Tired of being Known as the hyperactive knucklehead ninja of Konoha
Summary: What would happen if Naruto, now 15 years old and still a genin, grew tired of the fact that everyone in Konoha considers him as being the most hyperactive knucklehead ninja of the hidden village. What if, all of a sudden, Naruto becomes serious about his life as a ninja and starts to train harder than ever, accomplishing difficult and impossible missions and becoming an elite ANBU captain?
Pairing Naruto x Anko
Chapter 2 – Facing Reality
A couple days after the mission, the group was standing beside the Godaime, giving the report of the mission that was a complete failure.
"So, Yamato report on your mission" – Ordered Tsunade.
"Hai Tsunade-Sama. As planned, I henged into Sasori and encountered Kabuto at the designated area. However we had n unexpected visit from Orochimaru that happen to plot an assassination of the akatsuki member with the help of Kabuto. , Naruto, after hearing about Sasuke from Orochimaru became angry, channelling the power of the Kyuubi four tails and turned to fight Orochimaru and Kabuto at the same time. After that, Orochimaru and Kabuto escaped, I manage to turn Naruto back into his form with mokuton jutsu and Sakura healed his burned body. After following Orochimaru and Kabuto's trace we managed to find their hideout and we came face to face with Sasuke. Once Naruto and him were neck to neck, being tired because of the Kyuubi's transformation, Naruto didn't have time to rest, failing to capture him and they escaped" – Explained Yamato, finishing his report.
Tsunade noticed evil glares from Yamato and Sakura towards Naruto, which came as a surprise to her, so she bothered to give the blonde shinobi the right to verify the story said by Yamato.
"The story is true." – Said Naruto, never losing his new serious posture, which once again appeared strange to the blonde hokage, since she expected him to be either screaming his lungs on his behalf or becoming angry at them for implying that it was his fault the mission failed.
Tsunade actually was a little drunk, so just to play with the blond, she aimed a chakra enhanced punch directly on his face. She would not hit him with it, in fact she would stop her arm really close to his nose. When the fist approached, Tsunade noticed that Naruto did not even bother to defend himself or even showed any side of fear for the upcoming blow. When she stopped the punch inches from Naruto's face, she, as intrigued as she was, turned to ask why.
"Why you didn't defend yourself? My fist could make quite damage on your skull." – Now, she was more than ever worried about her surrogate family's sanity, since the old one would close his eyes and be frightened, just waiting for the blow.
"It's because I admit my failure and I deserve to be punished, Hokage-Sama. The entire mission was a failure and it was because of my stupidity and harsh thinking, therefore I'm to hold responsible for the failure of the mission." – Said Naruto, earning glances from everyone. Sakura and Yamato, even though were very mad at Naruto, never passed though their heads that Naruto would admit that he was wrong, or even be hold responsible for the failure of the mission. Tsunade and Shizune were trying to look for any kind of emotion through Naruto's eyes, but couldn't find anyone, it was like he was admitting defeat. Sai was as stoic and emotionless as ever.
But Tsunade, somehow, knew, after looking further, that Naruto wasn't giving up at all, that look on his eyes was almost the same as his father, when serious. This Naruto was frightening her to no end. She never thought she would be scared of Naruto, but now it's looks like he suffered an extreme transformation or Minato took over his body.
But since the report was over, Tsunade dismissed everyone, so Yamato and Sai shunshined out of the room, while Sakura went for the door and never looked back. After some time, Naruto requested to speak to Tsunade in private, and she agreed.
"So, Naruto, what would you like to talk to me about and be quick." – Now this was a new thing. Normally, Tsunade would already know what Naruto wanted to talk about, since usually was about new missions and complaints about the teammates that he was to be grouped with, but now she couldn't anticipate what he was about to talk about and she feared that it could be something serious.
"Actually, Hogake-Sama, I noticed that the Chunnin Exams will be in two weeks from now, so I would like a two-week training period in order to take the exams and finally advance to Chunnin?" – Said Naruto, earning surprising glances from Tsunade, since a) Naruto wasn't calling her Baa-chan but now hokage-sama and b) she totally forgot about the chunnin exams.
"Naruto, I…". Naruto didn't wait for Tsunade to answer, and requested another favor.
"Also, I would like those chakra elemental papers, so I can know which chakra element I'm most suited for in order to start my training"
"But, Naruto, what about Team Kakashi? They will need you with them on future missions." – Said Tsunade trying to convince him to not do the chunnin exams and proceed with Sakura and Yamato or Kakashi who by this time was already recovered.
"They can very well take care of each other, and, as they said, all I ever do is mess things up, anyway." – Said Naruto, in a calm manner, trying to hide his utter frustration with the so called teammates of his and the fact that they always underestimate him.
