Trust

AN: I do not own Naruto in any way shape or form, it all belongs to Kishimoto-dono

Chapter 1

Once again it was time for the Genin Exams, that time of the Konoha Ninja Academy year when Ninjas in training would test to see if they have what it takes to be a Genin, a Rookie Ninja. Once Again Naruto was trying to prove that he is able to pass the exam that is set up. However, once again like the previous times, he failed. He couldn't understand what keeps going wrong. 'Okay so my test scores are shoddy at best, depressing at worst; my accuracy is good on kunai and shurikin, I just don't understand what keeps happening with my bushin no jutsu (clone technique)' Naruto thought miserably while all around the academy yard parents were sporting smiles of pride as their children were officially made Genin.

"Don't stress about it too much Naruto; Iruka only has your best interests at heart." Mizuki said as he walked up on the downtrodden student. "But Mizuki-sensei, I try my hardest every time yet it almost seems that Iruka-sensei doesn't notice" Naruto thought out loud.

"He probably sees too much of himself in you is the thing, but like I said; don't worry too much because there is one thing Iruka-sensei did not tell you about: the make-up exam!" Mizuki said with a hint of something strange in his eye that Naruto was unable to place due to his excitement at what was just said. "NANI?!" Naruto loudly exclaimed.

"Careful Naruto I almost went deaf from that" Mizuki said teasingly "What you need to do is go …." Mizuki whispered the rest of the make-up test in Naruto's ear so that no one could hear. The sensei could not detect anyone near their conversation but why take an unnecessary risk.

"Make sure to meet me at that spot tonight!"

"You bet Mizuki-sensei, I will make Genin, Dattebayo!!" Naruto stated with his typical enthusiasm. With that they left the academy leaving nothing behind and no trace of Mizuki's plans no one the wiser.

Or so he thought. The entire conversation was watched by the one person whose stealth rivaled the master prankster's. Hinata Hyuuga was watching the scenario play out while waiting for her usual escort of her cousin Neji and her friend Kurenai Yuuhi. Neji was her older cousin by a year and already on a Genin team. Kurenai was a close friend of Hinata's family and had in a sort of way become like a surrogate mother for the one that Hinata lost a few years ago. While waiting for the two to get to the academy to pick her up, Hinata did what she normally does, watch her secret crush from afar.

She wasn't certain as too what was going on between Mizuki-sensei and Naruto but the look in Mizuki's eyes worried Hinata enough to the point where she decided to talk to Neji and Kurenai about it. As Neji and Kurenai walked up from behind Hinata, they instantly congratulated her on making a Genin. She thanked them but still had a look of concern on her. Kurenai instantly saw this and asked what the problem was.

Hinata told her everything that she had seen including some of the details that Hinata was able to gather from reading Mizuki's lips during his conversation with Naruto. Both Neji and Kurenai suddenly were worried about what was about to happen but made sure that Hinata wasn't able to sense their dread over the situation.

"I don't know what to do Kurenai-san. I-I have a bad feeling that s-something awful will happen to N-Naruto if he does this m-make-up test." Hinata stated nervously with her stutter returning slowly. Her family and friends had been working for years on removing Hinata's stutter. "Well, if anything happens, I will personally come and get the two of you to help Naruto out." Kurenai said already planning ahead should the need arise.

"Naruto maybe foolish and dense, but if this plan does happen we shall stop him," Neji spoke in what to any other would seem a cold, harsh voice yet in reality was the warmest tone used outside of his residence. He had grown fond of Naruto from what Hinata would tell him every day after school on their way home.

"Arigato Neji-nii-san, Kurenai-san. I really appreciate this." Hinata said with a little more cheer that was detectable a moment ago.

That night there was an alert for all Chunin (middle rank Ninja) and Jonin (elite Ninja) to report immediately to the Hokage's office. "We have a grave situation here. Naruto has taken the Forbidden Scroll of Sealing." The Hokage stated matter of factly. Many of those gathered were outraged some even calling for his death. For some reason most people in Konoha, Ninja and civilian alike, despised Naruto to the point of out right attacking him in mobs.

"He is to be brought in here alive and unharmed with the scroll, is that understood?" the Hokage ordered the assembled ninja releasing a small portion of killer intent to make sure that his orders were followed through. As the ninjas dispersed in search of an orange clad ninja-in-training, Kurenai was able to piece together everything that was occurring and instantly went to the Hokage explaining the situation.

