Chapter 4: Academy Day, part 1

Naruto sat toward the back and waited for the games to beginning. As he entered the building, he saw the teachers giving him the look. He ignored it as best as he can but he was still worried about what they had planned. He began to wonder who was going to be his instructor for the next five years. The door opened and in came the instructor from early. Iruka was his name he remembered.

"Ok class, let's settle down." He said. The class was still a little rowdy. "Class," They still ignored. Iruka took a deep breath. "SIT DOWN AND SHUT THE HELL UP!!!" he roared. The class quickly shut up and began to wonder how he did that with his head. Iruka returned to normal after getting their attention. "Listen for your name," Iruka read out each name that was on his list. When he reached Naruto's name he paused for a short while.

Iruka knew who he was and was very impartial toward him. His parents died while fighting the Kyuubi and hated the demon for it. He knew that Naruto wasn't the Kyuubi but he couldn't help but be angry. Still, he was an instructor and it he would not follow the crowd when it came to him. He would still be impartial and just wait and see.

"Ok, we'll begin with a little history." Iruka said, causing some to groan. 'First question, what two clans founded Konohagakure no Sato?" He looked around and his eyes landed on Naruto. "Uzumaki, answer the question." Naruto stood and faced him.

"Konohagakure no Sato was found by the Senju clan, led by Hashirama Senju, and the Uchiha clan, led by Madara Uchiha." Naruto answered.

"Very good Uzumaki, you may be seated." Iruka said. Naruto sat down and Iruka continued with the lesson.

--

Naruto stood along with everyone else outside. They were lined up in five, each line facing a wooden target. Each target had five spots with bull's eyes. Naruto watched as everyone threw their shurikens. Some of them were just awful while others were decent. This one girl was amazing as she hit every target dead-on. She would be real scary when she graduated.

It was now his turn and he stood at the line. The guy who was watching his line glared at him but he quickly changed his look and handed him some shuriken. Naruto didn't miss the glare and noticed that these were different shuriken. He sighed and looked at the target. In seconds, eight shuriken hit each bull's eye. While it wasn't dead on, it was close enough. The instructor was surprised that those shuriken made it to the dummy. He frowned but Naruto had all ready moved to the end of the line.

--

Naruto ducked and weaved as the instructor lashed out at him. He heard Iruka tell the guy to take it easy but he ignored him and continued his assault. He noticed that he was beginning to get winded so he stopped dodging. The instructor hit the ground when Naruto's fist connected with his gut. The instructor was taking deep breaths while Iruka walked up to him.

"Uzumaki, this was a spar! There was no need to hit him that hard!" Iruka shouted.

"Sorry sensei, I didn't control my strength." Naruto apologized.

"I won't take points off this time but in the future, you will control you strength when sparring." Iruka commanded.

"Hai sensei!" Naruto walked out of the circle while Iruka checked on his fellow instructor.

--

Naruto walked out of the academy, taking in the glares from the parents that came for their kids. He wasn't expecting anyone since he knew that the Hokage would be busy. He sighed as he walked back to the Sarutobi compound.

"Naruto," someone called out. Naruto looked around until he laid eyes on Toshiko. She had Konohamaru with her and was joined by a bearded man.

"Toshiko-neesan, what are you doing here?" Naruto asked in surprised.

"Now, what is with that attitude? I came to pick you up from your first day of class." Toshiko said with a smile. Naruto was shocked but it quickly changed into smile. He turned to see the bearded man and looked at him. The man looked back at him but didn't introduce himself. He placed a cigarette in his mouth but it was quickly taken away by Toshiko. "I told you not to do that around me or Konohamaru. Now stop being rude and introduce yourself!"The man grumbled but did as he was told.

"The name's Asuma." He greeted. Naruto looked at him in surprise.

"I thought you were still at the capital. Is it wise for one of the Shugonin Jūnishi to be away from the daimyo?" Naruto asked.

"That's a surprise. How did you know that I was part of the group?"

"Well the sash is a dead giveaway." Naruto stated simply making Toshiko giggle. "But to answer your question better, the old man told me that you joined the group. He says that with sadness though. I've never been able to learn why." Naruto explained.

