CHAPTER 2: THE GRADUATION
A/N: Hello everyone, here we are with the new chapter. Before getting on to the story, I would like to express my gratitude to all of you for giving this fic a healthy response.
E/N: Hi, I'm the editor GBAboy313. I just wanted to respond to something that a few of you have been complaining about: the side notes in the chapters. Normally I wouldn't say anything but the reviewers being rather outspoken in regards to the notes and rather rudely so have pushed me towards this, especially with RaNK being blamed for them. Those little asides are my own doing, just adding in a bit of my humor to keep somewhat light. I started adding them as a joke and then RaNK encouraged me to keep adding them and keeping them in the published chapter. I will not remove the asides, not unless RaNK begins to ask me to do so. Though I do promise that I will refrain from adding them when I believe it is necessary nor adding one just to add it. But stop blaming RaNK for the asides, he only greenlights them.
A/N: Well, let me confess that I really like those snarky comments GBA adds to the story, when I get the edited versions of my chapters back from him, I feel like reading something new. Regarding the reviews concerning these comments, well I like having a bit of humor here and there, so we won't be doing away with the snarky side notes, but we will be much more careful regarding their placements. Thank you for your suggestions and hope you all have a pleasant read.
CHAPTER 2: THE GRADUATION
*The general hospital of Konoha*
A patched up Iruka stood before the Third Hokage, the Hyuuga clan head and the head of the T&I department, Morino Ibiki, who was there to listen to the Chunin's account before he could proceed to tortu…err…interrogate his latest toy. (Nice save)
"Naruto had failed the graduation test for the second time today, since he couldn't pull off the clone jutsu. He was really upset. Apparently Mizuki took advantage of his vulnerable mental state at the moment and coaxed him into stealing the scroll by telling him that it was a supplementary test. I have no idea how he managed to steal the scroll though, but when I found him, he had the scroll." The scarred Chunin explained.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the third Hokage, known throughout the Shinobi world as the Second Shinobi-no-Kami, rolled his eyes, he couldn't just admit that he was knocked out by an academy student who used the perverted version of the transformation jutsu on him.
"Before I could fully explain to him that this was a farce, Mizuki arrived and went on to reveal the ….real reason why Naruto is hated so much." Both Hiruzen and Hiashi sighed.
"Ibiki, give the needed after getting everything out of him, will you?" Hiruzen said with a depressed tone. "So now he knows about his burden. I am really getting too old for this job."
The chief interrogator acknowledged the order with a nod.
"It wasn't just him that learnt about the Kyuubi, Hokage-sama, Hinata did as well."
Hiashi raised his eyebrows.
"I didn't really want to mention it, but Hinata sometimes follows Naruto and watches him. For some reason, she has come to admire him and tonight, she was willing to even sacrifice her life to save him."
"I am her father, I can tell she is in love with him, I also remember how Minato used to stalk around Kushina during the academy, to think that my own daughter would end up following his footsteps…"
"Hyuuga-Sama, it may not be my place to say this, but I wish you do not stop their friendship from growing. Naruto has been alone for much of his childhood. Yes, he has amiable relations with Choji, Shikamaru and Kiba, but he is yet to make a real friend, and after whatever happened today, he is going to consider Hinata his best friend, if not anything more, it will be too much psychologically damaging to drive them apart and it will be very much depressing for Hinata as well. When she stood up for Naruto, she showed a never seen before degree of determination and resolve to protect the one precious to her. She went up against a chunin and even managed to weaken him significantly using the jyuuken. I am sure that by being closer to Naruto, she will be able to grow out of her shell of insecurity and unleash her true potential. Please let them be." The Chunin explained before bowing down with difficulty due to the wound on his back.
"Please raise your head, Umino-san. If being together with Naruto helps my daughter get stronger and more confident, I have nothing against them being close. Perhaps it is time that the Hyuuga clan stop clinging to traditions from ages long gone and accept that the world has changed and adapt so we might not be swept away with the changing times. In my drive to make her stronger, I drove my daughter into depression and self-loathing. The strict Hyuuga discipline simply doesn't work for her. I had even began considering her a failure as a shinobi, but it appears that she's just different. Even with a Byakugan, I failed to see it and all I did was breaking her from the inside all this time. She can be with Uzumaki if that's what she wants, I won't be a barrier in between them. I also know that despite his goofy nature, Uzumaki is a loyal kid who wouldn't dream about hurting those he cares for." The Hyuuga clan head stated in a monotone voice, befitting a Hyuuga, but Iruka began beaming.
