Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and only use it for entertainment purposes.
A year had passed and Naruto continued to go back and forth between Kiri and Konoha. During that time Naruto got to know a lot about the people that were around him most of the time. He found out why Nazo hated Missing-nins. It turns out that two of his fellow Seven Swordsman abandoned Kiri and committed crimes against the village several years ago. And as a result Nazo felt that it was an insult to the village and the friendship the Seven Swordsman had. Nazo had sworn that he would someday find the traitors and they would pay for the crimes the committed.
Naruto also learned about his fellow Gennins, he learned that the reason Lee could never Ninjutsu or Genjutsu was that Lee for some reason only had half the chakra opening that a normal person did. This resulted in Lee being forced to concentrate solely on Taijutsu. With Gai as his primary Sensei and his trips to Kiri he had developed his skills enough that they could rival that of many Chunins in both villages, the two groups technically had two sensei's one in Konoha, Gai, and one in Kiri, Noza. Naruto also found out about Neji's curse seal as well. On day when the two were sparring Naruto was able to knock of Neji's forehead protector and at the mark on his forehead. Neji at the time took offense to the act and attacked Naruto rather viciously. This resulted in Naruto being put in the hospital for a day. During that day Neji for some reason, probably Tenten's prodding, came and explained his situation. When Neji started to go on about destiny Naruto himself lost it because of his own fate. At that time he surprised Neji by punching Neji in the face nearly breaking the Hyuuga's jaw. Neji never being hit that hard by a fellow Gennin was shocked enough to listen when Naruto started to tell him about certain events from his own past. Even how he graduated early, carefully omitting the part about Kyuubi. That seemed to be the jolt Neji needed to reconsider his view of the world. Since that day he would at least be more hospitable to his teammates.
The two that Naruto learned the most about however were his teammates. He learned why Tenten liked weapons so much was that he father was one of the village black smiths before he died when she was little. Tenten told him that some of the best memories she had her father was her visiting him as he worked on the various weapons for the shinobi of the village. What he learned about Yuki however shocked him to his very core. He learned that she too had a demon sealed in her, and though it was not one of the Nine Great Beasts like what he had. It still brought her nothing but misery and hate from people around her. The two found a kindred soul with each other and became as close as siblings.
The training Naruto went through was also very unique. It was discovered early by his primary Jounin-sensei that Naruto learned best by experience and once you showed him how to do something he would be able to get it rather quickly and then modifying them to suit his purposes. For this Nazo started to show Naruto the basics of Kenjutsu and Gai taught him some Taijutsu. The result was Naruto coming up with Kenjutsu and Taijutsu styles that were entirely his own. It was also discovered that Naruto had an affinity for high level and even forbidden jutsus, as his body would recover quickly enough from the damage done by them. So most of his skills were listed as top secret by both villages. So if one were to look up his statistics it would either show his academy record, very low, or nothing but question marks. The missions that Naruto and his, often rotating, teammates were on became predominately C-class missions escorting various caravans between the two villages as they would more times than not know better short cuts than any others because their situation. It was during one of these missions that Naruto was able to tap into Kyuubi's chakra. The mission had been a C-rank and Noza had faith that his team was more than capable enough to go on their own. They would have been fine if it were not for the fact that a Missing Iwa-nin had taken over a local gang of bandits. He proved to be too strong for the Gennin to handle and as a result the Missing-nin severely injured some Yuki and Tenten. Seeing his friends hurt Naruto became enraged and pushed the blocks of the seal and pulled out Kyuubi's chakra. To which point the Missing-nin could no longer keep up and was beaten by Naruto. Once again because of the unique nature of Naruto's situations the records of this incident was made top secret.
At this time Naruto was once again in Kiri with his primary team, Yuki Tenten and Noza. They were currently having a three on one sparring match using their swords. Naruto was using a curved wide bladed sword the sword that was common in Kiri. He liked the weight and heave slashes it required. Yuki was using a kodachi as it was perfect for her height. Tenten was using two wakasashis as she used her swords to get in close while she used her many throwing weapons to fight at long range. Nazo was using his personal sword the Suisho Yaiba (Crystal Edge), named for the long straight blade made out of solid crystal, making it near unbreakable. Even three on one the Gennins were no match for member of the Seven Swordsman. Tenten came in with a double slash, which Noza countered easily and threw her back into Naruto while tripping Yuki as she tried to dodge his swing. The trip also sent her back into the other two making them look to be in a rather compromising situation, "Now that is an interesting position," Noza joked. "Careful Naruto you don't want to friendly with them."
"Noza-sensei!" came three embarrassed voices. This only caused Noza to laugh very hard.
