As Naruto, Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji walked into the classroom Naruto could already feel his chest begin to tighten. Today he was either going to pass or fail and try as he may he couldn't help but feel nervous every time this particular day came up. If he failed today that was it, his whole ninja career would end before it had even got started. Iruka Umino stood front and center as each student entered the classroom and took their seats. Naruto liked Iruka-sensei. He wasn't mean to him like all the others had been and while he and the man were by no means close he did like that the man didn't seem to hate him at all.
"Ok everybody you all know what today is. For those of you who have failed this last year today is your chance to pass so do your utmost and soon you will be wearing a leaf headband". Iruka said before handing out the first part of the exams. A paper test. Naruto answered them as best as he could but even so he feared he got most of the questions wrong. Meanwhile, Ino eyed Naruto from the corner of her eye. She could tell right away that he was nervous. His grip upon his pencil told her as much.
"Ino eyes on your test"! Iruka yelled making her jump.
"Sorry, Iruka-sensei it will not happen again". Ino replied embarrassed. She could hear the sounds of suppressed giggles and snickers. She paid them no mind and resumed her work. As each minute passed she would eye Naruto for only a second or two. By the looks of it, he was about done with his test with maybe three or four questions left before he was done. He did at the very least look less nervous. Why that was she didn't know but she was happy all the same regardless.
"Ok kids put your pencils down and please hand over your tests". Iruka asked as one by one the tests were handed in and they all retook their seats.
"Good now when he calls your name please walk calmly inside the room and perform the necessary jutsus". Iruka said before he departed the classroom to start to grade the tests.
"Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze". The second Chunin instructor called out. He held a look of utter disgust upon looking at him as if he was some deceased animal on the side of the road that was unpleasant to look at.
"You know what to do brat". The man said with an edge to his voice. Naruto knew he wanted nothing more than to gut him right then and there. So with practiced ease, Naruto became Iruka then replaced himself with a potted plant. The man only grunted before writing it down. Now was the hardest part of all. The damnable clone jutsu. A jutsu that no matter how much he trained he could never pull off without it looking like some dehydrated mummy with gray-colored skin and sunken eyes. This time was no different as the clone fell upon the floor with a thud. It was entirely useless as anything but a comic routine or a clear display of his complete lack of control over his chakra network.
"You Fail Now Get Out Demon Spawn"! The man yelled but not so loud as to be heard in the next room.
"But if you would just give me a sec...". Naruto began before he was struck hard in the cheek forcing him to the floor. Again and again, he was struck with no end in sight until a shadow blocked the light from overhead.
"Inoichi what the hell are you doing here"? The man demanded in a rage. His hands already pulled back into cuffs by the same dog-masked ANBU that he had met a few weeks before.
"Lord Hokage guessed this may happen so made contingency plans. Once we saw Iruka leave the classroom we knew this would happen. Your house is being torn apart as we speak looking for anything else you may have done". Inoichi said before giving the order and he was taken away. Inoichi then took his place behind the desk.
"The clone jutsu if you will, Naruto-kun". Inoichi asked. At once he formed the handsigns and out popped yet another gray-skinned dehydrated mummy looking clone. Inoichi watched as it flopped about like a fish out of water. It was sort of comical in a sad kind of way.
"Will, Naruto-kun it's a clone but not a very useful one. But the test only asks for a clone so technically you pass. However, I'll ask Lord Hokage for a jutsu more your speed". Inoichi said before handing him a new leaf headband.
"Congratulations, Naruto your now a Genin". Inoichi said before forming a clone of the man and was off. Naruto meanwhile walked out with a brand new Leaf headband.
Naruto was awoken by the sound of heavy banging upon his door the next day.
"I'm coming just give me a minute". Naruto yelled out as he put on his orange-colored jumper and started to make his way to the front door.
Bang
Bang
Bang
"I said I'm coming hold on a minute". Naruto yelled out as he opened the door to come face to face with Inoichi.
"Oh, Inoichi-san what are you doing here. It's like 7:30 in the morn"? Inoichi looked inside the house then back at him.
"You haven't seen Ino-chan have you? I have been looking all over the village for her". Inoichi said.
"No last I saw her was after the exams. She left soon after and I haven't seen her since". Naruto answered before growing worried for her safety. Stepping outside the pair were soon off jumping from one rooftop to the next. From an outsider's perspective, the two looked very much like father and son. But by noon the two had still not found her. Inoichi was about ready to issue a missing person report but Naruto had an idea.
"I may have an idea of where Ino-chan is. Meet me at the base of the Hokage tower in an hour. Inoichi looked unhappy about taking orders from a lowly Genin but it was either that or not finding his daughter at all. So with a nod of his head, Inoichi made his way to the Hokage tower.
Once the man was gone Naruto ran down a side street and into training ground 37. Upon entering the training ground he could see Ino sitting atop a hill picking at the many colorful flowers. Taking a seat next to her he eyed the beautiful scenery than at her. She was crying.
"Ino-chan why are you crying"? Naruto asked as he placed his hand upon her. Ino jumped slightly upon the contact.
"N...Naruto-kun what are you doing here"? She asked now embarrassed at the fact she was crying in front of a boy. In front of Naruto most of all.
"C...can I do this...you know this line of work"? Ino asked looking as lost as he was at this kind of thing.
"You know Ino-chan I'm sure even Lord First was unsure if this village idea would work out but it did. You will be fine I'm sure of it". Naruto said before he got up, dusted himself off, and extended his hand to pull her back to her feet.
"Oh, and Ino you really mustn't cry I really hate seeing you sad". Naruto said before turning away in time to miss the rosy cheeks that had soon formed upon hearing him say that to her. The walk to the Hokage tower was done in silence. Ino because she feared saying anything after hearing him say that and Naruto himself because he had nothing to say. Still, she walked closer than normal. Every time the two would touch Ino would jump away before slowly moving closer once again. As soon as Inoichi saw his daughter he ran up and hugged her. Naruto feeling out of place walked away head downcast. He was happy to help but even so seeing that love hurt. Ino's family were nice. Far nicer than most people in the village but he was an outsider. All the meals he ate with them, all the games he played with them, and all the stories told to him were their stories, not his. He had no real part in any of them he was just there. He was about halfway up the street when Inoichi stopped him and hugged him. An act that took him by surprise seeing as he had never been hugged at all, most of all by a guy of all things.
"Thank you for finding her. Thank you so much". Inoichi said as he released him and walked over to Ino. He was happy she was ok. He wasn't sure why she was doubting herself but he was sure her father could help her deal with her insecurities. But for now, he would leave the two alone. She clearly needed time to talk to her father and work out a few things. He would, of course, be there to help her should she have need of him but until then he would train for what was to come next in his life. He had no way to know that his life was going to change forever in only a few days time.