"So Naruto, I have enrolled you into the academy to officially become genin, seeing that you have reached the age." Said Sarutobi Hiruzen, Konohagakure's current leader.

"Fine, fine, Jiji-chan.. " yawned a young blond, sporting a teasing smirk causing the Hokage to huff in annoyance.

"Show me respect won't you?" Hiruzen whined, he chuckled at their familiarity, there was no formality, no seriousness, it was almost like a casual conversation- something Hiruzeen craved to have.

The Hokage and Naruto had known each other ever since he was born and acted as Naruto's un-official guardian and grandfather figure. Protecting, raising, and even going as far as to supply Naruto with whatever he needed after he 'left' the orphanage. His past was hard and yet he stayed positive and pushed through, that gave Naruto a lot of respect from the Hokage. Naruto's life wasn't always unicorns and sparkles, his upbringing making even an orphan's childhood look like they're living a dream. But as Hiruzen gazes at Naruto he couldn't help but feel proud and accomplished. Naruto had grown into a charming figure, gaining a lot of respect throughout the shinobi ranks thanks to his kindness and selflessness. Naruto was no Mary Sue but he was almost as idealistic as her. (sorry, got some inspiration from a review, thanks by the way)

Naruto had been kicked out of the orphanage at the tender age of four, living on the streets for weeks until Sarutobi found out. Naruto begged Hokage to leave the village. "I want to be stronger!" he said, "I want to protect people and show them that I am worthy!". The Hokage was no idiot, he knew that at four he would die but the look of determination in his eyes faltered his judgment. He agreed, which he regretted as soon as Naruto left. "I'll be back in two years, and stronger than ever" was his last words before disappearing out the gates. Throughout that time the Hokage was distraught. He had no way to contact him, watch him, or even check-in to see how he was doing. Sarutobi honestly thought he had been killed.

The day Naruto had arrived Sarutobi couldn't be happier. Naruto was strong and confident now. He had grown remarkably and he could see the muscle under his clothing. His breath was taken away, to be honest. His little Naruto was a man now, even at the age of six. Though despite that most civilians still hated him, he decided that the best course of action was to give him to the ANBU to look after. He no longer trusted them to treat Naruto better, he had learnt to not trust them the hard way, well, Naruto did.

So Naruto had stayed with the ANBU for 2 years. He was strong, remarkably so. He excelled most of his ANBU in skills everywhere except genjutsu thought he could dispell them like any normal jounin ranked shinobi, though this was expected. It was never a jutsu he could do, neither his parents being able to either (He had yet to tell Naruto about his heritage). The Hokage asked how he had gotten that skill but no matter how much he pushed Naruto refused to tell, saying that "The way I became like this was through my own growth, I had done things you would never understand". This confused him, since when was he so reclusive and wise? He decided not to push and wait until the time was right.

The Hokage sighed, bringing his mind back up to the present. Naruto was silent throughout this, experiencing the old man's many flashbacks before, opting to stay silent. Hiruzen smiled at Naruto causing him to smile back. His presence was always nice, almost too inviting to be true.

"You have changed quite a bit, haven't you?" he asked out of the blue causing Naruto to chuckle, guessing what the flashback was about

"And you haven't, old man."

Hiruzen chuckled himself before resuming the previous topic

"I am proud of you, now you are ready to become an official shinobi. Grow and thrive, I'll be with you all the way" he smiled broadly causing Naruto to tear up and give a happy nod in return.

They settled in silence giving each other appreciative looks before Sarutobi reached under his draw to pass the boy a file.

Naruto raised an eyebrow, "What is this about?" he asked as he seals it into one of his many storage seals amongst others.

"That, Naruto, is all the information on the curriculum and what is needed to pass the test." He paused before rethinking, "actually, I think you know all that but nevertheless, there is information about the students and your potential teammates."

"Got it. Anything else you need from me? Many paperwork?" he asked, joyous in the opportunity to help his grandfather figure.

