I was always trying to figure out a small change for Naruto, something so simple but not super dramatic to make him better. I also wanted to focus on his Natural Drive and desire for acceptance...Hard Work is more important then Talent, Science has actually proven that. I think I found what I needed to do all of this..., it was so obvious... Enjoy.

This story is based on and dedicated to my Little Brother Anthony, my own Naruto... who was not born with any advantages but through sheer hardwork became the greatest in our family...

Naruto Uzumaki was once a prankster, one a fool, one an idiot... but those days were long since past. They had been since his failed Genin test the Year before, his Second attempt.. Iruka never figured out what happened but Naruto changed over the Summer. He was like a different Person... He became calmer, though it was with a lot of effort, and he dove into his Studies with frightening efficiency. He No longer wore orange, bragged about being Hokage, or really spoke all that much in class. Iruka had been worried that he would kill himself, but oddly enough Naruto seemed happier or at least more genuine.

As the Year Passed, Naruto changed more and more. His Speech was more advanced, using words that Naruto wouldn't have before, it wasn't aristocratic by any means but it was mature. His Calligraphy was miles better, though he noticed that Naruto had to work at it longer then everyone else. Actually Naruto was always the last person done, but his work was damn near flawless at times. Well not at first, the answers were shaky when the Year started up again, but they were consistently better and more confident.

The was one negative side however, Naruto stopped talking to him socially. He had come to care for the Kid, taking him to eat Ramen or whatever but now... Now he could never find Naruto, no one could. He only returned home to sleep and left from the Academy the moment the bell rang via Window. It hurt Iruka but he couldn't deny the positive results it brought, so he was happy with it. The Hokage wasn't though, saying that Naruto could be lost in depression and that it could hurt the Seal, so Iruka paid more attention and thus all he learned.

Today was the genin Test, the day where he would see exact ally what Naruto was now capable of and force him to talk by orders of the Hokage.

" Alright Everybody, let's start with the Taijutsu test." One by one, the Students were lead into a room to fight Chunin Teacher, their fellow Students never watching the Matches. Mostly this was designed to keep Clan Styles secret, but also to keep the results unaffected by Social Influence or Stage Fright. Some results were impressive, Sasuke Uchiha's Standing out the Most, and others... not so much. Still he encouraged everyone to do their best and to persevere.

Eventually Naruto was up. " Alright Naruto, you versus Me, show me what you got." Iruka fell into a normal stance, and watched Naruto do the Same. He wasn't still, his fingers were thrumming at his side and his was twitching in the oddest ways, but it was far better then before." Start." Naruto charged at him, making Iruka Sigh and lash out with a kick, this was more like the Old Naruto... " And here IARG" Iruka's face slammed to the Left as Naruto Knee Slide under his leg before leaping up with a vicious left hook. Of course the Kid wasn't done, before Iruka even thought to react, Naruto Slammed his right fist into Iruka's Knee Joint, causing him to painfully fall to the ground for a moment. Naruto took advantage of this and place his foot on Iruka's Temple.

" I win..." His voice was stills scratchy, but it lacked any kind of cockiness or meanness. There was a lot of happiness though, pride and relief and pleasure. " It worked..." Naruto's smile was radiant beyond anything Iruka had ever seen, a desperate disbelieving happiness that took his breathe away...for about a milisecond, then Naruto shut down into his previously emotionless state. It gave him mental whiplash.

Before he could say Much, Naruto left the room and let the next student in.

Naruto barely restrained his happiness, he had done it, he beat Iruka. Naturally Iruka could thrash him in normal combat, but the Man underestimated him and that was what the Ninja books said would be key in his missions. He wanted to scream with joy and bounce around, but again the books he read told him that he had to stifle and control his emotions, and that is exactly what he would do.

It was a funny thing, how a sad moment could lead to such a great one for him. Just the year before, after he failed his genin test for the second time, he was depressed. In this depression he never noticed that he was walking by Hokage Office, where he heard Iruka, one of the people he loved best, ranting to the Hokage...The words were etched onto his heart...he couldn't forget them anymore then he could forget to breathe.

" I am so tired of it, Naruto never learns. He puts no effort into anything but his pranks, it is no wonder he has failed twice. If he put a tenth of the Effort from his Pranks into his training he would have easily passed, and maybe his Writing would actually be legible, and he wouldn't write like a toddler having a Hissy fit. Sometimes I don't know why I bother with him..."

The old man had sighed. " It is becoming harder to encourage him when really does nothing to deserve it. It is a waste of time..."

Naturally Naruto had been thrown by this, spending at least half a day sobbing at the loss of the one person who seemed to believe in him. Then Iruka's words kicked in and Naruto did what he said, mostly to spite him. He put as Much effort into his training as he normally did his pranks. It wasn't easy, he actually could just barely read since he taught himself, same with writing actually, but he was determined. The Summer was spent on redefining himself, reading all of his old school books and practicing like crazy.

He Dedicated himself to becoming the perfect Ninja, to show all those pricks that he was capable despite his issues. He overcame his inability to read, and even came to enjoy it a little. He ate his vegetables and perfected his Taijutsu, Worked out a lot, practiced strategy and Caligraphy, Perfect his handseals and Jutsu, worked on his aim and focus, and even reading dictionaries and modifying his behavior to be the perfect Ninja. The books talked about counseling, saying it was key to not be filled with repressed emotions, so He ranted to a Doll he dressed up as Hokage, or rather himself as Hokage.

Tears fell from him as he confronted his hatred, and examined his hyperactivity objectively... he wasn't perfect, but he was the perfect graduate, mastering everything it had to offer him.

He would achieve his dreams, he would become a real Ninja... but not Hokage. He learned, through reading that the Hokage had to take care of everybody, and after dealing with his pain, he realized that it wasn't what he wanted. He couldn't sacrifice people and take care of them at the same time...And honestly he didn't really care about anyone bar the Ichiraku's. They loved him, fed him, and was just selfless towards him. No one else was...

For example, he knew that Iruka was right to be frustrated but wrong to rant about it. He should have been helping Naruto from the start, pointing out his flaws instead of screaming or lecturing. The Hokage was obligated to help Him, since he was a Ninja and thus eventually a solider. The Old man could and should have ordered him to train harder or give him a better sensei, as Rumor said he did for his own grandson.

Naruto only had himself to rely on, and unlike before... that was enough for him.

""""TWO HOURS LATER""""

"Alright Naruto, time for your Jutsu test. " Iruka's leg ached painfully, a reminder of Naruto's shocking skill and viciousness. It should have made him angry but he could practically taste the fact that Naruto was still holding back considerably. Naruto was always strong, even before hand, if he wanted to he could have snapped Iruka's Leg all together. He could not wait to see what he had in store this time..." Replacement first." Iruka tossed a Kunai a the boy, only for the boy to replace with the Kunai itself...

"uhh... good job Naruto..." Mizuki seemed as stunned at he was, but there was an edge of meanness to it that would have shocked Iruka had he been in his right mind.

Naruto nodded. " Thank you..." His fingers drummed at his side, something Iruka realized was probably how he controlled his hyperness. " Now I believe it is time for the Transformation." In a Puff of Smoke, the Hokage appeared, kindly staring at him. " So My Dear Iruka, is he still a waste of our time?" Iruka froze, realizing that Naruto had overheard them.

" No... "

The Hokage's eye turned taunting. " Perhaps you should have actually helped him or explained his weaknesses instead of complaining. So Should have I for that matter. Really, we are lucky he is serving us at all, as it is he no longer wants to become Hokage."