A/N: Well that's the last time I make a promise on when the next chapter is out. Sorry for the long wait, but here is chapter 4.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.


5 Years Later.

Naruto age 12.

Naruto was roused from his sleep by the tantalizing smell of a cooked breakfast. Like a zombie rising from the dead, Naruto flopped out of bed and began shuffling towards undoubtedly delicious source. Still in his pajamas, and his sleeping cap only half way on his head, he made his way out the door of his apartment and proceeded to the next door over. Like clockwork the door opened a few seconds after he knocked on it with his head. Kurenai stood in the doorway, wearing a robe over her nightwear.

"Good morning Naruto," Kurenai greeted as she let him in.

"Morning Kurenai," Naruto mumbled sleepily as he made his way to the kitchen.

"You're a bit earlier today so you can help with the eggs," Kurenai ordered as she went back to preparing the morning meal for her roommates and their usual guest.

"Kay," Naruto yawned. Naruto didn't come over every day, usually only once or twice a week, but when he did she always made sure he earned his food. At least it taught him how to cook more things than just ramen.

The two of them went about their tasks with a familiar rhythm. Kurenai occasionally looked over and checked on him to make sure he was doing it correctly. It wasn't long before Yugao came in, already dressed in her anbu gear, which consisted of black sandals, black pants, a sleeveless black shirt, dull grey chest armor, and armored gloves. Her cat patterned mask was pushed up on her head. She greeted Naruto and Kurenai with a nod before proceeding to efficiently distribute the food into separate dishes and lay them out on the table.

"Anko breakfast is ready," Kurenai called out.

The purple haired girl walked in just as everyone else sat down at the table. Naruto took a bite of his food before looking up to see Anko was only wearing a loose shirt. His eyes uncontrollably traveled down to gaze at her smooth toned legs. At that same moment Anko stretched her whole body, accidently lifting the hem of her shirt and revealing that it really was the only piece of clothing on her body. Also confirming that her hair color was all natural. Naruto briefly choked on his food as he tried to look away before getting caught. He was a second too late as Kurenai noticed what happened.

"Anko!" Kurenai exclaimed.

"Yeah, Kurenai," Anko replied nonchalantly.

"Put some pants on," Kurenai commanded, "We have a guest."

"It's only Naruto," Anko waved off, "I don't mind if he doesn't. Right Naruto?"

"Well, um… I… ah…" Naurto spluttered, his face turning red as he tried to come up with a response that wouldn't get him in trouble.

"See, he doesn't mind," Anko answered for him with a smirk.

"Just sit down already," Kurenai sighed, unwilling to put up with her antics this early in the morning.

"So, what are everyone's plans for the day," Yugao spoke up as Anko took her seat.

"I have a test at the Academy today," Naruto announced, glad to change the subject, "Maybe Sasuke will slip up and I can finally take the title of Rookie of the year. We've been tied for the past few months now."

"Anko, Hana, and I were going to get in some training for the upcoming Chunin Exams," Kurenai explained after she finished chewing.

"I swear that asshole of a sensei made us wait a few extra years because we're all girls," Anko said while her mouth was full of food.

"Well, I'm training with Hayate-sensei in my kenjutsu again today," Yugao revealed.

"Have you told Hayate about you're crush on him yet?" Anko teased.

"Shut up," Yugao's face turned red, "It wouldn't work out anyway, there's too much of an age difference between us."

"Don't worry, there are still plenty of boy's our own age you can date," Kurenai encouraged.

"This is coming form the girl who has a crush on the Third Hokage's son," Yugao replied.

"I told you never to mention that," now it was Kurenai's turn to be embarrassed.

"Can we move onto another subject?" Naruto interrupted. He was becoming uncomfortable with all the girl talk.

"But why? Do you have a secret crush you're trying to keep from us?" Anko joked.

"Err… well… um, maybe," Naruto stuttered out.

"Ooh, now you definitely have to tell us," Yugao ordered mischievously.

