AN: Alright, while I am writing this story I would like for you, my fellow authors, to know that the challenge is still open to anyone, it does not mean that you need to judge your work off my work. SonSanbi23 has written a couple of chapters of his own version of this challenge and I have received word that Sage of the Azure Phoenix is going to be taking up this as well as they get the chance. So do not be discouraged from writing your own version.
"Talking"
'Thinking/mental communication'
"Kurama talking"
"Summons Talking"
Jutsu/Bloodline
ONWARDS TO THE STORY!
Prologue
It was a normal, calm clear night, on October 10th. A fateful night that would leave a scar on Konoha, The Village Hidden in the Leaves' history as well as be the day its strongest hero was born. Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze, son of the 4th Hokage, Minato Namikaze, also known as the Yellow Flash, and Kushina Uzumaki, Head of the remnants of the Uzumaki Clan and known far and wide as the Red Death, also locally known as the Red Hot Habanero for her fiery temper and a short fuse.
To the civilians, it appeared as if the Nine-tailed Demon Fox appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the village, the clan head and shinobi knew that it appeared via the Summoning Jutsu. Shinobi and Kunoichi ranked Chunin and above were deployed to fight against the Fox as a delay tactic to buy time for Minato to appear and defeat it if possible, seal it away if not.
However, not all went as planned. The 4th Hokage died sealing half of the demon's chakra into his son, and the other half in himself, taking it with him into the Shinigami's stomach, dying immediately afterward, having said his good-byes and wishes for his son be known to his wife, who was barely hanging on due to her Uzumaki genes even with a massive hole in her gut, baby Naruto on the sealing altar with a seal clearly displayed on his stomach. This was the scene that Hiruzen Sarutobi, the 3rd Hokage, saw when he arrived at the scene.
"Sa-sarutobi..." Kushina croaked out seeing the one person she was hoping would arrive while she was alive.
"Kushina, what happened?" The old Hokage asked sadly, knowing she didn't have much time left.
"An...U-Uchiha dragged the fox out of me... one with one eye... on r-right side... w-wearing orange mask..." She started before coughing up blood. "Mi-Minato's last words were for our son to-to be seen as a hero... H-however, I ask you not to reveal N-Naruto's status as... a Jinchūriki... Tell them Minato sealed it away... but do not reveal where... or into who... Tell them Naruto is our son... Protect him..."
"Kushina... I have to tell the council-" He started before he was cut off by her.
"Hiruzen, I swear to Kami. If you tell anyone about Naruto being the Fox's jailer and I will crawl back up from hell or where ever I am going and drag you back with me!" She said with a great deal of her strength, her hair flailing as if it was alive and taking the form of nine separate tails, scaring the ever-loving shit out of the old monkey summoner, before losing that strength but still somehow keeping the same glare. "N-now... My h-husband named Jiraiya our son's Godfather... h-however, Ts-Tsume is his godmother... I-I trust her, Kakashi and you to take...care...of...him..."
"I understand, rest now. I promise you, I will take care of your son and make sure to tell Tsume and Kakashi your final wish." Hiruzen said with a sorrowful look on his face as he saw the light of her life leave her eyes before kneeling down wrapping Naruto in his blanket and into his arms. "ANBU! Summon Tsume and Kakashi to the Hokage's office now."
[Hokage Building – Hokage Office]
Hiruzen was once again, reluctantly donning Hokage robes and hat, was sitting behind the desk waiting for the arrival of the two requested personnel while thinking to himself. 'Once again, I'm forced to take up the mantle of Hokage.'
He was pulled out of his musing by a knock on the door, which he found amusing since he knew Tsume wasn't one to bother knocking and Kakashi would have come in the window like Jiraiya would. "Come in!"
Tsume walked in, followed by her partner, Kuromaru, and Kakashi, being ushered by an ANBU with a cat mask, and waist-length purple hair. It was Tsume who was the first to notice the bundle wrapped in a blanket, with bright yellow hair sticking out.
"Hiruzen, where are Kushina and Minato? Why are you wearing that hat again?" She asked before pointing to the blanket. "And who is that?"
Kuromaru sighed while Kakashi looked at the baby in the room with sadness in his only visible eye. Hiruzen took a breath to prepare for Tsume's inevitable outburst. "Tsume, Kuromaru, Kakashi... Minato and his wife have passed away sealing the Nine-tailed Fox into their son here... His name is Naruto."
"Hm, that explains why he smells of fox." The wolf said thoughtfully with Tsume nodding in agreement.
"Yes, but I can smell them both on him as well... I take it the reason we were called her before you called the village and those fossils you call advisors, is to tell us something important." The Inuzuka Matriarch said surprising calmly.
"Yes, that is correct, only you 4 are the only ones to know about the Fox being sealed within Naruto. I will be informing the village that Minato sealed the fox within himself, taking it with him into the gut of the Shinigami. Tsume, you were named his Godmother asked to raise him as your own." The Third Hokage nodded before turning to the Silver-haired Jonin. "Kakashi, Kushina wanted you to help train him, so expect to be his Jonin instructor when he graduates, and I expect you to be a constant part of his life and not blame him for the loss of your Sensei and his wife. It was their wish for him to be seen as a hero. Understood?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage." The Copy-Cat Shinobi replied stiffly. 'If that was sensei's wish I will take care of your child. He shall be my last tether to this world.'
"Well if you plan on revealing this pup's heritage, I'll be damned if I let him become arrogant because village treats like kami-damned royalty, Kushina wouldn't want her boy to have grow up with a high-and-mighty attitude." Tsume growled.
"Besides, I believe young Hana was wanting another younger brother... but are you sure you can handle raising 4-month-old Kiba on top of this pup my Lady?" Her partner asked respectfully.
"I can and will." She replied determinedly.
"Alright then, I shall be informing Jiraiya that while his spy network is important, he is to return to the village at least once every few months or at the very least Naruto's birthday since he was named the boy's godfather, so expect toad related gifts to appear on your doorstep." Hiruzen said with a nod. "Now, I don't think I need to say this, but Naruto's status as a Jinchūriki is now a beyond S-class secret, punishable by death if even whispered. Dismissed. Go home, get some rest, tomorrow expect to be called to gather in front of his tower for my official announcement."