"That does it!" Tenten screamed. "You're paying Naruto's bill at the Ichiruka the next time we're back in Konoha." This immediately shut the Jounin up. Naruto's bills were legendary and even Jounins could have trouble paying one of Naruto's binges. And if he ever thought of running out on the tab the Gennins would just have the bill sent directly to his house. And if it was one-thing ninjas did fear it was the dreaded bill collectors, no matter how far you ran they would always find you.
"Alright, alright," Noza waved frantically, "The joke is done. No need for threats." Seeing Tenten relent Noza relaxed, "Okay people this is the last time we'll be training here for a couple of months. The Chunin exam is coming up soon and it will be held in Konoha. And you three along with Neji Lee and Kora are going to take it. The Hokage and the Mizukage want all you in Konoha for the last couple of months. You all should be very proud for your accomplishments this past year."
"It has been a year hasn't it?" Naruto said. "I almost forgot." He then thought for a minute. "I never did shove the fact that I graduated a year early down that Bastard's throat." He then looked at Noza, "Sensei, will we be back in time for the Gennin exams."
"Why are you asking Naruto?" Yuki asked. "Do you have a girl in your old class you want to see?" The joking around between their team is one of the things that made them so good together, so everyone made jokes every now and then.
What they were not expecting was for Naruto to answer seriously, "Yeah actually." He blushed a little while thinking about Sakura.
"I thought all the girls in you class were obsessed with that Uchiha," Tenten said.
"Well last I saw her she did still have a thing for that Bastard," Naruto admitted
"Why would you want to go out with a pathetic fan-girl?" Tenten asked.
"This coming from the President of the Neji Fan-club?" Naruto smirked. Tenten had no reply for that causing Yuki and Noza to laugh at their both their Konoha friends.
After he finished laughing Noza said, "And to your earlier question yes. Gai wants you three back to test your growth. Though I think he just wants to try and up his 'eternal rival.' We'll leave in the morning so you have the rest of the day off." His students nodded and left.
The next day Naruto and his team were on their way to Konoha via ship. Because Water Country was an island of the mainland they had to travel half the distance by boat. Yuki always liked the view of the water, it probably had to do with the water demon she held. After two days sailing they arrived on the mainland and made their way west to Konoha. When they arrived the Chunin Guards at the gates greeted them after a quick check of their identifications and they entered the village. "We need to see the Hokage first and then you can have the next few days off to rest up before we do some missions."
A couple of hours later Naruto was visiting the first person he befriended. "Hey Iruka-sensei how have you been?" Naruto greeted whiled coming into the classroom. It was after hours so only Iruka was present in the room.
"Oh Naruto when did you get back?" Iruka asked.
"Just a few hours ago," Naruto answered, "So what are you doing?"
"Just going over some papers that need to be graded," Iruka said. "In fact I'm a little backed up because of the up and coming Gennin exam so I can't spend time with you right now. But if you're willing I'll treat you to one bowl of ramen later."
"Sure thing Iruka-sensei," Naruto said. "I'll see you later then. I'm going to wander around for a bit."
As Naruto was walking around he heard the familiar sound of kunai and shuriken hitting multiple targets. Yielding to curiosity Naruto followed the sound. He took to the trees to avoid both detecting and lesson the chance of getting hit by a stray kunai. When he was close enough he saw an old classmate and rival hitting the target with his weapons. He was about to jump down when he felt that there were other people in the area. Focusing his senses he found them to be behind Sasuke watching him intently. "Must be some of his fan-girls," Naruto thought. "Maybe now it's a good time to show them that Bastard isn't as good as he thinks he is." With this though Naruto dropped down from the tree and made his way to Sasuke's right. He silently waited for the right moment before he yelled, "Hey Bastard!" the sudden noise caused Sasuke to let go of his shuriken too early and made the projectiles fly way off course.
Looking in the direction of the voice Sasuke glared when he saw who it was, "What do you want Yameru (Dropout)" Sasuke asked.
"Yameru who are you calling that Bastard?" Naruto asked.
"Are you to stupid to realized that you haven't been to school in over a year?" Sasuke was trying to get back at Naruto for making him miss. In reality though he was mad that someone not even at the Academy anymore caught him off guard.
"Are you blind as well as stupid," Naruto said gesturing to his forehead where its protector was positioned. "I've been an active Gennin for almost a year now."
Sasuke was stunned by the revelation. So stunned in fact that he did not believe it, "It's a crime to where a forehead protector when you're not a shinobi Yameru."
"I guess you are stupid then," Naruto said. "Or do you want to test to see if I'm telling the truth." Naruto dropped into his own ready stance. He was crouched low; arms crossed over one another with his hands like claws.
