Chapter 3

The sounds of battle could be heard throughout the Shi no Mori (Forest of Death). It sounded like two people throwing fists and kicks at one another. The two people were Anko and Naruto. Anko was not wearing her trench coat as it got lost during their battle. Anko prepared herself as Naruto was flying at her. He used the Bunshin (Clone) technique and created a mass number of them. Anko cursed and kept herself alert. Naruto could attack her from anywhere now.

She didn't have to wait long as a streak of fire came at her from behind. She jumped out of the way but it was just as Naruto wanted her to do. He caught her with a flying tackle in mid-air. He quickly twisted her around and used a shoulder throw to toss her into a tree. Anko hit the tree hard and gasped. Naruto smirked at his victory until he watched Anko turn into a log. He cursed as he was exposed, which Anko capitalized on. Naruto was suddenly wrapped up by four snakes and dragged toward the ground. He hit the ground with a thud. Anko pulled him toward her and when he was close enough, she held a kunai to his throat.

"That's my win." Anko said but with a very tired voice.

"Fine, you win! Now get these snakes off me! Why do you keep using poisonous snakes when you use the Sen'eijashu (Hidden Shadow Snake Hands)?" Naruto exclaimed.

"Oh, stop being a baby. They're not going to bite you." Anko said.

"You said that the last time onee-chan!" Anko just smirked and released him. The two sat and rested for a while. She looked at Naruto and couldn't help but feel proud of the progress that Naruto had made within these three months. His chakra control was at a level that put him ahead of his classmates. His taijutsu had greatly improved as well. She taught him the basics of the Hebi (Snake) style but told him not to use it around Konoha. What was really good was his ninjutsu. He was able to do the three academy jutsu and a couple that she showed him. One was the Katon: Ryūka no Jutsu (Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique) and he also knew the Doton: Dochū Eigyo no Jutsu (Earth Release: Underground Projection Fish Technique). The last thing was that he was able to detect a genjutsu and dispel it.

In addition, she improved his sneakiness, infiltration techniques and awareness. She could say that Naruto was going to pass this time in the academy. There was no doubt in her mind.

"Well gaki (Brat), this is the last day of your training with me." Anko said.

"What? But, I still have a lot to learn from you!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Sorry but my three month leave is up. Besides, it isn't like I'm going to stop showing you stuff. It's just that our time will be limited because I'll be doing some kick-ass missions." She said. She chuckled when Naruto pouted. "Don't pout; we'll still see each other. However, there is one more thing that we got to do before this all ends." Naruto looked at her and was wondering what she was planning.

X-X-X

Iruka stood at the entrance of the academy and greeted returning students. He was waiting for one student in particular mostly because he had not seen the boy during the summer. He did try searching for him but it seems that he had vanished for the village. He went to the Hokage about it but the old leader assured him that Naruto was in good hands. Still, he was worried about the blond and wondered what he was up to.

"Hey Iruka-sensei, how was your summer?" a voice called out. Iruka turned to the person who was standing in front of him. He was a blond haired kid dressed in a pair of black pants that was tied at the shins, an orange and black jersey that covered a mesh shirt and an orange coat with short sleeves. Iruka looked at the kid with narrowed eyes.

"Can I help you?" Iruka asked.

"Come one sensei, don't you recognize me? It's me, Naruto." Naruto greeted. Iruka dropped the clipboard he was holding. He looked closely at the boy and saw the whisker marks. He could help but be surprised.

"N-Naruto?" Iruka asked in shock. The blond only smiled.

X-X-X

Anko entered the Hokage's office and stood in front of the aged leader. He looked at her with a smile.

"I would assume that you have resolved your issues?" Hiruzen asked.

"Yes sir. Everything has been dealt with and I can continue on without issue. I came to get a mission should there be one for me." Anko said.

"Yes, I do have a mission for you but before you get it, I need to ask you about Naruto." Hiruzen asked. Anko looked a little shocked at the request.

"What would you like to know sir? I don't know what I can tell you though." Anko said, playing dumb.

"Now Anko, I am the Hokage and Naruto is very important to me. Did you really believe that I wouldn't have noticed that you've been teaching him?" Hiruzen asked with a raised eyebrow. Anko blushed in embarrassment. "So, do you think that he will pass this time around?"

"Without question, Naruto will become a genin." Anko said with confidence.

"I'm glad to hear that. Now, let's discuss your mission."

X-X-X

Naruto was getting a lot of looks from everyone in the class. It was kind of annoying but not surprising. He knew that his change of clothes would attract attention as he was not wearing as much orange as he liked. He loved the orange jumpsuit but Anko had told him that he was to get rid of it. He was stubborn about it but he forgot who he was dealing with. Anko just raided his apartment and burnt all his clothes. That when she took him shopping for some new clothes. She allowed him to have clothing with orange but it couldn't be too bright. He did like the clothes and the coat that she had specially made for him. It wasn't so bad after all.

