Rise of the Stanine

Chapter 1: A New Beginning

Uzumaki Naruto was in the forest just outside the village, training, as usual. Ever since he learned from Haruno Sakura that the next chuunin exams were starting soon it was nothing but training, training, and more training, ero-seninn or no ero-seninn. Right now Naruto was trying to improve his Rasengan, the most powerful technique he had at the moment.

"Hey Naruto!" called a familiar voice. Naruto turned toward the sound.

"Oi! Sakura-chan!" he called back, panting a little, but cheerily. She ran up to him and stopped a little bit away, saw him covered in sweat, hesitated, then backed up a bit.

"Are you ready to go see the new genin?" she asked.

"Why would I want to go see some little nose pickers?" he asked turning away with his hands behind his head.

"Oh honestly Naruto," replied Sakura, sighing, "you're impossible. Did you forget? Konohamuru is one of the graduating genin. He told you himself yesterday."

"I didn't forget," said Naruto rudely, "I just don't care. I have serious training to do."

"Serious? You were just standing here!"

"I was in deep concentration."

Sakura frowned and grabbed his ear. "You're coming whether you want to or not!" she said fiercely pulling him back toward the village.

"Ow! Ow! Sakura-chan! Ow! That hurts! Ow!" complained Naruto.

After a long walk the two finally made it to Konoha Academy. Naruto has his hands behind his head looking bored, his ear is very red.

"Okay we're here," said Naruto, "can we leave now?"

Sakura glared over at him, her pupils were completely covered by the whites in her eyes.

"Heh, uh, j-just kidding S-Sakura-chan," Naruto said nervously smiling and putting his hands between her and himself.

Sakura just "Hmph"–ed and turned back toward the Academy. They were announcing the graduating genin.

"Now, I'm proud to announce the next team, Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon!" said Iruka as the three new genin stood up, smiling very widely, waving.

"Alright, those three graduated together, and on the same team too, very lucky," said Sakura, smiling.

"I guess," said Naruto absently, "Can I go now?"

"Well, sure," said Sakura, "If you don't want to check out your competition."

Naruto arched an eyebrow, "Huh?"

"Naruto, these are the people that you could be fighting in the chuunin exams! Don't you know that?"

Naruto laughed, "These guys will never even get past the first exam!" said Naruto panting for breath.

"Oh?" said Sakura smiling, "that's what they said about you." Naruto stopped laughing.

"Fine," he sighed, "I'll watch."

Many other names were called, till only nine students were left, only three would make it to genin, the others wouldn't graduate this year. At least, that's what Sakura said.

"And the final team is: Yesa, Iora, and Jamus!" Iruka said finally, applauding. All three stood in the order they had been called. Yesa, a very short kid with jet black hair and very tan skin, stood and smiled so big that Naruto was sure his head grew bigger. Iora, almost the opposite of Yesa, stood at least six feet tall, with blonde hair and very pale skin, yet he smiled just as wide as Yesa. Then finally, Jamus stood. This kid looked to be just as old as Naruto himself, with light brown hair, slightly tanned skin, and looked to be about five foot ten. He looked just like some average kid, with no visible distinct features, but to Naruto and Sakura he stood out more than anyone there. The kid stood and calmly walked away with his team. He didn't even smile! The look on his face suggested that he expected to pass.

Later, Naruto went up to Iruka to find out about this mysterious Jamus.

"Hey, Iruka-sensei?" asked Naruto.

"Hi, Naruto!" replied Iruka, smiling, "What is it?"

"Who was that Jamus kid?"

Iruka looked surprised, "You don't know him? Where have you been?" Naruto was now officially confused.

"I've been out training for the chuunin exams."

"Oh, right the exams," said Iruka smiling again, "I had almost forgotten."

Naruto looked shocked, "How can you forget about the chuunin exams!"

"Sorry Naruto, but its Jamus, he's the one who's been occupying my thoughts lately."

"He must been pretty special to make you forget the exams! I can't wait to fight him."

"Oh he is Naruto. The village's new Uchiha Saskue. Oh, sorry for bringing up a sore subject."

"It's okay sensei," said Naruto sadly. 'Saskue where are you?' "Anyway," continued Naruto, back to his old fire, "Is he really that good?"

"That good and better."

Naruto smiled as wide as any of those new genin. "Alright, a new a rival for Uzumaki Naruto to defeat!"

Iruka laughed, "Naruto, trust me, you don't want to fight him. Did you know that he started at the Academy just last week."

Naruto's smile vanished, "What! You mean he passed the Academy in just one week! But it takes a full year to pass!"

"Not if you have his skills." Suddenly Naruto wanted to fight him right here, right now.

"That does it! I'm fighting this guy now!" said Naruto as he ran straight toward the gym, trying to find Jamus.

Iruka chuckled to himself, "That Naruto."