Chapter Three

Academy

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"Hinata-sama!" Naruto chirped as Hinata left the Hyuuga compound. "First day of the academy today! Come on!"

Hinata blushed, but the visits she had paid to the Sarutobi mansion for the previous few months had seen her learn to be around Naruto without fainting.

"Naruto-san… why are…"

Naruto shrugged as he took Hinata's hand, quirking an eyebrow as she inadvertently eep'd.

"Well, I checked with your dad and he mentioned that that grumpy cousin of yours would be escorting you, and he's just so depressing with all that fate stuff of his."

Hinata didn't know whether to blush or pale since she knew that Neji was barely five paces behind her and had undoubtably overheard what Naruto had said.

"It is fated that you will be escorted to the Academy today." Naruto said in a perfect impersonation of Neji and Hinata frantically fought down her urge to laugh even as Neji growled in annoyance from behind them. Naruto's eyes widened and he glanced backwards.

"Uh-oh, looks like he was closer than I thought… hold on!"

Hinata gasped as Naruto swung her onto his back and accelerated rapidly before leaping in a prodigious chakra-enhanced leap that many Jonin would have been happy to have been able to perform. Konoha seemed to blur past them as Naruto sprinted across the rooftops, leaping over alleys and occasionally bouncing off tree-branches before landing in a perfect three-point crouch by the gates of the Academy. For a long moment, neither of them moved, then Naruto spoke.

"Ummm, Hinata, are you alright?"

Hinata blushed furiously as she realised that she was still holding tightly onto Naruto. Unwrapping her legs from his waist and releasing her grip on his shoulders, she dropped to the ground as Naruto stood up.

"Sorry about that." Naruto grinned, rubbing the back of his head. "I tend to do that a lot with Ko-kun whenever we get into troub… ahem, I mean, when we need to go somewhere, so I just kind of… ummmm… sorry?"

"I… It's alright, Naruto-kun." Hinata half-whispered as a heavily-breathing Neji touched down nearby. "You're really fast."

"Meh, not really." Naruto shrugged. "I can only avoid the ANBU and other Jonin for a couple of hours. Less if Inu-san and Maito Gai join in. Inu uses dogs to keep track of me, while Gai is…"

Naruto shuddered and Hinata looked at him quizzically.

"Just… if you hear anyone shouting about flames of youth, run the other way. Trust me on that."

"H… hai, Naruto-kun."

"You… you… Hinata… sama… run… carry…" Neji panted, then he paused and took several deep breaths to gather himself.

"It is undignified for one of Hinata-sama's station to be… carried like a common backpack." He half-snarled and Naruto shrugged.

"Yeah… well, I haven't quite got the hang of Shunshin yet."

Neji blinked at the apparent non-sequitor which was just enough time for Naruto to deploy a dozen Kage Bunshin, half of whom promptly henged to look like Hinata. A moment later, they all scattered with the Naruto's towing the Hinata's behind them, leaving Neji stood in confusion. A moment later, he realised what had just happened.

"NARUTO!"

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"I can't believe you did that to him." Hinata half-scolded as Naruto led her into the classroom. From behind the teacher's desk, a chunin with a scar across the bridge of his nose looked up. "He was only trying to do his duty."

"No, he was only being trying." Naruto grinned as he guided Hinata to a pair of seats. Pausing long enough to ensure that she was seated, he flopped into the other chair.

"Oh, Naruto." Hinata sighed in humerous resignation. "Whatever am I going to do with you."

Naruto grinned wickedly and leaned across to whisper into her ear. The chunin watched as Hinata's eyes widened and her face turned red, then her eyes rolled up and she fainted into Naruto's waiting arms, a small trickle of blood leaking from her nose and a wide smile on her face. Naruto smiled gently down at her and carefully shifted her so that she was resting against him, his arm supporting her as her head rested on his shoulder.

"What did you do to her?" The chunin half-laughed and Naruto gave a sheepish grin.

"Well, I heard Eri-kaasan say the same thing to Yahiko-tousan once and I was close enough to hear his reply, so I just used it on Hinata-chan. I didn't expect her to faint, though."

The chunin shook his head and looked back at his paperwork. "So, she is obviously Hyuuga Hinata and you are… let's see, blond… blond… no, you're not Yamanaka Ino… aha! Uzumaki Naruto."

"Adopted big brother and part time bodyguard of Sarutobi Konohamaru." Naruto grinned. "Also the future Hokage! That's me!"

The chunin nodded. "I'm Umino Iruka and I have to ask, how did you know which classroom you were assigned to? All the others are still outside waiting for me to collect them."

Naruto shrugged as innocently as possible, which only caused Iruka to give him a gimlet stare.

"Oh… ehehehe… alright, ya got me. Jiji let me see some of the files yesterday while I was helping him with his paperwork."

"Jiji?"

"Yeah." Naruto grinned. "He's holding the Hat until I can take it. Ever since I told him that he can use Kage Bunshin to do the work, he's been training me to take over."

