Morning came bright and early to Konoha. The sun slowly rose over the iconic Hokage Tower, lighting the village and casting the faces on the mountain into orange relief. Such a peaceful morning would normally have found Naruto sleeping in until he was late for class.

Today was most definitely not normal though. Naruto had woken up early so he could get to class on time, which was unusual enough that most people in Konoha would have seen it as a

harbinger of the end of the world. Of course, they saw most things involving Naruto as a sign of the end of the world, but that was beside the point.

Naruto bounded around the kitchen area of his apartment, the motions for making his favorite breakfast of ramen and milk. Admittedly he didn't worship milk the way he did ramen, but it was pretty good and it was supposed to help him grow.

Naruto heard the timer go off and realized his favorite moment was here! The ramen was done and he could finally taste its sweet succulence again. He smiled benevolently and addressed his favorite meal, "Ah, ramen, you're the food of life! There will always be something good in the world as long as you're on the menu."

Naruto's blissful thoughts died a horrible death as a terribly familiar flash lit his apartment. He froze and glanced behind him to see a very out of place and impossible square of light in his kitchen. He sighed as he finished making his ramen. Apparently whatever had happened to him wasn't finished yet.

Naruto decided to ignore the square until his breakfast was done. After all, even the Shinigami would have to realize that ramen was better than some stupid floating light!

When he finished his meal, Naruto looked ate the light square. He was tempted to pretend he hadn't seen the square and just head out for class, but he didn't know what would happen if he just left the light alone, so he braced himself and started reading.

HOME MENU

Characters

Inventory

Missions

Okay, if this is anything like before it should listen to me. So what first? Naruto considered the question for a second before deciding to just start at the top.

"Characters." Naruto felt a rush of relief as the menu simply changed instead of doing anything else (like attacking him). This time the menu held only a small bit of information.

CHARACTER MENU

Naruto Uzumaki

"Okay, Naruto Uzumaki."

Level: N/A

Jutsu Statistics

Taijutsu Affinity: 0

Genjutsu Affinity: 0

Ninjutsu Affinity: 0

Kenjutsu Affinity: 0

Fuinjutsu Affinity: 0

Jutsu Learned: 3

Henge (E)

Kawarimi (E)

Kage Bunshin (A; Forbidden)

Physical Statistics

Strength: 0

Speed: 0

Defense: 0

Endurance: 0

Health: 0

Chakra Statistics

Chakra Reserves: 0

Chakra Control: 0

Chakra Regeneration: 0

Chakra Element: 0

Special Statistics

Intelligence: 0

Charisma: 0

Awareness: 0

Luck: 0

Teacher(s): N/A

Skill Tree (SHOW)

Modifiers (SHOW)

I'm pretty sure that's different than it was, Naruto thought. I definitely don't remember a skill tree. I guess I can look at it later though, right now I want to see what these modifiers are!

"Modifiers." Naruto's selection flashed on the screen. He didn't realize it, but Naruto had gotten so used to it that he wasn't even flinching anymore when the screen flashed. This time instead of a new screen, the existing screen just extended to fit the new information.

Modifiers

Basic

High Chakra

This character has abnormally high chakra. +4 to Chakra Reserves

Low Control

This charcter has abnormally low control. -4 to Chakra Control

Instinct (Enhanced)

This character has excellent instincts and will learn much faster in doing than with theoretical training. Conditional bonus: +100% to learning speed

ADD

This character has trouble concentrating in a lecture setting. Conditional bonus: -50% to learning speed

Jinchuriki

As a container to one of the Bijuu, this character has the ability to access its power under certain circumstances. +Jinchuriki abilities

Will of Fire

An overwhelming determination to do what is believed to be right that provides a conditional combat bonus. +25% to combat effectiveness

I should probably be freaked by the fact that this thing knows about the Kyuubi, but if it can bring me back from the dead that probably isn't that difficult. Next thing I guess. With that Naruto called out "Skill tree."

Skill Tree

Kage Bunshin 0/20 (Special)

Kunai 0/20

Shuriken 0/20

Henge 0/20

Kawarimi 0/20

"Great! More stuff that I don't know anything about! Would it be too much to ask for some help? Maybe a guide?" Naruto wasn't certain, but he thought he heard a faint giggle coming from nowhere. Thoroughly creeped out, Naruto decided to just go back to what he was doing.

"Yeah… Anyway, how do I go back? I don't think I can get to anything without going to the home menu." The screen flashed quickly and pulled up it's original menu. "Oh, just have to say which menu I want. That's actually pretty cool! Okay next is…Inventory!"

