Ok! Back for round 3!
Thanks for 70+ followers, 50+ favourites and 17 reviews. It really does mean a lot to me, honestly it's kinda crazy. 70 people have an actual interest in something i have written.
A few things I want to clear up however.
Naruto will not spam Hirashin. It was either that, or Shadow Clone Jutsu being learnt, and well while Hirashin is way more overpowered it will be used less by Naruto compared by the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
You get me?
Like I would rather someone else teach Naruto to learn something like the Shadow Clone Jutsu, which he uses a lot and is practically his staple Jutsu for any occasion rather then the Hirashin; something which he might use when the occasion calls for it.
Naruto will not be a clone of Minato, that's for damn sure!
Thanks again to Common Sense by Stone Elbow, a great story that inspired me to write this! Go check them out of you haven't, and if you have check them out again! And Better Left Unsaid by Kenchi618, which you should check out as well!
Anyway I'll speak more about it later, so remember I don't own Naruto at all.
SPECIAL THANKS TO PK HE'S A LEGEND! EVERYBODY SAY THANKS TO PK PLEASE!
"Ok, ok. Class, settle down!" Iruka said facing towards his class "Today, we shall be doing another Chakra control technique. This time with leaves, however, it is different than you might think."
Picking up a medium sized leaf from his table, he showed it to his class who stared at him with confusion.
Sighing, he placed the leaf on his forehead as he concentrated hard.
"What's he doing?" A student asked, leading Iruka to point at the leaf.
"Watch..." Iruka said
The class watched as slowly, the leaf on their teacher's head started to rotate and as time passed it was only getting quicker.
The class watched in awe as Iruka described their task. "So all of you can stick the leaf to your forehead with no problems, but in order to learn higher level Jutsu when you are older there are multiple factors that come into play. Therefore, learning to stick the leaf to your forehead, while constantly rotating it is an important training exercise to reach this goal." He said to them.
Iruka started to hand out the leaves as he continued, "However, it has been a few months since we have done the leaf sticking so please refresh yourselves, and once I've cleared you please start to rotate it until lunch time."
He gave out leaves to all of those at the front as he walked to the back.
Choji was eating a packet of crisps, Iruka didn't mind of course as Choji did try in his lesson. His friend, Shikamaru on the other hand...
"SHIKAMARU! WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ON SLEEPING IN CLASS?" Iruka snapped at his lazy student. It was always the same with the Nara's, he had hoped Shikamaru would have been different… He was wrong.
Completely wrong.
The boy raised his head annoyed as he gave a tired look towards his teacher who was raging at him. After the lecture was done he yawned and put his head down back on the desk, leaving Iruka even more angrier.
'Why me? Even while this class has many bright students, each has a quirk that somehow diminishes their genius..." The teacher thought.
Placing a leaf next to him, he looked at the next two students who were eagerly awaiting their turn.
Naruto cackled as he was drooling at the sound of learning higher level Jutsu, ready to snatch away the leaves. His friend, Sasuke was holding himself back however the look in his eyes told a different story.
"Come on Iruka-sensei, we don't have all day! Lunch is here and I want to get this done!" The blonde boy stated, Sasuke nodded in agreement with him. As Iruka gave the boys their leaves they immediately went to work sticking it to their forehead. "So Iruka-sensei? Can we move on?" Naruto asked.
"Yes, both of you can move to the second task. Remember, try to stick and rotate it at the same time." Iruka replied.
The boy's nodded as they started to concentrate fully on the rotation task.
Iruka had a smile on his face as he walked past them and onto the next row.
'Those two. Even though Sasuke, an Uchiha genius is going to be the rookie of the year Naruto never ceases to surprise me even if his test scores seem below average.' Iruka compared the two students. No doubt about it, both would be fine Shinobi when they grew up.
After he finished handing all the leaves out, the last being a shy timid girl with the Byakugan trembling as she received the leaf from her teacher even when he encouraged her.
"Go on Hinata, you can do it!" Iruka encouraged as she nodded and focused on the leaf.
As Iruka sat down at his desk, he revelled in the peace he had created in the classroom. While his class had the potential to be so noisy, even the Hokage had to lecture them sometimes, this was his day.
As he closed his eyes, the only thing he heard were the gasps of children in his class.
'Wait gasps...?' Iruka thought, confused as to what was happening.
His tranquillity was broken with a loud shout from a voice whom he recognised came from Sakura, the pink haired girl in his class. As he opened his eyes he was shocked at what he saw, even if it was for a split second.
"NARUTO! HOW DID YOU ROTATE YOUR LEAF?" She had practically screamed, in between her staring at her "Sasuke-Kun".
Naruto, the poor buy, turned red at this loud remark causing even Shikamaru to turn his head and face him. 'So now he wants to look?' Iruka thought darkly. 'That Nara was a pain to deal with-Wait, was he rubbing off on me?'
Everyone in the class was staring at Naruto, some in disbelief and others in awe. Even Hinata, the shy Hyuga, was staring intently at Naruto with a smile on her face.
"Uh-Well-You know-" The blonde boy stuttered out, clearly not expecting this reaction. The whole class was encouraging him to do it again as he protested saying he didn't do it.
Iruka watched intently pretending not to notice as the boy tried to do it again but couldn't even make the leaf stick to his forehead.
