Naruto Uzumaki : The Greatest Prodigy

CHAPTER 4

Author Note: Thank you for your support. So far, I am really satisfied with the kind of response the story is getting from people. I just want to clear some things with you guys. From now on there will be some time skips because I want to pick up the pace with the story line. Also, the poll is closed and the result will be shown at the end of the chapter. As I mentioned before, Naruto is older than canon, so the rookies will be introduced in the future chapter but it will take some time for their introduction in the story. Hope you guys understand. Without wasting more time, please enjoy the chapter.

Talking - Normal Human

Thinking - Human

Talking - Bijuu and Summon

Thinking - Bijuu and Summon

( Disclaimer : I don't own Naruto or any of its characters, Kishimoto does )

As Itachi jumped across the roofs to get to his destination, he carried Naruto piggyback style. He was still trying to get his thoughts straight but was having a hard time doing it.

Those red eyes, with two tomoe in one eye and a single tomoe in the other, looking directly at him. As far as he knew, neither of Naruto's parents belonged to the Uchiha clan. Could it be that one of them was somehow connected to it?

He felt Naruto starting to wake up and looked at him on his back as he sighed in relief. The boy's eyes were once again back to their normal blue. He must be pretty exhausted since it was the first time activating his Sharingan, Itachi thought as he watched Naruto rubbing his eyes.

"You alright Naruto-kun?" Itachi asked in concern.

Naruto quickly replied, "I'm feeling alright now, but I don't remember clearly what happened. One moment I was feeling helpless seeing those shuriken coming towards me and then I suddenly started feeling this burning in my eyes, then everything started slowing down in front of my eyes and I could see the shuriken coming towards me in slow motion. I don't remember much after that."

"Don't think too much Naruto-kun. Just rest for now and I promise I'll explain everything later," Itachi assured him but he inwardly wondered what he would say. Yeah, I'll explain everything when I myself understand what happened exactly and how you awakened the Sharingan.

Naruto nodded tiredly but then asked Itachi, his face looking confused. "Where are we going Nii-san?"

"We're going to the Hokage's office. I have some important thing to discuss with him."

Itachi noticed Naruto's confused look. "I'll answer all your questions there Naruto, you just rest for now."

Naruto nodded and rested his head on Itachi's shoulder as he closed his eyes. Itachi smiled, and picked up his pace to reach his destination.

( Hokage Tower )

Itachi arrived at the Hokage Tower with Naruto on his back and quickly ran up the stairs towards the Hokage's office.

He reached for the door to knock a couple of times. "Come in," a voice said from the other side of the door. Upon opening the door, Itachi was greeted with the sight of the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, calmly sitting in his chair and smoking a pipe.

Hiruzen looked at Itachi and when he noticed Naruto resting on his back, a serious look crossed his face. "What happened Itachi... is Naruto alright?"

Itachi could tell by the look on the Hokage's face, that he was concerned about the boy. The Hokage not only knew everything about Naruto and his parents, but he also saw Naruto as his own grandson. Itachi was positive Hiruzen was the only one who could give him the answers he had come for.

Itachi spoke. "Naruto is fine Hokage-sama. He's only exhausted from sparring." Naruto nodded in confirmation and released his hold on Itachi so he could stand on his own. Itachi continued. "But something happened during our spar Hokage-sama."

"What happened, Itachi?" Hiruzen asked.

"I was hoping that I could speak with you in private. It's something sensitive." Itachi didn't want others to know about Naruto's Sharingan, especially not the Uchiha clan. They would go to any lengths to get Naruto under their control and that would not end well for anyone.

Hiruzen signalled to the hidden Anbu black ops to leave the office and activated the privacy seal on the doors and windows. He then looked at Itachi seriously.

"Now tell me what happened, Itachi." His voice had the tone of authority.

Itachi nodded at him, then looked at Naruto, who had a confused look on face. "Naruto-kun... would you please try to channel some chakra in your eyes?"

"Huhh...but why Nii-san?"

