Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 11: The Ninja Academy.
- Dad! Mom! Today's the first day in the Ninja Academy!
Minato and Kushina were amused with Naruto. Finally he would go to the Ninja Academy, as their parents promised him, and he got ready eagerly. Minato saw Naruto carrying a backpack and asked:
- Hey, kid, why the backpack?
Naruto saw his father and his mother, who were both making breakfast, and said:
- Well, father, didn't you tell me that, in school, I'd receive books for the lessons?
Kushina laughed soundly:
- Well, yes, sure! But you're carrying a full backpack! You're not planning to prank someone out there, are you?
Naruto shook his head 'no', but, just in case, he opened his backpack. Minato checked it quickly, finding that he was carrying a towel and spare clothes. He asked:
- Hmmm… what are you planning, Naruto?
Naruto grinned and said:
- I just wanted to take a swim in the large beaches after the class!
Kushina warned him:
- It's not a good idea to go there alone, kid!
Naruto pouted:
- Why, mom?
Kushina smiled, seeing his son's pout, and decided to play a bit with him:
- Well, because there are lots of sharks, man-eating whales, maelstroms, tsunamis, octopuses, poisonous jellyfish and piranhas, waiting for some foolish child like you to enter the seas alone.
Naruto was scared enough to run to his room and leave his spare clothes and his towel back in his room. Minato saw Kushina with an upset look as she laughed soundly. When Naruto came back, Kushina was laughing like mad, and Minato shook his head, smirking:
- She was just joking with you, Naruto-kun.
Naruto's face turned upset, but grinning evilly, and Kushina knew what this meant, so she decided to attempt a peace agreement:
- Your face was priceless, Naruto-kun… But, seriously, don't go to the seaside alone. Whenever we can, we'll take you there, okay?
Naruto, realizing that the advice was serious this time, changed his expression to a more serious tone, and asked:
- Mom, how is the Ninja Academy here?
Kushina replied:
- Well, it's almost like the Leaf's Ninja Academy. Boring theory lessons, Taijutsu practice, weapons practice, survival skills practice, and, over all, the particularity of meeting the kids around you, as they will all become your teammates in the future.
Naruto, seeing how his mother smiled tenderly, ran to her leg and hugged her. Minato said:
- That's true, kid. Now, let's have breakfast and we'll take you to the school, okay?
- Sure, dad, mom!!
The family went to the table and had a complete breakfast. After an hour, they left the Uzumaki compound and walked towards the Whirlpool Village's streets, seeing all what was there to offer them. After a nice walk, the family reached the Ninja Academy. Naruto saw that it was a rather huge building.
There were, also waiting, Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha, taking the young Sasuke to his first day at school too. Sasuke saw Naruto and greeted him:
- Hey!
Naruto waved his hand to the Uchiha kid and said:
- First day at school, huh? I'm quite excited! How about you, Sasuke?
Sasuke replied:
- Sure I am, Naruto! Have you seen the other guys?
Naruto shook his head, but then other kids and their families started arriving. Soon, Naruto felt someone behind him, staring at him, and decided to turn his sight towards the stalking figure. He found Hinata checking on him, hiding behind her parents, and waved a hand to her:
- Hinata-chan!! You come to school too?!
Hinata, blushing furiously, smiled:
- U-um, s-sure, Naruto-kun!
Naruto walked towards her and grabbed her hand, making her blush to a deeper red tone. Hiashi and Higan Hyuuga saw the blond kid with their daughter and decided to let her go. Hinata waved goodbye to her parents (well, as much as she could; having Naruto hold her hand and doing something else without passing out was quite difficult for her), and Naruto took her to Sasuke.
The trio started talking, when, all of a sudden, the place was full with kids and parents. Even some of the civilians who left from the Hidden Leaf with Kushina and Minato were taking their children to the Ninja Academy, to ensure that they could defend themselves properly.
Hinata could recognize her cousin, Neji, standing aside from the group. She knew that he was one year ahead of her, and that he'd have to see different classes too, but she noticed that his look was quite sad. She made Naruto notice him, and he asked:
- Why is he like that, Hinata-chan?
Hinata asked, stammering:
- D-do you think that… that we m-might have a chance to t-t-talk with him, Na-Naruto-kun?
