Naruto and his team began to leave the tower after they found out who they would be facing in the finals. They didn't get very far as they were stopped by an arrogant Uchiha.

"Hey dobe," he said with a smirk, "I think you should forfeit now. You just got lucky with that weakling. If you had faced a true genius, you would have been toast."

"I doubt it," replied Naruto. Kakashi was walking towards them now, ready to step in if there was any trouble. Also, he still hadn't sealed away the cursed seal. "That weakling, as you call him, was a far superior shinobi than you will ever be. He realized that only had work can only make you stronger. Like your brother before him."

"How could you know something like that," snarled Sasuke. He placed his hand on the side of his neck as he began to feel the pain.

"I met him once," replied Naruto. "I was five then and it was only for a short time."

Flashback: 7 years ago

Naruto was running through the woods near the training grounds. It was October 10th and, as always, he had more people than usually trying to kill him. He had only stepped out for some milk when some of the villagers began to throw glass bottles and rocks at him. Due to the hits his face was covered with blood, he had cuts all over his body, and he was missing several teeth that weren't missing that morning. He had slipped away from them for the moment, but he knew that they would find him sooner or later.

While running, he entered a clearing that was being used by a single person. The person had black hair and onyx eyes. The boy appeared to be about five to seven years older than Naruto. He stopped what he was doing when Naruto entered the area and gave him a curious look.

"What happened to you," he asked calmly. Naruto didn't answer, he just jumped into a nearby bush and prayed that the boy would forget that he saw him. However, before either one of them could make another move, more people entered the area. Some of them were part of the village's military police and others were chunins and civilians. One of the people stood out, Shisui Uchiha.

"Hey Itachi," he said, "have you seen a blond running around here?"

Naruto held his breath. He began to prepare for the beating he would soon be getting. This always happened. Every time he hid, there was always someone who would rat him out.

"Sorry, haven't seen anyone around here," lied Itachi. "I have been here all day training alone. You are the first people I have seen all day." Naruto's eyes widened at this. Why was he helping him?

"I see," said Shisui as the others began to walk away. "May I ask why you are training out here? The training area back in the compound is much better suited for our clans training style."

"Just wanted a change of scenery," was his answer.

"As long as it is clan approved training there won't be any problems. Later, Itachi."

Naruto waited a while before coming out. He wanted to make sure that all the bad men were really gone. When he got out, Itachi had a disgusted look on his face. He couldn't believe that so many people could take enjoyment in hurting a little boy.

"Thank you for helping me," said Naruto with a big smile on his face.

"Don't mention it," replied Itachi. "I can't believe that members of the military police would be doing something like this. I'll have to speak to the captain about this later."

"It's alright," said Naruto. "This always happens to me so I'm used to it."

"No one should ever have to get used to something like that."

"Hey, why are you training out here," asked Naruto, trying to change the subject.

"I want to become stronger," replied Itachi truthfully to the boy. "I want more than what my clan teaches so I come out here to train on my own." As he said this, he reached to his back pocket and pulled out some pocky.

"So your clan only wants you to learn only some things and not others?"

"That's right. Most clans want to pass only what they have learned to their children because it's a family thing. It's even more so when you have a bloodline limit."

"Like the people with the white eyes," replied Naruto. "They only know the Gentle Fist. Hinata told me that the elders say that everything else is just a waste of time and stuff like that."

Itachi knew what clan the boy was referring to. Not too many clans had white eyes. But, how did he know about the Gentle Fist and how could he be so close to the clan's heiress.

"You sound as if you know about the Gentle Fist," said the Uchiha.

"I know only a little bit," said Naruto as he scratched the back of his head. "Hinata and her brother have been teaching me for a while since I don't have parents to help me. Could you please not tell anyone?"

"Sure, but only if you show me what you know," said Itachi with interest. Naruto nodded and began to some palm strikes in the air. He continued to do some more for a while till Itachi told him to stop. "I'm impressed, but I have a question for you. Do you think that the elders of the white eyed clan are right?"

"No," was Naruto reply. "You should do what ever you think is best to become stronger. The more you are able to do the better. Beside, what do those old farts know anyways? What if someone figures out a weakness in the Gentle Fist style? They are fools."

Itachi nodded. This boy understood why he was training. There were powers out there that couldn't be copied with the Sharingan.