"Just do what I said Naruto, you will get your answers soon," Itachi responded calmly. He wondered if Hiruzen had guessed where all this was going.

Naruto nodded a moment later and closed his eyes. As he channelled some chakra into them, he could feel a little pain but moments later he could feel something different. The pain was gone and in its place he felt power flowing there.

When Naruto opened his eyes, gone was their normal blue, replaced by two glowing red orbs. Two tomoe showed in his left eye and Itachi could see two tomoe in the right one too, before a shock of Naruto's blond hair covered it.

Itachi noticed the Hokage's face but didn't see the shocked expression he had expected. Instead, Hiruzen was staring at Naruto calmly. The look confirmed his suspicions that the Hokage already knew something about this and could give Itachi answers.

Hiruzen walked up to Naruto and knelt down to his level to move the bangs from his face, getting a good look at his eyes. "Well, I expected this to happen someday but not this soon."

Itachi was confused. "What do you mean Hokage-sama? I don't understand. As far as I know, neither of Naruto's parents have it. So how could Naruto awaken those eyes?"

"No, you're wrong Itac..." Hiruzen started but was interrupted by Naruto.

"Would you tell me what you're talking about!?" He spoke in an annoyed tone.

Hiruzen took out one of his kunai, which had been polished to a mirror-like sheen, and held it before Naruto's eyes. "Take a look for yourself Naruto."

Naruto looked into the reflective steel of the kunai and his face registered surprise. "W-w-what is this, how is it possible?" he stammered, his voice full of shock. He then looked at Itachi with narrowed eyes. "You know who my parents were and that neither of them had it? I need you to give me answers. Now."

Itachi felt uncomfortable but responded. "Yes I know who your parents were and as far as you having the Sharingan, I don't have an answer myself. That is why we came here."

Itachi saw Naruto clench his jaw and tighten his fist and could hear the anger in his voice as he responded. "You both knew from the start about my parents and never bothered to tell me about them...Why?" Tears suddenly began to fall from his eyes.

Hiruzen himself looked uncomfortable, and Itachi wondered how the Hokage would break the news to Naruto. If he told Naruto about his parents then he would also have to tell him about the kyuubi, and Itachi wondered whether Hiruzen believed Naruto was ready to know the truth or not.

"I am sorry Naruto-kun, it's not Itachi's fault that he didn't tell you about your parents. It's because I ordered those who know their identity to keep it hidden from everyone and also from you. I'm really sorry Naruto-kun. I am just trying to protect you and the village."

Naruto glared at him furiously and stated. "Trying to protect me from what…Huh... I sometimes question myself who my parents were, if they loved me or just left me on my own in this village. You don't understand how it feels to walk the streets where people glare at you with nothing but hate in their eyes and to be called names like demon or monster and kicked out of stores for just trying to buy something."

Itachi tightened his fists and looked away in shame for not being there for Naruto. He didn't have the courage to face him. He could tell by Hiruzen's face that he too was cursing the villagers for disrespecting the fourth Hokage's wish for Naruto to be seen as a hero.

The Hokage tried to calm Naruto down as he put a hand on his shoulder. "I understand what you feel Naruto-kun..." But he was once again interrupted as Naruto swapped away his arm.

Naruto's glare hardened on him and he continued. "No, you don't understand anything. I always watched fathers picking up their kids from the park and how they walked with their kids holding hands, and I always wanted to experience that. I wanted to feel my father holding my hand like that and when I walked the streets with you that first time you held my hand while walking and I felt happy that time because that time I realized what it felt like. You're the closest person I have who's close to a father or grandfather, and now I realize you've been lying to me my whole life." He finished as tears continued flowing from his eyes.

Hiruzen did nothing other than look down in shame. He realized how much he had failed Naruto by breaking his trust in him. He was scared now, wondering what Naruto would do when he learned the whole truth about his parents and about being the kyuubi container. Would Naruto hate him? More importantly, would Naruto hate his own parents for what they did that night by sealing the beast in their own child? But he didn't have any other choice but to tell him the truth, and he would try to explain as best he could. He was glad at least Itachi was here to help him out.

