Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto nor the fictional characters except my own. I do not own the pictures either, but I own the plot.
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Today was the day Naruto and the other kids were enrolled in the academy. The boy wasn't that excited, per se, however, he would be lying if he said that he wasn't somewhat looking forward to it. How would it be to finally be like every other kid?
On the other hand, he was not like every other child on this planet. He had made a contract with a demon to get what he wanted. It did not mean that he was unworthy of some kind of good childhood.
The boy entered the academy with some of his friends, whom he considered family. He wore a bright shining orange jumpsuit. Orange was his favorite color. It represented him. His mother was the color red and his father the color yellow. With these two colors being mixed the result would be orange.
It did not bother the child being looked at even more due to his choice of clothes. This was the only thing that was orange in the village. In addition, the boy did not mind wearing the same outfit exemplar every single day.
It looked cute on him.
Over the years in the academy, the boy grew up. Over time, he fell in love with a pink-haired girl. Perhaps he didn't love her but was just trying to move past the person he should not cherish more than a family member.
Naruto wasn't a genius like some other kids in his class. His studies weren't presentable, and it was all due to his lack of concentration. Classes weren't made for him. The boy wasn't near a genius in academic studies, yet he managed to outsmart many people.
The Hokage would be a great example.
However, it didn't matter. Today was the graduation test which would decide if he could finally become a genin. Even if he didn't need to be there to prove his worth as a ninja, he still needed to know something about freedom.
Iruka, the teacher of Naruto's class, was explaining what would be tested. "So, as you all know, as of today some of you may or may not become real ninjas. I will call you in and you will perform the required tasks. If you managed to get at least 50% you will be considered a genin but if not, you would have to repeat this school year," the teacher explained.
After that, the students were called one after another. Some of them looked very much pleased while others looked less pleased but still held a Hitai-ate. One after another students walked into the room and got a Hitai-ate.
Finally, it was Naruto's turn to perform after being called inside. "The tasks are easy. All you have to do is create three clones, and change their appearance into three different people of your choice. Easy, right?" said Iruka as he looked towards his student.
It was not as easy as they make it seem! The boy never managed to create at least one clone perfect. Whenever he tried, they would always be a step away from death.
Fuck this, he could do it!
However, he failed the test and had to repeat the class, the whole school year just to try it again some other time. Man, he hated school more than he hated the people in Konoha. Well, almost.
The blonde was now sitting on his favorite swing looking down as he listened to the parents and their children bad-mouthing him. The boy didn't care. They would die anyway. Soon they would.
Naruto sighed. It was probably time to go back home. However, as he was about to remove himself from the swing, Mizuki, another teacher, spoke to him.
"Naruto, I know another way for you to graduate. I know why Iruka-sensei made you fail but I want to make it up to you," the man told Naruto hiding a sly smile. The boy looked up towards his teacher. Was he being serious?
"Really? What do I have to do?"
Mizuki smiled and explained to the boy what he needed to do. A few hours later, Naruto was found in a forest together with his teachers Iruka and Mizuki. However, it was discovered that Mizuki was a traitor which led to a fight with the result of Naruto being the winner.
Iruka was very pleased and announced Naruto the title of Genin. The blonde was finally a Genin and graduated from the Ninja academy.
The next day arrived and the boy entered the class. Many of them present gaped due to being in a state of shock. "This is for the people who graduated, Naruto. Go back home!" barked a brunette but Naruto ignored him.
Later, Iruka finally appeared silencing the students. He then began to speak about the teams after talking for almost 45 minutes about how important it was to be a Genin. Iruka called out the team numbers and the members of the team excluding their teachers.
"In team 7 are Haruna Sakura, Uzumaki Naruto," the teacher began but was immediately interrupted by a certain pinkenette. "Oh no!" she cried out as she hid her face behind her hands. Naruto only smiled a little bit.
Sakura was an academically smart person. She was book smart so, the complete opposite of Naruto. The girl was cute if one had to be honest and in addition, she was a fast learner who could also manage their chakra.
"And Uchiha Sasuke."
Naruto stopped smiling while Sakura jumped into the air, smiling and dancing. She got to be with the one she loved, at least that was what she thought.
Uchiha Sasuke was someone Naruto despised. The boy was arrogant and thought the world spun around him like he was the center, the sun. But he wasn't. All he was, was one of over 200 moons.
Sasuke only rolled his eyes. Why did he have to be put on a team with the idiot of the class? Why him? The answer would be left open and maybe answered some time near future.
