"After the test Kakashi made us go through, it was official kids. I was a genin. I was on a genin squad. My next step was to be Hokage. Kakashi-sensei showed me a great lesson that day. Yet, life is not always what we plan and it is the master of all teachers."

"So wait…that's it. You're our sensei now. THEN WHAT THE HELL WAS THE BEAT DOWN FOR…YOU COULD'VE JUST TOLD US."

"Naruto be quiet and show some respect." Sakura advised after slapping Naruto on the back of the head.

"Let's take a look at your injuries and I will explain."

Kakashi took the time to go over every genin to make sure that none were gravely injured. Naruto despite taking a loaded beating, seemed to be in the best shape. He knew the Uzamaki clan was renowned for their life force but he made a mental note to do more research. Sasuke seemed in decent shape as well showing that the boy's skinny body could withstand punishment. Sakura of course was completely unharmed.

After checking the genins, Kakashi sat on the ground motioning for his students to join him and spoke.

"I was assigned to be your jonin sensei as there is potential in all of you and despite my methods, today was the only lesson that will ever matter."

"Power can overcome anything"

Kakashi glared over at Sasuke attempting to read into the boy's statement.

"No Sasuke. Teamwork. Missions will come and go but the connections you make can last a lifetime. You fail a mission, abandon a mission, or break the rules, you are considered scum in the shinobi world. But, ultimately, the mission can be reassigned to another team or additional resources can be used. Someone could be punished. The shinobi who abandons their teammates though, is worse than scrum. There is no place for them in this world…or on my team."

The team sat silently as they contemplated their sensei's words.

"Now, let us introduce ourselves. I'll go first. I am Kakashi Hatake. I am 26. I have many likes and just as many dislikes. My dreams and aspirations are also simple enough. Sakura, your turn."

"I am Sakura Haruno. I am 18. My likes are dumplings, word puzzles and studying. My dream is to become a strong shinobi and make my family proud."

"Sasuke."

"I am Sasuke. 18. I like training, don't care for much else. My dream is to one day be strong enough, and that's it."

Kakashi also made a mental note to look into the Uchia line and to speak with the Hokage in regards to both of his and Naruto's history.

"Naruto."

"He he…I'm Naruto Uzamaki. I love ramen and finally being a shinobi. I used to love pranks. I haven't really thought about any dislikes but my dream is to be Hokage that way everyone will recognized how strong I am."

"Ok good. Well it's getting late. You are dismissed. Go home, eat up and rest. Tomorrow your training begins so report back to training ground seven at eight o'clock in the morning. No excuses."

Team 7 got up and nodded in understanding.

"Hey guys, you want to hang out and get some…"

"No." Both Sakura and Sasuke stated before Naruto could finish his sentence.

"Okay then gosh."

All three teens headed their separate way.

Naruto had made his way back to his usual hangout, Ichiraku Ramen.

"Hey Naruto! Welcome back. How was the graduation? Did you pass?"

"Hey Teuchi, of course I did."

"Okay well let's see the charm." Hollered Ayame in excitement.

Naruto happily took out his new forehead protector to show off to the two people he was closest to.

"So what do you think?"

"It's definitely shiny. Have you thought about where you're going to tie it?"

"No, not really."

"Well it's simple. It's a forehead protector, so well tie it around your forehead." Ayame stepped from behind the counter and around to Naruto. Taking the forehead protector from his hand, Ayame tied the protector around Naruto's head.

"There. You are officially a shinobi of the Leaf."

"Hey Naruto, in celebration, dinner is on the house as well. But only your first three bowls. After that, you're on your own."

"No way! Thanks Teuchi."

"No problem. Just remember me when you're Hokage."

"I will! Believe it."

Ayame and Teuchi smiled as Naruto began to devourer his ramen. Three bowls were gone before they realized.

Naruto had left Ichiraku Ramen once it had gotten late and was walking home. He was walking while staring up at the star filled sky, his mind lost in the clouds.

"Relish this peace child for with age, now comes control"

Naruto smiled internally at the small comment and before long he had reached his apartment door.

"I was starting to wonder when you would be home."

Naruto was startled at the voice that came from his roof and quickly drew a kunai.

"Relax Naruto. It's only me."

The shinobi jumped off the roof and onto the floor below Naruto's apartment.

"Mizuki-sensei!" Naruto jumped down to meet his prior sensei. "I thought you have been someone else. Sorry for drawing the kunai."

"It's ok and you don't have to call me sensei anymore. You graduated remember? Anyways I was wondering if you would take a walk with me."

Naruto nodded and both shinobi proceeded to walk in the near empty Konoha streets.

"So where we headed?"