"Perhaps it will be for the best." Hiruzen said with a hopeful expression.
"Thank you very much Hyuuga-Sama." Iruka said with a slight bow.
"It's my duty as a father to take steps to ensure my child's best interests. However, I might have to intervene if they act beyond their age. I trust my daughter to know the limits and respect them though." Hiashi stoically stated.
"Considering the fact that Naruto was able to perform a Jonin level technique and was able to take down a Chunin, I am making him a genin and as soon as she recovers, I will be making Hinata a genin as well, if she just performs the 3 basic academy jutsus, for formality's sake."
"Understood, Hokage-sama." The collected ninja acknowledged.
*2 hours later*
As the lights slowly adjusted to his eyes, Naruto was able to make out that he was in a room, after all the dark forest didn't look like this.
"Where…am I? …Hinata? …Iruka-sensei?" the blond jinchuuriki mumbled as he tried to look around.
Then he felt something on his forehead, upon touching it, it felt metallic.
"I'm here Naruto." A known voice said, Naruto turned to his side to see his teacher standing by the bed, looking at him with a smile.
"Are you…are you okay, sensei?" He asked as his voice returned to normal.
"The doctors have already treated me, so there's nothing to worry anymore." The Chunin reassured.
"And Hinata…she's okay too, right?" Naruto asked with worry written all over his face.
"She is resting in the next room. Don't worry, nothing serious has happened to her." Iruka reassured.
"Thank kami. She shouldn't have risked herself for someone like me."
"That was her decision Naruto and she considers you her most precious person and has been doing so for a long time. And I want you to know her better, she appears quiet and reserved but she is a really wonderful person." Iruka advised.
"Of course, I swear I will know her better, Dattebayo!" Naruto promised. (there's another meaning to that sentence phrasing in a more archaic context, a more intimate meaning. And I'm sure he will)
"Good. I'll be holding you to that." 'I am sure that soon, that loneliness of yours will leave you for good.'
"What's this on my forehead sensei? And where is your headband?" Naruto asked as a small hope formed in his mind.
"Well, look yourself in the mirror once." Iruka said with a smile. Naruto obeyed and as soon as he saw his reflection, his eyes widened.
"T-That's y-your…"
"Yes Naruto. Congratulations on becoming a Genin. I am proud of you."
Tears of happiness rolled down Naruto's cheeks.
"Thanks sensei…Dattebayo." he said with a grateful smile but then something hit his mind. "But if I deserve to be passed, then Hinata-chan needs to too. I am sorry sensei; I will not accept if she is not passed as well."
"Whoa, that's some devotion you have there. Don't worry, she will be passed too. And yes, you are free for the next seven days."
Naruto then tried getting up from his bed and did so without any difficulty, considering his exhaustion was more mental than physical.
"I am going to see Hinata-chan." He said in a low voice and left.
As far as Hinata was concerned, her wound had been stitched up. She was also awake and was staring at the roof when the sound of someone gently opening the door made her look there. A few hours ago, Hinata was radiating confidence as she was defending Naruto, she also knew that he would come around asking why she did what she did, but when he finally came all her confidence went down the drain and a heavy blush took over her face. She didn't even have the words to greet him.
"Hey, Hinata-chan! How are you? Your face is all red, you have a fever or something?" Naruto asked as he ran up to her and put his palm on her forehead to check the temperature.
"Nope, your temperature seems normal, you shouldn't be having a fever." The blond mused.
Iruka, who had discreetly followed his favourite blond to see how the first meaningful conversation between the future couple unfolds, fought hard the urge to facepalm. 'Naruto you dense idiot! Please notice her feelings already!' (heh, good luck on that. Don't hold your breath on it happening immediately)
"I-I am f-fine, N-Naruto k-kun." The Hyuuga stuttered out. (hey, progress, you didn't faint at him just touching you)
"That's good to hear. I don't know what I would have done if something had happened to you there. You shouldn't be risking yourself for some idiot like me, your life is far more important than that." Naruto tried to reason. Only to receive a slap on his cheek.
"Don't you dare call yourself an idiot again, Naruto-kun." Hinata stated with an unusually serious expression.
"H-Hinata" Naruto could only stutter out as he held the cheek that was just slapped. Hinata then took moved his palm out of there and placed hers in its place.
"Just like I said there at the forest, you are not a failure. You are not an idiot. You are an admirable person, who never gives up irrespective of the odds stacked against you. Even when you fail, you get back up and try again. To me that's what true strength is, to me you are a really strong person, Naruto-kun. To me you are a proud failure."