Suddenly, the bell of the Ninja Academy rang loudly, and the people entered. Naruto, Hinata and Sasuke were grabbed by their parents and taken inside the huge building of the Ninja Academy. There were four Chuunin ninjas waiting with lists in his hands. The first one who spoke was a light-blue-haired woman, perhaps in her early 20's, dressed in black, and wearing a blue Chuunin vest. She said:
- Good morning, everyone. My name is Aiko Tenchi, and I am one of the teachers for the first year of the Ninja Academy. I'm well aware that there are lots of children here, counting the newly arrived ones from the Hidden Leaf, just for the first year. So, we decided to divide the groups in three classrooms. I'll be calling the ones who will come to my class, so, pay attention.
Aiko was calling the kids one by one. Suddenly, she said:
- Naruto Namikaze.
Naruto, excited, let go of Hinata's hand, running to the classroom indicated by the Chuunin. Another name was called:
- Hikari Kashikoi.
Hikari Kashikoi was a rather pretty girl with violet hair and brown eyes. She wore a brown jacket and dark purple pants. As she heard her name, she waved goodbye to her parents and entered the classroom. Aiko called for other name:
- Shikamaru Nara.
Shikamaru, quite sleepy, had to take a little push from his also bored father to walk towards the classroom, but a scream from Yoshino Nara, his mother, was enough to make him shiver and race towards the classroom:
- DON'T YOU DARE TO FALL ASLEEP IN CLASS, OR I'LL KICK YOUR ASS, KID!!!!
Everyone was quite scared with the attitude of Yoshino Nara, and even Shikaku stood in a defensive stance, to avoid her wrath. Shikamaru, of course, didn't even want to see her face, and entered the classroom. A couple of other names were called, and then she said:
- Hinata Hyuuga.
Hinata blushed like mad, but her smile was huge. I'm in the same class with Naruto-kun!! She raced to the classroom and entered. Another name was called:
- Kawabuchi Aokiri.
A dark-blue-haired boy, gray eyes, and dressed in dark gray clothes, entered the classroom quietly. Aiko called some other names, and said:
- Sakura Haru-no.
A pink-haired girl who was a bit afraid to leave her parents was pushed a bit. Her father told her:
- Go on, my dear. You'll like the school.
The young Sakura turned her green eyes on her father and nodded, running to the classroom. A couple of names were called again, and then was heard:
- Chouji Akimichi.
A stout, brown haired kid, who had a potato chips bag in his hands, ran to the classroom. Aiko looked at him with an interesting look, and then she turned to see his parents. Chouza Akimichi looked at her seriously, and she realized, after shivering under his gaze, that the weight was something this Clan used as their tool in battle, so she'd rather not mess with the kid about that. She called a couple of more names, and she said:
- Kikuchi Rakurai.
A white-haired girl was entering the classroom. She wore a light green, long-sleeved blouse, and light yellow pants. She was hugged by her mother and father, and she ran to the classroom, also excited. Aiko, watching the scene, giggled a bit, and called for another name:
- Ino Yamanaka.
A blond girl, hair tied in a ponytail, dressed in a fashioned purple top and skirt, walked to the classroom. Her father, Inoichi, didn't know what to do about her girl's popularity issues, but Aiko noticed this too, and she grinned at him. She called another name:
- Sasuke Uchiha.
Sasuke was glad. At least, he'd be with known kids in the classroom. Fugaku and Mikoto waved him goodbye as he entered the classroom. Aiko called some more names and said:
- Shirogane Kinzoku.
A gray-haired kid, wearing a lead-gray colored jacket and black pants, walked slowly to the classroom. He seemed to be quite sleepy, and both his parents face-palmed. This was the second bored kid Aiko would have in her classroom. She called for other names:
- Kiba Inuzuka.
A brown-haired boy, wearing a heavy, gray coat, with red fang marks on his cheeks, entered the classroom quite fast. She called for another name:
- Shiroboshi Yozora.
A black-haired girl with a white hair strand jumping ahead of her forehead walked to the classroom, also eager to begin classes. Aiko called a few more names, and said, finishing:
- And, at last, Shino Aburame.
In that moment, a brown-haired kid, wearing a gray jacket that covered half his face and dark glasses that covered his eyes, walked slowly to the classroom. Aiko said:
- Well, this is my class: thirty children. If any of the parents has any questions about the evaluation system, you just have to come around and ask me about them. The new kids who, by any reason, were called for the Second Year, you'll go with my friend here.