"I'm sorry Naruto-kun. I really am." Hiruzen stated with guilt in his eyes. "Why don't you settle down comfortably. I promise you, I will tell you everything."

Naruto composed himself a little and spoke. "Alright, tell me everything and don't leave anything out."

"I promise, but please don't interrupt me. I will answer all your questions at the end, alright?"

Hiruzen then looked at Itachi, who nodded in support, then turned his attention back to Naruto and started. "As you know Naruto, on the day of your birth the Leaf Village was attacked by the Kyuubi no Kitsune and no one was able stop the beast. Many shinobi and civilians lost their lives that day. Until, as you know, the fourth Hokage stopped the Bijuu by sacrificing his life.

"I arrived with a couple of shinobi on the battlefield where the Fourth teleported the kyuubi with him. There I found the bodies of the fourth Hokage with his wife, both impaled by the kyuubi's claw. They had put themselves in front of it trying to protect something. It was then that we noticed the baby no older than a few hours, laying in front of them. It was you, Naruto-kun."

Naruto appeared shocked as he listened to the Hokage, and Hiruzen was sure that many questions were coming to his head and was glad he didn't have the voice to ask anything. He noticed Naruto's shocked look and stopped himself from continuing. He didn't want to tell him anything more but he knew that he had to go on. He hoped that after knowing the truth, Naruto would remain the same loving and gentle person.

Itachi placed a hand a hand on the boy's shoulder to show his support but Naruto didn't acknowledge the gesture.

"H-h-how, w-hat are y-y-you saying Jii-chan, h-how is it p-possible?" Naruto asked in shock and Itachi gently squeezed his shoulder.

"We weren't able to hear anything or go to them because of the barrier the fourth Hokage's wife put around them, preventing the kyuubi from escaping, but we know what was happening in there. As you know Naruto, the Bijuu can't be killed, so the only thing the fourth Hokage could do to stop the Bijuu was to seal it away. He used a self sacrificing sealing jutsu to seal it in a new born baby whose chakra coils weren't developed. That baby was you Naruto-kun. After the sealing process, the barrier dissolved, allowing us to move in, and when we got there they were barely alive. The fourth Hokage's last wish was for you to be seen as a hero for protecting the village. His wife spoke your name on her dying breath." Hiruzen looked at Naruto to see his reaction.

Naruto was so shocked after Hiruzen told him that he was the one used for the sealing that he couldn't say anything as his whole brain went blank. He then came to, and remembering all the hateful glares and being called monster and demon behind his back, he began to cry again.

Itachi was also having a hard time controlling his emotions as memories of his time with Minato and Kushina came rushing to him, but he controlled himself, as he had to show his support to Naruto. Reaching out, he hugged Naruto and tried to calm him.

Naruto put a hand on his stomach where he had seen the seal many times while channelling chakra. He had always wondered what it was but never paid too much attention to it. Now he knew. He looked at the Hokage with puffy eyes. "Why me, why did they choose me? Where were my parents that time? Did they give me away to the Fourth for him to use me? Did they think of me as some kind of monster like many in the village think?"

Hiruzen felt terrible for Naruto and at the same time cursed the villagers for what they had done to an innocent child. But he also smiled a little at Naruto and answered. "Your parents didn't hate you Naruto-kun. I had never seen your parents so happy as when they got the news of your arriving. They couldn't stop smiling and as for why the Fourth and his wife chose you for the sealing . . . They knew the meaning of sacrifice and couldn't ask anyone else to sacrifice their child so they used their own baby boy who was born only hours before."

Naruto's eyes widened. Never had he expected to be the son of the fourth Hokage. The Fourth was his own ideal, the one he wanted to surpass in order to become the strongest Hokage. He smiled a very small smile as he thought of his parents and realized he had been wanted and loved by his mother and father.

