CHAPTER THREE

Ninja Academy was turning out better than he thought. The student sitting next to him was Hitori Yurete and turned out to be a pretty nice guy. He introduced himself the second day before class and let Naruto look through his books during lunch break. Most of them were too confusing, but there were some that he could understand. Hitori liked to give him advise so he'd be ready before the rest of his classmates when started Ninja First Year.

The first day of physical training had been a surprise. He had been given a number of laps to run and a few exercises to complete while the other students practiced kunai tosses to one another. They weren't even halfway finished when he finished so he decided to run through them again.

When he had started jogging around the field the second time around one of the students had thrown a blunted kunai at him. He threw it back and glared at the older kids smirks when the kunai didn't go very far. A few others were thrown at him before he finished his laps and each time he couldn't throw it back far enough to hit anyone. When they started doing it the second day he started watching for the kunai and tried to dodge out of the way. He still couldn't throw them worth shit.

Hitori gave him some advise at the end of class on how to toss a kunai properly and Naruto snuck in that night and stole a few of them from the tool shed. By the end of the week most of the kids tossed a kunai his way while he jogged, but he could dodge a few of them and could toss them back to whoever threw it at him without loosing the distance. He still needed work on his aim though.

It had become more of a game than anything and the class lightened up on the glares. Naruto guess that being a personal target was good for something. They could take out their frustration and be done with it instead of hating him for the rest of the year for who knew what.

The work packet Yamato-sensei had given him was difficult when it started on something new, but he worked through it and had it done by the end of the week. He had wanted to work on it at home as well so he could finish faster, but he had given his word. One of Mendo's saying is that a man wasn't worth anything if his word couldn't be trusted. "Never promise nothin' you don't plan to do. "

Instead Naruto ditched his watchers in the evenings, played a prank for cover and worked on his taijutsu. Since he had to spend an hour a day watching his classmates spar he took mental notes on moves he wanted to try. He still practiced henge, which was getting easier to do, but there was still too much pain and too much time to use it effectively when dodging ninja.

That weekend he met up with the gang and told them about starting Ninja Academy. They treated him to ice cream in celebration and Taiko pulled him off to the side and warn him about a few of the guys in the class he should avoid. It had been a while since he saw the group and it felt good to have some fun. Naruto loved his Sunday.

When he entered the school on Monday he greeted Hitori with a large grin and a loud hello. The older boy just waved tiredly at him and kept his head on the desk. 'Looks like someone didn't get enough sleep last night,' Naruto thought.

The blonde had barely sat down when Yamato-sensei had stepped in the room. He spotted Naruto and waved him over to the desk up front. There weren't many students in the classroom but the teacher kept his voice low as he addressed the small boy.

"I've graded your packet and you got a ninety-five percent accuracy rating. You seem to have a grasp on the mathematics that most your age don't." Naruto took the extended green folder on reflex. He was a bit stunned. No one had ever complemented on schoolwork before.

"You answered the simple history stories rather well, but you also had the information right in front of you. I'm giving you a history book to read and I'll test you on the information at the end of the week without the book. On this, you're allowed to read outside of class."

Naruto nodded as the teacher continued. "I'm also giving you another packet for math problems. These aren't the same division and multiplication worksheets you did before. You'll be reading a paragraph that gives you information and then you'll need to answer the question at the end. The first half you'll use all the information given and have to decide to use multiplication, division, addition or subtraction to solve the problem.

The second half you will use all the information and use a combination of multiplication, division, addition and subtraction to answer the question. Some of the problems will have two questions you'll need to answer. Remember to show your work. Even if you just have to add two and two, I need to see that you use those numbers to get the answer of four. Do you understand?"

The blonde had to think about what his teacher told him before nodding his head. It sounded complicated, but he thought he got the idea. He wouldn't know for sure until he tried it. Thanking Yamato-sensei, Naruto made his way back to his seat with the old green folder, the history book and a new blue folder that was half as thick as the old one.

Class started without a problem and Naruto started on his math problems.

"There are four apples on the table. Three are eaten. How many apples are left on the table?" Naruto scoffed at how easy that was. Yamato-sensei made it sound hard. He worked through several pages without having any troubles. It was boring until they started needing multiplication and division.

"There are twenty-four pieces of candy and four friends. If they shared equally, how many pieces does each friend eat?" It took a moment to figure out what he needed to do, but after that, the problems were a synch. Hitori reminded him when it was time for physical training and when the class returned Naruto decided to start on his history text.

