AN: Ok, I'm sorry I took longer than usual to get this out. I was insanely busy. School started. I had a couple of orientation camps, etc... Oh and let's not forget I went to the hospital and had a tube shoved up my ass. Their diagnosis? Nothing was wrong. God that's irritating. This is the reason why I haven't been answering your reviews as well. But you guys don't really care do you? You just want to read this chapter. But anyway now that school has started don't expect quick updates anymore.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Drops of water glistened on Naruto's body as he stepped out of the shower, ready for his big day. Yes, today was the day he would finally take the test to become a genin! Jiraiya and Akane were both confused as to why Naruto was so happy about it. After all, he had long since surpassed the level of a genin. If they had to guess, his strength rivalled that of a high level chunin or a low level jonin. They were right, but Naruto felt good that he would soon officially become a step closer to his dream of being the Hokage. After the day of the Uchiha Massacre, he had changed. He was still the same old Naruto who longed to become the Hokage and to keep his promises. However, he was now more serious and determined then he had been as a child.

Flashback

The people of Konoha were confused and enraged by the slaughter of the Uchiha. They rambled along in life for awhile, unsure of what to do. Some blamed Naruto, as he was the one who contained Akane. The Third Hokage soon set things to right. He cursed Uchiha Itachi in front of his people. He gave them a whole speech that no doubt was extremely motivational and inspiring. Soon, the people of Konoha resumed their daily businesses, as if nothing had occurred

As far as Naruto was concerned though, the Hokage had missed out the involvement of the man in the spiral mask. Naruto tried to tell the old man that Itachi wasn't evil, and that he had felt no evil in him. However, the second he said that, the Hokage refused to talk to him anymore about the subject. Naruto couldn't even get a word in about the man in the spiral mask! So he swore he would get stronger…

Once training with Jiraiya commenced, Jiraiya immediately noticed Naruto's skill with his strange Taijutsu. After asking Naruto who had taught it to him, Naruto said that he had made it himself. Jiraiya was amazed, and helped Naruto develop it. Over the years, Naruto's form of Taijutsu became very useful, unpredictable, and potent. Secretly, he decided to call it the Genkotsu no Kitsune. (Fist of the Fox) to honour Akane. She was pleased, even if she did not admit it.

In the first year of his studies, Naruto saw Jiraiya writing and arranging seals. Whilst he himself thought it would be boring, he remembered his promise to free Akane from her seal. Thus, he tried his best to digest and learn sealing. He took to it like a fish in water, even if he hated it at first. Once Naruto learned how to make explosives though, Jiraiya was eventually forced to keep all his ink and pens hidden. Naruto managed to experiment with seals occasionally. Although he almost lost an arm once (a story for another time), he managed to successfully create an array of seals for his use.

At the age of nine, Naruto grew increasingly worried that he may not be able to pass the Academy's exam because of the Bunshins he would be forced to create. After 6 months of practising with no success, Akane finally lost it and told Naruto to tell Jiraiya his problem. Once Jiraiya saw the difficulty Naruto had creating a Bunshin, Jiraiya taught Naruto the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. It had only taken Naruto an hour to learn it.

Training to achieve the Rasengan was no easy feat. A drunken ninja had called Naruto the Kyuubi and tried to stab him. Jiraiya was present, and easily defeated the ninja with the Rasengan. When asked, Jiraiya refused to teach it to Naruto.

"You aren't old enough to learn it yet. It's an A-Rank ninjutsu, and you're only ten! Instead of teaching you the Rasengan, I'll find out about your Chakra nature and teach you a couple of easy jutsu for your nature!"