Itachi and Hiruzen both felt a little relaxed seeing him smile and were thankful that Naruto was taking the news calmly. He didn't seem to show any kind of dislike or hate towards his father and mother but for confirmation, Hiruzen asked, "You don't hate them Naruto, for what they did by sealing the kyuubi in you, do you?"

Naruto shook his head. "How can I hate them? I am sure they didn't have any other solution. You once said to me that being Hokage is not a simple job that anyone can do and being shinobi means self-sacrifice. Well, my father was not just a shinobi, he was also the Hokage. If the Hokage can't sacrifice anything for his village, then how can he accept other shinobi around him to do the same? And if my Tau-san had used any other kid, then I don't think he would have deserved to be called a Hokage and father. I am proud to be his son."

Itachi and Hiruzen both were shocked at the level of maturity Naruto showed. Hiruzen was certain that many of the jounin level shinobi didn't have this type of thinking and here was a 7 year old who was in the second year of his academy showing the mind-set of a true shinobi. They smiled at Naruto with pride in their expressions.

"I can't describe in words how proud I am of you Naruto-kun. I am certain if your parents were here with us, they would also feel proud. Just remember that they gave their lives so you could live on. Don't waste it. Make them proud." Hiruzen ruffled Naruto's hair with a proud smile on his face.

"Aahm...Jii-chan you didn't tell me Kaa-chan's name," spoke Naruto, rubbing the back of his neck, realizing he didn't know his mother's name.

Hiruzen blinked a couple of times then laughed a little as he remembered Kushina. "Aah, yes your mother. Her name was Kushina Uzumaki and she was the granddaughter of the first Hokage. She was a very kind woman, always smiling and joking, but when she got angry she used to scare the shit out of people, especially your father. Because she had long red hair, people started calling her red hot habanera." He and Itachi both shivered a little at the image of Kushina with fire in her eyes and her red hair waving like the kyuubi's tails.

Naruto laughed a little, imagining his father the strongest shinobi who ever lived with a scared face because of his mother. But he was also shocked about knowing that he was also the great grandson of the first Hokage.

Hiruzen's heart melted a little seeing Naruto laugh, thinking how much happiness suited his face. He couldn't help but see both Minato and Kushina in him.

Hiruzen went over to his desk, opened a drawer, and took out a photo frame from inside. He then walked back to Naruto and showed him the photo. "This is the only photo I have of them in the office right now."

Naruto took the frame in his hand and looked at it. It was a picture of Kushina pregnant and smiling with Minato standing behind her with his hand on her stomach and a big grin on his face.

Naruto couldn't stop a single tear from falling from his eyes as he looked for the first time at his parents. How beautiful his mother looked and how happy they both looked together in the photo. "They looked so happy and perfect," he said quietly.

Hiruzen and Itachi both smiled at him. Then Naruto looked at Hiruzen and asked a question which had been troubling him for some time. "Jii-chan, if my father sealed the kyuubi in me, then why are the instructors in the academy saying that the Fourth killed the kyuubi?"

Hiruzen sighed and spoke. "Because I forbade anyone from ever mentioning the fact that the kyuubi is sealed in you. I wanted to prevent the younger generation from knowing."

Naruto spoke in confusion. "But why would you do something like that?"

Hiruzen looked at Naruto a little longer and then responded. "After the attack, the village was in state of panic. After having so many lives lost in the attack and the death of Minato, there was total unrest in the village and when the emergency meeting was held where I told the council about the kyuubi sealing, some of the council members demanded your death. I ordered the council not to mention anything about you to the general public but someone in the council leaked the information about you and within the next day, half of the village was demanding your death. Seeing all this, I passed the law stating that whoever spoke of the kyuubi being sealed in you would be sentenced to death without any trial" He sighed and spoke again. "I only wanted you to live a normal life and make friends among your age."

Naruto looked down after hearing this, feeling bad about how some of villagers treated him. Why didn't they understand that he was just a small child, not a monster or demon? It wasn't his fault that the kyuubi attacked their village.