That was boring. When he complained to Hitori after class got out the older boy advised him to start taking notes or he'd just have to read it again. By writing down the facts he thought the teacher would ask about he'd only have to remember that instead of the entire book. The blonde didn't like it but vowed that he wouldn't read the text a second time. Once was enough.

Hitori headed off while Naruto packed his bags. He took his time walking out of the Academy and down the street to his apartment instead of the usual run. Training was something he enjoyed doing, but he wasn't sure if he should read more of the history book first. He hadn't even finished the first chapter out of ten and he needed to finish it and be ready for a test by Saturday.

"Naruto Uzumaki, correct?" The voice brought Naruto out of his mental debate. The blonde looked up to see another ninja in navy blue with a green vest. After attending the Academy for a week Naruto knew that navy blue was the Chuunin uniform while black was reserved for Jounin.

This Chuunin had dark brown hair gathered into a spiky ponytail at the top of his head. His brown eyes didn't stare at him with hatred as Naruto was used to, but had a hard glint to them that made the blonde's spine tingle. He looked rather plain, save for a thick scar that crossed the bridge of his nose under his eyes.

"I'm Iruka Umino. I teach one of the Ninja Second Year classes." The Chuunin waited for Naruto to nod in understanding before continuing. "I know you've been at the Academy for a week and wanted to know how you're doing? It's rather unusual to have a child attend as young as you, especially while working on your own for the most part."

Naruto was a bit wary of Umino-sensei. Even his own teacher didn't ask him questions like 'How are you doing?' He was certain most of the adults in the village would rather die than ask him something like that. The only one he could remember doing so was the Hokage, but Umino-sensei didn't have the kind eyes and gentle smile that the old man did. Still, he didn't want a teacher at the Academy mad at him.

"Eh… It's sometimes tough but mostly I'm not too bored, and Yamato-sensei doesn't seem so bad." He gave the Chuunin a grin while scratching the back of his head. What was he suppose to say to something like that?

But he must have answered right as Umino-sensei just nodded his head. "I see." When he paused he gave Naruto a look that made the blonde's hair stand on end. There didn't seem to be any real anger or hatred Naruto could sense, but something in the brunette's eyes scared the shit out of him. "Do you know that in a few months your class will need to go on extensive field trips in order to learn the skills they need for the Genin Exam?"

That was news. He shook his head no and Umino-sensei continued. "When they do, I've volunteered to watch over you so your class wouldn't be hindered in their lessons. I thought I might introduce myself to you."

Naruto was a bit miffed that he'd be left behind. 'Honestly, I'm working hard to be included. I've got a few months. I'll have that history stuff aced!' But it was kind of nice that Umino-sensei had taken the time to introduce himself. If that cold feeling the Chuunin's eyes gave would go away, the blonde might even feel happy.

As if he realized that Naruto wasn't too comfortable around him, Umino-sensei wished him well and said they'd talk later. Taking the opportunity, the blonde gave a quick bow and thanked the Chuunin before running for home. Deciding that history was more important as he only had a few months to catch up to his classmates, Naruto skipped most of his training. He'd sneak out after dinner and do a bit of taijutsu and kunai practice. Right now, he had a book to defeat.

-Scene Break-

Iruka made it a point to great the fox-carrier at least once a day. It may have been hard to hide any anger or hate he held for the demon, but a driving determination seemed to overlay any lasting feelings of revenge. If he had to make friends with the brat to find out what he did to Ruito, he'd make friends with it.

It took a month before the blonde kid seemed not to squirm in discomfort whenever Iruka said hello, or asked how his day went. The Chuunin waited for another week before inviting the demon out to lunch on one of the Saturday half-days.

Not wanting to spend a lot of money, Iruka took the demon to a ramen stand a few blocks away. Ichiraku's was a decent place and the owner moved in a few years after the Kyuubi attack so he wouldn't refuse service. The old man and his daughter might have been told about Naruto's dangerous and troublesome personality, but no one would break the Third's law and mention the Nine-tails.

As it was, Iruka learned not to take the blonde out unless the kid was paying for his own food. As a teacher he knew children generally ate more than an adult, but nine bowls of ramen was not normal! But it had seemed to win the fox-carrier's friendship. Iruka spent the next month listening to the blonde babble about his day whenever he asked how the brat was doing. And listening to more pleas for Ichiraku's.

Despite all his observations while trying to pinpoint how Ruito had been hypnotized by the Nine-tails, Iruka could find nothing. It may have discouraged him, but the Chuunin was determined to get to the bottom of this problem. Each week that passed made Ruito more and more enamored of the blonde demon. The older teacher was silent with most teachers, but seemed to open up when it was just the two of them.

