For anyone with doubts... No . I don't own Naruto. Surprising right?
Naruto couldn't believe it.
Somebody else was sitting in his swing! Jiji had ordered that swing be put up just for him and there was somebody else swinging in it!
"Hey!" Naruto barked at the pink haired girl on his swing. She startled and opened bright green eyes in surprise.
"Huh?" She asked in confusion. The green eyes settled on Naruto eerily before sliding out of focus. Naruto waited for her to say something more, but it seemed as if the girl's focus was somewhere else entirely. Naruto frowned. He hated being ignored.
"You're in my swing!" Naruto accused boldly.
"Yes? I am?" The pink girl asked innocently. She tilted her brightly colored head to the side and looked at Naruto in confusion.
Naruto found himself blushing, somehow the anger he had felt dissipated quickly. The little pink haired girl was adorable! Much like a baby puppy or kitten, Naruto mused. He couldn't make her leave, it'd be like… like… kicking a puppy! Naruto pouted a looked away.
"Um… it's okay. You can swing too." Naruto murmured softly. He was about to turn to go sit on the nearby bench when the girl spoke up again.
"Share with me." Green eyes brightened in determination as they glared at him imperiously. Suddenly, Naruto felt as if the cute puppy had mysteriously become an Inuzuka nin dog instead.
"Huh?" Naruto stuttered in surprise. Where had that baby like innocence gone to?
"There's room for two, and we both want to swing. So, lets swing together." It took a moment for Naruto to register the meaning of her words. She wanted him… to swing with her?! Yes, she really didn't seem so much the adorably innocent kitten now, but Naruto felt equally as happy with her kind, bossy exterior so long as she actually wanted to play with him.
"Okay!" Naruto cried gleefully. Naruto happily hopped onto the swing beside the girl. He grinned at her before beginning to swing. After a few moments, their legs synchronized, and the swing began to move. Naruto tried to grin wider. He wasn't sure if he managed but he hoped it was enough to convey how happy he was. This was awesome! This was one of the few times he had swing with someone and the girl was really good at it. She seemed to really like swinging too, cuz there was a vivid smile resting beneath her small nose. The pinkette giggled happily.
"I love swinging!" she cried out.
"ME TOO!" Naruto shouted joyfully. He continued swinging with the pink girl for a few more minutes, merely enjoying the rare positive presence of someone his age.
"What's your name?" The girl asked suddenly. Naruto blinked. Then he grinned.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki! Who're you?" Naruto asked. So far, she seemed really nice and he didn't see any angry parents around. Maybe, if he was careful, maybe they could be friends?
"I'm Sakura Haruno. It's nice to meet you." The girl, Sakura greeted. Naruto thought she sounded a little funny, like the books Jiji always tried to get him to read. Still, Sakura's name was pretty, and it matched her hair perfectly. She must have super cool parents! Naruto wished he could meet them but figured it was best if he avoided them. Parents didn't really like him to play with their kids.
"I'm here with my mom. She's working on a construction project here. Why are you here?" Sakura asked. Naruto was a little surprised at her curiosity. Most kids didn't bother with things like that. They just wanted to play.
"I'm here to see Hokage-Jiji. He's going to help me study for the academy entrance exam." Naruto boasted happily. He couldn't wait! The thought of taking the exam and entering the academy made heated excitement bubble up in his stomach. Naruto was definitely going to become a great ninja, believe it!
The girl looked around worriedly and Naruto frowned a little. Was it going to rain? There weren't any clouds though…
"Academy entrance exam?" Sakura asked curiously. Naruto, if possible, grinned brighter.
"Yup! This is the ninja academy and admin-is-stray-shun center. It's where people start learning to be ninjas and where real ninjas get their missions! Hokage-Jiji is supposed to meet me so he can help me learn some more before the test. It's in two days! If I pass, I can start attending classes at the academy. I'll be one step closer to being Hokage, believe it!" Naruto pumped his fist in the air forcefully. He didn't care what anyone else thought. He really would do it someday!
"You want to be a ninja?" Sakura asked. Naruto noticed that she didn't seem as excited before but figured she must just be surprised. He was getting into the academy two years early after all. Jiji said it was 'quite an achievement'.
"Uh-huh! I'm gonna be really cool and really strong and then I'll protect everyone in the village, so they'll have to like me!" Naruto boasted. He loved telling people how great a ninja he would become. What made it even better was that Sakura seemed to actually believe him! Awesome! Dattebayo!
