Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Hokage looked up from his desk when somebody knocked to his office's door. He allowed to enter, inwardly thanking whoever it was for a brake in fight with his Nemesis. He was fighting since dawn, nonstop, without rest, but still he was losing. Brushing aside his restless foe, devil reincarnation – paperwork - he looked at the four Jounins lining in front of his desk. Genjutsu Mistress Yuhi Kurenai, his son Sarutobi Asuma, Copy Ninja Hatake Kakashi and current Assassination Specialist Kasumi Toriko. All four were ones of his bests.

„Hokage-sama, you summoned us?" Asked politely Kurenai.

„Yes, I did. You four didn't came for today Jounins Meeting."

„We're sorry Hokage-sama." Said Toriko, looking like a scared kid. „We're in the middle of a test in that time. You see, we did a little... more original test today and we..."

„I was informed about your little change." Interrupted Hokage. „Don't worry." He added seeing Toriko's fearful face (which he was sure was only an act) and Kurenai's worried look. „I'm not mad for this or anything. It was a good test, it showed how they would react in danger. I just want to be warned beforehand in the future. Now, what I want to know is why did you changed the test and what have you learned about your teams."

Normally, he wouldn't occupy himself with a fresh genin's tests. Jounins were just telling him who passed and for some time it was all. Not that he considered it insignificant, he just didn't had time for every single shinobi. But this group was more interesting. First, strange test that they went through. He wanted to know if it was more effective than the normal ones. Second, this class had many clan heirs in it. Only five of the twelve Genins weren't heirs or heiresses. Even Naruto was a heir of Uzumaki clan, even if he didn't knew that. Yet.

This boy was also his third reason to be interested.

While he was thinking about all this, the Jounins in front of him were jumping in joy and relief. Inwardly, of course. On the outside they didn't showed any sign of their emotions. They were all worried that Hokage would decide that they pushed their Genins too hard and take the teens from them. And after their test the Jounins were too curious for that.

„I think I should start since it was my idea." Said cheerfully Toriko. „You see, Hokage-sama, when I was getting to know each of my Genins yesterday I had a feeling... you know, down there, in guts, or how they're calling this..." He trailed off a bit, looking out of the window with thoughtful expression until Asuma nudged him. „...huh? Oh yea... never mind. Where was I... Oh right, the feeling. When I was talking with them I was certain that they wouldn't make it. Sasakiba Kikuske was and arrogant jerk that... Oh, sorry, Hokage-sama... that thought that thanks to his father's position we would give him everything, just like, as I suspect, his academy teachers. Karuski Kaisha... she just wasn't a material for a kunoichi. She was only thinking about glory of shinobi. She wasn't ready even for a normal life, not talking about ninja lifestyle. But the last member, Sayuri, an orphan... she was interesting. Hard-working, determined. I wanted to try her, but normal test would give me only part of her skills, and with such teammates I wouldn't learn anything about teamwork and all that stuff. So I came up with a plan, and asked my sensei-mates." He pointed at the other Jounins in room. „To join me. Then we found another reason to do this. You see, after what Kakashi told us about Uzumaki Naruto we're all curious what he's really capable of. We're sure that in a normal test he would still hold back, so we decided that we need to push him a little harder. And it worked!" He ended with a grin, like a child that just accomplished his little project and came for a reward.

Hokage chuckled. He liked Toriko. Even after a life as an assassin he still had his kind, childish spirit. At least out of the battlefield. During fight long haired Jounin was calm, logic and cold. Somebody who didn't knew him might have thought that he had split personality. 'Well... maybe he has.' Thought Hiruzen with another chuckle.

„Good, now I understand why. And it's good to know that Konoha's Jounins are still in great shape as far as ingenuity is concerned." They all nodded in thanks. „Now, what can you tell me about your teams?" He asked looking to his right, at his son.