He looked to his left to see his crush, Haruno Sakura. Normally, he would do anything to sit next to her but he was ordered by Anko not to sit next to her. He remembered the argument that he had with her about it.

Flashback

Anko was enjoying the bowl of ramen that she had swiped from Naruto. The blond was currently tied to a tree, struggling to get free.

"You know, this isn't half bad. Still, it doesn't compare to dango and red bean soup." Anko said.

"Blasphemy! Ramen is the chosen food of the gods!" Naruto exclaimed. Anko ignored him and drank the broth. She let out a satisfied sighed while Naruto cried at the loss of his ramen.

"Quit being so melodramatic, you'll just be eating several bowls once I let you go. Now, will you do as I asked?" Anko asked.

"I don't get what you have against Sakura but I'm not going to not sit by her just because you said so." Naruto said with an edge. Anko sighed at him.

"Well, I didn't want it to come to this but you leave me no choice. Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Jutsu)!" Anko called out. When the smoke cleared, Naruto face was white with fear. In front of him was Anko's pet summon, Kaijin. Kaijin was the bane of his existence as the serpent did everything Anko told him to do. He also had the annoying habit of conducting electricity like an eel. Anko just smirked at him. "So, what do you say now?"

"I hate you so much." Naruto grumbled.

"I love you too." Anko said with a grin.

Present

Naruto just sighed and sat back. He was awaiting the boring lessons that he would have to go through for another year.

X-X-X

It would a week since the academy year had started and Naruto was enjoying it some. It didn't take him long to cut class and make some people lives miserable. He loved that one prank he did on one of the teachers. What was so great about it was that they could never prove it. He was able to get out, do the prank and get back before anyone was wiser. The Bunshin had so much potential went it came to pranking.

He was currently lying on the grass as he was tired from his private training of doing chakra control. Anko had drilled into him the art of deception and he followed that advice to the letter. As popped up to his feet and was about to go at it again. He felt that he was being watched. He zeroed in on where he was getting the feeling and threw a kunai at the spot. He heard a small squeak and rushed over to the area. He saw someone and immediately tackled the person. He spun the intruder on their back and faced them. He was surprised to see the girl from his class.

"Hey, your name is Hinata right?" Naruto asked. Hinata could not answer him as she was currently out cold. Naruto was very confused as to why her face was as red as a tomato.

X-X-X

A gentle groan and the fluttering of eyes signaled the awakening of one Hyūga Hinata. She sat up and realized that she was on a couch. She recognized the couch as it belonged to her former caretaker, Yūhi Kurenai. She was wondering how she got here when Kurenai came out of her kitchen. Following her was her crush, Naruto. She 'eep' and was a little red in her cheeks. Kurenai just smiled at her while Naruto looked confused.

"Hey, is her fever coming back?" Naruto asked.

"I don't believe so. How are you Hinata?" Kurenai asked.

"I-I am f-fine. H-How did I g-get here?" Hinata asked.

"You have to thank young Naruto here. He was carrying you toward the hospital when we ran into each other." Kurenai explained.

"Yeah, you were all red in the face and I guess I startled you into your fainting spell when I threw that kunai. Sorry about that though, I was trained to be very aware." Naruto said.

"I-It's alright." Hinata said.

"Wow, you sure do stutter a lot." Naruto said. Hinata hid her face a little.

"Now, that's a rude thing to say. Hinata is just very shy." Kurenai said.

"Really? But isn't she a Hyūga?" Naruto asked. Hinata looked dejected after that. She was sure that he would not hang with her because of that. His next words surprised her though. "I guess that's ok. Most of the Hyuga's I've met look really constipated, especially the clan head." Kurenai nearly choked on her tea as Naruto said that about Hinata's father. Hinata looked at Naruto in surprise.

'He doesn't see me like the rest of my clan.' Hinata thought.

"So, you use that style of yours right? What is it called? Oh yeah, it's called the Jūken right?" Naruto asked.

"Yes b-but I'm not that g-good a-at it." Hinata said.

"Well, you won't get good unless you practice. Say, how about, as an apology, we train together after school?" Naruto suggested.

"R-Really?" Hinata asked with surprise.

"Sure, you don't act like the typical Hyūga. You seem nice. Why don't we train together?" Naruto said. Hinata couldn't be happier. Naruto didn't think of her like the rest of her clan and he was willing to hang with her. It was a start that she could work on. Kurenai was happy for her. She knew how much Hinata admired the blond jinchūriki and would help her any way she can.

"I think that is a great idea. You can both grow from training from each other. Who knows, you two might become friends." Kurenai added. This made both of them smile. Hinata smiled because it would mean that she would be spending time with her crush. Naruto smiled because he might be gaining a friend. Things were changing in the life of Uzumaki Naruto and it looked like that it was getting better.

X-X-X-X-X

Authors' Notes: I hope you enjoy the change I did with Naruto and Hinata. I liked the other one but this one just seemed more believable. Anyway, enjoy the chapter.