As she informed the wizened leader of the real reasons behind the theft, Sarutobi sent her and a Chunin by the name of Iruka to the spot where Naruto was supposed to meet up with the traitor Mizuki. On the way, Kurenai was able to stop and pick up the two Hyuugas who wanted to assist with saving Naruto from the plot against him. Jumping through the trees, the quartet arrived at the spot where Mizuki was to meet Naruto.

"We need a plan to capture Mizuki and prove Naruto's innocence" Kurenai said to the group. "I will go to Naruto first and act surprised at what he did, while you three hide in the area. If something happens, Kurenai you step in to help while I want you, Hinata and Neji, to get Naruto out of here and to Hokage-sama with the scroll, understood." Iruka said laying down the plan to save the young kid. All nodded their heads showing that they knew the plan. As the plan was being laid out, Hinata and Neji noticed something strange with their eyes. Every few seconds there were small puffs of smoke rising through the branches. Iruka then put the plan into action catching Naruto off guard. "Naruto just what do you think you are doing with that scroll?!" Iruka scolded his young student.

"Hehe, Iruka-sensei you found me already! I was able to only learn one jutsu from this scroll!" Naruto proudly exclaimed.

'He already learned from the scroll and he just got it two hours ago?' Iruka wondered dumb founded by what his student just said. "Yeah let me show it to you so I can graduate!" stated the hyperactive blond to his teacher. "What are you talking about Naruto?" Iruka asked playing his part already knowing the answer.

"Mizuki-sensei said that if I show you a jutsu from this scroll then you would let me graduate." Naruto informed his sensei looking at him wondering why he would ask such a question thinking that 'Iruka-sensei should know since he is giving the test.' At that instant the sound of shuriken whizzed through the air. Iruka pushed Naruto to the side taking the projectiles himself saving Naruto. "So it was you Mizuki-teme" Iruka bluntly commentated loud enough for everyone in the area to hear.

"I wonder how you were able to figure it out Iruka. Since we have known each other you haven't been able to decipher a whole lot of what is really going on." Mizuki said with a hint of malice towards Iruka.

"You haven't even applied for the Jonin exams in all the time we have worked together." Mizuki said trying to insult and upset the Chunin instructor. "I also haven't applied for them seven times and failed each one" Iruka replied.

His plan worked causing Mizuki to lunge out at him instead of Naruto. As Mizuki sped toward the wounded Ninja, Naruto was able to get a hit in knocking the treacherous ninja down saving Iruka. "Why would you try to hurt Iruka-sensei, you two are friends" Naruto exclaimed earning an incredulous laugh from Mizuki.

"You really are an idiot you know that Naruto. What is one of the lessons we have taught you brats." Naruto racked his brain trying to remember one of the lessons. "It is to look underneath the underneath you idiot. No wonder you are the dead last" Mizuki shouted knocking Naruto down with a hard punch to the mid-section. "By the way Naruto, would you like to know why you are despised throughout the village?" Mizuki asked with disdain dripping throughout his voice.

"Mizuki Don't" Iruka shouted. Kurenai was dumbfounded that he would do this. Acting as fast as she could she tried to halt Mizuki from spilling the biggest secret in Konoha. Unfortunately, she was too late.

"You are despised because twelve years ago, the Nine-tailed demon Fox was defeated like we taught you brats. However what we did not say was that it was sealed inside a baby, and that baby was you. Naruto you are the Nine-Tailed Fox. You killed all those Ninja, You killed the Yondaime Hokage. You killed Iruka's Parents!"

"MIZUKI YOU BASTARD" Iruka shouted lashing out at Mizuki with some of the kunai that he was hit with earlier. At the same time Kurenai's kunai were thrown both sets missing Mizuki as he dodged them.

"So you came to take revenge also" Mizuki asked the unknown Ninja.

"I have come to save Naruto" Kurenai stated. As the two fought, Naruto ran away with the scroll leaving all to wonder where he left for. The Hyuugas searched for Naruto with the aid of Kurenai while Iruka tried to lure Mizuki away.

As Iruka neared Naruto, Iruka called out "Naruto throw me the scroll, I will keep it out of the teme's hands." An object was thrown alright but instead of the scroll it was a shuriken. As Naruto and Iruka landed, "How did you know that I wasn't Iruka?" asked a newly revealed Mizuki.