"Team 8 consists of Inuzuka Kiba-"
The boy was completely useless. He stunk and is a shame to his family. Kiba was a loud person. He could talk on and on and on for several hours without breaking a sweat. He was annoying. Kiba's dog, however, was a positive aspect of his company.
"Aburama Shino-"
Ah, he was a nice guy if you don't mind all these bugs and insects living inside of him. The boy was strange. The question is, who decided what is strange and what is not? And who decided what being kind meant?
"And Hyuuga Hinata."
She was a lovely girl but only if she could trust herself more, then she would be considered perfect. The girl was beautiful and used to have a small crush on Naruto.
This continued until all teams were named. "All you have to do now is wait for your new Senseis to arrive," Iruka informed them before he wiped a tear away.
As a result, they did what they needed to do. They waited.
Hours passed and it was only team 7 left. "Where is our Sensei?" asked Sakura aloud. Not only her but Naruto and Sasuke were getting tired of waiting for that man to show up. After an hour, the blonde decided that something had to be done. He opened the door slightly and put the board eraser on top of it.
As a way of making up to the students for waiting this long, their teacher might let the eraser hit his head. Sakura gaped. Would Naruto's silly plan be able to succeed? Even Sasuke the ice prince tried not to show his curiosity, but he was curious nonetheless.
That's when it happened.
Their teacher entered the room and was met with an eraser hitting his head. No one uttered to say a word. What just happened. Naruto, however, was the first to react. He started laughing trying to lift the atmosphere around him and it seemed to work until the teacher decided to open his mouth.
"I am not fond of any of you. My first impression is that I am not fond of any of you."
Then it fell silent.
"Meet me on the rooftop in five minutes," the man told the children before he vanished. Without a word being said, the three of them walked to the rooftop in silence.
After they reached their destination, the kids sat down in a circle. "Please introduce yourself," said the teacher but none of the students spoke.
"What do you mean by that? What exactly do you want from us?" questioned Sakura. "Why don't you start Sensei? Please show us what you want."
Though some might consider her question stupid, the people who really understood the question would say that it was rather intelligent. You just have to look underneath the underneath.
It was asked to gain insight into the opposite and to know exactly how much they could reveal to the enemy.
However, it seemed like their Sensei didn't notice it and sighed. "Fine, I'll start. My name is Hatake Kakashi. My likes and dislikes are none of your businesses. And my dream for the future? I don't have one. Now it's your turn, Blondie," the man introduced himself before pointing at Naruto.
The three swear-dropped. They only got to know his name. He was either mysterious or just plain stupid. On one hand, he seemed like a strange guy, someone you don't want to be around, however, on the other hand, he must have some skills to become a Jonin teacher.
"Hello, my name is Uzumaki Naruto. I like Ramen because it is the food of Gods but I hate to wait three minutes before I can eat them and of course I like Sakura-chan. Besides that, I dislike people who cannot distinguish between a Kunai and a scroll. Oh, and my future goal is becoming greater than all the previous Hokage!" exclaimed the boy happily.
It wasn't like he was overestimating himself.
Sakura rolled her eyes as Naruto mentioned her in his introduction. Kakashi only nodded his head and pointed at Sakura. "Your turn pinky-pie."
The girl huffed and crossed her arms on her chest. "My name is not pinky-pie! Anyway, hello my name is Haruna Sakura and I like... Well, the one I like is..." the poor girl couldn't finish her sentence as she became as red as a tomato.
"My future goal is... I want to be with... Uh, I really like Sasuke and I want to marry him in the future!" rushed the girl as she turned into the familiar red-haired girl Naruto knew.
The said raven only rolled his eyes. Who would he be if he married that girl?
"And I dislike Ino-pig and Naruto!" she yelled out.
The blonde, however, wasn't touched nor hurt by her words. Maybe he should. He loved her after all, right?
"Ok, now the last one."
"My name is Uchiha Sasuke. Likes and dislikes are not important to me and my future goal is more of an ambition than just a dream. I will kill a certain man who took away the only thing I had left."
The man didn't look that interested in the introductions of his students and stared at them with a blank face. Kakashi only nodded his head and sighed. "OK, team 7. Meet me at training ground 6 at six am and don't eat breakfast or you will puke," the teacher informed the students before closing his one visible eye and smiling.
After that, the man vanished leaving the three kids behind. Naruto sighed and turned to face Sakura. "Ne, Sakura-chan. Do you mind eating Ramen with me? I know a very great place," the blonde asked Sakura but was ignored and rejected.