"OK, Naruto, I will grant your wish, but we have to talk with Kakashi about it. He will be crushed when you tell him about it."
Naruto, knowing that Kakashi was actually hearing the whole conversation, since not only he sensed his chakra signature but also spotted a shadow with spike hair, near one of the windows outside the Hokage's office, showed a little grin and calmly stated.
"Don't worry about that Hokage-sama, I am sure he already knows. I'll see you in a couple weeks time at the chunnin exams, until then take care of yourself." – Said Naruto and walked calmly to the door and left the office.
"Ok." – Said Tsunade, still dumbstruck from seeing the blonde's new behavior, but she was wondering how Naruto knew that Kakashi was already listening to the whole conversation from outside the room. Actually Jiraya was a master in sensing other people's chakra signatures from far away so she guessed that he taught Naruto that ability up to a kin level with his own.
After that, Naruto vanished from sight and Kakashi appeared from the window, as he was hearing everything. He was wondering what the hell happened that made everyone blame Naruto for what happened. Sure Naruto weren't the brightest mind of the rookie 9 but to an extent to blame him. But what puzzled him to no end, was Naruto himself and his sudden change and also the fact that Naruto took charge and the responsibility for what happened. Kakashi actually was glad of Naruto's antics, since it reminded him so much of his sensei.
As Kakashi just entered the room, Naruto collected the chakra elemental papers and stored him inside his pocket, while walking towards the administration building's exit, when Shizune called him so as to have a little conversation and try to understand her surrogate little brother and what's going on with him that resulted in his change of behavior. Shizune was sad at seeing the seriousness in Naruto's face just as Kakashi was. From her part, Naruto's happiness and behavior just happened to bring out the best in people and she was very well proud of her little brother for that part, but now she was scared of what he could be thinking.
"Naruto-kun, wait up, I want to talk to you a little bit, if that's okay with you?" – Asked Shizune seeing Naruto's back with his hands inside his pockets, slowly turning himself to watch his sister, while demonstrating a look of total apathy and indifference, much to Shizune's dismay and sadness.
"What do you need, Shizune-neechan?" – Answered Naruto with very little concern in his voice.
"Naruto-kun, why are you like this? This look of yours doesn't suit you at all. Is there something wrong with you? It's okay, you can talk to me, after all you're like a little brother to me". – Smiled warmly Shizune, a little relieved after receiving a smile from Naruto as well.
"Don't need to worry about me Shizune-neechan, it's just a little realization on my part that now it hit me worse in my face than Tsunade-sama's chakra enhanced punches." – Said Naruto, who even though showed care to his sister, answered with little bit of emotion.
At this, Shizune was caught staring hardly at her brother for what he said, first of all because of how profound he seemed and second was that he once remarked the hokage as an old lady and now he calls her tsunade-sama or hokage-sama, even though they weren't at the presence of such person.
"What could it be, Naruto-kun that changed that happiness in you that always seemed to cheer everyone up. Where is the old Naruto who could very well change everything bad to good just with his presence?" – Asked Shizune, wondering just where that Naruto was hiding and actually considering that this one wasn't the Naruto she came to know, which in fact it wasn't.
"I'll tell you Shizune-neechan. It's because of the fact that no one I know thinks of me as a good shinobi or even good at something. For everyone, I'm the 'dobe', the 'dead last', the 'idiot', the 'pathetic excuse of a shinobi'. If you have one more, why not add to that list, while we're talking about it. I'm just sick and tired of being underestimated of my abilities and even though that perverted of a sannin didn't teach me shit, I'm going to train all by myself". – Said Naruto, while Shizune was displaying looks of sadness, anger and disappointment. Sadness was from seeing the one never ending happiness and stamina freak show his true emotions for the first time as well as acknowledge the fact that no one is always happy and that Naruto had earned moments of true reflections at his life. Anger of herself as well as everyone's misjudgment of Naruto's abilities and disappointment at Jiraya for apparently wasting three years of Naruto's life, not training him.
"Naruto-kun, tell me about your training with Jiraya-sama? After all, you spend three years training with him?" – Asked Shizune, so as to confirm her suspicions.
"If you could call that training, I mean we practiced a bit of taijutsu for the first months than we wasted the entire year trying to channel some of the damn fox's chakra in order to control it. Eventually, he gave me a crash course of genjutsu and that's about it. No ninjutsu training, except perfecting the rasengan. That's about it. When I asked him about it, he said that he needed to talk to his spying networks about the Akatsuki and left me for granted. So to sum up, he didn't want to waste his time with me". – Said Naruto, explaining what he did which Shizune could sum up and conclude that from three years, all he trained was six months and nothing more.
"I can't believe him. He did nothing to train you. No efforts whatsoever". – If Shizune was angry, now she was fuming. How could he do something like that with Naruto? How could he waste Naruto's life like that?"