"Because I know you have always sucked at henges (transformations)" Naruto stated as he went back into his real form of Iruka.

"Why do you stick up for that demon?" a perplexed Mizuki asked as he riddled Iruka with more kunai and shuriken.

"Because, Naruto is not the demon, he is a shinobi of Konoha!" Iruka proudly exclaimed of the young student who he thought of as a little brother.

"Then why don't you just DIE with him!" Mizuki yelled as he charged for the kill. That is until he was pounded in the head by a giant, heavy scroll.

"Lay one hand on Iruka-sensei and I will kill you" Naruto said with as much killer intent in his voice that he could manage. Kurenai, Neji, and Hinata were shocked at the sudden turn of events, as Naruto went from hiding to scarring all, including Kurenai.

At that moment everyone saw Naruto from a strange seal with his hands, "KAGE BUSHIN NO JUTSU!" Naruto yelled as the entire area was filled with clones of himself. Not just any clone but shadow clones, clones that have a physical body and not an illusionary one. All the advanced ninja were amazed that Naruto was able to do this, and all three shared the same thought 'How is this possible?' Before attacking, one of the Narutos noticed Kurenai and her group, more specifically the young girl with them. 'Oh no, now Hinata is going to be scared and reject me' Naruto's clone thought. As one, the hundreds of Narutos jumped into action landing hit after hit on the stunned Mizuki.

As the dust settled and the smoke cleared all that was left visible was a beaten and bloody Mizuki, a slightly winded Naruto, an astonished Iruka, Kurenai who figured out why Naruto was able to do such a feat, an impressed Neji, and an awe struck Hinata. With his back to them, "You three can come out now." Naruto called with a hint of depression in his usually light voice.

"How could you tell where we were?" Neji asked once again impressed by Naruto's actions. "I don't know. All I know is that when I made the clone's I was able to see where you three were hiding" Naruto said still sounding upset.

"Naruto why are you upset, you learned an amazing technique and defeated a Chunin who was close to being a Jonin. That is no easy feat" Iruka said trying to cheer up the young blond. "But in the process everyone found out why I am hated and I am scared that I will lose one of the few people that even care about me" Naruto said dejectedly looking at the Hyuugas.

"What are you saying Naruto? I-I respect you all the more for the burden you carry. Please know that you will never be alone if I am here with you" the young Hinata stated with determination and admiration in her voice and eyes.

"I agree with Hinata. Fate has chosen you for this burden and I guess it has chosen us to be able to assist you with it" Neji spoke to Naruto. At these words his spirit lifted and the smile was back on his face, now knowing that he was not to be alone again.

"Neji, Hinata, and Naruto, we all need to return back to Konoha. We need to report in to the Hokage and update him on the situation and get Iruka to the hospital" Kurenai said reminding everyone that the night was not over yet.

Inside the Hokage's office, Sarutobi listened to everything that the red-eyed Jonin, the injured Chunin and the young students had to say. Needless to say He was impressed with what transpired between Naruto learning a Jonin level technique to the young Hyuugas learning Naruto's secret yet still accepting him for who he is.

"Neji, Hinata what has happened here tonight is a SS-Ranked secret that no one else is to know. Naruto I do not need to tell you that you do not need to share this information with anyone else." The Hokage stated to the younger ninja in his office.

"Hokage-sama, I would like to do something before we are dismissed with your approval"

Iruka asked while sharing a knowing look between himself, Kurenai, and the Hokage. Sarutobi knew exactly what he was thinking and approved whole heartedly saying "by all means Iruka-kun you may precede."

"Naruto, close your eyes." Iruka said with his student following his orders while curious as to what was going on. After feeling some slight tugging and hearing some giggling from the side Naruto heard Kurenai say "Okay Naruto, open your eyes." Naruto did and wandered what everyone was smiling about when he noticed something unusual, Iruka's headband was missing and the Hokage was wearing the goggles that Naruto had until just now been wearing exclaiming

"why do you wear such ridiculous things Naruto?" At this Naruto was actually able to put two and two together and realize that Iruka gave him his Forehead Protector!

"Iruka-sensei Arigato, Arigato!"

"Your welcome Naruto just be careful and don't injure me further!" Iruka replied. At that everyone laughed until the realized that the Hokage still had the goggles on which caused everyone to laugh out loud.