowned at the boy's loud tone and fowl language.
"Not particularly kid, I was just amused at the mental picture of a shrimp like you wearing the Hokage robes."
Naruto shot up in his seat to yell a retort, but the man held up his hand preemptively stopping him.
"Look around kid. Your yelling is disturbing everyone's lunch."
Naruto did just that. Surveying the room, Naruto noticed everyone in the restaurant seemed to be staring at their booth in irritation. Ducking his head, he gave the older man a sheepish grin. The blonde suddenly seemed to remember something.
"Hey, you never answered my question. Are you a ninja or not?"
The man smirked and made a come closer motion with his hand. Naruto hesitantly leaned over the table between them. The man sighed and repeated the motion. This time how ever Naruto didn't move.
"Kid, i'm about to tell you some super secret ninja information. I have to whisper it to you so no one else hears."
Naruto grinded widely and hastily leaned closer to the man. The prospect of learning some 'super secret ninja information' sounded to good to pass up.
Naruto was but a few inches from the man, his ear facing him to hear the whispered secret the best he could. Suddenly the older mans hand jetted out, and in the blink of an eye he jabbed two fingers into the side of Naruto's neck.
There was a moment were the attack seemed to have no effect. Then Naruto's eyes rolled up into his head, and his body went limp. Naruto's head fell to the table with a solid 'thump'.
"Never get to close to a ninja kid."
The old man took a small note pad and pen from his pocket. After scratching something down quickly, he tore the piece of paper out and set it down In front of the sleeping blonde.
When Naruto awoke with a jolt about fifteen minutes latter, he frantically began looking for his attacker. All he found was a piece of paper with some writing on it.
Picking up the piece of paper he read the barley legible handwriting.
'Hey kid, thanks for picking up the bill for me!'
In the bottom right hand corner was a small illustration of the older male holding up a victory sign.
Naruto's attention was drawn away from the note by a deliberate cough. Standing at the end of the booth was a server holding a bill. After accepting it and seeing the total, he nearly had a heart attack.
Shaking, he reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a frog shaped wallet. He opened it, but all that it seemed to contain was a small moth that promptly flew away.
"Eh heh. . ."
Sheepishly smiling up at the server. Naruto gulped heavily at the mans foreboding expression.
'That old bastard!'
-linebreak-
(At the Hokage tower)
Herizen Saritobi sat behind his desk, looking over documents. The one he had in his hands was a request for more funds. Apparently someone had dyed all of his chunnins Flack jackets neon pink. Now they needed money for new ones.
A small smirk grace his features. He had a feeling he knew who was responsible. There was only one person he knew who could pull off a prank like that.
Just then there was a knock at the door to his office. Looking up from his papers, he wondered who that could be. He wasn't scheduled for anymore meeting today.
"Enter!" The Hokage called out.
Despite the danger of a unknown and unexpected guest, he trusted his hidden Anbu to protect him from any surprise attack.
When the visitor walked through the door. The old Sarutobi's wrinkled face fell into a bright smile.
"Rōh you old bastard. You're a week early!"
The man who entered was as old if not older than the Hokage himself. He had grey hair down to his shoulders, and wore thick leather armor. Wrapped around his head was a Sunagakure ninja headband.
Rōh chuckled at the Hokage's good natured barb, before quickly taking a seat across from the Hokage.
"You know Hokage-dono, you're not the first person to call me that today."
The Hokage chuckled at that.
"I'm not surprised. It is an accurate way of describing you Rōh."
Rōh just smirked at his long time friend. It had been years since he'd seen his old friend, and he couldn't help but be jealous at how young the Hokage looked compared to him.
"The years have been kind to you Hokage-dono."
The elderly Hokage looked at his friend with bulging eyes, then suddenly let out a true belly laugh.
"BWHAHAHAHA!"
Rōh patiently waited for the Hokage to finish. When the Hokage's amusement wound down, he sobered up quickly at Rōh's serious expression.
"You. . .are you serious Rōh? Listen friend, the years have been anything but kind to me."
At Rōh's skeptical look, the Hokage decided to educate his old friend.
"In the morning when I wake up, it takes ten minutes just to stand up strait. When its cold outside, it feels like someone is jamming kunia into my joints."
Rōh had that look he was so good at, the one that let you know he wasn't very impressed. Upon looking at that stare, the Hokage couldn't hold it in any more.
"My feet swell up. I sometimes can't see out of my left eye. I get heart burn so bad, I fell like i'm going to die. My last molar fell out the other day. I can barely taste some of my favourite food anymore."
Rōh just nodded with each issue Heruzen listed of. It just frustrated the Hokage more and more, with each nod. All he wanted was a little sympathy from the old bastard.
"And now I just pissed my self a little, because this old tired bladder can't hold piss for shit!"
Rōh just nodded in understanding.
"Just the beginning Hokage-dono. There will be many more trails and tribulations ahead on the road to old age."
The Hokage suddenly looked frightened.
"Buh. . .your only a few years older than me."
The Hokage's eyes glossed over in horror. The thought if his issues with is old age only getting worse, it truly shook the old village leader to the core. Rōh observed in he Hokage's far away look and sighed. It fell to him to get the conversation back to business.
"Well anyway. About the reason I'm here."
The Hokage seem to snap out of reprieve at the sound of Rōh's voice.
"Huh? Oh! Yes of course, an apprentice."
Rōh nodded glad to get to the point. The Hokage proceeded to pull a folder out from his desk.