"He pretty much thought the same thing as everyone thinks right now, I guess. But that will end right here right now." – Said Naruto showing determined look that scared his sister a little bit, but she as being his sister, tried to run damage control, but to no avail.
"Wait, Naruto-kun, I can talk to Tsunade-sama and she can summon someone who could teach you, you don't need to do this alone. How about that?"
"NO! I won't rely on people to train me anymore. From now on, I will only rely on myself to train and get better. If I would tell for all the teachers that I had, I would say that from everyone, only Iruka-sensei taught me anything. The other teachers from the academy just didn't want to teach me because of my burden, Kakashi-sensei was pressed by the council to teach the stupid Uchiha, Jiraya didn't want to teach me and only said he would so he would take me away from Konoha and from the Akatsuki's tracks. I'm not even counting Yamato on this. If I want to become better as a shinobi, I will need to do this by myself". – Exploded Naruto in front of his sister, apparently extinguishing every bit of hope to convince him to calm down a bit.
"I see. You changed Naruto-kun. I never thought I would see the day when you become like you are now. I kind of miss the old Naruto who was able to convince Tsunade-sama to take the position as Hokage". – Sighed Shizune, as she was resorting to pity talk to try to get through the blonde, but what he answered, it was enough to tell her that maybe that one that she was missing, was just a charade.
"Well, that old Naruto is gone now, so don't keep your hopes up if you want him to show up again, I need to go now, Shizune-neechan, a two week training awaits for me." – Said Naruto storming off, leaving a wide-eyed Shizune with sadness on her eyes.
--Meanwhile outside the corridor--
Just as Naruto and Shizune was having their talk, Yuhhi Kurenai was passing by since she had to bring a report to the hokage about her mission that entailed a complex analysis on the villages around Konoha's economy and security situations. Just as she was about to enter the corridor that lead to the Hokage's office, she overheard voices that she recognized a female's voice belonging to Shizune and a male voice which looked like a grown up voice from Naruto.
While eavesdropping on the conversation, she was being taken aback little by little from what she was listening. Apparently Naruto was telling Shizune about the total waste of his three year training trip with Jiraya as well as a list of all his teachers and the lack of wanting to teach anything to the poor blonde. Now by hearing this, Kurenai was pissed beyond words, she somehow knew that Naruto would have a hard time with others because of the kyuubi, but to an extent to jeopardize his abilities and hinder his grown, that was just pure bullshit, might as well turn him into a civilian and that would a better thing to do. She was a little sad of the boy, upon hearing such sad words from his mouth, though. Naruto is Hinata's crush, because of the fact that Naruto would never quit anything and always show a happy smile on his face, but Kurenai shrugged that thought and concluded that Naruto just suffered too much in his life to try to even be happy about it.
Caught in wonderings, Kurenai realized that the conversation was over and Naruto was coming her way. Needing to act fast as to not arouse suspicions from an already pissed Naruto, she needed to think fast. By resorting to her specialty, he hid herself under a genjutsu and waited for Naruto to leave. Little did she know that Naruto already sensed her before.
As he opened the door that Kurenai was, he turned to the direction that Kurenai was hiding and began to stare at her, almost as daring her to come clean with the fact that she was eavesdropping on his conversation with Shizune. Kurenai, for her part, was hoping that the blonde was only double checking before he left, but what she listened, just pretty much ended any thought on that part.
"Kurenai-san, would you be so kind as to drop that low-level genjutsu, I'm actually surprised you would think that I wouldn't see through it, but then I guess that what everyone thinks of me as being weak, so you wouldn't be different". – Said Naruto as he continued to walk towards the exit, only to be stopped by the genjutsu mistress that was showing a bit of anger towards the blonde from thinking her of being that superficial and shallow.
"Naruto, I'm resented at that, you just accused me of being superficial just like everyone. I'm not like that at all". – Said Kurenai to the blonde a little surprised to see him turning up to her in the coolest manner and displaying another apathy look that showed to Kurenai that she was lying directly on his face.
"Kurenai-san, if what you said is true, then why would you resort to suchfa low level genjutsu and low level chakra one as well. Just answer me, were you with the pretension to be caught or you were hoping that I wouldn't be able to see through it, since my abilities with genjutsu wouldn't be sufficient". – Asked Naruto plain, simple and with the pressure of a thousand pound weight that seemed to smash through Kurenai's face like nothing else before. Now she was caught and she could do nothing about it, she realized now that she was in fact underestimating him by using such a pitiful technique and for how much she wanted to punch herself a few times, she couldn't change the fact that she just fave enough evidence to backup Naruto's claims.
"Naruto, I…" – She somehow couldn't open her mouth to say that he was right and she was once again cursing herself for it.
