Hello all Storm here with a new story! Yes another new story, but this one is an idea I really wanted to do, not only because I like it, but also to serve as a tribute to Kevin Conroy, the one true voice of the Dark Knight, who has sadly passed away. There will never be another Batman like him, but his crusade may be over, the mission will be carried on. So, without further ado.
I own nothing
'What could Hokage-sama wish to talk about?' Thought Iruka Umino as he walked through the Hokage Tower to meet with the Sandaime Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
It had been a surprise for the Chūnin to suddenly be summoned by the Hokage, feeling curious and even a little nervous for the reason.
'Does he want to remove me from the Academy or is there a different class he wants me to teach?' Iruka thought, hoping it wasn't the former as despite not having been a teacher at the Academy for long, he really enjoyed educating and teaching the next generation of Ninja, passing on the Will of Fire to his students.
Though Iruka pushed his thought for why he was summoned to the back of his mind as he arrived at the Hokage's calligraphy room. Finding the Hokage sitting inside and wearing more casual clothing than his usual robes and hat.
"You wished to see me, Hokage-sama?" Iruka asked, bowing to the Sandaime.
"Yes Iruka. Please sit." Hiruzen said, motioning the Academy Instructor to sit down, with Iruka doing so and sitting across from the Sandaime.
"So, what did you wish to talk about, Hokage-sama? Is there a problem at the Academy? Another class you needed me to teach?" Questioned Iruka, his worry growing as Sarutobi sighed and rubbed his head.
"There is a problem at the Academy, but nothing truly bad. As for needing you to teach another class, that won't be necessary, in fact I am hoping you will be willing to accept another student into your classroom." Replied Sarutobi, surprising Iruka that he just wanted to take on another student.
"O-of course Hokage-sama, having another student in the class won't be any issue at all." Said Iruka, not minding taking on another student, while relieved that it's nothing to actually worry about.
"I'm glad to hear that, Iruka. However, you may change your mind in a moment as the student I wish for you to take in, is Naruto Uzumaki." Hiruzen revealed, with the Chūnin freezing as his eyes widened.
"Wh-what?! You want me to teach…him?!" Questioned Iruka in disbelief, not expecting the Hokage to want him to teach the Kyūbi Jinchūriki.
It's bad enough that he'd have the boy that contains the monster that killed his parents as a student, but he's heard about Naruto's attitude and the constant pranks he pulls.
"Yes, Naruto. I am aware of how you may feel due to his…burden. But-" Sarutobi said, only to be interrupted when they heard something outside.
Looking out the window to the Hokage Monument, they were able to just make out Naruto himself jumping across the stone faces. While red paint was covering the nose of the Sandaime's own stone face.
"I swear…he's incorrigible, that boy." Muttered Hiruzen, not even feeling any surprise at another one of Naruto's pranks, while Iruka saw it as further proof he couldn't have Naruto as his student.
"Hokage-sama, please let me think about this. I really don't know about becoming Naruto's teacher." Iruka said, hoping he'd be able to put it off long enough for the Hokage to find someone else to teach Naruto.
"I'm afraid you are my last option, Iruka. You can see for yourself; everyone is troubled by Naruto's mischief and his pranks are getting worse each day. No one else wants to take him on as a student." Hiruzen said as he went back to his spot in the center of the room.
"I believe a teacher's job is to enhance a student's virtues." Said Hiruzen, closing his eyes for a moment before opening them and looking at Iruka.
"Now listen, if Naruto fails to graduate from the Academy, he can't become a Ninja. He'll remain an outcast in the village for the rest of his life." Sarutobi said, leaving out the fact that as a Jinchūriki, Naruto needed to become a Ninja to help defend Konoha.
Not to mention that if Naruto didn't join the regular forces, he'd do anything he can to prove himself, which would leave him vulnerable to be recruited by Danzō. Something Hiruzen refused to ever let happen, knowing the disaster that'd come from Naruto being placed in ROOT.
"Surely, someone else is a better fit." Said Iruka, now feeling desperate to have someone else deal with the whiskered blonde.
"If he can't find a teacher, then I'll have no choice but to have him leave the Academy." Said Hiruzen, also leaving out if it came to that then he'd be forced to find Naruto a private tutor.
Something he did hope to avoid, not wanting Naruto to be separated from other children nor let anyone believe he's being given special treatment.
Iruka looked down at this, now feeling a little torn, as on one hand he really didn't want to have Naruto join his class and causing any problems. But on the other hand, he also didn't want to be responsible for any student, regardless of who they are, losing the chance to graduate or be forced to leave the Academy.
"Don't let it bother you, no one can really blame you for being hesitant. And even if that happens, it certainly isn't your fault." Hiruzen said, making Iruka's head snap up.
"Please wait." Iruka said, feeling that it would be his fault since he's the only option left.
"What?! Then you'll accept?!" Questioned the Sandaime, knowing he's managed to get Iruka to agree to teach Naruto.
"Uh…err…yes." Said Iruka in resignation, seeing he didn't have any other choice now.
"Oh…is that so? This is a lifesaver for Naruto." Hiruzen stated, making Iruka look down, hoping that Naruto will be able to graduate sooner rather than later.
*Timeskip-One Day*
The next day Iruka headed to the Academy, going to the faculty room to gather what he'll need for today's lesson. Along with taking the time to mentally prepare himself since Naruto would also be joining his class, today.
"Iruka. I heard that you'll be Naruto's teacher from now on." Someone said, making Iruka look to see another teacher, Daikoku Funeno, approaching him.
"Eh…yes. I had no choice since the Hokage requested it." Replied Iruka, making Daikoku nod in understanding.
"You got the short end of the stick, didn't you." Stated Daikoku.
"Honestly, I've been feeling a bit lost. I don't know how to do this." Iruka muttered, still having no idea how he'll be able to even be in the same room as Naruto, let alone be capable of teaching him.
"Well, he sure is a handful. But listen, take my advice, you don't have to give him the same attention you give your other students." Daikoku said, with Iruka looking at him in confusion.
"What do you mean?" Questioned Iruka, given he couldn't just completely ignore any student, no matter what they are.
"Just don't make a big fuss about it every time he acts up. I've found that if you can ignore them, bothersome kids tend to go all on their own. Give it a few days and you likely won't be dealing with him that long." Said Daikoku, knowing that if they didn't give Naruto attention, they didn't need to worry about him for long.
