Disclaimer: Naruto is in no way my property.

I'd just like to say thank you so much KaliAnn, Annacat101, and uberhaxxor of pwnage! You guys are awesome. I'm writing this story for myself and anyone who reads, so hearing your responses are really encouraging. (:

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Thus, Naruto's training began.

Anko didn't go easy on the kid, much to Orochimaru's chagrin. It became clear immediately that she had her work cut out for her. There was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears on both their parts. Naruto proved to be no genius; it took time and effort for him to improve. He didn't understand most things quickly, but Anko constantly drilled everything into his head. The purple-haired woman was like a slave driver, working the boy night and day.

After a short while, Naruto began to become more and more like his sensei. He gained her sick sense of humor and that's where the blonde picked up a penchant for mischief, aggravating his teacher to no end.

They often got caught up in a war of who could embarrass who the best, by pulling pranks on one another. These were some of the only times that there was a break from all the training, along with meals. In a way it was constructive, given that the Kyuubi container had to use his head to carry out a successful prank. Anko was no pushover and if Naruto wasn't careful she would easily foil his plans; therefore, he gained a quick wit and cunningness. Plus, the blonde started to thrive off of the turmoil of others, finding it funny. Seeing the look of outrage on his sensei's face when he effectively executed a well thought out shenanigan was one of his greatest pleasures.

Still, training was not all fun and games. There were so many different things that the child had to learn and master. Anko taught him the basics first off: building strength and stamina, target practice, hand-to-hand combat, academy level jutsu, and above all chakra control. When she could see that he was grasping these things, his teacher would add another exercise to his training regime. At young ages, the demon vessel was taught more advanced practices. These feats were made solely due to Orochimaru's research.

During the Sannin's visits, scheduled once a month, the man discovered a way for Naruto to access the Kyuubi's chakra. A special seal was placed around the already existing inscription. This sped up the his training immensely. With more chakra, though difficult to harness, the blonde could perform more powerful jutsu.

After eight tedious years of training, Naruto took the genin test. Once it was over, he raced out of the exam building and straight to his teacher. The purple-haired woman awaited her pupils stature, but from the blonde's placid expression she was unsure of the answer.

"Well?" she flatly questioned him, hands on hips.

A sly smirk tugged at Naruto's lips as he smugly replied, "I did it, Anko-sensei. I passed."

"You did good, Kid," Anko congratulated her student, ruffling his messy hair, evoking a real smile from him. She was proud of his accomplishment. It was no where near easy for either of the two.

On the day of his graduation, Naruto became an official genin of Otogakure.

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I love hearing what you think, whether it's about improvements or just if you like it.

~RainingSprinklesDownMyThroat.