'Odd. He could do it just a second ago...' Iruka thought to himself.
As most of the members of the class lost interest in him, Naruto gave a sigh of relief when no one was noticing, unaware of his teacher's eye watching his every movement. Naruto smiled when someone called him a loser from across the class.
'What...? That's an odd reaction. Naruto is further from a loser than anyone, in fact he rotated it without even knowing-' Iruka stopped his trail of thought as he came to a terrifying realisation. His student did it on purpose, he knew what was happening and achieved it before realising people watched him, whether on accident or not.
'He is trying not to draw attention to himself. But why?' Iruka thought to himself.
Before he could do anything the bell rang for lunch time, and all of his students bid a farewell. Before Naruto could leave Iruka called him over to his desk to have a talk, much to the dismay of the blonde boy.
"Iruka-sensei? Did I do something wrong?" The boy asked.
His teacher frowned as he shook his head. 'If he was hiding this, then what else has he been hiding?' Iruka thought to himself. "No Naruto, nothing of the sorts. I just wanted to ask you a question." He finally answered.
Naruto nodded as he replied "Ask away, Iruka-sensei!"
Iruka thought for a moment as he responded "Well Naruto, how long have I known you for?"
Naruto replied instinctively "Five months since you first taught us. Why?"
Iruka stood up as he collected his students test results and showed them to him. "Well Naruto, what do you see here?" Iruka asked him.
"...My test results?" Naruto answered, scratching his head in confusion.
Iruka raised his brow, asking Naruto to give another answer.
"Uhm-I don't know Iruka-sensei. What is it you are trying to say?" Naruto asked, clearly trying to get out of trouble if the look on his face meant disappointment. Disappointment that he got caught.
Iruka pointed to his first test that he marked from Naruto's, a test where he got seventy five percent. He then pointed to the second test, one where he got thirty one percent.
"Don't you find that odd Naruto?" Iruka asked the blonde boy.
The boy shook his head as Iruka sighed. 'He really thinks he can fool me...' He muttered to himself, half proud and half annoyed at his student.
"Naruto, these tests were repeats of the same test. Exact same questions so I wonder, how the first time we went through it you got a higher score than the retake? Every answer you got in the first test, were incorrect in the second. That is no fluke, believe me on that as your teacher."
Naruto pretended to scratch his head in confusion, but Iruka could see it in his eyes. Naruto was disappointed in himself. Disappointed in getting caught.
"See I don't mind Shikamaru getting lazy, oh I know he is more than capable and even he knows it. Everyone knows it, he just doesn't care. You on the other hand are a special case." Iruka said. "You pretend to be dumb, even when you are not and when something like this happens, or even today when you rotated the leaf on your second attempt you purposefully fail. Why?"
The boy's eyes widened as he knew he got caught in his lie. His posture went more tense as he replied "Why, Iruka-sensei?"
"Yes, why Naruto?" Iruka asked once again.
The boy waited for a moment, one that seemed like eternity for Iruka. 'Is he going to answer?' the teacher thought.
"Because Iruka-sensei, someone told me that a ninja should always try to be underestimated by those he doesn't trust!" Naruto explained.
Iruka scoffed as he responded to his student "Only enemies should underestimate you, never your allies. Everyone here is your ally, you lying to them about who you really are is breaking their trust, and that is one of the worst things you can do."
The boy scratched his head as he replied, his voice trembling. "It-It is?"
Iruka nodded whilst internally sighing. 'Of course he doesn't know, nobody ever taught him I suppose...' He thought to himself.
Iruka ushered Naruto to the doorway as he whispered to him "Listen Naruto. There is nothing to hide, however if you don't feel comfortable I'll make you a deal. Get as low as possible on the actual exam and I will let you retake it without the watchful eyes of everyone else. It will be our little secret. Deal?" Iruka said.
Naruto smiled brightly, his demeanour suddenly changing.
"Deal!" Naruto said, excitedly.
Iruka watched as his student ran out of the classroom as he caught up with Sasuke, who had been waiting at the end of the corridor.'At least he has friends who make him happy, regardless of what is stuck inside him' The teacher thought, unaware of the smile creeping on his face.
Sasuke watched as his friend devoured his seventh bowl of ramen, half in awe and half in disgust.
While he himself had personally eaten three bowls which was more than enough to fill him up his friend ordered an eighth, much to the delight of the owner. Teuchi, the owner of Ichiraku's ramen was a middle aged man who constantly wore a chef's hat and watched with a smile the speed at which Naruto was eating his meal.
"Easy there Naruto, can't have my favourite customer choke to death. Tanjiro! Prepare the eighth, now!" He said, leading the red haired intern behind him to raise his hands in a mock salute.
"Aye, Aye boss! Coming right up!" Tanjiro said getting to work with a grin on his face. As Naruto slurped the remaining bits from his bowl, Sasuke could see some ramen stuck on his face. "Naruto, clean your face. You have some ramen stuck there."
Naruto grabbed his tissue and wiped it, with a grin on his face as he replied "Thanks Sasuke!" Sasuke turned to his fourth bowl of ramen, and gave it to Naruto as he said "Three is more than enough for me. Have it!"
Naruto shook his head as he passed the bowl back. "Nah, I can't eat that. It's yours Sasuke, and I can't take ramen from a friend!" he said. Scowling, Sasuke offered it to the owner who refused it as "I can't eat during business hours" the man parroted.
