Chapter 6

Naruto sighed as he entered the academy for the last time. It had been a long three days for the blond. Since the Mizuki incident, Naruto was kept awake, thinking about what he learned. He would look down at his stomach at times and wonder how the Yondaime put something so big in his gut. After a while, he went back to Anko's way of thinking. Who cared if he had the beast of destruction sealed within him? The old man didn't care, Anko didn't care and the two people at the ramen stand didn't care so why should he? With that thinking, Naruto was able to sleep without any problems.

The next day was the day of his punishment by Anko. Like always, she broke into his apartment and dragged him out of bed. She expressed her disappointment him and told him to think before he acted. After an hour long lecture, Anko took him into an area within training ground forty-four, also called the Forest of Death. She told him that he objective today was to survive. For the whole day, Anko hunted and brutalized him. He managed to survive by escaping the forest and running for safety. This didn't deter Anko who began to play her favorite game of 'tag', with sharp objects. It was a day of pain for the blond hero.

The next day, Naruto took his picture for his file. Luckily for him, the cuts healed overnight. He took a normal picture surprising the old Hokage. Naruto simply told him that he was too hurt to make it awesome. That's when an eight year old boy busted in the hall. He quickly tripped on his long scarf and fell on his face. The boy stood and then accused him of tripping him. Naruto was about to teach the boy a lesson when he was stopped by his instructor. The little brat boasted about his name, which irritated Naruto. He then proceeded to pin him to the wall with several kunai and told him off before leaving.

Later in the day, Naruto caught the kid following him. He introduced himself as Konohamaru and asked to teach his Oiroke no Jutsu (Sexy Technique). Naruto agreed but for much different reasons. As the training continued, Naruto asked Konohamaru why he attacked his grandfather. He told him why and Naruto felt for the kid. Still, he felt that he need to set him straight and told Konohamaru that there were no shortcuts to Hokage. Only through hard-work could he reach that level. He also said that he would have to beat him to the seat and informed him that wouldn't happen.

They were interrupted by Konohamaru's instructor, Ebisu. Naruto saw the look that he gave him and was not happy by it. After Konohamaru's attempt of the Oiroke no Jutsu failed and Ebisu's insulting words, Naruto stepped in. He combined the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Clone Technique) and his Oiroke no Jutsu. It was way too much for the instructor who Naruto saw was a closet pervert. He called this move the Hāremu no Jutsu (Harem Technique). After seeing this, Konohamaru said that they were now rivals. Naruto just smirked at him. He then got Konohamaru to help him teach Ebisu a lesson. They took him somewhere unknown. The next day, he was found naked, tied to a post and was marked with words 'pervert' all over his body.

It was a great few days but Naruto was ready for his days as a ninja. He sat next to Hinata who greeted him. The two talked for a while when they heard a commotion coming from the entrance. It was Sakura and Ino arguing about who entered the class first. After a while, Sakura made her way over to Sasuke. This did not sit well with Ino who attempted to stop her. That's when everyone in the fan club attempted to get the seat. Naruto saw this was the time to cause some mischief. He got on the desk and faced the class.

"People, we have ourselves a 'Sasuke' cat fight about to happen. Place your bets on who gets the seat next to Lord Emo. Do I have any takers?" Naruto asked.

"I've got five ryo on Sakura." One guy shouted.

"I've have ten on Ino." Another shouted.

"Fifteen on the red-head." Kiba shouted. Naruto just kept taking bets, not knowing that he was now the attention of the Sasuke fan club. They did not enjoy how Naruto made jokes about the object of their affections. Hinata saw this and attempted to warn him but Naruto wasn't listening. After a while, Naruto stopped taking bets.

"Okay, we've got 2 to 1 odds on Ino, 4 to 1 odds on Sakura and the underdog is the red-head with the ridiculous hairdo." Naruto said out loud. That's when he felt the spike of killer intent and turned to see the group of girls. The red-head looked especially angry at his comment. Everyone held their breath as they wondered what Naruto would do next. Naruto faced the girls. He looked directly at them without fear.

"Okay, I know that you're upset but I have a good reason for what I did. It's because you are all pathetic and easy marks." He said with a grin. "Also, your hairdo is ridiculous." That was all that took before he was attacked by the girls, the red-head reaching him first. Shikamaru raised his head slightly to watch as his friend got pummeled by the enraged girls. He sighed and placed his head down again. He was pretty sure that Naruto would be alright. He'd survived worst.

XXX

Iruka walked into the class room five minutes later. He saw that Naruto was handing out money and that he looked bruised. He just sighed and didn't even ask as it was probably the Sasuke fan club that did it. Naruto never really got along with any of them. He called for attention and everyone faced him.

"I would like to congratulate you on passing. You have done well and I am proud to call you my comrades. From now on, you are shinobi of Konoha. Uphold the name and protect the village with everything that you got." Iruka said with a smile. "Now, we will be assigning you to teams and a jōnin instructor. So listen up for your names. Team one…" Iruka called out the name of teams one through six. He got to team seven and gave out a sigh. He knew that a headache was about to come.

"Team seven will consist of Haruno Sakura, Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke. Your instructor is Hatake Kakashi." Iruka said.

"Yes! True love conquers all! Suck on that Ino-buta (pig)!" Sakura cheered.

"What the hell man? You're putting me on a team with the banshee and Lord Emo? I thought you liked me? What did I ever do to you to deserve such a cruel twist of fate?" Naruto asked.

