My Way of the Ninja

Summary: Naruto has successfully completed his first real mission as a Genin and is already being recommended to face the Chuunin exams. But many surprises and mysteries await him along the way, to fulfilling Naruto's nindo and becoming the future Hokage.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto at all, k? If I did, I would write it something like this. I do give credit to Kishimoto Masashi, since I'm using some of the dialogue and scenes.

Beta'd by MrsHellman, who also helped me with some descriptions.

Sitting in their dinning room, having just finished a wonderful dinner consisting of Naruto's favorite meal, pork ramen, Minato was listening attentively to his son, Naruto, as he re-told everything that had happened on his first real mission to the Land of Waves. Naruto had done quite a few 'boring missions' as he put it, and was so thrilled to be doing his first 'real' one outside the village.

Minato smiled fondly at his son, who was talking very animatedly at the moment, waving his arms around for emphasis in certain parts. At first, Minato had been quite concerned when he learned that this mission wasn't actually C-rank as it first seemed. It had in fact turned out to be above B-rank in the end, and technically out of Team 7's league.

The older blonde felt his heart swell with pride as he continued to listen to Naruto continue his tale about how they had defeated Jounin level ninjas.

"I can't believe that there are guys out there, my age, who are stronger than me," Naruto finished, with a touch of sadness in his voice. Minato didn't miss it. "It's like, what were we doing?" Naruto asked with a touch of anger, and letting out an exasperated sigh.

Minato was quiet for a moment, and then he said something that made Naruto really think. "I understand how you feel, Naruto. It's true that there are guys out there who are your age and younger who are stronger than you, but because of that, you'll have to use it to motivate yourself to get even stronger," he told him, ruffling his son's hair to emphasize it. Naruto simply nodded in response. It was something he'd have to think about. "Your mission sounds like it was really exciting, Naruto," Minato went on. "I'm really proud of the way you handled things," he told Naruto, smiling at his son.

"Yeah, and I helped save Kakashi-sensei and everything!" Naruto boasted, perking up again as he came to think about the mission's special events. "We worked really well together as a team, just like you told me, Tou-san."

"Did you now?" Minato chuckled at his son's enthusiasm. "Well, that's great, Naruto. Teamwork certainly is important when on mission like that."

Naruto smiled as he heard his father's praise, it just warmed his heart, and he lapped it up. It was important to Naruto to have his father's approval. "Yeah, I used a clone to henge into a shuriken that Sasuke threw and then I was able to nail the guy, it was so cool! I wish you could have seen it!" he went on excitedly as Minato continued to chuckle.

His son sure had grown a lot; it truly amazed him at how time passed so quickly and what it produced for growth. Children learn and grow so fast, and Naruto was no exception. Naruto was no longer a little boy who needed help and protection all the time. Those days were gone forever, and it made Minato sigh wistfully. The younger blonde would now be doing more missions with his team and spending just as much time with Kakashi as he did with Minato, if not more. Minato felt a slight pang of envy over that fact.

Naruto suddenly waved a hand in front of Minato's face and the older blonde was brought back to reality. "Earth to Tou-san, are you there?" The blonde ball of sunshine called, with a slight frown on his face. He wanted his father's full attention, and didn't feel like he was getting it at the moment.

"What? Yeah, I was just. . . thinking," Minato answered, shaking his head to clear his thoughts, and focusing on his son with a grin, pushing Naruto's hand away playfully.

"You know what else, Tou-san?" Naruto continued energetically, the frown gone, now that he knew he had his father's complete attention once again.

"What's that, Naruto?" Minato asked smiling at his son, with his hands folded under his chin.

"Sasuke was able to activate his Sharingan during the battle with Haku!" Naruto announced excitedly, his body trembling out of excitement, making Minato wonder if Naruto would fall out of his chair any minute, since he was currently on the edge it.

"Did he now?" Minato replied with an arched brow. That's going to make things interesting. . .

