To Be Ninja

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The next day Iruka received the papers that Naruto was to be transferred from his class. He was a bit sad to see Naruto leave his class. He had come to enjoy teaching his young blond student and found himself caring about Naruto's well being. However he couldn't argue with the Hokage's orders, which did not give a real explanation why Naruto was being moved. All the paper said was,

Class 7-2 Home Room Instructor

Iruka,

Due to circumstance, student Uzumaki Naruto will be transferred

from class 7-2 to class 8-8 effective upon arrival of this form.

Regards,

Saratobi Hiruzen

Sandaime Hokage

'He wanted me to teach Naruto because of our history but now he gets transferred to a different classroom.' Iruka thought irritably.

The class he was to be transferred to was ahead of his own class. He knew the instructor of that classroom as well. She was a resident of Konoha but not originally from the Village. Apparently she lived in a smaller civilian village in the land of fire and had shown an aptitude in the ninja arts at a later age. Her family sent her to Konoha in hopes she could live out her dreams to be Ninja which would be better then their simple farmer life. After she reached Chunin she said she wanted to teach others the ways of the Ninja and became an academy teacher. That was what Iruka heard anyway. His personal opinion the women, Nozomi, was that she was quite nice.

'Naruto is smart and a quick learner, he should do fine. Still a whole year ahead is going to be hard to catch up with.' Iruka thought as he walked into his classroom. Naruto was often early so he hoped to talk to him privately before he had to go to his new class. He was not disappointed when he entered the classroom and found Naruto reading one of the higher level ninja textbooks. 'Ya, Naruto will be fine in the higher level class.'

Naruto glanced up sensing some in the room.

"Oh, hey Iruka-Sensei. What you planning for us today?"

"Hey Naruto, and I actually need to talk to you. You have been transferred into a different class. You will be joining class 8-8 starting today"

Naruto's eyebrows went up in surprise. "Really? Does this have something to do with yesterday?"

"I'm not sure. The Hokage requested this transfer himself but didn't give a reason. Why? What happened yesturday?" Iruka asked, his curiosity piqued.

Naruto was unsure whether to tell him about the fox but decided that the rest of the story was okay to tell. So Naruto told of how Mizuki treated him during the tai-jutsu classes and what had happened when he yelled. Naruto still didn't know that he released some of the kyuubi's chakra so that part was never mentioned.

"Really Mizuki did that? That definitely sounds suspicious. I'll look into it further Naruto."

"That sounds great Sensei! So where is this class anyway?"

"It's in the East-Academic wing. I can take you."

With that Naruto and Iruka headed out of the classroom and in the direction of the East-Academic.

"You know Naruto this class you have been put into is a full year ahead of our class. You will be with students older and more knowledgable than you. You will have to work very hard."

"Whoa! A full year eh? Well that might not be so bad. No offense Iruka-Sensei but I was getting a little bored in you're class. Everything you were teaching seemed so basic." Naruto said with a smile.

"Watch it Naruto." Iruka said playfully. Then looked at Naruto seriously "They say if you surround yourself with a certain type of person, you yourself adopt that persons attitude. You are going into a classroom where you will be with students who are more knowledgable then you. Use this to better yourself learn from them. I know you will become a great Ninja, so long as you work hard."

As Iruka finished his little lecture they found themselves in East-Academic classroom 8-8.

"Do your best Naruto." Iruka said as he ruffled Naruto's hair a bit.

Naruto blushed at Iruka's words. 'He believes I can do this. I won't let him down.' Smiling a genuine smile Naruto looked up at Iruka. "I won't let you down Iruka-Sensei"

With that Naruto entered the classroom which was a bit smaller then his original classroom. Iruka came in to inform Naruto's new homeroom teacher about her new student. Naruto looked to where Iruka and his new teacher were and he saw Iruka give her Naruto's transfer slip and say something to her. She looked to where Naruto was standing and gave him a small warm smile and small wave.

'This may not be too bad' thought Naruto as he walked over to where they were standing.

"So you must be my new student Uzumaki Naruto, I will be your new homeroom teacher Sasaki Nozomi. You can call me Nozomi Sensei. You may find you're own seat. We don't really have an arranged seating plan here."