"Spit it out, or I'll make you do the dishes," Kurenai mock threatened.

"Well… there's this girl in my class named Sakura," Naruto hesitantly admitted, "I think she's kind of pretty."

For a moment Naruto thought he saw a brief flash of disappointment cross Anko's face.

"Have you approached her about your feelings yet?" Yugao inquired.

"No, every time I've tried I start worrying that she'll reject me," Naruto confessed, "She's always only been interested in Sasuke, I don't think she'll want to go out with his rival."

"It sounds like you're overthinking this too much," Kurenai commented.

"Yeah, just go out there and get it over with," Anko encouraged, "If she rejects you, just move on to someone else."

"Alright, I'll do it the first time I see her today," Naruto proclaimed, before turning to Anko with a mischievous grin, "Hey Anko, seeing as I told everyone who my crush was, why don't you tell us yours."

"I'd rather not," Anko replied, "It's not like any boy would have any interest in me since… well, because of that bastard."

As Anko said this she unconsciously started to rub the mark on her neck. Naruto was briefly reminded of how the villagers would avoid and spite her in much the same way they did him. It made him wonder if his own parents were missing nin, and if all family members of traitors were treated the same.

Shaking off the brief moment of gloom, Naruto proclaimed, "Well, tell me who he is and I'll beat some sense into him. When I'm through, he'll be a perfect gentleman who won't judge you based on what that bastard did."

Anko smiled at this before responding, "Well he's not always a gentleman, but I already know he doesn't judge me like the rest of the village."

"Then what are you worried about, just say his name already," Naruto pouted.

"Alright, but only if you bribe me first," Anko smirked devilishly before giving a hint, "I could really go for a massage."

"Uh, what kind of massage are you looking for?" Naruto inquired.

"Well my breasts have gained so much weight recently," Anko cupped her growing rack through her loose shirt, "I could really use someone to rub them for a little bit."

"Gah! Gurk," Naruto choked on his food for a second time as his nose started to bleed.

"Aww, Naruto seems too shy to do it," Anko pouted cutely, "Kurenai, would you be willing to help me out?"

"Wahh…? Me? Now!?" Kurenai blushed in surprise.

Naruto's chair was knocked backwards as his nose started gushing at a dangerous rate. Anko burst out laughing, dropping the act as she held onto her stomach, accidently pressing her shirt down and giving her breasts more definition through the cloth. Naruto noticed that her laughter made her chest jiggle and was further propelled across the floor. Yugao couldn't help but giggle slightly before getting up to help the poor boy recover. Kurenai was less amused by the joke and proceeded to quickly finish her meal, using all her will power to avoid losing her temper at Anko and Naruto for being perverts. As Yugao helped Naruto back into his chair, he started scarfing down the rest of his food quickly before another incident could happen that would cause him to choke again.


Meanwhile, on the wealthier side of the village another academy student was having a very different kind of morning. Hinata Hyuuga was fully awake and alert as she gracefully settled into the gentle fist fighting stance. She felt the gazes of many of the clan's more prominent figures in the main branch watching her from the edges of the training dojo. Among those gazes was her father's, Hiashi Hyuuga, the head of the entire clan. She glanced at him for a moment seeing only a steely cold expression scrutinizing without giving away his thoughts. As her focus returned to her opponent a pit formed in her stomach. Standing in front of her with a face mirroring her father's, was Hinata's own little sister, Hanabi. Despite being five years younger, Hanabi was determined to win this fight.

Hinata didn't have further time to ponder as Hiashi signaled for the match to begin. Hanabi rushed forward, veins bulging around her eyes as she activated her byakugan. Hinata's byakugan also activated as she stepped back into a more defensive stance. Hinata deflected a strike to her shoulder and a second one aimed at her hip, but as she was about to deflect a third strike, Hanabi took advantage of an opening in her guard and delivered a kick to her stomach. As Hinata stumbled back, Hanabi ruthlessly followed through with several strikes to the chakra points in Hinata's chest and arms, effectively disabling her for the remainder of the fight. Lacking the will to fight back and counter attack, Hinata crumpled to the ground while Hiashi called an end to the match.

