Naruto meets Iruka
The sun raise over the Village Hidden in the Leaves and store owners of the shopping area of the leaf were coming out to get ready for a full day of work.
However they came out to see graffiti across the shopping area.
"Who did this?" one of the owners shouted.
"Ha-ha," someone laugh.
They turned to see 8 year old Naruto coming out of an alley way.
Naruto was wearing an orange sleeveless hoody with a red whirlpool on the back, over a blue shirt with a swirl of wind in a circle on the sleeves, orange pants and blue pants and blue goggles over his forehead (A/N: same ones Naruto worn in the show and manga series).
"Naruto! You did this?" another owner shouted.
"Yeah and you won't catch me!" Naruto shouted rushing off.
"Get back here!" half of the owners shouted running after Naruto.
"That boy just keeps getting worst," one of the villagers that stayed said.
"You don't think the Kyuubi sealed in him has something to do with this?" another owner asked.
"I don't know but we need to tell Lord Hokage about this," the owner said.
…
Sarutobi heard about the problems Naruto has caused.
It been one of hundreds of pranks that Naruto had pulled over the couple of years.
He tried to have tutors to try and teach Naruto how to write, read, and everything else a child need to learn, but Naruto kept scaring them off.
Naruto had started the academy with his path as a ninja and yet Naruto had skipped classes repeatedly to pull pranks and his teachers were starting to think the Kyuubi has something to do with this and started requesting to have Naruto removed from their classes.
"I need to find Naruto a teacher that won't give up on him," Sarutobi thought and pick up a file, "Only problem is that there's only one teacher left."
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Sarutobi responded.
A chunin with brown hair tied upwards, a scar on his nose, wearing a dark blue bodysuit with red whirlpools on the arms wearing a leaf ninja vest, pouch in the back, and coaster on his leg, blue sandals, and a leaf headband tied around his forehead came in.
"You wanted to see me sir?" Iruka asked.
"Yes, I'm appointing you a class, including the son of the fourth Hokage, Naruto Namikaze," Sarutobi explained.
"That boy…why?" Iruka asked.
"Because Naruto has scared off every teacher he been appointed to," Sarutobi explained.
"No, why me? I mean how can I teach him, when the demon that killed my parents is sealed in him?" Iruka asked.
"Iruka, it been 8 years, and despite what people are worried about right now, Naruto isn't influence by the Kyuubi," Sarutobi responded, "The reason he does what he does, is because he wants to prove himself to be more than the a Hokage's son apparently."
"Yeah but…" Iruka responded.
"Iruka, the one thing Minato and Kushina wanted was that Naruto become a great ninja, but he can't do that until he graduates the academy," Sarutobi explained, "And to do that he needs a teacher."
"Fine," Iruka responded.
…
Iruka walked around the village and found Naruto cleaning the graffiti from a shop.
"It's him, the hero's son," a woman villager said.
"I can't believe he's still at it with his pranks, its dishonoring the memory of his father," another woman said.
"Hey! Stop calling me a hero's son!" Naruto shouted, "My name is Naruto Namikaze, and I'll surpass both of my parents and become the greatest Hokage one day!"
Iruka over heard Naruto's words and was surprise.
…That night…
Iruka was in his apartment remembering when the Kyuubi attack.
His parents had stayed behind to hold it back until Minato arrived and was killed in the process.
"Naruto is the son of the 4th Hokage, the one who stopped the Kyuubi, but at the same time, Naruto is the Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi, who killed my parents," Iruka thought, "Why me?"
…The next day…
Naruto woke up and stretch.
Naruto had toast and a glass of milk for breakfast then change to his clothes and put on his goggles.
"That's right, I'm suppose to get a new homeroom teacher today," Naruto remembered, "First impression is important."
Naruto locked his apartment and headed to the academy.
…
The academy was a big and long building with a training area and tree in the front.
Iruka was in a faculty room getting ready.
"Iruka-sensei," a Chuunin said coming up, "I understand you'll be Naruto's homeroom teacher."
"Yes, I didn't have much of a choice since the 3rd Hokage requested it," Iruka responded.
"In some ways you're lucky and not lucky having Naruto," the Chuunin explained, "Having the son of the 4th Hokage being lucky, but that same boy being a prankster at the same time."
"I don't know how to go about with this," Iruka responded.
"Naruto loves pulling pranks, the best way to deal with the best way you can," the Chuunin explained, "Just don't mention him as the 'Hero's Son', 'Son of the Fourth Hokage', or anything that would make him think you're treating him as a son of Hokage. He seem to really react badly when people treat him like that."
"Right," Iruka responded remembering how Naruto react to being called the Hokage's Son the other day.