Naruto turned and went to sit in the front row much like his first day in Iruka's class. There weren't many students in the classroom right now. In fact there was only 1 other student which was a Hyuuga from Naruto could tell from the boys eyes. Naruto nodded to the boy who stared at Naruto before giving a small nod that was almost missed to Naruto.

Slowly students trickled in and Naruto watched them walk by him. Most of the students stared at him in confusion when walking by and Naruto would give a small smile. He was a bit nervous about being in a new class. It wasn't so much as making new friends. The thing that worried Naruto was simply the sudden change. He had no idea what type of personalities were in this class, what type of teacher he had, the material to be learned. It was all so new and there were many unknown variables Naruto just hoped he could keep up with this new class.

As more students came in his new Sensei came up to him. Naruto was so lost in his thoughts he didn't even realize that Iruka had left the class a small while ago.

"Do you mind if I introduce you to the rest of the class once class starts, Naruto?"

"That's okay with me" Naruto said.

"Good" Nozomi paused before looking at Naruto. "You're last name is Uzumaki right? Is that a clan name? I haven't heard of it before."

Naruto was slightly taken back. No one had bothered to question him about his family. Everyone in Konoha knew he was an orphan and didn't bother with his name. 'She really isn't from around here originally. Not since the Kyuubi attack at least, else she wouldn't have bothered asking that.' Smiling wide Naruto replied.

"No I'm not from any clan. I was an orphan from when I was a baby and that was just the last name given to be a suppose. There were no other Uzumaki's in Konoha. At least that I knew of" Stated Naruto. The reason he was smiling was that he didn't want his new sensei to feel bad about reminding him of his loneliness. Even though it did sadden him a bit to know that he didn't have a family.

"Oh I'm sorry I didn't know that. I just assumed because not many students get moved up a class these days even if they are from ninja clans. I thought you must have come from a powerful clan or something." Stated Nozomi who had a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"Oh. Well I did get good marks but I never would have thought it was enough to get me moved up" Naruto said realizing why she came up with that conclusion.

"I see" Nozomi nodded. "Class will begin in a few minuets, I'll introduce you to the class then." she then turned and went to her desk, leaving Naruto with his thoughts.

In a few minutes it appeared as if all the students had arrived and were talking amongst one another. Some conversations hovered around Naruto and asking if he was new to the class and things along those lines. This is when Nozomi stepped in front of the room and the class became quite. Naruto was happy that the class had quieted down so soon, it showed that this class was more mature then the younger year class Naruto was in. Iruka would often have to yell to get his old class's attention.

"Before we begin todays lessons I would like to introduce you to a new student." Sasaki motioned Naruto to join her in front of the class which he did. When Naruto turned he was a bit nervous to see everyones eyes on him. He bowed down to hide his nervous eyes and took a deep breath to gather his nerves. He straightened his back and addressed his new class.

"I'm Uzumaki Naruto. It's nice to meet you" Said Naruto hoping to make a good impression on his new class.

"Naruto got transferred today into our class, so lets make him feel welcome."

As Naruto stood in front of the classroom he watched for their reactions and saw most were looking at him with varying expressions. Some with the regular looks of disgust he was use to and others with wonder. That one confused him a bit. He heard a few of the conversations being mumbled as he stood there. Most were pointing out that it was 'that' kid that their parents didn't want them hanging out. Others knew that they had seen him in the class that was a year under them and wondered how good he was if he got moved up a grade. Naruto just gave a small smile and sat back down at his seat feeling uncomfortable with the attention on him.

Seeing the introductions were over Nozomi Sensei addressed her class once again.

"Okay now that we have that out of the way, we are going to continue off where we ended yesterday. Naruto you will have to share a textbook with someone beside you until I get you you're set of books you will need for our classes. Now open back to page 109".

As Nozomi started explaining todays lessons which was Mathematics, Naruto looked to his left and found a boy looking at him with his arm over the book. Before Naruto could ask if he could share the textbook the boy shook his head 'no' and brought the book closer to him ignoring Naruto. Naruto frowned and looked to his right hoping for better luck. There he found a girl with her book already open and placed between herself and Naruto.

