Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto if I did I would not be on fanfiction
Were the third Hokage gives Naruto a bit more of a helping hand and imparts a little bit more wisdom than in cannon
Chapter 1: Bunshin
When the tree leaves dance, one shall find flames. The fire's shadow will illuminate the village, and once again, tree leaves shall bud anew- Hiruzen Sarutobi
Hiruzen Sarutobi was a man who had been called many different things throughout his long life among them were the professor, Sandaime Hokage, Saru , and countless other things but there was one title that he enjoyed hearing the most nowadays "Jiji"
" Jiji why can't I make a good bunshin I failed the graduation exam twice already because of it " asked a short blonde boy with three whisker-like birthmarks on each cheek he was Naruto Uzumaki a boy with a burden a burden he had never asked for and that was given to him within his first couple of hours of life. October 10th eleven years ago was the day that the Kyuubi no Yoko attacked the village hidden in the leaves the same day Naruto was born.
Hiruzen had a good guess as to why he couldn't make a passable bunshin but he wanted to see something first to test his theory " Naruto can you please make a bunshin"
" sure thing Jiji just as long as you tell me what's wrong with it dattebayo! " Naruto said grinning at Hiruzen before doing the needed hand signs for the jutsu. bunshin no jutsu to say that Naruto's bunshin didn't look like him would be an understatement it was pale and sickly sprawled across the floor it looked like it was dead it was a pathetic attempt at a bunshin Hiruzen just looked at it closely though his theory now confirmed
" it would appear that you are using too much chakra Naruto have you tried using less chakra when trying the jutsu" Hiruzen stated going back to his desk to get his pipe
" but Jiji I'm hardly using any there's no way I could use any less"
That got Hiruzen's attention he figured that Naruto had large chakra reserves but to put that much chakra in to one jutsu and say that was the least amount he could possibly use as an eleven -year- old academy student was mind-boggling there would be no way for him to ever make a regular bunshin that would be a problem for him at least for getting out of the academy it would " It would seem you simply have too much chakra for you to do the Jutsu you'll need to learn a different bunshin jutsu instead of the standard one"
" where am I gonna learn a different bunshin!" Naruto yelled throwing his hands into the air " isn't there some other way for me to pass without a bunshin what if I do the other two jutsu without hand signs or something"
there had been exceptions in the past regarding the graduation exam before the most recent being rock lee from the previous graduating class but that was do too Gai being willing to teach the boy so the village council saw no problem with him graduating Hiruzen could not see the council being as willing with Naruto even if Kakashi was willing to teach him the prejudice against Naruto would see him denied graduation from the council
" I'm afraid your going to have to learn a bunshin naruto but the thought of learning how to do the other two Jutsus without hand signs isn't a bad idea you never know when one will save your life especially the Kawarimi no Jutsu " Hiruzen said as he lit his pipe with a low raking Katon jutsu. Hiruzen already had an idea about how or more like who could teach naruto a different bunshin " I think I know someone who can teach you different bunshin be here after class tomorrow naruto so you can meet him "
" really Jiji thank you so much I'll be here right after class lets out dattebayo"
" if that all Naruto you should get going home it's getting late and i still have paperwork to get done"
Naruto didn't waste any time the next day getting to the Hokage tower once class was let out for the day he was excited to learn a new jutsu even if it was just a variant of the bunshin jutsu. " Jiji where's the person whos supposed to teach how to make a different bunshin" Naruto stated putting his hands behind his head as he walked into the Hokage's office
" well since it's such a nice day I figured we'd go to him instead of him to use," Hiruzen said walking out from behind his desk towards naruto " come now naruto let's not waste any time "
" Ok Jiji let's hurry up I can't wait to learn a new jutsu I bet I'll have it down in less than a week dattebayo! "
The two walked out of the Hokage tower on to the busy streets of Konoha heading towards the training grounds the two attracted many looks as they went as they usually do when the two where together in public where Hiruzen was met with warm happy looks naruto was met by cold and distant looks almost like he wasn't even there
" I can't wait to be Hokage someday then they'll have to look at me the way they look at you"
" And why do you think they look at me like that Naruto"
" that's simple because you're the Hokage Jiji "
" why that might be part of it is not the whole reason tell me what do you think it means to be Hokage Naruto" Hiruzen asked looking down at Naruto as they continued to walk to the training grounds
" to be the strongest ninja in the village"
" to me being the Hokage means the whole village is my family meaning I acknowledged the whole village and am willing to sacrifice myself for the people of the village much like the Yondaime did and in return i gained their acknowledgment " Hiruzen said looking up at the sky with a smile " my sensei who was the Nidaime Hokage told me right before he appointed me Hokage to protect those who loved the village and those who believed in me and to nurture those who whom i could entrust the next generation that is the essence of the will of fire to love the village and its people its where you'll find your greatest strength when there is something to protect " Hiruzen said as he came to a stop in a training ground that was being occupied by an old man with a with wok on his back
" who's the old man Jiji," Naruto asked with his arms still behind his head
" this is an old friend of mine and your new teacher Kosuke Maruboshi "