…
Iruka walked to his class and opened the sliding door, not noticing an eraser between the door and the wall.
The eraser fell and hit the ground.
Iruka look and saw Naruto standing in front of him with a grin.
"Who did this?" Iruka asked turning to the rest of the class that were in their seats.
No one said anything.
"Of all the mischief…" Iruka responded and turned back to Naruto who started laughing.
Iruka took a step in the classroom and slip on some oil or something.
"Got you! Got you!" Naruto shouted, "The eraser was just a decoy."
"Naruto," Iruka responded getting up but stopped remembering what the Chuunin told him.
"I know, I know, I'll go stand in the hallway," Naruto responded.
"No, go and take your seat," Iruka told Naruto.
"Huh?" Naruto responded.
…
The students were surprise by Iruka's response.
"What a letdown," a chubby boy with brown hair swirls on his cheeks wearing a grey shirt and grey-blue overalls name Choji told the boy with black hair tied upwards wearing a grey shirt name Shikamaru, "I was looking forward to seeing Naruto get scolded."
…
"Sheesh, how boring," Naruto responded going to his seat.
Iruka walk to the front desk and place his books down.
"Morning, my name is Iruka Umino, I'm your homeroom teacher starting today," Iruka responded, "My favorite food is Ichiraku Ramen. My least favorite is mixed rice. I was born on May 26…"
Iruka continued his introduction as Naruto look at him confuse.
"Iruka-sensei had a weird look when he look at me," Naruto thought, "It's not like most of the villagers and the other instructors who had that obvious look that they see me as a son of the 4th Hokage. It's more cold, as if I'm some kind of monster."
…
Later that day, Sarutobi walked pass Iruka's classroom hoping Iruka was handling Naruto.
…
In the classroom, while most of the students were paying attention to class, Naruto was sleeping at his desk.
Iruka stopped when he saw Naruto and walked up to him.
Iruka walked up to Naruto and was about to wake him by hitting Naruto in the head when he froze.
Naruto suddenly woke up and look at the clock.
"Hey, sensei…I think class is over," Naruto said pointing at the clock.
Iruka look and saw Naruto was right.
"Alright then, we'll finish tomorrow!" Iruka shouted and left.
Naruto got up and change the time on the clock.
"He fell for a third prank," Naruto responded.
Iruka came back in surprising Naruto.
"You found out already," Naruto responded, "So what's the punishment?"
"Return to your seat," Iruka told Naruto, "Let's continue lesson."
Naruto look down confuse.
…
After the main lesson, Iruka took the class outside for endurance.
"Okay then, instead of self-introductions, I want each of you to demonstrate your Ninjutsu skills!" Iruka announced, "This way I can see your skills, and you won't be graded. We'll start with the basic clone jutsu! First up: Sasuke Uchiha!"
The girls cheered as a boy with dark blue-black hair spike to the back, wearing a black shirt with a fan that had a red top and a white bottom, white pants and blue sandals walked up.
"Clone Jutsu is child's play," Sasuke responded.
Naruto grunted not wanting to admit that he haven't mastered the clone jutsu.
The clone jutsu was a technique where the user creates an illusion type of clone of the one who performs it.
Sasuke made some hand signs and shouted, "Clone Jutsu!"
A clone appeared next to Sasuke in a puff of smoke.
"Show off," Naruto responded.
"Why don't you perform it then," Sasuke responded.
"Fine!" Naruto responded and made the hand signs, "Clone Jutsu!"
In a puff of smoke a pale color clone appeared almost dead.
The kids couldn't help but laugh at Naruto's attempt.
"I still can't mastered it!" Naruto thought.
"That's enough," Iruka told the class, "It's not worth it making fun of this kid."
Naruto look down as Iruka called the students to continue the lesson.
…
Sarutobi was watching and decided to talk to Iruka.
…Sunset….
"Why can't I do it?" Naruto shouted, "Everyone else can use the clone jutsu, so why can't I?"
Naruto tried the clone jutsu and it failed.
A girl with short indigo hair, white eyes with no pupils wearing a light brown jacket, blue shorts was watching Naruto.
…That night…
Naruto was in his apartment thinking about Iruka.
"I'm starting to wish that Iruka-sensei call me the son of the 4th Hokage," Naruto thought, "I'll do anything to make him stop looking at me like that."
…Next day…
Iruka took the class to the practice field.
"Today we'll do hands-on practice of Shurikan Jutsu," Iruka announced, "Let's have someone demonstrate it first!"
"I'll do it!" Naruto shouted before a boy with brown hair wearing a green-gray shirt shorts name Kiba shouted..