"Ya know, I have a little brother about your age. The names Itachi Uchiha. What's your name?"

"Naruto Uzumaki."

End Flashback

"That was the first and last time that we met," said Naruto as he finished up his story. "He understood the difference between earning and stealing power. As you are now, you'll never be able to defeat him. You're just so pathetic." With that, Naruto and his friends walked away, leaving behind a stunned room.

Naruto sat down at the Ichiraku about an hour later. To put it simply, he was starving and he wanted his all time favorite. Zabuza had tried to get him to kick the ramen addiction, but some things are stronger than the Kyuubi. This happened to be one of them.

"So," said Isaribi as she finished her bowl (Naruto was on his sixth), "how are we going to be training this month?"

"We aren't," said Naruto as he eyed a stone rock coming towards them. "We are going to be doing our own things. It wouldn't look good if we were to train like a team when there is a chance that we will end up fighting against each other."

"Good point," said Haku. "Zaku, would you mind lending me a hand with my training?" Zaku shook his head and said there would be no problem.

"Well, I could use some help with genjutsus," said Isaribi.

"I can help you with that," said Kin.

"Great, it's all settled and WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT KID," said/shouted Naruto who had lost his patience with the rock.

"I see I was right about you," said the rock. "You must be a great shinobi to see through my disguise." The rock then exploded and out came a boy with a green scarf around his neck. "I'm Konohamaru and I heard that you are a great shinobi from my grandfather. I want you to train me."

"No," said Naruto simply and order another bowl of ramen.

"Why not," asked the boy. "I'm the grandson of the Third."

"I have no reason to train you. I am not a member of this village. Also, being the grandson of the Third doesn't obligate me to do anything."

"But I want people to see me," said the boy quietly. "All people see is the honorable grandson of the Third. No one ever see's me."

Naruto gave a sigh and finished his meal. He then got up and paid for his meal and began to walk away. He turned his head and looked at the boy.

"Well, you coming," he asked. The boys face light and began to follow Naruto.

"Why did he change his mind," asked Kin.

"Naruto knows what it's like not to be seen for what you truly are," said Haku as he got up and paid. "I would have been surprised if he hadn't taken the boy up on his demand."

Naruto had taken them to a training field by a river and stopped.

"All right, let's get a few things straight. Number one, I am not going to train you all out. Number two, this is only for today because I don't have time to waste with you. Number three, you annoy me. Now, tell me what you know."

"Alright. I know how to punch, kick, and the transformation skills." Naruto sweat dropped.

"That's all? Talk about a work in progress. O.K. I'll show you how to make water clones." With that, Naruto began to do the hand sighs in slow motion and soon had two water clones beside him. "It's best to do this jutsu close to a body of water. You try it."

So he did. However, he could get it to work once. Naruto gave him several pointers, but the boy couldn't get it. Soon they were interrupted.

"Young master," cried Ebisu. "What do you think you are doing? Come with me quickly away from this trash. Any thing that he does will only be a hindrance to you. I am the best shortcut you can get to becoming Hokage.

For some reason, Naruto became angry. Maybe it was being called trash by a stranger. Maybe it was because of the shortcut part. Whatever it was made him angry.

"I think I see the problem," said Naruto. "Believing that there are shortcuts only hinder growth." He stared at Ebisu. "Let the boy be or fight me. It's your choice."

"It's been a while since I got to put someone in his place," smirked Ebisu. "I'll show the young master why I'm best suited to train him."

Naruto started to do some hand signs. "Water Dragon Blast Jutsu!" With that, the water behind took the form of a dragon and charged at Ebisu who was shocked someone so young could use it. Ebisu dodged it, on to have the back of his head kicked by Naruto. Ebisu tried to get up, but Naruto's foot on his back and his sword next to his neck stopped that idea.

"It seems what they say is true. If you can't do, then teach," Naruto chuckled for a moment then turned to Konohamaru. "There are no shortcuts in life. If you want true power you have to work for it. It takes time, but it is worth it." With that, Naruto place his sword back on his back and began to walk away.

"Kukuku, well said Naruto," said a voice. They all turned to the source and saw Orochimaru appearing before them. Ebisu ran away to get help, leaving behind his student and the Mist-nin.

"Orochimaru, so we met at last," said Naruto calmly. Konohamru's eyes widened at the name. "What do I owe the pleasure of your white assed presence?"