While the brunette tried to be polite, and encouraging, each time he heard more praise about Uzumaki Naruto, his mission to help his friend became more urgent. Luckily, November had arrived and Ninja Third Years were due for camping and survival trips for each week of this month. Iruka was hoping that by having Naruto in his class he would find out what had happened to Ruito. He was prepared for whatever jutsu the demon would pull on him.

But first he had to find Ruito to find out when the class left for the first camping trip next week. Some teachers went at the beginning of the week and others opted to spend a day in class reviewing before finishing the week out in the woods.

"There you are! I've been looking for you Ruito!" The black-haired Chuunin turned at Iruka's call. Ruito had been practicing at one of the many training halls that populated Konoha. It was his usual routine on Sunday to hone his own skills, but Iruka hadn't known which training spot the older man would use this weekend.

"Iruka? What do you need?" Ruito sheathed the sword he was practicing with and walked over to a bench along the training hall. Iruka joined him as his fellow teacher used a towel to wipe off the light sheen of sweat he had worked up.

"Nothing much. It occurred to me that survival trips start next week and wanted to know when to expect Uzumaki Naruto in class. I didn't know if your class left on Monday or Tuesday. And does he have assigned work he still needs to finish or do I need to get him something to do?" Iruka kept his tone polite and slightly disinterested. No need for Ruito to know that he had been waiting for this for a while now.

"Oh! I forgot to let you know. I'm sorry about that Iruka. It was very kind of you to volunteer yourself like that, considering…" The younger Chuunin pointedly ignored the implications of that statement. Giving a small cough, the older teacher continued in a slightly uncomfortable voice.

"Ah- I meant to say that while I'm grateful for the offer, Naruto will be coming with the class this week, and next week as well for the trap-laying trips. For the stealth and ambush trips I haven't decided, but while he might do alright in the stealth techniques, I doubt he'll be up to ambush tactics."

Iruka could only stare at his co-worker while his mind raced on the implications. "Do you mean to tell me that you're taking an eight-year-old on a week long survival trip in a densely predator populated wood, as well as allowing him to set up and or possibly trip several potentially deadly traps for an entire week, and are debating on allowing him to participate in search and destroy missions?" He didn't bother to hide his rather dubious opinion on the matter. He might be skeptical for different reasons than the concern of a young child, but it was still a rather stupid decision.

"Haven't you been listening to me the past few weeks? The boy has taken anything I can throw at him. The dry history texts were supposed to slow him down, but he seems to go threw them faster. He still completes all the work I assign with an average of 93. The lowest grade I've given him was an 88 last week and that was on a Ninja Second Year mathematic sheet dealing with complex angles in shuriken throws.

"I've told you about my class throwing kunai and shuriken at him. Despite any warnings I've given them, they continue to do so. It's like a forbidden game or something to the class. And Naruto just grins and waives it off when I try to talk to him about it. That boy has gone from being able to dodge only a few projectiles, to catching shuriken and kunai and throwing them back without breaking his stride!

"And have you ever seen the kind of pranks the kid pulls. He knows more traps than my class has and they've studied them for over a year now. All it takes is to get him to set up kunai, logs and shuriken instead of paint, mud or confetti.

"I doubt he'll find a little hunting and trap making difficult. And with the amount of work he puts into staying quiet and hidden when setting up a prank, stealth shouldn't be a problem either. Besides, he turned nine last month, remember?"

Iruka listened to Ruito's rant and felt his dismay grow with each word. He'd only been paying basic attention to Ruito's praise for Naruto. He hadn't known the blonde was that far ahead. He tried to find someway to convince his friend to leave the boy behind. How could Iruka find out what Naruto had done without being able to watch the demon?

"Hold up a moment Ruito. I thought you didn't want Naruto to be too far ahead of his classmates once he started. Even if you got permission to start him next year, you'll have taught him almost half of all three year's curriculum!" Iruka prayed for Ruito to see the light.

"Your right. I will. But I never gave him a single kunai lesson and he can throw it as well as any second year I know. He's already read enough history to be up to par with his current classmates and I'm beginning to believe that I'll have to dig into the advance Third year math problems by the end of the year.

"If he does well on the survival trips I think I'll talk to the Hokage. All I'd need to do is teach him basic taijutsu, ninjutsu and information gathering and he'd be able to pass with the current class."