Once he gathered everything he needed, Iruka made his way to his classroom, figuring it wouldn't hurt to take Daikoku's advice and just ignore Naruto and anything he does.
Though the moment he opened the door, Iruka could feel his eye twitch when an eraser fell down and almost hit him. While right in front of him was Naruto, grinning widely and fully expecting him to react to the childish prank. With the Chūnin being tempted to react, before turning to the rest of his students.
"Who did this?!" Iruka demanded, acting as if he didn't already know.
"Of all the immature pranks." Said Iruka, only to look at Naruto when he started laughing, much to his annoyance.
But when he stepped forward, Iruka cried out when he slipped on the floor, feeling it had been covered in something slippery, with Naruto laughing loudly that his prank worked.
"I got you! That eraser was nothing but a decoy! And you totally fell for it too!" Naruto laughed, not thinking his prank would work with how basic it was, making it even funnier that it did work.
"Naruto!" Iruka said, scowling that class hasn't even started yet and he's already causing problems, with Naruto gaining an expectant look knowing what's coming next.
With this making Iruka remember Daikoku's advice and calmed down before he gained a neutral expression.
"Naruto." Repeated Iruka more calmly
"Yeah, I know. Go stand in the hallway." Said Naruto, already knowing what to do after annoying a teacher.
"No. Go and take your seat." Iruka said, making the Uzumaki stop in surprise and confusion.
"Huh?" Naruto said, not expecting his new teacher to tell him to go take his seat, with several of the other students even being surprised as well.
"Ugh, this place is so boring!" Said Naruto, brushing off the unexpected reaction and went to take a seat in the back, while Iruka went to stand in front of the classroom.
"Good morning! First allow me to introduce myself. Starting today, I'm your new homeroom teacher, Iruka Umino." Iruka introduced himself and telling his students a little about himself to help them feel more comfortable with him as their new teacher.
Once that was done and he did rollcall, Iruka began the days lesson by going over Chakra and why it was important for Ninja.
"…Therefore, a person's Chakra is greatly influenced by that person's mental energy." Iruka said while looking at the textbook, only to snap it shut when he heard snoring and saw that Naruto was asleep.
Gritting his teeth in annoyance, Iruka went up to Naruto and held his book, prepared to smack him awake only to stop and restrain himself, remembering Daikoku's advice to not give him attention. Though the moment he lowered his book, Naruto instantly woke up, making Iruka wonder if he was really asleep or not.
"Hold up. Sensei, isn't it time for class to be over?" Naruto asked, confusing the Chūnin.
"What?" Said Iruka, wondering what he's talking about when it hasn't even been an hour.
"Just look, see for yourself." Said Naruto, pointing at the clock, with Iruka looking only to be surprised it showed it was ten o'clock.
"Oh, I didn't realize it was so late." Iruka said, not believing that much time had already passed.
"Well then, that's everything for today. I'll see you all tomorrow." Said Iruka as he exited the classroom.
Once he had left, Naruto giggled mischievously and ran up to the front of the room, jumping on top of the podium and began fixing the clock from when he changed it.
"I knew he'd fall for that old trick. That makes prank number three." Naruto said, loving how easy Iruka was to trick, only to be surprised when the door slammed open as Iruka walked back in, crying out as he fell to the floor.
"Oww…but how did you figure it out, already?" Naruto asked, not believing Iruka saw through his prank that fast, only to flinch at the cold expression on his face.
'Because I'm not an idiot.' Iruka thought, having already know it was another prank as there'd no way the sun would still be up if it was that late.
"Just return to your seat and we'll continue." Iruka said, making Naruto look away and return to his seat without saying anything,
*Later*
"Alright everyone! Instead of introducing yourselves, I want all of you to show me what you can do by testing out your Ninjutsu!" Iruka said as his entire class now stood outside, chuckling as everyone groaned.
"Don't worry, you're not going to be graded. This is just so I can assess how to proceed with our lessons." Said Iruka, wanting to see where everyone stood in what they could do, given how several of his students came from prominent clans and were even heirs and heiresses to them.
"So…we'll do a basic Jutsu, the Clone Jutsu. First up is…Satsuki Uchiha." Iruka said, looking around for where the Uchiha Heiress was, with Satsuki stepping forward with a bored expression.
"Hmph, the Clone Jutsu is for children." Stated Satsuki, not wanting to waste her time on a Jutsu like that.
"Okay, Satsuki, try it." Said Iruka, the ravenette nodded before going through handsigns.
"Clone Jutsu!" Satsuki said before in a puff of smoke a perfect clone appeared across from her, much to the rest of the students' amazement.
"Big deal! I can still see the real one!" Naruto said in annoyance at everyone being amazed at Satsuki's abilities.
Before charging forward and kicking what he thought was the real Satsuki, only to be surprised when "Satsuki" vanished in a puff of smoke.
"You were saying?" Satsuki asked with a bored expression, annoying Naruto further as he punched her, only for it to be another clone.
"Wrong again." Stated Satsuki, jumping down from a tree, amazing everyone further.
"Amazing. Two clones in an instant while the real one moved elsewhere." Iruka said, having not even noticed the real Satsuki moved or that she made two clones.
"So what?! I can do the Clone Jutsu too! Clone Jutsu!" Naruto said, making a handsign to show he cand make even more clones.
Unfortunately, all the whiskered blonde managed to create was a pale and half-dead looking clone, causing the rest of the students to start laughing at the pathetic looking clone.
"This guy's such an idiot, it's pathetic! But still hilarious!" Said Hibachi laughing louder than anyone.
'Damnit.' Thought Naruto, gritting his teeth at his failure, while Satsuki walked up to him, being the only one who wasn't laughing.
"I don't know what your problem is, but stop lunging at me." Satsuki said, not caring what his apparent problem with her was, but she would hit him if he lunged at her again.
"She's right. All you're doing is interrupting our lesson. You're wasting the time of everyone here and becoming an annoyance." Said Shino Aburame, not trying to be rude and only stating the facts, while missing the light glare from Hinata Hyūga.
"What?" Naruto said, not expecting that.
"Yeah! But you're not just becoming an annoyance. That's all you've ever been, or will be! No, you're worse than that, you're only a germ just for being alive!" Hibachi said while smiling cruelly.
"That's cruel, Hibachi. But he's right!" Said Unagi, with the Uzumaki now being angered.
