AN: In this chapter I will start the Cannon story line after a brief overview of what Naruto has been learning in the past school year. I will also introduce Ino in this chapter. For those who haven't realized yet this is a NaruIno story. Ino is my favorite Kunoichi so my first story will feature her. Ino will be OC a little bit, but not too much. Mostly I will be making her stronger because frankly the ability of the Yamanaka clan is awesome though we did not get to see many of their abilities. In this story mind Jutsus will be expand upon more and be a little more powerful. Also a reviewer let me know that Naruto only failed three times, the third time being the Mizuki situation. Which makes my story off timeline, but to fix this we are just going to pretend Naruto starts the academy at 8 and fails three times and goes for a fourth time. This will make everyone 12 still when they graduate. Thanks for the reviews guys, and be sure to keep me honest.
Chapter 3: Beauty, Graduation, and Betrayal
Disclaimer:I do not own Naruto
Naruto woke up the day of his graduation exam excited. Finally he believed he would become a Shinobi. Katsu assured him that he was more than ready for the exam. During his month off Naruto went to Katsu's shop every day. Before lunch Naruto would build muscle through exercise, then he would work on chakra control. Once he got the leaf exercise down Katsu somehow sealed a tree into the room so Naruto could work on tree climbing. Of course this tree climbing consisted of him not using his hands at all.
Once the tree climbing exercise was mastered, Katsu sealed a small pond into the room to practiced water walking. Naruto never moved on from water walking. Katsu told him that at his age water walking and its various forms where more than enough. Turns out the various forms where fighting on water, dodging incoming projectiles on water, and using his chakra to cut through the water under his opponent's feet. The last one turned out to be a chakra control exercise in its self.
Too much chakra and all the water would be displaced causing you and your opponent to fall in. Too little and you just create tiny waves while losing your element of surprise. All in all his mornings where hell for him.
After lunch Naruto would train his Taijutsu and Fuinjutsu. When Katsu first saw Naruto's Taijutsu style he was appalled. Naruto was just charging in hoping for the best. The only reason he was third in the graduation exam was because of his great strength and stamina. Katsu was not surprised that the only people Naruto lost to in Taijutsu last year was Neji Hyuga and Rock Lee. Both being Taijutsu powerhouses.
Katsu totally redid Naruto's Taijutsu. It was a long road, but Katsu finally got Naruto on the right track of learning the Buddhist Palm style. The Buddhist Palm style was simply a Taijutsu style that redirected your enemy's attacks to open their guard, and land devastating palm strikes to vulnerable areas. This style required speed and strength, two things Katsu would drill into Naruto one way or the other.
Naruto's Fuinjutsu was going great. Like a true Uzumaki he learned Fuinjutsu very quickly. Naruto was always ready to learn more Fuinjutsu, and Katsu was happy to teach. Katsu was always glad to see Naruto's excited face when learning a new Fuinjutsu seal, and Naruto seemed to understand the complex stuff that went along with Fuinjutsu. This puzzled Katsu at first. Sure Naruto was an Uzumaki, but his academy grades showed lower than average intelligence.
If the exam was truly evaluating his intelligence, like it did when he was in the academy, then Naruto should not be able to understand Katsu's explanations on Fuinjutsu. This lead Katsu to think of two possibilities. One, the exam did not test intelligence like it used to, and instead test something else most likely for the civilians. Or two, Naruto's exam was altered so he would get a bad score.
Katsu was learning towards option two since Naruto had the, you know what, sealed in him. Katsu already knew the council was not fond of the idea of Naruto being a Shinobi, mostly the civilian part. It would be simple to get one of the academy teachers to sabotage Naruto, since most academy teachers came from civilian families anyways.
Civilian ignorance never ceased to amaze Katsu. To prevent any further sabotage Katsu trained Naruto gruelingly in Genjutsu detection and Genjutsu release. Naruto hated it at first, but ended up learning it anyways. Plus this would help Naruto in any fights with Uchiha, especially one traitorous Uchiha in particular.
Once the academy started, Naruto would wake up really early to train at Katsu's shop. He would work on chakra control and Fuinjutsu now in the mornings, and muscle building and Taijutsu after school. The results of his training where soon becoming obvious. Since Naruto would stay so late training with Katsu, Katsu would cook dinner for Naruto. This meant Naruto got the correct nutrients that he had before been missing. Naruto grew a few inches, and his muscle build was starting to show.
Once Naruto got to the academy he took his usual seat. He was so use to getting up early now he was always one of the first to the academy, much to Iruka's happiness. Naruto watched everyone file in for the test. Sasuke Uchiha is one of the first to walk in. Sasuke is Naruto's self-proclaimed rival, though Sasuke does not recognize him as a Shinobi.
Sasuke always sits by the window alone, or until his fangirls show up. Naruto always felt a close bond between him and Sasuke, especially when Sasuke's family was murdered. Sasuke understood the pain of being alone like Naruto did. If it wasn't for the stick up his ass, Naruto would like to be friends with the last Uchiha.