"I'll have it, if you will!" A voice said.
Turning around, Sasuke saw a familiar silver haired Jounin approach them. Naruto quickly turned around as he nearly shouted, mouth full of ramen "Kakashi!". The Jounin laughed as he replied "Maa, Maa Naruto. Please eat before speaking. If you will Sasuke?"
The boy smiled as he gave the bowl of ramen to the Jonin who started to eat it, without removing his mask. 'How does he do it? Must be a Genjutsu or something...' Sasuke thought to himself.
Kakashi ate it all in a minute as he turned to the two boys and ruffled their hair, making Sasuke squirm and Naruto to frown. "You know Kakashi, we aren't children anymore. I'm nearly seven! So stop ruffling my hair, like a baby!" Naruto protested.
Sasuke nodded as he reminded the Jounin that he had reached seven in July. However the Jonin was hearing none of it as he grinned behind his mask, seemingly thinking up a response.
"Well, as long as you are not Jounin like myself, then you will always be children. Now, the last time I saw you, before my mission... When was it?" Kakashi asked, smirking underneath his mask.
Naruto frowned as he complained about how forgetful and late Kakashi was, always forgetting the most important things. Kakashi sheepishly smiled as he asked again what they were last doing?
Sasuke replied "You were teaching us how to walk on water. Remember?"
The Jounin slowly nodded as he asked what time they were going to meet today, however both boys agreed that they couldn't do it today. Sasuke argued that he hadn't learnt to rotate his leaf, whilst it was stuck on his forehead and Naruto just wanted to laze about for a day.
Kakashi nodded as he bid the boys farewell and left to meet with the Hokage for a 'mission report', whatever that meant.
Sasuke took a good look at the time as his eyes nearly popped out when he saw it. Dragging Naruto by the back of his shirt, Sasuke rushed to class in an effort to not be even more late.
"Hey Sasuke! What's the big deal? It's not like we are that late are we?" Naruto asked.
Sasuke stopped to catch his breath, as he turned to Naruto and managed to say "We. Are. Half. An. Hour. Late." Sasuke saw as Naruto's face dropped once he realised how much trouble he would get in, from Iruka and the Hokage.
"Oh," Naruto replied, his face in shock. Half and hour… Oh Kami, Iruka was going to flatten them! Both the boys ran to their lesson, and they arrived midway through Iruka's lecture towards Shikamaru, probably because he was sleeping in class.
Panting, Sasuke sat down on the floor as Iruka's scowl deepened once he saw the two boys. Almost as if a monster was unleashed, the teacher turned to them, fury in his eyes. "So both of you have finally decided to grace us with your presence? Only after being thirty seven minutes late of course." Iruka said.
Sasuke and Naruto were both trying to apologise, but Iruka was having none of it. With a dangerous smile he patted both of them on their backs and ordered them to sit down.
Rushing to get to their seat, Naruto gulped as he saw his teacher was waiting for them to start. "...Troublesome..." Naruto heard Shikamaru state, Iruka was now staring at the whole row.
"Anyway class, before I was so rudely interrupted..." Iruka said, turning back to the rest of the class with his lesson on History.
Iruka continued along with his lecture, talking about the five elemental Nations, and where they are located. However as Naruto was trying to listen, he was disrupted by Sakura who whispered to him.
"What did you do? Sasuke is never late"
Before Naruto could reply, Iruka had already thrown a scrunched up ball of paper at the pink haired girl, and was now staring at her with killing intent.
The girl turned around and apologised, leading Iruka to continue with his lesson. "Ahem, As I was saying. The last war Konohagakure has taken a part of was the Third Shinobi Great War. Can anyone tell me who our greatest enemy was in this conflict and what Land they come from?"
Kiba raised his hand as he answered "The Village of Stupid Rocks right? And we totally kicked them!"
Isuka shook his head as he replied "No, that's not it Kiba. However, you are on the right track. Anyone want to give Kiba a helping hand?"
The blonde girl sitting next to Sakura raised her hand as he answered "The Village Hidden in the Rocks, also known as Iwagakure is located in the Land of Earth"
Iruka nodded as he continued on with the lesson, discussing the major battles fought in the war. He then asked the class who was the key player in the battle of Kannabi Bridge.
Naruto raised his hand as he answered "Namikaze Minato, also known as the Fourth Hokage!"
Iruka smiled at his student as he nodded his head. "Yes, Naruto is right! The Yondaime Hokage had a mission which was to destroy this bridge. This bridge was instrumental in the turning of the tide for the entire war, Iwagakure had lost its main supply route and as such Konoha had gained a massive advantage."
Before Iruka could move on, a boy sitting near the back said loudly "Well if he was so strong, why did he die weak before the Kyuubi?"
The class fell silent, and even Iruka was lost for words. "Take that back! Right now!" Naruto screamed at him. The boy scoffed at Naruto challenging him. "Oh? And why should I? What are you going to do about it, fail to hit me?"
Iruka wasn't fast enough as Naruto leapt on the boy and started to punch him, not stopping even while Iruka tried to pull him off. The boy's two friends quickly came to aid him but were stopped by Iruka, leading them to taunt Naruto. "Oh look, the idiot is just as weak as the Fourth!"
