Short summary considering I suck at these very much. Naruto realizes something is up with his teaching in the academy after he felled the Genin test miserably. (Side note the first test not the one we pick up with in canon.) and asks the Hokage if he could help him learn or maybe introduce him to someone who could help him. Will also be very Kakashi oriented, going to try to split the spotlight evenly but some chapters will be more Kakashi centric vice versa. Hope you enjoy but if not try one of the other thousand stories on here!
Btw rated R for language no lemons planned.
To many in Konoha this was but another day, but not to a certain redhead. For him this was the day he would hopefully become a kick ass ninja and one step closer to wearing the Hokage hat. But unfortunately for the knucklehead he failed the exam horribly. Naruto knew he wasn't exactly the best student but he really did try. It just didn't add up to him how he failed so bad. He did exactly as he had bee n instructed but instead of passing like he thought he was humiliated.
After the exam Naruto ran to the one place in Konoha that he felt at home, the top of the fourth Hokage's head. Naruto hadn't even told his Jiji of this place, it was the one place he could get away. The one place he didn't have to fake a smile, or act stronger then he truly felt. And finally Naruto felt the world crashed down and begin weeping. Naruto hasn't truly cried in probably four years which is saying a lot for a ten year old, especially one that goes through the things Naruto has to on a daily basis. Finally after about an hour of crying Naruto collected himself and set out to talk to one of the few people who could truly help him figure what happened.
Break
"Jiji I need to talk!" Naruto practically yelled as he barged straight through the office doors.
"Ah Naruto-Kun how can I help you?" The old Kage asked setting his paper work aside.
"Jiji I failed the test today. I tired so hard but I failed." Naruto said humiliated. Hearing Naruto's tone of voice truly hurt the old man as he listened to the boy.
"Naruto-Kun I can understand you are upset but very few individuals have ever graduated from the academy at ten." Hiruzen tried to explain delicately to the child.
"I get that Jiji but they said I wasn't even close. They made it seem like I'm an idiot but I swear I have been trying very hard." Naruto tried to explain.
'Hmm that doesn't really add up Naruto-Kun has been in the academy for five years now he should at least have a good grasp of it. And Naruto is many things but one he is not is a liar, if he says he's been trying then I believe him.' Hiruzen thought before getting an idea.
"Naruto-Kun I want to have a spar with you to see where you are at is that ok?" The old man asked as he stood up.
"Hai, just be careful Jiji I don't want you to throw a hip out." Naruto replied with a toothy grin making the Kage chuckle.
"Ok Naruto use the style they taught you." The Hokage instructed getting into a defensive stance.
"Ok here I come!" Naruto yelled before charging.
'What the hell is this? This isn't even close to the academy style. Hell this isn't a style at all I've seen civilians with better form than this. After about two minutes of humoring the boy they stopped.
"Ok Naruto I've seen enough. Try to make a clone for me." The Kage then ordered.
"Uh Jiji I can't do that one." Naruto admitted rubbing the back of his head.
'Hmm I suppose it could be his reserves keeping him from doing that.' Hiruzen thought.
"Ok Naruto I want you to do a favor for me. Make a ram hand seal and channel as much Chakra as you can." The professor asked.
"Hai." Naruto said before he did as he instructed.
"Naruto I said ram not tiger." The Kage corrected.
"But they told me that was ram." Naruto said confused.
'Well that explains it he was fucking sabotaged. Minato, Kushina please forgive me for my ignorance.' Hiruzen thought with a frown on his face.
"Ok Naruto I believe I know what happened. It seems that you haven't got the proper education. And for that I'm sorry, but I'll make you a deal if you promise to try your absolute hardest I'll get you a tutor." Hiruzen asked after taking a long drag from his pipe.
"You bet! Uhhh wait what is a tutor Jiji?" Naruto asked sheepishly making the Kage chuckle.
"A tutor is basically a teacher but one whose sole purpose is to help you." The old Kage explained.
"Oh that sounds great Jiji, um just make sure they are super strong ok." Naruto said.
"Hmm well I did have someone in mind that is pretty strong. Go home and get plenty of rest and come back at 8:00am tomorrow to start your new training Naruto-Kun." The Hokage said.
