And here's Chapter 10. The real Chapter 10. Hope you guys enjoy. Readers, Reviewers, thank you...Lookin' Out My Backdoor by Creedence Clearwater Revival.
This is a small note to Mister SasukeRulesTheWorld, an anonymous reviewer who expressed a concern that I deleted the anonymous reviews because they didn't agree with me. You're right. I did. I deleted the ones that had nothing to do with the story. I deleted the ones that were about the poll and all the crap that went along with it. I don't mind constructive criticism. I do mind stupid, pointless things said about my story. Telling me that I'm doing this and that wrong when I see no story from you doesn't sit well with me. Your reviews will continue to be deleted if you have nothing constructive to say. End of story...oh, and by the way, I'm 23. It's in my profile. And I believe I am very brave. I put up stories and allow people to review them. I read every review and true, I don't like them all. But I at least put something out there and take a chance that it will suck. I leave the anonymous reviews open because there are some reviewers who actually have something to say, instead of trying to act big when you're not even a blot on the map. Here, I'll even share your review before I delete it.
I noticed you've removed every negative review you or the story has recieved. How brave you are, I commend you. God are you such a review hore that unless it's a happy, happy, review you can't take the criticism. You're pretty weak, what are you 12 years old?
See? There's your fifteen minutes of fame. Also, you need to learn how to spell. The word is whore.
CHAPTER TEN
Naruto was realizing that Kiba wasn't lying when he said it would be hell. They'd only been in class an hour and he was becoming…bored. And a bored Naruto, as Sarutobi knew, was a dangerous Naruto. Luckily, he still had studying to do that was given by his father. He unrolled a scroll and unsealed a book under the table, rolled the scroll back up, and sat the book on the table.
Kiba eyed him suspiciously and elbowed the blonde in the side.
"Hey man, what are you reading?"
"Sealing theory. I'm still learning how to make exploding tags."
"Uzumaki-san! Inuzuka-san! Pay attention!"
The two boys turned back to face the class and found Mizuki glaring at them. Kiba shifted in his seat and nodded. Naruto narrowed his eyes but complied and sat his book down for the moment. He'd simply wait until the teacher turned back around and go back to reading his book. Iruka watched from the side as Mizuki gave his lecture. The idea behind having two senseis was that the switching out of voices would keep the genin hopefuls awake.
He watched as Mizuki continued to speak on the subject at hand and scanned around the room. His attention, however, kept coming back to Naruto.
Iruka was resentful of the fox for killing his parents. But he was indifferent at best to the boy that housed the beast. He had no desire to get close to the boy…so why did his attention keep coming back to him?
As he began his part of the lecture, he continued to notice that the blonde did little things that normal academy students didn't do. He was reading a book on seal theory, a high level book for someone his age. Iruka had come across the boy in the Hokage's office several times and had found that he was pleasant and intelligent. That didn't mean he wanted anything to do with the boy however.
Mizuki, on the other hand, had openly expressed his hatred of the boy. Iruka had told him that any open aggression against the lad would bring down the wrath of the Hokage upon him, but Mizuki saw Naruto being in their class as a way of killing the fox 'accidentally'. He'd have to keep his eye on Mizuki.
He looked up again toward Naruto and found the boy wasn't even paying attention, his nose deep in his book. That little habit would have to go immediately. He decided to make an example of the boy.
"Naruto! Tell me, what was the Shodai Hokage's special ability?"
Naruto never took his nose out of his book and flipped a page.
"Mokuton."
The entire class turned to look at him. Everyone knew he hadn't been paying attention…or at least it appeared he hadn't been. Hinata sighed and rested her chin in her hands. Asking Naruto history questions was dumb. His father had already made him learn it all. Iruka didn't know that though.
"All right. What weapon style was the Sandaime a master at?"
"Bojutsu."
Iruka quirked an eyebrow and scowled. It seemed the boy was paying attention…unless he already knew the answers. And he still hadn't taken his nose out of that damned book. Mizuki coughed into his hand and Iruka turned to look at him.
"Let me ask something Iruka."
The pineapple haired man nodded and stepped back.
"Tell me Uzumaki, what are you reading?"
"A book."
Mizuki growled under his breath when he heard a few students snicker. He wasn't going to let the fox get the better of him.
"What is it about?"
"Seal theory."
"Why are you reading a book on seal theory?"
"Studies given to me by my father. I was told to read up while he is on a mission."