„I can definitely say that I'm pleased... and surprised." Started Asuma. „After I talk with them I thought that I received a lot of work. They had potential, I'm not saying they don't, but they just seemed not ready, then and there. I saw undecided fangirl, shy, gentle and harmless Akimichi." He used clan's name to not use taboo word. Better safe than sorry. „And a lazy, skill less sleepyhead who only wanted to watch clouds all day. But during their test they worked together, already showing great teamwork. They surrounded us when we're busy with the others, used Naruto and Chouji's attack as a distraction and caught Kurenai with a combination of Nara and Yamanaka techniques." Said Jounin Kunoichi seemed a bit embarrassed that she allowed few Genins to catch her off guard. „Kakashi also said that it was Shikamaru who made most of the plans. Maybe he inherited something from his father."

Nara Shikaku, Shikamaru's father, was the most intelligent shinobi in Konoha. He was also Konoha Jounin Commander and, as a head of the Nara Clan, member of the Shinobi Council.

„So I assume that you passed them?" Asked Hokage.

„Yes. I, Sarutobi Asuma, am officially passing Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru and Akimichi Chouji as the new Team 10."

Hiruzen nodded and turned to his another Jounin. „Toriko?"

„Huh?... Oh yea sure..." Long-haired Jounin trailed off for a few seconds before he started. „Like I said before, I wasn't expecting too much from Kikuske. Kaisha froze during the attack. She avoided injures only because Naruto used substitution to get her out of our way and place himself in it, which was great show of skill and fast thinking... but it isn't my place to talk about this. Back to our princess, when I came looking for her to her house I learned that she came back with tears in the eyes and locked inside her room. She told me that she doesn't want to be shinobi anymore. As for Kikuske, during the attack he hid, first behind Hinata, and when he saw that we're coming that way, behind the tree. Like Kaisha, when he get hold of himself, he run to his home. Then he started screaming about a... battalion of Iwa shinobi... yes, Iwa... how he fought them and then managed to outrun them, and when I came he started accusing me for allowing them to enter the village and risk his life, yelling that his father will punish me and, when I said that it was a test and that he failed, asking me how much his father have to pay me." Normally Toriko was very friendly towards everybody, but this time Hokage clearly heard disgust in his voice. „Now, in Sayuri's case... she was good. As I expected, she made it. She quickly reacted to our attack, first took off after us, then she carried her part of the plan without any troubles. She even, together with Sasuke and Chouji, managed to push me to defense, showing not bad teamwork..."

„So what do you want to do with her?" Interrupted Hokage. He knew that if he would allow for it, Toriko would continue convincing him until midnight... or even longer if he would have to. „Put in some other team?"

„Actually... I want to take her as an apprentice." Said Jounin, kind of shyly, like a kid expecting yelling and scorning. But Hokage wasn't yelling. He was too surprised for this. He couldn't remember how many times he heard Toriko assuring him that he doesn't want an apprentice, that his specialty is not good for teaching young genins. Assassin as a sensei? After his praises Hokage thought that he just didn't wanted to waste Sayuri's talent only because of bad luck during team forming, but...

„Why?"

„Because I have a feeling that she'd became a great kunoichi. She already has great skills, and she's determined. She isn't going to withdraw. And..." Assassin's look once again trailed outside of the office. „... I think I knew her mother. And if I'm right, then I have a debt to pay. That's why I'm asking for a permission to take Sayuri as an apprentice."

Hokage nodded. He would have to check him sometimes, that would be his first student after all, and personal apprentice at that, but he was rather calm.

„Permission granted. Sayuri would became your apprentice. Now..." He looked at his next Jounin, who was now sporting an orange book. „Kakashi?"