"Don't need to explain, Kurenai-san, I just got my answer." – Said Naruto foncluding the case and pretty brought down the hammer on the case.
As he continued to walk, he left yet another kunoichi wide eyed and sad. As Kurenai turned her back and walked through the corridor that lead to the Hokage's office, she saw Shizune, staring outside, more specifically, staring the blonde walking away from the building, heading towards the Hokage monument, a place which Naruto went pretty often.
Kurenai was feeling the exact same thing as Shizune. GUILT. She was angry at everyone who showed no effort on Naruto's part but she was also to blame, since she fid the exact same thing that everyone did and that was underestimate the blonde chunnin wannabe's abilities as a ninja. As Shizune turned to exchange glares with Kurenai, she noticed that something happened to her as well and she had a feeling that Naruto had something to do with it.
--Back at the corridor--
Shizune was once again wide eyed upon hearing about Kurenai's encounter with Naruto and how Kurenai just gave Naruto enough arguments to support his theory about everyone underestimating his abilities. She was about to shout at Kurenai if not for the fact that she also acted the same way concerning the blonde.
"I know what you're thinking, Shizune and I fanted to believe on the contrary, but it is true. We were all responsible for this fact, I just wished I could do something to remedy that, but I just can't think of anything on that manner. But what scared me the most was the looks on his eyes. It isn't the same Naruto I knew and that Hinata has a crush on. This new looks of his femonstrate sadness and disappointment as well as wave of determination. He changed a lot, probably more than the ones his age, but then again he suffered far worse than everyone combined that I just tremble in only thinking how much bad things happened to him and to just keep walking like he does, it's nothing less than admirable, won't you think, Shizune?"
"Yeah I do. At first I was terrified about seeing him like that. After all it was the old Naruto that brought Tsunade-sama back to Konoha and put her out of her sorrow. I know that he changed and became more matured because of it, but he's too young to be like he is now, if I didn't know him, I would assume that he was an experienced Anbu captain who thought the Third Shinobi War and survived. I'm scared of what he could become, Kurenai-san. The mind plays tricks on us and the Kyuubi doesn't help the situation, if he snaps, I don't know what would happen to him.
"Shizune, I believe that you are once again misjudging his abilities just like everyone has been doing". – Said Kurenai, so that once again Shizune became wide eyed at the kunoichi's explanation.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that he is fifteen years old and has been keeping the demon at bay since he was born and here you are saying that the Kyuubi could make him suffer more than he already suffered throughout his existence. If that is true, than his life is condemned. I can see clearly now, Shizune. To him to grow as a ninja as well as keep the worst of the bijuu from tampering with his life, is one hell of an assignment that I don't think anyone would be able to do it. I just hope that the boy…no, that man can find happiness once in his life. Now, I have to deliver a report Shizune-san, so if you excuse me.
"By all means, Kurenai-san". – Said Shizune, as she turned to walk away towards the hospital. Meanwhile, she was once again lost in thoughts from Kurenai's words about Naruto and the Kyuubi. She was berating herself for the fact that she seemed to underestimate Naruto's abilities on a subconscious level, like it was common sense and now the only thing she wished was for Naruto to forgive her and move on.
--At the Hokage's room--
While the conversations were on, Kakashi was having his one with Tsunade and obviously the talk was about the blonde genin's new behavior and the late turn of events.
"What was all that, Hokage-Sama? What happened to Naruto?" – Said Kakashi as he was entering the office from the window.
"Don't annoy me, Kakashi, I am more perplexed than you, you know. Feel free to talk with him, because for what I know, in their last mission, something went bad and everyone blamed him for the failure and know he seems very pissed about it." – Sighed Tsunade, wondering what the hell happened with the once hyperactive ninja.
"I've looked in his eyes, hokage-sama. He's not the same Naruto as before. Something very serious happened to him, and I don't think the Kyuubi has anything to do with this situation. What could be the issue here?"
"Oh. Try to talk to him, he's either at Ichiraku's or talking to Umino Iruka. No, wait! That where the old Naruto would go, oh I don't know where he could be now, find him and talk to him and bring a report to me after that."
"Hai." - With that, Kakashi vanished in a puff of smoke, and appeared right in front of Ichiraku's Ramen, but he couldn't find him there. For once, Kakashi was having a hard time finding Naruto. He was not at Ichiraku's, Iruka hadn't seen him. After a couple hours of search and nothing of Naruto, he looked up and noticed the Hokage Monument with all the faces of the Kages, and remembered of his Sensei Namikaze Minato. He also sighed about thinking about the Yondaime's legacy as Itachi once said and the fact that Naruto may never be the same again. It was just at that moment that he spotted the one he was looking for sitting on the Yondaime's head, therefore, shunshining near him only to see the chakra paper cut in half and wet as well.