"And why are you reading it in class? You're supposed to listen to our lectures. All this will be on the test."
"I am listening. I'm listening and reading at the same time. I've learned to multitask over the years Mizuki-sensei. It comes with how I've been brought up."
Mizuki was about to step back and let that slide, but his pride wouldn't let it go. He grabbed an eraser from the blackboard and launched it at Naruto's head. Everyone watched with wide eyes as he caught the eraser and sat it down on his desk, glaring at the teacher.
"That was unnecessary. I am listening to your lecture. My eyes don't have to be on you for my ears to hear you."
Shino nearly snorted when he heard that. It always amused him how Naruto's more stoic side came out when he became annoyed. His speech improved and he wasn't against making someone feel foolish if they were bothering him. Plus, he sounded exactly like an Aburame.
Iruka decided to step in before Mizuki lost his temper and did something rash. He didn't want to have to explain to the Hokage why his grandson was assaulted by a teacher. Besides, the boy had a point. He didn't have to have eye contact to hear someone. That bum Kakashi could follow a conversation and read at the same time after all…
"Mizuki, that's enough. We've ascertained he's listening. Let's continue the lesson so we can go outside."
Mizuki's scowl deepened but he stepped back and stood beside the blackboard, letting Iruka finish the lesson.
'I'll get you, you little bastard. Just wait for the taijutsu spar where we find out your skill level. I'll get you.'
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"Come on Naruto, it's lunch time. Let's go outside."
The blonde looked up at Kiba and nodded as he stretched. He had completed several chapters of his book already during the lecture and going outside in the sunlight sounded really good. He already missed training with Gai-sensei…no matter how eccentric the man had been. He began to follow Kiba when he noticed someone wasn't with them.
"Hinata, aren't you coming?"
"Um, no. That's all right. You boys can go on. I'll eat by myself."
Naruto frowned down at her and leaned over the desk.
"Are you eating with anyone today Hinata?"
"Um…no."
He smiled and grabbed her hand, jerking her out of her desk.
"Good. Then you can eat with us. The cook made a ton of dango for me today and mom made some of her special tea. You can help me destroy lunch."
Hinata smiled as she was dragged along behind Naruto. He always knew how to make her feel better. Her father was becoming more and more strict as far as her training was regarded. She didn't like pressure, preferring to go at her own pace, but it was like her father kept everyone moving so he wouldn't have time to stop and think about her dearly departed mother.
Poor Hanabi was constantly training in the Jyuuken style while Hinata was at school. She felt somewhat sorry for her sister. The council of Hyuuga elders placed a lot on hers and Hanabi's shoulders. And Neji was colder than ever.
Hinata smiled as Naruto plopped down beside a tree and beckoned her to sit. At least with Naruto in the academy, she got to see her best friend every day…and the food his cooks made was better than the lunch she had packed. She was still learning to cook well.
"Hey Shika! How about a game of shougi?"
No one knew that the lazy boy could move that fast, but he was there immediately before the game board, almost impatiently. His tapping foot gave away his excitement as he agreed in his normal bored voice.
"Yeah, that sounds good."
Hinata sighed and sat back against the tree. Even being near Naruto was calming to her. It was like the boy exuded a natural relaxant. As the two boys began their game and Shino, Kiba, and Chouji watched and ate Naruto's portion of his lunch without him realizing, she smiled. It was good to be wanted.
Naruto studied his move and took a bishop with one of his knights. He looked up to Shikamaru's face. What was the boy planning? That move was too obvious. Naruto reached back to the pile of dango and groped aroud without looking. He heard Hinata squeak when he accidentally grabbed her thigh and turned to find all his precious dango gone. He glared at the three boys behind him and nearly throttled Shino when he saw the dango skewer held in his teeth, jutting up over his high collar.
"Um, you can have some of my lunch Naruto. I made it myself, so it's not very good…"
He nodded and turned back to the game board as she handed him a rice ball. He took a bite and smiled. It wasn't good…it was very good. He turned back to Hinata and gave her a big grin.
"This is delicious Hinata, much better than my dango. The guys don't know what they're missing…keep your hands out of that bag Chouji."
"Check."
"…crap."
Naruto whipped his head back around to the board and Hinata giggled at the look of concentration. Nothing could ruin this moment. Except the rapidly approaching Uchiha and his flock. Hinata groaned when she saw them coming and turned to the game board. Naruto and Shikamaru were studying the board, ignoring the proceedings while Kiba, Shino, and Chouji were on edge.