"My, aren't we forward. I was hoping to chart for a while."

"Just say why you came here for and get lost."

"Very well," said Orochimaru with a grin. "I came here to offer you a deal. I was very impressed with the power that you displayed. So, I want you. Join me and the Sound and I will give you what your heart wants the most. I will revive your sensei."

"Really, you don't say," was Naruto's response.

"Kukuku, yes Naruto. I could do it right here and now. We aren't that different, you and I. Both of us are hated and we both choose to leave this hellhole." He would have continued, but Naruto's laughter stopped him.

"We are nothing alike, so get that threw your head. I know all about you. You were once just like the Uchiha, a spoiled shinobi who always got what he wanted. You were the favorite in you team and loved by this village. Then one day, you didn't get what you wanted. For the first time, your sensei denied you what you wanted and you couldn't handle it. You thought that if you knew more jutsus, the old man might reconsider. Or, if you were immortal, then you could simply wait for the next time the position became available. You were then chased out of the village after they found out about your experiments. To me, you're nothing more than a little baby crying over spilled milk." Orochimaru's face was twisted with anger. No one talked to him like that. But, one thing came to mind.

"How did you know," he asked. Naruto sighed and pulled out a bingo book.

"I read your profile and then guessed the rest based on your history. Pity you didn't just say oh well and wait. All you had to do was wait for the Kyuubi and you could have been wearing the Hokages hat."

"Grr, what about my offer? Think about it, you could see your sensei again. Or is it your mother? Who among the dead do you wish to see again?"

"I will see them again, but not in this lifetime. Unlike you, I am not afraid of hell. Once my time in this world is over, I will be with Zabuza once again. I may never see my other teammates again, but they deserve a much better place than I do. Also, what makes you think I would trust you after what you did to my teammate. Now get out of here before I let out the red chakra. I wonder how many will come just for the chance to kill me? Maybe a hundred, two, three? Can you take on that many at once." Orochimaru began to sink into the earth.

"This isn't over," was all he said as he disappeared. Soon, ANBU arrived finding only Konohamaru and a note saying that the old man owed him one.

Later that day, Naruto was sitting on top of the Fourths head. A meeting of the council had taken place and Naruto had a clue what it was about. No doubt it was on him and Orochimaru. Those asses probably believed that Naruto had teamed up with that snake and they were plotting to steal the great Uchiha away from them. And they wonder why he hated them. Naruto was about to get up and leave when he felt a familiar chakra signature.

"What do you want old man," asked Naruto who didn't turn around to look at him.\

"I wanted to say thank you and to see how you were doing. We haven't spoken since you entered the village." Naruto said nothing at this and the old man decided to continue. "I'm glad to see that you are all right, I was worried about you." At this, Naruto laughed.

"If you ever cared for me, you did a crappy job at showing it. You didn't do a damn thing to help me."

"Naruto, that's not true. I did everything I could to…." He was cut off as Naruto suddenly turned to face him. His eyes burned with hatred.

"That's complete bull. You think passing a couple of laws did anything? There where hundreds of things that you could have done for me, but you didn't! You could have found a family to take me in. You could have taken me in yourself. You could have never have told anyone about the Kyuubi being in my gut in the first place. Now you want me back after all the shit I had to endure in this hellhole." At this point, Naruto was down on his hands and knees. The sound of his voice made it clear that he was holding back tears. Ones that should have been shed ages ago. "Why are you doing this to me? I am finally happy and you do this. Why?"

"Naruto, I couldn't have taken you in. I was too busy to take care of a baby or give you the attention that you would have needed. Also, if I had the council would have done it's best to replace me with a Hokage that hated you and done everything he could to see you dead. There was no one I felt that would care for you enough or be there for you enough to raise you. I hoped the people would understand that you weren't the Kyuubi, but I was wrong. But, I want to try again and make things right."

"So, in other words," said Naruto as he got up, "you just want another chance. Well sorry, but I am happy where I am. Hell, the best day of my life was when I got to the Mist village."

Flashback

Naruto sat on the doctors table. As soon as Zabuza had gotten them to the village, he had taken them for a check up. However, Naruto was a little scared. Back home, the doctors had treated him badly and inflicted more injuries on him than healing him. He was also worried about Haku and Isaribi.