„Hmm? Oh, sure..." He put his book to in pouch, hiding it from Kurenai's murderous glare. Poor little thing almost burned under it. „Well, my opinion may not be too accurate, since I was a little... late." Hokage chuckled seeing Kurenai's glare now located on him, while Asuma and Toriko were looking at him with amusement. „I caught up with them just after the first attack." Kakashi scratched the back of his head. Maybe he's trying to look embarrassed. Or maybe he felt Kurenai's look. Hokage wasn't sure. „Anyway... Sakura. From the first impression a fangirl, more concerned about her look than training. According to Asuma's words she froze during the first attack. But then she made the right decision and went for help. ANBU told me that she came terrified, but her report was precise and she refused to stay behind. She didn't fought so I can't tell anything about her skills. Now, Sasuke... Well, he really deserved his Rookie of the Year title. He already know C-rank elemental technique, his skills are great. His teamwork... well it's not totally hopeless, he worked with Sayuri and Chouji. He's a little too fast to jump into an action, but once he rethink problem he also show that he's smart. All in all, he's a really good shinobi with great potential. Though he isn't too careful, he could harm Hinata with his fireball. And... Naruto..." Kakashi smirked under his mask seeing how Hokage leaned forward, not able to contain his curiosity. „I was right when I said that he's holding back. He's fighting on the same level as Sasuke, make few plans. I also think that he's some kind of a sensor. During the pursuit they split, and when the other group reached the fight he made few hand signs toward them while they're still hidden. Though on the other hand he didn't sensed me underground. Maybe he just saw something above."

Hokage frowned. Normally, sensors were sensing chakra around them, but if he didn't sensed Kakashi using technique to travel under the surface then that wasn't this.

„Anything else?"

„Hai. Did you ever heard about Wind Clones?"

„I was trying to make it." Said Asuma before his father could answer. „It's a failure. They're unstable. I only managed to make them last few seconds before they dispelled."

„Well, his survived a bit longer."

„You sure?" Asked Hokage, while Asuma was looking in disbelief.

„Yes. He made half a dozen of terribly fast clones and send them to find out where are the kidnappers. When I looked at them with a Sharingan..." Kakashi pointed at his covered eye. „...they looked like made without chakra surroundings. The air was flowing through them, in and out. If I'm right, he's the first one who managed to create them."

„Academy student managed to create his own technique?"

„It looked like that."

„Impossible..." muttered Kurenai.

„Somebody is teaching him?" Asked Toriko.

„I don't know, but..."

„Let's leave it for another day." Interrupted Hokage. „Now, Kakashi, you're passing them, right?"

„Of course, Hokage-sama. I have a little doubt about Sakura, but she was concerned about her teammates..."

„...at least one of them..." Muttered Toriko.

„...so I think I can give her a chance."

„Good, now that leave us only Kurenai." Hokage looked at the only woman in the room.

„Hai, Hokage-sama." Said Kurenai, forcing herself to not stand at attention. As a Jounin and one of the best genjutsu users she didn't had to do this, apart from the official occasions, but she still wasn't used to this familiarity with the most important person in the village. She was a Jounin only for a few months. „During the test my team didn't had many occasions to use their specialty – tracking. Only Shino used his bugs to track us during the pursuit. As for their performance I'm quite pleased. Kiba, as I thought, is hot-headed, but once somebody told him what to do he did his job great. Shino, wisely, used his insects while he stayed hidden in the bush to gain some time for others. Hinata actually surprised me. First when she didn't froze during our attack. She fought back, even if a little sloppy. Then when she waited for the others and used their attack as a distraction to free herself and weaken me. I'm pleased with their performance and that's why I, Yuhi Kurenai, am officially passing Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino and Hyuuga Hinata as a new Team 8."

Hokage nodded in acknowledgment. 'Looks like we have more than few promising students this year.' He thought.

„Kakashi." When one-eyed Jounin looked at him Hokage continued. „I want you to find out on what level Naruto really is. Toriko, I want you to come here in two weeks with a report about your apprentice progress. Understood?"

„Hai, Hokage-sama." They said in unison.

„Good. You're dismissed."

They walked out, closing the doors quietly. When they're already out of the office Asuma turned to Toriko. „So who was Sayuri's mother?"

„I have no idea."

„What? But you said..."

„I did." Toriko turned with a huge grin. „Cause it's touched Old Man's soft spot."

„WHERE THE HELL ARE THOSE TWO!"

Even Sasuke's poker face, world level one, faded into a flinch when certain pink-haired Banshee screamed.

They're waiting at the training ground seven. Two hours. Again. But for some reason Sasuke wasn't surprised. After he came he sat under the tree and prepared himself for a long waiting.