"Thanks a bunch Jiji!" Naruto said before running and giving his Jiji his best hug possible before taking off.
The venerable Hokage then leaned back in his chair to think about how much of a headache dealing with the academy would be. Although he did know he was about to pull one over on his top Elite Jonin not a feat many could accomplish. After signaling his ANBU to go fetch Kakashi the old man then let out a hearty laugh thinking of the face Kakashi would have when he figures out he got played.
Break
"Hokage-Sama you called." Kakashi walked in after getting lost on the road of life.
"Ah only two hours late are you feeling ok Kakashi-Kun?" The Hokage said with fake concern.
"It always pleases me how much you care Hokage-Sama." Kakashi said giving the man an eye smile.
"Don't mention it. Now I have a proposal for you. One that would keep you from taking a genin team for at least a year." The Hokage said with a smirk.
"I'll do it! I don't care if it's constant S-ranks for a year I'm in." Kakashi pleaded.
"Ok report back to me at 8:00 am tomorrow morning. And I'm serious Kakashi this is of the upmost importance concerning the future of the village." Hiruzen said with his most commanding tone.
"Hai." Kakashi said with a body flicker coming only a moment later.
"This will be glorious." Hiruzen said then had a laugh that would give Emperor Palpatine goosebumps.
Break
The next morning Naruto was on cloud nine. He was literally the happiest he's ever been. His Jiji was assigning him his very own super strong teacher. He would be gunning for his hat in no time. After barley getting any sleep due to his excitement the redhead shuffled out of bed and checked his clock. After seeing he only had five minutes to get to the tower Naruto put on his track suit and ran as fast as he could to the tower. After bumping into a couple people on the way there and apologizing he made it only two minutes late.
Five minutes earlier
"Glad to see you could make it in time." The Hokage greeted the grey headed Jonin.
"Of course Hokage-Sama, it pains me you have so little faith. I always show up on time to S-ranks." Kakashi shot back.
"That is true but I never technically called this an S-rank." Hiruzen replied.
"Fair enough so should I get my old ANBU gear out or what?" Kakashi asked excitedly to avoid genin.
"I believe your current attire will be quite alright. The assignment should arrive any moment now." The Hokage said holding back his laughter.
Back to the present.
"I'm sorry I'm late Jiji. Who's the old guy?" Naruto asked making the Hokage burst out laughing. And Kakashi to twitch a little.
"Ah now that we are all here let's begin. Naruto this is Kakashi our current best Jonin in the whole village, he will be your tutor." Hiruzen explained making both Kakashi and Naruto go wide eyed at this.
"For real!" They both yelled although for different reasons.
"I assure you both this is no joke." Hiruzen said stifling a chuckle.
"Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!" Naruto repeated much to the dismay of any ears within a two mile radius.
"No need to thank me Naruto-Kun it's the least I could do. Now please wait outside while I talk with Kakashi a bit before you two head off." Hiruzen said in which the boy complied.
"You truly deserve your title of the professor." Kakashi spoke after Naruto left the room.
"Thank you I have my moments. The truth is I've not been a great Hokage since Minato passed, I've allowed the council to get by with much more than I did in my prime. I'm old Kakashi I'm not to keen on conflict anymore, truth be told I probably shouldn't be wearing this hat right now. You may wonder why I've told you this, it's because I want you to takeover. Not immediately of course but truthfully outside of Jirayia because kami knows he won't wear the damn hat you are the best option." Hiruzen said as he puffed on his pipe.
"I'm not Hokage material " was the first thing that entered Kakashi's mind and he went with it
"Don't make me laugh Kakashi, you were a Genin at 5 Chunin at 6 and Jonin at what 10? Aside from your given talent you have lost almost every person close to you, and yet you continued to fight. I couldn't name ten people who could have survived everything you've been through." The venerable Kage said with true pride in his voice. Kakashi on the other hand just got slapped in the face with some of his worst memories.
"You didn't mention I got both my teammates killed." Kakashi replied with disdain laced in his voice."
"Dear Kami for you to be as smart as you are, you're truly a fool. War killed your teammates! No one and I mean no one comes out of war unscathed. Kakashi you are your worst critic you always have been." Hiruzen said agitated.