Everyone but Cat nodded and left the room, with Kakashi following Tsume and her ninken back to the Inuzuka compound as protection, just in case they saw Naruto's whisker birthmarks and attacked.
[Inuzuka Compound]
Hana was standing there, waiting for her mother, and thankfully her little brother Kiba was asleep for the time being. She was wondering why ANBU had come to grab her mother so soon after the Fox's onslaught, however, that didn't stop the feeling of dread. She perked up once she saw Tsume and her wolf-like partner, she didn't fail to notice the bundle in her arm, nor did she miss Kakashi Hatake following close behind. 'What's going on?'
"Thank you for the escort Kakashi, I'm just thankful that everyone was asleep or too busy grieving their losses to pay attention, while I'm sure Kuromaru could handle it if anyone did try to attack, I do appreciate the help." Tsume said quietly, as not to wake the sleeping baby in her arms.
"It's no problem, he's sensei's son after all and I promised to protect him." He said just as quietly looked at the baby that was practically his younger brother in all but blood. "I'll be by in the morning to pick you up for the announcement."
"Umm... what's going on?" Hana said getting their attention.
"I'll explain inside." The older Inuzuka said softly. "See you tomorrow and try to get some rest. Just be warned if you're late I will take your precious books hostage."
"Y-yes ma'am." Kakashi said sweating a little bit. "Good to see you again Hana. See you tomorrow."
Tsume sighed as the silver-haired Jonin vanished via the Body Flicker Jutsu and walked inside with Hana, while Kuromaru walked off to the kennels to inform the other ninken's of their new residence.
"Alright Mom, can you please tell me what is going on?" The Veterinarian asked as quietly as she could while getting her desire for information across.
"This is will be officially announced tomorrow, but Minato and Kushina passed away tonight fighting off the Fox. I was named the pups godmother by Kushina in her dying moments. I was asked to raise him as my own, but I suspect that I will be training him in whatever they left him, which I expect Kushina to have left him her twin tantō swords and Minato to have left him notes on his personal jutsu like the Rasengan and the Hiraishin, not to mention both their notes of Fūinjutsu. However..." Tsume said before looking around and sniffing making no ANBU were hidden around. "What I'm about to say isn't to be repeated, to anyone, not even your ninken. The official story will be that Minato sealed the Fox within himself, taking it with him into the Shinigami's stomach, the truth is he sealed half its chakra within his son. You speak a word of this and both of us could be killed on the stop since this is the highest level of top-secret information, understood?"
Hana just nodded since she was in a state of shock. Not only had her mother been given the responsibility to raise a newborn, but said newborn had the very demon that terrorized the village not long ago in his gut, sealed away with the power of the death god. Still, she wasn't treating this baby any differently than she treats Kiba, he's now a part of the pack, and the pack takes care of its own. When she finally got over her shock, she asked for the one important piece of information she'd need from now on. "What's his name?"
"Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze... although it will be a month full if we include our name... so I will talk to Hiruzen about what his official name should be, preferably before the announcement... Though I would prefer he keep his Uzumaki name since I was closer to her than I was Minato. So if I have it my way, He'll be Naruto Uzumaki Inuzuka." The older Inuzuka said with a determined smirk. "Come let's get some sleep while can... Naruto likely hasn't been fed yet so he's gonna be hungry soon."
Hana laughed a little at that, she was actually surprised that Kiba was still soundly asleep she was honest. "Alright, I'll try to find him one of Kiba's old outfits for tomorrow." To that Tsume nodded.
[The Next Morning – Outside the Hokage Tower]
The entire village was confused as to why they were summoned so soon after the tragedy that happened last night, but the fact the 3rd Hokage was standing there instead of their 4th was a cause for concern. Especially since it seemed that the sky itself was weeping at the losses they had suffered.
"Greetings people of Konoha. I wish I was before you with good news, however... I fear that is not the case. As you are aware, The Nine-tailed Demon Fox appeared in the middle of our village and wreaked havoc on us, destroying a good portion of the homes and business, killed many of our people. The 4th Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and his wife, Kushina Uzumaki were among the fallen." Hiruzen started, getting gasps and cries of grief. "However! Their deaths were not in vain! They were able to seal the Fox away in something that I mean unaware. Now! There is a silver lining! Their son survived and the Head of the Inuzuka clan, Tsume Inuzuka was named his godmother and is to be raised as an adopted member of her immediate family. I present to you the Heir and possibly the last remaining member of the Uzumaki Clan, Naruto Uzumaki Inuzuka!"
Taking that as her cue, Tsume, who was holding Naruto, her daughter, who was holding her brother, and their respective ninken partners walked up to the balcony and raised the Uzumaki Heir to the village, and as she did, the clouds parted and a ray of sunlight shone on the baby as if signifying him as royalty or something. Everyone cheered, both for the survival our their beloved 4th Hokage's son, and the defeat of the Demon Fox that ruined so many lives. All the while Hiruzen and Tsume were wondering just how far the people would go to try spoil or kiss up to Naruto.
[8 years later]
It was a very special day for the Inuzuka family, the day every child came of age and met their lifelong ninken partners and form their unbreakable bonds.
"Alright Pups, lineup!" Tsume commanded as Naruto and Kiba stood next to each other elbowing each other playfully. "As you know, each of you will be meeting your partner, just like everyone else in the clan has at your age. Remember, they choose you, so let them come to you."
Naruto's sun-kissed blonde hair was just as shaggy and wild as most of the Inuzuka Clan, and unbeknownst to him, to help him fit into the clan, the Fox within his gut had been slowly altering his body, giving him the same claw-like nails, sharper teeth, heightened senses, and animalistic irises. His godmother had given him his Inuzuka fang-like tattoo's on his face at a very early age, not only to show he was a part of the clan but to help hide his whiskers from the villagers who were still mourning their loved ones and were looking for anything to take their frustrations out on.