Hiruzen put a hand on his head to show his support. "Don't think about it too much Naruto-kun. Humans always fear what they don't understand."

Naruto smiled a little, thankful for his support, and was glad that he had people like Hiruzen, Itachi, Iruka and Shisui who cared about him so much. "Just you wait Jiji," he said with determination. "A day will come when everyone in the village will respect me and acknowledge me as someone important. This is the village my parents sacrificed everything for and died protecting. I will do the same. I will protect the village till my last breath."

Hiruzen smiled at him with pride and said, "I don't doubt that."

Itachi was relieved that Naruto had taken the news so well and now decided it was time to get them on the topic that he had come here for. He wanted answers. "Hokage-sama, all this doesn't explain how Naruto awakened the Sharingan. As you know, neither Kushina oba-san or Minato-sama belong to the Uchiha clan. How is it possible?"

Oba-san? Naruto wondered, but decided to ask him later. He wanted Hiruzen's answer as much as Itachi did.

"You're wrong on that Itachi. Minato had very strong ties to the Uchiha clan." Hiruzen responded calmly.

Itachi was shocked. "What do you mean Hokage-sama? How is it possible? And if he did, why keep it a secret?"

"Only a few people know about Minato's family lineage and his full history before he came to village. People only know him as a war orphaned kid but in reality he was the grandson of the village's greatest traitor, Madara Uchiha."

Itachi was shocked to the core and his eyes widened. Madara was the former head of the Uchiha clan and the co-founder of the village Konoha, the strongest Uchiha to ever live and 2nd strongest shinobi of his time after Hashirama Senju. Who would have thought the village's most beloved Hokage, Minato Namikaze, could be the grandson of the most hated shinobi to come out of Konoha? But before Itachi could ask any questions, Naruto spoke.

Naruto was also shocked. "M-madara Uchiha? But how? Why didn't anybody know about it?" Naruto's shock made his questions come rapidly.

"Not many people know today, but when Madara left the village, he also had a 5-year-old son and wife who he had left behind," Hiruzen began. "Because of his actions, there were many attempts on their lives from within the clan and from the village. Seeing all this, Hashirama faked their deaths with the help of his brother Tobirama to give them a normal life outside the village."

Hiruzen paused but both Itachi and Naruto were stunned into silence, and Hiruzen continued. "They lived outside the village in a nearby town with their fake identities and both the first and second Hokages kept in contact with them. As the child grew, his hate for the Uchiha clan and especially for his father also grew with him. He never became a shinobi and never awakened his Sharingan though. He was a simple farmer and in time he married a woman named Meera Namikaze and they had a son who was named Minato Namikaze."

Itachi tried to process this new information. "But Hokage-sama, why did Minato-sama come to the village?"

"His parents were both killed during the second war by some shinobi and at that time, Minato awakened his Sharingan for the first time. He was only 6 at that time and his father Izuna, noticing his eyes, told him to go to Konoha and contact Tobirama Senju, the second Hokage."

"But weren't there people in the village who noticed his eyes?" Itachi asked.

"No, it was a well-kept secret," Hiruzen answered. "When Minato meet the second Hokage and told him everything, he also said that his father wished for him to not getting involved with the Uchiha clan. Then Tobirama-sensei took Minato under him and with the help of Mito Uzumaki, he prepared a seal to hide his eyes so no one would discover it. Later, though, Minato told some of his close friends and people he trusted."

"Wow, this is lot to take in on one day Jii-chan," Naruto muttered. "I would never have imagined that I could be related to so many strong people. First I learn that I'm the son of the fourth Hokage and then that I'm the great-grandson of Hashirama Senju, and now that I'm also the great-grandson of Madara Uchiha."

"That you are, Naruto-kun. But if the news of your heritage becomes known, your life will be in grave danger. There are forces in and outside the village who would be after you if they knew. That is why I kept the identity of your parents hidden."

Naruto nodded in understanding. "Don't worry Jiji, I won't tell anyone about it." Then he asked the question which he had wanted to know his whole life. "Jii-chan, is there any more of my family out there?"