As for Sakura, at first she's at bliss. She's alone with her Sasuke-kun! 'At last.' She grinned. 'My chance!'. She quickly get her hair right, adjusted her dress and entered the clearing. Looking around to make sure that they're indeed alone she came closer, trying to look as adorable as she could, and started bugging Sasuke about date. But even she managed to understand that she wouldn't gain anything after an hour of ignoring. Waiting after this for another hour, in all her embarrassment and humiliation, was wearing her small reserves of patience very thin.

„Sakura." Said VERY calmly Sasuke, first time this morning actually.

„Yes, Sasuke-kun?" Asked Pinkette, slipping in her too-sweet self.

Before he could answer Naruto appeared in front of them. 'Appeared' was a good word, because the only thing they saw was, as Sasuke now realized, something on the corner of his eye he didn't even check.

„AAAH!" Screamed Sakura, jumping back and almost falling. „NARUTO! What the hell are you doing?! Don't scare me like that!"

„Huh?" He looked at her, seaming genuinely confused. „What?"

„You appeared out of nowhere! AND WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!"

Naruto looked at Sasuke. „That's why I wasn't here." He muttered and then turned to his female teammate, pointing behind with his thumb. „I was on the other side of the clearing."

„LIAR!"

„Shhh... please, be quiet, you don't have to attack me."

„Attack? What attack?" Asked dumbfounded Sakura.

„You know, that screaming... you use that voice as an attack, don't you?"

„BAKA!..." Sakura continued her assault, Naruto turned her off and Sasuke was still sitting under his tree with expressionless face. Though inwardly he was chuckling slightly. During academy he was seeing Naruto only as tolerable... which in Sasuke's case was actually quite high. Redhead was normally awfully quiet, but once he started mocking someone it's always a show worth seeing.

Sasuke might have even liked him... if only he wouldn't have been so weak...

This was the sight that greeted Kakashi when he came about a minute later.

„YOU'RE LATE!" Sakura changed the target of her attack.

„Maa, maa, I just saw a black cat that crossed my path, so I had to take longer way around the village to avoid bad luck."

„LIAR!" Few more strikes and one-eyed Jounin's defense will crumble. Boys only sweatdropped at his poor lie. Inwardly.

„Okay, okay, listen up. We have a few things to discuss." Said Kakashi, ignoring fuming Sakura and making a mental note to bring ear plugs tomorrow. „First, about our daily schedule. From now on, you are going to come here every day at 7 a.m., apart from Sunday, which would be free... if I don't say otherwise. We'd do a little warm-up and then go on a mission or do some training. After mission, if we'd still have some time, we can also train a bit. I know it's quiet broad plan but with time we'd add another thing. Any questions?" He waited few second, and seeing no objections he continued. „Now, before we start I want to talk about your yesterday's test."

Small flinch appeared on Naruto's face, but it disappeared almost in the same time. He was beating himself for not seeing through that damn test. He wanted to hide his skills, stay in the shadows. Sasuke's presence could have help him in it, he just needed to make sure that Uchiha would stay in the center of everyone's attention. But he allowed himself to fall into the first trick. Now those who hate him will again start to try to hold him back. And Kakashi could be one of them. He was one of those who were talking about him as a weapon... and a demon.

„Sit down, it might take a while." He waited, while Sakura sat on spot and Naruto stood next to the tree against which leaned Sasuke. „Good, Sakura, you first." Said Pinkette was staring at him with anticipation, already forgetting about her anger. „I don't have many things against you." Sakura's face beamed in happiness and a bit of pride. „You just wasn't ready." And it all disappeared. „You froze during your first encounter, not even trying to do anything. Don't worry, it's quiet normal in the first fight. You just have to work on it, so it won't happen again. On the other hand, the idea to go for reinforcements was great. Yours?"

„Ummm... actually, it was Sasuke-kun's..."

Kakashi looked at Uchiha with a rose eyebrow. Raven haired boy nodded, though Kakashi noticed that he seemed a bit confused.