"Hinata," Hiashi looked down on his daughter, "This fight was disappointing, I expected more of you."

Her father's words hurt Hinata more than her sister's gentle fist strikes. Hinata knew she was a failure in the eyes of the clan, but this was the first time her father actually said it out loud. As he walked away one of the branch members helped Hinata back up and reopened her chakra points before taking her to the dinning hall to eat breakfast. While Hiashi didn't look back and his face remained stoic, internally he was consumed with feelings of fear. He was afraid of what might happen to Hinata when she finally became a ninja and was forced to face the cruel world outside of Konoha. The feeling help cement his decisions yesterday at the council meeting as the correct ones. Anything to delay his precious daughter from walking into a dangerous life. In the meantime, he had to be as strict as possible, so she could grow into a strong heiress of the Hyuuga clan.

Hinata remained silent throughout the rest of her morning activities and on her way to the Academy. As she reached her classroom her self-confidence continued to deteriorate. All around her students were happily chatting with their friends as the whole classroom gave off an excited vibe due to this being the last semester before graduation where they would become genin. Hinata, having just been beaten by an eight-year-old, was doubting any chance she had of ever becoming a ninja. Before she could sink further in self doubt a cheerful voice called out to her.

"Hey Hinata!" Naruto shouted a greeting to her from across the room before beckoning her over.

Her best friend's infectious upbeat attitude lifted the weight in Hinata's chest for a moment as she took a seat next to him. The depression quickly came back however as she was reminded that despite being friends for so long, she was unable to admit her feelings to the blond. Thus adding to the growing list of reasons why she was a failure. Before her thoughts could continue, Iruka-sensei called for the class to settle down.

"Good morning," Iruka-sensei greeted the class, before composing himself for what he was about to announce, "Before we begin I have something to inform you of that some of you may not like. The council, with the approval of the Hokage, has decided to rework the Academic system for upcoming shinobi. One of the most prominent changes is the addition of an age limit for becoming a ninja. As of this morning, the minimum age to graduate is 16."

Iruka waited a moment to let the information sink in.

"WHAAAT?" several students shouted out, the loudest of whom were Naruto and Kiba.

"This means that none of you will become genin this year and will have to spend another 4 years at the Academy in order to graduate," Iruka explained.

"That's stupid," Naruto exclaimed, "I don't want to wait another four years to become a ninja."

Several students agreed with him. Ino even pointed out, "What about the students who graduated last year and became genin? They're not 16 yet."

"Anyone who is already a ninja will remain so," Iruka confirmed, "This law only affects those who haven't earned their headband yet."

"But it's only a few months until the genin exams," Sasuke muttered stoically, "Can't this wait to go in effect until after we graduate."

"The decision has already been made," Iruka replied, "If you have an issue you'll have to bring it up with the Hokage."

As the class continued to loudly complain, Hinata sunk further into her depressing thoughts. Father is on the council, Hinata thought to herself, He probably voted for this change because of me. He thinks I'm so weak, he's delaying the time I can become a ninja. He's right I'm too weak. It's my fault, I'm holding Naruto back from his dream of becoming Hokage.

Meanwhile, Iruka's assistant instructor, Mizuki, was deep within his own thoughts. Damn it, why would the council do this, Mizuki clenched his fists, I'll be stuck with these brats for another four years if I don't do something. For a moment he thought about the scheme he recently envisioned to pull off during the graduation exam. Why wait till graduation? if they're still going to be in the academy next year, why not do now? I can leave this stupid village all the sooner. I'll need to tweak a few things, but I should be able to pull it off.

Now, I just need to find someone to do the dirty work for me, Mizuki began looking around the class for a target, It would be excellent if I could get the demon brat to steal the scroll for me. Then I could kill him and become a hero in the eyes of the civilians. The problem is he's just too damn unpredictable. Most of the time he acts like an idiot and a prankster, but with Copy-Cat Kakashi and Jiraiya of the Sannin helping him with his training he's a fairly competent shinobi. There's no guarantee he'll fall for it.