That was going way too far for Iruka's comfort. Sure there had been a few Genin's pass before eleven before, but they had been prodigies such as Kakashi Hatake or Itachi Uchiha. And they had prior training at home before attending the Academy. There was no way anyone could just start the Academy with no experience and pass in a year. Even if they could keep up mentally, it took an entire year to train most students' bodies into a decent condition to just start using chakra, let alone do ninjutsu.

"Have you lost your mind Ruito? This isn't some kid raised by an elite clan to handle the life a shinobi. If you disregard what he is, than this is just some kid taken off the streets with no knowledge of how to fight, or use chakra. The most he's probably done is run around the village while victims of his pranks chased him. There is no way his body would be ready for it.

"If you remember what his is than he's a danger to the village if he can pick up fighting that easily. If he doesn't remember what he is, obviously he does subconsciously. After all, the demon wasn't an easy opponent." The anger in Ruito's eyes was enough to tell Iruka he had crossed an unspoken line, but the younger Chuunin was past caring. If subtle methods of finding out what was wrong hadn't been working, than maybe confronting the issue head on would knock some sense into the older man.

"Iruka. I thought we went over this. Naruto is not a demon. I've seen you talking to him, and you've never complained before about his talent. In fact, if I had to guess you almost seemed to encourage it when we spoke. " Ruito's voice was cold and hard.

"Even if I had come to grips with it, do you think the rest of the staff will? What about the villagers? What will they think when they see the demon-carrier excel at fighting?" Despite the training hall being empty save the two Chuunin's Iruka tried to keep his comments quiet. If anyone without prior knowledge heard this conversation it would be death.

But his heated questions seemed to hit their mark, as Ruito's angry stare had turned inward. There was a frown marring the older teacher's face and his brow was creased in thought. Iruka felt a sight rise of hope as the silence continued. It was dashed when Ruito spoke next.

"Thank you for pointing that out Iruka. I hadn't thought of it that way. I'll still be taking Naruto with the class, but I'll make sure to think our options over carefully before talking to the Hokage." Iruka wanted to shout 'That wasn't what I meant' and shake his friend until the man understood the danger he was in. Instead, he watched as his friend walked out of the training hall lost in thought and felt as if he had just made the problem worse.

-Scene Break-

This had been the hardest most frustrating school year of his young life. It had also been the most fun Naruto had ever had. His classmates still didn't talk to him much save Hitori, but they didn't seem to hate him. The kunai and shuriken practice had become the highlight of his day.

His aim got better and he learned the trick to catching kunai and had gone on to mastering the shuriken when they started practicing that in October. It had been fun to try flips and spins while running in order to dodge the missiles before he learned how to catch the damn things. When he started hitting his classmates back they seemed to throw the weapons at tricky angles and when his back was turned.

The history books had been no fun, but he was determined to go on those survival trips with the class. Whatever time Yamato-sensei had given him to read a book, he halved it and took the test with 90 accuracy. It cut into his henge practice, but Naruto decided he could perfect that later. Instead, he only practiced to keep up his taijutsu and throwing skills and called it good. His class time was kept busy with math problems that had started to make his head hurt.

But it had been worth it. He had been allowed to go on the weeklong survival trip and Yamato-sensei had even bought his supplies when the shopkeepers had kicked him out. He even owned his own set of real kunai and shuriken, not the blunted ones he had 'borrowed'.

During the trip he had learned to hunt with only a few kunai and shuriken, and set simple traps for rabbits and quail. Hitori had been his partner on many of the expeditions, but occasionally he had been paired up with a different classmate. He made sure he didn't keep any of them behind. There were a few scary incidents of meeting a wolf in the woods or cougar in near the mountainside, but he followed directions from whoever his partner had been and they came out fine.

The next week, they spent most days in the wooded training areas setting up complex traps. Naruto was rather surprised to find out he knew more ways to set up traps than his classmates. It took a bit to figure out how to use the shuriken and kunai instead of spray-paint cans, but the log traps were easier to place than mud buckets.

Thursday and Friday were spent in groups of three setting up traps around a campsite and trying to defend a colored flag while trying to find and capture a similar one from a different team. Naruto, Hitori and a girl named Mitsune passed that test. Naruto's traps hadn't let anyone near the site even when Naruto and Mitsune left to capture another flag.

The plan had been for Naruto to detect the traps while Mitsune fought any opponents. Unfortunately, their opponent happened to be Shokuma, one of the top three taijutsu-students. Even with his two teammates out capturing another flag, Shokuma was more than a match for Mitsune. When the blonde noticed his teammate about to loose he joined in on the fight.