„Okay..." Said Kakashi. „Well, Sakura, I can't say anything about your skills cause you weren't fighting, so I think that would be all. Now, Sasuke." Uchiha's face was as dark as his hair, but there was also an anticipation in his black eyes and his tensed muscles. „...You're good." Sasuke relaxed a bit and Sakura started cheering. „Your reaction to attack was fast, also during the chase and further fight you showed that you really deserve your 'Rookie of the Year' title. Just three things. First, restrain this pyromaniac inside you." Sasuke frowned, looking with a question in his eyes. „A bit bigger fireball and you could have burn the whole forest. Secondly, you were jumping into an action without thinking. It's your first fight, so it's understandable. Just, like Sakura, remember about this in the future. And last thing... watch out where you're firing your little sparkies." Sasuke send him a murderous glare for mocking his best technique. „You've almost hit Hinata on the clearing."

Sasuke looked down, deep in thoughts. This summary was pretty much what he's expecting. Nothing new about him being good. He was an Uchiha, they're always good. Comment about pyromaniac surprised him, but he knew what it's about. As for watching out for others... on one hand, he didn't cared. They're mostly just slowing him down. But on the other... when he recall that Naruto also stopped him later...

„Naruto's turn." Kakashi looked a his last student, noticing that even though he knew where Uzumaki stood he still had to focus to find his figure. „Now... can you tell me please... why were you holding back during academy?"

„Holding back? I wasn't." Naruto tried to play dumb, while Sasuke was looking interested and Sakura confused.

„Oh really..."

„Holding back?" Interrupted Sakura. „How can he hold back, he's an idiot, a deadlast." Her words hurt. He was thankful for her stupidity, it helped him... but it still hurt.

„Oh?" Disbelief was clearly visible in Kakashi's face... at least in what they saw of it. „So... he's an idiot deadlast without any talent that was the first to react to the attack? Who made most of the plans in the heat of the battle? And who managed to create his own technique while being still in the academy? That's what you meant, Sakura?"

Said Pinkette was about to shout that her Sasuke-kun is much better, that he was the one that make all the plans, that during fight Naruto only slowed him down, that it was Sasuke who reacted first... until she remembered that it was Naruto who saw their enemies first, he also tried to stop them before the others even noticed the danger. So if that part was true... No, it was Sasuke-kun who ordered her to go back for help... but it's Naruto's words... arghhhh!

Kakashi looked at his redhead student again. „From your academy folder you're deadlast of your group, with poor taijutsu, even worse ninjutsu, quite good stealth and no tactical sense. This is an opinion of Umino Iruka." Naruto knew what that meant. This was an opinion of the only teacher that was fair with him. It's exactly what Iruka thought about him, without any hate influence. „So, can you tell me how seemingly the worst one ended as the best of the whole group? Good reaction during the first attack, lack of freezing, good, fast thinking... actually I found only two mistakes." Naruto looked up curious, in the same time thinking that not seeing through their deception was probably one of them. „First, you should take Shino with you when you split up to flank the kidnappers. He'd easily track them down and help in preparing the trap."

Naruto nodded. He also thought about this when he was thinking how to track down Kumo ninjas. If only Shino would have been with them he wouldn't had to reveal his Wind Clones.

„Your second mistake was that stupid usage of substitution." This was something he didn't expected.

„Huh? Why? It worked perfectly, Hinata was freed and, if those ninja would have really been chuunins, they wouldn't have chance to react."

„You're right about Hinata, but about your enemies, they were too close. They sensed you."

„What do you mean by 'too close'?"

„Baka, when you use substitution or body flicker you are easy to sense for anyone near the place where you appear." Said Sakura in a 'you should know that' tone. But Naruto looked genuinely surprised.

„You didn't knew that?" Asked Kakashi. Naruto shocked his head.

„Idiot." Muttered Sasuke. „You should have listened. It was on the lessons."

„And in almost every book about it." Added Sakura.

Naruto looked away and mumbled something.

„Hmmm? What was that?" Asked Kakashi.

„I was thrown out of the class." Muttered redhead only a bit louder.

„Why?" Asked Sakura. Naruto didn't answered. „Then what about the books?"

„Librarian didn't allow me to come to the library."

„Why?" This time it was Sasuke.

„Not your business!" Naruto snapped loudly, pushing himself from the tree, turning around and dashing away, leaving his team a little stunned. Especially Sasuke and Sakura, who never before heard him saying something so loudly.