"I see he's been teaching you about observing. Let's get going." Asuma said and began to walk away. Toshiko sighed and motioned for the confused Naruto to follow.

--

Asuma stood on the balcony of the Sarutobi compound. He looked into the night sky and watched the full moon glow. He took a puff of his cigarette and blew out the smoke.

"I see that you have found my smoking spot." Asuma didn't turn to face his father and continued to watch the moon. Hiruzen did not take insult to his son's behavior. They have always been at odds with one another. After a few minutes, Asuma spoke.

"I was surprised that you took a student. Don't you think that you're a bit old to be chasing around a seven year old?" he asked.

"Perhaps but I have a sense of joy when teaching him." Hiruzen answered.

"Making up for you earlier mistake years ago?"

"Yes but not from that time, I made a vow to Minato that I would protect him. I failed two years ago, I will not fail again."

"Why am I back here old man? The daimyo released me for duty because you requested it." Asuma asked, finally turning to look at Hiruzen.

"I heard about the coup." Hiruzen said.

"I could have handled it. I really don't care what the people say. I'm no traitor." He explained.

"I know that you're no traitor but the people at the capitol do. Your presence causes worry among the populace. Chiriku has all ready left and is doing well at the Fire temple."

"I don't wish to be here father." Asuma stated.

"I know you don't but I need you here son." Hiruzen said and walked away from him. Asuma turned back to toward the moon and sighed as his life just got complicated.

--

Three weeks in and Naruto was getting into the whole academy thing. The instructors still gave him a hard time and the kids either stayed away from him or attempted to bully him. The only up side was that Iruka treated him fairly and was honestly impressed with him. He didn't pick on him like the rest and talked to him personally. The two even shared a bowl of ramen together.

His did make one friend. His name was Rock Lee. The other kids picked on him because he couldn't do anything other than Taijutsu. Naruto talked to him and told him that those idiots didn't know anything. The two would spar and would improved their stances and attacks. He didn't know how he stacked up in class but he had a feeling that he was at least in the middle of the pack.

Iruka entered and called for order. After the last three times of be yelled at, the class did as he ordered.

"Today, we will be adding another student to our class." He looked at the door and a girl stepped in. She had on a purple and lavender top with only one sleeve and a matching skirt. She had long brown hair and light brown eyes. "Introduce yourself to the class." Iruka said.

"My name is Yakumo Kurama. I'm nine years old and a member of the Kurama clan. I like to garden and to paint. My goal in life is to control my clan's kekkei genkai, become head of my clan and to be the greatest of Genjutsu users." Yakumo introduced. Naruto was surprised by who this girl was. It had been a while since he heard the name Kurama. Truth was they kept to themselves a lot lately. What Naruto didn't know is that there were a couple of incidents that were stopped by the Kurama clan as a way of thanking him for saving the leader and his wife.

Iruka told her to take a seat and she walked toward it. Yakumo gave Naruto a glance before moving on to her seat. He didn't understand what the look was for but he ignored it and began to pay attention to Iruka.

--

Lunch time came around and Naruto was again alone with his ramen. He thanked the gods for Toshiko who would ignore the old man's strict eating menu. Suddenly, a shadow felt over him. He sighed and looked up but was surprised to see Yakumo.

"Your name is Naruto Uzumaki right?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm Naruto Uzumaki. Is there something I can help you with Kurama-san?" Naruto asked. He watched as she bowed to him.

"Thank you very much for my second chance." She said. Naruto looked on confused. "Perhaps I should explain. It's like this,"

***Flashback***

Hiruzen stood with Kurenai at his left. He faced Yakumo, Murakumo, Uroko and Unkai Kurama. Yakumo glared at both the Sandaime and Kurenai. Despite her mother and father explaining everything to her, she was still upset at the both of them. Kurenai had no faith in her while Hiruzen ordered her to do something without her consent.

"Now that everything has been explained, I would like to ask you a question Yakumo. Do you still wish to be a ninja?" Hiruzen asked. Yakumo looked at the Sandaime with caution. He smiled as he continued. "While you daughter is physically weak, she can grow stronger with proper training. However, her lament powers are a problem. What I suggest, with your permission, seal of Yakumo's kekkei genkai. I will send for my student to do the sealing as the one placed on your earlier did not work."