"The Hokage tower. You know Naruto you were always one of my favorite students"

"I was sensei? I mean Mizuki. I always thought you hated me."

"No never. I was tough on you because I wanted you to be good. But, now that you're gone, who's going to be able to replace your loud mouth and awesome pranks."

"My pranks were pretty awesome."

"And that Naruto is why I wanted you to come with me."

Naruto turned and looked at his ex-sensei with a bewildered look.

"Naruto I have the ultimate going away prank you can play on the Hokage."

Mizuki and Naruto were closing in to the Hokage tower. Mizuki stopped, took Naruto into the alleyway and explained all the details of the prank with Naruto.

"So then that's when we will meet in the forest. You'll give me the scroll back and ill return it to the Hokage saying that you were playing your final prank of your Academy career."

"I don't know Mizuki. Do you really think the Hokage will be ok with me taking the scroll? I mean, it just sounds like loads of trouble."

"My, my, my, I thought I would never see the day Naruto was too scared for a prank. I guess becoming a genin made you soft."

"Hey Mizuki, I'm not scared. Believe it! It's just that…"

"Well if you're not scared then you'll go ahead with the prank."

"Fine! Give me the fake scroll with the shaving crème. I'll meet you in the forest."

"That's what I thought Naruto."

Mizuki then left Naruto alone near the Hokage tower with instructions to complete the prank.

I have a bad feeling about this.

Little did Naruto know that a silver hair jonin has been following the two shinobi and is well aware of the plot that has begun to unfold.

Naruto had arrived at the forest clearing rendezvous point chosen by Mizuki. Only an hour had passed since they separated and Mizuki was not in sight.

I guess Mizuki did not expect me to be done so quickly. Well, I guess we have to wait and in the meantime, I'm sure there will be no harm in opening the scroll.

Naruto analyzed the scroll prior to opening it.

Scrolls of Seals…let's see what we can learn.

Five minutes had passes and Naruto was overwhelmed with information from the scroll.

Seal. Pass. Another seal. Pass. More seals. Pass. I guess this is called Scroll of Seals for a reason. Aha. Shadow clone jutsu, looks simple enough.

"If you focus, I can help you learn the technique quickly."

Some short time finding the jutsu, Naruto was located by the base of a tree sitting down with the scroll between his legs.

Mizuki is still a no-show. I'll just take a little nap to rest while he gets here.

Clap…Clap…Clap.

Naruto woke up to the sound of loud clapping coming from atop of a branch across the clearing he was in. Mizuki was crouching on the branch fully geared for a battle.

"Well, well, well Naruto. It seems my faith in you was not misplaced."

"Huh?" replied a groggy Naruto.

"You came back with the Scroll of Seals. Stealing from the Hokage is punishable by life in prison and stealing a forbidden item from the Hokage is punishable by death."

Before Naruto could make sense of what Mizuki was stating, three shuriken were flying towards Naruto's head. Naruto got up dropping the scroll and rolled to the right to avoid the flying stars.

"Mizuki what are you doing? This isn't part of the prank."

"Prank?! Stupid brat. This is my excuse to kill you."

"Kill me. Why? I thought you said I was your favorite student?"

"So naïve. It won't matter in just a moment."

Mizuki threw another three shuriken towards Naruto. Naruto easily dodge them like he did before but lost sight of Mizuki in the aftermath. Naruto stood by the edge of the clearing alert for any actions.

"Earth Release: Underground Projection Fish Technique."

Mizuki swiftly appeared below Naruto. Mizuki used his left hand to grab Naruto's wrist and brought up his right forearm to Naruto's neck, using the surprise to push Naruto back into a tree with force.

"You see Naruto, while see people see you as a hero, I see you for what you really are…a demon. 18 years ago. The nine-tails fox attacked Konoha and in the end, the Fourth Hokage gave himself up to seal it…in you."

Naruto struggle against Mizuki's grip causing the chunin to apply more pressure and slight lift Naruto off the ground.

"I was five years old at the time of the attack and like many others, I lost everything. It was all your fault demon. The people of Konoha were fools to see you as some herald of sacrifice. Others just like me see beyond that and see that you are a pest that needs to be destroyed."

Mizuki let go of Naruto's wrist and reach for the kunai strapped to his leg. Naruto used this moment and brought his right knee up striking Mizuki in the chest. Mizuki flinched and Naruto continued his offensive by bringing both feet up to Mizuki chest and pushed away hard, causing Mizuki to roll back.

"Mizuki-sensei, you don't know me or what I am. I'm not a demon and I'm sorry you lost everything but that wasn't my fault."

"Words won't save you Naruto. The deed has been done and your death will finally come true tonight."