Kiba is dumb enough to be tricked, Mizuki considered, But she'll fight back as soon as she realizes what it going on. I'd rather not face a pissed off Inuzuka woman, even if she is lower ranked than me. Shikamai? Too lazy. Shino? Too smart. Sasuke might fall for it with the promise of a powerful jutsu, but if I had to fight him I might actually lose.

As he continued to scan the room, Mizuki's eyes fell on the only student not complaining to Iruka. Hinata Hyuuga, Mizuki's eyes lit up in victory, Perfect. She's too shy to talk to anyone and her self esteem is so low it'll be a piece of cake to manipulate her. When she finds out the truth she'll just break down as she realizes she failed again. It'll even tarnish the reputation of those pricks in the Hyuuga clan. With a target in mind Mizuki started envisioning how the rest of the day would play out.


As soon as the Academy was let out, Naruto made a beeline straight for the Hokage's office. Naruto followed in the habit of his godfather and entered through the window.

"Hey Old Man!" Naruto announced his presence a bit louder than necessary, "What's with this law that's preventing me from becoming a ninja until I'm 16?"

Hiruzen sighed as he set aside the paperwork he was filing out, he knew this conversation was coming all day and mentally prepared himself for it. He suppressed a twinge of regret as he looked at Naruto's angry demeanor.

"I'm sorry Naruto, but it had to be done," Hiruzen stated, "It should have been done a long time ago."

"What do you mean?" Naruto asked, his face scrunched up in confusion.

"Naruto, every year I see kids fresh out of the academy get killed on their first mission outside of the village," Hiruzen explained with a solemn expression on his face, "During the Third Great Shinobi War I had to send children younger than you out to the battlefield to be slaughtered. I'm tired of it. When the civilian council proposed this idea, I couldn't turn it down. Even if it inconveniences you Naruto, it'll give your peers a chance to train better and live a bit longer."

"I guess I can see your point," Naruto conceded, "But I'm still not happy about it. What will I even do for the next 4 years?"

"Well this can be an opportunity to learn how to wield a weapon, like a sword or a staff," Hiruzen suggested, "Or you could even study fuinjutsu."

"Hmm, well Pervy Sage did mention teaching me about sealing the next time he visited," Naruto admitted.

"And starting next year you and your classmates will be split up into teams of three to carry out various D-rank missions around the village," Hiruzen added.

"Really?" Naruto started to brighten up.

"Yup, you'll even get paid for them," Hiruzen chose not to mention what D-ranked missions actually involved.

"Awesome, dattebayo!" Naruto exclaimed excitedly.

"Now run along, I still have a lot of work to get done today," Hiruzen requested.

"Alright, see ya Old Man," Naruto departed through the window he previously entered with, now in a much better mood.


A few minutes earlier, back at the Academy, Hinata was juts about to leave when Mizuki stopped her.

"Hinata, come with me," Mizuki ordered, "I have something I need to discuss with you."

"Ok," Hinata quietly followed Mizuki over to a tree with swing away from everyone else. As they approached the tree, a pit formed in Hinata's stomach. Was she in trouble? Were her grades failing? As she tried to figure out what she did wrong, Mizuki came to a halt and turned to face her.

"Hinata, you're not in trouble," Mizuki assured her as he guessed her thoughts, "I simply have an assignment for you."

"Oh," Hinata looked up as her bad thoughts dispelled, "Why would I get an assignment that wasn't given to the whole class?"

"This is a new addition to the curriculum," Mizuki explained, "Over the next few weeks we'll be giving this assignment to students individually. You are just the first chosen to be tested."

"Oh, ok," Hinata accepted the explanation.

"Your mission is to break into the Hokage tower and steal the Forbidden Scroll of Seals without being caught," Mizuki explained, "Once you have the scroll, deliver it to me at the specified rendezvous."

