He sucked.
Naruto truly sucked. For he knew, not ten, but three jutsu's.
In the academy, he would boast and go on and on about how awesome he was. That was far from the truth. Deep down, he thought he was worthless. Only the Hokage loved him. His classmates thought he was weak and obnoxious.
Just when he thought he couldn't be any worse, Kakashi confronted him about his abilities after the introduction meeting.
"I've realized that you didn't have the best of lives. However, please tell me you know more than three techniques." Questioned Kakashi.
Naruto didn't know how to explain it to him. Surely, his Kage Bunhin would make up for him knowing only three techniques, Right?
"It's true I only know three jutsu's but one of them is Kage Bunshin, so that's good right?"
"So, it's true. The day of graduation, he did steal the Forbidden Scroll. I can't make any risky moves, especially with his low self-esteem. I must take advantage." Thought Kakashi. "That's okay, Naruto. Although as a Shinobi, I will not sugarcoat anything. Kage Bunshin is a great Jutsu, but with your repotoire you should have been held back."
Naruto hadn't cried since he was five. He vowed never to cry, to show people that he was strong. Now, however, he felt like he would cry a waterfall. Becoming Hokage was his only dream and the only way to become Hokage was if he became a Shinobi. A strong Shinobi.
"Naruto, you have wonderful potential. Your fighting style is unpredictable and can get you out of sticky situations. However, your slow. That Kage Bunshin jutsu has some secrets that you need to know that would benefit you greatly. With the secrets the Kage Bunshin holds, you may be able to go from below Genin level to High Genin or even Mid-Chunin level."
He didn't suck after all. He needed to use this opportunity to become better.
"Oh, and one last thing thing."
"What is it Kakashi-sensei?"
"Uzumaki Clan" with those last words he vanished once again, smoke emitting from his body.
Naruto's face said it all. Realization took effect.
He slept only two hours that night. The Uzumaki weren't civilians? Now that was a shocker. He came to a decision.
Find out what happened to the Uzumaki Clan.
He slid on his orange jumpsuit and set way for Training Ground 7. The real Genin exam.
When he arrived, Ino and Sasuke were already there, checking themselves and their weapons. He greeted Ino, stuck a finger at Sasuke, then sat down.
Rather than be late this time, Kakashi appeared a few minutes after Naruto.
"Team 7, assemble."
The Genin got up and approached Kakashi. Naruto was first to reach Kakashi, Sasuke was last, staying weary of his surroundings.
"You see these bells on my belt? I want you to get it from me. There are only two, though, so only two of you will pass."
Naruto almost crapped his pants. He was obviously the weakest there, meaning he was the most likely to get sent back to the academy. He had to try his best, for he wouldn't lose.
"There is a time limit. GO"
Both Ino and Sasuke jumped into separate bushes, avoiding being seen. Naruto noticed this and ran as fast as he could into the forest.
"How am I supposed to do this. He's a Jonin and I barely made Genin, but so are the other two. Which means, we have to work together if we even have a shot at getting those bells." Though Naruto. He sprinted towards the direction of Ino because he didn't want to talk to Sasuke alone.
Naruto finally found her focused on Kakashi, who was still in the middle of the field.
"Hey Ino" Naruto whispered. She turned around so quick yelling out "KAI" while holding up a hand sign to cancel out Genjutsu.
"Sorry Ino, I didn't mean to scare you. But, we have to work as a team to beat this guy. Or at least, get the bells. Sasuke might have been rookie of the year, but Kakashi has experience."
Ino looked at him stupidly.
"That's the smartest thing I've ever heard you say. Your right, though," said Ino. Naruto dismissed the comment, as he's received worse comments. Ino and Naruto decided to find Sasuke soon because of that hot head of his, he might charge in at any time.
They had been walking for a few seconds before they heard a voice above them.
"I'm up here" said Sasuke in a tree. Wait a minute, how'd he know they were looking for him. Before Naruto could finish his thoughts, Ino was once again yelled "KAI" and this time it worked. Sasuke disappeared and standing there was Kakashi.
"Hiya" was his words before dodging a huge fireball and jumping off to a tree a few meters away. Sasuke ran up to them, tired, but still in the fight.
"Sasuke,I know we don't get along, but we have to work together as a team to get those bells. I know I won't make it, but you guys will make fine Shinobi. You got to trust us."
Sasuke let out his favorite phrase "Hn" before following Naruto and Ino to a more isolated area within the grounds. Team 7's Genin crouched down, planning a way to get Kakashi.
"So, here's the plan, be free to add when you need to, Ino I want you to…..." Whispered Naruto.
Kakashi, once again stood in the middle of the training grounds, reading his smut. At that moment, he heard a rustling in the leaves. He closed his book and readied himself, grabbing a kunai.
"I was getting to the good part."
After Kakashi's statement, "Naruto" appeared from the bush. "A Kage Bunshin? Ok, I'll play along."
"Naruto you shouldn't be so reckless.I-"
That was when hell broke out.
A fireball sped towards him at his rear. He became jumped up and the Kage Bunshin attacked him. He ended the Kage Bunshin's life before it could land anything.
He landed on the ground and thought it was over.
It was far from over.
About 40 Kage Bunshins charged at him, while kunai from the trees rained down on him.
Kakashi grabbed a Kage Bunshin and used it as a human shield for the kunai. When it dissipated, he felt the other Bunshin's grab him on his arms and legs.
He was trapped.
"Nice try" was what he said before he emitted in smoke. "Wait, what?" Naruto thought.
That was a Kage Bunshin. The timer for the test ringed, signaling the end. Kakashi appeared in the center of the field as the bunshin's disappeared.
"Team 7, assemble" he said. The Genin came out from the trees they were stationed in.
"All of you did your best. My bunshin may not have even 10% of his power, but like that handsome devil said, good try. You worked as a team, that's why you..." Kakashi explained.
Naruto knew he would fail, but because of his plan, they all failed. Not only would he be hated, he would be loathed.
"pass."
Did he just hear that right? They passed, he couldn't believe it.
"I don't want to tell you why you passed. I want you to go home and think about it and next week when we start missions, you will tell me. Everyone but Naruto is dismissed."
When they left, Kakashi gave Naruto a card.
"What is this Kakashi-sensei?"
"It's a library card. Over the next week, you will learn about your clan. Also, there are, Genin scrolls that will help you in your fighting style and Ninjutsu repertoire."
Naruto was about to cry again. Someone else cared for him. Finally.
"Oh, and don't worry, your teammates will be doing things to. You're not that special."