"Yeah! Sasuke saved me and that's when I kind of forget exactly what happened, but some incredible chakra came out and gave me unbelievable power, I think and then I got Sasuke and me out of the Makyō Hyōshō (1)," Naruto explained, scrunching up his nose in thought, trying to remember what exactly had happened. "I thought. . . that Sasuke was dead," he finished quietly as he thought back to the raven's lifeless body that he had held in his arms. Sasuke had been so pale, more than he usually was, and so cold; it was very scary.

Minato looked over at his son as he noticed the change in mood. His son had his head down, his bangs covering his eyes from view. "That must have been very hard for you, Naruto," he said, putting a hand on Naruto's shoulder as he tried to look in his son's eyes to see if he could help the troubled blonde.

"Yeah. I couldn't believe that Sasuke would put his life on the line for me like that," Naruto said, looking up at his father, and his eyes held a sparkle in them that was usually present when the blonde was troubled or thinking about something very important. "I just lost it after that, I was so mad. Everything around me turned into a red shade, and I didn't know if what saw was real or not, but my other senses were better than ever before. I could hear everything that was going around me, and the smell. . . it was terrible. It smelt blood, and it was everywhere. . . Tou-san. . . I could smell Sasuke's blood."

Minato knew it had something to do with Kyuubi surfacing giving the circumstances surrounding the battle. It was the first time Kyuubi had manifested itself this way, and it was a bit disconcerting to Minato. He frowned as these thoughts came in mind. He'd have to have a talk about it with Kakashi later. . .

But I should talk to Naruto about it too. . . he added mentally, and after a few seconds he came to a decision. "I know that must have been awful for you to go through all of that Naruto. Tell me something?" Minato asked as he was finished debating in his mind.

"Hmm?" The blonde asked with a frown as he looked up at his father.

"Do you remember a couple of years ago when I told you about Kyuubi being sealed inside of you?" Minato asked as Naruto nodded solemnly that frown still in place. "And that you have two kinds of Chakra?" The older blonde continued.

"Yeah. . ." Naruto trailed off, uncertain to where this was going.

"When you got angry and thought Sasuke was dead, how would you describe the Chakra you felt?" Minato inquired as he tried to ask simple questions, and not ask directly if Naruto had felt possessed.

Naruto squinted his eyes shut as he thought about it. "It was very different than the chakra I usually mold. If I were to describe it in colors, mine is usually blue, but that time it felt red." He stopped here at looked at Minato seriously. "Was it Kyuubi, Tou-san?" he asked.

"Yes, Naruto, it was," Minato confirmed with a solemn nod of his head, his blonde locks following the motion. "When you got angry, Kyuubi's chakra leaked out of you, and that's probably how you defeated Haku," he explained, but when Naruto looked confused, he went on. "You won't always remember what happened. It's nothing to really worry about, just to keep tabs on," Minato assured him with a small smile, and after a while, Naruto smiled along with him. It's nothing for him to worry about, only me. The seal may be weakening. . . he thought, as his bit his lip, and thankfully, Naruto didn't seem to notice his father's concern; he was too deep in his own thoughts.

"Ne, Tou-san?" he suddenly asked as Minato looked over at the son again, an arched brow disappearing under his bangs, once again. "Do you think that shinobis are just emotionless tools to be used?" he asked seriously as he blinked a few times and titled his head to the side.

"Well, that's what most shinobi think, but personally, I do not," Minato answered, honestly, and smiled wide.

"Me either! I decided that day in the Land of Waves that I was going to pursue my own nindo," (2) Naruto answered with a smile gracing his lips.

"Did you now?" Minato smiled wider than before – if that was even possible – as he looked at Naruto fondly. That doesn't surprise me.

Naruto nodded and then yawned big and loud, rubbing his eyes with a clenched fist, and it made Minato chuckle to see his son so adorable.

"You should go to bed, Naruto. You've had a long day," he told Naruto and he couldn't help but grin as the blonde frowned with half lidded eyes. It reminded him of Kushina in the mornings. She used to have the same look on her face, and Minato would always tickle her so that she woke up completely. He smiled as he began reminiscing nostalgically, but once again, he was ripped out of his thoughts, thanks to the little ball he and Kushina actually had created with their love.