Sasuke strolled up to the group with his hands in his pockets, looking disinterested, but on the inside he was seething. Sealing theory? That was a high level technique that shouldn't be available to an academy student. He wanted to know what the blonde knew and he always got what he wanted.
"Let me see that book you're reading dobe."
Naruto ignored the Uchiha and moved a pawn into what he hoped would corner Shikamaru's only remaining knight. Shikamaru smirked as he observed Sasuke out of the corner of his eye. This would definitely be a troublesome year.
"I said let me see that book dobe."
Naruto didn't look back, but waved his hand in a dismissive gesture.
"Shhhh, you're ruining my concentration. Go away."
Sasuke was not used to being denied, as was evidenced by the gasp from the group of girls behind him. Ino and Sakura were the first to his defense as always.
"Listen you jerk, don't talk down to Sasuke-kun!"
"Naruto, just give him the book."
Sakura stared at her rival. They had started out as friends, but over time they had drifted apart slightly upon discovering both of them liked Sasuke. They still maintained a healthy rapport of barbs and jabs at each other. That's why Ino's dismissal of Sasuke's wants and needs in such a casual way was startling.
Ino just didn't think she could put up with anything today. She knew how Naruto was. He'd ignore the Uchiha completely until the end of time if he thought he'd go away eventually. She just didn't feel like dealing with any shenanigans today. She did something entirely un-Ino-like; she stood back and let whatever events happened take their course.
Sasuke grit his teeth and balled his hands into fists. He wanted to know what was in that book and he would not be denied.
"Listen Uzumaki, I want to know what was in that book. Let me see it."
Naruto held the book up and brought it back down just as swiftly.
"There, you saw it, now go away. Your move Shika."
The girls that had been following Sasuke watched with wide eyes as he approached Naruto from behind, his fist cocked back and ready to swing. He would not let a slight such as that go. As he got within striking distance, a cold voice stopped him.
"If you want to keep that hand, I'd suggest you go away like I told you to before."
Sasuke dropped his fist and turned around, his nose in the air, his hands in his pockets.
"Hmph. Probably a stupid book anyway. Dobe."
The fangirls fawned and took off after Sasuke, Sakura in the lead. Ino hung back and looked at Naruto's back before running off. No one noticed her linger in Naruto's group.
"Checkmate."
"You dirty…"
Before Naruto could begin his rant, Iruka rang the bell for them to come back in. He sealed the gameboard away, grumbling all the way back to class about lazy, genius bums. Hinata patted him on the back as she smiled. A grumpy Naruto was a funny Naruto. A gloating Shikamaru shuffled up beside Naruto and grinned, never looking at the blonde.
"You'll never beat me."
"One day Nara. One day…"
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Iruka watched as they all filed back in and he continued the lecture. After an hour, he stopped and nodded to Mizuki.
"All right class, we're going to have a few tests outside to ascertain where your skill levels lie. Everyone outside."
Naruto sighed and sealed his book away before standing and following the others out. He didn't notice the malicious grin on Mizuki's face. He knew the perfect way to hurt the fox.
Naruto stood with his arms crossed, a bored look on his face. The test was a taijutsu spar between a student and either Iruka or Mizuki to see where their strengths and weaknesses lay. The only ones left were him and Sasuke. He guessed they wanted to show off the Uchiha's strength and try to embarrass him.
He couldn't have been more right.
The object of the exercise was to land one punch on the instructor. The longer it took, the more practice you needed supposedly. Those well versed in taijutsu, like Hinata and Kiba, didn't take long at all. Those like Sakura and Ino, took a little longer to get going. He watched as one of the many girls in the class finished up and Sasuke was called forth.
Iruka called Sasuke up and settled into the basic taijutsu stance as Sasuke settled into his family stance. When Iruka gave him the signal to come, Sasuke shot forward and kicked at Iruka's head. The teacher grabbed the boy's foot and blocked a punch by raising his leg and blocking with his shin. Sasuke pushed off and pivoted in midair sending a roundhouse kick towards his midsection.
Iruka threw himself backward and let go of the boy, handspringing back into a low crouch. Sasuke shot back toward him and tried for a sweep kick but Iruka leapt into the air and was met with a punch in the gut from Sasuke. The man held up his hand for the boy to cease and Sasuke smirked as he went back into his laidback, hands-in-pocket pose. Iruka smiled and nodded to the boy as all the girls squealed and cheered for his victory.