Naruto kept staring wide eyed at his shy classmate, whom he had never seen talking in such a straightforward way before. Finally, a smile crept up on his lips as he moved forward and enveloped Hinata in an embrace.
"You know what, earlier I used to think you were a weirdo, but you know what, I like people like you." He said, rubbing her back. Hinata could not help blush heavily.
"Will you be my friend Hinata-chan?"
"Of course, Nartuo-kun." Hinata replied, extremely happy for having at least receiving the attention from the one she loved, ever since she had understood what love meant. Now her Naruto-kun was finally within her reach.
The kids were discharged the same night. Iruka also informed Hinata about her chance to graduate together with Naruto by performing the three academy jutsus. It was decided that she would be tested 4 days later.
Over the next four days, while Hinata practiced for the test, Naruto joined her. Thanks to her excellent chakra control, Hinata managed to perform the three jutsus within two days.
She also began helping Naruto with chakra control. The blond began the tree climbing exercise under her Byakugan enhanced supervision. (Guidance or enhanced sight? The answer may surprise you: yes.)
However, Naruto began observing the inferiority complex in his best friend. When Hinata began talking about her family, her self-loathing became quite evident, especially when she would talk about her younger sister Hanabi or her cousin Neji. Of course, she was always speaking nothing but praise for them, but Naruto did get what she left unsaid. 'Why can't I ever be as good as them?' He understood this feeling much better than anyone else, since he felt the same way towards Sasuke as well.
'Why can't I be as cool as Sasuke? Why can't I have any girl wishing to be with me? Why do all the teachers praise him? Why is he so talented? And why can't I ever hold a candle to that talent of his?' These questions always popped up in his mind and depressed him. He was amazed by how different but yet how similar Hinata was to him.
"Hinata-chan, you can say it out loud that you feel inferior to Neji and Hanabi. I feel the same way about Sasuke as well. I also think: 'Why can't I be like him?' But after that incident with Mizuki and after seeing you stand up for me, I have understood something. You acknowledged me, even when I have done absolutely nothing praiseworthy and when you faced Mizuki, you were really cool and amazing. So, neither do I need to be like Sasuke nor do you need to be like Neji, Hanabi or even your Dad. At least we will always have each other, so don't think so lowly about yourself. Just like you don't like me calling myself an idiot, I don't like it at all if you call yourself pathetic compared your sister or your cousin."
"B-but- "
"No buts Hinata-chan. You are cool in your own way and you better believe it!" Naruto declared, leaving no room to argue.
"And I also want to receive taiutsu training from you." The blond added, making his pale eyed companion widen her eyes in surprise. Nobody had praised her, let alone be willing to learn from her. But if Naruto-kun wanted to learn from her, she would definitely do her very best.
"I-I will do my b-best" She replied and her blond nodded with a grin.
For the next few hours, Naruto continued with the tree walking exercise as Hinata practiced the three academy jutsus again and again. She was to appear for the exam the next day after all.
At the end of the day, Naruto had made it up to 75% of the tree's height. He and Hinata were sure that the exercise would be completed the following day.
The next day Hinata went to the academy to appear for test, needless to say, she passed with flying colours.
"Congratulations Hinata, you are a genin now." Iruka congratulated, offering her a headband.
"Didn't I tell you that you are awesome? You passed at the same time as Neji. Cheer yourself up a bit." Naruto stated loudly with a grin, before running to her and hugging her. The blond had made it a point to watch her exam and cheer for her. Over the course of the last four days, Hinata had managed to not faint after being hugged by Naruto. Though she still blushed a deep shade of red and that likely wasn't going to change for some time.
"T-thank you sensei, Naruto-kun." She stuttered out.
In his office, Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a satisfied smile as he watched the scene unfold through his crystal ball. The old Hokage could take relief in the fact that his favourite blond was no longer alone or friendless and years of experience told him that Naruto and Hinata were going to be much more; much, much more than just best friends and something told him that their bond would transcend lifetimes.
'I am really happy for you Naruto-kun. I am sure you will discover true happiness with Hinata-chan. My best wishes are with you.' The old Hokage thought with a smile.
"It's good to know that Naruto has found a great friend. I just hope he doesn't make her his pranking partner. That will be really troublesome." A lazy sounding voice said. (Naruto with a Byakugan lookout…yeah that does sound terrifying)
Hiruzen suddenly found himself shivering at the thought Naruto having a Byakugan empowered partner in his pranks. That duo would be scary, really scary. (careful, you're tempting fate)
"I hope so too, Shikaku. I hope so too." Hiruzen said under his breath.