„What was that about?" Sakura looked at Kakashi, hoping that he would answer, but Jounin's expression was unreadable.

„Well, it looks like we won't go on any mission today." Kakashi sighed and looked at his remained students. „Take this day as free, tomorrow we start. So, 7 a.m., here, right?"

They nodded „What about Naruto?" Asked Sakura.

„Don't worry, I'll talk with him." Kakashi saw annoyed look on Sasuke's face. He wasn't sure what it was about, but shrugged this off for now. With a wave he disappeared using body flicker, hoping that Naruto didn't walked far away.

Kakashi found young Uzumaki by accident. He was looking after him for about four hours. Without effects. Resigned he went on top of the Hokage Mountain to think. That was when he spotted small figure sitting atop Yondaime's stone head. Kakashi only sighed and come closer.

Naruto was sitting with one leg straight, other one bend in the knee and one hand on said knee. He was leaning against one of monument's stone spikes. He didn't turned to look at his sensei, but Kakashi was sure that he knew about his approaching. One-eyed Jounin leaned, still standing, against the same spike and looked in the same direction as redhead, at the whole village. It was a middle of the day, so streets were very crowded. From here those figures were smaller than head of a pin.

„What are you doing here Naruto?"

For a few moments Uzumaki was quiet, before he mumbled. „Thinking."

„About?"

This time silence lasted longer, and when Kakashi thought that he isn't going to answer Naruto spoke. „About how I didn't noticed this substitution's defect."

This probably wasn't truth, but he was talking, so Kakashi decided to go on.

„And?" Jounin already had an idea for this, but he wanted to know if Naruto also thought about this.

„I'm a sensor." Kakashi nodded. He's suspecting this and his theory was based on this suspicion. „I sense people presence all the time, so when I sensed somebody using substitution I assumed that it was my ability to sense chakra."

Kakashi nodded again. „Yes, I thought about it too. But, you're wrong in one thing. You're not sensing chakra." This earned him a surprised look when Naruto finally turned to him. „You didn't sense me when I was following you during the test. I was using an earth technique to travel underground."

Naruto frowned. Now that Kakashi pointed that, he never sensed any techniques or anything like that. He thought that he just have to train more. On the other hand he sensed surroundings, like trees, walls and landscape. So, if what Kakashi said was true, then...

„...then what it is?"

„I have no idea." Kakashi shrugged. „It can be some kind of bloodline, or maybe just high intuition." He looked at his student and decided to try once again. „So, mind to tell me about your other abilities?"

Naruto snapped out of his thoughts. Until now he's in some kind of daze, but now he returned to his normal, suspicious, self.

„Why should I?"

„Because I'm your sensei." Stated Kakashi. „I could tell that you should trust me only because of this, or because I'm Konoha's shinobi, but for some reason I don't think you would listen. So, let me ask you, how can I give you some task if I don't know if you can handle it?" He was risking. He didn't knew what kind of person Naruto was, but he definitely wasn't trustful. So he tried to appeal to his duty sense.

To some point it worked. Naruto saw logic in Kakashi's words. But it was Kakashi who was talking about him as a demon. Naruto didn't trusted him. Even if one-eyed Jounin saved him back then...

Memories of an evening five years ago flooded into his mind. Memories full of fear. And pain.

Punishment for the best score in the class. Two ANBU waiting in the dark alley. Viper and Owl. Run. Chase. Familiar alley in the slums. Bumping into someone. Mouse mask over a hand that reached to him. Pain, when he pinned him to the wall.

„...kill him already..."

„...it's too weak punishment. Let's make him suffer..."

„...torture him. Somebody could find us..."

„...have some poison..."

Evil, cruel chuckle.

„...and gag him. He's going to scream..."

Pain from a wound on an arm. Two new figures. Dog and Boar.

„...hell is going..."

„...leave Captain... he killed your sensei... you want this too..."

„...really think so?..."

Metal hitting metal. Mouse, trying to stab him. Katana that deflected his kunai. Grip on his throat disappearing when Mouse jumped back. Another figure. Long, purple hair. Running again. Clangs of metal. Pain widening from his arm. Shouts.