Mizuki grinned and stepped up for his turn. He'd been waiting for this. Iruka looked at him nervously, but thought his fellow teacher had everything under control.
"Come on Uzumaki. Let's see what you've got."
Naruto walked forward until he stood before Mizuki and settled into his favorite stance. Mizuki looked at him with interest.
"And what's this called?"
"Kalaripayit."
"Kala…what?"
"Kalaripayit. It's an ancient martial art. Ready when you are sensei."
Mizuki rushed forward, punching at Naruto's head. Iruka's eyes widened. They weren't supposed to attack the students; they were just supposed to dodge!
Naruto saw the punch coming and bent backwards out of the way, pivoting his torso and coming up to the side. Mizuki spun on his heel and lashed out with a backhand. Naruto caught it and threw Mizuki's arm to the side, knocking him off balance. The man caught himself by falling forwards and thrusting backwards with a mule kick.
Naruto ducked under the kick and pushed upwards with both hands, catching Mizuki in the stomach with a double palm press. The chuunin grunted and fell hard. The strength of the boy was misleading, considering his slight frame. Mizuki came up off the ground and caught Naruto with a spinning kick, sending the boy flying. Iruka had tried to stop him, but didn't move fast enough.
As Naruto flew through the air, he wondered whether or not it would be worth hitting the building, if it meant not revealing his kekkei genkai.
…reveal nothing. Channel chakra to your feet and land on the side of the building…
Naruto growled under his breath, but quickly did as he was instructed. It bothered him that that was twice the Kyuubi had spoken and given him direction. He didn't like receiving advice from the demon who was sealed inside of him.
Even if it was good advice.
Naruto rolled in midair, channeled the chakra to his feet and landed hard in a crouch on the side of the building, spiderweb cracks appearing beneath his feet. The kids all gaped as Naruto growled audibly and launched himself off the building, coming for Mizuki full speed.
"Mizuki, NO!"
Iruka's warning was not enough. Neither combatant heard him. As Naruto approached rapidly, he saw the sensei pull out a kunai and on instinct he jerked his field knife from its scabbard. The knives clashed together and Mizuki was surprised to find the boy was stronger than he looked. He wasn't strong enough though, as Mizuki used his superior reach and kicked Naruto in the stomach, knocking him to the ground.
Naruto grunted as he hit the ground and rolled backward, avoiding a stomp directed toward his head. He twisted his body out of the way of a stab at his heart and rolled sideways away from the chuunin. He saw Iruka grab Mizuki from behind and slowly made his way up as he listened to what was being said.
"Mizuki! Snap out of it! Stop it!"
"Let me go! I have to do this! I'll be a hero!"
"Mizuki, STOP!"
"Let him go Iruka-sensei."
Iruka held the silver haired man firmly, but looked over the man's shoulder to find a fierce looking Naruto, whose voice was so cold it sent shivers down his spine.
"Let him go. He wants me, he can come get me."
…show no mercy to those who would do you harm…
Naruto shook off the voice and glared at the silver haired man.
"Gai-sensei always said I shouldn't let others fight my battles for me. I don't know what his problem is, but I'll fight him if he wants."
As Naruto put his knife in front of him and settled into a defensive position, two ANBU landed in the schoolyard and grabbed Mizuki by both arms.
"That won't be necessary Naruto-san. We've observed everything that went on here."
The rat-faced ANBU turned his mask to Mizuki and the smirk could be felt in his voice.
"If you would be so kind as to accompany us to visit Ibiki, Mizuki-san. He'd like a word with you about your actions taken against a student of the academy."
Mizuki's face was twisted into a rage.
"I haven't done anything wrong! That monster shouldn't even be alive!"
The mole-faced ANBU turned and punched Mizuki in his stomach, knocking the air out of him.
"That's enough out of you. You wouldn't want to add treason to your list of wrongdoings today. Naruto-san, always a pleasure to see you."
"Likewise Mole, Rat."
The two ANBU nodded and shunshined away with an unconscious Mizuki, leaving a group of bewildered children and a flustered Iruka. Naruto collapsed to his knees, the adrenaline leaving him.
'Holy crap, what was I thinking? I've only ever been in spars against Gai-sensei and he's never gone all out. That guy could have killed me!'
…he was weak. You could have taken him…
Naruto ignored the voice once again. He didn't need this right now. Hinata ran up to him and knelt before him.