"Okay, Tou-san. Goodnight!" Naruto said as he gave his father a quick hug and then bounded up the stairs to his room.

Minato just smiled and shook his head. If only he could bottle that energy and sell it.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Night fell on Konoha, and its citizens slumbered peacefully, feeling safe and secure in the beds of their homes, however – there were a few citizens of Konoha that weren't asleep, they were in fact conducting a meeting invisible for the surroundings.

The leader of the meeting started to speak as the rest of the members' quieted down.

"As you all know, five years ago, our coup d'etat failed. I believe however, that enough time has passed for us to finish what we started back then, and it's been to our advantage that no one suspects us yet. This time, we've formed an alliance that will assure our victory and it can't fail. It's time for us to act and soon. You all know what you are supposed to do. We'll be meeting regularly from now, as we begin to carry out our plans. When the opportunity is right, we will strike. You will be kept informed as things develop. Dismissed."

As everyone filed out, the leader allowed himself a small smile of triumph.

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The next day, Naruto woke up early, knowing that he was supposed to meet his team by the bridge that hung over the river in the center of the village today. They were going to do more missions, and he was more than simply excited, he was thrilled!

He quickly dressed, and nearly stumbled out of his room, because of his speed, and when he came downstairs, he saw that his father had already left for work, and left him note.

Do your best today, Naruto.

Love,

Minato

Naruto grinned as he read the note quietly to himself; he loved his father for being so understanding and supportive. The blonde ate a quick breakfast and then was out the door with gusto.

"Yes! I'm going to do all my missions today with all I've got!" Naruto shouted as he ran off to the bridge – or rather skipping, or what you'd call it – and when he got there, Sakura and Sasuke were already there, waiting for Kakashi, who was late – as usual.

"Good morning, Sakura-san!" Naruto called happily with a grin plastered on his facial features, as Sakura looked up and saw the blonde coming towards them.

"Naruto-kun, I've told you before, you can just call me Sakura," the pink haired girl told him coyly, but the blonde didn't seem to listen, he just looked at her with his head titled to one side, the grin still in place.

"Yeah, yeah. Okay," the youngest of the three answered casually as he looked over at Sasuke. "Hey, Sasuke!"

"Hey, Naruto," Sasuke answered, giving his friend a small smile as Naruto walked past Sakura and began to talk animatedly with Sasuke.

Sakura felt a pang of jealously go through her. If only Naruto or Sasuke would talk to her like that! Naruto, being the Yondaime's son, was very desirable and not bad looking either. Sasuke was handsome as well, and the number one rookie! Why couldn't she be the person they both loved? They'd fight for her then, and it would mean they'd show in all different kinds of ways that they wanted her.

Sakura sighed as she ripped herself out of her imaginary world. What can I do to get them to notice me? She thought, and then began plotting, but was interrupted again, by a loud, voice belonging to a certain blonde.

"Geez, Kakashi-sensei is really late today," Naruto complained loudly as he walked around in a circle around Sakura and Sasuke, his hands across his chest, along with a pout on his lips – adorable.

"Wonder what excuse he'll use this time?" the raven asked as he followed his friend with his eyes. Sometimes he wondered if Naruto was younger than the blonde himself said – being as immature as he could be from time to time, yet the blonde could act so much older too, it was sometimes confusing. Sasuke sighed and shook his head.

Suddenly Kakashi appeared atop the bridge, his one visible eye formed a 'u' and his mask covering all the other evidence of a smile. "Good morning everyone! I got lost today. You see—"

"Yeah, right, Kakashi-sensei, try lying with a straight face!" Naruto yelled before the gray-haired man even had the time finish his sentence.

Kakashi rubbed the back of his head, and jumped down in front of them. Naruto always knew that Kakashi came up with the lamest excuses for being late, and always called him on it. He just couldn't get away with much when Naruto was around. He was just no fun.