INVENTORY MENU

Personal

Kunai (x7)

Shuriken (x30)

Clothing (E)

Home

Kunai (x25)

Shuriken (x60)

Ramen Cup (x36)

Milk 1 Quart

"This is really starting to creep me out," Naruto muttered. He brightened as a thought occurred to him, "Hey, this means I can check my ramen any time I want! I'll never forget to buy more again!"

Naruto checked the Inventory again, but it didn't seem to have anything else he could do. It was interesting that the screen had that much information on him, but looking at stuff he already knew got boring very quickly.

"Missions!" Naruto said loudly. Despite the fact that his life had been turned upside-down Naruto was having a lot of fun. After all, he might not know what was going on, but he had a lot of new stuff to explore so it was all good!

MISSIONS MENU

Tutorial (Active)

Finish the Tutorial and become a Ninja!

Reward: Ninja Status and Levels!

"Tutorial? The hell? Wait… BECOME a ninja? I already am! I graduated last night! I have the cool headband and everything! Stupid thing knows how many kunai I have but can't tell that I'm a ninja!" Naruto huffed and crossed his arms until a sudden look of horror crossed his face. "Unless it knows something I don't! Maybe Iruka couldn't make my graduation stick! I've got to find him!"

Naruto dashed for his door and wrenched it open with panicked strength. He wasn't even aware of his surroundings as he took off toward the Academy with all of his speed.

That morning the citizens of Konoha were treated to the never before seen spectacle of Naruto tearing through town without any ANBU or ninja on his tail!

Someone new to town might wonder why this was significant. Simply put, Naruto had two basic settings: attention seeking kid with endless energy and lazy. Either one could come out at any time, but the one thing that stayed constant was that he never ran scared. He might run laughing or angry, but he had never run from a confrontation. Ever. Even if it was the smart thing to do!

This though, this was different. Naruto ran past them with an utterly terrified expression on his face. His running was clumsy and panic showed in every movement. So it was that the same thought crossed the mind of everyone who saw him: If HE'S running away, I better too! So, Naruto unintentionally created a panic on his last day of class bigger than any he had created before.

Naruto was, of course, completely oblivious of the chaos he had caused. He dashed into the Academy grounds calling "Iruka-sensei! Iruka-sensei!"

Iruka was doing his usual check of the grounds to make certain they were clean and free of any dropped weapons from the more advanced classes when he heard Naruto calling him. He walked over with a smile for his student and asked, "What Naruto? You look like you've seen a ghost!"

Naruto stopped and caught his breath for a second before bursting out, "Iruka-sensei, I'm a ninja now right? I mean I graduated and everything!"

"Yes Naruto," Iruka explained patiently. "The headband can only be worn by ninja so it is definite proof that you graduated."

"So there isn't anything else I have to do right?" Naruto pressed.

Iruka opened his mouth to answer when he realized that Naruto must have been told by someone, probably a ninja, that he wasn't done quite yet. Iruka thought about it for a second before replying, "Well, there is one last thing. I didn't tell you because Academy students aren't supposed to know." Iruka's smile grew into something mischievous as he continued, "You did save my life though and you already know that there's something so I guess I can tell you."

"The graduation is only a beginning. The next step is the genin test. Essentially, it is there to make sure you have the practical skills to be a ninja. Each jonin has their own test with its own focus. It's only if you pass that that you become a genin," Iruka explained.

Naruto's face rapidly lost color and Iruka was beginning to get worried that he would pass out. "So if I don't pass this I don't become a ninja? I've failed the test three times already!"

"No," Iruka said gently, "what happens is you are put in a special class in the academy for those who failed. In fact, only about thirty-three percent actually become genin from the selection test. In the class you can stay as long as you want. Many drop out simply because the requirements are harder to pass or they were scared by their first taste of the ninja life. However, promotions are slower and it is definitely a black mark on your record to fail, so don't take it lightly!"

Naruto thought about it for a second before saying, "Wait, does that mean that only three or four teams can graduate from our class? That's not fair!"

"Not precisely," Iruka replied. "Only a third usually pass, but technically all of them could. It's just that generally only that many are really ready. Like I said, the jonin all have their own test so all the teams can pass. It just doesn't work out that way though."

"Okay, I'll just have to prove I'm ready! Believe it!" Naruto yelled as he pumped his fist in the air.

Iruka just smiled and shook his head at the antics of his hyperactive student. "By the way," Iruka asked, "what are you doing here so early? It's still a good hour and a half before classes start."

"Huh?" Naruto looked around for a second, "That's weird. I had breakfast and messed around for a while before I came here. I thought it was nearly class time!"

"Nope," Iruka said, "you've still got a while before classes."

Naruto sighed, "I don't know. I guess it's too late to go back to my apartment. Is there anything to do around here?"

"How do you feel about some kunai and shuriken practice?"

"Sure Iruka-sensei!"