Of course, he knew who his real parents were, and he took pride in being the son of the legendary Yellow Flash and Red Death, but he loved his godmother, the woman he loved as much as his birth mother. He had been learning all about his mother's clan: their longevity, their immense chakra reserves, and their natural talent for Fūinjutsu and Kenjutsu.
He had received his mother's twin tantō swords: two beautiful blades made from chakra metal with the Uzumaki swirl engraved into the blades, and the handles wrapped in blood-red leather. He had been learning how to use them from ANBU Cat, or as she's known off-duty, Yugao Uzuki, a former apprentice of Kushina's. He had yet to start learning Fūinjutsu, but that was because he had been more focused on his physical training and working on his calligraphy since he knows the art of seals required perfect writing skills lest things go horribly wrong.
"I bet you that I get the best ninken brother." Kiba whispered to his brother, Naruto.
"I honestly don't care if I get a strong partner, we'll train together and become even stronger than mom and Kuromaru." The blonde said with a shrug. "Especially once I learn how to incorporate my Kenjutsu into our clans Taijutsu."
"Yeah, yeah. I know you have your Uzumaki abilities on top of our own, but I'm still gonna prove I'm the Alpha Male of the clan." Kiba said with a scoff.
"Quiet down! Both of you!" Their mother said sternly. "Hana, bring out the pups."
Doing as told, the clan heiress brought out the available ninkens. However, Naruto frowned as he realized that there wasn't enough for everyone. "Mom, how come there aren't enough for all of us?"
"These are the only ones that are ready to be trained alongside you." Tsume said with a frown earning a nod in acceptance.
So, one by one, the pups walked up to each Inuzuka child. Kiba getting a small pup with glossy white fur, floppy brown ears, squinted eyes, a mohawk-like fur on his head, and a brown nose. He and his mother and sister frowned when Naruto was left out, who looked upset but was keeping a brave face, but no doubt would crying later.
However before they could comfort him, a twin-tailed fox walks out of the forest and up to the blonde, mewling at him and wagging its tails in anticipation. It had a creamed colored fur with black markings around each tail and pawns, black ears, red eyes, and a black diamond on its forehead. Both Hana and Tsume looked ready to strike but when they saw Naruto's face light up and pick up the fox and spin it around while laughing, they nodded in acceptance.
"Congratulations, all of you, treat your partner with love and respect and they will never abandon you or let you down in the field." The Head of the Inuzuka said with a smile. "Now, if your connection is strong and true, they should have told you their name."
However, both Mother and Daughter had a shared thought. 'Now to see if this fox is one of us or not... but something tells me that the Fox in his gut has something to do with this.'
"Mine said his name was Akamaru!" Kiba said with a big toothy grin with Akamaru giving a small bark of acknowledgment.
The small fox mewled again at Naruto, getting him to nod. "Her name is Kirara."
The other clan members listed off their companions' names, getting a nod from Tsume and Hana, though they were still concerned. Having a fox was bad enough, but having a fox with two tails was worse since it was a sign it was a demonic fox, but if Naruto was happy and they would find a way to deal with the consequences.
"Alright everyone, you're free to go." Hana said, before turning to her adopted brother. "Naruto, can you bring Kirara by my office so I can look her over to make sure she's healthy and fit enough to learn our techniques?"
Looking down at the twin-tailed fox who mewled, wagging her tails in acceptance. "Alright, We'll be over after lunch. I'm starving." He said earning a chuckle from his sister.
"Alright, let's all go to Ichiraku's and celebrate." She said with a warm smile. 'Time to see if she'll cause any trouble.'
"ALRIGHT!" Naruto jumped for joy.
'Just like Kushina, always excited at the mention of ramen.' Tsume thought a smile before turning to her blond son. "Alright, but Naruto? Be careful alright? You know the village isn't exactly fond of foxes, so they may try to harm her."
Kirara cocked her head to the side as if confused, however, Naruto sighed knowing his adoptive mother was right, and much like Hana was concerned about, he had the same thought about his new friend's twin tails, not that he cared, but he knew the village may have an issue.
[Ichiraku Ramen Stand]
Thankfully on the way to Naruto's favorite restaurant, the villagers didn't make an issue out of Kirara following Naruto, even if they did show their fear briefly, they hide behind false smiles since they didn't want to upset the son of their greatest hero. That and if they did attack the twin-tailed fox was because Tsume and Kuromaru were with them, not to mention Hana and her triplet brothers, and they didn't dare trying anything lest they get mauled by 4 angry ninken.
'Alright, so one of us will have to walk with Naruto and his fox from now on to ensure they are both safe.' Tsume thought to herself getting a nod from Hana, showing she was thinking the same thing.
"Ayame! Old man!" Naruto said excitedly. "I got my companion today!"
"Congratulations! Where is it?" Ayame asked with her usual smile on her face.
"She's right here." He said picking up and holding Kirara. "She came up to me from the forest."
While she felt concerned for her favorite customer, she could help but be happy for him. It was at that point that father, Teuchi, came out after hearing Naruto call out to them, and he also saw the twin-tailed fox. "Naruto... are you sure?"
"Teuchi, you know that animals, not just dogs or cats, choose their humans, despite how much we claim to 'own' them, when really it the other way around." Tsume said taking a seat next to her blond son with Hana sitting in between both her brothers. Teuchi nodded understanding that.
"Alright, what you be having?" He said letting the matter drop.
3 bowls of beef ramen and 12 bowls of Miso Pork, the family made their way home so Hana could perform her diagnosis on Naruto's partner.
[The Next Day – Academy Grounds]
It was lunch period, Naruto and Kirara were off walking through the flower fields where the girls just got out of their flower arrangement class. Why there was such a class, he didn't understand, it wasn't going to help them in the field, however, learning about which flowers and plants are poisonous and what not would help. However, something told him that wasn't the case.
The good news, however, was that Kirara was a hit with the class, especially the female part of it. Even Akamaru was a hit, although not nearly as much as the twin-tailed fox. It was almost to the point where the girls weren't paying attention in class.
"Look at that forehead! You would put the Hokage's faces on there with room to spare!" A bully's voice was heard.
'Bullies...' Naruto growled. "Come on Kirara, let's help."