„Get back here, Demon!"

„WAIT, NARUTO!"

„...ruto? Naruto!" Kakashi's voice brought him back out of his memories. He's again at the top of Hokage Mountain, on Yondaime's head. „You ok? You looked like you drifted away for a second."

„I'm okay." Naruto looked over the village before asking the question that he wanted to ask for five years. „...who was your Sensei?"

This surprised the one-eyed Jounin. On one side, he was pleased. This question meant that Naruto started to open up, even if only a little bit. But on the other hand...

„Why do you ask?" Naruto didn't answer. They're sitting in a silence for a few moments before Jounin spoke. „You're sitting on his head"

Kakashi was used to a lot of different reactions after this information. Disbelief. Jealousy. Admiration. But what he saw now was something new. Apart from normal surprise he saw grief and dyeing hope. Then he heard Naruto whisper. „So... you must really hate me, huh?"

Kakashi frowned. What the hell was he talking about?

And then, realization hit him. It was so simple that he started beating himself for not figuring it sooner. It was explaining almost everything.

„You know." That was why he was so mistrustful. So wary. So cold and separated. „When... How..."

„You're talking about a giant nine-tailed demon fox in my guts?" Naruto turned his head, looking at the village, hiding his pained look. „Remember the 'ANBU prank'?"

Kakashi nodded. How could he forgot? He's one of those who had to report it to the Hokage. He was an ANBU Captain in that time, but it didn't meant that he hadn't had guard duties. And on that night it was his shift.

Five years ago, under his and three more ANBU noses, somebody painted all ANBU armors in neon-green. They're only few untouched, the ones that were in use at that moment.

He still could remember Hokage's face when they appeared in his office in the morning. Shock quickly was replaced by a barely held amusement. After pulling himself together, and making sure that it was the only damage, he gave them a punishment. They're forced to use those armors for the whole two months until new ones arrived. Untouched ones were left for important missions. Kakashi also remembered laughter that he heard when they leaved Hokage's office. Hysterical laughter.

Needless to say, ANBU stealth skills were greatly improved during those two months. They're forcing themselves tenfold to stay out of sight. But even so, there were few seen. And a lot laughed at.

„You did that, didn't you." It's formed as a question, but its tone was like in a statement. Nevertheless Naruto answered.

„Yea... that supposed to be a payback for an ANBU attack on me few days earlier. But when I was done and was retreating I heard few ANBU talking about this attack. During..." He took a deep breath „...during their talk somebody said something around: 'as a Kyuubi jailor he's a great asset to Konoha. He's a weapon'. I put the rest together and figured what happened... and why everybody hates me..."

„They don't hate you." Interrupted Kakashi.

Naruto scoffed. „Yea, sure, and those attacks and hate filled glares are because they don't want to spoil me with all this love around me."

„That's not hate that they feel towards you."

„I can recognize hate once I see it." Naruto's voice was hinted with anger, his muscles visibly tensed as he clenched his gloved fists.

„This hate is not directed towards you, it's directed towards the Kyuubi." Kakashi looked at the village. People they were talking about were busy with their own business, unaware that this talk could result in defection of one of Konoha's greatest assets or even releasing the Biju. „During its attack twelve years ago Kyuubi killed a lot of people. They've left families, comrades, friends. All of them are filled with grief, they need someone to blame. And they have this someone here in the village. You just have bad luck, cause they can't reach the Kyuubi, which means that you happened to be on receiving end of all their hatred. But this hate is not directed towards YOU." Kakashi looked at his student. His body was still tensed under the black fabric of his sweatshirt and pants. „What they feel towards you is fear. Civilian don't know what you are, they don't understand it. Shinobi, who DO understand, are afraid that you'll lose control and release the demon." Kakashi stopped for a second, but decided to continue. Naruto didn't seem to him as someone who would appreciate hiding the bitter truth behind the pretty lies. „Naruto, Jinchuuriki never had an easy life. People are treating them like a ticking bomb. Even if you one day manage to get control of Kyuubi they'll still treat you like something different from them. They'll still be afraid, this time of the power that you'll posses. Some of them would try to take control of you because of that power."