"So, Naruto, you have affinity with Wind and Water Type Jutsus. That's very good. Actually, in order to become a jounin, you must at least master two elements. It seems you are right on track." – Said Kakashi surprised that his student had two affinities already.
"Yes, I noticed". – Said Naruto, still staring at the village that he pledged alliance to, even though he had a couple of good memories and a lot of bad ones. But Konoha was his home and he would be damned before running away from it and become a missing nin.
"Naruto, why are you doing all this? Why are you acting like this? This isn't you, what happened?"
"I can answer your little questionnaire with one word: tired". – Summed it up Naruto, earning glanced from his sensei.
"Tired? Tired of what?" – Asked Kakashi one of the dumbest question anyone could be asking Naruto at the moment and he very well knew of, but he wanted to press Naruto so to know just what is up with him, but to his dismay, Naruto explained in a cool manner that Kakashi wondered where the old Naruto was.
"The fact is, Kakashi-sensei, I'm fed up with everyone regarding me as weak, a dead-last, I'm fed up about everyone I know underestimate my abilities, I'm tired about those who vowed to teach me how to be a good shinobi, resorted to being a hypocrite and just teach me the basics. Basically, I concluded that if I am to become strong, I'm on my own, so I'm going to train by myself since at least I won't be depending on people that due to different circumstances, stop teaching me and turn to teach others. So I'm alone in this field". – Said Naruto, now literally beating Kakashi with just words, a feat that Kakashi never would have expected from Naruto.
"I can very well try to lie to you Naruto and say that what you are saying is complete bullshit, but the fact is you're right. At least for my part, I ended up teaching you the tree walking exercise and nothing else, I'm sorry". – Actually, the council was to blame for that since they wanted for Kakashi to teach only the Uchiha, but he didn't want Naruto to know that and then wanting to go after them, but little did he know that Naruto knew the truth.
"Kakashi-sensei, you're in no need to vow for the council, ok. I know that they forced you to train the traitor, so stop trying to protect them, you're in no need for such a thing. I'm not going after them, if you were afraid of that, but I also know that Jiraya didn't do shit with me and he was in no pressure from anyone, since he is a sannin. But I can't sit here and depend on a teacher to be strong, because if I do that, I can guarantee that I would be a genin for my whole life".
"If you want, I could train you better?"
"Thanks but no thanks. Even though you are the only one that taught me anything besides Iruka-sensei, I vowed to train for myself for now on". – Said Naruto acknowledging the fact that Kakashi was the only one who didn't think less of him.
"I see. So, the chunnin exams, I believe you can very well pass without much trouble, and becoming a chunnin, you are on the right way to live your dream, right?" – Asked Kakashi, being almost certain that no matter how he is changed, he never would abandon his dream of becoming Hokage.
"Yes, but what my dream is and what you think, it's pretty different things. You see, becoming a chunnin diminish the path to become what I dream of, but it's not the position of hokage I want anymore". – Said Naruto, this time making Kakashi drop his jaw so much that even with his mask everyone could see that.
"You don't want to become hokage anymore?"
"No I don't. The hokage position means having to take crap for granted and I happened to swallow too much bullshit to actually want any more of that. Also, I wouldn't believe for a second that I would have the same respect as the other Hokages, being the kyuubi container and being known as the knucklehead. So I decided to become an Anbu instead and be of service for Konoha behind the curtains, at least this way I don't have to deal with hypocrisy and political bullshit.
"I see. Well, I'm pretty sure you have a lot to do Naruto, so I'm out of here. Just so you know, if you need help in anything, just let me know, okay?"
"Sure thing, Kakashi-sensei and thank you, along with Iruka-sensei, you guys were the only ones who didn't leave me for granted and didn't underestimate me, I appreciate that."
"Don't need to do that, Naruto. You'll be a great shinobi and I'll see the chunnin exams, so make me and Iruka proud, okay?" – Said Kakashi smiling at the man that was once his student.
"Oh and if you see Sakura, tell her that I'll be leaving the team for practice and may never return. And in case she asks about it, just tell her that she got what she wanted, I'm out of her life". – Said Naruto.
"Very well, Naruto. I'm off, see you and good luck on the training". – Said Kakashi, vanishing in a swirl of leaves, just after sighing about Team 7 as being the one that displayed the worst teamwork in Konoha's history of shinobis.
--With Naruto--
Then, Naruto got up from where he was sitting and felt the sudden wind breeze that appeared, washing away any sorrow on his part and further improving his already high determination in order to train until exhaustion and become a real shinobi, one who wasn't afraid to do what needed to be done, one who could show fear to his enemies just with his presence, one that could very well demonstrate that pure determination and will power can overcome all the adversities. As he was returning to the village, he was becoming more determined to change his life as it is and improve his shinobi abilities for good.