"Are you sure," he heard Zabuza say. He was speaking to the doctor who had examined Naruto and had taken a bit of his blood. Naruto thought that the doctor had been very nice to him.

"Yes, but do you know what the chances are? An Uzumaki after all this time and Nadoka's son. I checked the DNA results twice just to be sure. I can't believe it," said the doctor.

"Neither can I," replied Zabuza. He then entered the room and looked at Naruto. "Well, it seems I was right about you. Welcome home."

End Flashback

"Do you know how it fells go through live never knowing where you come from and then finding out from complete strangers? I have a chance to be happy there. What will I get here that I can't get there?" With that Naruto left the old Hokage alone.

Hiashi Hyuga was walking home from the council meeting. He had stopped at the hospital to see if Hinata was awake. For the people who thought it was because he was a caring father, they were wrong. Hiashi had gone over to inform his daughter that she was being disowned. Fortunately, she wasn't awake yet. It was now dark out as he neared his family's compound when he saw something strange. There weren't any guards at the front gate. He ran up to see what the matter was and was shocked.

In the compound, there where bodies on the ground. The entire Brach family was unconscious. Now fear was seeping into the forty year old jonin. He looked at some who looked like there skin was burned, but not their clothing. Some looked like they had been beaten into submission. He activated his bloodline limit and, just on the other side of the compound, he saw two figures waiting. One appeared to be tried to a tree. He deactivated his bloodline and raced over to them.

If he was scared before, he was when he got there. His daughter, Hanabi, was the one tied to the tree. The boy called Naruto had a kunai at her throat. In one simple action, the kunai struck and he fell to his knees and began to cry. However, the sound of water splashing made him look up and the bodies of Naruto and Hanabi were gone.

"Nice to see you again," said Naruto who was sitting off on the side. He was sipping some lemonade that Hanabi had made for him. "How long has it been? How are you doing? How's the health?"

"You," said Hiashi with all the anger he could muster. "How dare you do this. I will…"

"You will do nothing," said Naruto, interrupting the elder Hyuga. "I think this makes us even, don't you think so. I was a bit surprised at how weak the security is around here. I mean, you guys are Hyuga's. You don't do weak. It only took one genin to take down the branch family."

Hiashi was fuming. If word of this got out, his clan would be the laughing stock of the village.

"Where is my daughter?"

"I believe she is at the hospital. Oh wait, you disowned her. I keep forgetting you have a new squirt around. She's all right, don't worry. She actual gave me this nice drink after I humbled her. Nice kid, a little arrogant, but still nice."

"Get out now," commanded the Hyuga.

"Why going to put a birdcage seal on her as well?"

"Never, she has worth. Unlike her sister."

"There are no bad students, only bad teachers," said Naruto as he got up. "I must say, you did a lousy job at teaching Hinata. I bet you just gave up because she had a harder time learning it. Or, is it something more."

"What are you getting at," asked Hiashi.

"I think it's time you stopped blaming Hinata for your brother's death," said Naruto with complete seriousness in his voice. "She was three years old, what could she have done to stop that Cloud-nin? You have been blaming her ever since then and it's time you stop."

"This has nothing to do with you," growled Hiashi. "You know nothing about Hizashi and the circumstances of that night."

"Cloud-nin breaks in, grabs three year old girl, you kill Cloud-nin, and your brother is killed and his body is sent to the Cloud village. Does that sum it up nicely? You're pathetic." At that moment, a wind blew across the courtyard.

"H-How did you know," stammered Hiashi.

"Wow, so that's where Hinata gets it. Well, Hinata told me during one of our spars. Well, some of it anyways. The rest I found out in Mist. We happen to be on good terms with the Cloud." Naruto began to walk towards a wall.

"You think I'll let you leave after you killed my son?"

"It's not like you have a choice. I will leave here and I will make sure that Hinata doesn't get that nasty seal placed on her forehead."

"You will leave her alone!"

"You're about to disown her, why do you care? You failed to make her into a fine blade, but I will fix the problem. Till we meet again, Hiashi." With that Naruto disappeared over the wall.

About two hours later, Naruto had place Hinata's body on the forest floor of the Forest of Death. He placed his hands over her body and red tentacles shot out of them and began to heal her body.

"Hey kit, why are you doing this?"

"I wish to sever the last chain that binds me here."

Well, things are starting to get interesting. So, got comments or suggestions? Hope to get a lot of reviews. Please?