"Isn't it treason to steal the Scroll of Seals?" Hinata frowned in confusion.

"It won't be the real scroll," Mizuki assured her, "This assignment is meant to test your ability to steal important documents without getting caught. It also is a test of the village's security to discover any holes that could be patched up. You'll be proving your own capabilities and helping protect the village at the same time."

"Really?" Hinata's voice carried the faintest hint of hope before she looked down sadly and mumbled to herself, "I could at least try."

"Don't sell yourself short Hinata," Mizuki encouraged her, "You're an amazing kunoichi. Your stealth is top notch, and with your byakugan, you'll see anyone approaching you. You'll have no problem being in and out of there without anyone seeing you."

"Do you really think so?" Hinata asked, her confidence beginning to stir at the praise. Naruto was the only one who ever praised her like that.

"Absolutely," Mizuki stated confidently, "And when we publicly announce the scores I bet yours will be right at the top. Your father will be proud. I bet Naruto will be so impressed, he'll take you out for ramen."

Hearing about her blond friend caused Hinata's face to turn red before she timidly replied, "O-Ok, I'll do it."

"Good," Mizuki smirked, "Oh and one more thing. This assignment will also test how well you can keep a secret, so you can't tell anyone about your mission or ask for help. Do you understand?"

"Hai," Hinata nodded her head in confirmation.

"Now let me explain were the rendezvous is," Mizuki began to describe the location and time for her to bring the scroll.


"AHHAHAHAHA," Anko burst out laughing.

"It's not funny Anko," Naruto pouted as his purple haired neighbor clutched her stomach while rolling on the floor.

The two of them were sitting in a dango shop that Anko frequently visits. After training the rest of the afternoon away, Naruto met up with Anko to get some dinner when the sun started to set.

"Of course it's funny," Anko teased as she got back into her seat with a smirk, "You're stuck in the Academy for another 4 years. By time you graduate I'll be a jonin. I might even be your jonin sensei. What do you think of that! You'll have to call me Anko-sensei."

"You're not even a chunin," Naruto pointed out.

"After the next Chunin Exams come to Konoha I will be," Anko declared confidently.

"You'd make a terrible sensei," Naruto rebuked.

"You want to test that," Anko pulled out a kunai and twirled it in her fingers, "I think I can be quite good at teaching brats how to evade projectiles."

"Well you got me there," Naruto put up his hands in truce. He had no intentions of ever experiencing that lesson again.

Anko smirked in victory before returning her dango. Naruto relaxed a bit as he felt the danger pass. Before he could resume eating his dango, he noticed Hinata walking past the shop.

"Hey Hinata" Naruto called out to his friend.

"Oh, hello Naruto," Hinata was startled out of her thoughts as she turned to greet him.

"Why don't you join us for some dango," Naruto offered, "Anko's paying."

"What! No I'm not," Anko shouted in indignation, "You pay for your own food."

"No thanks, I'm sorry, but I have to do something right now," Hinata politely refused before hurrying away.

"Oh, I wanted to talk with her," Naruto sighed, "She seemed really down today, and I wanted to find out what was wrong."

"Well then go after her and ask," Anko advised as she was chewing on another stick of dango, "She's probably avoiding talking about whatever's bothering her."

"Yeah, I'll go do that," Naruto got up and started running in the direction that Hinata went, "Thanks for the dango, dattebayo."

"Wait! At least pay up before you run off," Anko yelled after him, but he was already gone.

Naruto lost track of Hinata before he was able to catch up with her. Despite this he continued searching around the village in hopes of finding her again. After an hour it was fully dark. Just as Naruto was about to give up and go home he finally spotted her. She appeared to be headed out of the village with a large scroll on her back. Curious about what she was doing, Naruto decided to discreetly follow her. Hinata continued through the forest outside of Konoha until she came to a clearing and stopped to rest, setting the large scroll down at her side. Deciding now was the best time to make his presence known, Naruto quickly caught up to her.

