Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 3: The Mighty Fell

Minato was already on his fifth year at the Academy and he's one step closer to being a full-fledged ninja.

Actually, he was already elligible to graduate when he was just on his second year. Studying in advance, training, and frequenting at the Shinobi Library assured him of that. However, he decided to stay until he deemed that all of what the Academy could teach him was enough and also to graduate with his age mates.

He wondered if they will finally learn how to do those high ranking jutsus that he saw some ninjas at the training grounds practiced. He shook his head, 'I'm getting impatient. I'll be able to learn higher ranked jutsus once I become a genin.'

He looked down at the scroll he's reading one last time. It wouldn't hurt to do some more advanced reading.

When there was only an hour before classes start, he packed his books on a bag that he managed to acquire when he helped an acquaintance look after his shop when he was away for a business trip.

When Minato finally arrived at the academy, he immediately sat at the front. Not only can he listen to their instructor clearly, he can also avoid his, um, fangirls, who always try to pry for his attention whenever he sat down at the middle or at the back. Because fangirls, no matter how bold they act, wouldn't intentionally anger their sensei by shamelessly sitting at the front and not listen to the lesson just to do their fangirling. They can only do their fangirling business where the sensei can't clearly see or hear them.

Minato, unfortunately, heard some of his fangirls talk about how they're just going to stare at him from afar. He couldn't help but shudder.

'Why did they even want to be a ninja in the first place? They make it look like we're just playing games.' He sighed. He actually heard them talk once, (yes, it seemed like he's always hearing something. It's because fangirls talk about almost anything relating to their interest of affections) that when they were asked about why they become a ninja, they just said that, "It's because he's here~" While wildly giggling. They must have thought that it made them look cute but for Minato, it just managed to make them look insane. He shook his head and just randomly fished out a book from his bag to have something to focus on.

Minutes passed by and the students filled in. Minato smiled slightly when he noticed a slouching figure walking lazily to the seat next to him.

"Must you always sit at the front?" Shikaku yawned as he plopped down next to him. He put his arms on the table and rested his head there.

Minato laughed, "Good morning to you too, Shikaku."

Shikaku grumbled, "There's nothing good in mornings, Minato."

Minato just snickered, "Oh, maybe it's because you're just so lazy to take your lazy butt out of the bed?" He put his index finger and thumb under his chin, as if contemplating the real secret why Shikaku was so grumpy in the mornings.

"Ha-ha. Why, you're so utterly funny, it makes me want to smack you." Shikaku deadpanned.

"But it's too troublesome, so you're not going to do it in the end." Minato added while smiling cheekily.

Shikaku just hummed, "Ah, you know me so well. Now, shut up and let me sleep before I really smack you."

Minato raised his hands as a sign of surrender, "Hai, hai. No need to get so violent." He chuckled.

It was after a few more minutes when the new instructor strolled in.

"Good day, fifth years! My name is Toshiro Michio, and you can call me Toshi-sensei." The instructor introduced himself cheerfully.

"Before we get to know each other, I would like to inform you that we're going to have two new classmates from our sister village, Uzushiogakure no Sato." He said while smiling brightly.

Several murmurs could be heard across the room. Minato just wondered, 'Uzushiogakure? From the Land of Whirlpools? Where the best Seal Masters originated from?' He couldn't help but be excited.

Toshiro hummed as he took in their reactions, "Oh! It looks like some of you actually listens to your lessons!" He cheered, "And yes, Geography was tackled in your first year, and the year after that, and so on. I'm certain that all countries across the Elemental Nations were already discussed to you before. But I could clearly see that some of you don't even know what or where Uzushiogakure is." He tsked while his eyes roamed around the room. "Oh well! For that, we're going to have a quiz about Geography!" He exclaimed happily.

Many students exclaimed their disagreements, except for the students who actually studies, as Toshiro just smiled cheerfully at them, uncaring about their negative reactions.

"No worries! Because I'm certain that this situation will surely make you take your studies seriously from now on. A valuable lesson, if I do say so myself." He nodded to himself as he relished on the sound of his students' agony.

"Now that that's settled, let's now welcome our new classmates." Toshiro said. He opened the door to let the new students in.

When the two newcomers fully entered, the room was suddenly filled with silence. The academy students stared at them, and some were openly gawking. Shikaku suddenly had the strength to raise his head to look at them.

All Minato could think was, 'Twins? Wow. They're really pretty. And wait, red hair? Hmm, Uzumakis?'