Kirara barked in approval as they raced off towards the sound of the bullies. What they saw was three girls in the year above them picking on a girl with, admittedly, a larger forehead than normal, bright pink hair, and emerald green eyes. In front of her was a girl with platinum blonde hair, and pale blue eyes. These girls were Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka, and Ino was defending her friend.
"Step aside clan girl. Forehead here isn't cut out to be a Kunoichi, especially with that pink hair! She'll stand out like a shore thumb in the field. She should just give up now!" The head bullies said cracking her knuckles ready to punch Sakura.
"That's enough!" Naruto said stepping between the two groups standing tall and firm with Kirara growling looking ready to pounce at any moment. "Who are you to decide if this girl has what it takes to be a Kunoichi? For all you know, she could end up being the strongest Kunoichi this village has ever produced, even stronger than Lady Tsunade and my Mother!"
"Lord Uzumaki! What are you saying? She's scrawny! She doesn't have the aid of a clan to properly train!" One of the other bullies said.
"She still can train, I can even talk to my sister about talking to her friends and getting her training she needs. She has options available to her. All she has to do..." He paused and looked back at the pinkette with a foxy smile and held out his hand. "All she has to do is ask for help."
Sakura, the poor girl, was a blushing mess, but out from behind Ino, and took his hand. "I-I'll accept an-any help I can get."
"Tsk, fine, whatever. If by some chance, this weakling does become stronger than Lady Tsunade and Lady Kushina, then I'll bow down before her and swear my life to her in servitude." The lead bully scoffed and walked away, taking her cronies with her.
"Not bad Naruto." Ino said with a smirk, knowing that he didn't like formalities, and hated being called "Lord Uzumaki." "Trying to woo Sakura are you?"
"Not at all." He said with a shrug. "I just can't stand bullies, and I was serious that I'd ask Hana if she could ask her friends to help train her. In fact, I think your Dad works with one of her friends. Maybe you two can train together."
"I'll think about it. It's only our second year here at the academy. There's still time to take it easy." The platinum blonde said without care and walked off.
"What about you?" The Golden Blonde asked the pinkette. "Do you share her opinion?"
"No, I want to train, so I can protect my parents and this village." Sakura said determinedly. "I don't want to be like the other girls and waste my time looking pretty and dieting."
Naruto grinned and nodded. "Then come with me after school, and we can talk to my sister about meeting her friends."
"A-alright." Sakura stammered.
The lunch bell rang and the two nodded at each other and returned to class.
[After School – Inuzuka Veterinary Clinic]
Naruto saw that Sakura was nervous. He knew it was because she was meeting someone that could help her, but he didn't know that she was extremely nervous about meeting part of his family and knew that news would get around to the rest of the clan and possibly the village that the son of the 4th brought home a girl, even if it was to help her farther her career.
"Hana! I'd like you to meet someone!" Naruto said dragging Sakura behind him. "This is my new friend, Sakura Haruno."
Hana looked up from the file she was reading and looked at her brother and his guest with a smirk on her face. "Nice to meet you Sakura, aren't you adorable. How did you two meet?"
"H-he helped save me from some bullies at lunchtime Ma-am." The pinkette said nervously, hiding behind the blonde.
"Yeah! Some 3rd years were picking on her because of her cute forehead. Telling her that she wasn't cut out to be a Kunoichi since she'd stand out with her pretty pink hair, that she was too scrawny and didn't have the help of a clan being from a civilian family." Naruto huffed. "They were jerks."
Hana's smirk only grew as she noticed Sakura blushing up a storm as he repeatedly complimented her and failed to notice. "I can see that. So? Why bring her to see your big sis?"
"Well, I thought you and your friends could help her train. I know you can't train her in our clan's techniques, but you know some Medical Ninjutsu." He said bashfully, rubbing the back of his head.
"You do know that my knowledge of healing humans is limited right? But I could teach her a few things I suppose, but before that..." She said before pausing and looking at the young girl. "Give me one good reason why I should help you much less get my friends involved?"
Sakura was nervous but she knew she was being tested, so she steeled herself and looked the Veterinarian in the eyes. "I want to get strong so I can protect my family and my friends, proving those bullies wrong is just a bonus."
"Well said Sakura, I like you!" Hana said with a feral smirk as she got up. "Alright, come with me. I was just about to meet up with my friends for some tea and Dango. I should warn you though, not of them will take it easy on you, so I hope you're ready to be worked to the bone."
Sakura nods with a big smile and hugged her new friend. "Thank you, Naruto! Let's get strong together!"
Naruto was shocked for a moment before blushing at the sudden hug before returning it. "I'll hold you to it."
[Dango Stand]
Kurenai and Anko were sitting waiting for Hana to show up. Anko took a big bite out of a stick of dango before complaining. "Geez, where is she? Hana's never late."
"Relax, she could have gotten a last-minute patient in, or one of her brothers came in to see her about their day at the academy. They did just their ninken partners and you know how kids worry about the littlest things." Kurenai said calmly sipping on her tea.
"Sorry for the wait." Hana said walking up with a pink-haired girl they have never seen before. "Naruto wanted to introduce his new friend here to me and ask for a favor."
"I take it part of this favor involves us." The raven-haired Chunin said as more of a statement than a question getting a nod in return.
"Let me guess... Blonde asked us to help train his little girlfriend?" The Snake Mistress groaned.
"Wha-? I'm not...! We're just classmates!" Poor Sakura stuttered with a blush on her face matching her hair.
"Knock it off Anko, give them a chance to tell us what's going on before we start teasing the poor kid." Kurenai said with a smile. 'She's got it bad for Naruto, the question is why.'
So Hana both explained what happened and Sakura gave the same reason she gave at the clinic causing the two older women to smirk. Anko was the first comment. "Sounds to me someone has a case of hero-worship and wants to impress her hero by coming strong knowing his clan respects strength and loyalty."
"Not just the Inuzuka either... Lady Kushina told me the Uzumaki clan believed that loyalty to friends and family before all else. I believe they learned that already in the academy?" Kurenai stated getting a nervous nod from the pinkette at the question.
