Chapter 1.
Kakashi couldn't believe how fast the year had gone by. It seemed like just yesterday he'd started teaching Naruto to read and write. He'd grasp it so quickly, only a couple of weeks. Kakashi had made him train his body for a couple of months before starting on any of his other training. He'd learned how to throw shuriken and kunai with deadly accuracy while he trained his body. He'd picked up everything so quickly that before the year was up Kakashi has asked for him to take the Genin exam.
"Hokage-sama. I'd like to have Naruto take the Genin test early as I feel he's already skilled enough to skip the academy. He picked up everything relatively fast. I've taught him everything he'd have learned there already." Kakashi stood with Naruto next to him as he spoke.
"If you feel he is truly ready then I don't see the harm." Hiruzen looked surprised by this information. He trusted Kakashi's assessment and summoned Umino Iruka to give Naruto the test. Iruka and Hiruzen were shocked when he'd passed everything with better scores than the last group of graduates.
"Congratulations Naruto. With this headband you are now a full fledged Genin. Kakashi, I'd like you to stay with Naruto for a while longer and take him on missions as he has no team." Naruto tied the headband around his neck letting it hang loosely. He was so proud of his progress. It helped that when he slept he'd have Kyu help teach him in his mindscape.
"If that is your desire Hokage-sama. I will continue to train him between mission as well. I don't see him taking much longer to becoming a Chunin. He is already at a high Genin, low Chunin level already." Naruto couldn't wait to take his first mission. Kakashi had explained how the rankings worked and knew he had to complete at least fifty missions before he could even consider taking the Chunin exam.
"Jiji, can we take a mission today or do I have to wait?" Hiruzen chuckled at his impatience. Even Kakashi had a fond smile on his face. Naruto had moved in with Kakashi not too long after he started to tech him. He found the boys company comforting.
"What do you think Kakashi? Are you up for a small mission today?"
"Hai, Hokage-sama. I don't see the harm in starting missions today. It is still pretty early in the day we could probably do a couple small ones." They watched as Naruto tried to contain his joy. He was bouncing on the spot in excitement with a shit-eating grin. While Hiruzen chuckled Kakashi had ruffled Naruto's hair affectionately, which earned him a playful glare from the small blonde.
"I believe I have just the mission to start you out on." He informed them as he searched through the stack. He pulled out a paper from the stack and handed it to Kakashi.
The mission was simple enough. They'd have to go and help resupply the orphanage's food supplies as well as any other work they had for the pair.
~time skip, six months~
"Kitsu in position.
"Target is heading straight to you. he will be in range in 3.2.1. Now!"
"Target acquired Kashi. Let's get him home."
They soon made their way to deliver Tora the cat back to his owner. They found themselves in the Hokage's office not even an hour later. Naruto was excited as he'd finished his fiftieth mission as a Genin and Kashi believes him ready to advance. He'd trained hard every night to be able to move up when the time came.
"Hokage-sama. As Naruto has finished the requirements to advance I'd like to nominate him for Chunin. When we weren't on missions he spent his time training. I believe he is ready.
"Kakashi. At what level would you say he is so far?"
"I would rank him at a high Chunin level to low Jonin Sir. He's learned quite a few Jutsus, and his taijutsu skill is not far below my own, same with his Kenjutsu. He's just about hopeless when it comes to genjutsu, but he is able to detect and dispel all genjustu he's been placed under."
"I see. I don't see why not. Report back here two days from now and I shall have Iruka give him the test. Good job boys, you are dismissed." They both bowed and left the office.
"Kashi, can we train when we get home? I want to make sure I'm 100% ready to move up."
"I don't see why we can't. You've come a long way already, I can't wait too see how far you've come." He told me as he veered towards one of the training fields.
~Time Skip, 2 Days~
Kakashi and Naruto had spent the last two days training and going over everything he'd need to know. Kakashi still quizzed him as they walked towards the Hokage's tower. Since he'd moved in with Kakashi he hasn't had to put up with beatings from the villager but that didn't stop their hateful glares, but he simply ignored them. Once they reached Hiruzen's office Kakashi knocked and they waited.
"Come in." As they entered they noticed Iruka along with Ibiki waiting for them.
"Kakashi, Naruto. Come in Iruka has everything set up for the exam. Ibiki has come to be the proctor for the second part of the exam. Once you are finished with the written he will take you to the forest of death to start the second part. For now, you will have an hour to finish the written, and should you finish early you will get a break before heading to the forest."
Iruka led Naruto to the desk that had been brought in just for the exam. Once the rules were explained he got to work. It had been about forty-five minutes before he flipped his paper over signaling he was finished. Iruka collected the test and handed it to the Hokage who went to work reviewing it. He was surprised, like the Genin exam he'd finished with a near perfect score.
"Well done Naruto. You passed the written part with excellence. Ibiki will now lead you to the Forest of Death for the second part of your exam. He will explain the rules along the way." Kakashi, Naruto, and Ibiki bowed before leaving the office.
"The next part of the exam is basic survival. We'd usually put teams against each other but since it is just you that won't be the case. We have released many of the animals into the training grounds. They are larger and more dangerous than your regular forest creatures. You will spend the next five days surviving in the woods. There is a tower in the center of the grounds. Meet us there on the fifth day. If you do not show it will count as a fail. If you are seriously injured within those five days, it counts as a fail. I wish you good luck and will see you in exactly five days' time." As he finished speaking Ibiki opened the entrance gate and with a nod from Kakashi, Naruto took off into the forest.
~Time Skip, 5 Days~
Kakashi, Ibiki, Iruka, and Hiruzen met at the tower entrance only to find Naruto leaning against the door. He had not a scratch on him and looked bored out of his mind.
