The field was quiet. The class filed out of the building, Iruka at the head.

"It's time!" He called out, stepping away from the group. "Each student will have a round of combat with me. One hit is all you need. It's your final test."

The genin stared at him, faces masks of different emotions, mostly tiredness. Iruka swallowed a groan and continued.

"If you pass, you'll officially graduate."

"Can I go first?" It was Kiba. He was grinning as he marched up to Iruka. Iruka scratched the back of his neck and shrugged.

"Sure." Kiba handed Akamaru to Shino, and the two of them stepped out into the field.

"I hope you don't mind if I go all out, sensei," Kiba warned. Iruka offered a smile. "You being old and all."

"I'm not old!" Iruka insisted.

"Whatever!" Kiba lunged, taking several swings at Iruka with his claws. Iruka dodged left and right, hopping back.

"You sure you don't need Akamaru?" Iruka asked mockingly, earning a growl from Kiba. He smiled again, confident in his ability to avoid the coming attacks.

Kiba lunged and slashed, spinning and hopping into the air, trying to get into Iruka's blind spot. It wasn't working; Iruka dodged all of his attacks with ease.

"Wow, Kiba's getting his ass kicked," Naruto remarked, appearing in the classroom doorway. None of the other students seemed to notice him. Iruka was glad to see him make it, albeit late.

At the same time, Kiba kicked Iruka in the leg, knocking him off balance. He then pounced, pushing him to the ground, claws inches from his face.

"I win!" Kiba yelled.

"Very good," Iruka's smile remained. Kiba helped him up, and Iruka patted him on the back before addressing the other genin. "Who's next?"

"I'll go!" Choji shouted, stepping forward.

Over the next hour, Iruka scuffled with the genin, one by one. Each one impressed him in their own ways. Even Hinata, whom he'd been worried about, had been able to land a glancing blow on him. Iruka was overcome with pride. The last one was Naruto.

"Come on over," Iruka said. Waving the boy over. Naruto marched out onto the field, holding his head high. The other genin had gathered in the classroom. The only ones watching were Hinata, Sasuke, and Shikamaru. "Late night?" Iruka asked. Naruto grumbled something under his breath. Iruka cocked his head.

"I hope this works."

"What's that?"

"I'm gonna beat the crap outta you!" Naruto exclaimed, raising a bony finger at Iruka.

"That's a bold claim, Naruto." Iruka crossed his arms. Naruto ignored the reply and formed a hand sign. Iruka hesitated, thrown off. A sexy Jutsu?

"Multi-Shadow clone Jutsu!"

Iruka waited, silent. Nothing happened.

"Damn it!" Naruto dropped his hands.

"What are you trying to—"

With a yell, Naruto charged at Iruka. Iruka easily dodged his wild haymakers.

"Naruto, calm down!" Iruka stuck out a foot, tripping the furious boy. The last thing he needed was the jinchuriki getting out of hand. He quietly berated himself for thinking of Naruto that way.

Naruto sprawled around angrily in the dirt. Iruka knelt beside him.

"What's with you today?" Iruka asked.

"Just shut up!" Naruto jumped up. He hesitated, wide eyes landing on Iruka. Then he ran away, rushing into the classroom and out into the hallway.

Hinata covered her mouth. Shikamaru and Sasuke shared a look. Choji joined the three of them, eating. Iruka sighed, returning to the classroom.

Iruka found Naruto just outside of Konoha. The sun was starting to go down. The boy was sitting against a tree; a scroll laid out before him. The bark of the tree was damaged in several places.

"I get it now." Naruto performed a hand sign.

"Where'd you get that?" Iruka called out. Naruto jumped, dropping his hands.

"I-Iruka sensei!" He panicked, shoving the scroll into the nearby foliage. Iruka chuckled, approaching. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing." Iruka knelt, tugging the scroll from the bush. Naruto lowered his head. "The multi shadow clone Jutsu." Iruka rolled the scroll up. "I'm impressed. How did you get your hands on this?"

"Old man third, let me have it when I asked nicely." Iruka nearly laughed. Of course, Hiruzen would hand off an important scroll like this without a care in the world.

"Well?" Iruka crossed his arms. Naruto perked up.

"Well, what."

"I assume you've been training. How long have you had this?"

"A few days now." Iruka tossed the scroll aside.

"Show me." Naruto hesitated. Iruka crossed his arms. "Your classmates are going to leave you behind!" Naruto threw up his hands.

"They've already left me behind!" Iruka flinched at the sudden outburst. "I've always been behind!" Naruto's knuckles were bruised and battered. "Everyone has some technique and power inherited from their ancestors, and all I have is…" Naruto's hand slowly went to his stomach.

For a moment, Iruka was stunned. A part of him wanted to back off. If Naruto were provoked, the village would be threatened. He felt himself wanting to take a step back. Was he afraid of the boy?

"It's not like anyone wants me to succeed anyway. All people around here see in me is that thing." Naruto curled up against the tree. "The old man probably gave me the scroll because he knew I couldn't do anything with it. He knew I was a failure."

Iruka snapped to attention. He lunged forward and grabbed Naruto by the collar of his shirt.

"Cut the crap!" Iruka shouted. Naruto's eyes widened. "Who cares what anyone thinks!"

"B-but!"
"I said shut up!" Naruto went silent. Iruka's eyes were burning with fury. He yanked Naruto to his feet.

"Who cares if no one wants you to succeed. Who cares if everyone in the village thinks you're a monster. What do you want?" For a moment, Naruto merely stared into Iruka's eyes.

"I want to be Hokage." He spoke in a low voice.

"Speak up!"

"I want to be Hokage!"

Iruka smiled and let go of Naruto's collar. Naruto stumbled backward into the tree. Iruka picked up the scroll and handed it to Naruto.

"I won't accept failure. Tonight is your final exam. You're going to master this technique." Naruto's eyes lit up.

The two of them trained all night long. Naruto progressively summoning more clones with each attempt. The sun was starting to come up when Naruto finally collapsed, his last few clones vanishing into smoke. Iruka sat down next to him.

"I'm proud of you." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a headband, tying it gently around Naruto's head.