Iruka called on a boy with dark brown spiky hair, sunglasses over his eyes, wearing a jacket that covered half his face, brown pants, and an regular headband around his forehead, but Shino denied creeping the class out with his insects.
"Iruka-sensei, let me go!" Naruto shouted.
"Fine," Iruka responded.
"Yes!" Naruto shouted.
Naruto walked up to face the target.
"If there's one thing I can do is the Shurikan Jutsu!" Naruto thought, "Maybe I can get Iruka-sensei to stop looking at me like he did yesterday."
Naruto took out some shurikans and threw them.
The shurikans hit the post, not perfectly, but still on the post.
"Well, it may not be perfect, but you did hit the target," Iruka responded, "Sasuke, you're up!"
Sasuke walked up to the other post and threw Shurikans.
The Shurikans hit the post lined up straight down.
…
Back in the classroom Naruto overheard that Sasuke's clan was killed.
"Sasuke is the last of his clan, that means he lost his parents," Naruto thought, "He's an orphan like me now."
…
After class everyone playing outside.
Naruto hang out with Shikamaru Choji and Kiba.
They were close to being friends as anyone else.
They over heard some boys talk about a test of courage.
"A test of courage," Naruto responded, "That gives me an idea."
"Not another prank I hope," Shikamaru responded.
"Shikamaru, you of all people should know that it's most likely a prank," Kiba responded.
"Just leave me out of this one," Shikamaru responded.
"Come on Shikamaru," Naruto responded.
"Actually Naruto, I can't take part of this prank either," Choji responded.
"Fine," Naruto responded, "What about you Kiba?"
"Naruto, you know I'm in for a good prank, but my mom warn me the next time I slip out for something like that, she'll have me clean the kettle for a month," Kiba responded.
"Fine, I guess I'll do it myself," Naruto responded.
…
Naruto headed home as usual.
"I guess I can't blame Shikamaru Choji and Kiba, they have parents that will scold them," Naruto thought, "Now I just need things to use."
Naruto found a mask shop and ran up to it.
"This is perfect," Naruto responded.
The shop owner turned to Naruto.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Huh?" Naruto responded.
"Get out of here!" he shouted pushing Naruto.
"Hey what's that about?" Naruto asked.
"I won't serve you," the owner responded.
"But…" Naruto responded as the owner went to the back.
"That man mistreated the 4th Hokage's son," a villager said.
"Huh?" Naruto responded.
"It can't be helped, he's just one of those people," another responded.
"What are they talking about," Naruto thought.
"Hey Naruto," someone said.
Naruto turned to see Shikamaru and Choji.
"Are you alright?" Shikamaru asked.
"Yeah, it'll take more to hurt me," Naruto responded.
"Choji wait here," Shikamaru responded.
"Right," Choji responded.
Shikamaru headed in the shop, and came out with a mask.
"Here," Shikamaru responded.
"Shikamaru," Naruto responded.
"It's a pain, but just think of it as a friend doing you a favor," Shikamaru responded.
"Thanks," Naruto responded, "I'll pay you back tomorrow."
Naruto headed off to his apartment.
"He'll probably use it as a prank," Choji responded.
"Yeah, but no one deserves that," Shikamaru responded.
…
At the graves the group of boys were trying to test to see if they can go toward the graves that was said to be haunted.
One tried to head to the main stone to try and get the branch on it.
He heard noises and turned to see a mask boy like ghost standing on the flame like statue.
The boys ran scared dropping a lanturn causing a fire.
…
Iruka was passing by when he saw the kids ran scared and headed to the graves.
…
Naruto removed the mask laughing to himself.
"Kiba Choji and Shikamaru really miss out on a good prank," Naruto laughed.
Naruto saw Iruka running toward him.
"Hey Iruka-sensei, what are you up too?" Naruto asked.
Iruka was quiet remembering the last time he saw his parents.
"Naruto…do you realize what you're doing?" Iruka asked.
Naruto look into Iruka's eyes and saw the same expression the shop keeper had.
"Why you look at me like that!" Naruto shouted, "Like I'm something dangerous!"
Iruka was caught off guard hearing it.
"Most of the people look at me as a hero's son, but people like you treat me as if I'm a threat," Naruto responded, "But I'm not, I'm Naruto Namikaze, I pulled pranks because I want' to show that I'm more than a hero's son."
"Naruto…" Iruka responded.
"I'll stay in the academy, but I want a new teacher," Naruto responded and ran off.
"Wait!" Iruka shouted.
Naruto didn't answer as he headed off.
…
The next day Naruto was quiet.
"Hey Naruto, how was the prank last night," Kiba asked.