He took in the girls' appearances —because they were obviously girls. They both have that long, silky red hair that reaches their waists, and they have the same set of violet eyes. Their skin was fair and they also have the same pinkish lips that just made them all the more cuter. The only difference was the build of their face. They wore the same traditional kimonos that differ in style and color.

'Hmm? Why did that one wear a kimono for men?' He pondered. Once the realization hit in, he felt so stupid he had to grab Shikaku's arm, "H-He's a boy?" He whispered in an almost histerical tone while pointing his index finger at the unbelievably too-pretty-to-be-a-boy person. Shikaku just glanced at him and gave him a look that clearly said, 'Are you stupid?' Then immediately turned to look back at the pair.

It was then that Minato realized that his whisper wasn't really quiet as he originally thought it was, when the 'too-pretty-to-be-a-boy' turned to glare at him, "Yes, I'm a boy. Thank you for kindly pointing that out." He said calmly but Minato could practically hear from his voice that he's trying not to strangle him. Somehow, he's a little amazed with his restraint. And very, very thankful.

Some of the male students groaned, their fantasy about having twins as their lovers was shattered while some of the girls cheered because at least, one of those pretty twins was a boy. Girls their age feel threatened the most when prettier girls came in the picture, after all. Plus, they have another eye candy!

Minato just blushed lightly and tried to shrink on himself. Shikaku looked at him again and gave him a look that he can clearly interpret as, 'Yes, you really are stupid.' Then he muttered, "I'm not even gonna feel sorry for you, blondie."

At the front, Naruto just sighed in resignation. 'Well, at least I don't have to tell them that I'm a boy by myself.' He thought as Kushina snickered beside him.

Toshiro just hid his amusement with a cough, "Introduce yourselves, please."

The boy spoke first, "Greetings. My name is Uzumaki Naruto, pleased to meet you." He bowed slightly. When he looked up, he smiled softly and genuinely as his eyes brightened with a beautiful glow, as if he's not seething just a few seconds ago.

Minato felt like his breath got caught in his throat as he stared at this ethereal beauty before him. He definitely looked like his twin sister, albeit with noticeable difference, but he just have that aura that Minato have never felt on someone before. He would have blushed again for staring so brazenly, if the whole class wasn't doing exactly the same. Even Shikaku, the laziest person he knows, doesn't look tired for once as he too, stared at Naruto.

As for Naruto, he looked like that because while introducing himself, he was thinking about how good it was to finally be back in Konohagakure, completely oblivious to his classmates' state.

They broke out of their stupor when the other twin yelled loudly, "I'm Uzumaki Kushina! Nice to meet you! And prepare, because I'm going to be the best ninja ever, dattebane!"

Minato found Kushina kind of hilarious as he laughed to himself while the others snickered. Naruto just smiled softly at his sister's exuberance, that is, until someone scoffed.

"You're a girl. How could you possibly think that a girl can be the best ninja? Your brother looks just as vulnerable."

Naruto looked at the speaker and just had to roll his eyes. 'Of course. It's Uchiha Fugaku. Why am I not surprised?' He thought sarcastically.

Kushina bristled and one of her eyebrows ticked as she tried to move closer to shout at this, this arrogant bastard! "You son of a -!"

"Shina-chan." Naruto stopped her. She looked incredulously at her brother and opened her mouth to complain but stopped at the no nonsense look that he gave her. She nodded slightly as she pouted.

Minato just stared at him while Shikaku has this calculative look on his face.

Naruto turned to the speaker calmly, "Ah. An Uchiha." He said it as if that explains everything, "You're not very smart for someone whose clan consider themselves as the best. If you're going to underestimate us in front of the whole class to show your, um, -" He coughed lightly at this, " -superiority, you best do it at the expense of your skills and not just by your baseless judgement." Naruto sneered.

He continued his onslaught as he took in Fugaku's expression, "Ah, you looked rather confused. Simply put, if you just wanted to haughtily exude your...mightiness, then use your skills to speak for yourself and not waste your breath, Uchiha Fugaku." He smiled with his eyes closed as he folded his arms in his kimono sleeves.

The class was silent because they really thought that there was going to be a fight based on the way Kushina started to advance towards Fugaku. Plus, no one talks back to Fugaku, ever! They were stunned, to say the least, for the seemingly diplomatic way Naruto tried to settle the issue.

Minato was amazed for how this mesmerizing individual stopped —or possibly worsened, a fight from commencing.

