Chapter 4
Four years later. . .
The sun shone gently down on Konoha, warming the streets and waking its occupants. Everywhere, people were slowly rising from their beds and all was still peaceful and quiet.
"Come on, Hinata, Sakura!" a blonde teen shouted stridently. His voice destroyed whatever remained of the quiet, instantly waking all within range. "This is our last day at the academy! Hurry up!" he exclaimed excitedly.
Naruto Uzumaki grinned hugely as he leaped nimbly over a kiosk, earning a quick curse from the stand owner.
"Watch it, brat!" the merchant barked angrily, brandishing a makeshift cudgel.
Naruto grinned cheekily at the merchant, but otherwise didn't do anything to him.
Trailing behind Naruto were two girls. One had bright, long pink hair and emerald green eyes. The other had shoulder-length, midnight-blue hair and pupil-less eyes. Haruno Sakura and Hyuga Hinata, both close and the only friends of Naruto. Ever since that night four years ago, camaraderie had formed between them and this little group of theirs came into being. They were rarely seen apart, except when Hinata had to train with her father or if Uchiha Sasuke walked by.
"Baka, slow down!" Sakura shouted, irritated. Both her and Hinata were quickly lagging behind him. "We all can't have your stupid stamina!"
"Y-Yes, Naruto-kun, the academy isn't going anywhere," Hinata added, breathing becoming a little difficult.
Naruto smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head. "Sorry," he said as he slowed to match their pace. "But really, you two should be more fit if you want to be shinobi."
"Shut it," Sakura growled. Despite having him live with her and her mother, he still got on her nerves sometimes. And this was one of those times. "Can't even be quiet on a day like this," she grumbled.
Today was their last day at the academy. After they passed the graduation exam, they would see the last of that place. They all felt confident they would pass, even though the last exam was a surprise.
Naruto grinned cheerfully. "Come on, Sakura-chan, don't be so grim. You should be happy we're finally getting out of the academy!" he leaped over another kiosk, and dodged a rock aimed at him. "No more boring lectures from Iruka-sensei and weak training exercises from Mizuki-sense!"
"You shouldn't talk about our sensei like that, Naruto-kun," Hinata admonished with a stern look.
"She's right, Naruto. Those two will decide whether you will graduate or not," Sakura said seriously, only to be met with a carefree laugh.
"Like that will scare me. I'm Uzumaki Naruto, the next Hokage and ninja legend!" he boasted proudly. His grin turned bitter and icy for but a second, too fast for either Sakura or Hinata to catch it. I will be the one who will end everything! "This will be nothing for me," he finished with a cheerful tone.
"If you say so," Sakura shrugged with a smile. Baka, he doesn't realize how much he sucks. She giggled inwardly. But that's what makes him unpredictable, because you expect the expected.
You're so amazing, Naruto-kun, Hinata thought with a slight blush as she cast a sidelong glance at Naruto.
XXX
Naruto fidgeted excitedly in his chair, unable to sit still or stand the wait. Come on, call my name! He was one of a few who had yet to be called to be tested. Hinata and Sakura had already been called and he was dying to find out if they passed or not.
"Nara Shikamaru!" Iruka called out and motioned for the lazy teen to follow him.
Naruto dropped his head on his desk in disappointment. I can't take this anymore. . . Just kill me. The only one left was him, Uchiha Sasuke, and others.
The Kyubi chuckled at his jailer's antics. "Patience, Gaki, nothing worthwhile in this world comes without first having patience." Though it advised it, the fox, too, was growing impatient.
This is my first real step toward freedom and revenge! Why couldn't they call the Gaki first?! The fox paced restlessly in its cage, trying to find the patience necessary to wait it out.
After a few more minutes, which seemed like hours to Naruto, Iruka came back into the classroom with a clip board. He grinned as he read the next one on the list. "Uzumaki Naruto!"
"Yatte!" Naruto shouted joyously and leaped from his seat.