"You know about Kage Bunshin?" Iruka asked in a tone of surprise and Naruto nodded as he felt Hinata begin to wake.

"Yeah, I've got way too much chakra to ever be able to do a normal Bunshin, so I use the Kage Bunshin to practice my chakra control. I've got about two dozen doing tree and water walking, another fifty reading texts that Yahiko-tousan suggested and a dozen looking after Konohamaru-kun and giving Eri-kaasan a hand with the chores… Iruka-sensei, is something wrong?"

Iruka stared at him, wide eyed, then he glanced at the now-recovered Hinata, who nodded in confirmation of what Naruto had just said.

"No, it's just… most kids have trouble learning jutsu before they're ten or so since they need to learn to control their Chakra properly first. For you to have learned Kage Bunshin, a Jonin-level technique…"

Iruka broke off and shook his head in amazement. "I think that you've got a good chance of being the Rookie of the year."

Naruto grinned. "And with Hinata-chan being so awesome, she'll be Kunoichi of the year and we'll end up on the same team!"

"I… I'd like that." Hinata smiled, then she turned red again as Naruto wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Uzumaki and Hyuuga!" He declaimed dramatically, "We'll get 'Flee on sight' ratings in the Bingo Book, just like the Yondaime did."

Iruka grinned at his entheusiasm.

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Konohamaru blinked as an ANBU appeared out of nowhere. Before he could do more than inhale in shock, the ANBU grabbed him and he staggered as the whirling disorientation of a Shunshin engulfed him. Trying not to lose his breakfast, he closed his eyes and concentrated on calming his insides. Once he managed to persuade his stomach that emptying itself was not the best idea, he re-opened his eyes and found himself in the Hokage's office, with his grandfather glaring at him.

Oh shit.

A slight movement to one side caused him to look round and his heart almost stopped at the sight of Morino Ibiki looming in one corner while Yamanaka Inoichi leaned against the other corner, both of them watching him with cold eyes.

Double shit.

Konohamaru sighed and sat himself in the seat in front of the desk, raising his eyes to meet his grandfather. There was no sign now of the genial old man who often treated Konohamaru and Naruto to ramen, this was the gaze of the Professor, piercing and analysing.

Time to change the rules. Thank Kami that Rokudaime Naruto had briefed him on several of Konoha's secrets before he had been sent back.

"Code alpha-seven-senju, message in a bottle." Konohamaru stated and Inoichi inhaled sharply. Hiruzen merely raised an eyebrow.

"Interesting. Which Hokage told you?"

"The true Rokudaime, Namikaze Naruto." Ko answered as bravely as he could. "Have Inoichi do a mind dive for confirmation, I still remember the ritual used to send me back, and the reason for it."

A slight move to his left alerted Ko to Inoichi moving closer, but Hiruzen raised a hand.

"You said… Namikaze Naruto?"

"Sure." Ko shrugged. "Boss' dad was the Yondaime, after all. Minato even sealed a Kage Bunshin of himself into the Shiki Fuin to reset it if Naruto ever released eight tails. Kushina left her chakra in the seal to help restrain Kurama and help Naruto when he eventually decides to take the Kyuubi's power for himself. It really helps with his Sage skills, once he gets the Key and he studies under the Toads at Mount Myoboku, that is."

Hiruzen had frozen during the recitation, then he slowly relaxed.

"You two can go, this meeting never happened."

Ko didn't drop his gaze until the door closed behind him, then he slumped back in his seat.

"How did I slip up? Did I push too hard to get him trained?"

"You only slipped with the small details." Hiruzen said, rising from his chair and turning to look out of the window. "However, there were enough small details to let me realise that you were more advanced than you pretended. I had several theories but… message in a bottle protocol. How bad was it?"

"Bad." Ko said as he joined his grandather. "The Five Villages joined in an alliance against the Akatsuki, but it wasn't enough. Their Zetsu army and the use of Edo Tensai to bring back our greatest heroes and use them against us… then Onoki betrayed us and switched sides… at the end, there were barely enough of us to buy enough time for Boss to send me back."

"What were his orders?" Hiruzen asked after a long silence.

"To teach him." Ko said quietly. "To guide him into becoming stronger. Jiji, I know the Rasengan and the Hiraishin."

Hiruzen started in shock and stared at his temporally-displaced grandson. "The Hiraishin?!"

Ko nodded. "Yeah. Boss and I worked on it, we found a way to modify the seals to create a new version, one that he and I could both use, as well as several others. That's why I'm happy that Boss worked so hard on his calligraphy, it'll really help him with doing the tags."

For several moments, both Sarutobi's remained silent, then Konohamaru spoke again.

"Mizuki was a traitor in the last timeline. He tried to convince Boss that he didn't hold the Kyuubi but that he was the Kyuubi. You need to tell Boss before Mizuki has a chance."

Hiruzen nodded slowly. "How badly did it affect him last time?"

"Bad." Ko answered softly. "He told me that he seriously considered fleeing the village forever. Only the fact that someone that he respected was in danger kept him here. In a way, it was Iruka who saved him."