Toshiro just watched so he can observe how the newcomers will handle the situation. He's a ninja, after all. Any information is considered useful. 'And, this looks like it's gonna be fun!' He chuckled.

Fugaku, on the other hand, turned red from embarrassment but willed it to stop because he's an Uchiha and Uchihas don't blush, damn it! "How did you know my name?" He hissed instead.

Naruto raised an eyebrow, "Seriously? After all that I've said, that's what you're going to ask? Really?" He asked in disbelief, like Fugaku's question was the most stupid thing he'd ever heard. Fugaku just turned even redder.

"Well, I'll humor you. How could possibly anyone classify you as someone other than an Uchiha? I mean, aside from your physical appearance, your blatant arrogance is quiet an obvious hint." Naruto sassed.

Minato laughed along with the class, with Kushina the loudest, "In your face, bastard!" She shouted. Minato even heard Inoichi tell his seatmate, "He's badass!"

He also heard Shikaku mumble about not being able to capture such masterpiece. By masterpiece, he was pertaining to Fugaku's priceless expression.

Fugaku stood up and turned impossibly redder, "N-No! You know that's not what I meant! I mean how did you know my first name, not my clan name!" He stammered.

Naruto sighed tiredly, but he answered anyway, "Shina-chan and I are now in a completely different environment, filled with completely different people, that have a completely different culture." The class just looked confused while Shikaku and Minato had a thoughtful look. Naruto saw his new classmates' confusion and sighed again.

"There was still a week left before the academy starts when we arrived here. What's more obvious to do other than to learn everything I could know about my future classmates?" He explained as if that was the most obvious answer in the world. Well, it's obvious that a true ninja should gather every information he deemed necessary, mainly the ones that he can use at his disposal, especially if said ninja was thrown to a place full of unknowns.

The class was stunned again, and even Toshiro was amazed, 'He's even more intelligent than I initially thought.'

Minato's jaw seemed stuck to the floor and Shikaku had to close it. He didn't openly showed it, but he's also amazed. Shikaku had done exactly what Naruto did before entering the academy, he's a strategist after all. Going to a battle, (yes battle, he envisioned the academy as a battle) unprepared, just screamed suicide. He didn't expect this new student to do just that. It seemed like not all of his classmates this year were dumb, after all. Shikaku hummed silently and thought, 'Does he play shogi?'

Fugaku was stunned to silence for the first time in his life. No one had ever talked back to him like that and had the last word. He won't admit it, but he's also amazed. So much that he's mimicking a gaping fish right now.

"Well? Don't tell me you didn't do that before, mighty Uchiha." Naruto raised an eyebrow. Kushina openly snickered and clapped him on his back, 'Ruto-chan's really the best!'

Fugaku just huffed and returned to his seat petulantly. He turned his nose sideways to show his distaste but peeked discreetly at Naruto while still red in the face. He's not sure if it's from embarrassment or something else.

Toshiro wanted to openly laugh real bad at the scene in front of him. It's not everyday you see an Uchiha got shutdown like that in such a graceful way.

"Well, since the situation have settled down rather nicely," He snickered slightly at this, "Naruto-ouji and Kushina-hime, please choose your seats."

Naruto uncharacteristically groaned, "Just Naruto and Kushina is fine, Toshi-sensei."

The class erupted from what their sensei said and one loudly asked, "T-They're royalties?!"

'Ah, those expressions. So priceless. Teaching at the academy looks really promising now. It might not be so boring, after all.' Toshiro thought amusedly.

"Yes, indeed they are." He answered cheerfully. The class voiced their amazement. They have royalties as classmates! Some of the girls sighed dreamily because, a real Prince! While some of the boys puffed their chests to show their masculinity, obviously for saving the Princess from an unseen danger!

Naruto just groaned again and rolled his eyes. Kushina just giggled because she knew how much his older twin brother hated attention pertaining to their status.

Minato just stared at Naruto, 'A Prince? Somehow that feels like it's not enough.' He mused, 'I mean, he's just...impeccable! He put a lid on that arrogant Uchiha's mouth! That's got to say something. And he's very pretty, and intelligent and...what word can I really decribe him with?' He's lost in his thought as he continued to stare at Naruto. He took in his angelic features, 'An Angel?' He thought in a daze.