"Are…are you hurt?"
"No, I'm fine. I'm just a bit shaken up, that's all."
Kiba and the others bounded up beside him, Kiba grinning like an idiot.
"Don't know what you did to piss off Mizuki-sensei, but this year proves to be pretty interesting already with you around."
Naruto let a small smile cross his lips and looked up at his fanged companion.
"I just hope that's the last interesting thing this year."
Iruka ushered the rest back inside, stating that the tests for today were over. Neither Naruto nor his friends noticed the aura coming from Sasuke, the one of pure jealousy. He couldn't believe that the one his father had called a worthless demon had taken on a chuunin with intent to kill and had survived with hardly a scratch. He wondered who in the hell this 'Gai-sensei' was and whether or not it would be worth his time to seek the man out.
He needed power quickly so he could destroy his brother…
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The rest of the day passed quickly and without incident. Naruto was kept under the close watch of one Uchiha Sasuke the whole time and at the end of class, as Iruka was about to let them go, he heard a bird tapping at the window. He retrieved the scroll from its leg and read it quickly.
"Naruto, the Hokage requests both yours and my presence. We'll go after everyone's gone because I'd like to speak to you beforehand."
Naruto nodded and said goodbye to his friends as they left. Hinata threw him a glance at the door and he gave her a reassuring smile. Sasuke glared at him as he left and Naruto glared back, putting a tiny bit of killing intent behind it. As Sasuke's eyes widened, he threw a little more in until Iruka smacked him in the back of the head. Sasuke left like he was shot out of a gun.
"That isn't very professional Naruto. I know of your upbringing and I know you know better. Don't use techniques like that against fellow shinobi."
Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"But he's such a jerk Iruka-sensei. I can't help it if he doesn't like me. I'm not going to put up with his crap. The only reason he's like that is that everyone bows down to what he wants."
Iruka nodded and sighed. He knew it was the truth. That wasn't what he wanted to talk about though.
"That might be true, but that doesn't excuse your conduct, especially since I know you know better. And…I'm sorry about earlier. I should have jumped in as soon as Mizuki kicked you. I'm sorry for what he did."
"Don't apologize for something you had no control over Iruka-sensei. Mizuki's getting what he deserves right now. I'm sure Ibiki-san is having fun at least."
Iruka shuddered at the casual dismissal of Mizuki. The boy had been exposed to certain things too early in life for his opinion. He knew nothing, of course, of Naruto's first kill over a week ago or his knowledge of the Kyuubi. He looked at the clock and grabbed Naruto's shoulder.
"We should head toward the tower before its too late. Hokage-sama is expecting us. Come on, we'll get there sooner the sooner we start."
He headed for the door and stopped when he realized Naruto wasn't following him.
"Something wrong?"
"…you don't expect me to walk, do you?"
Iruka quirked an eyebrow and put his hands on his hips.
"Well unless you know how to teleport both you and me, then I guess we'll have to walk."
"Iruka-sensei, can you sense anyone else around here?"
Iruka started at the question, but closed his eyes, feeling around for any chakra signatures. He found one hidden not far away. It was Uchiha Sasuke. He walked over to Naruto and whispered into his ear.
"I believe we have an eavesdropper. I'll be right back after I take care of him."
Naruto listened carefully and scowled when he heard Iruka politely ask Sasuke to leave. If that had been anyone but the boy, then he would have gotten more than a polite dismissal. Iruka came back into the room with a blank look on his face and walked back over to Naruto.
"Is he gone now?"
"Yes, he went home."
"Check again."
Iruka was becoming most upset by the boy's paranoia, but checked again. Sasuke was indeed gone. There were no others. Naruto nodded at the confirmation and stood beside Iruka, grabbing his sleeve.
"You might want to close your eyes Iruka-sensei. It can get a little…disorienting."
"What do you…"
Iruka felt the sudden jerk as they teleported at high speed and soon found himself touching down in a swirl of paper in front of the Hokage's desk.
"…mean?"
"Ah, Iruka, Naruto, just the two I wanted to see. Sit, sit. And Naruto, pick up those papers."
Naruto did as he was told and sat down in front of his grandfather's desk as Iruka bowed and sat beside him.
"Tell me about what happened at the academy Iruka."
Iruka explained everything that happened in detail as the Sandaime listened, smoked his pipe, and nodded his head at the appropriate intervals.