Life was unfair, but was it really? Was he really disappointed in not being able to go on a date with Sakura or was it something else? Was he just trying to cover this silly crush on the person he cannot have by assuming to be in love with Sakura?
The girl followed Sasuke and talked his ear off leaving the blonde alone. "Seems like you have no luck with the ladies," laughed Kurama as he made sure no one could hear them. Naruto only rolled his eyes. That damn fox had to speak when not spoken to, huh?
"Yeah, yeah. I already know that, okay? Just leave me alone. You are the one not answering my questions," answered the blonde frustrated.
In addition, the fox kept quiet and continued to sleep.
Naruto made his way home. Or at least to the place he was assigned to stay in. As he walked down the streets, many adults looked at him with disgust and whispered among themselves. Knowing that the blonde was able to hear them.
"Watch out, there's the demon."
"Don't play with him. He's dangerous!"
"I don't know why Hokage-sama still keeps him around."
"Yes, you are totally right!"
"And do you see that Hitai-ate?"
"I cannot believe it! Why is he a ninja now?"
Minutes later, the boy reached his apartment and unlocked the door. He walked into the mess he called home. There were socks and underwear everywhere. His clothes were spread around the room and empty Ramen cups were laying around the apartment.
The dishes weren't done and the walls were quite old which resulted in being very thin. In winter it was extremely cold and in summer it was as hot as hell. The living conditions weren't pretty good either.
But that was okay because he didn't live there.
After the boy was sure that nobody followed him he teleported himself into the outskirts of the Land of Fire where a beautiful house was waiting for him. The house was built together with the people he considered family.
The huge house was a real eye-catch if it was found. There were seals all around the house to ensure that no one besides the ones who built it could find its location. Not even the Hokage knew of this and Naruto made sure of it.
The house had around eight bedrooms, two bathrooms on each floor, and one huge kitchen on the first floor. The windows offered a great view of the nature around them. On the first floor was also a welcoming lifely living room. It was decorated nicely.
A nice and quite expensive TV was in the room alongside pictures of important artists, pictures of themselves, plants, and more. The lamps hanging from the top were hand-made and took quite some time to make.
The couch was big enough for five people. Its shape fitted the room and beside them were two more chairs, two small tables, and a much larger one.
Going on, there was a door leading the way towards their lovely garden. There was an area where they grew some vegetables like broccoli, peas, sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, fermented vegetables, and such.
Fruits like apples, pears, citrus – oranges, grapefruits, mandarins, limes, nectarines, apricots, peaches were no exceptions. It took some time to get the material that they needed but it was worth it.
Besides that, they had a large swimming pool. They could fill it due to the water-jutsu they've learned over the years.
"I'm home!" announced Naruto as he entered the house. There were words of 'welcome back' and 'how was it?' The blonde smiled to himself. He was finally home, yet again, was he truly home?
Slowly but surely, the living room was filled with the people he called family. Not everyone was there. Some of them lived here while others still lived with their real family.
"Hey, how was it?" asked a nice girl. She was like a sister to Naruto. She was smart, beautiful, funny, and good company.
Tiger is what she was called while being on duty. The name was given to her due to her strength and courage. The girl did not pack up and leave a dangerous situation as soon as possible but stood her ground.
She was one of the seven people called into the Hokage office four years ago. The female was one of the lost children. One of the children who were willing to fight even though they could not fight anymore. She was a shy little girl as they first met. Bullied and ignored by the people around her.
People were treating her like she was made out of glass which she was not. Losing her mother at a young age didn't help this situation either. She was wearing her favorite comfy clothes. No shoes, of course. No shoes inside the house, it was disrespectful.
Her silky hair wasn't tied in a bun or ponytail. In fact, she didn't tie her hair at all, not like other girls do. The shirt she was wearing was a little bit bigger than her actual size but she didn't mind. It was nice and she could grow into it. So, they wouldn't waste money, as she used to say to her family.
"It could have been better," sighed the blonde. Really, it could have been better.
"Was it Sakura-san or Sasuke-san this time?" questioned a boy who rounded the corner and sat on the couch.
He was nice. Just like Tiger, he was lost, hated for what was living in him like Naruto. However, the boy didn't care, he never cared. All he wanted was to have friends, be able to be himself around other people but now he had a new family. People to call friends and family at the same time. People who cared about him and loved him the way he was.
He was a kind soul, a bit shy to be honest, nonetheless, he was one of the greatest people to be alive. At least, that's what Naruto thought about him. They are family after all. The boy was smart, maybe not as smart as Nara, but he was something.