"So, what do you say girls? Will you help her? I can tell her intends are true even if she has a massive crush on my little brother." The Veterinarian asked.
"Sure, I don't see why not, I can help her with her taijutsu and physical strength." The purple-haired special Jonin said with a grin.
"I suppose that leaves me with chakra control and Genjutsu, yeah, sure I'll help." The Ravenette responded with a warm smile.
"And as I said back at the clinic, I will be helping you with Medical Ninjutsu, for both animals and people." Hana said with a wink. "Especially if you pursue this crush of yours, you'll need to know how to heal Kirara and Naruto if get hurt in the field."
Sakura smiled brightly, despite the blush on her face from the teasing. "Thank you so much! I promise I'll work hard!"
[4 years later]
It was the day before graduation and the village was in a frenzy. A number of Chunin, Jonin, and ANBU were chasing two blurs. One was a small two-tailed fox with a paintbrush in its mouth and the other was a 12 years old kid with shaggy yellow hair, with sapphire blue eyes, wearing a black and red jacket with a red swirl on the back, black ANBU pants, and black sandals who had a lean muscular build and was laughing loudly and carrying a bucket of paint.
This was Naruto and his partner Kirara, and the reason they were being chased was that they had just painted the Hokage's faces of the cliff overlooking the village. Over the years he had gotten tired of being referred to as "Lord Uzumaki" and such titles from ass kissers and living the shadow of his mother and father. As much as he loved them and was proud to be their son, he wanted his own identity and started playing pranks on the village.
At first it small stuff like erasers or water balloons in the door frames, but over time they evolved to paint and stink bombs going off with tripwires and other such things that would have fatal if it were shuriken or kunai used as projectiles. He even was able to sneak into both the Hyuuga's Compound and ANBU headquarters dye their underwear and masks respectively neon pink without getting noticed once. Even though everyone knows it was him, they couldn't do anything about it since they never had any evidence to support their claims.
When Tsume asked why he was doing it, he admitted it was to get a different kind of attention, but over time when she asked him again, he said he was training his stealth and trap making skills, which made a lot of sense to her, so while she supported her son, she did ask him to tone down the pranks to once a week at the very least.
Hiruzen, who despite being old and complained all the time, remained Hokage. Inwardly he was proud of Naruto's stealth and trapping skills, but as Hokage, he couldn't show favoritism and after Iruka caught him after he gave the Shinobi Corps a workout, he reprimanded the blonde and asked why he defaced the Hokage Mountain, and the answer he got astounded him.
"What if an enemy Shinobi snuck into the village and was able to do what I did, but instead of paint, they planted paper bombs? The aftermath of the explosion would have destroyed a good portion of the village. You need to step up patrol if an academy student can do it in broad daylight and only get caught after the act was finished." Naruto said in a serious tone.
"Be that as it may be, you cannot get off without punishment. Therefore, you are to clean every speck of paint off the Stone Faces and return to the Academy by lunchtime... and no Shadow Clones." The Old Hokage said sternly causing the pre-teen to deflate a little before nodding and headed out to do as he was ordered to do but not before he told Kirara to go on and ahead to wait for him with Sakura.
At the Academy, everyone had heard of his latest prank and laughed about him finally getting caught. Sakura and his brother Kiba on the other hand knew that he let himself be noticed and get caught. The pinkette always was amused by his pranks and after learning his excuse of training, she too could see where he was coming from, especially after being trained by the Snake Mistress of Torture and Interrogation and the freshly minted Jonin Genjutsu Mistress for the last 4 years. Over those 4 years, the two of them had become best friends, both having not so secret crushes on each other, but neither having guts to confess to the other.
Speaking of Sakura, her training had paid off in spades. She had a lean build, keeping her pink hair at shoulder length, with a budding c-cup breast much to the envy of almost every girl in class, especially her former friend Ino Yamanaka, who ended up not taking her training seriously despite the constant insistence of both Naruto and Sakura. Her current outfit, despite Anko's influence, was a modest black and red halter top that left her toned stomach on display, and matching biker shorts with black Kunoichi heeled sandals with kunai and shuriken holders on either leg and black fingerless gloves.
When Kirara came in through the window and curled up on her lap, she knew Naruto likely was cleaning up his mess before coming to class, so she absentmindedly pets the adorable fox while paying attention in class.
"So, he sent her on ahead eh? Figures he wouldn't make her sit idly by while he was serving out his punishment." Kiba said as he sat down in front of her with Akamaru in his hood like usual. "Gotta admit, he's pretty damned ingenious with his pranks. I'd hate to be his enemy, especially if he has time to prep the battlefield beforehand."
"Tell me about it." She said with a sigh. She could only imagine the carnage that would ensue if her best friend/crush had time to set up his traps.
"Oh come on, you'd be right there with him, hiding his traps under your Genjutsu or disorientating the opponent into said traps with them." Kiba shivered. He remembered the last time the two of them worked together during a field exercise... The rest of the class didn't stand a chance. They had fallen into pitfalls, tied up in ninja wire, covered in mud or paint, or hung upside down with a noose by the ankle.
"That's true." She said with a giggle before calming down. "By the way, who do you hope to be on a team with?"
"Honestly? I hope I'm hoping it's you three, but I know that won't happen, so I guess if I had to choose a second team, I'd wanna be with Hinata, the other teammate wouldn't matter as long as it's not Sasuke... I can't stand the guy." He said plainly, though his cheeks did flush a bit thinking about the Hyuuga heiress.
'Of course, he would... Hinata's the only other girl that has taken her training seriously. Although, she does seem to like him as well. I've noticed her following him downwind.' Sakura thought while she sighed aloud. "I guess we'll find out soon, tomorrow is graduation after all."
"Alright quiet down, let's get started on today's lessons." Iruka said walking in, thankful he didn't need to watch Naruto make sure did his job... especially since Tsume showed and gave her son a scolding and watch him.
[Lunch Period]
Naruto walked onto the academy grounds with his tantō blades strapped to his back and a sore bottom after his mother gave him a good spanking for defacing the Hokage's faces and leaned against the tree with an old rope swing with a groan. Sakura noticed him there and walked up to him with Kirara in her arms.