"No, I think I'll be fine. Anyway, you should go. You look tired and we both know staying up will not help your condition."

Naruto chuckled before nodding "Will do, old man. Have a good day!" he waved before disappearing in a flash.

"You too.." he mumbled, sighing as he gazes at the paperwork "maybe I should have asked for your help..."

Soon an ANBU came out of the shadows sporting a lizard mask

"Do you think he will be alright?" he asked, concern evident in his voice

"I'm sure he will be fine... He is strong and will only get stronger. You remember how he was as a kid, right?"

The ANBU nodded, flashbacks of the scared yet determined boy racing through his mind "He has grown." he stated

"He has, now let's watch him thrive from the background shall we?"

The ANBU nodded again, a smile behind his mask. "Lets." he said before fading into the corners of the room. The other hidden ANBU nodding happily.

Naruto was lazing around the house, as usual, he currently suffers from hypersomnia, a sleeping disorder that makes him very tired throughout the day, the bags under his eyes ever-present. The medics assumed that it had to do with his training through Naruto would not share what he did that could have caused it. Little action was what was thought of as the best medicine. Though personally he would rather be at the top of the Hokage monument. He didn't know why but it was pleasurably quiet and relaxing. The monument was a haven when he was younger, an escape from the villagers and all of his troubles. Now he looks around the apartment and smiles. It was his. It was theirs. It was his home and he would forever treasure it.

Naruto's apartment was not big by any means but it held this quaint, inviting aura. Many ANBU would come to stay with him for the night to talk or be comforted after an especially stressful mission. He was thought of as the ANBU's personal therapist, that was probably why they liked and trusted him so much. He wanted to help them in return for all the good they did for him years back, always wanting to be there for them like they were for him.

His attitude was warm and friendly. He held no malice against anyone, not even the villagers who had made his life a living hell many years back. Despite this he did have his moments, crying often as he remembered his past or becoming teary in the presence of someone that cared for him. It was an instinct, he latched on and savored and act of love and care as if it was life lifeline.

All his apartment held was a small kitchenette, lounge, and bathroom. Naruto saw no need in a bedroom so he simply converted his couch into a pull out bed for the ANBU. Though he would not tell how he had returned with a discovered high affinity for wind Justus. Because of his condition he spent many hours creating a jutsu to reduce physical exhaustion.

One of them was a levitation jutsu, all Naruto had to do was pump some chakra to whichever body part faced downward and it would create a force that could raise him off of the floor. It was ingenious, only taking him a week to create a basic version. The only problem he had was that because it was a wind jutsu everything within his vicinity would get blown away. Naruto, being the curious inventor he was created a seal, the seal made any selected jutsu personal (not affecting anything but himself) which he released to the ANBU, seeing that it was a useful tool for missions. It was small and eccentric but if you looked hard to could see the amount of time and effort he put into making and perfecting it.

Now he could float around or even fly without consequences, his wind affecting him personally and leaving everything around him unaffected. It only requires a small amount of chakra and considering his chakra reserves were unbelievably large he could float around for the rest of his life and barely be affected, his chakra regeneration refilling faster than it was being drained.

He couldn't remember how long it had been since he had actually walked on the ground, often flying anywhere and everywhere, even sleeping floating around his apartment. He chuckled at that.

Naruto knew he had to join the academy eventually but never so soon. Despite how much he had grown his past fears often resurfaced if only for a moment or two. The could say he was nervous, scared even but he was still confident in himself and positive he can be better, maybe make friends?

Naruto stretched before going into a slow glide around his apartment. I've got a day, I'll go rest before…

Eventually, Naruto succumbed to unconsciousness…

(Okay, I have listened to the reviews and changed it to make him more likable. Please tell me if this is better than the past one. If not I can restore the old version. Thanks for the reviews and likes, it makes me very happy that my work is appreciated!)