"Thank you Iruka. That was most thorough. Now, Naruto, you should know better than to let your temper get the better of you."
"But sensei, he attacked me. I was defending myself."
"I know that. But when Iruka had him held, you shouldn't have pressed the issue. Your other senseis and I have beaten it into your head over and over not to be rash."
"Yes, sensei."
Iruka's head swung back and forth from one to the other. 'Other senseis?'
"Hokage-sama, if I may ask, who are Naruto's other senseis'? I wasn't aware he was receiving training before the academy."
Sarutobi smiled and clasped his hands together. Iruka was always a concerned teacher, first and foremost.
"Naruto is being trained by Maito Gai in the area of taijustu, in the area of knife fighting by my son Asuma, in literature by his father, and in the area of ninjutsu by me. Naruto is trained well, but he isn't at an elite chuunin level like Mizuki quite yet. It would have been foolish to take him on."
"Sensei, I could have won."
Sarutobi glared at his protégé and Naruto wilted under that gaze.
"Remember Naruto, I know you better than anyone. I know what you're capable of. Yes, you might have held your own for a while, but there is one thing Mizuki has that you lack; experience. He has worlds more experience in battle than you do and that would have been the deciding factor. You would have lost in the end."
Naruto scowled but bowed his head. He knew that it was true.
"To be fair though Hokage-sama, Naruto did wonderfully for someone who was caught off guard. No one expected Mizuki to snap like he did and fight for real. He could have seriously hurt Naruto, but due to his training, he was able to adapt quickly. It was very impressive."
Naruto beamed at the praise, but quickly schooled his face when he saw Sarutobi look at him.
"Naruto is held to a different standard than the other children Iruka. I expect him to be able to protect himself. His training is different than the others because of his situation."
Iruka's eyes widened and he turned to look at Naruto, who sat with a calm look on his face.
"Speaking of situation, sensei, it happened again."
Sarutobi frowned and let a frown settle onto his visage.
"It did? When?"
"Right when I was flying towards the wall. It told me not to reveal anything and land on the side."
Iruka was sweating bullets. He had blundered into a conversation that was making him very ill to his stomach.
"Did you reply to it?"
"No, I didn't. I ignored it once again. But it has to know that I can hear it sensei."
Sarutobi nodded and rubbed his hands nervously.
"Just don't respond to it Naruto. That could prove disastrous."
"Hai, sensei."
"Naruto…"
The two turned to face a badly shaken Iruka, who looked scared out of his mind.
"Are you…"
Naruto nodded his head and Sarutobi sighed. It was better that Naruto's teacher not fear him.
"Iruka, you know the law. No one is allowed to talk about it…except for Naruto. The law does not apply to him. Naruto?"
The blonde nodded.
"Iruka-sensei…I know about it. I've known for quite a while now. I know what's inside me."
Iruka's mouth flopped open and closed as he tried to make sense of what he'd just heard. If someone had broken the law, they would have died though, right?
"I figured it out myself Iruka-sensei. It wasn't that hard really. There were clues all around. The only thing I want to know is…do you hate me for what I contain?"
Iruka looked at the boy and blinked slowly. He had only met the boy in person a few times as he handed in a mission report. He'd only been in Iruka's class for less than a day. Iruka thought hard and started slowly.
"Naruto…I can't honestly say I hate you…but…I don't particularly like you either. I don't know you. As wrong as it may seem, you're a constant reminder to me and the other villagers of what we lost. I'd like to ask that you let me get to know you better before asking that question again."
Naruto nodded. It was more than he could have hoped for. At least the man was willing to give him a chance.
"Iruka-sensei…thank you. Just having someone take a chance to get to know me is more than I usually get."
Iruka smiled and nodded his head. Perhaps…it was time to give the boy a chance. He'd never done anything to deserve otherwise. Sarutobi beamed at the scene and coughed into his hand.
"Iruka, thank you for being rational about this. I don't know who will replace Mizuki as your assistant, but I'll assign someone shortly. In fact, Naruto, you can work on that right now. Pull the files and find a suitable applicant."
The boy nodded and slipped on his robes and hat, before going through the files of the available chuunin. Iruka looked puzzled at the scene, causing Sarutobi to laugh.
"Come now Iruka. Who do you think chose the current academy teachers based on their performance?"
Iruka's eyes bugged and he pointed at the blonde, who had two other clones flipping through files.
"You mean, he's the reason I was chosen for the academy?"