"You know... I think you got lucky with just a scolding and a spanking. I'm surprised Tsume and Hana let you didn't beat you into the ground for that stunt even if you proved a point." She teased while standing next to him.
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. At least after we get placed on teams I can start putting my skill to actual use. I'm running out of ideas to prank the village." He groaned although he chuckled when his partner jumped from Sakura's arms onto his shoulder and nuzzled his cheek. "I missed you too girl."
"Well, you didn't miss much... just more of Iruka's boring history lectures. There was nothing new about them. He was just reviewing for tomorrow's test." The Pinkette informed her crush.
"Thanks, come on let's eat before the bell rings, I'm starving." The blonde said as his stomach grumbled causing her to laugh and Kirara mewl.
[The Next Day – Graduation Day]
Naruto and Sakura were sitting next to each other with Kirara taking a nap on the desk, Kiba sat next to Shino of the Aburame clan, Sasuke the brood lord was unfortunate to have his fan girl Ino next to him, Shikamaru and Choji sat together like always, while Hinata, unfortunately, sat with one of the other fangirls, though this girl was one of Naruto's fangirls who were envious of Sakura and her close relationship with the last known Uzumaki.
"I can't believe that pink-haired bitch gets to sit next to Lord Naruto. I mean look her! She's grotesque! All that muscle is not cute, or sexy! I bet she even stuffs her bra, there is no way she's that big already!" The girl grumbled while Hinata just ignored her, especially since like Sakura, she too was an early bloomer, even if her build wasn't as defined. The only thing Hinata was envious of Sakura for was her confidence.
'If I had her confidence, I could talk with Hiba without wanting to pass out.' The Hyuuga Heiress thought to herself.
"Alright class, time for your written test. Everyone will have 1 hour to complete their test and not a second longer. When I say pencils down I mean it! I see anyone try to continue while I collect the exams they immediately fail. As Shinobi and Kunoichi, you are expected to follow orders." Iruka said as he passed out the tests. "Good luck...and BEGIN!"
Naruto and Sakura looked over the test and scoffed. 'These questions are supposed to be hard? You'd have to be a complete moron who skipped every class. Hell even if you slept through the classes it'd be drilled into your subconscious.'
They finished within 20 minutes and looked around the class. They had stifled their laughs since they saw some of the civilians struggling. Meanwhile, they noticed the clan heir and heiress's weren't having any issues, even Ino who ignored her training was breezing through the test.
At the hour mark, Iruka called out. "Alright! Pencils down. Everyone makes their way outside to the training field so we start the other exams.
Out on the field on everyone was waiting standing in their usual groups. Sasuke leaning against a tree, with his fangirls fawning over him, Naruto, Kiba, and Sakura chatting while Kiba glances at Hinata who was hiding behind another tree, Choji and Shikamaru were laying on the grass eating munchies or staring at the clouds, while Naruto's fan club was seething that once again Sakura was "too close to their Lord Naruto."
"Alright everyone, It's time for the more practical portion of the exams. You'll be facing off against Mizuki. If you're able to last against for 5 minutes, manage to land a solid hit on him, or force a ring out, you pass. However, if you ring out, or get knocked out, you fail and hope your scores on the other exams help even you out." Iruka said as Mizuki took his place in the middle of the ring.
"Alright, I'll call your name one at a time. Don't worry I won't be using my full abilities unless you request otherwise. We're not expecting you to be able to fight a Chunin level opponent while you're being tested to be Genin." The Silver-haired Chunin said with a false smile while sneering to himself. 'Damn brats, why did I have to be assigned as an instructor... I hate kids, I can't wait to put my plan into action tonight. Lord Orochimaru desires that scroll...'
So one by one the genin hopefuls took their taijutsu test, and with the pathetic displays, they barely managed to pass by lasting the time limit by dodging the blatantly obvious telegraphed attacks. Naruto suspected the civilian parents were paying off the academy to lower their standards to allow their children to pass, oblivious to the actual dangers of the world outside despite it being a time of strained peace.
"Sakura Haruno, your turn! Show me what you got." Mizuki called.
"I'll ask you not to hold back Mizuki Sensei." Sakura said slipping in a mix of the snake style and academy style getting the silver-haired Chunin to sneer.
'So the Snake Whore trained this girl... Then I really don't need to hold back... as much as it pains me to say, she's Special Jonin for a reason.' He thought before nodding at the pinkette. "Very well. Show me what your sensei taught you."
Sakura nodded with a scowl, having heard the disdain in his voice regarding Anko. 'This prick is one of the assholes that can't see past Anko Sensei's past as that traitor's apprentice. Well, I only have to get a good hit on him... and I know just where to aim' She thought with a cruel smile that would make the Snake Mistress proud.
Naruto caught a look at that smile and shivered and muttered aloud. "Poor fool... "
"Huh? What do you mean?" Kiba asked getting everyone's attention.
"I really hope Mizuki Sensei doesn't want kids... because his disdain of one of Sakura's sensei has landed him in a world of hurt... Let this be a warning to you boys. You're about to feel phantom pain and sympathy for a fellow male." Naruto said in a pained tone.
"Troublesome... who is this sensei that Sakura is defending and whom I assume she got that creepy smile from." Shikamaru said in his usual deadpan tone.
"You don't mean that Crazy Snake Lady that our sister is friends with do you?" Kiba said, quivering in fear, hoping Sakura didn't hear him just now after realizing he just insulted the girl's sensei.
"I heard that Kiba!" She said looking over at him with an all-too-sweet smile making him hide behind Naruto. "When I'm done with this asshole... you're next."
"...To answer your question Shika, it's Anko Mitarashi, Konoha's Snake Mistress and she works at Torture and Interrogation with Ibiki Morino and Ino's father." He said with a sigh getting Shikamaru to mutter another "troublesome", as well as getting the platinum blonde's interest, who watches to see the results of her friend's training.
Mizuki snarled at being called an asshole so he decides to teach the little girl a lesson. He let loose a flurry of punches and kicks while Sakura dodged and weaved around them as if he was still holding back on the civilians, only he was moving much faster. She minded her surroundings so that she didn't get forced out of the ring and waited for his chance to deliver her crippling punch.