Not even Iruka could contain Naruto as he broke free from his grip, and ran at the two boys prepared to fight them as well. "TAKE THAT BACK!" He said while pummelling them, meanwhile the class watched.
The second boy tried to throw his chair at Naruto, but missed; hitting a girl behind him who screamed in pain. Iruka rushed to her side to see if she was okay before Sasuke ran in and held Naruto back.
Sasuke turned to the boys as he said "Oi, won't you shut up already? The Fourth Hokage is a better ninja than any ninja that will come from your family, so just be quiet!"
He wasn't going to allow his only friend to fight those wasting fresh air.
However one with brown hair cowled at him as he replied angrily "Oh look, here comes Sasuke. You know maybe you're just a flop like Naruto, since he's your friend. And that's why you aren't as good as the rest of your family! That's what my mum said!"
Sasuke let go of Naruto as he himself was now angry.
"Oh?" Sasuke mocked.
The fight was over quickly as Sasuke used his Taijutsu to fight them, throwing perfect punches and kicks to their heads, while Naruto took a more simple approach of punching them in the face, really, really hard. However this was all stopped when Iruka with all of his force separated the boys.
Naruto was still angry as he tried to escape but found he couldn't
"CALM. DOWN. All of you, just calm down! Fighting between allies does not solve anything. However, I'm disappointed in you Naruto." Iruka said, stopping the fight.
Confused, Naruto looked towards his teacher who was staring at him, his eyes were low.
"Not only did this escalate because you threw the first punch, but you even got your friend involved. Not to mention you hurt your classmate who now has to go to the hospital as for you and Sasuke you will stay after school, we are going to the Hokage's office." Iruka lectured the blonde boy.
Naruto looked around and he saw the rest of the class was staring at him, mostly scared. As if he was a monster...
'Like the Kyuubi' Naruto thought.
Naruto and Sasuke both sat down in their usual seats, however Naruto was more sad than Sasuke who held his head high. Both were aware of the looks that they were getting from the majority of the class.
Class continued without any more drama, however no one noticed Naruto's face, if they had they might have seen a few tears during some points.
'Am I a monster?' Naruto thought to himself.
"So, let me get this straight Iruka. Both Naruto and Sasuke instigated a fight in class?" Hiruzen said while sitting at his desk, mountains of paperwork beside him. 'Now is not the day for this, well I guess no day is the correct day for this' Hiruzen thought to himself.
He was already behind as it was...
Iruka nodded as he stood behind the two boys, Naruto had a deflated look in his eyes while Sasuke was bored.
"Iruka, may I ask the boys why did this fight start?" Hiruzen asked.
Sasuke spoke up first confident as he replied "Well Lord Third, I was merely trying to break up the fight when those boys insulted me. And I will not stand for it!"
Hiruzen sighed as he replied "Well Sasuke, will you fight me if I insulted you?"
Sasuke shook his head.
"Then why did you really fight those boys? Was it because your friend was involved?" Hiruzen asked with a grin, he had caught Sasuke out.
Sasuke tried to refuse but Hiruzen was having none of it.
"Sasuke, there is nothing wrong with helping a friend. However there is a time and a place, and that certainly was not in the classroom." Hiruzen then turned to Naruto "And you Naruto? Why did you feel the need to start it?"
Naruto didn't reply as he was staring at the ground.
Hiruzen frowned as he asked again "Naruto?"
The blonde boy lifted up his head as he quietly replied "Am I a monster?" Iruka's mouth dropped as he heard what his student said and looked away guiltily, Sasuke looked at him confused.
"Naruto, you're not a monster. How could you ever be a monster?" Tears started to form in Naruto's eyes, and Sasuke tried his best to get rid of those tears.
Shaking him hard, Sasuke cried out "What are you talking about being a monster? Have you lost your mind?"
Hiruzen dropped his pipe as he ordered Sasuke and Iruka to leave the room. 'I guess it's time...' He thought to himself, his eyes slowly trailing a certain photo by his desk.
"So you think you're a monster? Why?" Hiruzen said as soon as the door closed. Naruto's head was still glued to the floor as he mumbled out something too low for the Hokage to hear.
"Speak louder Naruto" Hiruzen replied.
The boy paused as he said angrily "I said I'm a monster, because of the Kyuubi! Whatever I do people are afraid of me, even if they really hurt me! And I can't do anything about it!"
Hiruzen nodded as he responded "Oh right, I forgot you knew about the truth. Well what can I say, your father was one of the smartest Shinobi I ever had the chance of meeting, that book really goes into depth doesn't it?"
Naruto's head immediately shot up as he replied "You knew?"
Hiruzen gave a hearty laugh "Of course I did, how would I not? I'm the Hokage, after all."
"You knew?" Naruto said again, this time with anger.
Hiruzen nodded as he stood up and walked towards the boy. "Yes, and I know that your father died protecting you. Your father and your mother, so why would you disrespect them by doing this?"
Naruto began to cry as he responded "Why? WHY? Why aren't my parents here huh? Come on gramps tell me why! Oh wait, it's because they are dead. And no one even knows it, but if they did would they treat me differently? "
"Do you want people to know it?" Hiruzen asked.
Naruto shook his head as he tried and failed to stop his tears.