The mentioned blonde, forgetting his anger for the moment, was now excited about what kind of mission they'd be doing today. "Anou sa! Anou sa! Kakashi-sensei? We've only been doing easy missions since we came back from the Land of Waves. Do you have a mission where I can play a more. . . active role, something exciting?" he asked eagerly as Kakashi had his hands out in front him to try and calm the active blonde, but Naruto went on. "Something that will make my 'nindo'?" he asked with fire in his eyes that made the older man shiver. He came to think about a certain 'nice guy' pose when he saw a fire in someone's eyes. He'd have a nightmare tonight, that's for sure.

"I see what you're trying to get at, Naruto, but as you know, I don't assign the missions, your father does," Kakashi answered with a cough, trying his best not to show the teens that he had just admitted to himself that he would have nightmares tonight.

Naruto looked a little downcast as he heard the answer, and a pout formed on those rosy lips. I really hope Tou-san doesn't have us do some lame missions.

"Oi! Naruto! Let's go, we do have a mission," Kakashi interrupted Naruto's thoughts and the blonde shook his head to get himself completely out of his thinking; damn his blonde genes.

"Hai," Naruto replied, following his sensei and teammates. This better be good.

". . ."

It was not good.

Naruto had to pull weeds, which he didn't do right, pick up trash out the river, almost falling down a waterfall, thankfully Sasuke saved him, but it was embarrassing, then he had to walk some enormous, stupid dog that lead him in the Trap Field. This was not turning out to be a good day!

Naruto currently had his arm around Sasuke's shoulder as they walked back to the main part of the village, having need his friend's support, and that was more than simply embarrassing.

The said raven couldn't help but poke fun at his friend's expense just a little. "Geez, Naruto, you over did it today. What you would do without me, hmm?" he teased with the infamous Uchiha smirk in place, and that only added to the effect.

Naruto grimaced as he saw that smirk; he knew that Sasuke was messing with him. "Aw, come on, Sasuke! Don't rub it in!" Tou-san's going to get an earful from me!" the blonde thought, seething inside. This really sucks! There are guys who are stronger than me and Sasuke outside of here. . . but we're stuck doing these stupid missions! How are we ever going to get stronger?!

A cry from the sky was suddenly heard and Team 7 looked up in the air; brown eagle with white tips under its wings flew over Konoha, signaling all the Jounin to assemble in the special meeting place with the Hokage. Kakashi frowned as he saw it, and stopped to face his students.

"Let's call it quits for today. I have to go and submit the mission report now," Kakashi said, suddenly disappearing in a puff of smoke, making Sakura cough since she'd been the closest to him.

"Fine by me. I'm going to see Tou-san," Naruto said, oblivious to the fact that Kakashi has just left to see his father, his blonde genes really showing themselves. "What you about you Sasuke? Are you going to train some more or head home?"

"I'm going to go home," Sasuke answered casually as he thought about training, but merely snorted at the thought. He wasn't in the mood for more training, because after everything they'd been though these past hours, he was exhausted. "Will you be alright?" he asked the blonde instead, who still had his arm over Sasuke's shoulder.

"Yeah, I'm fine, thanks, Sasuke," Naruto answered, finally taking his arm off of Sasuke and sprinted away, or at least tried, Sasuke saw that the boy was limping slightly. The blonde was waving his hand towards them as he disappeared behind the houses.

Sasuke waved back and then nodded and headed off himself. But he turned to Sakura before he did so. "See you later, then."

"Yeah, see you," she answered. Inwardly, she felt very disappointed. She was really hoping that they could work on some 'teamwork' together. She sighed as she watched Sasuke disappear and headed home herself.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Minato was sitting at a desk, with the assembled Jounin in front of him. He eyed them before looking onto a few papers he had lying on his desk, and then he spoke up. "I summoned you here for only one reason. Most of you have already guessed by now what this is about as you've probably seen new face around here already," Minato began addressing them with a serious tone in his voice, he only used when in serious situations.

"So, it's that time of the year, already," Kakashi commented causally as he arched a brow.

"Has it been reported to the other countries yet?" another man, known as the son of the Third Hokage – Asuma, asked from the group of people.