Aiko pointed at a man who wore a dark cloth in his head, with black eyes and dressed the same way as Aiko. He said:
- I'm Akikaze Kurosawa. I'm the teacher in the Second Year. Those of you who wish to take the Second Year test will follow me.
Neji Hyuuga followed him, and so did a small group of three or four kids. A brown-haired girl, hair tied in a couple of buns over her head, and dressed in Chinese-like clothes, ran to Neji's side, surprising him:
- Neji! You made it here!
Neji saw the girl and recognized her from the Hidden Leaf's Ninja Academy:
- Tenten, hi… Glad to know I'm not alone in this mess…
Tenten, a lot happy, said:
- There's Rock Lee too. Apparently, his parents sent him to the academy again.
Neji knew who Rock Lee was. He seemed to be a weird guy, and also he was known for not being able to use chakra properly. Neji seemed to feel sorry for the kid, but he secretly admired his constant and also great efforts, just to become a ninja. He said:
- Well, I just hope he can make it through the tests.
Tenten nodded, and the group followed Akikaze Kurosawa.
As the other kids were called, the group of parents left the place. The ex-Leaf Ninjas were intercepted by a Whirlwind Ninja who covered her face with a veil:
- Lord Uzukage calls for you, Clans' heads.
Minato and Kushina nodded, as the other Clans' heads started following the Jounin kunoichi. The thing was that they weren't taken to the Uzukage's office, but to the training complex in the far south of the village.
Once they arrived, they saw Kon'en Sarutobi and the other ninjas of the Leaf. Minato saw that Kakashi Hatake, Himitsu Hyuuga, Obito Uchiha, Asuma Sarutobi, Rin Inuzuka and other great clan-less ninjas were present in the place too. The Uzukage greeted them all and said:
- We're well aware of your stories, and also of your ranks in the Hidden Leaf. Anyways, we need to test your abilities, to see if you can achieve the ranks you said you had in the Hidden Leaf, and to grant your families your new jobs in the Village. So, I should put you all to test.
In the Ninja Academy, Aiko Tenchi stepped up in front of the classroom. The thirty students saw the pretty teacher, who looked at them with a reassuring face. She said:
- Well, kids, welcome to the Hidden Whirlpool Ninja Academy. In four years you'll learn the basic stuff to become ninjas who will serve the Hidden Village. Hopefully, a lot of you will end up making career as ninjas, and become even greater ninjas than me. I will be your teacher, Aiko Tenchi. Well, let's start classes.
The group of children started seeing the History Class, and some of the students were a bit bored. Shikamaru Nara was a bit bored, even when he took notes in his notebook. Shirogane Kinzoku was also about to fall asleep, and some of the students were feeling uncomfortable with that. Hinata was trying to pay attention, as this could be important somehow, and Naruto was rather interested during this class. Knowing the truth of his mother's bedtime stories was interesting.
Two hours later, Aiko took them to the physical training class. She took them to the small outdoor gym and said:
- Well, kids, this is the place where we'll train your physical condition. You must have a good physical condition if you wish to become ninjas.
Hikari Kashikoi asked:
- What shall we do in here, teacher?
Aiko replied, grinning:
- We'll make you sweat hard here! We will work your physical condition: your strength, your agility, your stamina, your speed and your reflexes!
Chouji gulped, and Shikamaru replied:
- Aargh, how troublesome.
Ino and other kids laughed at him. Naruto was eager and replied:
- Well! What do we have to do?
Aiko smiled at the eagerness of the young son of Kushina Uzumaki and replied:
- Follow me then!
Aiko started the rough training sessions with the young kids, and many of them seemed to have some problems with their physical condition. Aiko realized that her job would be tougher than she thought, but she was quite content to see that the children who came from the Clans were not having too many issues with the physical training. They still need to be trained roughly, but they're doing great.
They all received their respective books for their subjects: math, history, literature, physics, combat, weapons, chakra theory and practice, politics and anatomy. Naruto was carrying his backpack with some troubles after the class ended, and he realized that everyone was having the same trouble. Hinata ran to his side and said:
- Naruto-kun! W-wait!
Naruto stood until the young Hyuuga girl reached his side. She said:
- W-what will you do, a-a-after lunch?
Naruto saw her pinky blush and said, smiling playfully at her pretty lavender eyes:
- Well, I thought about going out or something. Man, dad and mom warned me that this would be boring, but I never thought it would be that much boring. Have anything in mind?