Learning the leaf cutting exercise was not really difficult, simply time consuming. Jiraiya had told Naruto that before learning how to use wind, he had to learn how to walk up trees. With only his feet. After a week of particularly nasty falls and bruises, he moved on to the next stage. Getting wet. Finally, it took him a whole month to manage cutting the leaves. Naruto got through his exercises though and learned how to make his weapons cut through almost anything, and the Fuuton Daitoppa (Wind Release: Great Breakthrough)

Whilst learning the Fuuton Daitoppa and channelling wind chakra into weapons was really fun and interesting, Naruto was desperate for an A-ranked Jutsu of his own. Akane, who had better awareness and insight than Naruto, managed to explain the Rasengan as a sphere of rotating chakra. Naruto didn't know what was so difficult about that, until he actually tried to do it. After a year of attempting to master the Rasengan, Naruto finally did it with the help of a shadow clone. He may have mastered it faster, but he couldn't let Jiraiya spot him using it. Naruto wanted to surprise his mentor when Jiraiya did decide to teach him. He continued to train with the Rasengan, and a month before the genin exams, he managed to form a one-handed Rasengan. That day, Naruto ate Ramen like there was no tomorrow. Akane was similarly pleased. It was the first time she managed to teach Naruto a Ninjutsu, even if it was ripped off from an old pervert!

Naruto smiled as he stepped out of his small apartment, ready to ace the genin exams. Or so he thought…

Naruto had easily gotten a hundred percent for the accuracy test. It was, after all, the easiest test to pass. Simply throw a couple of kunai and shuriken to the target. More than three quarters of the ninja-wannabes got the highest possible score. (I know that in many fanfics people like to say that Naruto got the highest score in the accuracy test but really, let's be reasonable. Name me a SINGLE TIME any ninja has missed with a kunai and shuriken when the target wasn't moving/ dodging)

That, however, wasn't the real challenge. The taijutsu course was graded individually by a random instructor. Most of the teachers did not want Naruto to pass. Enough said. However, Naruto had a trick up his sleeve. The teacher that would grade Naruto would be decided by drawing names out of a container. A shadow clone, henged into the shape of an insect was in that container. It would ensure that Iruka would be the one to draw Naruto's name.

Sure enough, Naruto passed the test with flying colours. Iruka beamed at him.

"I'm so proud of you Naruto! You are destined to become a great ninja one day! At this rate becoming a Hokage isn't a dream!" Iruka was full of praise.

"Hehe." Naruto was ecstatic to be praised by his favourite teacher.

Iruka bent down towards Naruto's ear and began to whisper. "I hear that one of the three Sannin Jiraiya trains with you occasionally right?"

Naruto nodded, confused as to where the conversation was going.

"Please Naruto… Help me get an autograph from him!" said Iruka as he looked around and passed a book to Naruto in a discreet manner.

'Please smack him once for me Naruto.' An irate Akane growled in his head.

'No! Iruka-sensei's nice! Besides, you know that most people in Konoha read it, and I don't smack them!' Naruto really did not want to smack his favourite teacher, especially since this was to be his graduation day.

'Fine…' Akane conceded. Naruto grinned.

"Sure Iruka-sensei! I'll be happy to." Iruka smiled and clapped Naruto on the back.

"I always knew I could count on you Naruto!"

The highest scorers for the Taijutsu exam were Naruto and Sasuke. They were tied. Both had scored an extremely high mark. Of course, neither score was close to the passionate Taijutsu focused genin who had passed last year (Rock Lee), but they were still pretty good.

The only real trouble Naruto had came fifteen minutes later, in the form of the Bunshin.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Naruto cried out, as he forms a familiar t-shaped seal. In a poof of smoke, 3 identical and solid copies of Naruto stood. They were identical in every way, and Iruka was extremely impressed.

"Well done Naruto! The Kage Bunshin is an extremely impressive jutsu for you to be using! Good job! I can now proudly proclaim that you have passed the…"

Mizuki gave a small cough, interrupting Iruka's jubilant congratulations. "Naruto-kun. Can you do the Bunshin no Jutsu? The normal one."

In Naruto, Akane growled, full of contempt. She did not like where this was going. Malicious intent poured from that teacher in enormous proportions. There was no hiding the hate he held for Akane's container. She did not like that one bit. Over the years she had spent together with Naruto, she had grown quite fond of him. She hated it when other people held prejudice against Naruto simply because he was her jailor.

'It's ok Akane-chan. Don't get angry just because Mizuki doesn't like me. He isn't worth it.'