"Naruto, your father was and still is one of the best men I ever had the pleasure of knowing. Not only was he honourable, having a strong moral code for a ninja but he also loved his family more than anything. He and Kushina would not want to hear that their son was causing fights over something as small as this. You know the truth, and when you're older you can tell your friends, the ones closest to you about the truth." Hiruzen said.
He hugged Naruto as he told him it was okay to cry.
"Gramps-Am-Am I the Ky-Kyuubi?" Naruto asked. That was the question he was dying to hear the answer for. If… if his dad did seal the Kyuubi away, then why was he treated like trash? Like a plague, if he was a hero then why was this happening to him?
Why did he feel like a monster?
Hiruzen nearly choked as he replied "No. No you're not, you are Uzumaki Naruto son of Uzumaki Kushina and Namikaze Minato. A monster like the Kyuubi wants to only destroy, however you are not the Kyuubi."
Naruto looked up at him as Hiruzen continued "You might have it within you, however you are the only one to control it. To eventually work with it and protect your friends and family, to protect the village you love. That's why your father must have put the Kyuubi in you, because he believed in you. Because we all believe in you Naruto."
"Bu-But why? Why did they have to die? Why am I alone?" Naruto said, saddened. Each time he saw his classmates with their parents, he felt a pang of guilt because he was jealous of them. All of them.
Hiruzen scoffed at that remark as he replied "Alone? You will never be alone. You have me, Iruka, Sasuke, Kakashi and many more."
"I do? You guys don't hate me?" Naruto asked surprised, but inside he knew the truth. He wasn't alone, not now and not ever. While he didn't have his parents, he had something that was arguably even better.
He had friends, ones that will always stay with him. Friends that his parents would have been happy to meet.
Hiruzen shook his head as he responded "As long as you continue to be you Naruto, you will never truly be alone. As long as you don't give up being yourself. As long as you don't give in to the hate surrounding you. Even if you don't believe in yourself, believe in us who will constantly believe in you."
Naruto made a funny face, even with the tears streaming down his face. "But gramps, that doesn't make sense does it?" He muttered, confused as to what the old man meant.
Hiruzen gave a small grin to the boy as he ruffled his hair. "Maybe not to you, but to your parents, me and many more it makes perfect sense. Don't give up, I thought you wanted to be the Hokage?" Hiruzen asked.
Naruto nodded at the aged Hokage.
Giving up was not on the table for him, HE would be Hokage one day, he would make the village respect him, he would surpass his father! "I still do gramps," Naruto answered confidently. He was going to make his dream come true.
Hiruzen smiled as he asked Naruto to bring Sasuke in. Naruto left as he saw his friend and gave him a thumbs up. 'Sasuke has to know about the truth... But I'll tell him later' Naruto decided. He was afraid, afraid that his only friend would shun him.
His best friend. And he didn't want to be alone, not again, so if it meant keeping secrets he was fine with it.
"Gramps wants to speak to you... and don't worry, I'm better now!" Naruto said to his friend, grinning.
Sasuke matched his grin, as he lightly hit him on the back of Naruto's head. "Oh I know dobe, just making sure you understand it, even with your thick head!" Sasuke replied.
Naruto watched as his friend entered the office with a grin, and when he was certain nobody was watching he skipped down the stairs with the largest smile he could muster.
'You hear that Kyuubi? Even with you I still have a good life!' He thought to the monster sealed within him. Well maybe not a monster, the Kyuubi did speak to him after all, and while it was not pleasant... It was fun sometimes, hearing him speak about murdering people.
However, Naruto's fun evaporated as he entered the reception area and saw Iruka-sensei being lectured by a woman.
"No, no so you mean to tell me that you are punishing my son for helping a friend? I thought at least an instructor who teaches my son would treat my son, an Uchiha with some respect..." She screamed at Iruka, who was trying to save face by constantly apologising.
"I'm sorry Mrs Uchiha. Honestly, it was out of my hands. Your son, Sasuke, really hurt two students in his class which counts a major incident, one which must be reported to the Hokage immediately as it concerns more than a singular person." Iruka explained, his voice was somewhat higher pitched than normal.
She furiously snapped back "Well I'm his mother, I'm sure my husband and I can give a more suitable punishment to an Uchiha than you can!?"
'Woah! Is that Sasuke's mum? She's kinda scary!' Naruto thought as he tried to cover his face with his oversized, white t-shirt with an orange swirl in the middle. It was a nice top that he liked to wear most of the time. Not that he cared about fashion, he just liked what he thought looked cool.
Naruto tried to walk by his teacher and best friend's mother , but a hand grabbed the back off his shirt and pulled him back making Naruto drop the act. As Naruto turned around annoyed as he saw Sasuke's older brother, Itachi holding him back. 'Oh, it's Sasuke's brother!' Naruto thought, annoyed that he was caught.
This was not a conversation that he wanted to happen, not now, and not ever.
"So Naruto, what happened?" Itachi asked, as calm as ever.
Sasuke's mum stopped shouting at Iruka as with her fury she turned to Naruto. The boy in question gulped as he prayed to Kami, or just anyone who was listening that he would live. He had heard that mother's were scary, and only now was he starting to believe it.
However, instead of the wrath from Sasuke's mum which he was expecting, he was greeted with a friendly smile and a handshake.