Mizuki pulled the giant shuriken from the back of flat jacket and proceeded to launch himself towards Naruto who had dropped into his base taijutsu stance.

"Die."

Mizuki approached Naruto slashing his shuriken at every direction causing Naruto to dodge every blow to not be impaled by the giant weapon. Naruto jumped back too late in one instance and the shuriken slashed across his chest slightly drawing blood.

"Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha" Mizuki laughed murderously. "So the demon bleeds."

Mizuki continued his pursuit of Naruto putting the teen back on the defensive. Naruto side jumped another series of strikes but Mizuki was able to rush Naruto and land a head kick that sent Naruto to the ground. Mizuki jumped up into the air attempting to land on top of Naruto and land the final blow with his giant shuriken to end the genins life.

Naruto made hand signed right as Mizuki was going to land on top of him.

"Substitution jutsu."

As Mizuki landed on Naruto, instead of slicing through skin and bones, the shuriken stuck a piece of log.

"Why won't you just die?"

Mizuki in rage slung his giant tool in Naruto's direction causing the branch that Naruto was grounded on to be but down. Naruto jumped down to the floor and rolled onto his feet.

Time to test out the new technique.

"My turn. Shadow clone jutsu" and just like that five Naruto clones appeared.

How did he learn that jutsu in such a short time…it's impossible. Mizuki's thought in disbelief.

"No matter boy! I'm a chunin. You are far outclassed."

At once, the six Naruto's rushed Mizuki. Mizuki withdrew three kunais and threw them at the approaching clones, hitting three of his targets and dispelling them. Mizuki rolled back to not let the remaining clones and the real Naruto reach him all at one time. After dodging a series of attacks from the clones, Mizuki formed hand seals in rapid succession:

"Earth Release: Rising Stone Spears."

The earth in front of the clones rose up and pierced the oncoming Naruto's. The last of the clones dispelled but Mizuki was not prepared for the real Naruto's attack.

Using his speed, Naruto landed a right hook across Mizuki's face. In retaliation, Mizuki flowed with the momentum and landed a spinning back fist. The two shinobi continued to exchange blows. Naruto's speed allowed him a slight advantage. After blocking a jab from Mizuki, Naruto landed a jab of his own pushing Mizuki backwards. Naruto ducked a hook and place two shots into the chunin's ribs and stomach. Naruto then came up landing a left hook and then a right. He followed with a double fisted punch to Mizuki's chest and abdomen, pushing Mizuki further. Finally the teen finished by securing a high jumping spinning kick to Mizuki's jaw.

"Stop this!" Naruto yellow as he jumped back from Mizuki.

"Stop?! The fun is just starting."

Mizuki formed hand signs and yelled, "Earth Release: Earth Fissure."

The ground below Naruto started to shake and rupture.

This is my chance. I have to finish him now.

Mizuki withdrew his last kunai and pressed towards Naruto who was finding his balance after the last jutsu. Naruto was unable to dodge in time and Mizuki drove the kunai into shoulder and before he had time to scream, Mizuki kicked Naruto in his chest and into a tree behind him.

"You're done Naruto."

"I have a couple of friends who would disagree with you."

Naruto looked up and smiled for all around Mizuki and the genin were hundreds of Naruto clones.

"How?"

Mizuki was taken a back with the sheer number of clones and took a few steps back.

"Simple. While you were fighting clones, I was making clones. Large reserves came in handy for once."

"No. No. No. You're supposed to die."

Naruto stood himself upright against the tree and dislodge the kunai from his shoulder. More and more clones appearing around Naruto at the edge of the clearing.

"No, I'm not. No today." And with a silent signal, the Naruto clones assaulted their prey.

Naruto stood above a now unconscious Mizuki. He battered and bruised from the lashing dealt from the clones. The clones were dispelling little by little to not bombard Naruto's mind as he read from the Scroll of Seals is a side effect from the technique.

"Good work."

Naruto turned around to see Kakashi-sensei perched upon a tree.

"Sensei, how long have you been watching?"

"Since he approached you at your house with the idea."

"Why didn't you do something then if you were watching the whole thing?" Naruto berated his supposed teacher.

"Well first off, I wanted to see your skills, especially since you learned the technique from the scroll, and what better way than a real fight. Secondly, if things were serious, I would've put an end to it but, you held your own. Congrats."

A few moments later anbu appeared. Kakashi broke away from Naruto and explained the situation to his ex-anbu. They nodded in agreement and apprehended Mizuki.

"You're free to go Naruto."

"That's it. I can go."

"Well…no not really. We're going to get your wounds looked at and then you and I are meeting with the Hokage."

"Go figure."

Kakashi picked up the Scroll of Seals and motioned Naruto to follow.