"If you're a ninja, you can protect people?" Sakura's question made Naruto still. Of course, ninja protected people. How could Sakura not know that?
"Of course! That's what all the ninja do now for us! They protect us from the fiends of Iwa and the other bad guys!" Naruto explained. Again, Naruto wondered how Sakura didn't know this. It was basic stuff! Even babies should know it! Then, Sakura began to shake her head quickly. Naruto watched in confusion as she did it. Didn't shaking her neck like that hurt?
"Sakura? What's da matter?" He asked her worriedly. Was she hurt? Did she get a bug bite? The pink haired girl stilled at Naruto's question before turning back to face him abruptly. Naruto flinched slightly from the focused, ultra-sharp green gaze.
"Can anyone become a ninja, Naruto?" Sakura asked seriously.
"Yeah, if they can enter the academy and pass all the exams. Why?" Naruto tilted his head in confusion. Shouldn't she know this, too? Jiji was always telling him things like this as if they were obvious and that everyone should know.
"Do you think I could be one?" It took exactly a split second for Naruto the register Sakura's question. The next half-second was spent replacing his worry and confusion with heart bursting joy and excitement.
"Ehh? You wanna be ninja too? That'd be so cool! Maybe we could be in the same class and become awesome ninja together! Ney, Ney, take the exam with me. You seem pwetty smart, I bet you could pass!" Naruto babbled happily. The excitement in his stomach just kept bubbling out into words and sentences as he continued to pester Sakura towards being in his class.
"Hai! I will!" Sakura agreed determinedly. Naruto grinned at the first full face grin he'd ever seen Sakura grin. This was great! Now, Sakura was all fired up too!
"Have you found a friend, Naruto?" The aged voice came from below and Naruto immediately knew who it was. Together, Sakura and he brought the swing to a stop.
"Jiji!" Naruto cried cheerfully. Naruto bolted off the swing and into a hug with Jiji. Soft cotton robes met his cheeks as Naruto hugged the old leader tightly.
"Hello, Naruto." The Third greeted warmly as he reached down to wrap his own strong arms around the young blonde. Naruto heard Sakura hop off the swing also and walk over. He loosened from his hug just in time to see her formally greet the Hokage.
"Greetings, Hokage-sama." Sakura murmured meekly. Naruto wrinkled his nose. Why did she have to go be all formal and stuff? She was talking normally just a few minutes ago…
"Hello there, Little one. What might your name be?" Jiji asked gently. Amusement twinkled in his eyes and Naruto wondered what he found funny about Sakura acting all stiff.
"I am Sakura Haruno, Hokage-sama." Sakura answered even more formally. Naruto openly grimaced. If this kept up he'd have to fake being sick or something. Manners were gross!
"I see. It's nice to meet you, Haruno-chan. I'm afraid I'll have to steal your playmate now. We have some important studying to do, right Naruto?" Jiji looked down at Naruto and he brightened.
"Right!" Naruto agreed excitedly. However, he quickly frowned. "But what about Sakura-chan? She wants to be a ninja too. Can she come and learn as well?" Jiji frowned and looked back at Sakura. For a long few moments, the old man seemed to be thinking about something. Sakura shifted uncomfortably under his stare.
"Is that so, young lady?" Jiji asked.
"Hai, Hokage-sama. I-I would like to enter the academy and train with Naruto." Sakura stuttered out. Naruto grinned. She wanted to come be a ninja to be with him! Wow! She was a great friend! Naruto couldn't wait till they got to take classes together. They'd be awesome! He just knew it!
"Normally, students don't begin taking academy classes until they are seven or eight. However, enrollment is open for all that can pass the entrance exam. Tell me, do you know how to read, Haruno-chan? Can you write and calculate numbers?" Naruto frowned. Did Sakura know how to do all that? Naruto could, but only because Jiji taught him. The reading aloud bit was still really hard too.
"Hai, Hokage-sama!" Sakura replied confidently. Naruto blinked. She looked really confident, maybe Sakura was really smart?
"In two days' time, the entrance exam will take place here at 8:30 in the morning. Normally, you would need special approval to apply to take the entrance exam. However, since you and Naruto seem to be such good friends, and I'm sure you'll support each other, I'll allow you a special pass. When you come to take the test, give the examiner this form. Make sure to have your guardian sign it and fill out all of the necessary information." Jiji explained. Sakura took the paper and nodded determinedly. Then she turned to grin at Naruto.