Meanwhile, everyone was watching in amazement while Naruto just smirked at her performance. A fangirl spoke her disbelief. "How in the hell is Forehead outpacing Mizuki Sensei at that speed!? I barely managed while he was holding back!"
'Sakura... is this what taking your training and career seriously looks like?' Ino thought in amazement.
Before anyone could say anything more, they notice the bandana-wearing Chunin overextended one of his punches, which Sakura took advantage of with her full strength and battle cry of "CHAAA!" before delivering a devastating uppercut to his twig and berries, causing Mizuki to double over in extreme pain and let out a high-pitched scream, causing every male in a 2-mile radius to grab their crotch while those on the training field could have sworn they heard something pop.
"Um.. good job Sakura... but did you have to hit him there?" Iruka asked timidly.
"THAT BITCH BURST ONE OF MY BALLS!" Mizuki screamed in pain causing everyone to cringe, even if Naruto was chuckling nervously.
"Yes, yes I did." She said with a sweet smile that scared everyone there.
"Hey...guys? Remind me NOT to piss her off...OK?" Kiba whimpered getting timid nods in return.
"Alright... I'll take over for Mizuki for the rest of your tests with the same deal. I'll hold back unless requested. However, keep it above the belt!" The scarred Chunin said sternly as Cat appeared to take the silver-haired man away, and judging from her body language, she didn't have any sympathy for the man.
"I'll take him to the hospital." She said before looking at Sakura. "Your sensei will be proud of you."
Sakura smiled as Cat used the Body Flicker Jutsu after nodding to Naruto, her Kenjutsu student. She then made her way back to Naruto's side. "Well, I feel better. I only wish I got both of his balls with that punch so he couldn't reproduce."
"You can be really scary sometimes, you know?" The Blonde said with a smile.
"He was disrespecting Anko Sensei." She said with a shrug. "Idiots like him who can't look past someone's history shouldn't be allowed to reproduce."
"Alright, Naruto! You're up." Iruka said. "And yes I know you want me to go all out."
"You got it." Naruto said unstrapping his swords off his back and handing them to his childhood friend.
Once in the ring, Naruto slipped into the Inuzuka Taijutsu form. "Ready when you are Iruka Sensei."
Like, unlike Sakura, Naruto didn't bob and weave, no he decided to get the fight finished quickly that Iruka didn't know what hit him. "Tunnelling Fang!" was the poor Chunin heard before being knocked out of the ring and on his ass. While the scared Chunin regained his barrings, Sakura had given Naruto's blades back to him while he waited in the ring for the verdict.
"Uh... Well done Naruto, you caught me completely off guard." Iruka said, still shaking the cobwebs out. "Alright! Sasuke Uchiha, you're up!"
"Hn." The duckbutt hair-styled youth said meanwhile he was inwardly seething. 'Damn that Uzumaki and his whore made our instructors look like jokes! I have to be able to do the same or what have I been doing all this time!?'
"...All out sensei." He said getting a sigh from the Chunin.
"Alright..." Iruka sighed. "Begin!"
Off to the side, Kiba sighed. "Did you really have to use that technique and show off?"
Naruto just shrugged. "You know I don't do anything half-assed. This is a test after all. We're supposed to show what we can do."
"Yeah, well, all you showed off was your brute strength... At least your girlfriend showed off her skill at evasion before displaying her strength." His brother grumbling... catching himself from adding "monstrous" to her strength, lest he ends up like Mizuki... or be punched through a wall. 'I swear she's a mini Lady Tsunade even if they've never met.'
At some point, while they were talking they heard Iruka falling out of the ring again. "Well done Sasuke, you were able to knock me out of the ring just in time."
"Hn." The Uchiha grunted as he walked away, meanwhile cursing himself for struggling while the two others make it look like a picnic. Although he'd be willing to bet that those two could walk into a typhoon and come out the other side as if it were a gentle breeze, they're crazy enough to pull it off.
The rest of the matches went about the same, some bobbed and weaved for the 5-minute time limit, others nailed Iruka with a decent strike above the waist. Hinata was the most impressive besides Naruto and Sakura, she literally knocked the air out of the Chunin with a well-placed Gentle Fist strike to his lungs, however, she immediately apologized, being the gentle wallflower that she was.
"Well done all of you. Time for the Shuriken and Kunai exam. Bullseyes are 10 points, each ring outside reduces your score by 1. Bonus points will be rewarded for fatal strikes such as the head, heart, etcetera..." Iruka said pausing before looking at Sakura. "...and while groan shots are permitted, I'd appreciate it if you didn't."
"I make no promises." She said deadpan, which, once again reminded him of Anko.
'I swear, Anko's had too much of an influence on her. I would have thought Kurenai would have been enough to curb Anko's viciousness.' He thought nervously. "Alright then, you go first Sakura..."
Without looking, she throws her kunai and despite Iruka's request, it goes through the target where a man's twig and berries would be, signifying she would have removed them, much to the displeasure of every guy there. Next, her shuriken hit the target right between the eyes.
"Well done... one kill shot... one...life-altering with the possibility of death. 35 points." Iruka sighed. "Naruto you're next."
Naruto, like his childhood friend, didn't even look, the kunai landed in the heart, while the shuriken was embedded in the neck.
"Well done, 40 points!" The scarred Chunin said before turning to the last Uchiha. "Next Sasuke, you're up."
Unlike the two before him, Sasuke actually took aim and hit the target right between the eyes with the kunai, and the shuriken hit the neck. Scoring a perfect 40. Kiba followed soon after scoring a 35 like Sakura, Hinata, Shikamaru and Choji got 20, and Ino got 19, while the civilians got varying scores, one even failed to hit the target completely.
The Ninjutsu portion went without a hitch everyone since it was so pathetic, Naruto flooded the room with Shadow Clones just to show off, Sakura surprised Iruka with 3 Earth Clones, everyone else did the standard Clone Jutsu, creating 3 – 5 clones each.
"Well done everyone. We're done for now. Be back after lunch for your scores, team placements, as well as meeting your Jonin Instructor." Iruka said with a smile.