"Now there are a lot of good candidates. A lot of smart cookies this year. However if you do favor a clan heir, we must get permission from the clan head. Of course you understand."
As the Hokage stood up to hand the folder over to Rōh, the older man held up his hand. The Hokage unceremoniously fell back in his chair, looking back at Rōh with confusion.
"Tell me Hokage-dono, is there perhaps a one Uzumaki Naruto attending the academy this year?"
For a moment the Hokage stared blankly at the old sand-nin.
"Yes. . .may I ask how you came to know his name?"
Rōh smiled faintly.
"I guess you can say fate brought us to meet. That's the only way I can rationalise him literally falling into my lunch today."
The Hokage wanted to ask more, but decided he rather not know.
"So young Uzumaki has caught your eye huh? What prey tell do you see in the boy?"
The Hokage was being cautious with his wording. If Rōh new about Naruto's prisoner, well. He just hoped his friend wasn't trying to get access to the Kyuubi's power. He trusted his long time friend, but when it came to Naruto there was no such thing as too cautious.
Rōh could easily see the Hokage's sudden tension raised at the mention of the blonde boy. He knew what he said next would determine the outcome of this meeting.
"Like I said, I met the kid earlier today. I admired his spirit, even if his manners left much to desire. I feel with enough training, and a lot of smacks to the back of the head he could be a respectable student."
The Hokage was pleasantly surprised. Most of the time it seemed as though he was the only one who believed in Naruto's potential. To have another ninja, especially one he respected professionally felt gratifying. Rōh felt his shoulders relax as the tension in the Hokage's face ebbed away.
"Well Rōh I'd be more than happy if you were to take Naruto under your tutelage. There is one thing you must know though. Something that is not to leave this office."
It was Rōh's turn to be surprised. He could tell the Hokage cared for the boy, by the way his name put the Hokage on the defensive. Something that caused the Hokage's usually kind face to become steely and serious, had to be of great importance.
At Rōh's nod, the Hokage continued.
"Naruto happens to be a Jinjuriky, of the nine tails."
Rōh's expression betrayed nothing. He looked at the village leader evenly. The way the Hokage seemed to be staring him down he knew he needed to choose the correct words.
"I see, does he have similar issues as are Jinjuriky."
Sarutobi shook his head abruptly.
"If you mean being hated and generally ignored, then yes. Besides that, of what I heard about the Kazakage's youngest, no not at all. Naruto truly has a heart of gold."
Rōh nodded, he could trust the Hokage. As far as he knew Heriozen was a impeccable judge of character.
"Good, then ill start as soon as possible."
The Hokage smiled in agreement.
"Great, I'm glad. Will you be taking Naruto out of the village?"
Rōh seemed to think that over for moment.
"No if he is as socially deprived as you say, then taking him on a extended training trip would only make him feel that much more secluded."
The Hokage's nod signified his agreement.
"After his day at the academy, I will take him to an unused and out of the way training ground. Preferably some where out of the way from prying eyes."
Heruzen looked thoughtful before he seemed to remember something and began rummaging through his desk. After a moment he pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Rōh. Unfolding the ancient looking document, he looked back at the Hokage in surprise. The paper was a old deed to a dojo.
"Hokage-dono, this is too much. I'm sure I can find a training ground that will suit my needs just fine."
The Hokage waved off Rōh's concern.
"Nonsense, my gift to you. It used to belong to an old Karate master. After he died we looked for a next of kin, but we came up empty handed. So the rights to the property became the village's. I've been scratching my head wondering what to do with it."
Rōh folded the paper up and placed it in his pocket.
"Then I thank you Hokage-dono for your generous gift."
The Hokage scratched the back of his, flushed slightly at the obvious gratitude for such a simple gift.
"No, no. It's really no trouble. Once you see it, i'm sure you'll be underwhelmed."
Rōh smiled, even if it was a decrepit mess it would still be a big gesture.
"Well, regardless i'm still humbled by your offer. Now does Naruto have any family by chance?"
The Hokage sighed heavily.
"Sadly no. He is a ward of the village. He does have a godfather that might take issue to you taking Naruto as a apprentice. . .but ill take care of him."
Rōh looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Hmm. . .well I suppose there's only one thing to do. I will officially adopt Naruto."
The Hokage had just lit his pipe and took his first puff, when Rōh made the startling deceleration. What fallowed was five minutes were the old Hokage proceeded to cough up a lung.
'cough,cough' "wha. . . Adopt Naruto! Bu. . .you just met the boy!"
Rōh sighed.
"Listen Hokage-dono. As my apprentice ill be a big part of Narutos life from here on out. It only makes sense for me to be his guardian. I need to have complete control over his life, if that doesn't happen I can't guaranty my students success."
The look the Hokage gave Rōh, made the sand-nin think he might deny his request.
"Okay, fine its a deal. You will be Naruto's sensei and guardian. With you guaranty that you will turn Naruto into a candidate for Hokage, ill give t you whatever you want. After all Naruto deserves that and much more for what he protects this village from."
Rōh smirked and swiftly stood up, reaching out to shake the Leaf village's leader hand. Heroizen accepted his friends had and shook it with vigor.
"Trust me Hokage-dono, ill whip the kid into shape."
The Hokage smirked along with his long time friend. He just prayed to Kami that Naruto would survive.
-END-
Thanks for reading, if you liked let me know. If you didn't, tell me how much you hated it. Please just tell me something.
Thank you kindly.