"Hokage-sama, this year, only one group of three has any chance of clearing the real genin test, as we already know. However, now two more genin who I am sure will pass the test as well have appeared. The only problem is assigning them a Jonin. Kakashi would have been really interested in taking Naruto under his wing and the same goes for Kurenai with regards to Hinata. However, we have assigned a team to Kakashi and this year Kurenai still needs one year experience to qualify to be a Jonin-sensei"
Hiruzen brought put his pipe in his mouth and let out a small cloud of smoke as he thought about the situation. The truth was that he didn't expect Naruto to graduate a year early. He had already mentally decided a team for Naruto with his classmates Sasuke and Sakura with Kakashi as their sensei. His logic was that Naruto was becoming obsessed with getting Sakura's attention and seeds of a rivalry was being sown between Naruto and Sasuke. And with each passing day, Sakura was turning out to be the loudest and most ardent Sasuke fangirl. The situation between the three reminded him of his students who went on to be known as the legendary Sannin. It was also similar to the only team that Minato Namikaze, the 4th Hokage took as a Jonin.
But, just as the winds of fortune had changed their directions forever, so had Hiruzen's thoughts. After witnessing the dynamic between Naruto and Hinata, he had decided that these two were better off in a single team. They needed each other's mental support to overcome their own problems. He began understanding that constructive mental support can also become a catalyst for growth. He understood that Naruto and Hinata would strive to become better and stronger, if just for nothing other than being able to protect each other better. That alone was a good enough incentive to get stronger.
Also, he realized that although Jiraiya, Tsunade and Orochimaru went on to become legendary shinobi, their personal lives became a mess. Something the old Hokage would not even dream of wishing upon Naruto. The wizened old man could see Naruto having a future, a family with Hinata and he wasn't about to rob him of that opportunity. He made up his mind, Naruto and Hinata were going to be in the same team, no matter what. Now the only problem was to find a suitable sensei and a third teammate for them.
He knew Kakashi would be pissed at him for not letting him have Naruto under his wing but Hiruzen knew he would need Kakashi to be Sasuke's sensei and guide him once he awakened his Sharingan. It could have been an option to put Naruto and Hinata in a team with Sasuke, led by Kakashi. But thinking more about such a setup, the old Hokage became more and more convinced that such a team might not work out well. Of course, the rivalry between Naruto and Sasuke could continue, pushing the two forward. However, the basis of putting Naruto and Hinata in a team was their extremely supportive attitude towards each other. Putting Sasuke in that equation might make things more complicated between them. Due to his present psychological state, Sasuke was developing more and more of a negative personality, which could harm Hinata's extremely fragile self-confidence if Sasuke ever made any hurtful remark towards her. This could also drive Naruto into full protective mode, eventually leading the team into becoming fragmented with Naruto and Hinata on one side and Sasuke on another. Of course, it was a worst-case scenario, but not a very unlikely one. 'It may or may not work and I don't really want to take any risks here.'
Then Hiruzen thought back about Kurenai. Of course, he could make an exception and allow her a team with the condition that, they were to do only D-rank missions for a whole year and not participate in the Chunin exams. That might work. He asked Shikaku for his opinion on the thought.
"Troublesome, I would like to suggest against it. Kurenai is a genjutsu specialist. Hinata due to her Byakugan and Hyuuga heritage, is obviously going to become a taijutsu specialist. She might become good at ninjutsu as well but I don't think she would ever make genjutsu her area of expertise. Naruto is a half Uzumaki and none of the Uzumaki ever were genjutsu specialists, neither was Minato. So I believe that Naruto would become a master of fuinjutsu, ninjutsu and possibly taijutsu. He also has a great tactical mind that is able to make decisions on the go, unlike us of the Nara clan, who tend to strategize our every move before even moving a finger. The boy needs pointers in making pre-battle plans apart from training in his future areas of expertise. I don't think Kurenai can help with any of that, no offence to her." The Head Jonin reasoned. Hiruzen gave a nod before putting his pipe back in his mouth and start thinking again. Shikaku went back into reading some other documents.
Suddenly the Nara clan head found the Hokage looking at him with an expression that said he has just found a great solution to a problem. He also felt a chill down his spine.
'Why do I feel like my life is about to become much more troublesome than it already is.' He thought with a gulp. A smile crept up on Hiruzen's lips.
"How do you feel about taking a team again? Eh, Shikaku? The Old Hokage asked with a smirk.
"Troublesome."
A/N: And done. I hope you all enjoyed reading the chapter. See you all in the next one. Stay safe, cheers and peace.