"What'd you say?!" Naruto demanded, moving to attack them next, only to be stopped by Iruka.
"Everyone! Quit making fun of Naruto!" Said Iruka, looking at the students sternly, much to Naruto's surprise before he began smiling.
"Sensei." Said Naruto, not believing someone was actually sticking up for him, but also overjoyed at being defended for once.
Though his smile and joy disappeared as quickly as they came when Iruka turned back to him with the same cold expression.
"Don't bother…with this kid." Iruka added, much to Naruto's disbelief and growing sadness.
With Iruka missing how Satsuki narrowed her eyes at him in distaste.
'What kind of teacher would humiliate their own student like that, in front of everyone?' Thought Satsuki, knowing no matter what Naruto did or how annoying he can be, he didn't deserve that.
"C'mon, everyone. Let's continue our lesson." Iruka said, motioning everyone to get back to their lesson, all of them walking until only Naruto was left.
Looking down sadly at seeing Iruka was like everyone else, Naruto clenched his fist before running and jumping over the wall, heading towards the forest.
'Who needs any damn lesson?! I'll show them all what I can do and make hundreds of clones! Way more than Satsuki could ever hope to make!' Thought Naruto, intending to train on his own and prove he's better than the Uchiha.
*Timeskip-One Day*
The next day, Naruto returned to the Academy after having practiced the Clone Jutsu the rest of the day, only to fail to even make a single clone. With him having headed back once it got dark, stopping at Ramen Ichiraku on the way back, luckily getting a free bowl since he didn't have any money.
With Iruka having taken them outside after taking rollcall, to have them practice their Shurikenjutsu.
"All right! Today, we'll do hands-on practice of the Shurikenjutsu. Let's have someone demonstrate it for us first. Let's see…" Said Iruka, with Naruto and Kiba Inuzuka immediately shouting and raising their hands to go first.
"Satsuki, show us the basics." Iruka said, wanting to see how her Shurikenjutsu compared to her Ninjutsu.
With Satsuki stepping forward, with several other girls all cheering for the ravenette, all of them quickly developing an admiration for Satsuki with how strong she already is. While the Uchiha ignored all the shouts and encouragement, simply walking until she stood in front of the training posts.
"Hmph! That Satsuki always acts arrogant! I'll show her who's really better!" Naruto muttered.
Once she was in place, Satsuki pulled out six shuriken, throwing them all at once as they embedded themselves in the training post in a straight, vertical line. With the girls all cheering at the display, while Naruto's annoyance only grew.
"Show off! I can do that too!" Said Naruto, refusing to be impressed, knowing if Satsuki can do that on the first try, then it'd be easy for him.
"Then Naruto, you're next." Iruka stated, hoping whatever poor display he puts on will make him stay quiet the rest of the day.
"All right! I'll show you!" Naruto said stepping forward eagerly, going out of his way to ignore Satsuki as they walked past each other.
Though once he was in position, Naruto couldn't help but gulp nervously before steeling himself.
'I'll do it in one throw, and make everyone take notice of me.' Thought Naruto before pulling out some shuriken.
Taking a deep breath, Naruto gave a shout and launched them at the post…only to miss it entirely. With one shuriken embedded in the fence, two more in a tree, two that hit the ground. And the last one coming dangerously close to having hit Iruka's head, much to his horror. While the whiskered blonde couldn't believe how badly his aim was.
With all the students once again laughing at his failure, not believing he can't do anything right, causing Naruto to start laughing as well.
"I was just fooling around!" Naruto said hoping to cover up his failure as just a joke, only for no one to laugh with him, before he ran up to Iruka.
"Sensei! One more, please! Just let me do it one more time! I'll get serious this time!" Naruto pleaded, wanting to try again and prove himself.
"No, that's enough." Said Iruka, refusing to let him try again and risk actually hitting someone this time, much to his disappointment.
*Later*
After everyone had returned to class near the end of the day, Naruto went to take his seat, still saddened at his failure to throw a single shuriken properly. Only to stop when he heard two students talking and glancing at Satsuki.
"Did you hear? Everyone in the Uchiha Clan got killed." One student whispered, making the whiskered blondes eyes widen.
"Yeah…I heard my Tou-san talking. She's the only one who survived." Said the other student lowly, while Naruto looked at them in disbelief before turning towards Satsuki.
'She's an…orphan? She's like me.' Thought Naruto, feeling sad to know Satsuki's alone like him, along with now understanding why she always keeps to herself.
*Later*
Once the Academy had ended for the day, Naruto walked out before spotting Hibachi and his friends by the swing, with the Uzumaki approaching them. As despite the insults after his failed Clone Jutsu, Naruto was also desperate to have friends, no matter who they were or thought of him.
"Hey guys! What're you all doing?" Naruto asked as he walked over to them, making the boys look at him in annoyance.
"What? Beat it loser, you aren't invited." Retorted Hibachi, not wanting to deal with the annoyance.
"Why? Why can't I? Let me play with you guys too." Said Naruto with a grin.
"Why should we?! No way you're joining us in tonight's Test of Courage." Unagi said, much to Naruto's interest and excitement.
"Test of Courage?!" Naruto asked, excited at the idea of being part of that, with Hibachi angrily punching Unagi on top of the head for revealing what they were doing.
"What're you babbling about?!" Demanded Hibachi glaring Unagi.
"That sounds fun! There's no way I'm missing that!" Said Naruto, only for Hibachi to glare at him.
"We already said you weren't! Get this germ! Don't even think of following us or you'll regret it!" Hibachi said before motioning the others to follow him.
With Naruto not moving as his smile turned into frown before he soon left with a downcast expression, wondering why he couldn't be part of anything.
*Later*
Naruto walked through the village with a downcast expression, having just left the Academy after it got out for the day. Though he spotted Hibachi and his friends on the way before going over to them, hoping to try and spend time with his classmates. Learning that they were planning to do some "Test of Courage" tonight, with the Uzumaki hoping to take part in it.
Only for Hibachi to refuse to let him and warned Naruto not to follow them.
"Get this germ! Don't even think of following us or you'll regret it!"
'Hmph! Like that's going to stop me, it just means I'm gonna follow you! Then you'll all get a real Test of Courage.' Naruto thought with a smirk, already planning how to get back at Hibachi and his friends, imagining them running away screaming with what he has planned..
