"What do you mean you can't teach me any jutsu! Naruto yelled

Iruka sighed. It was after class was dismissed, when an eight year old Naruto approached him. He asked Iruka to teach him a jutsu that he would be able to use against Sasuke.

"Naruto, I can't personally teach you any type of jutsu outside of the academy," as he said he began rubbing his forehead in frustration. "If you would pay attention in class you would not need help in mastering the basic academy jutsus you are supposed to be working on" Naruto quickly retorted

"I listen plenty in class!" he shouted

"Oh really, tell me on thing I said in class today" Iruka replied knowing full well that Naruto was sleeping the entire time.

Iruka was surprise to see Naruto grow a full blown grin across his face.

"You said class dismissed!" he shouted pointing his right index finger towards Irukas Face.

Irukas Face was red with anger as he shouted, "you know that's not what I meant!" He was glad that they were sitting in an empty classroom at the academy. "You just don't pay attention in class, you're always sleeping or fighting with Sasuke. If you focus more then you could turn into a great ninja."

"But how am I suppose to be a great Hokage without great jutsus?" Naruto asked

Iruka crossed his arms and looked at his student.

"Naruto you don't need to have any great jutsu to be a great Hokage" Iruka looked up in thought. "The ninjas of Konoha are said to have "The Will of Fire", which is the will to protect those closest to you. The Hokages along with other leaf shinobi are strong because of their need to protect this village and the people closest to them."

"But then how do I become stronger Iruka-sensei?" Naruto asked with a pleading look.

Iruka gave Naruto an amused looked, "If you had listen in class today you might have found out why your jutsus are so horrible."

Naruto gave a confused look "What are you talking about Iruka-sensei?"

"Why don't you try performing the Substitution Jutsu, Transformation Jutsu, and the Clone Jutsu?" Iruka asked while giving Naruto an analyzing look.

Naruto went ahead and tried to perform each jutsu. When he attempted to substitute himself with a chair. He just failed to switch with the chair. The Transformation justu went a little better. Naruto tried transforming into Iruka and for the most part Naruto was the right height but what was wrong with the jutsu was the face of the transformation. Big pudgy nose, round fat lips and the eyes seemed crooked Iruka was sure that he did not look that bad. Finally the Clone Jutsu , Naruto made the hand seal and poof and behold a sickly clone appear next to Naruto.

"Horrible on all three account Naruto" Iruka stated as Naruto lowered his head.

"That's why I came here so you can teach me a jutsu so that I can get stronger" Naruto said as he began raising his head.

"Well from what I see today's lesson on chakra control would have been very useful to you" as Iruka said this Naruto looked confused again. "You would have learned about a couple of exercises that could help with perfecting those jutsus"

Naruto immediately leapt onto Iruka, wrapping his arms around the older mans waist.

"C'mon Iruka-sensei tell me what are they?" He kept a tight grip on Iruka until the Chunin would tell him about the chakra control exercises.

"I'll tell you if you let go of me right now," with that Naruto released Iruka. "Well there are a couple exercises you can do including The Leaf Concentration practice in order to help you control you cha-"

"Wait that's what you want me to do Iruka-sensei? That's boring sensei" Naruto turn to see a Iruka trying to maintain his composure.

"As I was trying to say, there is also the tree climbing exercise and the water walking exercise," Iruka stated as Naruto looked on curiously. "For these two exercises you will be gathering chakra to your feet. For Tree climbing you have to find the right balance of how much chakra to place at your feet. For water walking you have to release a constant stream of chakra from youir feet in order to stay up" he looked to Naruto to see if he was listening. "Do you understand?"

"Nope," Naruto grinned as Iruka sighed.

"I guess a demonstration will be better," Iruka said as he stood up and walked up toward the wall of the classroom. He made a single hand single then began to walk up the walk much to Naruto's surprise. "You have to constantly practice chakra control so that you can master any jutsu." He said this as he reached the ceiling.

Naruto tried to do the same but only managed two steps before falling on his back.

"Its a lot more difficult than it looks but if you continuously train using these two methods you will be able to use jutsu more effectively and they wont be wasted like the ones you did earlier." Iruka finished then flip onto the floor.

"So I am going to have to train everyday in order to be the greatest Hokage in history then so be it!" Naruto shouted fired up while laying on the floor from his attempt at wall climbing.

Iruka grinned at Naruto's enthusiasm. Iruka notice that it had gotten a bit late and he did not have dinner and neither did Naruto.

"C'mon lets go get some ramen my treat," offered the Chunin instructor as he walked toward the door.

"Hey! Hey! Wait for me!" yelled Naruto as he tried to keep up with his sensei's stride.