"See you there, Ruto." Sakura said. Naruto grinned from ear to ear. She had given him a nickname. Cool!
"Okay, Kura!" Naruto replied. Then, Jiji also bid the pink girl good bye before pulling Naruto to leave.
"Thanks, Jiji!" Naruto grinned up. The third looked down in surprise.
"What for?" He asked in amused bewilderment.
"For giving Sakura a chance. Most kids aren't allowed ta enter the academy so early, right?"
"Well, consider it incentive. That Sakura girl seems exceptionally bright for her age. If you don't hunker down and study, she'll beat you into the academy." The old man chuckled mirthfully as he led Naruto down the main road of Konoha. Behind them, the red Hokage residence stood tall and proud. Its shadow traveled under their feet heavily and Naruto smiled at it. One day, that impressive shadow would be his!
"Don't worry, Jiji. No matter what, I'm gonna do it! Believe it! So, what do I need to do?" Naruto asked cockily.
"Well for now, why don't you order some ramen?" Jiji invited Naruto as he shifted the curtains surrounding old man Ichiraku's stall.
"Miso Chashu Pork ramen please!" Naruto crawled on top of the worn leather stool and waved into the restaurant stall. Old man Ichiraku stood heftily behind one of his several stoves. His white chef's uniform remained pristine and stainless despite the many messy substances surrounding him. As usual, a content smile relayed his calm demeanor. The smell of spices and fresh ramen wafted from several boiling or cooling pots. All in all, a place and chef fit for cooking the food of the gods.
"Coming right up, Naruto." Ichiraku grinned and added another pot of water to the stove. From within the washroom, Naruto could hear the sound of Ichiraku's daughter getting onto a dish boy for something.
"Good morning Teuchi-san. May I have some pork ramen with a few shrimp added in?" Jiji asked as he too sat down on one of the old stools next to the counter.
"Sure thing, Hokage-sama." Ichiraku agreed amiably. The man quickly began to bustle around the kitchen. For a few moments, Naruto watched him contently. If he wasn't already going to be a ninja, Naruto might have begged for an apprenticeship under the old man. He was a genius at his art.
Then Naruto turned the Third Hokage.
"Ne, Jiji! What do I have'ta learn to pass the test?"
"Well, Like I told your new friend, you need to know basic math and how to read and write. I know you've got the numbers down, but sometimes you still have trouble reading aloud. So today we'll be practicing your reading." Naruto groaned.
"But Jiji! That's so boring! Why can't we do more ninja stuff like numbers or mem'ry?"
"Because Naruto, reading is very important to being a ninja. If you can't read how will you understand mission statements or medical issues? Or, even the maps and road signs on the way to a mission? Reading is a very important skill for ninja, Naruto. It is the basis of one of the most important attributes of being a shinobi."
"Huh? Whatcha mean?"
"Reading is the simplest form of information gathering. Without information gathering enemies could sneak up on us, plant traps in our way, or even get he upper hand due to mysterious abilities."
Naruto was quiet for a few more moments.
"Do I have ta learn it?" He whined. The Third Hokage looked heavenward as a reluctant fondness tiptoed across his heart.
"Yes, Naruto. You do." Sarutobi told the stubborn child. "Don't worry. If you can't learn it in time, Sakura seems like the kind of girl who would stay behind a year to wait on you."
"Ehhh?! No way! I'll learn it! Sakura won't have to wait on me." Naruto declared
"Good. Now that you're ready to study, I brought a book I want you to read aloud to me." The Hokage reached into the folds of his robe to pull out a brightly colored child's book. A rainbow fish swam across its cover cheerfully.
"Erk!" Naruto grimaced. "You know, I'm sure I'd be able ta study better after eating. Yup, eating!" The blonde looked around as if hoping his ramen order would magically appear.
"Now come on, Naruto. I thought you were going to keep up with Salura?" Jiji slowly slid the open child's book over to Naruto's portion of the counter.
"But reading's hard…"
"Then I suggest you get working on it. Now come on, start on the first bit."
"T-there was o-nce a ruh-aen-bow fis-huh- er- fish…"
And there we go... one more chapter of sannin switch closer to my goal mwahahahaha!
Ahem...
So, Summer is still kicking my behind so I still can't wait to go back to be a jobless college student who only has to worry about homework. Yippee.
Have fun, please review if you enjoyed my story!