"So? When is it?" Kurenai asked, being one of the only women in the room, but she didn't care that much about it, the most important part was that people were actually present and not running around the village, doing nothing.

Minato smiled as he heard those questions; they had figured it out, which didn't really surprise him. "They will take place in one week, and I've already informed the other countries," he answered as he removed a lock of blonde hair from his cerulean eyes.

"That's fairly sudden," Kakashi said, his one visible eye widening a bit at the information. They had mobilized their groups pretty fast.

"Well, I might as well make the announcement official. . ." Minato continued. "One week from now, the 1st of July, we will begin the Chuunin selection exam. Now that you know, I need those who are in charge of the Genins to step forward."

Kakashi, Asuma and Kurenai stepped forward, already knowing what this all was about.

"Are there any Genins you wish to enter into the exam among the ones you teach?" Minato asked them with his hands folded on his lap. "As you probably know, any Genin who has completed more than eight missions is eligible to enter the exam through your recommendations, even though normally, those who have done twice that amount are more suited."

Iruka listened intently as he thought about Naruto and if he really was ready for a Chuunin exam. He knew the boy had completed a lot of missions, and their latest one had been more of a success than ever before, considering they were Genins and the mission had been B-ranked. There's no point in asking. It's too early for them, he concluded.

"Well then, let's start with Kakashi," Minato said as he removed his hands from his lap and took a hold of a brush, so he could put down any recommendations.

"From the seventh squad that I lead Uchiha Sasuke, Namikaze Naruto, and Haruno Sakura, I recommend all three to the Chuunin selection exam under my name Hatake Kakashi," the man answered and at that comment Iruka's eyes widened and the brunette let out an audible gasp of disbelief.

Kurenai went next, and she straightened her posture before answering. "From the eighth squad that I lead Hyuuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, and Aburame Shino, I recommend all three to the Chuunin selection exam under my name Yuuhi Kurenai."

"From the tenth squad that I lead Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, and Akimichi Chouji, I recommend all three to the Chuunin selection exam under my name Sarutobi Asuma," the last of the three answered and Iruka couldn't believe what he was hearing. He'd taught those kids at the Academy and from what he knew, they weren't ready for something as extreme as that.

The other Jounins began to murmur among themselves as the blonde Hokage wrote down the squad, the names of the students and then the sensei. "All three of you had recommendations. Interesting. It's been a couple of years since rookies have appeared in the Chuunin exam," the blonde commented as he finished writing the name 'Asuma' on his paper.

Iruka couldn't stay silent any longer and stepped forward to tell the man about his qualms and worries. "Please wait, Hokage-sama!" he began urgently as the Hokage rose from his seat, about to dismiss the other Jounins.

"What is it, Iruka-san?" Minato asked, raising one blonde eyebrow at him, sitting down into his chair again, aware of the looks from the other Jounins in the room.

"Please let me speak, Hokage-sama," Iruka began, as the three Jounins looked at him, waiting for him to speak.

"Excuse me for interfering, but each of the nine that were named, were students of mine at the academy. Every one of them is very talented, but it's too early! They need more experience before they enter the exam!" Iruka exclaimed, his worry being transmitted to his voice; it was shaking.

"I became a Chuunin when I was six years younger than Naruto," Kakashi answered coolly as he looked at the man with his one visible eye. He could understand the man's worry, but this was pathetic. Kakashi had seen them in action; Iruka had merely seen them throw a kunai.

"Naruto is different from you! Do you want to ruin him?" Iruka retorted hotly, a frown visible on his forehead. "No offense intended Hokage-sama," Iruka added, knowing he had to tread carefully, since they were speaking about the Hokage's son here.

"I know Naruto quite well," Kakashi responded, his voice interrupting Minato who was just about to answer. "This is exactly the kind of challenge he needs. These rookies are not your students anymore. They are under my supervision now, so don't interfere."

"But the Chuunin exam is the also known as the—" Iruka started but Minato interrupted him with a harsh tone in his normally smooth voice.