Hiruzen smiled at the innocent look on Naruto's face and happily responded. "Well of course there is Naruto. You already know them or at least have heard of them. They are quite famous now. Your godfather Jiraiya was once my student and your father's sensei, and your mother's cousin sister Tsunade Senju."

Naruto was relieved at hearing he still had a family but then a fear come across his face. "They didn't abandon me did they?"

"No, Naruto-kun, they could never hate you. They just can't be in the village. Jiraiya runs a spy network for our village and is constantly on the move. He has his duties for the village but he does ask me about your wellbeing in every letter he sends me and he even sends money every month for your expenses. Your toad wallet is a gift from him." Hiruzen's voice was reassuring.

Then he sighed, thinking of his other student, and he shook his head a little and continued. "As for Tsunade, truthfully I don't know where she is. She left the village after the 3rd shinobi war and has only come to the village a couple of times. The last time was to meet your parents."

"Why..?" Naruto asked in confusion.

"She has her reasons. As for why she is not in your life, it's because she doesn't know you're alive. I have tried in the past to get in contact with her but my attempts always end in failure. She is hard to track down and I can't have Jiraiya go after her because he has been on an important mission for a long time."

Naruto nodded in understanding but felt a new loneliness that he couldn't be with his only living family.

Itachi, who had remained silent, was still letting the information sink in. He was stunned to learn about the Fourth's connection to the Uchiha clan and was also worried for Naruto. If the information became known to the others, it would create some serious problems for Naruto.

He looked at Hiruzen without emotion. "What now Hiruzen-sama? We can't let the news about Naruto's Sharingan be known to others. How will we protect the information?"

Hiruzen nodded in seriousness and responded. "You're right about that Itachi. We can't let that happen, but you don't have to worry about that. Just give me couple of days to find the seal in Minato's notes. He didn't use his Sharingan much but he kept the notes on the seal safe. After putting the seal on Naruto eyes, we don't have to worry about anything".

Itachi nodded, relieved.

Hiruzen turned then to Naruto. "Naruto-kun, don't ever tell anyone about what I've told you. Wait until you fully trust a person to keep your secrets hidden, alright?"

"Hai Jii-chan, don't worry, I can keep secrets." Naruto responded.

Hiruzen smiled at him, then looked at Itachi. "Itachi, make sure no one from the Uchiha clan knows about Naruto possessing the Sharingan. I also leave Naruto to you, so you can train him properly on how to use Sharingan."

Itachi nodded and smiled. He would have done that even if the Hokage hadn't told him to. "You don't have to tell me Hokage-sama, I already planned on doing it."

Naruto give him a big grin. "I am ready for anything Nii-san!"

Hiruzen and Itachi both laughed at his expression and were glad that Naruto had taken the news calmly.

"I think that is it for today Naruto-kun," Hiruzen said. "You should go rest now and give yourself time to relax. You had a very long day today."

"Come on Naruto-kun, I'll drop you at your apartment," Itachi said and went to his knees, showing his back to Naruto for him to climb on.

Naruto happily climbed on Itachi's back and tightened his hold on him before waving goodbye to Hiruzen. "I'll see you later Jii-chan."

Hiruzen nodded at him with smile on his face, and as they retreated, he muttered with a long sigh. "Well it went pretty well, thank kami." Then he looked at the portrait of the late fourth Hokage with a faint smile as he became lost in his thoughts. You will be so proud seeing your son Minato. Both you and Kushina, I 'm sure of it. One day he will become a great shinobi and a man and I will help where ever I can in his journey.

( Time Skip 2 Years Later )

(With Hiruzen)

Hiruzen was standing near the window staring out over the village but his mind was elsewhere, thinking about Naruto and the decision he had made earlier in the day.

Naruto had grown excellently in the past 2 years and was performing much better than students his own age. The instructors in the academy considered him a once in a lifetime prodigy and compared him with the likes of Minato Namikaze and Itachi Uchiha from their academy days.