"You're not worth my time," Sasuke scoffed. "However I will save you from being thrown in prison for wearing that." Sasuke being to arrogant to realize that Naruto had no openings in his guard, a clear indication of a well trained and experienced fighter rushed at him.
Naruto easily seeing the attack effortlessly caught the punch, "You have to move a lot faster than that if you want to hit me Sasuke." Naruto then pulled the arm to him twisted around and swept Sasuke to the ground. Naruto let go of his arm and jumped back, "So now do you think I'm worth your time, Loser."
Sasuke was furious how could someone like Naruto do that to him. "Enough going easy on you."
"Oh so you weren't trying before?" Naruto smirked. "I thought you were moving a bit slow." With that Naruto vanished from Sasuke's sight and appeared right behind him. Naruto had become very quick thanks to this training with Gai, but he did this just to show off. Sasuke spun around only to see that Naruto vanished again.
Naruto was about to continue when a voice from the edge of the clearing called, "Naruto what are you doing?" Naruto turned to see Neji standing in front of some bushes. "Gai-sensei said he wanted to see you."
"Oh sorry Neji I was just having some fun," Naruto said gesturing to Sasuke.
"Why are you wasting your time with such a weakling?" Neji asked.
"Old times sake," Naruto smiled. "Well see you Loser." Naruto then walked off with Neji leaving a very angry Sasuke.
When they were far enough away Neji said, "So that was this year's Rookie of the Year?" Neji glanced back at the Sasuke, "He's weaker than he knows."
"Yeah I know," Naruto said, "He didn't even know I was there until I yelled into his ears. He's probably so pissed now that he knows a person that he thought was so below him is now so much better."
"He needs to get a lot faster if he ever hopes of matching you," Neji commented. "Even if he activates his Sharingan he would not be able to catch you. Doujutsus are useless against you ever since you created Chakra Pulse."
"Speaking from experience Neji-san," Lee greeted. "You still hate it when you spar with him."
"Yeah well just like Noza-sensei said, 'the greatest advantage can be the greatest weakness'," Naruto quoted. After continued beatings by Neji with his Byakugan Naruto came up with a way to defeat the enhanced sight by using it's own advantage as a disadvantage. All the jutsu does is create a blight flash of light, but it you have a Doujutsu like Neji the sudden flash of light severely hurts the eyes creating an opening for Naruto to strike. "So what did Gai-sensei need?"
"Nothing," Neji said, "I just wanted to ruin your fun." Neji did not make jokes all that often but he did make some. But those few jokes were only with people he feels close enough too, his primary and secondary teammates.
"Spoil sport," Naruto retorts.
Back at the clearing Sasuke had long left. And normally the two that were watching the Uchiha would have chased after him. But this time they were stunned by the fact that the person they thought left the Academy a year ago showed back up as a full fledged ninja and completely outclassed their obsession. "I can't believe that Naruto was capable of that," Ino said.
"Well Sasuke-kun was just holding back you heard him," Sakura said. "There's no way that idiot could really beat Sasuke-kun."
"Are you kidding?" Ino said, "He just did. Naruto moved so fast that I couldn't even see him move those last two times. And that other guy, the one that looked like Hinata called Sasuke-kun a weakling. I think that was Hyuuga Neji, last year's Rookie of the Year. And from what he said it looks like they're on the same team."
"Then Naruto was telling the truth," Sakura said, "He did graduate a year ago. But how?"
"I think Iruka-sensei might know," Ino said. She remembered Iruka not even reacting to Naruto's absence over the year. And if the rumors were true Naruto was Iruka's favorite student. "Favorite student?" Ino said.
"What was that?" Sakura asked.
"The rumors were that Naruto was Iruka's favorite student," Ino said. "I bet he allowed him to graduate early just because of that."
"I don't know," Sakura said, "Iruka-sensei is not known for giving anyone a free ride, not even Sasuke-kun."
"So do you want to go find out?" Ino asked. "This is kind of interesting."
"Well since Sasuke-kun is gone I have nothing better to do," Sakura said.
A few minutes later the two girls arrived at the Academy only to see Sasuke going inside a head of them. Apparently he wanted to know if Naruto was telling the truth, although his strength should have spoken for itself. Seeing the Uchiha made the two forget their previous concerns and both raced try and catch him first.
Inside his classroom Iruka was just finishing up the last of his work and was preparing to leave when this year's Number One Rookie. From the look on Sasuke's face Iruka could feel a headache coming on. "If that Idiot was allowed to graduate early why wasn't I?"
"Yep definite head ache," Iruka thought. "And which idiot would that be?" Although he had a rather good idea about whom Sasuke was talking about.
"The one everyone thought dropped out," Sasuke said.