Naruto looked at Minato and can't help but think how awesome it was to be in the same class as the future Yondaime Hokage. He's still his ultimate idol even after all this time! Naruto noticed how Minato was staring at him so intently, and dare he say, dreamily? Minato snapped out of his daze once he noticed that Naruto saw him staring at him when he started to look uncomfortable. He blushed heavily once he realized what he was thinking and doing, 'Snap out of it, Minato!'

Shikaku just looked at him knowingly and chuckled, "Ah, Minato. How the mighty have fallen." Minato just glared weakly at him.

Shikaku knew how much Minato prioritizes his studies that he didn't even dare to glance at his fangirls' direction or anything unrelated to being a ninja for that matter, so it really was a surprise when he saw Minato, oblivious to the way he was almost acting like a lovesick puppy. 'I'm never going to let him live this down.' Shikaku snickered again.

"But where to put you? I'm certain that you wanted to sit with each other, am I right?" Toshiro asked. Naruto inclined his head as a yes while Kushina bobbed her head insistently. They don't like to be separated even in their seating arrangement.

Toshiro looked around the room and saw how it's almost full. Each desk was designed to fit only three people. He noticed that no vacant seats are beside each other and the students seemed determined on staying where they were seated at and just wished that they could become seatmates with at least one of the twins.

Even Fugaku scooted closer to his seatmate to show that his other side was very much empty. Even though he should be irritated and mad by the way Naruto had humiliated him, he couldn't help but want to get to know him and find out why he's just...different.

'My, my. These kids are so obvious.' Toshiro chuckled amusedly.

"Ah, it looks like I have to separate you -" He stopped because the twins looked up at him with a matching kicked-puppy-look, 'Gah! Not the puppy look!' He winced. They just stared up at him, 'Wait, are they tearing up?! I don't know how to handle this!' He closed his eyes while he's having a mental battle with himself.

Minato saw those looks that Naruto gave their sensei and visibly steeled himself. That puppy look on Naruto almost made him give up his seat so the twins can sit with each other. But no, he tried his best to look away so he can remain seated. He doesn't know why, but he really really wanted Naruto to sit beside him. Of course, Kushina seems nice too, but...Naruto. Shikaku noticed his struggle and didn't even bother to hide his amusement.

Naruto and Kushina glanced at each other for a second and high fived discretely. But suddenly, they noticed how their sensei visibly steeled himself, 'I can't let my students rule over me! I need to do this.' He looked at them again, 'Must...do this!'

Naruto and Kushina realized that they lost. They just shrugged, 'Heh, we tried.'

Toshiro spoke albeit with a strained tone, "I'm sorry but you can't sit together. Just choose a sit that you like. I'm sure you can handle without seating with each other." Toshiro commended. 'That's right. I'm just letting them get used to being separated. It's my responsibility as their sensei.' He convinced himself.

"Don't apologize, Toshi-sensei," Naruto placated, "It was quite entertaining to watch you struggle." He said as he and Kushina giggled to themselves.

Toshiro was gobsmacked, 'Did they just...played me?' He groaned, 'Ugh, Uzumakis.'

He just sighed, "Just...Just choose a seat, alright?" Toshiro said as he nudged them slightly.

The class watched the twins like hawks as the twins whispered among themselves.

"Well, Shina-chan? Where would you like to sit?" Naruto asked while trying his best to ignore those piercing stares.

"Anywhere except the front. I don't wanna be seen doing something by Toshi-sensei." Kushina said.

"But you have to focus on your classes. We talked about this before, remember?"

"But, Ruto-chan!" Kushina whined, "It's just sooo boring. Plus, you'll teach me what I need to learn anyway, right?" She said as she batted her eyelashes at Naruto.

Naruto sighed and Kushina cheered because she knows she won, "At least pretend that you wanted to study." He grumbled.

Kushina acted like she didn't hear him and gazed at the room. She saw a girl with clan marks on her cheeks that have wild dark brown hair. And the glaringly obvious of all, she looks like a rule breaker! Kushina grinned at Naruto as she looked at the girl, then at Naruto, then back at the girl.

Naruto looked quickly at who Kushina was pointing at and sighed in resignation, "Go to her, Shina-chan. I'm sure you'll get along reeeally well."

He recognized her, of course. Inuzuka Tsume, the future mother of the most rambunctious person he knew. Naruto just knew that Tsume combined with Kushina calls for trouble. Well, more trouble than him with Kushina.