"How am I supposed to lead a village if I can't save the people I care the most about?" Kakashi yelled out of nowhere.
"You try your hardest like you've done your whole life. Kakashi I understand you feel like your cursed hell anyone would who has lived your life. But you can't let that keep you from progressing, tell me who is stronger the Kakashi standing in front of me or the 18 year old ANBU captain Kakashi?" Hiruzen asked clearly striking a nerve.
"It was your idea to pull me from ANBU in the first place." Kakashi half answered half deflected.
"Indeed tell me do you think you would be standing before me at 24 years old if I hadn't?" Hiruzen countered the silence told him everything he needed to know.
"We've lost Minato, the Uchiha, Tsunade, Orochimaru, tell me Kakashi who are three strongest ninja in the village outside myself and Jirayia?" Hiruzen asked.
"If I had to say probably Gai, Yamato and I" Kakashi replied.
"I agree now tell me do you think Gai-San or Yamato-San are viable candidates?" Hiruzen asked but needed no reply.
"Listen Kakashi my point is I'm near my end, I'd like to be able to hand the hat to Naruto myself but I doubt the likelihood of that happening, I'd like for you to apprentice Naruto, as well as getting back to the best version of yourself. I want you to think of what Minato would say if he saw you these past few years. Dismissed." Hiruzen said waving the man off.
"Sorry for taking so long Naruto-Kun let's head somewhere not so crowded." Kakashi said before grabbing the redhead and disappearing in a swirl of leaves.
"Ok you have got to teach me that!" Naruto said as they appeared in training ground 7.
"Hmm maybe. But first how about introductions. Likes, dislikes, and dreams." Kakashi replied.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki, I like Raman and Jiji. I dislike how long it takes to make the Raman and mean people. My goal is to be acknowledged by everyone and become Hokage!" Naruto proclaimed.
"That's a hefty goal you got there. But I'll tell you what, if you listen and do everything I say I can promise you that you will be well on your way." Kakashi said with an eye smile.
"Um no offense sensei but what exactly do you know about becoming Hokage?" Naruto asked as politely as he knew how.
"None taken, but to answer your question my sensei was the fourth Hokage." Kakashi said and smiled when he saw Naruto's eye light up.
"Ok Naruto the Hokage gave me a brief run down of your ability. I'm not going to sugarcoat this Naruto we have a lot of work ahead of us if you want to graduate by the time you are twelve so I need your full effort." Kakashi commanded getting a nod from Naruto.
"Ok take this, that Naruto will be your schedule for the next two months. Lord third has given me or rather made me take my vacation time so I will be focusing strictly on you to give you the ability to do this own your own for when I eventually have to take missions again." Kakashi explained handing Naruto a schedule he drew up.
"Um not that I'm complaining sensei but my book smarts are lacking as well and I don't see studying anywhere on here?" Naruto asked.
"That Naruto is because I'm going to show you a jutsu that will handle all your studying for you." Kakashi replied making Naruto's eye bulge.
"That sounds amazing sensei but I know for a fact that isn't true." Naruto replied confidently peaking Kakashi's interest.
"Ok I'll bite Naruto how do you know a jutsu like that doesn't exist?" Kakashi asked perplexed.
"Because if it did Jiji would use it to deal with his paperwork." Naruto responded.
"Naruto you just gave me the biggest bargaining tool a man could ask for. For that I owe you one." Kakashi said making Naruto confused.
"Ok I just added a stipulation if you promise not to tell the Hokage this could fix his paperwork problem then I'll treat you to Ramen today." Kakashi said getting a hand shake to seal the deal.
"Ok repeat the sign I do exactly and channel let's say 20% of your chakra into it." Kakashi said then demonstrated the shadow clone jutsu.
Naruto then Gave it a shot and to Kakashi's surprise he got it. Naruto actually managed to do a B-rank jutsu on the first try truly impressive.
"Holy crap I made a clone!" Naruto cheered.
"Correction you made 20 clones. But these aren't the kind they teach at the academy these are called shadow clones they are physical, and the best part is you get there memories." Kakashi tried to explain but could tell Naruto wasn't getting the full grasp.