"Hey Hinata," Naruto called out as he came up to her.

Hinata jumped in surprise until she recognized who it was that startled her, "N-Naruto, w-what are you doing h-here?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing," Naruto replied, "I saw you leave the village and wanted to know what you were up to. What's with that big scroll you've got there?"

"T-this?" Hinata became nervous, unsure how to answer him with out giving information on her mission, "I-I can't tell you. I-I have to keep it a s-secret."

"Huh, but why would you have to do that?" Naruto looked at her in confusion.

Before Hinata could come up with an answer they heard leaves rustling as Mizuki walked into the clearing. Oddly, he was in full ninja gear with two massive shuriken strapped to his back.

"Good job Hinata, you completed the mission," Mizuki applauded, "But what is Naruto doing here?"

"I'm sorry sensei," Hinata apologized, "Naruto saw me leaving the village and followed me. I've failed the test."

"Huh, what test?" Naruto asked, still confused by the situation.

"Oh, don't worry Naruto," Mizuki explained, "It's just a test that'll be given to every student individual over the next few weeks. You'll get your turn eventually. And Hinata, you'll get points taken off for being followed, but you won't fail."

"I'm sorry for messing up your test Hinata," Naruto apologized.

"It's okay," Hinata assured him, "It's my fault for not checking to see if I was being tailed."

Slightly downcast, Hinata walked up to Mizuki and passed him the scroll. As Hinata returned to Naruto's side Mizuki decided to ruin the pair's friendship before tying up loose ends.

"Naruto, Hinata, before you go I think there is something you should know," Mizuki got their attention, "I'm sure you've heard all about the Yondaime Hokage defeating the great Nine Tailed Fox that attacked our village over 12 years ago."

Naruto and Hinata nodded in response, unsure what this was leading up to.

"But what you don't know is how exactly it was defeated," Mizuki explained, "You see the Kyuubi isn't some normal oversized beast. In fact, it is made entirely out of chakra and therefore is unkillable through conventional means. Instead of killing it, the Yondaime had to seal it away. Unfortunately, he couldn't just seal it into an inanimate object, so he sealed it into a human baby."

Mizuki paused to let that information sink in before continuing, "Naruto, have you ever wondered why everyone in the village despises you. Why everyone pretends you don't exist when you walk down the street. It is because you are that child Naruto. That's right, you are the demon fox that killed countless civilians and shinobi in a single night. YOU ARE THE KYUUBI."

Mizuki grinned as both kids froze in shock. In Naruto's mind he remembered all of the glares the villagers gave him each day, the nightmares he had after the Uchiha massacre, and the time he lived on the street after being kicked out of the orphanage. It all made sense now. He didn't react as Mizuki pulled out one of the large shuriken on his back and threw it. Just as it was about to hit Naruto there was a loud clang as the shuriken changed course away from Naruto and hit a tree. Naruto stepped back as he registered Hinata was in front of him with her palm extended in the Gentle Fist stance. Her finger tips were glowing with chakra that she used to deflect the weapon.

Mizuki frowned, "Why did you do that?"

"I won't let you hurt Naruto," Hinata declared, "Even if what you said is true, and the Kyuubi really is sealed inside of him, he is not a demon. He is a kind, gentle, prank loving ramen addict, and my best friend. I'll always be by his side to protect him."

Hinata's words jolted something in Naruto, reminding him of all the good things in his life. He had Kakashi and Jiraiya who always looked out for him and helped with his training. The Old Man who acted like a grandfather and took him out to eat ramen. The Ichikrakus, Teuchi and Ayame, who always welcomed him into their stand, even if he didn't have enough to pay. All of them surely knew about the Kyuubi and never look at him like a demon. Even Iruka warmed up to Naruto over time. Anko, Kurenai, Yugao, and Hana would surely accept him if they found out.