"Jiji, are you sure the animals were supposed to be dangerous? Hiding from them was a lot easier than hiding from the villagers, this was way too easy." Hiruzen and Kakashi simply chuckled while Iruka and Ibiki looked at him in surprise.
Pup I do believe you broke them, look at their faces. Kurama chuckled out.
I know Kyu. I think Ibiki expected me to bail out, I know a lot of participants do.
"Well Naruto you have successfully pasted your Chunin exam. Congratulations You are now officially a Chunin." He handed Naruto his new uniform. Black pants, a mesh undershirt, Black long-sleeve shirt, as well as a green vest. Naruto bowed as he took the garments from Hiruzen. Kakashi ruffled Naruto's hair and congratulated him. He couldn't have been prouder of the young ninja.
"Jiji, how soon can I get a mission? I want to get started." Naruto was just as excited as when he'd made Genin. They could only chuckle at the boys' antics.
"Naruto why don't you take a week off and just relax. You just spent five days out in the forest."
"But Jiji" He tried to protest but a stern look had him sighing and agreeing to just go home.
~Time Skip 4 Years~
Naruto had proved himself repeatedly. Completing mission after mission. Kakashi and Hiruzen had convinced Naruto to spend a couple of years as a Chunin. When he'd been promoted to Jonin he couldn't have been happier, he'd finally made it to where Kakashi was. He'd even had a few spars against Hiruzen who helped with his training sometimes now. Once he'd made Jonin Kakashi had gone back to his full-time post in the ANBU. He'd been thinking hard about whether he wanted to try for ANBU or just keep his current post.
Kyu... I don't know if I'm good enough to help Jiji out as an ANBU. What do you think I should do?
Pup. You are more thank good enough to help that old coot. You've worked hard to get where you are. You won't know unless you try. I'll support whatever decision you choose.
Thanks, Kyu. I'll go and talk to Jiji about it.
Instead of shunshieing to his office Naruto decided to walk. He needed time to gather his thoughts and figure out how to convince Jiji to allow him to join. He was overprotective as it was. His missions may have been dangerous sometimes but never more than he could handle because Jiji didn't want him to get hurt. He'd been lost in thought that before he knew it he was in front of the office door. He took a deep breath and knocked.
"Come in."
"Jiji. I have to talk to you about something." At his nervous appearance Hiruzen instructed his ANBU to leave and put up a sound barrier so they couldn't be overheard.
"What is it Naruto, what's wrong? Has something happened?"
"No, everything's fine it's just... I'd like to apply to be an ANBU like Kashi. I want to be able to help you out more Jiji."
"What do you mean Naruto? You help me plenty as a Jonin?"
"I want to help you protect the village more. I want to be able to stop problems before they happen. I can't do that as just a Jonin. I want to be able to use everything I've been taught to help the village more. I know I'm still young but Itachi joined when he was young too and he's only a few years older than I am." He knew bringing Itachi into the discussion may sway the old man a little bit. Itachi had helped Kakashi train him as a Jonin for a couple of months when he had the time.
"Naruto." He just sighed and realized he was going to lose this fight. Naruto was determined, and he was more than qualified to join. He'd been trained by two of his best ANBU after all. "Follow me Naruto. We'll go and set a date for you to take the ANBU entrance exams. If you pass the written and practical exams, then I will allow you to join their ranks." With that he took down the barrier and led Naruto to the ANBU Headquarters. It was decided between Him and Kakashi that Naruto would be tested later that afternoon. Naruto had a couple of hours to prepare so he went out and trained.
A few hours later found him back at Headquarters with Kakashi. He was led to a room where he would take the written exam. He had an hour to finish, he finished in about forty minutes. He waited while Hiruzen reviewed. With a sigh he informed Naruto that he had passed the written part. They then led him to the training ground where the ANBU Weasel stood waiting. Once he'd found out Naruto was taking the exam he had requested to be his opponent for the practical exam. Kakashi explained that it would be Weasels assessment of his fighting that would determine if he passed or failed.
They took their places in the center of the training ground. As soon and Kakashi signaled to begin the two disappeared in a blur of motion. You could hear metal clashing and skin meeting skin. Naruto fought with everything he had. Blocking Itachi's Katana with kunai, dodging punches and kicks. The battle went on for what seemed like hours to the two boys but, only lasted about thirty minutes. Kakashi stopped the match since boy boys were panting heavily and sported their fair share of injuries. Hiruzen waited a few minutes for them to catch their breathes.
"Weasel. What is your assessment of Naruto in this exam?" He could already see the pride in Itachi's eyes and knew he'd passed. He walked over to Hiruzen and kneeled before him.
"Hokage-sama. I feel Naruto demonstrated his skill as a shinobi well. I give him a passing mark for this Practical exam." He then removed his mask and walked over to pat Naruto's head.
"You did well today. I am honored to have been your opponent. You have certainly grown strong, I have no doubt you'll make an excellent ANBU." Hiruzen sighed again as he knew he had indeed lost to Naruto.
"Naruto with the passing marks on your practical exam and written exam I hereby accept you into the ANBU Black Ops. You will Report to my Office tomorrow morning at 9:00 to receive your new uniform and mask. You will also meet your new team. Go home and get some rest you have earned it. Both of you. Weasel I grant you the rest of the day to relax."
Naruto was ecstatic, he'd done it. He had trained relentlessly every chance he got. Kyu trained him near nightly in his mindscape as well. He still hadn't told anyone that he knew about Kurama, and about his heritage. He knew Jiji had his reasons for keeping it from him, so he held no ill feelings toward him for it. This was the start of a long bloody road, but he embraced it. He could now help protect his village before they even knew there was any danger. it was more than he could have hoped for.