"Let's see what you got, Naruto. Follow me," Iruka said.
"Just you wait, Iruka-sensei! This will be nothing!" Naruto boasted loudly as he followed Iruka into the examination room.
XXX
"Pathetic," Iruka said while shaking his head slowly. He eyed the deathly pale, sickly looking clones that Naruto had created. "After all that talk, I expected better."
Naruto shook with rage as he dispelled his clone jutsu. Was that really the best I could do?! How am I going to these people pay if I can't even create a simple clone? he scolded himself harshly.
Iruka let out a tired sigh. "I'm sorry, Naruto, but you fail."
Naruto's shoulders sagged as he muttered, "Yes sir," and turned to walk out. He dug his nails into his palms, drawing little bloody crescents. Too bad killing them won't guarantee I'll pass.
"Iruka," Mizuki spoke up suddenly. "Maybe we can cut him some slack. Even though his clones were a bit flawed, he did have the technique down."
Naruto didn't even wait for the answer and left. Even so, he still heard Iruka's answer.
"The answer is no, Mizuki." Then he went into his explanation.
XXX
Naruto watched from a swing as his classmates celebrated their success. He sighed, envying them a little. I'm really pathetic. . . My whole plan depended on passing. Now I have to wait another year. He espied Sakura and Hinata walking toward him, both with concerned expressions.
He did his best to muster up a cheerful, happy smile. "Hey, Sakura-chan, Hinata," he greeted them. He spied the shiny new headbands they held in their hands. He also saw them look for his. "You two passed! That's great!" he congratulated.
"You didn't graduate, Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked, her tone sad.
Sakura shook her head. "After all that talk, I expected you to follow through," she teased lightly. Her eyes were sympathetic, since she knew how much he wanted it.
Naruto grinned sheepishly, though he was seething with rage inside. "Yeah, I still don't have that clone jutsu down." He shrugged, acting indifferent. "Guess I know what I have to refine now." He gave a pained grin. "Although I rather not have learned about it through that."
Sakura patted him on the shoulder affectionally. "Don't worry, Naruto. In six months, you'll have another chance. I'm sure you'll pass for sure!" she said with a thumbs up.
"H-Hai! I'm positive too!" Hinata said with absolute confidence in him. I will only have to wait six months until I can be with him. Even though it pained her, she would endure those months like a Hyuga should.
"Thanks, guys," Naruto said with a slight tremor. This must be how it feels to have others believe in you. . . If only it came sooner.
He waved to them as they said goodbye and hurried home. Once they left, Naruto looked over his shoulder. "You coming out, sensei?"
Someone chuckled. "Amazing you can sense chakra, but can't seem to create a simple clone," Mizuki commented with a bit of mockery as he stepped out from behind a bush. "How's it going, Naruot?" he asked, friendly.
Naruto studied Mizuki for a moment. He knew his friendly demeanor was only a ruse, a clever and surprisingly good ruse. Despite that, Naruto could clearly see how much Mizuki loathed him.
Sensei, you think you can fool me? Hatred must be smothered completely, or else the ember will alert others. Naruto decided against confronting him about this and played along. "It's going well, I guess," he replied dully.
"I see," Mizuki said with a nod of understanding. He gestured toward the gate. "Let's talk."
XXX
Hours later, Naruto sat down by a shed and rolled out the forbidden scroll he had taken. Sorry old man, but I'm not going to be wait longer than I have to, he thought, thinking back to the Hokage's tower. He had disguised himself and knocked the old man unconscious using a surprise attack. Sexy jutsu, I am a genius.
"Let's see. . . The first jutsu in here is. . . Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu. Interesting. . ."
XXX
Another few hours later, Naruto had barely finished learning the first jutsu when he sensed Iruka heading toward him. He rolled up the scroll and stood up. Huh, I thought Mizuki was coming? He tied it to his back and waited, rather than just run. I guess Iruka-sensei is faster.
"I found you, Naruto!" Iruka exclaimed angrily as he burst forth from the bushes.