The whiskered blonde contemplating just how he could scare them, all while blocking out the whispers from some of the villagers as he passed by and the looks they were giving him.
'Now then…how can I scare them? And where are they even going for this "Test of Courage"? Maybe somewhere scary, like the cemetery. That'll definitely a good place to scare them!' Thought Naruto before stopping when he spotted a mask shop ahead of him, making him smile in excitement.
Running up to the shop, Naruto looked at the different masks to find one that'd really scare Hibachi and his friends. Before the Uzumaki grinned at seeing a fox mask, knowing that one would be perfect for his prank.
"You brat!"
"Huh?" Naruto said in confusion, only to see the shop owner glaring at him before shoving him out of the shop.
"Go away!" Said the owner, glaring at the whiskered blonde, with Naruto grunting as he hit the ground, not believing what just happened.
"What's the big deal?!" Naruto shouted, angry at the guy for just shoving him out of the shop when he was going to get a mask.
"What are you doing here?! You plague!" Yelled the owner while still glaring at Naruto, who suppressed a flinch at being called a "plague".
"What? I was only…I was only looking at the masks." Muttered Naruto, looking down as he began noticing the crowd gathering around them, not noticing his classmates Shikamaru Nara and Chōji Akimichi standing behind him.
Only being able to see the frowns and glares everyone was giving him, as if he's some criminal or a freak. Before Naruto grunted in pain when he felt something hit his head, looking to see it was the fox mask.
"You want this?! Well, you can have it! Now get lost!" The owner said, giving Naruto one final glare before returning to his shop while Naruto gritted his teeth as he stood up.
'Bastard.' Naruto thought, going over to the mask and picking it up, before looking around at the crowd and clenched his fists to now see they looked wary or even scared of him.
'Why? Why? Why? WHY?!' Thought Naruto, feeling angry, hurt and sad at how everyone was looking at him.
"What?! Why are you all looking at me like that?!" Naruto shouted before running back to his apartment, not wanting to deal with the looks, anymore.
With Shikamaru and Chōji watching him run away, the Nara unable to help but frown at seeing how everyone looked at him. First as if he was causing some big problem or even suddenly attacked someone. But when he started getting angry, they all looked wary and scared, like he was about to start killing them all.
'Sure his pranks are troublesome, but…why does everyone seem to hate him so much?' Thought Shikamaru, wondering if he should ask his parents.
"You think you're tough?" Someone said, getting the crowds attention, along with Shikamaru's and Chōji's, only to see Satsuki narrowing her eyes at the shopkeeper.
The ravenette having spotted Naruto a few moments ago and noticed the expression on his face, making her guess he was likely planning to prank someone. Something she'd normally have brushed off, until she heard the yelling from the shop owner and went to see what was happening. Only to feel herself getting angry at how the whiskered blonde was being treated and looked at.
Not understanding why everyone looked at Naruto with such hatred or ignore how he's being treated, but she wasn't going to do nothing. As while they hardly knew each other, Satsuki really hated seeing anyone being treated like that, like they weren't worth anything.
"There is no value in killing the likes of you…"
Remembering those words is what helped push Satsuki to confront the shopkeeper for how he treated Naruto.
"What did you say?!" Demanded the owner glaring at Satsuki, only for the Uchiha to return the glare.
"I guess you're deaf as well a spoiled, arrogant man-child. I said, do you think you're tough? Picking on and assaulting a kid to make yourself feel big, when all you really is nothing but a small, pathetic bug." Satsuki sneered, much to the owners growing anger.
"Who the hell are you to talk to me like that?!" The owner yelled, while Satsuki scoffed at him.
"Someone's that clearly better than you, but given what kind of scum you are, I'd say a pile of trash is better than you." Stated Satsuki, with this making the owner shout in anger before charging at her with his fist pulled back.
Only for Satsuki to sidestep his attempt to punch her, grabbing his wrist before sweeping his legs out from under him. Before she twisted his arm behind him and stomped on his back when he tried getting up, pushing him back onto the ground.
"Not so big now, are you." Satsuki stated looking at him coldly, while the owner glared up at her.
"You damn brat! I bet your parent's never taught you to re-AH!" The owner said only to cry out when Satsuki twisted his arm further and stomped on his head, hard enough to break his nose against the ground.
"If you ever mention my parents again, I'll cut your tongue out and make you eat it!" Growled Satsuki, angered that he'd dare mention her parents.
Satsuki then knocked him out with a kick to the head, before looking at the crowd and saw how they were now looking at her. With them all quickly looking and began muttering to themselves how she was like "the rest of her clan" and was working with "that thing".
'So much for being revered as the "Last Uchiha".' Thought Satsuki, doubting her actions will earn her any good will.
Not that she cared what anyone thought of her, if they had any problems then they've just seen she won't let anyone try pushing her around. Before the ravenette put her hands in her pocket and made her way home.
*Later*
'Hehehehe, this'll be great!' Naruto thought, mentally cackling as he stood behind the flame statues in the cemetery with a sheet tied around his neck like a cloak and his fox mask on.
He was waiting for Hibachi to show up to do his prank, having already heard the rest of his friends, with none of them even reaching the statues before running away. Much to his enjoyment, knowing if he pranked them, then they'd probably wet themselves in terror.
Though Naruto soon heard more footsteps before hearing Hibachi's voice, making him grin eagerly at knowing it's time. Once he heard Hibachi's footsteps getting closer, the Uzumaki began whispering ominously while throwing his voice. Having gotten good at doing so to help throw off anyone that chases him for his pranks.
Laughing mentally as he heard Hibachi yelp in fear and could just imagine him looking around the cemetery for what's making the sound. With Naruto taking this as cue and jumped up to the top of the statue, holding his arms out with his makeshift cape billowing around him. The sight of Hibachi's terrified expression almost making him break character.
"AAAAAHHHHHH! Fox Demon!" Hibachi screamed before he took off running.
Once he was out of sight, Naruto jumped down from the statue, laughing loudly while taking off his mask.
"BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Serves them right! Everyone got scared and ran off!" Laughed Naruto, only to notice Iruka had run into the cemetery and stood in front of him.
"You better hurry and run, sensei! Or else, I'll eat you to death!" Naruto said, only for his amusement to begin fading when Iruka didn't laugh or smile, and instead only looked at him.