As everyone else files in Naruto finally sees the person he had been looking for. Racing in right by Sakura, a beautiful blonde headed girl comes falling into the class room. To Naruto she is the most beautiful person on the planet. Her gorgeous looks, long blond hair, and piercing blue green eyes made one Ino Yamanaka hands down the most beautiful girl in Naruto's class.
Naruto has been crushing on this girl for years. Though he never asked her out, or even talked to her for that matter, he was deeply in love with her, and had been since he first saw her. Besides being Hokage, it was Naruto's long time wish to be on a team with her. Then maybe he could build a relationship with her.
Soon Iruka walked in, and the test started up. The first part of the exam was the written portion. The papers where handed out, and a timer set for one hour. Once Naruto was given his test he noticed that there was a Genjutsu placed on his exam. Naruto quickly dispelled the Jutsu to reveal the real questions to the test.
Naruto was stunned. Was this why he always failed the written portion? Of course Naruto believed everyone had a Genjutsu cast on their exam, and it was only a part of the exam itself, never realizing that he was being sabotaged. Naruto quickly filled out the answers that he easily knew.
Once the written portion was done it was time to start the Genjutsu portion of the exam. With Naruto's supposed new found knowledge, he found it strange that there would be two portions of the exam to test Genjutsu, but chalked it up to this portion being about casting Genjutsu instead of dispelling it. An advantage of taking the exam multiple times was he already knew what Jutsu would be required of him, so he prepared a Fuinjutsu for it.
Technically having Katsu cast a Genjutsu on him and then Naruto sealing it was cheating, but what the academy instructors did not know could not hurt them. Besides Sensei was always telling him that the true path of a Shinobi was deception. Once it was Naruto's turn, he performed the required hand seals then he channeled chakra to the seal on his palm releasing the Genjutsu onto the surrounding area.
Iruka was impressed. Naruto never should any skill in Genjutsu, but here he was performing one. Admittedly it was an E-ranked Genjutsu, but the required one nonetheless.
The next portion was the Taijutsu portion. Over the school year the students were assigned random sparring partners every day to grade their Taijutsu skills. Now using those rakings students were assigned a number representing that raking to determine who they would fight during the exam. The highest ranking student would go against the lowest ranked student and so on so forth. Naruto being second in his class in Taijutsu went up against some no name civilian kid who stood no shot.
Iruka praised Naruto's form and abilities in Taijutsu, so Naruto was sure he aced that portion too. After everyone had fought the students would then go to the throwing field for the kunai and shuriken exam. Naruto once again impressed Iruka by nailing all the kunai and shuriken dead center, the only one to do so and to do it under thirty seconds.
Once back inside the Ninjutsu portion started. Naruto like always preformed the Henge and Kawarimi without flaw, but now it was time for the dreaded Bunshin no Jutsu. Unlike the sealed Genjutsu, Fuinjutsu would not save him here. Katsu would have to make his own Bunshin and then Henge into Naruto which would be spotted by Iruka which left Naruto with one option.
"Hey Iruka-Sensei, do I have to use the Bunshin no Jutsu or can I use a different kind of Bunshin Jutsu?" Naruto asks the instructor. Iruka is confused at first, 'could Naruto really know an elemental Bunshin, and where did he learn it,' Iruka thought. "Sure Naruto, any kind of Bunshin is good enough for this exam."
"Kage Bushin no Jutsu." Naruto preforms the Jutsu flawlessly. Out pops another solid, Naruto. Iruka cannot believe his eyes. Naruto Just preforms a Kinjutsu right in front of him, and seemed just fine. "Naruto where did you learn how to do this?" Iruka says in shock.
Though Katsu explained to him that it was not against the rules to learn from him, Naruto was a little apprehensive about letting anyone know, so he lied. "I saw a Shinobi use it once, and worked really hard to learn to do it," Naruto explains with his signature grin while scratching the back of his head. Naruto really hopes Iruka byes this.
Iruka was skeptical, but had no reason or proof that Naruto was lying so he passed Naruto with flying colors. "Congratulations Naruto, you are now a Genin," Iruka says happily handing Naruto a headband.
Naruto could not believe it, he was finally a Genin. He cheered happily never noticing the fowl look Mizuki was giving him. Naruto returns to his seat, and listens to Iruka explain how they had to return later for team assignments. Once he was finished Iruka dismissed the class. Naruto was one of the first to leave, going out the window in excitement. He could not wait to tell Sensei about Graduating.
Before he got far he was stopped by Mizuki landing in front of him. Mizuki gives him a big smile, "Congrats on graduating Naruto, and I must say it was impressive. But did you know about this secret exam given to only a special few to see if they are ready to go straight to Chunin?" Mizuki tells Naruto.
"What do I have to do?" Naruto asks him. Though excited about the chance of becoming Chunin which was one step closer to Hokage, Naruto was tired of all the exams. He would wait to hear what the exam was before deciding to do it or not.