Naruto ran off to the practice room with Iruka trailing behind, amazed at Naruto's seemingly endless energy. They practiced for the next hour with some of the more advanced throwing techniques for kunai and shuriken. Naruto was amazed at the difference having some one on one time made! Iruka looked up and saw that there was only a half-hour before class so he called Naruto over. "Listen, this is your first lesson as a true ninja. Anytime you're bored or don't have much to do, train! The best ninja aren't necessarily the geniuses, the best are the ones who never stop improving."

"Thanks Iruka-sensei," Naruto said with a grin. "Hey, would it be alright to come over for training again?"

"Sure, as long as classes are out and your sensei doesn't have any training or missions for you," Iruka replied. He felt rather gratified that one of his students wanted to come back after the Academy. Not many really liked the idea of risking even more school-like lectures. "I'll warn you though, we probably won't be doing exciting training all the time. Some of it will probably bore you to tears! I promise it will all be for your good though."

"Yeah, I know," Naruto sighed before brightening up, "but you're the best teacher I've ever had! Anyway, I'm going to class. See you there!"

Heh, Iruka thought, you'll be just fine Naruto.

xxx

Naruto sat toying with a kunai. The last day of class had been difficult. First, people hadn't believed he was a ninja, even with a headband. Then he had had that…collision with Sasuke. (He would never call it or think of it as a kiss!) Now he was on a team with Sakura-chan and Sasuke-teme waiting for their sensei to show up. He had been conflicted for a few minutes whether to be happy or upset by his team selection, but had quickly decided to just wait and see how things turned out.

They had been waiting for fifteen minutes now and Naruto was getting bored. He was thinking about trapping the door when Iruka's advice came to him. The only thing he could think of that he could do indoors was practice drawing his kunai and shuriken and the basic jutsu. He figured Iruka would be upset if he messed up the classroom with Kawarimi and his Henge was about as good as it was likely to get so that left kunai and shuriken drawing. Normally improving something like that wouldn't have occurred to him, but Iruka had said that it was a good way of improving hand speed and coordination. Besides, getting the first volley off was a good thing in and of itself.

He got out of his seat and started practicing with his kunai, whipping it out into a ready position as fast as possible before returning it to his pouch to try again. His focus on the almost mindless rhythm of the exercise let him forget about the time going by.

"Naruto!" Sakura snapped in frustrated annoyance. "What are you doing!?"

"Huh?" Naruto's head snapped up as something broke his concentration.

"What are you doing?" Sakura demanded again. "You've been playing with that kunai for the last half hour!"

"Heh," Naruto grinned, rubbing the back of his head, "it's an exercise Iruka showed me. He said good ninja always practice when they have a chance. He also said that anytime you're bored is a chance to practice!"

Sakura huffed, "Well try to do it a little more quietly!" Naruto nodded before going back to what he was doing, slipping into the same rhythm and fugue state.

Sakura put her head on the desk with her hands over her ears, trying to block out the sound of the kunai being drawn. Sasuke sneered at the antics of his teammates before going back to his own thoughts.

xxx

Kakashi strolled into the classroom fully expecting at least one of his genin to have done something stupid like trap the door while they were waiting. What he found was genin that had apparently found ways to amuse themselves. Naruto was practicing his kunai drawing technique, Sasuke was running through handseals, and Sakura had a book of some sort out.

Hmm, that's a good sign. They know how to use their time wisely. Maybe they're actually serious about this! Or they're just REALLY bored.

He was about to call out to his new team when he noticed that both Sasuke and Sakura had earplugs in their ears, apparently to block out the rhythmic sound of Naruto practicing. I wonder how good their situational awareness is? One way to find out. With that thought he started wandering around the room to get a closer look at his genin.

Sasuke seemed to be doing the handseals for the signature jutsu of the Uchiha. Kakashi was surprised to see that Sasuke apparently had the seals perfected. He would have to watch out for fireballs during the bell test.

Sakura's reading was a bit of a disappointment to him. It seemed to be the basic manual the Academy used. While that would normally be a good thing, her grades said that she had learned everything she could out of that book. It would have been better if she had been studying a different book instead of one she probably had memorized.

Naruto on the other hand, he was much more interesting. His form was lacking, but Kakashi had noticed a slow improvement with just the time he had been in the room. He would have to tailor Naruto's training toward more physical things if this was any indication. Still, all of that was overshadowed by the fact that apparently none of them had noticed him literally looking over their shoulders. That was seriously awful situational awareness.

Naruto was so zoned out he didn't notice Kakashi until he actually tapped Naruto on the shoulder. Naruto may have been last in his class, but he had received the same training the rest of the students had. When he felt something hit his shoulder he instinctively dove forward with a rolling twist that brought him back to his feet facing the threat, with a kunai flying as soon as he saw the person behind him. It was a textbook response to an enemy in the field, but the effect was ruined by the girly scream that he had let off.