"So this is the Naruto which Sasuke keeps talking about? Nice to meet you!" She said while shaking his hand . 'Huh?' Naruto thought as he was just standing there in shock. 'Sasuke's mum is... nice to me?' He thought, trying not to smile.
Itachi spoke up as he added politely "I believe what mother is trying to say, is what happened? I'm furious at myself that some boys dared to even fight my brother, not to mention his friend. So please, tell us?"
His mother snapped at him for being impatient and rude in public,something Naruto did not understand, but his mum did know him better than him… Still, it nearly made him grin as he saw Itachi scowling for a split second, before putting on his usual passive face.
Naruto looked at Iruka, who was sighing in relief for being ignored for the time being.
"Oh uhm-We were learning about Namikaze Minato, the Fourth Hokage and some boy called him weak for dying during the Kyuubi attack nearly seven years ago. I got angry and Sasuke defended me once they called him dumb for being my friend. That's it I think!" Naruto explained.
Before Itachi could speak, Mikito got even angrier as she turned to Iruka-sensei and started to shout at him for not protecting his students (Her son) in what should be a safe environment.'
"Uh-well it's my fault." Naruto said, quiet enough for them to hear.
Mikoto stopped her rant at the teacher, and looked at him confused.
"Well I got angry at a stupid comment and disrupted the class. I did something wrong and I apologise Iruka-sensei, I was a bad student today. I promise it won't happen again!" Naruto apologised, causing Mikoto to hug Naruto, something which stunned him momentarily.
"It's not your fault," She said plainly, patting his back "It was never your fault, so don't go blaming pointless things on yourself, okay?"
'I guess this is the first hug from another girl which I can remember…' He thought to himself, smiling at the notion. 'Well apart from my mum, I bet she gave the best hugs!'
As Mikito detached from Naruto's body, she looked ready to storm the Hokage's office and give the man a piece of her mind. "But why? Why did that comment get you so riled up?" Iruka asked.
Naruto scratched his head. 'Oh crap, I can't explain myself properly or else I'll be caught out.' He thought to himself, his lies had always done the opposite. Tell the truth, which was an annoying skill. It meant that he would always get into heaps of trouble after being caught doing pranks.
Before he could formulate a reply, Itachi came to his defence as he argued anyone should be riled up at any slander directed to the Fourth Hokage, who was a hero to all Hidden Leaf citizens.
However Naruto was soon dragged away by the older brother of his friend, saying that they were going to get food once Naruto's stomach began rumbling midway between his argument.
As they left, instead of going right to the centre of Konoha where most of the restaurants are, they took a hard left. Itachi led him to a secluded spot as he said "Sasuke could have been hurt, do you really regret what happened?"
Naruto blinked. He blinked again, and again as he processed what Itachi just said.
Naruto nodded. How could he not? He got his friend into trouble for something that was pointless...
"Will you promise me to keep my brother out of danger?" Itachi asked sharply.
Naruto nodded as he replied "Of course! He's my best friend, but why is something happening?"
Itachi merely smiled at him softly. as he responded "I'm not always going to be around. So as his older brother it makes me happy to hear he has such a great friend. Thank you, Naruto."
Naruto gave Itachi a thumbs up as he said "I'll help Sasuke, even if it cost me my life! You can count on me Itachi!"
Itachi nodded as he replied "I'm counting on you then! Remember, this conversation never happened. We just got food okay?"
Naruto gave a flashy grin.
"Okay!" He responded.
Naruto invited all three Uchihas to his place, and as they entered Mikoto's smile left her face.
"Naruto, you live here?" Mikoto asked.
Naruto smiled as he glanced at his living room. It seemed normal to him?!
"Naruto, there are countless uncleaned plates and bowls lying around the place, lots of dust which makes me ask, do you know how to clean? Not to also mention the fact that your fridge door is open and there is spilt milk around the floor everywhere." Said the mother.
"Well a cleaner used to come..." Naruto answered truthfully. It was a long time ago, like nearly two years ago now. When he had first moved in here, he needed help a lot of the time.
Sasuke asked what happened to her and Naruto replied "Well the people who live opposite me, in that building over there put her in hospital once so she doesn't come around anymore. In fact she told me to pretend like she never knew me!"
Sasuke frowned even more as he could not understand why people treated his friend cruelly?
"But Naruto, why?" Sasuke asked, confused.
Naruto took a glimpse and saw that Mikito was staring at the mess, however Itachi was staring directly at him waiting for an answer.
"Uh-well... I can't say." Naruto answered anxiously, this wasn't a conversation he was comfortable with.
Sasuke replied "Nu-uh! Tell me the truth, aren't we friends? Friends don't lie do they mum?"
Mikito patted her youngest son as she replied "Yes Sasuke friends don't lie, however if they don't feel comfortable with sharing something then you must be respectful. Or else, you will lose that friend, you don't want to lose Naruto do you?"
Sasuke shook his head.
"Naruto, do you know why?" Sasuke asked his friend "You don't have to tell me now if you want, but promise you will tell me in the future! Okay?!" Sasuke said with a smile.
'Maybe I should say...? But what if he stops being my friend? Or-Or maybe he will tell everyone else in class that don't know?' Naruto thought, looking at his friend conflicted.
Itachi raised a hand on Sasuke's shoulder as he said "Sasuke, your friend isn't ready to talk about it. Drop it."