"Huh? What's up, sensei?" Questioned Naruto, which seemed to snap Iruka out of his current state, with the whiskered blonde noticing how he quickly put a kunai away
'He was…going to attack?' Naruto thought in disbelief and hurt.
"Naruto…do you realize what you're doing?" Iruka demanded, not believing he'd actually pull a prank like that, after what's already happened, he'd joke about being a fox demon.
With Naruto only able to remember how everyone else looked at him earlier, the same look Iruka was now giving him, as if he shouldn't exist, that he's some kind of monster.
"Why? Why?! Why does everyone, even my own teacher…why do you all look at me like that?!" Yelled Naruto, which surprised Iruka at the sudden outburst.
"I'm not a nuisance and I'm not some kind of monster! I'm…I'm Naruto Uzumaki!" Naruto shouted clenching his fists, with the Chūnin looking at him with wide eyes.
"Naruto…" Iruka muttered, now beginning to see just what Naruto's been through.
"I'll never…return to the Academy ever again!" Swore Naruto before he immediately turn and ran from Iruka.
"Hey!" Said Iruka, reaching to grab the Uzumaki, only for Naruto to already escape and disappear from sight.
*With Hibachi*
Meanwhile, after running far from the cemetery and taking a few moments to calm down, Hibachi cursed and spat at realizing it wasn't a fox demon, only Naruto.
'That damn, worthless germ! I'll make him regret ever thinking of messing with me! We'll see who's laughing when you're gone!' Hibachi thought with a wicked smile and crazed look in his eyes, already knowing the perfect way to get revenge on the whiskered blonde.
*Timeskip-Two Days*
Two days had passed since Naruto vowed to never return to the Academy and he's kept his promise, having avoided the Academy the entire time yesterday, not even being seen by anyone. With him even going to the playground and managing to play with some other kids, much to his joy. Only for it to not last when the parents began pulling their kids away and reprimanding them for playing with "that kid".
With it only hurting worse at having another reminder he didn't have parents to go home to, that he's alone while everyone else has someone.
Now though, Naruto was walking through the village, not having an specific destination in mind and instead trying to think of something he could do.
"I have so much time now that I'm not going to the Academy." Naruto muttered, letting out a yawn as he did so, wondering what he could do.
'I guess I could try training. Even if I'm not going to that stupid Academy that doesn't mean I'm not going to be a Ninja.' Naruto thought, only to soon stop and tense when Hibachi and two of his followers came towards him, blocking him at the front and his sides.
None of them seeing Shikamaru and Chōji standing on a walkway above them, or Satsuki hiding around a corner, with the three listening in on what's happening. The Uchiha also prepared to jump in if they tried attacking Naruto, taking it as her responsibility to make sure he's alright.
"What do you guys wants?" Said Naruto, wondering if they were going to try attacking him for his prank.
"Naruto, you can join our group." Hibachi stated, surprising the Uzumaki before he grinned in excitement.
"Are you serious?!" Naruto asked, not expecting that, now thinking they were impressed by his prank and that he was able to stay in the cemetery without being scared.
"Yeah. But in order to be one of us, there's a condition." Said Hibachi while smirking wickedly.
"What is it?" Questioned Naruto, annoyed that there's now a condition, but willing to do it if it meant finally having friends.
"Yesterday, my Tou-san's patrol unit had a fight with enemy Ninja in the back hills. He said they left the corpses out there. Find the corpses and bring back one of its belonging, if you do, then you can join us." Explained Hibachi, surprising Naruto that battle had been held not far from Konoha.
"Is that for real?!" Naruto said, with Hibachi nodding in response.
"Yeah." Replied Hibachi, before the whiskered blonde ran past them.
"All right then! I'll bring back something for sure! You can bet on it!" Said Naruto, eager to prove himself, missing how Hibachi's smirk became more crazed.
'You won't be coming back at all, freak.' Hibachi thought, leaving out then fact that enemy Ninja had still been spotted in the area, before he and his followers left.
Once they were gone, Satsuki stepped out from where she was, glaring at the trio as they left, tempted to burn them with her Grand Fireball. Before shaking her head and took off after Naruto, hopefully before he does something that'll get him killed.
'Ugh! Why do I have to care about protecting such an idiot?!' Satsuki thought shaking her head, while swearing if Naruto ends up getting her killed, she'll haunt him the rest of his life.
*Later-Academy*
Iruka sighed as he saw that once again Naruto wasn't at the Academy, only to frown when he didn't see Satsuki anywhere either.
"Has anyone seen Naruto or Satsuki?" Iruka asked, wondering both of them have gone now.
"Nope, haven't seen either of them." Said Hibachi, not really caring about the Uchiha, while knowing Naruto won't ever be coming back.
"Naruto went to the back hills!" Shikamaru said while standing up, making everyone look at him.
"What?!" Hibachi demanded, not believing he knew where he sent the freak.
"In the back hills?" Iruka questioned tensely, remembering hearing how enemy spies had still been spotted in around that area after a battle took place there.
"To look for corpses…right, Hibachi?" Said Shikamaru narrowing his eyes at Hibachi, only for him to glare at the Nara Heir.
"Everyone, we're having study hall today! And Hibachi, we'll be talking when I get back!" Iruka said before running out of the classroom to go after Naruto, knowing how angry the Hokage will be if anything happens to him.
Along with remembering what Kakashi had told him the day before, that he's the only one who could help Naruto with what he's been through. Something he's beginning to understand after seeing him alone at the park, yesterday.
*With Naruto*
Meanwhile Naruto was running through the forest, grinning widely as he knew he's getting close to where the battle took place.
'I'll finally get to have friends!' Naruto thought, excited that he'll finally have friends to spend time with.
"The corpse…the corpse…where is it?" Said Naruto, looking around for any sign of a body.
"I know this area pretty well, since I always play here, but…maybe I should've asked for a more exact location." Naruto muttered, doubting he'll be able to find a single corpse in such a large area.
"Naruto!"
Surprised at hearing his name, Naruto looked back to see Iruka standing on a branch before jumping down in front of him.
"Sensei?!" Naruto said in surprise, wondering what the Chūnin is doing here or even knew he was here.
"What are you doing?! Get back to the Academy, now!" Ordered Iruka, knowing they needed to leave now before any enemy spies showed up.
"I don't want to! I won't go to the Academy, anymore!" Retorted Naruto, annoyed he's trying to force him back to the Academy.