"Hey Kiba, Sakura, wanna go grab some barbecue?" Naruto asked his friend and brother.
"While I won't complain about getting some meat, I thought for sure you'd want to go to Ichiraku's." Kiba said curiously.
"...Yeah I thought you'd want to go see Ayame... I know you two are close." Sakura said, jealousy clear in her voice. She didn't like how friendly the ramen chief was with her crush. In fact, she swore a couple of times she was flirting with him a few times. 'Nah, I'm probably just overthinking things, Naruto gets along with everyone. Teuchi said that his birth mother was their best costumer and babysat for the Ichiraku's from time to time, so it's only natural for Ayame to want to be close with him.'
"...Actually, she wanted me to check in after we got our grades and team placements. She and Teuchi are curious to see if we end on the same team. I already know who will be the team leader for wherever I'm placed, it just a matter of who Grandpa Sarutobi puts me with." Naruto said scratching the back of his head, knowing she likely wouldn't be happy about it.
Sakura sighed and nodded. "Yeah I kinda figured as much... but why do you know who your Jonin is going to be?"
"Because, it was part of my mother's dying wish, for Kakashi to help take care of me. He told me himself with Grandpa confirming it, something about 'she'd crawl up from hell if they didn't.'" He chuckled.
"Yeah, Mom said that Kushina would do something like that too. A real firebrand from the stories she told us. Hell, with how Kirara behaves sometimes, Mom jokes around saying she already came as Kirara." Kiba chuckled getting a bark in agreement from Akamaru and Kirara.
"Alright, come on, we only have a couple of hours before our lives as Shinobi and Kunoichi begin." Sakura said, giggling a bit as well. 'I wish I could have met Lady Kushina, I'm sure she and I would have gotten along famously.'
[Hokage Tower]
"Alright, so, I'd like to hear which Genin you'd like on your teams." Hiruzen said, talking to a room full of Jonin.
In the room, in particular, was Kakashi Hatake, Kurenai Yuki who was recently promoted to Jonin last year, Asuma Sarutobi, son of the Third Hokage, and off to the side accompanying Kurenai was Anko Mitarashi, who was only still Special Jonin, but she didn't want to teach a bunch snot-nosed brats, helping Sakura's training was enough for her, though if asked, she likely wouldn't turn an apprentice.
"I'd to take on Sasuke Uchiha since I'm the only one that can teach him how to use his Sharingan when he unlocks it, Naruto Uzumaki Inuzuka since it was Minato Sensei's dying wish to teach and take care of him, and Sakura Haruno." Kakashi said in his usual lazy tone.
"Any particular reason? I'm pretty sure that Ms. Haruno is going to be a popular pick." The Old Monkey asked curiously.
"He's right Kakashi, I've been training her for the last 4 years alongside Anko and Hana there is still a lot about genjutsu I still can teach her. That girl has a natural talent for the craft." Kurenai said with pride.
"She's right, that girl has so much raw talent, it honestly scares me... if Lady Tsunade ever came back and got her hands on the girl, we could be looking at one-third of the next generation of the Sannin. The same could be said about Naruto if that self-proclaimed Super Pervert ever came back and trained him from what I heard from Hana." Anko threw in her opinion.
"I see, however, I do agree that Naruto and Sakura should be on the same team given their friendship and known teamwork during the field exercises. Kakashi makes a good point regarding Sasuke as well. You two can work something out in order to continue her Genjutsu training." Hiruzen said firmly getting a nod from the three.
"In the case I'd like Hinata Hyuuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame. They'd make for the perfect tracking team, and I'm sure that I can get Hana to start training Hinata in Medical Ninjutsu." The Genjutsu Mistress said in compromise getting a nod from the Old Hokage.
"...I owe Inoichi and Shikaku, so I'll take the next generation of InoShikaCho." Asuma said lazily with his usual smoke in his mouth.
"Very well, however, I want you to actually train them. Ino is a known fangirl that hasn't taken her training seriously, Shikamaru's laziness out shines that of his father, and Choji, bless his soul, has a kind heart and hates hurting others, but will do anything to protect his friends. I want you to whip them into shape since all three of them got the bare minimum scores to pass." His father said with authority.
"Fangirl huh? Eh, I guess if you ask nicely, I'd be willing to take the Yamanaka under my wing." Anko smirked. "Besides, I know Inoichi hasn't been worried about his 'little princess.'"
The chain smoker nodded in thanks with Hiruzen chuckling slightly. "Alright, you three will have your teams. And Kakashi? I'd show up on time if I were you. Naruto wouldn't hesitate to tell Tsume, and you know how she is."
Kakashi sighed and nodded. He hadn't been able to be 3 hours late to anything that involved Naruto thanks to Tsume's lingering threat on his precious Icha Icha books. Anko smirked while Kurenai was almost busting gut knowing this as well, they'd gotten closer to him thanks to Naruto being adopted into the Inuzuka clan and thus being Hana's brother, there were even rumors floating around that he and Hana might be seeing each other, but neither one of them would confirm nor deny it.
The other Jonin in the room had given their requests before the Hokage dismissed them. "Be at the academy in an hour and a half to pick up your teams. Best of luck."
AN: And that's it! As you can see I've decided to give Sakura a body befitting a girl who took her training seriously and ate properly. Full acknowledgment to MercenaryGrax for the Nut Busting technique Sakura used on Mizuki. Next time, whenever that may be, we'll actually get to the official Genin exam and quite possibly get to Wave. We'll see. As for the pairings, it will be solo pairings! No, if and or buts.
NaruSaku
KibaHina
InoHaku
and possibly Hana x Kakashi. This one I leave up to you guys to vote on. Just keep in mind that this story will mainly be focusing on Team 7 or more importantly Naruto and Sakura.
Now, there are other new stories in the works. The Dragon Ball story from the poll, as well as the Code Geass story, another Naruto x Highschool DxD story, and a Naruto x Kingdom Hearts Challenge that I've accepted from MidnightLost's Discord server. I will be keeping up with my other stories but these plot bunnies have been growing for a while. See you around!