'Not ready to talk about it?' Naruto thought to himself.
"But brother, I want to help him!" Sasuke defended himself. Itachi raised his eyebrows as he replied "You can't help someone who hasn't asked for it Sasuke, maybe some other time you will learn the truth."
Sasuke pouted as he crossed his arms and stepped away from his brother. "But that's what you always say to me! Maybe some other time! But Naruto isn't like you, so maybe he doesn't know how to say-"
Their mother interrupted them as she snapped "Enough! Both of you, we are guests at someone else's house. Behave yourselves or else your father will catch wind of this!"
Both boys apologised, to Naruto and their mother.
"No, no it's fine! I don't mind. And you are right Sasuke, I-I'm...I'm holding something dangerous inside of me! That's why people treat me differently!" Naruto said, looking down on the floor in agony. It was hard for him to admit this. That… that people thought of him as a freak.
Mikoto's eyes widened as she realised that if he meant what he just said, that meant he knew the truth despite the decree passed years ago. An S class secret, broken, something that would make the Third Hokage angry at the populous.
Itachi's face remained impassive however Naruto could see in his eyes that he was intrigued as to what Naruto knew the extent of the truth. 'It doesn't matter, Sasuke is going to find out anyway! And I don't want to lie to him anymore...' Naruto thought to himself.
"The truth is Sasuke that the Kyuubi which attacked six years ago, is sealed inside of me!" Naruto said, closing his eyes. 'C'mon Sasuke, please still be my friend!' Naruto thought to himself, pleading that the one friend he had wouldn't be taken away
...
"Huh?" Sasuke said.
Naruto opened his eyes as he saw his friend scratching his head, confused. "So why would they treat you differently?" Sasuke asked, confused as to how that was an answer. "Wha-What do you mean Sasuke?" The blond boy replied, as if his world was shattered.
"Well It's obvious that you are not the Kyuubi, as you would be a monster and not the dumb person right now. So why would they treat you differently? That's stupid, very stupid!" Sasuke said as if it was fact.
"But they are all afraid of me... aren't you?" Naruto asked. The black haired boy shrugged his shoulders as he replied "No why would I, unless you randomly turn into the Kyuubi, you're my friend! And even if you turn into it I'll still be your friend. Wasn't that obvious?" Mikito wrapped her right arm around Sasuke as she added "It shouldn't be a problem Naruto, after all you might have it inside you, but that doesn't mean that you are the monster. You are merely… keeping it in check, like a prison warden."
Naruto didn't realise he was crying until he felt the tears coming down his cheeks. People really accepted him! The Third Hokage was right, and so was his father. People really did believe in him .
"I-I-Thank you! Thank you!" Naruto said while wiping his tears away. Mikito threw another arm around him and pulled him close. "You don't need to cry Naruto, it's okay. We aren't pulling a prank on you, as if your mother would allow me to pull it off anyway."
Naruto glanced up at her as he asked "You-You knew my mum?"
She nodded as she replied "Knew her? She was practically my best friend before she died."
Itachi nodded as he added "Yes, Uzumaki Kushina. She was lovely."
Naruto stared at Itachi with his mouth wide open. 'He knew my mum?' He thought
"Oh yes, I know about your parentage. I met your mother once, while she was pregnant with you. She was very nice and had long red hair, she also gave me strawberry flavoured ice-cream. It was nice," Itachi said.
Naruto looked at him like a fish out of water. "Naruto, not only was I a member of ANBU at the age of eleven, I know many things that I shouldn't." Itachi added
Before Naruto could reply, Mikito changed the conversation completely as she ordered Itachi and Sasuke to go find cleaning supplies while she and Naruto helped to set up the table for food.
Naruto grinned as in half an hour the kitchen was cleaned and they were sitting down waiting to eat their food. "So Itachi, what did you and Naruto buy for us to eat?"
Itachi gave a small smile as he replied "Ramen,"
Mikito blinked. And then she blinked again. And again.
"Itachi... ramen?" She said, confused.
The older boy nodded as he replied "That's what Naruto insisted, plus it was the only thing we could get without being thrown out. So mother what flavour would you like, Miso or Shio?"
It was a long day for Naruto, firstly he apologised to the classmates he beat up. The one who jumped at first, Soma had completely dropped out of the school once his parents found out what happened so he couldn't apologise to him.
He apologised to his two friends, but Sasuke had already done it so his words were practically meaningless for them but to him it didn't matter. He truly was sorry, and he wasn't going to lose his temper like that again.
Before class began he and Sasuke also apologised, to Iruka-sensei and to the whole class for disturbing the lesson. Iruka smiled as he forgave the boys and let them go however some were not willing to do so.
Mainly a pink haired girl.
"So Naruto-baka! Decided you would try to corrupt my sweet, innocent Sasuke huh?! Well I for one won't- OW Ino, why did you hit me?"
Her blonde friend replied "Well first of all, he isn't your sweet, innocent Sasuke. He's mine so back off!"
Naruto glanced at Sasuke, who was silently raging on the inside and Naruto laughed a little. "Well look at that Sasuke, you have a fan club!"
Both girls stopped bickering with each other as they started glaring dagger at the blonde boy, who started to regret everything he said. Behind him, a shy voice said "We-well I for on-one acc-accept yo-your apol-apology Na-Na-Naruto-kun" Said Hinata, who was as red as a tomato.