"I figured it would be Naruto, I guess he finally found enough time to find Sasuke," he thought. "If you mean Naruto then, he was able to graduate because he signed up for the graduation and demonstrated the necessary skills to be a Gennin," Iruka answered. Then silently added, "And probably a Chunin as well with those jutsus in combination. I wonder how strong he's gotten?" "And as to the other half of your question you of all people should have known that people could graduate early." Iruka knew it was a low blow but he did not like the last Uchiha's attitude towards those around him. In his honest opinion the Uchiha right now would just get his teammates killed.
Sasuke had no argument for that. After all he knew for a long time that his brother graduated much earlier that most. But at this time he was rather angry with Iruka for mentioning it. "That doesn't explain why I wasn't told."
"Always about you," Iruka thought. "You weren't told because we thought you already knew. Now if you will excuse me if have a meeting to get to." Iruka then got up not giving the Uchiha a chance to object. As he opened the door he bumped into the Sakura and Ino. He looked them over once figuring that they were following Sasuke like they usually did and left.
Naruto was currently having a sparring match with Lee. The two former dead lasts were fighting on equal terms but that was only because Naruto was using several Kage Bushins to make Lee fight multiple targets at once. Lee was the easily the fastest out of the joint village teams with Naruto second and Neji just behind him. Neji had the fastest reaction time and the highest precision followed by Lee and then Naruto. Naruto had the greatest brute force and stamina followed by Lee and then Neji. All in all the three were actually pretty even. There was an argument among those that knew them, which was actually stronger. In reality if they ever got serious no one would leave unharmed. Especially if they were to use their strongest moves. "Hey Neji," one of the Narutos called out, "What time is it?"
"Close to five," Neji answered.
"Oh crap," all five Narutos said, "Sorry Lee I've got to meet Iruka-sensei for ramen." With that he dispersed the clones and ran off. After he left Neji dropped down to take his turn at the sparring.
At the ramen shop Iruka was surprised to see he was actually there first. He sat down and went a head and ordered his bowl and waited. No sooner than the bowl came did Naruto sit down next to him. "What took you so long? Your usually here long before I am."
"I was sparring with Lee," Naruto answered. "He gets rather involve ed with his training." Naruto then ordered the bowl that Iruka promised to pay and started to devour it.
Iruka was about half way through his bowl when he mentioned, "Sasuke found out your early graduation."
"I know I told him," Naruto said beginning his third bowl. "Let me guess he was pissed right?"
"To say the least," Iruka said. "But you should now that you shouldn't fight with Academy students."
"Yeah I know," Naruto said. "But he really needed to get his ass kicked."
"Then you should have waited until after he became a Gennin," Iruka said. The continued to talk about what Naruto had been up to since his last time in Konoha. Naruto relayed the events as only he could, a lot of expressions and a bit of over exaggerations. After the meal the two parted ways and went home.
A couple of days later after the Gennin exam Naruto was going to the Hokage Office to meet with his team to see what kind of mission they had. Normally they were given some of the mid to high C-rank missions because of the their experience but occasionally the Hokage and Mizukage would give them a D-rank mission just to let them know that they are still Gennins. Naruto hated D-rank mission, in his opinion they should be given to Academy students instead of shinobi. As he came to the up to the building Naruto saw Gai and a silvered haired Jounin standing face to face. That could only mean Gai and Kakashi were about to have another one of their duals. This time Gai lost and Kakashi walked off without a care in the world. When Naruto arrived Gai was about to start his self punishment when he interrupted him, "Gai-sensei don't we need to check what missions we have." It was Naruto, Yuki and Tenten's turn in the rotation to be under Gai's instruction.
"Oh right you are Naruto," Gai said. "Let's go see what our great Sandaime has for us!"
The two entered the building and immediately went to the Mission Assignment Room. When they entered they met the Hokage and some Chunin assistant. Naruto then walked off to join Yuki and Tenten of to the side. "How long have you been waiting?"
"Not long Naruto," Yuki said. "In fact we came with Gai-sensei, we just went on ahead when we saw Kakashi."
"Since you two came in just after I assume Gai won the 'dual'," Tenten said.
"No I just stopped him before he got started," Naruto said. He looked back at the Hokage and Jounin. The Hokage just handed a scroll to Gai and Gai was going on and on about something. "Looks like he's going to be a while, want to get something from the snack machine?" The two girls gave a shrug and they when to get something to eat. When the got back Gai had just ended his speech and was making his way over to them.
"Our glorious Hokage has honored us with a C-rank mission!" Gai said. "We are to deliver supplies to one of the outpost at the border with Wind Country."
Tenten and Naruto nodded in agreement thanking the Kami it was not another D-rank mission. Yuki however sighed, "I hate the desert."