--Sakura's house--
After leaving Naruto at the Hokage Monument, Kakashi went to Sakura's house to tell her regarding Naruto's choice and the future of Team Kakashi. Kakashi at first didn't want to see Naruto like that, but he figured that eventually everyone have to grow up and therefore he was relieved that Naruto was no longer a child, but a man that actually know what he needs and is very well on the way to conquer his dream. As he reached Sakura's house, he sighed as he was the one to bring the sad news for her but he figured that since he was the jounin sensei of the team it was his responsibility and no ones. So, he knocked a couple of times until Sakura answered.
"Sakura, are you home?" – Knocked Kakashi.
"Hi, Kakashi-sensei, what do you need?"
"I've come to talk to you about the future of team Kakashi"
"Future? What do you mean?"
"Our team is going to return a three man group." – Said Kakashi with his stoic face while Sakura was figuring that Sai would be the one that be out, since he in theory was just a substitute for Sasuke.
"Oh! So Sai won't be joining us, then?" – Said Sakura
"It's not Sai who's leaving the squad, Sakura, Naruto is."
"Huh!? Why would he leave?" – Asked Sakura perplexed. She was wondering why the hell did Naruto left Team 7 for and instantly remembered about his sudden turn of behavior at the Hokage's office. Sure Naruto was a pain in the ass to handle and always put the team in difficult situations, but never did she think that Naruto would be leaving her.
"He asked Tsunade-Sama to give him a two-week training period alone, in order for him to pass the chunnin exams that will be held in exact two weeks from today."
"The chunnin exams? Surely, he doesn't realize that two weeks wouldn't be enough for him to be prepared. I don't think he will ever be prepared to the pass the exams, he always gets in the way of things, always screw up. He is such a BAKA! He abandoned us, just like Sasuke did". - Said Sakura fuming inside since she wanted to have a few words with the knucklehead.
"Sakura, I would advise you not to use such words on him. You don't know what Naruto went through in life. As a matter of fact, no one understands what Naruto went through, and I know you are aware of his situation. And he is just starting where he left, since he left with Jiraya-sama to train for three years, so he is becoming a chunnin, just like the rest of the Rookie 9".
"Kakashi-sensei, how can you defend his actions. I know about his burden, but there's no reason for him to leave us like he did. Well, at least after he gets the chunnin position, will he return with us?" – Asked Sakura to Kakashi, before seeing the look that her sensei was giving her and thought for the worst.
"This may not sound good for you to hear, but he doesn't want to become a part of the team anymore."
"Why not?" – Asked Sakura, being more than mad of the blonde.
"Actually, he told Hokage-sama that Team Kakashi can very well take care of ourselves as well as the fact that he was through with all your complaints and guilt charges on him. I actually agree with him in his decision, he was never appreciated to begin with. Sasuke almost killed him three years ago and now you blames him for the failure of the mission, but as I seen the report, it seemed that you weren't so helpful either, Sakura. Oh and he wanted to tell you a specific message. Would you like to hear it?" – Asked Kakashi.
Sakura was now out of her mind. Not only Naruto abandoned her but also Kakashi was backing him up. Surely, she didn't do anything to help on the mission seeing as she had to be saved from Yamato because she was knocked unconscious when Naruto four tails threw him with chakra towards her direction. Now, Naruto gave her a message and she could very well tell him to go to hell right now, but told Kakashi to tell her.
"Spell it out. What is it that idiot wanted you to tell me about?"
"He asked me to tell you that you got what you wanted and that he's out of your life for good." – Right now, Kakashi said with so enthusiasm to Sakura that he immediately felt better. He was disappointed at Sakura for being so selfish as believing that she was the victim.
Now Sakura, since the beginning of the academy, criticized Naruto. When the news reached her ear, suddenly, a sense of sorrow ran through her mind and she became surprised. Now that she thought about it, Naruto was the only one who was there for her even though she did nothing but either scream at him or punch him in the face. She never paid attention to Naruto's feelings at all, in fact the only thing she cared about was either Sasuke or getting Sasuke back from the hands of the snake sannin. She was feeling guilt, but it was over now, because Team 7 would never be the same again. Kakashi noted that Sakura felt guilty and said:
"It's such a shame to lose a partner like Naruto, because of a stupid situation, as it was. But now the damage is done. I hope that Naruto can move on in the near future. Honestly, and trust me Sakura, with the sharingan, I can read any person's emotions, and I can tell that's going to be a while for him to forgive what happened. For your information, he even gave up the dream of becoming hokage."
"Because of me?" – Said Sakura surprised. Before she was feeling like a punch went through her face but now it that was true, there wasn't enough pain in the world that could describe someone shattering another person's dream on a subconscious level.