"There are still dangerous people, here!" Iruka said, hoping to get him to come back by knowing there are enemies around, only for the whiskered blonde to shake his head.
"I won't go back even if you beg me to!" Naruto yelled, much to Iruka's growing frustration.
"I'm your teacher and you'll do as I say!" Said Iruka/
"Shut up! Why do you only act like a teacher at times like this?!" Shouted Naruto, wondering why Iruka only acted like a teacher when it was to scold him or look at him like everyone else did.
"You…you don't understand how I feel. Even if I go back to the Academy, things won't be any different! I'm always alone, I'm always left out, nobody cares about me!" Said Naruto, remembering everything that's happened the past few days, being ignored, let out of everything, and no one around to care.
While Iruka looked at him in surprise, seeing again what Naruto's really feeling behind the goofball and prankster act he puts on all the time.
"But this time, it'll be different! If I bring back something, everyone will accept me as their friend! If I do that, I won't be alone anymore! I won't have to experience that feeling ever again! That's why I'm going to find and bring back something!" Naruto said, refusing to go back until he found something to show everyone and finally be accepted, with the Chūnin closing his eyes before looking at the Uzumaki.
"Please try to understand…no matter what your reason may be, as your teacher, I can't allow you to go to such a dangerous area." Iruka said, understanding where Naruto was coming from, wanting to be accepted as more than just a nuisance or the class clown, but he wasn't going to let one of his students get hurt.
"You really don't understand." Muttered Naruto, making Iruka sigh only for the whiskered blonde to quickly smirk.
"Sexy Jutsu!" Naruto said before being enveloped in a cloud of smoke.
When the smoke cleared it revealed Naruto had transformed into a teenage, busty, and naked female version of himself. With longer hair tied into pigtails, while only a few wisps of smoke covered her breasts and crotch.
Much to Iruka's shock before he thrown back by a nosebleed, though Naruko didn't stop there, refusing to let him try and stop her. With the busty blonde shooting forward and slamming her foot right into Iruka's crotch, making him squeal in pure agony. Only to be silenced by a roundhouse kick to the head, sending him crashing into a tree.
"Ha! Grown-ups are so easy to trick!" Naruko laughed as she turned back into Naruto, loving that no matter who it is his Sexy Jutsu always works as a good distraction.
Knowing that he wouldn't have to worry of anyone trying to stop him now, Naruto ran through the forest, until he soon came to a stop when he saw multiple weapons and bloodstains on the ground and on trees.
"This is the aftermath of a battle. That means it should be nearby." Said Naruto, happy that he arrived and now just needed to find the body.
*Later*
Naruto sat on the ground, letting out a tired sigh at having been unable to find any trace of the body or where it could be.
"I can't find anything." Naruto muttered, only to groan when his stomach growled.
"I haven't eaten anything today, either. I should get something to eat." Stated Naruto, looking around for anything he'd be able to eat, before spotting a nest up in a tree.
Climbing up, Naruto grinned at seeing the eggs in the nest, knowing he just found his lunch, only to spot something shining in the nest.
"Huh? What's this?" Muttered Naruto, grabbing the object, surprised to see it was a strangely shaped kunai with what looked like a piece of paper tied to it.
"Oh, the enemy Ninja must've used this during the battle, yesterday. That means…I found something to bring back!" Naruto said. excited to have found something, even better that it's something unique.
"All right! Time to head back!" Said Naruto, turning around to run back towards the village, eager to show off his new weapon and where he got it.
'Now, I'll finally be able to make some friends!' Naruto thought, happy that soon he won't be alone anymore.
Unfortunately before he could go any further, the Uzumaki stopped when three Ninja suddenly appeared in front of him. Seeing all three were wearing headbands with a symbol he didn't recognize, but saw it looked like part of an arrow pointing down.
"Hey, kid." Said one of the Ninja.
"What? Who the hell are you?" Questioned Naruto, annoyed at being stopped.
"Hand over that kunai, nice and easy." The Ninja demanded, willing to let him live as long as he gave them what they wanted.
With Naruto looking at the kunai before quickly hiding it behind his back.
"No way! I found it, so it's mine now!" Naruto retorted, refusing to handover the key to getting friends.
"I see, then we'll just have to take it by force." Stated the Ninja as the three drew their swords, making the Uzumaki pale.
"Huh?! What?! W-wait a second! Uh…uh…Sexy Jutsu!" Said Naruto using his Sexy Jutsu again and turning into Naruko, only for her to squeak in panic and dodge the Ninja's swords when they tried stabbing her.
"A technique like that won't work on us!" Said the Ninja as they pulled off their masks, revealing all three were Kunoichi.
'…Crapbaskets.' Thought Naruto, knowing his Sexy Jutsu was useless against women, for the most part anyway as he has tried it a few times on women before and it worked, but it seems like these three aren't affected.
"Uh…in that case…Clone Jutsu!" Said Naruto, creating a single clone, which only seemed to annoy the Kunoichi further.
"Even if he's a kid…this is the first time I've seen such a poorly made clone." Said the lead Kunoichi before destroying the clone with her sword, seeing Naruto took the chance to run from them.
"Don't let him get away and don't show any mercy!" The Kunoichi said, now annoyed and wanting to deal with the brat.
'Crap! Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap! My Ninjutsu's useless, but I remember there are some hunting traps up ahead and if I can get to them I can-' Naruto thought, only to cry when a kunai flew past him, cutting into his arm and knocking him to the ground.
"You can't run you stupid brat! And you had your chance to give us what we wanted, now you're gonna pay!" Said the Kunoichi as the three jumped into the air with their swords held up to cut him into pieces, much to Naruto's horror.
"Fire Style: Grand Fireball Jutsu!"
Naruto and the Kunoichi were all shocked when a large fireball came shooting out of the trees towards the Kunoichi, none of them expecting the sudden attack, leaving them no time to react. Crying out as the fireballs crashed into and burned them, with one of the Kunoichi screaming in complete agony as she was engulfed in the flames.
The Uzumaki was further shocked when Satsuki jumped in front of him, pulling him back to his feet.
"Satsuki?! What're you doing here?!" Naruto said, wondering what she's doing here, but is thankful she showed up when she did.
"I came to…to…to…to…" Said Satsuki only to trail off when she looked at the Kunoichi, seeing that two of them were groaning in pain and trying to put out the fire still on them.