"Hai, he was. He thought you would make a suitable teacher due to your easygoing nature and natural empathy. He was right you know. Naruto is an amazing judge of character. Mizuki was a good pick for your assistant since you two were friends growing up. His hatred of the fox was an unknown variable however."
"I knew he hated the fox, but I didn't know he hated the boy as well. I'm sorry Hokage-sama."
"Don't do that Iruka."
Iruka stared at the man quizzically and Sarutobi elaborated.
"The worst thing you can do is pity someone like Naruto. He hates it and he won't forgive you for it. If you want to help, help change everyone's opinion. You can go now. You have to prepare your lesson for tomorrow."
Iruka stood and bowed to the Hokage before saying goodbye to Naruto. One of them waved (he wasn't sure it was the original) and he left the office. Sarutobi turned to Naruto and sighed. Today was a strange day.
"Have you found anyone who even looks like they would be alright?"
One of the Naruto's looked up and grinned.
"Yeah, actually, I have. Her name is Yuuhi Kurenai, specializes in genjutsu. She'd be a natural to teach the girls. The only thing is…she might distract some of the boys…"
Sarutobi put on a lecherous grin. He knew why Kurenai might distract someone, but he wanted to hear it from Naruto's lips.
"And why is that, exactly?"
"Well…she's…she's uh…really beautiful."
"Yes, she is a beautiful woman. Perhaps you should pick a more homely one."
"NO! I mean…she'll do just fine. I'm sure we'll be able to deal with it."
"I'm sure you will. I'll notify her tomorrow and she can assume her duties the following week. Better give her some time off before she has to deal with you children all day."
"Yeah that's probably a good…HEY! We're not that bad."
"Of course you aren't. Now, help me finish these papers and we can go home."
"Hey Jiji…can I have some evenings off every now and then? So I can hang out with my friends more?"
Sarutobi smiled and went back to his paperwork.
"I thought you'd never ask. I'm surprised it's taken you this long."
Naruto gaped like a fish and pointed his finger angrily.
"You mean you would have let me do this sooner if I'd just asked?"
"Well, yes. I just assumed you liked spending time at the office."
Naruto looked like he was about to explode, but as soon as it appeared, it passed. He calmly sat down and began to furiously scribble on a pad of paper. Sarutobi was wary now. An angry Naruto was a vengeful Naruto after all.
"What are you doing?"
"Making out a design of a new jutsu, one guaranteed to make you crumble every time."
"What is it?"
"Why should I tell you? That would take out all of the surprise. Let's just say a certain student of yours inspired it."
Now that made Sarutobi sweat…which one could it possibly be? He prayed to the gods it wasn't Orochimaru…
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When Naruto returned to class the next day, he was looked at with a mixture of fear and awe. He suspected most of the class had told their parents what they'd seen and the popular response was to say that Mizuki should have been given a medal instead of being taken away. Naruto sighed and went back to listening to Kiba blabber on about something.
"Mom said that next year I can get my ninken. It'll be so cool man. I can't wait."
Shino pushed his glasses up further on his nose and turned to Kiba.
"I hope your mother is training you to take care of the poor thing. I don't think you'd like what awaits you if it is mistreated."
"Aw come on Shino. You know I wouldn't mistreat an animal."
"We'll see."
Hinata noticed how quiet Naruto was and plopped down beside him.
"That was very brave what you did yesterday Naruto-kun, facing down Mizuki-sensei like that."
Naruto looked up and gave her a small grin.
"It wasn't brave Hinata-chan, it was stupid. If he wanted to, he could have trounced me. Just because I'm really good for an academy student doesn't mean I can take on an elite chuunin. If not for Iruka-sensei stopping the fight, I might have been killed."
Hinata frowned, but quickly put on a smile for him and patted his arm reassuringly.
"I still believe you could have won."
"ALL RIGHT, SHUT UP AND SIT DOWN!"
The kids immediately fell into their seats as Iruka walked in with a purpose.
"Listen up. We'll be getting another assistant for this class, since Mizuki-sensei has been…detained. She'll be here starting next week and I expect you to show her the proper respect due a sensei. Understood?"
The class all chimed in a perfectly timed 'Hai Iruka-sensei' and he smiled.
"Good. We'll be studying some more on history today…"
'Not me.' Naruto thought as he flopped open a book on variations of Kage Bunshin. He knew all this already.
Yeah, I'm doing things a little bit differently. Hope you liked it.