"No, not only you but because of everyone. He said that being the Kyuubi's container and known as the hyperactive knucklehead ninja of Konoha, he would get the respect that Tsunade-sama and the previous hokages have and had."
"So, what is his dream now?"
"ANBU. Now, Sakura I have to go take care of the formalities. We are expected at Tsunade-sama's office tomorrow at 6. Bye." – Said Kakashi after shunshining away.
Even though Sakura couldn't comprehend the changes that will occur in her life as a ninja, she managed to conclude that both her teammates Sasuke and Naruto left her. Sasuke left because he wanted to gain power in order to kill his brother, one day. And now, Naruto left, not because he wanted anything. In fact, she knew that he left because of her and, therefore, tears starts falling down her face and she don't know what to do. Her once pride of being apprenticed by the great medic-nin Tsunade got through to her and her ego was getting as big as Sasuke if not bigger, but now she couldn't feel better at all, it was like a part of her was missing and she couldn't for a fact decide what to do. She was considering talking to the Hokage about it but shrugged off since she already knew what happened. One thing for sure, Sakura's pride just went downhill.
Sakura decided to take a walk to see if she could take her mind out of Naruto, but she couldn't and the tears that she let fall for Sasuke when he left now returned and she was feeling cold once again, she was feeling useless once again, like she didn't in whole three years. Sakura, since Naruto left, received a shower of arrogance after being announced the apprentice of the Hokage, since only Shizune was and she would be on the same level of authority.
Since then, she berated people for it, literally shoving on their faces the fact that she was the apprentice of the Hokage and that everyone had to follow her orders. In fact, she was beginning to behave just like Sasuke and his whole 'Im an Uchiha' and 'I deserve this and that'. Even Ino, who was once her best friend, abandoned her and went on her way. But due to the fact that Ino was a medic-nin just as Sakura, she had to obey her orders, but at least she wasn't her friend anymore.
Now, Sakura was thinking about all the times she showed the Hokage's authority and she wished she could turn back in time. She somehow wished that Sasuke and Naruto were with her this moment and reassure her, or at least rise her confidence a little bit. Without knowing, she ended up on the hospital, since the track from her house to the hospital was memorized inside her mind since she did that all day. Deciding to try and talk to Ino, since the blonde kunoichi up to a time was her best friend. Since she was the one attending today, Ino was seen walking between the rooms in as to check the patients. It was easy to Sakura to spot her and begin the talking.
"Hi Ino, how is going?" – Asked Sakura, with all the innocence possible so as to not show that she was an arrogant kunoichi who did nothing that boss around and show her arrogance throughout the hallway. But Ino was far from seeing that in Sakura. For a long time, all Sakura did was berate her saying she was the apprentice of the Hokage.
"What do you want Sakura-sama?" – Reported Ino almost saluting the hokage herself, but in the most angry manner, showing to Sakura just how despicable her presence was to the others. Sakura upon hearing the suffix, became wide-eyed in sadness, it was like she was brainwashed and couldn't remember what happened, but started looking down since she deserved the poor treatment.
"Please don't call me Ino-chan, I'm sorry about all the times I showed authority when I never had in the first place. I'm your age and a chunnin as well. I was so caught up on the fact that Hokage-sama nominated me as her apprentice that I started to behave arrogant and bossy, when actually I'm not even close to earn such respect". – Said Sakura, almost bursting in tears for such a thing.
Now Ino for her part was looking at the eyes of her once best friend trying to look for deception, but couldn't find none. Something must have happened to her to be like this. Ino decided to let go of the hate for a little bit and let the old friend inside again.
"Sakura-chan, since Naruto left you're nothing but an arrogant bitch who behaved like the Uchiha, believing that you had the authority from the hokage. But I can see that you realized that and that you're trying to remedy that. Also I believe that you wanted to talk to me about something. Come on let's take a cup of coffee and relax a little bit". – Said Ino, seeing the sudden cheer appearing in Sakura's face.
"Thank you, Ino-chan" – Said Sakura, as the girls went to the vending machine and each picked their choice of coffee and started the conversation that's being bugging her.
"Okay, Sakura-chan, what you wanted to talk about?" – Ino decided to start the conversation since Sakura was at first reluctant to tell.
"It's about my team. Naruto left team 7". – Said Sakura.
"WHAT!? Why did he do that?"- Said Ino, thinking why the hell did Naruto decided to abandon team 7.
"According to Kakashi-sensei, he asked to Tsunade-sama, time for him to train to the chunnin exams. Also our last mission was not accomplished and I and Yamato couldn't stop blaming him for the failure, berating him on the entire trip home. Naruto changed Ino-chan. I can't see the old Naruto anymore, this one is determined, reserved. When we briefed the mission to Tsunade-sama, he took all the responsibility for the failure of the mission". – Said Sakura, explaining the details.