"That'll be enough Naruto. While there is no dead-last this year, you were placed on this team because of your skills." Iruka said.

"What's that skill? Personality?" Naruto asked, making some people snicker.

"Moving on, team eight will consist of Hyūga Hinata, Aburame Shino and Inuzuka Kiba. Your instructor is Yūhi Kurenai." Iruka said. Hinata was happy and sad. Happy that she would be with people she knew but sad that she wasn't with Naruto. Naruto grumbled about how lucky they were and that he could have used Kurenai's help. Iruka ignored the comments and continued on.

"Team ten will consist of Yamanaka Ino, Akimichi Choji and Nara Shikamaru. Your instructor is Sarutobi Asuma." Iruka said.

"What? Why am I put on a team with the sloth and fatty?" Ino shouted. She got a glare from Choji.

"Hey, never call Choji that word. Besides, he isn't fat. He's big-boned with amazing ninja skills. That's why the ladies love him." Naruto said in Choji's defense.

"I wasn't talking to you Uzumaki!" Ino exclaimed.

"When are you not talking? Everyone has been trying to find an off switch to your mouth since the beginning of the academy." Naruto commented. Ino shrieked and lunged at Naruto. Naruto just smirked and replaced himself with the nearest person, which happened to be Kiba. Ino straddled the dog using ninja. While Kiba was miffed at what Naruto did, he could forgive him this one time. "Wow Ino, I didn't know that you liked Kiba like that? Aren't you a little too young for such displays of affection?"

"I don't mind." Kiba said with a smirk. Ino glared at the both of them and was about to unleash her fury when Iruka spoke up.

"Okay, that's enough! Get back to your seats and Naruto stop causing trouble!" he shouted. Ino got off Kiba and stomped back to her seat. Kiba gave Naruto a hi-five. Iruka just sighed and continued to list the teams.

XXX

Shikamaru sat with Choji as they listened to Ino rant about how they would be the best team among the others. He just sighed and tuned her out. He turned to see Sasuke eating by himself. He then caught sight of Naruto. He was carrying some buckets of paint with him. That didn't mean anything good when Naruto was involved.

"I hope that you're not about to paint the Hokage monument again Naruto." Shikamaru called out to him. Naruto looked up to see him.

"Oh, hey Shikamaru how's life with she who never stops speaking?" Naruto asked.

"Don't change the subject Naruto. What are you plotting?" Shikamaru asked.

"Just leaving my mark on the academy, giving the new students something to see when they enter." Naruto said. He then saw Sasuke and smirked. "You should check it out too Lord Emo. I bet you'll be impressed."

"I doubt it dobe." Sasuke said and went back to his lunch.

"Hey Uzumaki, leave Sasuke-kun alone!" Ino exclaimed.

"I'm sorry. Did you say something?" Naruto asked.

"Don't you ignore me!" Ino said.

"I'm sorry Ino but I have to go. Maybe next time we'll talk." Naruto said. "Choji, we'll be having that ramen eating contest after you're dismissed." Choji gave him a thumbs up before going back to his chips. Naruto left with the buckets of paint, ignoring Ino's screech of frustration.

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Sakura sat alone, holding her lunch. She had a sad expression on his face. She had attempted to eat lunch with Sasuke but it didn't go as planned. As she spoke, they saw Naruto running away from some of the academy instructors. Sakura dissed Naruto and couldn't believe that he was on their team. Sasuke commented that at least he would be useful. He then called her annoying and left. That hurt her when he said that.

Suddenly, she heard something and turned her head to see Naruto. He had his jacket tied around his waist and was looking around the area. She noticed some paint on his hands and wondered what he did now.

"You didn't paint the Hokage monument again, did you baka (idiot)?" Sakura asked. Naruto turned to face her.

"Well if it isn't the shallow harpy. I figure that you would be stalking the teme, begging him to have lunch with you." Naruto said.

"Don't call me that or Sasuke that! God, you're such a brat!" Sakura shouted.

"Why am I a brat? Is it because I don't respect you or the teme? You know what I don't care what you think. I'll be going now." Naruto said.

"Kami, why does Hinata hang with someone with you?" Sakura asked hotly.

"Maybe it's because she's not as shallow as you are." Naruto answered.

"I'm not shallow!" Sakura shouted.

"So you say but I know how the real you act and if that isn't being shallow then I don't know what is." Naruto said.

"Uzumaki!" a voice shouted. Naruto turned to see two instructors charging at him.

"Time to go." Naruto said and took off with the ninja trailing behind him. Sakura was now feeling worse than before. She did not enjoy what Naruto said to her. It was just as worst as what Sasuke said. She was not a shallow person. She huffed and began to eat her lunch. She hoped that the instructors gave Naruto a few licks.

XXX

Kakashi entered the academy to go get his team. He stayed a little longer to look at the painting that was on the front of the academy. It was a really nice painting of one of his students with his foot on his other's student's back. Some people did not appreciate it but it was a work of art. He continued on to the class room where they would be. As he entered, he was rewarded with an interesting sight. Sasuke was staring into nothing while Sakura just swooned over him. Naruto was tied to a chair that was held off the ground with ninja wire. He was tied with chains rather than rope. Kakashi thought that the instructors went a little too far with the mask.

He got their attention and they turned to him.

"My first impression of you guys is, you're all idiots."

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