'What? I wasn't angry. I wouldn't get angry over such a trivial matter!' Naruto sighed. He didn't understand why Akane hated him so much…

Akane currently sported a red face. As if she would care so much about a mere mortal, even if he was her vessel! She was the Queen of all Bijuu dammit!

Oblivious to Akane's tsundere tendencies, Mizuki tapped his foot, impatient. "Well?"

Naruto scowled. "No. But I can make many Kage Bunshins and-"

"Our syllabus states that if you can't do the Bunshin no Jutsu, you will not be allowed to become a genin." Mizuki interrupted. At this statement, Iruka and Naruto simultaneously leapt to their feet.

"Mizuki-san! That's a bit harsh!"

"Sensei! That's not fair!"

Mizuki raised a hand, and smirked. "I don't know about harsh or fair, but this issue has to be clarified with the Hokage. The Hokage must decide whether or not Naruto should be allowed to become a genin"

Naruto sighed. The Hokage had nothing against him. If the Hokage was asked about this matter, he would definitely be allowed to become a genin. However, Naruto still couldn't allow his guard to drop. After all, Mizuki was still out to get him.

Iruka smiled. He was afraid for awhile, but the Hokage and Naruto were on friendly terms. Naruto would definitely be allowed to become a genin, if that was all that Mizuki wanted.

Akane, however, was suspicious. Mizuki may have been an idiot, but he had been out to get Naruto for years. He knew that the Hokage would definitely allow Naruto to become a genin. So what was he up to?

'Be careful Naruto. I don't trust that Mizuki. Not one bit.'

'Awwww. So you DO care!' Naruto was ecstatic.

'Shu- shu- SHUT UP!' Akane was as red as a tomato. Like hell she would care about this mortal! Sulking, she retreated back into the deep recesses of Naruto's mind

'Akane-chan? Akane-chan? I was joking. Please don't be mad.'

Naruto was ignored. Shrugging, Naruto decided to head to his favourite store, Ichiraku's Ramen to celebrate what he thought was his victory.

"EH! WHAT DO YOU MEAN I FAIL?" Naruto's eyes were wide with shock. Why? This should have been his big day, a day to celebrate. Yet he had failed? Why?

"Exactly what I said. You, Uzumaki Naruto has failed his Genin exams." Mizuki was a very good liar. The Hokage had, in fact, given his full approval. Naruto was now officially a ninja of Konoha. But Naruto didn't know that.

"That's impossible!" Naruto was in shock. He should have passed! Why? Why? Why?

'It IS impossible. Mizuki is lying. Calm down Naruto. A ninja should learn to see underneath the underneath.' Akane's words of wisdom resounded throughout Naruto. Naruto took a deep breath and calmed down.

'Good. Take deep breaths. That's right Naruto. Mizuki is a rotten no-good liar. Play along, and see what exactly he wants.' Naruto nodded his head. As always, Akane was right. He really didn't know what he would do without her.

'Thanks Akane. You're the best. I'll play along and then I'll expose Mizuki as the evil bastard he is!' Akane smiled.

"It IS possible. However, Naruto, you still have a chance to redeem yourself. The Hokage has, against my will, set up a make-up test for you. Should you pass, you will become a genin. You are to steal the Forbidden Scroll from the Hokage's Tower. Bring it to me, and you pass."

Pretending to fall for Mizuki's lie, Naruto shouted, "That's impossible! How am I supposed to sneak into the Hokage's Tower and steal THE Forbidden Scroll?"

Mizuki smirked. "That's your problem. Not mine." Turning around, he left. It was a win-win situation. If Naruto was caught, the damn Fox would be disgraced and thrown out of Konoha. If he did steal the scroll, Mizuki would take it, and kill the Jinchuuriki. Naruto had fallen for his trap, hook, line, and sinker.

'Hey, Akane-chan, you think he believed I fell for his lie?'

'Yes Naruto. He believed you, hook, line and sinker. Let's go and plot Mizuki's untimely demise now.'