"So you will send for Jiraiya-sama?" asked Uroko.

"Yes. When the sealing is done, I would like for Yakumo to go to the academy to learn. I assure you that we have some of the best instructors that will help young Yakumo."

"You mean to keep an eye on me." Yakumo said. Her father looked at her but Hiruzen but the Hokage held his hand out.

"If you would like to put it that way, then yes. You must understand Yakumo, that your ability is very dangerous. If it wasn't for my student, I would have you placed away with constant ANBU patrol." He said making Yakumo gulp. "Now, I've decided that the Kurama clan is very important to Konoha and to have you angry at Konoha will not do. So, if you still wish to be, you will be enrolled into the academy. As for your Genjutsu, Kurenai,"

"No, I don't want her as my teacher!" Yakumo stated. Kurenai didn't say anything but she did have a frown on her face.

"I'll teach her." Unkai said.

"Brother," Murakumo whispered.

"While I totally disagree with this choice, I do care for Yakumo. I will be her teacher and show the way of the Kurama clan." He explained.

"Good, I will send for Jiraiya at once." Hiruzen said with a smile.

***Present***

"I don't know what you said to the Hokage but I thank you and you forever have a friend with the Kurama clan." Yakumo said and bowed. Naruto grinned but had a sweat drop on the back of his head. Inside his office, Hiruzen watched from his crystal ball. He found it just too funny on how nervous Naruto was. The boy had just made his first step into politics and he didn't even know it.

--

Jakken was many things. He was older than the others students, he was bigger and stronger than the other students and he was a bully to many of the students. It was just something he liked doing from time to time. However, he was smart on who to mess with and he made sure that he wasn't caught. He decided to pick on his next target, Naruto Uzumaki.

He didn't really care why the instructors glared at him or why his drunk ass of a father told him to mess with him at every turn but as long as he wasn't getting in trouble, who was he not to go for it. The thing was that Naruto didn't do anything when he messed with him. He either just ignored him or didn't bother with him. It pissed him off so much that he almost belted him and he would have if Iruka hadn't been there. Suddenly, that new student had come in a week ago. He finally had something seeing that they were very close friends.

Naruto was eating his lunch with Yakumo when a shadow fell over the both of them. He sighed and turned to face Jakken.

"Well, if it isn't the pipsqueak. And I see that you've finally gotten a friend." Jakken mocked.

"Hello again Jakken, what do you want this time?" Naruto said.

"You know this guy Naruto-san?" Yakumo asked.

"Naruto-san, why is she giving you so much respect demon?" Jakken asked.

"Excuse me but what the hell are you doing disturbing us? Perhaps you should leave us and go roll in the mud." Yakumo shouted.

"What'd you say to me?"

"I'm sorry I didn't know that you were stupid as well as slow." Jakken boiled with rage and cocked his fist back. He threw it, intending to smash the girl's face in when he was suddenly in the air. He landed hard on the ground but was in pain as Naruto held his arm in a place while twisting his wrist.

"Listen Jakken, you may be a bully to me but the minute you attack one of my friends is when all bets are off. Do it again and I promise you I'll do to you a lot worse." Naruto said coldly.

"Why you little shit," Jakken snarled.

"That'll be enough, both of you!" Iruka exclaimed. Naruto released him and Jakken stood up. He glared dangerously at the two standing in front of him. "I see that you haven't been listen Jakken."

"What!? But I didn't do anything!" he shouted

"I watched the whole thing. I think that you, I and your father need to have a talk after class." Iruka informed. Jakken flinched but he glared even harder at Naruto.

"This isn't over Uzumaki, count on it!" Jakken growled. Jakken was dragged away by Iruka. Naruto just sighed as his days at the academy just got harder.

--

Authors' Notes: Nothing much to say. I put the meaning to the Japanese techniques I used from the first three chapters. Well, enjoy!

Shugonin Jūnishi – Twelve Guardian Ninja

Kage Bunshin – Shadow Clone

Kawarimi no Jutsu – Body Replacement Technique

Henge no Jutsu – Transformation Technique

Bunshin no Jutsu – Clone Technique