The new boy who was part of Naruto's family was named Spider due to his artistry, patience, ancient wisdom, balance, and interconnection.
The boy was strong but he had a long way to go. All of them did. They were only 12. They may have been in difficult situations and fought against many people yet that didn't mean that they were unstoppable. They were surely weaker than the Hokage. They also had to beat the three Sannins which was in fact not as easy as it sounded.
The dark-haired boy wore another outfit he did not wear outside of this house. The reason behind it was his identity. It would have been too obvious. Everybody would know it was him who was hiding behind that mask.
Wearing a black shirt with grey pants and no shoes but white socks was his common attire but outside of here, where he was, of the place he called home, for now at least, everything was different. He wasn't treated with respect and he wasn't popular either, not that he cared about that.
"Yeah, you are right. I just don't, no, I can't understand why they can't stand me. What did I do to deserve this treatment? But then, the real question would be what did I not do to deserve this? I mean, I know what I am, at least I hope to know it, but still, that's not a valid reason to hate me," complained the blonde as he threw himself on the sofa and sighed afterward.
"Just give them a chance?"
"Haha, funny. It just sounded like a question. But that's not everything. I have the feeling that my teacher -Sensei Kakashi- can't stand me either. Well, he can hide it better than the other two from my team but that does not change anything!" replied Naruto as he closed his eyes.
"Don't be like that Naruto-kun. You know that wasn't our goal, to begin with. We aren't here to make friends," the boy reminded Naruto who sighed again. Being a pre-adult was tough. Being a child who had to grow up faster was even tougher.
"What are we going to do about my parents' house? I don't wanna lose it but at the same time, I don't wanna stay here," the blonde asked the two other kids in the house.
Naruto's parents' house was kept as a kind of memorial. Nobody was allowed to enter the house, not even the highest Anbu members. Only the Hokage was allowed to enter the house. Well, that was what the villagers thought. Compared to what was truly true, the villagers would be considered stupid and a bunch of fools. Not even their dearest Hokage was able to enter the house.
The special seal could not even be removed by him. It was a mix of Uzumaki and Namikaze's most hidden secrets.
"You can just get the seals and the most important things in the house and continue with the plan. Think of it as you have to run away and can only take the most important stuff from your house. Maybe that would help you sort out the huge mess. Don't let your emotions control you and do not forget what we were taught. Do you understand?" the boy tried to help Naruto.
That was one of the endless reasons why Naruto liked the boy so much. He thought about everything and always tried to help him at any given moment. He was calm and collected while giving the necessary answer to the question being asked.
"He's right, Naruto. Do not forget about that. Do not let your emotions fool you. You don't want to make a fool out of yourself, do you?" added the girl, and Naruto only shook his head no.
He couldn't let his emotions take over his plan, over his goal, and especially not over his actions. They were his consent reminder of not letting his feelings control him. It was kind of sad. Kids as young as they were, were taught to hide their emotions and were made to be nothing else than weapons. It was quite a shame.
All of them would either end up as a weapon, dead, an object whose only purpose is to bread children or end up surviving but being socially isolated and mentally unstable. That's the world they lived in. None of the adults or previous people who discovered that cruel system thought about changing it. None of them even cared about it.
Why was the world like that?
Naruto nodded his head again and opened his eyes. He stretched his left arm up to the ceiling as he spoke. "You are right. I shouldn't be controlled by something as useless as feelings. What does love do? Does it help me to keep going or does it shatter my soul and destroy the person I used to be? What does sadness do?" the blonde asked. He didn't want an answer, at least not from the two.
"Sadness, love, jealousy, and all these feelings are useless. They break you as a human. Are humans that weak that they are broken by such little things? Why are these feelings called feelings? Why are they programmed in the human being? Do we need all of this to be human? But then again, what defines us as humans?" the blonde continued.
A twelve-year-old wasn't supposed to think like that. No one was. But was he really a child or was he just pitied as one? What do you call adults? How can you see if someone is an adult or still just a kid? Are adults truly adults due to their age or due to their wisdom?
"It doesn't matter. I should focus on our goal. Alright, what do you want to eat?" the boy ended up asking the other two who thought about the answer. What should they eat? Was eating that important or was it something the human being decided to need? Was it necessary to eat to survive or was it necessary to survive to eat? Who cared about things like that?
Should that question be asked at all? Was eating actually important? This would be a question another asked himself every day. Should they finally stop eating to be able to blend in with the others or should they continue with the thing they liked to do?
"Something simple would be enough."
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Total word count 4144