While the third…Satsuki began shaking when she saw what was left of her was still burning, and no longer moving or screaming on the ground.
'I…I did…I did…that.' Satsuki thought, frozen as she looked at the burned corpse of the Kunoichi she just killed.
Despite it being her goal to one day find and kill Itachi for slaughtering their clan and family, it's still shocking for the girl to be responsible for ending another person's life. Even more so at the fact she burned the Kunoichi alive, ensuring she didn't die quickly.
Naruto looked back, grimacing at the sight of the state the Kunoichi were in, before turning back to the ravenette, knowing they needed to keep moving.
"Satsuki! Hey Satsuki, come on, we need to keep running!" Naruto said, grabbing her hand and pulling her along, with this helping to snap Satsuki out of her shock.
"R-ri-right!" Said Satsuki before she began running beside him.
"AHHHH! You little fucking bastards! We would've killed you quickly, now you're going to suffer and die screaming and begging for mercy!" Yelled one of the Kunoichi as they finally regained their bearings, and saw what was left of their teammate.
This made Naruto and Satsuki run even faster, knowing if they stopped for even a moment they were dead. Only for the two kids to cry out when the whiskered blonde tripped over a tree root, stumbling down a hill and ended up pulling Satsuki down with him. The two cried out as they fell down the hill, before going over the side of a cliff.
Before they fell silents as they crashed into a river, the impact being strong enough to knock them both out, before they began being carried away by the current.
With the Kunoichi arriving a moment later, scowling in anger when they didn't see any sign of the brats, before tensing when they heard what sounded like hundreds of birds chirping.
"Raikiri!" Someone said, charging out of the trees with lightning engulfing their hand, rushing the Kunoichi at blinding speed and thrusting his hand through the lead Kunoichi's chest before she could react.
Though the attack didn't stop there as lightning shot out her back, stabbing through the other Kunoichi as well, killing both of them before they even realized they were dead.
After ensuring both enemy Kunoichi were dead, Kakashi looked around with narrowed eyes, not seeing any sign of Naruto or Satsuki. Cutting his hand, the Copy Ninja began going through handsigns before slamming his hand on the ground.
"Summoning Jutsu!" Kakashi said as he summoned his Ninken Pack.
"What do you need, Kakashi?" Pakkun asked.
"All of you, spread out and try to catch any scent belonging to Naruto Uzumaki and Satsuki Uchiha, any scents that don't smell like these Kunoichi. Scatter!" Said Kakashi, with the Ninken all immediately jumping away to begin seeing what they can find.
Kakashi soon joining them, hoping that nothing happened to either of the kids.
*Later-With Naruto and Satsuki*
Naruto and Satsuki groaned as they began waking up, before coughing up water that had gotten into their bodies while they were unconscious.
"Fuck…we're lucky to be alive." Naruto muttered.
"No kidding, not helped by you nearly getting us killed in the first place!" Said Satsuki, letting out some annoyance at being in this mess in the first place because of Naruto.
"Me?! What did I do?!" Said Naruto, glaring at her in annoyance at being blamed for this.
"Let yourself be tricked by that bastard Hibachi for starters! You really think he'd actually agree to be your friend?! He sent you here so you could be killed!" Satsuki said.
"No he didn't! He said that if I brought back something from the battle, then they'd-" Naruto said, only for the ravenette to cut him off.
"Yeah, a battle he heard about from his father, who also probably told him about there still being enemy Ninja there, so he wouldn't go himself! And instead sent you, knowing how badly you wanted friends and knew you'd go even if you did know enemy Ninja were there! He never even expects you to come back and if by some miracle you did, he wouldn't have been your friend! He'd just laugh that you fell for his trick, because he's a Kami damn psychopath!" Said Satsuki, throwing her arms in the air in exasperation.
Even with her own problems, she's noticed how Hibachi seems to always have the same disturbed and crazed smile on his face. Along with seeing it in his eyes, there's something deeply wrong with him, something he didn't even bother hiding as he seemed to enjoy insulting or hurting people. Having shown no regret or remorse about sending Naruto to his potential death, likely even hoping he did end up dying.
While Naruto stood frozen at hearing this before looking down, unable to help but think over Satsuki's words and couldn't deny they made sense. Hibachi never once showed any interest in being his friend before, but suddenly after he pranks him and his followers, he's offering to be his friend. On the condition he goes out to get something from a battle.
And he probably did know about the enemy Ninja, as how could he know where the battle took place but that there weren't still enemies around.
'And I fell for it like a complete idiot. That's what I get for trusting someone else.' Naruto thought bitterly
"What about you then? Were you hoping to watch me die, rather than just hear about it?" Naruto demanded, only to reel back when Satsuki glared at him, swearing her eyes flashed red for a moment.
"In case you forgot, I risked my own life to come and save you! Killing someone in the process and probably maiming two other people!" Satsuki retorted, angry that he'd even think that after she saved his life, making the whiskered blonde look down.
"S-sorry." Muttered Naruto, with the ravenette still glaring at him for a few moments before sighing.
"Just…try to avoid letting yourself be manipulated that easily again." Said Satsuki, knowing he's likely having trouble trusting anyone at the moment after learning how he'd been tricked and sent to his potential death.
"Y-yeah. So…where are we anyway?" Naruto said, looking around along with Satsuki.
"I don't know. But given that we likely fell into a river after falling off that cliff, we were probably carried downstream and into some underwater cavern or something. Come on, let's see if we can try and find some way out of here." Said Satsuki, the Uzumaki nodded in agreement as they walked through the cave to try and find an exit.
Growing confused when they found a set of stairs that looked like they'd been built into the cave allowing for easier access to a higher level. Though they also looked broken and damaged, as if they'd been here for a long time and crushed by falling rocks. Feeling more curious at the cave, the two went up the stairs, finding themselves standing on a mix of metal and stone floor.
"I…don't think we've been the first people in this cave." Stated Naruto, the Uchiha nodding as well while moving a hand to her weapons pouch in case they weren't alone here.
Continuing through the cave, Satsuki nearly tripped over some wires on the floor, with Naruto catching her before she fell.
"Thanks." Satsuki said before looking at the wires and where they lead, spotting what looked like a generator.
"A generator? Someone's definitely been here before, but hopefully we can at least turn on some lights with this." Said Naruto as they went over to the generator to see how they could turn it on.
It took a few moments but soon both kids managed to get the generator started, feeling pleased as it came to life along with some lights.