The news of him possessing the Sharingan had been kept a secret. Besides himself, only Itachi and Naruto, and now Kakashi and Jiraiya, who had been later informed about it, possessed the knowledge.

But that wasn't what was worrying Hiruzen right now. Now, he was thinking about the meeting regarding academy results that he had attended this evening with the elders.

(Flashback)

Hiruzen was sitting with his old team mates and some of the Instructors of the academy looking over the recent performance of the students. He was satisfied with the results of the students so far and he looked at Danzo.

"Look at Naruto Uzumaki's report card Hiruzen," Danzo said, handing him the report card and also getting the attention of the others.

Hiruzen looked at his report card and to say he was impressed would be a little thing. Compared with Naruto's results, the other students didn't even stand in the same league.

His teammate, Koharu, asked in confusion. "What's wrong Hiruzen?"

Danzo was the one who answered her. "Naruto Uzumaki is again ranking at the top of his class this year, top in every subject, performing well above his age and known to use the jounin level shadow clone jutsu. He beat a senior class student who tried to bully him and his classmates, and he's also known as the once in a lifetime prodigy with the likes of Minato Namikaze and Itachi Uchiha."

Hamura spoke. "Shadow Clone jutsu is a very high level jutsu and for him to know such a technique is pretty impressive."

"Yes, he is very talented Hokage-sama but also very kind and respectful with others and his fellow classmates. I have seen him many times helping others in class and he never showed any arrogance in his abilities," Iruka informed them proudly.

"He doesn't fit in at the academy anymore," Danzo said. "He has shown great maturity and is very strong. I say let's graduate him early and promote him to genin rank."

The others looked at him in shock at this suggestion but it was Iruka who voiced his thoughts. "But he is too young to become a shinobi."

Hiruzen also nodded in agreement. "Iruka is right, he is too young at the moment and the time is different from our time. We are at peace now. We don't want children to fight at such young ages. Let him enjoy his childhood before getting involved with the shinobi world."

Danzo sneered at Hiruzen and his weak ideology and spoke firmly. "Don't be foolish Hiruzen. There were many shinobi who graduated at such an early age. Just look at Itachi Uchiha and today he's an Anbu caption. If we let him continue in the academy we're just wasting such a fine talent."

Hamura and Koharu agreed with Danzo, stating that the main priority was to make their village strong and Naruto would be a fine addition in their shinobi ranks.

"I agree with Danzo-sama, there isn't anything left that we can teach him at the academy." It was one of the academy instructors sitting next to Iruka who spoke.

Hiruzen knew that Naruto was strong and could already become a genin but he had always hoped for him to make friends with his age group, and to be promoted with older kids could destroy his career if they didn't treat him well.

He spoke after thinking carefully. "I agree with you, but as you also know, Naruto is a special case. If we suddenly promote him with kids he doesn't even know that could destroy his shinobi career and we can't have that. I have decided that instead of graduating him early, I will advance him to the final year class. There he will graduate in one year and during that time he can also get to know his fellow classmates better and form bonds with them, so he can put trust in his teammates.

Danzo and the other thought for a moment and finding this to be a good option, showed their agreement with his decision. "That will be a good option," Danzo said.

Iruka spoke in concern. "Are you sure Hokage-sama? Is it wise to let him graduate at such an early age?"

"I understand your concerns Iruka but I also can't ignore his performance. He doesn't fit in the academy anymore."

(Flashback End)

Hiruzen sighed and brought himself back to the present. Only time will tell if I've made the right decision, Hiruzen thought as he looked at the fourth Hokage's face on mountain above the village.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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FINAL VOTING RESULT-

Yugao Uzuki - 19

Ino Yamanaka - 12

Kurenai - 8

Mei Terumi - 8

Hinata Hyuga - 8

Samui - 8

Kurotcuchi - 6

Temari - 6

Yugito - 2

Shizune - 1

OC - 1

Naruto Uzumaki : The Greatest Prodigy