"Don't mind him, he doesn't like anybody" She whispered as she nodded her head to the boy that was on Naruto's right.

"Thanks..." Naruto trailed off uncertain.

"Ten-Ten" She finished.

"Ten-Ten" Naruto acknowledges with a nod. "I'm Naruto"

"Nice to meet you, Naruto" And with that the girl focused her attention to the lesson on hand writing down notes with a look of utter concentration in her eyes.

Taking her example Naruto focused on the lesson with much more ease now that he had a book to help him see what exactly they were talking about, and what seemed like a friend. When he looked at the textbook he was pleasantly surprised to see it was something he already taught himself in one of the books Iruka had lent him.

'Nope, this won't be so bad at all' Naruto thought again but more happily seeing he was off to a good start in his class.

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The following days at the academy went by at a much more enjoyable pace for Naruto. He found himself less bored with the more advanced material and always in a state of learning. Although he was briefly overwhelmed at the increased work pace required of him but he accepted the challenge and with a little help from Iruka from time to time he was keeping up with his new class.

The girl known as Ten-Ten whom Naruto sat beside had shared her textbooks with him until their sensei was able to get Naruto's textbooks. He and Ten-Ten had become relatively good friends at the academy although they have never hung out outside of school. One thing he learned about Ten-Ten rather quickly was that she was not your typical academy girl he had grown to know. Meaning she was no fangirl of any boy. One day, when Naruto and his class were on break he told her he this and it didn't go over as the compliment he intended it to be. Ten-Ten had glared at Naruto, taking this the wrong way and for once he found himself at the receiving end of her anger.

''So you expect women to be weak and waiting to be rescued by some man!?"

Naruto not exactly getting her meaning tried to clarify in a rush hoping to ease her anger, that he had "Never met a girl like her before." Naruto soon found out that wasn't a smart thing to say either as Ten-Ten-Tens eyes narrowed in anger.

Ten-Ten had actually swung her chair around and hit Naruto sending him crashing into a desk. Naruto learned his lesson fast and never brought the subject up again. Ten-Ten had been a bit cold to Naruto for the next couple of days but after Naruto insisted he meant no harm and told her he thought she was strong they were on pretty good terms again. Apparently Ten-Ten's ambition was to surpass all Kunoichi that came before her, including the Slug-Sanin Tsunade. To do this Ten-Ten had to prove she was a capable ninja who didn't need anyones help. Thus explaining her 'over reaction.'

After chatting a while longer Nozomi Sensei walked through the door with a bright smile on her face. It wasn't that she was a normally happy that the smile warranted the attention her students. It was the 'way' she smiled. It just seemed to say, 'I know something you don't, and what you don't know is important.' True to the students thoughts, Nozomi Sensei placed a stack of papers on her desk and addressed the class.

"Well, students, as some of you may be aware you are half way through you're schooling to become proud Ninja of Konoha. As such I feel it will be beneficial for all of us if we have somewhat of a progress exam."

A collective groan was produced from the class.

"Now, now. I know that you may not like being tested, but this is an excellent time to see where you need improvement on. This progress exam will be worth some of your mark, however if you have improved on material you failed the new results will be worth more in your final mark.

Some of the students brightened at this bit of news and waited attentively to see what the exam would entail.

"There will be a written portion in this exam. Some of the things going on we may not have covered, but it is your job as Ninja to adapt in situations where you may not be fully informed. There will be a small oral portion, details will be given later. In the second half of the day you will be tested in different physical aspects such as tai-jutsu, accuracy and different chakra based exercises."

Excitement grew in mostly the male portion of the class as they heard that there would be physical testing to this test and they wouldn't just be graded only on written material. There short celebration was cut short when their teacher continued with her explanation.

"This progress exam will most likely take the most of the day so, if we finish early then you can have the rest of the day off and have an early weekend."

This time the rest of the class was excited and they weren't as nervous as they once were when they found out about this progress exam.

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How do you think Naruto will do on this exam? Will the jump from classes through him off or will he come out ontop? Let me know your opinion!

I would also like to thank those who have favourited my story and alerts. I've enjoyed reading all you're beautiful and interesting names

Until Next Time.