"Great. Now hopefully we can…find…the…exit…" Said Satsuki, only trail off and look around in shock at what they could now see with the lights on.
"What the fuck?" Naruto muttered, looking around with wide eyes.
The two first saw what looked like the exit, with another set of stairs leading up to it, only that it seems like it had collapsed and been covered up by a massive pile of rocks. Next to the stairs were several display cases with different costumes in them. On a large connecting platform is what looked like a museum filled all kinds of things, including a giant coin, some giant lizard with what looked like green skin peeling off showing a metal skeleton, a giant playing card with a creepy clown face, and several small display cases that were either tipped over or broken.
Along with several Lifesize wax figures of truly strangely dressed and even stranger looking people.
Another platform also looked like it lead either deeper into the cave or to an exit, with another large and strange black object resting on it.
Finally they saw a giant object with a chair in front of it with numerous screens and buttons.
"What…even is any of this stuff?" Said Satsuki in disbelief at what this place could be and who could've used it.
"I couldn't even begin to guess. But let's try and find a way out of here. It looks even creepier with the lights on." Naruto said, the ravenette nodded in agreement as they began searching the cave.
Going over to the display cases, hoping she'll find a switch to turn on some more lights and reveal an exit, Satsuki raised a brow when she saw the cases were filled with costumes. Most of them having a bat emblem on the chest, aside from one that had an R and another that had what seemed like a blue bird.
'Was this some kind of base for an ancient clan or something?' Satsuki thought, shaking her head as she continued trying to find something that'll get them out of here or find a way out.
While Naruto went over to the large computer-looking device and looked it over, wondering if maybe he could find a map on it, or if it was connected to any cameras that'd help show them where they are.
'Now…how do I turn it on?' Naruto thought scratching his head before shrugging and just pressing a random button.
Only to quickly jump back when the screens flared to life, getting Satsuki's attention as she ran over to him.
"What did you just do?!" Satsuki said, hoping he didn't do something that'll get them kill or alert anyone else that could be here.
"I just pressed a button to try and see if this thing could help us!" Said Naruto as they quickly moved away from the terminal, tensing when a large glowing circle lit up underneath them.
Before the Uzumaki and Uchiha watched in shock and amazement as a figure began materializing before their eyes.
(Play-The Birth of Batman)
The figure was a man, an incredibly tall and muscular man, along with looking incredibly intimidating with what he was wearing. With it consisting of a dark grey bodysuit, jet-black boots, black gloves with three spikes protrusions coming from the back, what looked like black underwear outside of the suit, a yellow belt with numerous containers, and a black cape and cowl resembling bat ears and wings at the end of the cape with only the lower half of his face being exposed. Along with white reflective lenses over his eyes, only adding to his intimidating image. While on the center of his chest was the emblem of a black bat.
"Woah…" Satsuki muttered in amazement, unable to deny the fear and nervousness she felt just from looking at this guy, already knowing just by looking at him they wouldn't even be able to scratch him no matter how hard they'd try.
"Gh-gh-gh-gh-gh-gh-gho-gho-gho-gho-ghost!" Naruto screamed in horror, thinking that this guy was a ghost and they'd unwittingly released him.
His fear only growing when the figure started chuckling, with Satsuki being creeped out, unsure if he's intentionally chuckling darkly or it just came naturally. Either way, neither of the kids wanted to do anything to make the figure laugh even more.
"You aren't wrong, I'm sure I've been dead for a long time, now. But no, I am not a ghost, I'm an A.I.." Said the figure, confusing Naruto and Satsuki.
"Wh-wh-what's an-a-an-an…A.I.?" Naruto asked.
"It stands for Artificial Intelligence, one based on a human mind rather than just a computer program." The figure replied, which only confused them more.
"O…kay? Then who are you based on?" Questioned Satsuki.
"In my life, I was mostly known by my civilian identity of Bruce Wayne. But that became nothing but a mask I wore for most of my life. This is who I truly am, who I become after removing the mask I put on for everyone else. I am Batman." Declared Batman, with Naruto and Satsuki only able to look at him with wide eyes.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we start out with Iruka when he's first told that he'll be Naruto's teacher, much to his reluctance at having as a student due to the Kyūbi and his troublemaker attitude. Only to get some advice from his colleagues to simply ignore Naruto any time he acts out, refusing him the attention he tries getting, leading to Naruto trying to act even more only to be seen as a nuisance by the rest of the class, with only Satsuki being the one who doesn't laugh or make fun of him.
Before we then see Naruto trying to befriend Hibachi and his followers, only to brushed off leading to him planning a prank to scare them, with the incident with the shopkeeper throwing a mask at him remaining the same. Only with the addition of Satsuki confronting the man and putting him in his place, which does lead to her losing the reverence of the rest of the village for being the Last Uchiha, not that she cares.
Then we go to the cemetery where Naruto scared Hibachi and his followers into thinking he's a fox demon, only to be confronted by Iruka, leading to Naruto swearing to never return to the Academy. Before we also get a small look at Hibachi swearing revenge and intends to do more than just a harmless prank.
We then see Naruto being tricked by Hibachi, which Shikamaru and Satsuki overhear, leading to Satsuki chasing after Naruto to make sure he doesn't get hurt. While Shikamaru exposes what Hibachi did, sending Iruka to go save Naruto. Only to end up being knocked out by his Sexy Jutsu and a kick to the crotch and head, putting Iruka out of commission.
Leading to things playing out a little differently as Naruto finds the kunai with the secret intel and is attacked by the Taki Kunoichi, only to be saved by Satsuki. Who catched the Kunoichi off guard, injuring two and unintentionally killing the third, before Naruto snaps her out of her shock and they continue running, with the Kunoichi now being vengeful for the death of their comrade.
Though the kids manage to escape, falling off a cliff and into a river where they're knocked out, just before Kakashi arrives and takes out the Kunoichi, before sending his Ninken to find Naruto and Satsuki.
Finally we see Naruto and Satsuki waking up in the ruined remains of the Batcave, finding a generator to turn on some lights and activating the Batcomputer, turning on an A.I. created and based on the mind of Bruce Wayne, who they learn is truly the Dark Knight himself, Batman. So, for those that like the story, thanks for your support. For those that don't or at least don't like the direction taken, you're more than welcomed to drop the story. But thanks for giving the story a chance anyway.
Storm out