Naruto didn't answer as he remain quiet.
"What's wrong with Naruto?" Kiba asked Shikamaru and Choji.
"I don't know, he was like that when we came here," Shikamaru responded.
A girl with indigo short hair with pale white eyes, wearing a brown jacket and blue jeans, name Hinata, look at Naruto.
"Naruto…" Hinata thought.
Iruka came in and started the class.
Things were normal, other than Naruto refuse to talk to Iruka unless he had no other choice.
…Later that day…
Iruka walk through the leaf village thinking of how Naruto behaved today.
Iruka finally sat on a bench.
"Hey!" someone shouted.
Iruka turned to see Kakashi standing there.
Kakashi had himself demoted to Jonin to watch over Naruto.
"I can't help but noticed that you're depress about something," Kakashi responded, "Why is that?"
"Kakashi, you were the 4th Hokage's student right?" Iruka asked.
"Yeah," Kakashi responded.
"And you been carefully watching his son," Iruka responded.
"That's correct," Kakashi responded.
"Well, I'm Naruto's homeroom teacher, but I can't seem to teach him," Iruka responded.
"Yeah, everyone has that problem," Kakashi responded, "He gets it from his mother."
"Not that," Iruka responded, "I keep seeing him as the nine-tails sealed in him, and I just keep pushing him away. Cause of it, now Naruto seems more distant than when we started. I just don't know how to deal with him!"
"So that's why you're upset," Kakashi responded, "You're not the first though."
"What?" Iruka responded.
"Naruto has a good way to ignore and forget about those who mistreated him," Kakashi responded, "However, there are times when some of the villagers treats him like a monster. I was hoping you were different though."
"What do you mean?" Iruka asked.
"I was there when you requested to be an academy instructor remember," Kakashi responded, "You were full of life, and cause of it I hoped that you were able to see Naruto as a regular student."
"I wanted to see Naruto as a regular student, I even tried to remind myself that the Nine-Tails sealed in him also was the reason he's an orphan just as I was," Iruka responded, "But every time I look at him, I remember the Nine-tails."
"Honestly I think you're the only one who can teach Naruto," Kakashi responded, "After all you can reach people's heart."
Kakashi got up and left Iruka.
…
Iruka walked pass the park and saw Naruto playing with Shikamaru and Choji until Shikamaru's dad called them to go home.
Naruto felt depress seeing his friends with their families.
"Shikamaru Choji and Kiba are lucky, they have families," Naruto thought.
Iruka started understanding Naruto.
…
Iruka fallowed Naruto as he headed home.
Naruto passed by a dock where Sasuke was at.
Naruto seem to cheered up a little but hid it when Sasuke look at him.
…Naruto's Apartment…
Naruto was eating dinner as usual and went to bed.
…Iruka's place…
Iruka remembered his parent's sacrifice, but then remember what Naruto look like when he saw his friends leave with their parents.
"Even though the Nine-Tails is sealed in him, we're one of the same," Iruka thought.
…Next Mourning Naruto's Appartment…
Someone ringed Naruto's door bell.
"I'm coming!" Naruto shouted.
Naruto look at the peep hole and saw Iruka.
"Iruka-sensei, what is he doing here?" Naruto asked.
Naruto snuck out through the balcony.
…
"Naruto!" Iruka shouted moving the doorknob finding it open.
Iruka went in Naruto's apartment and found it in a mess.
He found empty ramen cups on the table.
"I know there are stores that accepted him, so why does he only eat Ramen," Iruka thought.
…Shikamaru's Place…
Shikamaru was eating with his parents.
"Are you going to stop by Choji's house," Shikamaru's mom asked.
"Yeah," Shikamaru responded, "Dad, can I ask you something?"
"What is it?" his father Shikaku asked.
"Why is there people who treat Naruto like he's a plague?" Shikamaru asked, "I mean, he's the 4th Hokage's son right?"
Shikaku was silent as his wife look at him worryingly.
"Shikamaru, Naruto is one of your friends right?" Shikaku asked.
"Well…yeah," Shikamaru responded, "He's goofy, and loves to pull pranks, but he never bother me or Choji."
"Then don't think about what others think of him, just treat him like a friend," Shikaku explained.
"Right," Shikamaru responded.
"Since he's a friend, it wouldn't hurt to have him come over time to time either," Shikaku responded
…Academy…
Naruto was with the rest of the class bored.
"Old man Hokage refuse to see me," Naruto thought, "When I don't need him for anything other than money, he's always available, but when I need him, he seems to be busy with something."
Iruka came in and saw Naruto.
"Naruto, just the person I want to see," Iruka shouted, "Come with me."