"Well, Sakura-chan, since you wanted my opinion, I can say that Naruto was really fed up with you and your berating him all the time. You remember at the academy, we didn't stop beating him because of Sasuke and while you were in his team, you didn't stop beating him and calling him names. I mean that isn't so much a person can take and doesn't do anything about it".
"Yeah, but Kakashi-sensei told me that Naruto doesn't want to be in my life anymore and come to think about, he was there for me even though I never was there for him and it hurts really much. I don't know what to do to take this pain away". – Said Sakura squeezing the place where her heart was located.
"Sakura-chan, times heals all wounds. Just wait and see what happens. Right now, there is nothing you can do about it. If what you said is true, then leave this thing be and when the time comes, try and talk to him. Now, Sakura-chan I have to go back to my shift, but if you want to talk about it, I'm here okay?" – Said Ino with a smile. "Ok, Ino-chan, thank you."
--Back at her place at night--
Right now, it's 2:00 in the morning and Sakura still was awake, thinking only of Naruto and the mess she created. In fact, Sakura could not fall asleep at all. When the alarm clock biped 6:00 am, she remembered it was time to go Tsunade-sama's office for Team Kakashi's next assignment. The new team seven arrived at Tsunade's office, Sai and Kakashi appeared from a twirl of leaves and Sakura knocked on the door, two minutes later, for Kakashi to report.
"Team seven reporting for duty, Hogake-sama."
Tsunade forgot for a moment that Naruto wasn't on this team anymore and asked of his whereabouts and immediately corrected herself, however at hearing the name, Sakura started to look down and feel sad for what happened. The reason why Sakura was sad wasn't entirely because of Naruto, but Sakura couldn't figure out why she was crying. It was most because of Naruto, but the whole reason of it.
"I figured for your expression, that you've already heard of Naruto?" – Asked Tsunade, seeing the sad look coming for the apprentice. Actually, out of Kakashi and Sai, Sakura would naturally suffer the most, since she would assume that Sasuke left because of her.
"Hai, Hokage-sama."
"Hang in there, Sakura. He is Naruto, after all. He'll never quit, because of a petty adversity such as this one."
This time was Kakashi to speak – "Actually, Hokage-sama, I managed to talk to Naruto and I can't say I agree with you anymore in respect to Naruto's new behavior. He changed, he's not the same anymore".
"I know he changed, Kakashi I could see his face and trust me he's not the same as before. But I want to know what caused him to change that and I know it wasn't just because of the mission".
"You're right Tsunade-sama, it wasn't. Naruto, since he graduated for the academy, was treated like the 'dead-last', the 'dobe', and for some reason everyone kept underestimating his abilities, every time believing that he needed to be protected. He was tired of being called Knucklehead all the time and the mission was just what was missing for him to snap and change like what you're seeing now".
"I see."
"Also, Hokage-sama, he no longer aspires to the hokage position". – Said Kakashi delivering the bomb.
"Escuse me!? Tsunade went in shock after such words from Kakashi.
"He told me that being known as the knucklehead as well as the kyuubi container, not only the civilians would question him but also the shinobi population. Also he didn't want to deal with more problems than he already faced, so he chose to become a part of Anbu special forces. A ninja that protects Konoha from behind the curtains." – Explained Kakashi.
"Unbelievable. I guess even for Naruto, sometimes the person just needs time for himself. But I don't believe that's all of it. I could see very well in his eyes, he's not backing out of this, this Naruto we never met before. He is not the always smile and happy face that we came to know. This is a reserved shinobi, someone who doesn't want attention for himself. I'm afraid that the Uzumaki Naruto that we knew, may never come again". – Said Tsunade, already coming in terms with the new facts.
"Hai, hokage-sama." – Said Kakashi agreeing with the Hokage's assessment.
"Well, I have a B ranked mission for team Kakashi to accomplish. Actually, is an escort mission. The client will arrive here in 30 minutes. He's the son of the Fire Daimyou and he is heading for a diplomatic mission with Iwa. Your job is to escort him, guard his back when in Iwa and return him to the Daimyou's house. Understood?"
"Hai, Hokage-Sama – Kakashi promptly said, as he received the mission scroll from Tsunade."
"Everyone, meet me in one hour at the West Gate and pack for a period of two weeks travel." Sakura immediately thought back to her conversation with Kakashi and remembered that the Chunnin exams were to be held in two weeks, allowing her the opportunity to see the new Naruto, and will become of his training. With team kakashi all gathered at Konoha's west gate, the Daimyou's son, Kenshin, introduced himself to everyone and they went away, straight to Iwa.