Naruto smiled and scratched the back of his head. "Man, you're quick, Iruka-sensei. I only had time to learn one technique," he said excitedly, keeping up the act. On the inside, he was regretfully coming up with a plan. I'm sorry sensei, but you'll have to go.
Iruka looked surprised as he took in Naruto's state. He was dirty, sweaty, and breathing a little heavily. "You look exhausted, what have you been doing?"
Naruto's eyes lit up. "I've been practicing! Listen, Iruka-sensei! I'll show this amazing technique and you'll let me graduate, right?"
"Who told you that?"
"Mizuki-sensei told me! He told me where the scroll was and about this place." Naruto smirked, watching Iruka's shock and dismay. The bait is set.
Iruka jerked his head to the side and roughly shoved Naruto away. "Naruto, run!" he yelled as a kunai rained down on him.
Naruto needed no more motivation and took off into the trees. Now I'll have to get rid of both of them.
XXX
Minutes later, Naruto crouch behind a tree, listening to Iruka and Mizuki's conversation. He clutched the scroll to his chest, patiently waiting for his chance to intervene.
"You're a fool. Naruto and I are two of a kind," Mizuki sneered at Iruka as he unlatched the giant shuriken from his back. "I will use the scroll for the same reasons as it! The demon hungers for power, power that the scroll holds within it. You were right to fear and despise it."
Iruka shook his head. "Maybe I do hate the fox," he admitted, "but not Naruto. . . Not the boy."
Naruto smirked as he heard this. He doesn't realize that the fox and I are one in the same.
"For him, I have nothing but the utter most respect. He's a excellent student and has the will of fire that burns more brightly than anyone I have ever seen." Iruka smiled fondly. "He may be a screw-up, a bit clumsy, and awkward. And everyone mocks and hates him for it, he works toward his dreams with all his might." He glared at Mizuki. "He is not your demon fox! He is Uzumaki Naruto, citizen and shinobi of Konohagakure no Sato!"
Mizuki shook his head with mock sadness. "Aw, isn't that sweet? You still believe in him." He smiled mocking as he began to twirl his shuriken. "You don't see the absolute hatred he holds for us all, but I do! That is why, after I'm done with you, I will kill the demon before it really decides to take its revenge."
Iruka tried to get up and failed. He coughed up blood and fell back down. So this is it: The end.
"Say goodbye!" Mizuki shouted and charged.
Naruto had to restrain himself from coming to the rescue. Sorry, Iruka-sensei, I am the demon fox, no matter what you say. He winched as he heard metal cut into flesh.
"Now, where should I start looking for the demon?" Mizuki wondered aloud as he wiped his shuriken clean of Iruka's blood.
"How about behind you?" Naruto whispered into Mizuki's ear.
"Wha-?! When did you-"
Whatever Mizuki was going to say next was lost as Naruto broke his neck. He glowered at his lifeless body as it collapsed to the ground, next to his other sensei. You can't stop me, you never could.
XXXNaruto closed the door behind him as quietly as he could manage. Unfortunately, Aoihana was waiting on the couch. She turned a lamp as Naruto tiptoed to his room. "Where have you been, young man?" she demanded sternly. "A bit late to be sneaking in, don'tcha think?"
Over the past four years had also had an effect on Sakura's mother. She now regarded Naruto as a son, a son which she constantly had to punish due to his pranks. To her, his coming home late usually meant he was up to his old tricks.
Naruto offered an apologetic smile. "Well, it's a long story. . ."
At that moment, a sharp knock came from the door.
"Who could that be?" Aoihana said as she went to answer the door. Two member of the ANBU stood imposingly in the doorway.
"Sorry to intrude," the one in a bear mask apologized, "but the Hokage has summoned Naruto."
Aoihana turned a sharp look toward Naruto that said, "We will discuss this later, young man!"
Naruto chuckled nervously. I hope she doesn't kill me when she hears what took place.