"Ok I'm going to make a clone and send him into the forest I want you to send one of your clones with mine ok." Kakashi said receiving a nod.
"I still don't see how this wi... hey what the heck why did your clone hit mine?" Naruto asked out of the blue.
"My clone dispelled your clone so you would understand that you get there memories see." Kakashi explained watching the boy slowly understand.
"Oh I get it now, so that's how I'll study." Naruto replied.
"Excellent deduction Naruto now I think that's enough for today. Let's get some Raman and we will meet back here tomorrow." Kakashi replied with an eye smile.
Later that night Naruto couldn't keep a smile from his face. The 10 year old was finally truly happy for the first time since he could remember. He knew people would still give him mean glares for a reason he couldn't figure out, but one thing he knew was Kakashi sensei would give him a real shot. And for that reason alone he was on cloud nine. He made a promise to himself that night that no matter what happened to him from here on out he would be the best and prove every fool in the village wrong.
Meanwhile a silver haired shinobi was currently thinking back on his day. Kakashi had many regrets in his life, one was not taking in Naruto. He realized he was barley keeping himself alive at that time but he couldn't help but feel bad. But he was hoping with this opportunity he could make up for at least a bit of his shortcomings. To say he was pleasantly surprised by the boys work ethic would be an understatement. Sure he might not be a prodigy, but Kakashi knew you didn't have to be a prodigy to be a great ninja, you would be surprised how far a a strong work ethic could get you.
He also gave some thought about his talk with the Hokage, more so his parting words. He wondered about what his Sensei would think of him, he didn't like the thoughts coming to his head. He also thought about the state of the leaf, that also wasn't a great thought. After a while he sighed realizing the old Kage pretty much hit the nail on the head about him being the best option.
"How did you sleep Naruto-kun?" Kakashi asked meeting his student.
"Great sensei! Ready to kick ass!" Naruto replied.
"That's the spirit. Now make 20 clones like you did yesterday, I set some books to the side I want them read by the end of the day understood?" Kakashi asked with a firm tone.
"Hai sensei consider it done!" Naruto said as he made said clones and sent them to work.
"Alright Naruto there are training weights, they are ten pounds each and they go on every limb. Once I decided you can handle more I'll increase them." Kakashi explained as Naruto started to put them on.
"This doesn't seem bad Sensei." Naruto said jumping up and down a few times to get used to the feeling.
"That's good now give me 20 laps." Kakashi said with an eye smile.
The rest of the day if you wanted to use one word to explain it brutal seems fitting. Naruto was always a very energetic kid but Kakashi seemed to know how to dispose of that energy easily. But not once did Naruto quit, as a matter of fact Kakashi actually trained him till the boy literally collapsed, he had to remind himself that Naruto wasn't a Jonin hell he wasn't even a ninja yet. But despite it all Kakashi was proud of the brat while he did have quite the bravado he backed it up till he dropped.
Kakashi carried Naruto home and put the tired pre teen in his bed. Before he left he decided to check Naruto's fridge Kakashi knew both Naruto's parents were pretty tall so he figured maybe his diet was hindering his growth. Turns out he hit the nail on the head, Kakashi sighed seeing that the boy didn't have much and what he did have wasn't considered healthy. He then went out and did some shopping for the boy making sure to keep him stocked up for the month. And with that completed Kakashi decided it was time for him to get some shut eye.
The next couple months was much of the same, Naruto would have his clones study and then he would train till he dropped. Kakashi was impressed at the boys recovery he would get up the next morning good as new, that allowed Kakashi to work him to the bone and he didn't hold back. Only five months after they started the growth Naruto was making was clear, his muscles were more defined. He was truly shaping up to be a fine ninja.
With all that said the thing that impressed Kakashi the most was how smart Naruto became. While no he wasn't a Nara, but damn he was a clever cookie. And not just book smarts either the boy had an amazing wit about him. His ability to think on the fly was unparalleled, he would truly be a handful in the future, Kakashi couldn't help but smile when thinking about his pupil.
Kakashi himself though hadn't been slacking either, after a few nights of debating he decided the Hokage was right. He stepped up his own training making it similar to his ANBU days if not a bit harder. He even meet Gai for a few spars here and there. All in all he was well on his way to being a powerhouse not to be taken lightly.