Naruto turned around and gave her a thumbs up as he replied "Thanks Hinata! I'm sorry that it was you who saw me the closest when I was angry, I promise you that won't happen again!" He said with a smile directed at her, which seemed to almost make her feint.
Iruka coughed loudly and most conversations were cut short, the only ones that were remaining were through whispers. "Ok class, today we shall be discussing our dreams for the future. Now this might seem out of place from what we have been learning, however this is important as the Hokage which we were learning about also had dreams of their own once"
Kiba put his hand up as he asked "Iruka-sensei what does this have to do with controlling leaves on our foreheads?"
Iruka frowned as he responded to his student "Now, now, Kiba, don't interrupt me while I'm speaking. Anyway as I was saying, this also links to yesterday's exercise of rotating the leaf which not many of you could do. Today you will reaffirm what you would like to achieve in the future as a Shinobi, and this will help you for the rest of the time at the academy. Now who would like to start first? Shikamaru?"
The boy groaned as he stared at his teacher, who glared daggers right at him.
"Oh fine, this is such a drag. I wish to become a mediocre Chunnin so I can make enough money to live but not be known or have a bounty. Is that it?"
Iruka nodded and the boy plopped right back down to his seat, and began to fall asleep. "Ok let's see... Sakura what about you?"
The Pink haired girl stood up as she started to speak, but began blushing.
"Well I wish-I wish to be a strong Kunoichi so I can be with Sa-Sasuke..." She said whilst blushing heavily leading to the boy to snort. The blonde girl beside her began to laugh as she proudly exclaimed "See? Even he agrees, it's going to be me!"
Sasuke snorted that time, which led most of the class to laugh much to Ino's embarrassment. "Ha Ino-pig, looks like I win!" Sakura said with a smug look on her face, finally besting her friend.
"Ok... Naruto? What about you?"
The blonde boy stood up as he looked around his class. Everyone was staring at him, he grinned as he replied "Well Iruka-sensei, I wish to Hokage, an even greater one than the Yondaime Hokage!"
The class was quiet for a while, before some students burst out into laughter.
"Hahah! As if, you're the dumbest person here!"
"Ah yes, with your thirty one percent test scores you will become Hokage!"
Iruka silenced the class as he replied to Naruto "Well I for one believe you can do it, anyone else agree with me and Naruto?"
Shikamaru raised his hand as he said "Well if he said he's going to do it, he's going to try and do it. That's the type of person Naruto is, so best believe he will try to be the Hokage."
Hinata nodded as she agreed, even while looking redder than normal. "Ye-yes! I ag-agree!" Choji also agreed as he put his hand up while eating his potato chips saying "Naruto likes these chips, so I think he will make a good Hokage as well!"
Finally Sasuke raised his hand as he said for everyone to hear "Of course Naruto will become Hokage. He's got the skills for it, and he can fight pretty well. So I believe in him!"
Iruka nodded as he added "See class? Naruto's dream isn't as far-fetched as you would believe. If he puts in the hard work, I can guarantee that he will become Hokage. Now does anyone else want to say their future goal or dream?"
One by one, each member of the class said it. Ranging from wanting to become a Jonin, too wanting to specialise in Taijutsu. Iruka smiled at his class as he thought to himself 'I'm expecting great things from this class'
He looked towards a smiling blonde boy sitting near the back.
'Especially you, Naruto!'
After class, Naruto followed Shikamaru and Choji as he invited them for lunch.
"Huh? Lunch? sure what could go wrong." Choji said and his lazy friend agreed so long as it wasn't "Bothersome". Next up he tailed Hinata, who turned beet red as she accepted before quietly following him to get the last member.
"Hey Sasuke, you gonna join us for lunch?" Naruto asked.
His friend nodded as he gathered his stuff and left Sakura and Ino behind him, however he was not lucky enough to escape them fully.
"Oh, Sasuke-kun where are you going?" They asked while following him, making him scowl.
Eventually they reached Naruto's favourite destination.
Ichiraku's Ramen.
Each student occupied a seat as the apprentice red haired chef came out smiling. "So Naruto, you decided to finally bring out all your friends?"
Hinata blushed at the comment, while Sakura and Ino were too focused on Sasuke to reply. Choji nodded as he looked at the menu and Shikamaru replied "Heh, friends. Yeah, you could call us that, right Naruto?"
The blonde boy nodded with a grin as he ordered the usual for him and Sasuke, not before asking everyone else what they wanted.
They each tried to pay but the chef was having none of it. "Any friend of Naruto is a friend of mine, so please no need for the money. This is all on the house today, anyway I'll get started right away." Tanjiro, the red haired chef said as he got to work.
Naruto looked around at his classmates as he smiled even harder.
Life was good.
And he hoped it would never change!
OKE this chapter is done and dusted. Longest chapter so far, although I've only written three so it's not that much.
Anyway one thing I want to make clear is the friendships between the all, and yes Sakura and Ino will have more of a complete character arc.
I won't leave them to become useless like in cannon, or just be ignored completely.
Anyway thanks for reading this! I still can't believe that this has over 80 followers, so thanks again!
REMEMBER TO SAY THANKS YOU TO PK THE BEST BETA EVER!
Until next time :)