Kakashi was amused to see his cute little genin's reaction to his little trick. Of course, the kunai flying at his head was annoying, but he considered the show well worth the price of admission.

Naruto's jaw dropped as he saw the ninja behind him simply snatch his weapon out of the air! "Your form needs work," the ninja said, "Decent reaction though."

"Who are you?" Naruto demanded.

"My name is Kakashi," the man said lazily, "and I'm your team leader."

Naruto took a second look at the guy in front of him. He was dressed in boring navy blue clothes. His face was mostly covered by his mask and headband, leaving only one eye visible. The only thing that really stood out about him was his spiky silver hair.

"You were late! What took you so long?" Naruto was feeling a little crabby from having been snuck up on so easily.

"Sorry, I got lost on the road of life," Kakashi said with a… smile? Somehow he gave the impression of smiling with just one visible eye.

"Wait," Naruto objected, "what does that even mean? That doesn't make any sense!"

"Grab the others and meet me on the roof, okay?" Kakashi completely ignored the question as he disappeared in a shushin. Naruto sweat-dropped at his teacher's display. Great. My jonin is completely insane. That's typical.

xxx

Kakashi smirked behind his mask as he saw the expressions on his genin's faces. Naruto looked exasperated, Sasuke looked irritated, and Sakura? She looked furious. Wait for it… There she goes!

Sure enough, Sakura's temper reached the boiling point when she saw her jonin sensei. "What was the big idea leaving us in the room sensei?"

"Ahh, I thought I would come and dust off the seats for you. Then I realized that I had no idea where you would sit so I just waited. You kept me waiting for quite a while, you know?" Kakashi smiled as his prospective student's face turned bright red at his mildly accusatory words.

"You kept us waiting for hours!" Sakura raved. "Then you didn't even bother to get us yourself! You sent Naruto to do it!"

"Yeah, but you seemed to need to concentrate, what with the earplugs and all. You do realize that you aren't studying for academy tests, right?"

Sakura spluttered at the proof that her sensei had actually walked into the room and she hadn't noticed. It was funny, but Kakashi decided he had better get the ball rolling if he wanted to be done by sundown.

Kakashi got his students attention with a clap, "Let's start for real, shall we? Introduce yourselves and give your likes, dislikes, dreams and hobbies. That way we can all get to know each other!"

His enthusiasm annoyed Sakura further so she demanded he start first. "Hmm, my name is Kakashi Hatake. I don't want to tell you about my likes or dislikes. Dreams for the future? Well, I have a lot of hobbies."

"So… we got his name?" Sakura thought that was unfair, but decided not to fight about it.

"Okay blondie. Your turn." Kakashi ordered after a second.

"My name is Naruto Uzumaki! What I love is ramen, especially Ichiraku's ramen! What I hate is the amount of time it takes to cook!" As he stopped to take a breath the same thought was on the mind of his entire audience, Wow he's obsessed with ramen.

He continued, "My dream is to surpass the Hokage and be acknowledged by the entire village!" Hmm, Kakashi thought, that's certainly interesting. "My hobby used to be pranks, but Iruka-sensei said I should make training my hobby if I want to be great!"

A little different from what I was expecting...but in a good way.

Sakura went next, "My name is Sakura Haruno. My likes are…," she glanced at Sasuke, "Well the person I like is…" another glance "My dislike is Naruto!" Naruto looked crushed for a second before Sakura continued, "My dream for the future is…" This time the glance was long and predatory enough to make Sasuke shiver a little.

Well, that was about what I expected. Too bad. "All right, next up is the Emo!"

Sasuke folded his hands in front of his face before saying, "I have few likes and many dislikes. I have two things I will do: restore my clan and kill a certain someone."

About what I expected. Kakashi sighed before smirking behind his mask, "Listen up! Tomorrow I have something special planned! Heh," he chuckled maliciously, "you're going to scream when you hear what I have planned!"

"What do you mean sensei?" Sakura asked politely.

"Tomorrow we're going to be doing survival training!" Kakashi smiled as he took in their reactions with Sakura confused, Sasuke scowling, and Naruto… not exploding like he had expected. In fact, Naruto looked like he was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Oh well, he shrugged mentally, two out of three wasn't bad. "But, this training is more than a camping trip! You might not want to eat breakfast, unless you enjoy throwing up. So, meet me tomorrow at training ground Seven. Later!"

With that the infamously lazy jonin poofed away, leaving nothing but a few leaves swirling in his wake. The three genin looked at each other for a second before heading to their houses to prepare for the next day.