"How are you feeling Naruto?" Kakashi asked showing up only about an hour late.
"Pretty sore but I'll manage." The redhead shot back with devilish grin.
"You are truly something else Naruto. Ok today is a little different you will still have your clones study, but I want you to channel some chakra in this paper." Kakashi said handing over the paper.
"Um sure." Naruto answered a bit confused. Suddenly the paper split into two pieces then crumbled to dust.
"Very impressive turns out you have two affinities." Kakashi noted with an eye smile.
"Hell yeah! I knew I was awesome like that." Naruto cheered.
"Ok settle down a bit, I've got some good news and bad news which would you like first?" Kakashi asked the boy.
"Always start with the bad." Naruto said getting ready to be let down.
"I like your thought process, well the bad is I'm not very good with wind Jutsu so we will have to put that on the back burner. But the good news is I am very skilled in earth jutsu so we will focus on that first." Kakashi explained getting a smile from the boy.
"Is earth your affinity sensei?" Naruto asked.
"Yes but wasn't always. You see most people only start with one affinity and then train to gain more. My initial affinity was lighting, but if you train hard enough you can gain another. So I mastered earth to help bolster my defensive ability." Kakashi explained.
"You have lighting that sounds so bad ass! I'm stuck with wind." Naruto said the last part a little dejected.
"While I would agree with the lighting part being cool, you fail to see how useful wind can be. Take a kunai or a sword for example, if one was to channel there wind into the blade there cutting power is increased ten fold." Kakashi tried to reason.
"Ok that seems pretty cool. So how will we train my earth element? When do I get to start to learn super cool jutsu?" Naruto asked eagerly.
"First I want you to give me 25 clones, but make sure you give them a fair amount of chakra because they will need it. Second have each of them channel there chakra into a leaf and make it crumble. Meanwhile my lovely apprentice we are upgrading your weights and you get to give me fifty." Kakashi said with an eye smile.
"You are evil sensei." Naruto mumbled before taking off and doing as he was told.
"Ahhh MY RIVAL!!!" A man with a bowl cut and a green jumpsuit yelled.
"Oh hey Gai how's it going?" Kakashi asked nonchalantly as he flipped a page in his favorite book.
"Amazingly youthful, I will get straight to the point though my friend I heard you picked up a pupil." Gai more so stated then asked.
"Indeed" was Kakashi's only reply.
"That's it? Would it kill you to tell me a bit about him?" Gai said after Kakashi's nonchalant reply.
"Umm he's short, has red hair, oh and he talks alot." Kakashi said, knowing exactly which buttons to push to get his long time friend annoyed.
"My Rival where has your youth gone?" Gai pleaded as the tears freely fell from his face.
"I'm joking Gai, he's a knucklehead, not the brightest bulb in the bunch. But he works harder than anyone else, his will of fire rivals even the Hokage's, and he probably has just as much chakra as anyone in the village outside of maybe Jirayia-Sama." Kakashi said with a hint of pride.
"That is extremely youthful! I can't wait to meet him, I've picked up an apprentice as well! He is much like me, maybe we could arrange some spars?" Gai said.
"That sounds like a good idea actually. Come by same time tomorrow?" Kakashi asked getting a nod of confirmation in return, before Gai took off.
"Naruto bring it in." Kakashi said as the red head was finishing his laps.
"I lined up a sparring match for you tomorrow we're going to cut things short today. Eat a balanced dinner and something light for breakfast tomorrow ok." Kakashi instructed in his Sensei voice at least that's what Naruto calls it.
"You got it! So who is my sparring partner are they super strong?" Naruto asked as he was stretching to cool off.
"He is a taijutsu specialist if I had to guess. Normally that wouldn't be a huge deal for a ninjutsu type like yourself but I will give you one warning don't underestimate him." Kakashi said trying to make sure Naruto listened.
"You got it sensei! I'll make sure to get plenty of rest." Naruto replied.
A/N Hey guys hope you liked chapter one. I'm open to constructive criticism just don't be a dick about it. Also thoughts on if I should keep Genin teams cannon or not, if you didn't notice theoretically he could graduate the same year as team 9. Would appreciate your thoughts on the matter as always take it easy!