„Happy perspectives." Muttered Naruto interrupting him.

„Yeah... but you don't have to cope with this alone. You just have to find those few people that would not care. That would see you as Naruto, not only as a Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi."

Naruto let out something between quiet chuckle and resigned sigh. „Easier said than done."

„You already have one." Kakashi send him his eye-smile. „You're my comrade now. You see, my teammate told me once: 'In the ninja world, those who break the rules are trash, but those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash'."

During his whole speech Naruto didn't turned, didn't relaxed. He didn't even twitched. Kakashi had no idea what was going on under that red hairs. He said everything in hope that Naruto would understand why he's treated like that and forgive them.

He's also hoping that it wouldn't work exactly the other way. He didn't wanted to hunt redhead down for defection.

„...chuunins... that's why they stopped..." Kakashi heard faint murmurs. He looked at Naruto. Uzumaki changed his position, with both knees under his chin and arms around them, mumbling something into his elbow.

„What was that?" Asked Kakashi.

Naruto just shocked his head, still deep in thoughts. Kakashi waited patiently, wondering in the meantime if he should say something else. But shrugged this off, deciding that he said what he could and that the decision is now up to Naruto.

Few minutes passed before Naruto finally moved. He stood up, turned around and walked away, not even looking at Kakashi.

„Naruto? Are..."

„Thanks... sensei." Interrupted Naruto with a slight hesitation before the second word, without turning around. Kakashi nodded, receiving an answer to his unspoken question.

And then he reminded himself why he started this talk anyway.

„See you tomorrow, Kaka..."

„Wait, Naruto! What about your abilities?" Naruto stopped and Jounin continued. „Don't you think you should tell your sensei what you can do?"

Naruto looked at him over his shoulder. His look was weary, calculating, but it wasn't as mistrustful as before. At least not that much. They're looking in each other eyes for a few seconds before redhead turned around. Kakashi could bet all his money that he saw his lips twitch in a small smile.

„And where would be fun in that, Dog?" And with that words young Uzumaki walked away, leaving one-eyed Jounin a bit stunned.

Now few words of explanations.

First, sorry that it took so long... and that it's sucks. No matter what I do I just couldn't make it feel right. Everything I wrote just seamed awfully awkward. So I tried to rewrite it. But after the fourth time I decided that I just can't make it look better. That's why it took so long.

Second, Sayuri. At first I just added her and her whole team just to make the test more believable. You know, this 'oh so it's just happened that this few genins are special and received a special test' thing. It's believable, after all there are seven heirs in that group (and I'm counting right, Kiba is not a heir, his sister is), but with additional team it's just more probably. But after her performance I just didn't had a hearth to just make her fail. So I gave her a chance. Just great... I would have to involve her sometime later...

Naruto and wind clones. It's not that he's super skilled and he's going to show new jutsu every day. This one is special, and mostly accidental, and I will explain it later. Also, it's mostly useless. They're made without chakra surroundings, so they're even more fragile than standard clones. They're good for scouting and gathering information, though not as good as shadow clones, cause they don't send the memories.

Answers for reviews:

Danilek12:Thanks, I really appreciate it.

plums:Thanks again, though I'm kind of worried. I didn't meant it to look like Naruto can't stand anyone. He's antisocial, and obviously 'don't like' ANBU, but it don't relate to everyone. Also I couldn't totally change everything with Team 7 without making some excuse to do so. For now I only change Naruto's attitude, so I couldn't change, for example, team forming, especially since until now nobody noticed him.

butterflypuss: Thanks a lot, I have to try it.

girrr:Ugh... thanks... I think.

Killa bee 8: Thanks man.

Luc1v3r:Well, I'm in a pinch, cause I'm not fully understand what you mean by 'kishimoto ninja version'. So I'll just answer the other part. I read a lot of fan fictions, some bad, some just great, but there was always something missing. So I wrote mine. If someone wants, then he can send me his suggestions, but if I won't like it I'm not going to change it. Of course that could mean that some of you won't like my story, but oh well... I'm writing for myself.

And that would be all. Until next time, hopefully faster than this one.