Hiruzen sighed. "Anything else?"

"The Uchiha Massacre will happen soon, everyone except Itachi and Sasuke will die. It was meant to be just the ninja planning the coup, but someone, we think it was Uchiha Madara, interfered and killed everyone else. Unless you find another way to to solve the problem, and fast, we are going to lose the Sharingan."

"But you said Itachi and Sasuke…" Hiruzen started, only for Ko to interrupt.

"Itachi takes the blame and becomes a Nunkenin, joining Akatsuki. Sasuke blames Itachi and goes all emo avenger, betraying Konoha for a chance at vengeance. When he discovers your old team-mates and Danzo signed the extermination order, he goes nuts and tries to destroy Konoha. You dying at the Chunin exams really didn't help."

Hiruzen walked over to his desk and rummaged in a drawer, pulling out a blank scroll and writing brush.

"Tell me everything you can."

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"Alright class, settle down." The scarred Chunin snapped and the students turned their attention to the front of the classroom. "My name is Umino Iruka, but you will refer to me as Sensei. I am your primary tutor for the next four years."

"My name is Mizuki and I'm the classroom assistant." Smiled the silver-haired chunin as he stood behind the second, slightly smaller desk.

"As I call your name, please stand and give a slight introduction for your classmates." Iruka continued. "I'll show you how it's done. My name is Umino Iruka, I enjoy teaching, I dislike those who waste the opportunities offered to them and my hopes for the future are to guide you into becoming the best ninja you can be. Now, Aburame Shino."

A coat-wearing dark-haired boy stood up near the back and adjusted his shades slightly. "Aburame Shino, I like bugs, dislike those who kill bugs and hope to become worthy of leading my clan."

As the introductions continued, Naruto took the opportunity to look at Hinata, checking that she wasn't going to faint again. When her name was called, it almost came as a surprise to him as Hinata rose, blushing slightly.

"I am honoured to meet you all, my name is Hyuuga Hinata, I like flower pressing and Naruto-kun… I dislike those who hate for no reason and I hope… I hope to become… a good kunoichi."

Blushing for no reason that Naruto could determine, Hinata sat down again.

"You'll become a great kunoichi, believe it!" Naruto whispered to her and Hinata's blush almost glowed.

"Th… thank you… N… Naruto-kun…"

Naruto impulsively hugged her and Hinata gently eep'd, then she returned his one-armed hug before sitting upright again, her entire face flushed. Naruto smiled, then turned his attention back to the class just in time to see a black-haired boy stand up.

"I am Uchiha Sasuke, I like training and my otouto Itachi, I dislike fangirls and want to become the best Shinobi that I can be."

Several of the girls sighed as Sasuke sat down, then Iruka read out the Naruto's name. Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly as the training that Yahiko gave him let him read both teachers body language and expressions. Iruka seemed to associate him with a past tragedy, but was trying to remain professional about it whereas Mizuki simply hated him. Making several mental notes, he stood up as everyone turned to look at him.

"My name is Uzumaki Naruto. My likes are Jiji, Yahiko-sama, Eri-san, Ko-kun and Hinata-chan." Beside him, Hinata barely stifled an 'eep'. "I dislike those who hate others for the wrong reasons and my dream is to one day take the Old Man's hat and let him retire while I protect the village."

As Naruto sat down, Mizuki gave Iruka a confused look before asking the obvious question.

"The old man?"

"N… Naruto-kun means the H… Hokage." Hinata said quietly, but everyone heard her. Naruto hid a grin as everyone stared at him in shock.

"He… calls the Hokage… the old man?" Sakura managed to choke out and Hinata nodded. "Wow. Talk about chutzpa."

For a moment, everyone continued staring at Naruto, then Iruka coughed. "Yamanaka Ino."

A blond girl stood up. "My name is Yamanaka Ino, I like growing flowers, gossip and shopping, I dislike those who make fun of my looks and my dream is to become a true kunoichi."

"An excellent goal." Iruka smiled as Ino sat down, sending a smirk at Sakura. "Here at the Academy, you will learn most of what you need to learn in order to become true ninja, worthy of serving Konoha…"

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"Hey, Ko-kun! Heya Jiji, early finish?"

"Hi boss!" "Hello, Naru-kun."

Naruto almost grunted as Konohamaru slammed into him, hugging him tightly.

"Whoa there, what happened?"

"Just missed you." Konohamaru replied, his voice muffled as Hiruzen walked over.

"To celebrate your first day at the Academy, I sent one of my ANBU to get some Ichiraku Ramen…"

Hiruzen 'oof'ed as Naruto promptly glomped him, earning a squeak of protest from Konohamaru. Naruto blushed as he stepped back, letting the younger boy gasp for air.

"Sorry, Ko-kun, I… kinda lost track for a moment."

Konohamaru mock-glared at him. "You just heard the word Ramen, that's all it takes to do that to you."

"You wound me!" Naruto mourned. "Ramen indeed. It's Ichiraku's Ramen I worship."

Konohamaru managed not to giggle, but it was quite an effort.