Naruto got up and remain quiet.
"I wander if Naruto is in trouble," Choji responded.
"No, Iruka-sensei's expression is different today," Shikamaru responded.
…Outside…
"What do you want Iruka-sensei?" Naruto asked.
"Have you been able to talk to Lord Hokage about getting a new teacher?" Iruka asked.
"What does it look like?" Naruto asked.
"Well, it may look like we're stuck with each other then," Iruka responded.
"Hmph," Naruto responded.
"Listen Naruto, I want to make up to you for the past few days," Iruka responded, "Like you, I lost my parents."
"That doesn't explain why you treat me like you did the past few days," Naruto responded.
"I know, and I'm sorry," Iruka responded.
"Hmph…" Naruto responded.
Iruka remembered the ramen cup.
"You like Ramen right?" Iruka asked.
"Yeah," Naruto responded.
"How about for my apology, I treat you to ramen," Iruka responded, "I know this one restaurant that serves the best Ramen in the leaf."
"Fine, but don't think that this means I'll forgive you," Naruto responded.
…
"Hey Naruto, you want to come to my place for dinner?" Shikamaru asked.
"Really?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah, I mean we're friends," Shikamaru responded.
Naruto was about to answer when he remember Iruka's request.
"Sorry Shikamaru, but Iruka-sensei already asked me to come eat with him," Naruto responded, "I don't want to go, but he's insist that he wants to make up to me for his behavior."
"That's fine, how about tomorrow then?" Shikamaru asked.
"Alright," Naruto responded.
"Naruto, you can come too my place for dinner as well," Choji responded.
"Thanks," Naruto responded.
…
Iruka took Naruto toward the restaurant.
"I blew off joining Shikamaru for dinner, so this place's ramen better be good," Naruto responded.
"Naruto, I would have postpone this till tomorrow if you wanted to join your friend," Iruka responded.
"Yeah, but I want to get this over with!" Naruto responded, "Otherwise you won't stop bothering me until I go. Besides there's tomorrow."
"If you say so," Iruka responded.
…
Iruka took Naruto to a small restaurant with banners.
"Ichiraku…" Naruto responded.
"Come on Naruto," Iruka responded.
"Uh right," Naruto responded.
…
Inside an old man was working and the lady was serving when Iruka came in.
"Ah, Iruka, what brings you here?" the old man asked.
"Hello Tenchi," Iruka responded, "I'm treating a student to Ramen."
Naruto came in as Tenchi and his daughter stared at him.
"Uh…hello," Naruto responded.
"Oh hi, welcome to Ichiraku," Tenchi greeted, "My name is Tenchi and this is my daughter Ayame."
"Oh…my name is Naruto Namikaze," Naruto responded.
"Sit down Naruto," Iruka said taking a seet.
Naruto sat down a seat away from Iruka.
"Here's the menu," Ayame said pointing to one to the side.
Naruto look and saw it was different types of Ramen.
"Do you only make Ramen?" Naruto asked.
"Of course, this is a ramen stand," Tenchi explained.
"Ah…Really?" Naruto asked.
"That's right, so what will it be?" Tenchi asked.
"I'll have one large bowl of misu-pork ramen please!" Naruto requested.
"I'll have the usual," Iruka responded.
"Right," Tenchi responded.
As soon as Tenchi was finish, Ayame handed Naruto and Iruka their bowls.
Naruto took his chop sticks and gather as much ramen as he can and ate it.
"Delicious!" Naruto shouted, "This is the best ramen I ever tasted!"
"I figured you would like it," Iruka responded.
…
Naruto had two more bowls before finishing.
Iruka paid for the meal.
"Thank you for the ramen!" Naruto shouted.
"No problem, come back any time," Tenchi told Naruto.
"Wow, I haven't ate something like that in a long time," Naruto responded, "Note to self, don't pull any pranks on this place."
"You shouldn't be pulling pranks at all Naruto," Iruka responded, "It's a waste of skills and talent for someone who wants to be a ninja."
"I heard of it before from old man Hokage," Naruto responded, "I pull pranks for my own cause."
Iruka remembered how he use to act like an idiot.
"You're doing it to get acknowledgement, right?" Iruka asked.
"What if I am?" Naruto asked, "Listen, thanks for the meal, see you at class tomorrow."
Naruto ran off leaving Iruka.
"Naruto, you and I are more a like than you think," Iruka thought smiling, "Now I know I can teach you."
…
Kakashi was watching and smiled under his mask.
A/N: Yeah Shikamaru Choji and Kiba are friends with Naruto. I'm still going to have a few chapters with the academy.