On my way there I stumbled upon Naruto playing a game with three academy students.
"Hnn, Oh, hello Naruto," I spoke.
"Neh, who are you!" Naruto yelled out.
"My name is Shenlo. I graduated top of the class this year with the rest of us." I responded with a sweatdrop.
"Oh, right. I remember you now."Naruto sheepishly responded, while rubbing the back of his head.
"Now I'm all for playing games with the younger generation, that will help them with the future, but, aren't they supposed to be in the academy?" I asked.
"Oh, wow, yeah, I forgot about that. Konohomoru! Are you supposed to be in the academy?" Naruto asked while turning to the three children.
"Uh, y-yes Boss! But we wanted to play ninja with you. It's much more fun than Iruka-sensei's lectures." Konohamaru spoke.
"Now, I can understand the boringness of lectures, but they are important. Listen, I think it's admirable that you look up to Naruto as a role model. But I know for sure that there are a few qualities that he would not want you to have. Now studying, and being physically and mentally fit for being a shinobi is important. So I will put in a good word to the Hokage to begin making the academy less boring, and more fun. That way you can become a good shinobi, just like Naruto will in the future. Now run along to class, or else I will make you do physical exercises all day until tomorrow's academy classes." I spoke.
The three children had a mix of emotions on their faces but quickly left for the academy.
"Now Naruto, let's go talk to the Hokage shall we," I asked.
"I guess so." Naruto sounded confidently unsure.
Hokage's Office Hiruzen's POV
I was sitting at my desk doing the paperwork that Minato had left me to do. It was a relatively quiet morning. I was dreading the squad meeting later, where I would learn whether or not a team had passed. I heard an anbu shift slightly indicating a new presence or presences.
A second later, a knock at the door was heard. Dropping my pen, and preparing myself for anything, I spoke. "Come in."
A moment later the door opened to show Shenlo and Naruto.
"Ah, boys. What a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?" I spoke.
"Lord Third I was on my way home, after my team's test, where I-" I Interrupted Shenlo.
"How was it, Shenlo, the test I mean?" I asked.
"It was okay, my Lord." He responded.
"Very well, you may continue."
Nodding, he continued. "I was on my way home, where I discovered Naruto playing a game called Ninja, with three academy students. Now, I'm all for games that will help the next generation of shinobi get better prepared, but not when they are supposed to be in classes. The three students were Konohamaru, your grandson, and two others I'm unfamiliar with. But the point still stands. The graduation exams and the curriculum of the academy are absolutely horrible. I know it may not be my place to speak, but we have a ratio of 3 civilian kids to one shinobi kid graduating every year. That is frankly not acceptable."
"Now I'm not saying that some civilians aren't capable of being shinobi, but most aren't cut out for the career. Our purpose for coming here today was to talk with you about incorporating more hands-on teaching methods to get the students better prepared. Book smarts are only important when taking a test. Knowing how to apply the book smarts is important. Give them games that incorporate studying and physical fitness. Have them learn Shogi, and Go with Nara. Have them do physical fitness with the Inuzuka, and maybe even Maito Guy. Have them train with the Aburame clan to help understand poisons, and insects to be better prepared."
"Give them more options than the standard, ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu, and paper exam to be able to pass as genin. If we give more avenues of learning then the percentage of genin dying will not be so high as it is. I'm sorry for ranting but it needed to be said." SHenlo finished.
I noticed that he was breathing relatively hard, so I knew he was serious.
"Hmm, yes I agree. I will get to work on that. Now Naruto, I must ask you. How well would you say your skills are compared to some of your classmates? Not based on the class results, or your instructors. But by your guess?" I asked.
"To be honest Jiji, not good at all. I would like to be taught this way, but without going through the academy again. Maybe Shenlo could tutor me?" Naruto asked.
"Maybe. Shenlo, what do you think?" I asked Shenlo.
"Naruto, what I say next isn't meant to put you down, it's what I have observed in my short time here," Shenlo spoke.
"Okay." Was Narutos short reply.
"Your skills are almost unscalable. The only fields that you exceed in right now, are stamina, and chakra reserves. Your talent for ninjutsu could be legendary if you started to do chakra control exercises outside of the academy levels. Your Nin, Tai, Gen, and Buki jutsu are barely genin level. Your battle Iq is horrible, and you are brash, and prefer to barge into things and deal with the consequences later." Shenlo let that sink in for a moment.
"So….." He continued.
"Yeah?" Naruto asked, slightly sad.
"Yes, I will train you. By the time I'm done with you, you will be second best only to me and the Hokage." Shenlo spoke in a boast of pride.
"Very well, Naruto, you shall train with Shenlo when he is available in the evenings. In the mornings and afternoons, you will train with your sensei. Naruto you may leave." I spoke.
After Naruto left, I spoke to Shenlo. "Shenlo, I have three things to tell you. First, you will be paid an A-ranks worth for every month it takes to get Naruto above chunin level. Second, I am making you an undercover Anbu, codename Reaper, after your bingo book entry. Third, you're the last of your clan. I won't enforce the CRA upon you, in fact, you may opt-out if you want, but you need to fill in your seat on the shinobi Council." I spoke quickly and to the point.
"Very well. I accept the rank of anbu. What is my mission? I wish to opt-out of the CRA, I do not wish to be a womanizer, nor in a polyamorous relationship. I will take my seat on the council, so long as you make the academy better, and take more action to keep discrimination among your forces at bay." Shenlo spoke.
"I agree to that. Your mission has two parts. The first is to figure out if anyone in the village has any intention of defecting, and the second is to gain information on other villages when out of the village on missions. I will let your "sensei's" know about your promotion, to anbu, and clan head. You are dismissed. Thank you for your time." I spoke.
With that Shenlo left out the door, leaving me to do a lot of paperwork.