Naruto raced from tree to tree, with a scroll on his back, seemingly wild and panicked. The key word being seemingly. He was putting on an act for Mizuki, who was waiting at their agreed meeting place. The Hokage had been alerted to Mizuki's plan (by Naruto), and Naruto was leading his ANBU to Mizuki. If all went according to plan, Mizuki would be locked up in jail for a very long time.

Naruto though, had another plan. He had noticed a few things about the Kage Bunshin during the many years he had used it. One attribute of the Kage Bunshin is that memories are transferred once the Kage Bunshin was dispelled. Another attribute that other people tended not to notice (because it is SO obvious), is that items the user of the Kage Bunshin is touching is copied as well. If this was not the case, every Kage Bunshin he created would be naked.

The second Naruto received the Forbidden Scroll, he discreetly created a shadow clone and had it go elsewhere in the forest to learn one jutsu from it. He was about to capture a criminal! Surely he deserved a tiny reward. Akane approved.

'You, my young vessel, are LEARNING. It seems my tutelage has not gone in vain' Akane may not have been a cold blooded killer, but she was still a trickster at heart. All Kitsune were.

"There you are Naruto. I must say that I'm surprised you managed to steal the Forbidden Scroll. But that doesn't matter. Hand me the scroll!" Mizuki leaped off the tree he was sitting on, and appeared before Naruto.

In response, all Naruto did was to stick out his tongue and shout out. "This is him Inu (Dog) –san. You can arrest him now!"

An ANBU with a dog mask stepped out of the shadows behind Mizuki and held a kunai to his neck. It was over in an instant. Gripping Mizuki and preventing his escape, the ANBU began to guide Mizuki out of the area. Mizuki was enraged.

"HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO ME YOU DEMON!" Naruto simply leaned back against a tree and yawned.

'How was that Akane-chan? Do I look cool?' Naruto felt cool at least. He wanted to look the part.

'Ummm… I guess…' Akane sweat dropped.

Mizuki would have none of it. "I'll tell you the truth demon! You are really the-"

Instantly, the ANBU knocked Mizuki on his head, rendering him unconscious. Picking the rogue ninja up, and placing him on his shoulder, he immediately disappeared. Naruto was left alone with only Akane for company. Naruto shrugged, and went back home. Teams would be decided tomorrow, and he couldn't wait to see what team he would be on!

Omake: Perverts are Everywhere

"You mean Mizuki was telling me the truth when he said I failed?" Naruto was aghast that the Hokage was not allowing him to become a genin.

"I'm sorry Naruto. If I allow you to pass other parents will accuse me of favouritism. While the Kage Bunshin is impressive, you must know the Bunshin no Jutsu." The Hokage was really unhappy that he couldn't let Naruto pass, but he had no choice.

"What if I impress you with a really powerful jutsu?" Naruto was desperate to become a Genin. He would do anything! Anything!

The Hokage narrowed his eyes. He was pretty sure that Naruto would have no jutsu that would really impress him. He knew almost every jutsu created! Naruto wouldn't pass.

"If, and only if you can impress me."

Naruto grinned. "You'll be impressed alright. Oiroke no Jutsu! (Sexy no Jutsu)"

Blood from the Hokage's nose flew everywhere. The old Hokage collapsed to his knees, holding a hand to his nose. He blushed. This was more than he had expected, but he wasn't going down yet!

"No, Naruto that isn't enou-"

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu! Haremu no Jutsu! (Harem no Jutsu)"

The Hokage found himself in paradise. "YES!", he screamed before passing out with a blissful look on his face.

Naruto sweat dropped. He dived into his mindscape, about to relay the good news to Akane.

"I swear Akane-chan, perverts are EVERYWHERE. Wait, what are you doing? Why are you marching towards me with that scary look on your face? NO! STAY AWAY FROM ME! ARGH! IM SORRY!"

The results of the poll. Naruto/ Shino/ Hinata Teacher: Kurenai.

I closed the poll early sinceI had missions to plan for them and etc. Basically it changed how my whole story was gonna flow. And that's it for today.