Later that night at a Training Ground

This particular training ground had a small stream and was surrounded by forest. It was an area isolated from Konoha and it was unlikely that any ninja would stumble this far out. Naruto began to stretch himself out so that he can begin the first night of his secret training.

"Alright I'm gonna get this down and take my first step in becoming Hokage," when Naruto finished he pumped his fist into the air. "Alright Iruka-sensei said that I should start with tree walking first. So that's what I'll do." He charged straight toward on of the many trees and try to climb without using his hands, just to fall back to the ground.

"This is gonna be a long night," Naruto groaned.

Naruto spent his nights continuously training in chakra control. He continuously arrived to class too wiped out to keep his eyes open. To Iruka it seemed like the orange clad boy was wearing himself out after class, but nonetheless he reminded Naruto that he had to pay attention in class in order to graduate. In a blink of an eye five years had pass.

At the Academy

"Now for the graduation exam, you will do the Bunshin no jutsu." Iruka looked up to the faces of the future genins. "When you are called come to the next room."

'I'm ready for this. I should be ahead of the curve with my training,' Naruto though as he looked at the academy student coming out with their headband.

As Naruto enter the room he saw Mizuki and Iruka sitting at a table watching him.

"When you're ready Naruto" Iruka stated

With a confident nod Naruto clasped his hand together into a hand sign.

"Bunshin!"

With a puff of smoke 5 clones appear beside Naruto as he grinned at his own achievement. Iruka stared at the young boy. He felt proud that the boy had overcome such a hurdle by hard work and determination.

"Congratulation Naruto you passed the test with flying colors!" Naruto walked over to Iruka so that he could hand him his headband. "Here wear it proudly Naruto."

"Thank you Iruka sensei. I swear I'll become the greatest Hokage." Naruto said passionately while tying his forehead protector.

After the graduation exam, Naruto stood by the tree with the swing and watched as proud parents congratulated their children on finally becoming ninjas. He watched and realized that despite succeeding he had nobody waiting for him at home. So lost in thought he did not notice standing behind.

"Well Naruto I believe that congratulations are in order."

Naruto had to stop himself from jumping from fright. As he turn to see who scared him he saw the aged Hokage with a small smile on his face.

"Don't do that old man!" Naruto screamed as he gripped his heart to slow down the fast and heavy beating.

"Sorry I never knew you to be caught off guard," as he tried to keep his own laughter down. "I see you've finally become a leaf shinobi." Taking in the forehead protector on Naruto's forehead .

"Yeah I worked hard to get this!" as he pointed to his own forehead. Then he quickly pointed to the Third Hokage. "Just watch old man! You will be giving me that hat soon enough!"

"Ha, Ha, Ha! It seem you have also inherited the will of fire," As he place his hand on Naruto's head he continued, "Remember as a ninja of the Village Hidden in the Leave you will be performing many missions to protect those you treasure among other things. Train diligently and go forth as a proud leaf shinobi."

Naruto looked at the old Hokage with fire in his eyes, "I will don't worry about me old man."

The Third nodded as he looked into the crowd of former students. "Well it seems like someone is searching for you." Naruto turned from the Third Hokage to see Iruka coming his way across the sea of genins. "Well I need to make my presence known congratulations Naruto." With that the old Hokage walked toward the crowd of parents and genins at a casual pace.

"Oh good, Naruto I thought you already left," Iruka looked at Naruto with relief. "I wanted to give you a gift for graduating. I think you deserve something for all your hard work."

Naruto was pretty much bouncing on his feet. He never received anything besides maybe a bowl or two of ramen, so he was pretty happy that Iruka was going to give him something.

"What! What is it! New weapons, a new jutsu, or maybe you're gonna give me a year supply of ramen at Ichirakus." Iruka paled at the last thought, given the fact that the growing boy could eat ten bowls in one sitting the thought of having to pay for an entire year would leave him bankrupt.

"There's no point in prolonging this so here," As he handed Naruto a book.

Naruto scrunched his face at the gift in question.

"Sensei I could have used something cooler than a book."

Iruka laughed, "if you studied you would know that with a book you can learn a lot. Anyways this is a book on Fuinjutsu." Iruka looked to see Naruto giving him a blank look. "A book on Sealing techniques." Realization went across Naruto's face as Iruka continued, "I think it can be very helpful for you to know at least the basics."

Naruto gratefully took the book.

"Thank you, Iruka sensei!" as he tackle the older man into a hug.

"Whoa!" as Iruka stumble to get his footing again. "You're welcome Naruto and remember to come back tomorrow for team assignment."

Naruto nodded and soon Iruka left to finish with his duties as an instructor.

Naruto with determination began walking home readying himself for what tomorrow would bring.