Shokuma hadn't expected Naruto to know taijutsu and wasn't prepared for the dual attack. Despite never having a professional lesson in his life, Naruto's unorthodox style of street brawling mixed with taijutsu let him keep up with the older two. Shokuma's traditional training hadn't allowed him the predict Naruto's moves. Add in the kid's small stature and Shokuma had been taken down relatively easily.

When they returned with the flag, Mitsune had drilled Naruto on how he knew how to fight. Hitori had scoffed at the idea and the blonde had to challenge the older boy to a spar. The rest of the weekend had been filled with fighting against both his teammates and getting pointers from both of them.

Yamato-sensei had talked to them after the assignment about his fight skills as well. Much to Naruto's surprise he had been offered private lessons in the evenings once December started. But they still had the ambush and stealth practical to get through first. Luckily, the blonde boy still had the same team.

They had four days as the ambushers and then swapped with the teams being ambushed. Those being ambushed had a scroll they were suppose to get back to the main campsite that Yamato-sensei had set up. The first two days they were suppose to make camp and defend from defense attacks. They had the second two days to get back to the main camp. If the team lost the scroll to stealth attacks they could still get a few points by returning a second, smaller scroll that could not be taken during the first two days.

Mitsune, Hitori and Naruto were paired against Satsuko, Kenji, and Kouga. Kouga was a rough and tumble fighter and the top taijutsu user of the class. Kenji was the best in trap detection and could hold out well in a fight. Satsuko was the leader of the three but was better in distance fighting with kunai and shuriken.

Hitori led their team, but Naruto didn't mind. He was happy to still be included. The older boy had them split up to search for their opponents and return to the main camp in a few hours. Naruto had found a few other teams, but not Satsuko's. Mitsune had the same results, but Hitori had lucked out. He had Naruto go back in and scout the traps Satsuko had used but make sure not to be seen.

When the blonde returned he diagramed the enemy campsite and Hitori had planned their stealth attack. Most of the teams would be alert for an attack during the night as it was easier to sneak around in the dark. They might have a chance if they snuck in at dawn, when the lighting was poor, especially with trees for cover.

Some of the traps were tricky to get by, but Hitori let Naruto lead them through half an hour before daylight. Kenji was on watch when they arrived, but seemed rather bored. Mitsune was light on her feet, and when the sun started to lighten the sky she made her way into camp. If any member of the team was caught, they would have to return the scroll and try again. No fighting was allowed until the third day.

Unfortunately, Satsuko held the scroll. While Mitsune had gotten past the watch, the opposing leader spotted her. Not giving away her teammates, the girl had given up and allowed Kenji to lead her out of the camp. Kouga and Satsuko were on high alert for Naruto and Hitori, but they kept to their hiding spots and didn't make any tries for the scroll until Satsuko's team had relaxed a bit.

Hitori struck next. Satsuko had handed the scroll over to Kouga since Mitsune had seen her with it already. The boy had tucked it in his back kunai holder. When he went to the bathroom, Hitori transformed into Satsuko and met him before he entered the camp. 'She' had requested the scroll back, reasoning that Kenji had spotted the enemy watching the camp. They must have seen the switch, but wouldn't suspect Satsuko to take it back while Kouga was out of sight. Hitori sealed the deal by explaining that 'Satsuko' had created a bushin to fool the watchers into thinking only Kouga was missing from camp.

'Satsuko' had instructed Kouga to go back to camp as if everything was normal and the 'real Satsuko' would sneak back in on Kenji's signal. Hitori's act worked like a charm, and Naruto led him back out of the traps without any problems. When they met up with Mitsune in the woods, she congratulated them on the success. They spent the rest of the day discussing ambush methods and survelience tactics.

Since they didn't know the exact route Satsuko's team would take they couldn't place any elaborate traps. Naruto had a few he could put together in a quick amount of time, but they still needed to know where. Hitori decided that he and Mitsune would track Satsuko's team and when they got a decent bearing Mitsune would run ahead and meet Naruto with the information. She could help speed the trap laying and attack from the front while Hitori attacked from behind.

The trick was to subdue and capture the opponents instead of true harm. They had blunted kunai and shuriken to help keep casualties at a minimum, but unless one hit a lucky spot, they wouldn't be enough to knock an opponent out. Naruto suggested some net traps that he could set up while the other two fought and led the three enemies to the location and Hitori agreed.