"Iruka, you don't have any need to worry. This is something they might get through or might not. If they fail it, they can re-take it when the times come again. But if you fail on a mission, you fail once and then it's over."

"Demo, Hokage-sama," Iruka started, but caught Minato's look in his eyes, which had taken a darker shade of blue. He could see the man's worry for his own son, but he could also see the determination.

"I understand your argument. So, we will put the rookie Genins through a special preliminary exam," Minato explained, with a smile on his facial features, his eyes returning to its previous color.

"A preliminary exam?" Iruka repeated, surprised, his brows shooting up his head.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Naruto was impatiently waiting inside his father's office; he had been informed that he was in a special meeting with Jounin and that he could wait in his father's office. The blonde looked over at the clock that hung on the wall, and realized that time was passing slowly. Geez, what is taking Tou-san so long? He thought angrily as he crossed his arms over his chest, his pout in place once again.

Naruto heard the door open and saw his father come in, and the younger blonde turned his head towards the intruder, and when he saw it was his father, he look relieved.

Minato looked surprised at Naruto, who was sitting in his chair, a look of impatient relief on his face. It wasn't what he'd been expecting.

"Naruto? I didn't expect to see you here," Minato began as he walked over to his son who leaned forward in the chair, resting his forearms on the desk. That's when Minato noticed that the blonde's jumpsuit was getting too small. The arms were ending about an inch before the blonde's wrist.

"You know me, I'm full of surprises that way, Tou-san," Naruto answered dryly as he leaned his cheek on his arms, making himself comfortable. "Where the hell have you been?"

"Language, Naruto," Minato scolded mildly with a raised finger, as Naruto glared and huffed at him. "I had an important meeting," he answered as he walked over to stand by Naruto who straightened up as he heard about the meeting. Maybe something cool was going to happen in the village? He'd have to ask about that later on, right now, he had some unfinished business to discuss with his father. . .

"Well, I have a bone to pick with you," Naruto began hotly as he glared at his father with pout, which effectively ruined the seriousness of the discussion.

"Oh, what is that?" Minato asked, having a good idea what this might be about.

"Why do we keep getting assigned these lame missions?" Naruto accused as he pointed a finger towards his father. "We pulled a B-rank in the Land of Waves, and now all we do is D-rank! What is up with that?" he finished angrily as he jumped out of the chair to face his father. It was an attempt to be intimidating, but with Naruto being short, and his father tall, it didn't work well. "Don't you trust me with bigger mission?"

Minato sighed as he heard that last comment; it was typical Naruto to ask something like that. "Of course I trust you, but technically, that mission was out of your league, and shouldn't have even been completed," he answered, reaching over and tapping Naruto lightly on the nose. Naruto rubbed the spot that was now tingling.

Naruto glared at the man he called Tou-san, and Minato merely laughed at the expression his son held. "Maybe so, but we handled it! Can't we at least do some C-ranked ones?"

Minato smiled as he continued to laugh inside. He was positive the kid got his stubbornness from his mother; they were unbelievingly alike in their way of getting their wants. "After today, I don't think that will matter," the older blonde answered vaguely.

"What do you mean?" Naruto asked with a confused look on his face.

"You'll see when you next meet with Kakashi," Minato answered evasively as he smirked at his son's curiousness.

"Arg! You and your secrets!" Naruto huffed and pouted, his arms crossed over his chest once again. His father just loved to hide things from him especially when it was things Naruto more than willingly wanted to know.

"You're so cute when you're angry," Minato teased him as he pinched the blonde's cheek, making the blonde blush.

Naruto glared daggers at him, but the blush only made Minato laugh louder.

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TBC

AN: I'm going to throw in a few Japanese words I looked up and I'll put the translations down here. This is going to basically follow the canon but with my own twists, since Naruto's life will be different being raised by the Yondaime, so you'll recognize dialogue/scenes from the manga, see my disclaimer above. Naruto and Sasuke have a brotherly kind of relationship, not yaoi, sorry. Reviews are wonderful!

(1)Demonic Ice Crystal Ice Mirrors

(2)Nindo-my way of the ninja