Kushina squealed and ran to the girl who looked at her in surprise. She didn't expect the heiress to choose the seat beside her but looked absolutely excited because she just knew that Kushina won't be like the royalties she expected them to be like.

Some of the students groaned for not being chosen and turned expectantly at Naruto. He just sighed and chose the seat nearest to the front, and coincidentally the one beside Minato. He intentionally chose that seat, of course. He just didn't make it that obvious.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" Naruto asked Minato politely.

Minato looks really shocked because Naruto actually chose to sit beside him! "N-No!" He stammered, "I mean, please have a seat." He coughed.

"Um, thank you." Naruto said uncertainly, but with the softest smile he could muster as he thought, 'So, this was how he looked like when he was younger, huh? How strange.' It was strange because he remembered his father back in his time as someone who looked like this super strong, brave, and amazing shinobi. Seeing the Minato now somehow made him realize that this kid wasn't his father and was a complete stranger. He just couldn't think of this Minato as his father. Hell, they're not even related by blood anymore!

Minato just stared at him when Naruto smiled that soft smile of his. 'Ah, looks like I'm right. Being an Angel suits him.' He sighed, 'And wow, are his eyes really violet?' He continued.

Naruto coughed and Minato saw how he's blushing lightly. 'How cute.' He thought, once again not realizing that he was blushing because he was staring at him for an uncomfortable amount of time.

Naruto coughed again, but loudly this time. Minato finally went back to reality and once he realized what he was doing, he blushed furiously, "I-I'm sorry! I didn't notice what I was doing!" He almost yelled.

"Yes, considering that I've been trying to call you for the last two minutes already, it was obvious that you didn't notice what you were doing." He said with a hint of amusement. "You were kind of rude." Naruto added teasingly.

Minato looked like he wanted to bury himself to the ground in embarrassment, literally, because he's trying to slowly descend to the floor. Shikaku, who noticed that Naruto was just kidding Minato, took pity on him and just chuckled, "Blondie, he was just teasing you." As he tried to stop Minato from sitting at the floor, and make himself look dumber than he already was.

"Ah, you already know, but still, I'm Naruto," Naruto said, "and you are?"

"Nara Shikaku." Shikaku said with a lazy salute.

"Nice to meet ya, Shikaku!" Naruto said as he mocked salute back at him.

Then, Naruto looked expectantly at Minato. Minato, who was just regaining his senses back, looked lost on what he was supposed to do.

"Ah, that's Namikaze Minato." Shikaku chuckled in amusement.

"Does he not speak? I could've sworn I heard him talk earlier." Naruto mumbled, obviously teasing Minato again.

"Gah! It's Namikaze Minato!" Minato answered obviously flustered, 'Kami, I've never felt more embarrassed in my life.'

"Are you sure you're alright now?" Naruto asked with mirth in his eyes.

If Minato cared less about his seemingly non-existent pride, he would have pouted, but decided not to, "Yes, I'm alright now." He just huffed.

Naruto laughed at this and Minato seemed taken aback again, 'What? Even his laugh sounds so nice.' He's starting to get lost in his thoughts again but broke out of it immediately when Shikaku finally smacked him at the back of his head, "I know he acted...stupid, but I can assure you that he's anything but that." Shikaku said, trying to say at least one good thing about Minato to the newcomer. Minato was ready to thank him until Shikaku frowned, "Although I'm starting to doubt my judgement."

"Hey!" Minato said in indignation, but was ignored by the two.

Naruto hummed and nodded slightly, "I think I can see what you mean."

Shikaku smirked, "You might not believe it, but he's a probable candidate for the Rookie of the Year in our batch."

"Really? Somehow, that's a bit unbelievable." Naruro said, with the corner of his lips twitching upwards.

Minato looked alternately between them with an affronted face, "You know I'm just right here, right?"

Naruto snickered while Shikaku continued to smirk. Minato just had this offended look, forgetting that he was trying to save some face as he pouted full force.

"Ah, sorry. Your expressions were just so hilarious." Naruto laughed softly.

Minato was suddenly not that mad anymore when he heard that laugh again. He sighed inwardly, 'Kami, I think I've gotten really, really weird.' He thought in confusion.

"What he said." Shikaku said as he yawned, 'The ever calm Minato being a mess? This might not be troublesome to watch.' His lips turned to an unnoticeable smirk.

Minato's first day on his fifth year at the Academy was rather eventful, on a negative note at least. His only saving grace was that he has something more to look forward to, as he glanced at Naruto at the corner of his eye.