Hinata started stuttering again:
- W-w-well, Na-Naruto-kun, I-I-I was t-thinking a-about s-s-studying with… w-with you, to-today…
Naruto started thinking that it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a studying partner. Any question he'd have he could consult it with her, and if not, he'd ask them to his parents later. On the other side, when they ended, they could go out and play, or something. He made a "thumbs-up" sign with his hand and said:
- Okay, then! How about we study in my house after lunch?
Hinata nodded, sighing in relief:
- S-sure, Naruto-kun! I-I'll see you there!
Naruto asked, friendly:
- Want me to walk you home? It's not far from here, is it?
Hinata blushed deeper:
- N-no, thanks, Na-Naruto-k-kun! F-father sh-should be arriving s-soon!
Naruto realized that his parents would also be arriving for him at any time. He replied:
- Yeah, you're right, Hinata-chan. Well, let's wait for them to arrive.
Shikamaru, Chouji and Ino came out of the Academy, chatting for a while. They saw Naruto and Hinata and got close to them. Ino said:
- Hello, buddies! What's up?
Hinata said:
- U-um, hi, Ino!
Shikamaru said:
- Damn, dude, these classes are boring.
Chouji said:
- Yeah, I hated the physical condition class.
Naruto laughed:
- Yeah, friends! I also didn't think it'd be so boring, yet it was quite nice! That teacher is just awesome!
In that moment, they saw Shiroboshi Yozora and Kikuchi Rakurai talking to Sasuke, and he was quite ashamed, surrounded by the two girls. Shikamaru yawned and Naruto laughed soundly:
- Hey, Sasuke! Nice job!
Hinata giggled, as the rest of the group laughed with Sasuke's huge blush. He replied:
- At least I got two, unlike you!
Naruto started joking with Sasuke, and the group was amused with the exchange of teases. Then, they all would start talking together, as Kiba and Shino also joined the group. Later on, the young Sakura arrived to the place, getting beside Ino. These two girls seemed to get along quite well, but Sakura was a bit shy. Not as much as Hinata, but, on the other side, unlike her, she didn't have any friends before school. In the end, they'd all be waiting for their parents to go and pick them up.
In the large training complex, the Uzukage saw the tired group of ex-Leaf ninjas in front of him, and said, quite glad:
- Well, well, I can see you are pretty strong, after all. I have no complaints about you, so, I'm proud to bid you, and your families, the official welcome to the Hidden Whirlpool Ninja Ranks. Congratulations.
Minato and the Clans' heads, so as the Jounin and Chuunin who made the tough skill test, received the official headbands with the logo of the Hidden Whirlpool Village: a rounded spiral heading to the center anti-clockwise (just like the Hidden Leaf symbol, but only with the spiral). The group wore the headbands, and looked at each other with them, happy that their skill demonstrations were good enough. The Uzukage said:
- Congratulations, once more, and now I'm proud to say that there are now thirteen Clans in the Hidden Whirlpool Village. I really hope that, from now on, we won't have to endure any more troubles around here.
Kushina said:
- It won't be easy, father, but I'm sure things could be easier. The big issue now is the possibility of raising the agriculture and farm, so there's enough food for us all.
Shibi Aburame said:
- We could collaborate with that.
The Uzukage said:
- I know you can, my friends, and I'd like that. But, if we do things the right way, we could attract more civilian population around here again, and the food production works wouldn't fall on your shoulders, as you'd be managing the safety of the people with us.
Shikaku Nara said, quite concerned:
- But, making that kind of propaganda about our Ninja Village wouldn't be against our interests in the end?
The Uzukage smiled:
- Not if it's done the right way. Now, please, go get your children at school and relax for the rest of the day. You should let me handle this, for now, and if I need any assistance, I'm sure I'll ask for it - Glancing at the group of "independent" ninjas, he replied: -. About you all, I guess I'll have to interview you guys, and then put you where you can do your best.
The new Whirlpool ninjas bowed to the Uzukage and left, and the dignitary grinned, going back to his office. He had plans for this complete rebirth of his Village, and he knew that, if he didn't do them himself, they'd never come out at all.
End of Chapter 11.
A/N: For those who asked, I gave a lot about Naruto and the kids now, but I still needed to clear the parents' situation a bit before I could let them take a break, heh, heh. Please enjoy and review! About the new names, I shall let you find out on your own this time, heh, heh!