They added a few trip wire traps the blonde could use and practiced taijutsu for the rest of the day. They slept during the afternoon and left when the sun went down. Satsuko might have figured out that the scroll teams could technically leave the designated camping area as soon as it hit midnight.

Unfortunately, she had been smart enough to move the original campsite, probably as soon as the team had realized Kouga had been tricked. It took a few hours to find them, but Satsuko's team was spotted shortly before midnight. Luckily, the raven-haired girl hadn't been smart enough to realize that technicality.

Naruto left Mitsune and Hitori to watching the campsite and waited impatiently for Mitsune to show up. It wasn't until the afternoon that his female teammate arrived with the message that Satsuko's group was heading back by a circle to the east. Between the two of them they had the simple traps set up over a wide area and waited for Hitori to arrive.

It took another hour, but luck was still with them. Kouga ran point with Satsuko and Kenji backing him in a triangle formation. Naruto rolled his eyes when he realized that while Kouga was watching the front and the other two were scanning the sides, none of the three were watching their backs. Kenji had spotted a few of the traps, but in an effort to go around them, Kouga set off some of the ones he hadn't. Naruto waited long enough for Mitsune and Hitori to both attack before heading off to the west to place the net and wire traps.

They worked like a charm and Satsuko, who had run out of weapons to throw, was caught in a net right off. Kouga was furious and charged Hitori, but had forgotten to watch for more traps. A simple trip wire caused him to loose his balance long enough for Hitori to knock him out with a hand chop to his neck. With his two teammates out of the fight, Kenji was easy to take down. The triumphant team dragged the three back to camp (Naruto led the still awake and rather tied up Satsuko back by kunai point) and passed with flying colors.

They had a day to relax before their own turn to keep the scroll came. There were a few insults from Kouga about cheating, but Yamato-sensei kept the other boy in line. When they received the scroll from their teacher they set out with a few ideas of what their opponents had done wrong.

First of all, Hitori had them set up camp with simple traps for detection rather than capture. Then he had one teammate sleep while the other two kept watch on an eight-hour rotation. The sleeping teammate always held the scroll. Before any teams could have a chance to infiltrate they set up a few simple hand signs to tell if someone was a henge or a true teammate. Instead of trying to hide the scroll, they kept it out in plain sight. It might have been easier to spot by enemies, but Satsuko's team had failed to notice its disappearance when they kept it hidden.

Satsuko's group made several attempts, but the scroll was still with Naruto's team when the two days were up. They left at midnight and made a straight line for the main campsite. It took an hour or two to walk there but by running they hoped to reach it in half an hour. Naruto had no troubles keeping up even when they went to the trees closer to their goal to help avoid detection. He thought of it like roof hopping but with a smaller landing zone.

They reached the main campsite without any opposition. When they reached camp only one Chuunin teacher was awake. He seemed surprised but when he noticed Naruto his eyes changed to one of hatred. The blonde was used to the angry stares, but it seemed to take his teammates aback.

"Did we do something wrong sensei?" Hitori asked in a questioning voice. It would suck if they made it this far and failed for breaking a rule they hadn't considered.

"No. Most don't think about heading back this early. Yamato-sensei is sleeping, but you need to wake him up and report in." Naruto kept quiet and watched his teammates exchange looks before thanking the teacher and moving off to where they knew Yamato-sensei was.

"I wonder what that was about. You prank him recently Naruto?" Not wanting to explain Naruto just shook his head. Mitsune didn't ask again and they woke up their teacher without any problems. Yamato-sensei was a bit surprised as well, but got up and told them they needed let their opponents know as well.

The teacher led the way and woke up Satsuko and the group while Naruto's team watched. When the Chuunin informed them of why he had woken them up Kouga exploded. "WHAT! It's not even one o'clock yet! How can they have passed already?"

"Kouga, the rules state that you can't start back to the main camp until the third day. Once the clock hit midnight the third day arrived. If you run you can cross the distance between the main campsite and the stealth testing area in a little over half an hour." The shocked seemed to make their teacher take pity on him. "Don't feel too bad. Not many think about that technicality. I've only had a few teams figure that out in all the years I've taught at the Academy."

Yamato-sensei let them go back to sleep, but Naruto didn't like the dirty looks Kouga was giving him. Satsuko and Kenji didn't seem happy to be outwitted again, but weren't glaring daggers at him. Why the other boy decided Naruto would be a good target escaped him, but Hitori and Mitsune didn't get the same glare as he did. He shrugged it off like he did the villager stares and followed his teammates to an open area to set out their sleeping bags. They had two days to wait before the exercise was over and they were tired from running.