"Oh it is an easy exam. All you have to do is take a scroll hidden in the Hokage Residence with a bunch of Jutsu written inside. Once you have it you must take it to this location and learn one Jutsu from it. If you can do this without being caught, and within the time limit, you will be promoted straight to Chunin."
Naruto thinks it over. Deciding that this would be a simple exam he agrees, and heads for the Hokage Residence, never did the thought that this could be a trick or wrong cross his mind, and he never saw the sinister grin spread over Mizuki's face.
Later that night after Naruto stole the Scroll of Seals, he landed in the agreed location. Naruto opens the scroll to learn a Jutsu from it. The first one he sees is Kage Bunshin. Since he already learned that one he continues on till he comes across a Fuinjutsu. 'The Eight Trigrams Sealing Style huh,' Naruto thinks to himself. Always up for a new Fuinjutsu Naruto studies the seal. So engrossed in the seal was Naruto that he never noticed the hours go by nor did he notice a Shinobi land in front of him until he heard, "NARUTO!" shouted with Iruka's Big Head no Jutsu.
"Hey Iruka-Sensei what was that for?" Naruto asks trying to regain his hearing.
"Naruto do you have any idea what you have done?"
"No?"
"Naruto you stole the Scroll of Seals, that's treason!"
"What no I didn't. I am doing the special Chunin exam so I can get promoted!" Naruto cries, freaking out about being accused of treason.
"Naruto there is no such exam, what are you talking about?"
Naruto tells Iruka everything that happened between him and Mizuki.
"Naruto, Mizuki lied. There is no such thing. He tricked you into stealing the scroll so he could blame you for it."
Just then a huge Shuriken came flying at Naruto and Iruka. They easily jump out of the way, and face the attacker.
"Mizuki what are you doing? Why are you betraying the village?" Iruka shouts at Mizuki.
Mizuki smiles, "I'm doing this for power. Once I have the scroll I will have all the secret knowledge known only to the Hokage at my disposal."
Naruto pulls out a kunai and stands in front of Iruka. "Mizuki you bastard, you will pay for tricking me," Naruto shouts at him.
Mizuki just laughs at him. "Tell me Naruto do you even know why the villagers hate you so much?" Mizuki begins.
"No don't do it!" Iruka tries to stop him, but it is too late.
"It is because you have the Kyubi sealed inside you. You are the Kyubi!" Mizuki screams insanely at Naruto.
Naruto was stunned, after all this time he finally knew. He now knew why everyone hated him so much. He had the Kyubi sealed inside him all along, and he never knew. Naruto was so distracted that he never noticed Mizuki through his other Shrunken at him. Not until Iruka jumped in front of it taking the blow for Naruto.
Naruto could not believe it, someone actually sacrificed themselves for him. Naruto was happy, sad, and angry all at the same time. He just stared at Iruka shocked.
"Go Naruto, run!" Iruka told him. This snapped Naruto out of his shock. Naruto was not going to run. He was going to stop Mizuki from hurting anyone else he cared about.
Naruto charged Mizuki with speed the Chunin was not expecting. Caught off guard Naruto landed a few solid palm strikes to Mizuki's chest, sending him flying. As Mizuki was trying to get back to his feet Naruto used his signature Jutsu. "Taju Kage Bunshin no Jutsu"
A thousand Narutos appeared in the clearing. Mizuki stood no chance. The Thousand Narutos descended on him quickly, beating him to near death. Once done with Mizuki Naruto returned to Iruka to check on him.
"Iruka-sensei are you okay?" Naruto asks concerned.
"He will be fine Naruto." Naruto turns to see Katsu land in the clearing followed by ANBU. Katsu kneels down, and places his green glowing hand on Iruka's injury. The wound heals quickly, and Iruka gingerly gets up.
"What was that Sensei?" Naruto asks, never had he seen the green glowing hand before.
"That was medical Ninjutsu Naruto," Katsu explains. Naruto Nods showing his understanding.
"Lord Namikaze, I am honored to have your help," Iruka bows deeply to Katsu once he sees who it is.
"No need for all that Iruka just call me Katsu." Katsu waves him off with a smile. Naruto was going to ask what was up with all the 'Lord' crap when the ANBU spoke up.
"Lord Namikaze, the traitor has been dealt with and the scroll retrieved, the Hokage would like a word with you." The cat ANBU says.
"Very well let's go." Katsu turns to Naruto, "We will talk tomorrow, do not be late." With that Katsu Shushins away with the ANBU.
"Good work out there tonight Naruto. You proved to everyone you are very deserving of being a Shinobi." Iruka tells him proudly. Naruto smiles and scratches the back of his head.
"Thanks Iruka-sensei!"
AN: That's it for this chap. Sorry for the short fight scene but let's be honest if Cannon Naruto can beat Mizuki then this trained Naruto could easily wipe him out. In the future to fights scenes will be longer and hopefully enjoyable. As far as updating goes, I have about a week before I have to go back to University. I will try to update every day before I go back. Once I am back though updates can be far between. Depends on how the semester goes. See ya tomorrow.