"Ha, you will protect the demon," Mizuki taunted Hinata, "You're too weak to protect anything. You're a failure. You even fell for my trick to obtain the Forbidden Scroll of Seals. That's right, this here isn't a fake. I'm going to take it and use it to obtain power. And you just handed it right over to me. You not only failed yourself, you failed your whole village."

Mizuki's words clearly affected Hinata as her stance wavered.

"Shut up," Naruto shouted as he moved forward to stand beside Hinata, "Hinata is not a failure, "Hinata is not a failure. She completed the mission you gave her. Even if you tricked her, she still is a capable kunoichi, dattebayo. If you intend to take that scroll, then you're a traitor. We'll kick your ass and drag you back to Konoha together. Right Hinata?"

"Right Naruto," Hinata regained her determination.

Mizuki gritted his teeth in frustration before throwing the second giant shuriken. Both of them easily dodging the projectile before Naruto went straight for Mizuki. Mizuki blocked his punch before evading the kick that followed it. Hinata came at Mizuki from the side with a Juuken strike aimed at his right shoulder. Mizuki barley dodged the strike, only to receive a punch to the face from Naruto. As Mizuki staggered back Hinata went in for a strike to the chest, disabling his chakra completely and knocking him unconscious.

As Mizuki's body fell to the ground, Naruto grabbed Hinata and swung her around as he cheered, "Yeah we beat him. That was awesome, dattebayo!"

Hinata could only nod in agreement as her face turn red and she struggled not to faint.

"Naruto, Hinata, what are you doing here," The familiar voice of Iruka called out as he arrived at the clearing, "The village is on high alert, someone stole the Scroll of- Wait, is that Mizuki?"

"Yes, Iruka-sensei," Naruto responded, "I'm the one who stole the Scroll of Seals from the Hokage tower."

"What? But Naruto…" Hinata was caught off guard before Naruto gave her a look that told her to play along.

"Mizuki-sensei gave me an assignment that he said everyone would be doing individually," Naruto explained, "He told me to steal the scroll and bring it to him without being caught. Hinata saw me leaving the village and followed me. Mizuki revealed it was a trick to take the scroll and betray the village. H-he told us about the Kyuubi, just before he tried to kill us. We beat him and knocked him unconscious. I'll take any punishment necessary for my actions."

"Oh," was all Iruka could respond to the revelation, "Come on Naruto, Hinata, lets talk to the Hokage about this."

Iruka picked up Mizuki's body and the scroll before indicating for them to follow him.

"Naruto why?" Hinata quietly asked him as they started running behind Iruka.

"It's ok Hinata," Naruto assured her, "You'd be in a lot of trouble with your family if they found out. I'll take the blame, so you don't have to worry about it."

Tears started to well up in her eyes as she said, "Naruto I can't let you be punished for my actions-"

"No Hinata," Naruto cut her off, "I can't let you be punished for being tricked by a teacher who should've been trusted. The Old Man will let me off easy. Your family won't because of their reputation."

"Thank you," Hinata conceded as they approached the village.


A/N:

So, as this chapter revealed, the main story will be starting when Naruto is 16. There will still be all of the part one arcs (Wave, Chunin Exams, Tsunade, etc.), but everyone will be older, and some events will be shuffled around. I'm using canon as a rough outline, but everything will be turned on its head. Mizuki in this chapter is a sample of how things will be changed so they seem brand new.

I did this for two reasons. One, it's an interesting way to mix things up. Two, this story will probably have lemons, and I understand that some people might not be comfortable with the idea of 13-year-olds going at it, even if they act like adults.

There won't be an immediate time skip for 4 years. There still is some character building to be done. Not to mention, getting Naruto into the CRA and forming the harem. Also, even though the rookie 9 have been delayed, everyone else is still moving forward.

I would like to ask you guys how you feel about me using Japanese suffixes (san, kun, chan, nii, etc.). I haven't used them yet because I'm afraid I'll mix them up, but when rereading my story it feels weird not to see them when so many other Naruto fics use them.

Please leave a review, I really enjoy reading them.