"I just knew he would be late. Why did we have to come here so damn early," asked Naruto Uzumaki as he was pacing in front of his best friend, Sasuke Uchiha.
"He said tardiness would not be tolerated, so we figured he wasn't excluded from that rule. We were obviously mistaken," replied the Uchiha.
"Oh, right. I remember now," came the blonde's response, taking a short pause from his pacing. He then continued his pacing while saying, "Well he needs to get here. We've been waiting for almost two hours now."
"Wasn't that how late he was the last two times too," asked Sasuke. He then continued, "And please, quit your pacing and sit the hell down, Loser."
"Now that you mention it," started Naruto as he sat down next to Sasuke, "I think you're right. Something tells me this is how late he'll be everyday."
As soon as it became 9, there was a poof of smoke, signalling to them that their sensei had arrived. After the smoke dissipated, Kakashi was revealed with his book in one hand and his unoccupied hand in a lazy wave.
"Yo."
"Hey sensei," spoke Sakura sweetly, trying to gain his attention.
"Yes, my cute little genin," replied Kakashi.
"You're Late," screamed the pinkette with the meanest glare she could muster.
"Oh yeah, I guess you're right. Sorry about that, I got lost on the road of life," came the Jonin's lame excuse. "Anyways, I have an important question. Would you guys like training or a mission?"
"Training. Definitely training," replied Naruto and Sasuke simultaneously.
"Are you sure? I could try and pull a few strings and get us an S-rank mission," asked Kakashi, trying to make it sound appealing. All that it did was make Naruto and Sasuke laugh.
"Like they would allow a squad of rookie Genin, literally just out of the academy, like seriously, we just got out the day before yesterday, to take an S-rank mission. Even if it was with the famous Copy Ninja Kakashi," stated Sasuke after he had finished his laughter.
"Oh wow, Sasuke. You're so smart. I'm sure Naruto didn't know that. He was probably just laughing because you were." exclaimed Sakura.
Knowing saying anything would be in vain, Naruto began to address Kakashi, "So sensei, how about that training?"
"Alright, fine, I got a good measure of your skills yesterday, well except for Sakura's, so you two come with me while I leave a Shadow Clone here that can teach Sakura," explained the Jonin.
"But sensei, a Clone is just an illusion, how can it teach me to do anything," asked the female of the squad.
"I'm glad you asked. While it's true that an ordinary Clone is just an illusion, unable to interact with the world around it, a Shadow Clone is solid. It can do anything the caster of the jutsu can do, though with one good hit, it will dispel. Which is another of its abilities," stated Kakashi.
"How is dispelling an ability," questioned the confused pinkette.
"Well the dispelling in itself is not the ability, but rather what happens after the Clone is dispelled is. You see, when a Clone is dispelled, all the knowledge that the Clone accumulated up to the point of its destruction is then transferred unto the creator." As Kakashi finished his lecture, he looked at the amazed faces of his Genin. All were exceptional students, so they each understood the applications of this jutsu. While Sakura continued looking amazed, Naruto and Sasuke's expression quickly changed to that of excitement.
"You gotta teach us that jutsu," stated Sasuke.
"You just gotta? Come on, come on," pleaded Naruto.
"What the Loser said, teach us."
"Yeah, teach us that jutsu."
Soon, they both started chanting 'Teach Us', trying to wear their sensei down so they could learn the ultimate training tool.
"I'm sorry, my little Genin, but I can't. Despite the Shadow Clone being such a boon in training, the chakra requirements are too great for mere Genin to perform. As you know, we all need a certain amount of Chakra to function. Genin like you have a little more than what's required, while Jonin like myself have many times the required amount. Now most jutsu require a fraction of your chakra. However, the Shadow Clone Jutsu expends half of your chakra, regardless of how much you have, which is the reason it is a forbidden jutsu. So if you tried to perform it, you may be able to make one, but you'll almost immediately faint, possibly even die, and then the Clone will dispel shortly thereafter," explained Kakashi, his minimal teaching skills kicking into overdrive.
"In the academy we were told it's possible to increase one's reserves, so can't you just train us to increase our reserves until we can safely perform the jutsu," asked Sasuke.
"What the academy taught is correct, though before increasing the amount of chakra you have, I'll be training you in the more basic skills a ninja needs. I was planning on starting off with some basic teamwork building exercises, but after yesterday, I'd say you guys have that down to the required level. So instead, I'll be training you in different things. I noticed Sakura wasn't in the fight much, besides of course your impressive kunai throwing, so my Shadow Clone will be training you in some taijutsu along with strength building and increasing your stamina. As for Naruto and Sasuke, I'll be training you in chakra control. I wasn't planning on teaching my squad this until much later, but you guys are a special case," explained Kakashi.
After that, Kakashi made his Shadow Clone, and since it was a copy of him, it already knew what to do. Kakashi then motioned for the two Rivals to follow him.
"So Kakashi-sensei, what did you mean when you said you'll be training us in Chakra control," asked Naruto
"I'm gonna teach you how to climb trees."
~A Few Hours Later~
"Man, who knew climbing trees was so hard," a blond asked rhetorically to the person on the opposite side of the table in the small cafe that they had stopped at.
"I know what you mean, I wasn't expecting the first day of training to be like this," replied the Uchiha.
"Does that mean you're quitting, Bastard." asked Naruto with a grin, knowing the answer.
"What? Of course not. Are you, Loser," asked Sasuke.
"Definitely not, I can't wait until tomorrow, it's going to be great, and I know I'll master it before you do, you Bastard," declared the blond, jumping to his feet, all prior aches and pains forgotten.
"As if, Loser, I'll master it in half the time you do," stated Sasuke, matching his rival's movements so they could glare at each other, though it was with no malice, as they both had smirks plastered on their faces.
Right as it seemed that the two were about to rush off to the nearest training ground to continue climbing trees, an ANBU Black Ops member appeared.
"Naruto Uzumaki, you are requested to be seen by Lord Hokage," the member of the elite ninja who served and protected the Hokage, who seemed to have multiple characteristics that made them believe it was a female. They then looked across to the blond's companion. "Lord Hokage stated that if you so wish, Sasuke Uchiha may accompany you." Without another word, the ANBU member disappeared, leaving two stunned 12-year-olds in, presumably, her wake.
"Well, I guess we should go, that is if you want to come as well," spoke Naruto
"I would, but I'm actually low on groceries so I need to go shopping for dinner tonight, let me know what happens, though," replied Sasuke as he stood up.
"I will as long as it's not some big S-rank secret," Naruto said with a chuckle.
"Hn, like they'd ever tell a Loser like you an S-rank secret," came Sasuke's response with a smirk.
"Whatever, Bastard, as I'll see you tomorrow at the team's usual spot and time," Naruto replied. With that, the two parted ways with a fist bump, one headed in the direction of the Hokage Tower, the other in the direction of the market district.
~Hokage Tower, 10 Minutes Later~
"Ah good, Naruto, my boy, you came, and so soon," Spoke Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, with a smile on his old face. As usual, he was clad in the red and white Hokage robes made by the same seamstress who made both his predecessor's and his successor's robes.
"What's up, Old Man, here to finally give up the hat," asked the blonde with a grin.
"You're not quite there, though I would like to take this time to congratulate you," Sated Hiruzen.
"The old age must be really getting to you, Old Man, you already did that," stated Naruto with a grin.
"Yes, you're quite right. I did congratulate you, but as a Hokage. I would like to take this time to congratulate you as a surrogate Grandfather," stated Hiruzen. The blonde's eyes were wide, and the elderly man could see a few glistening tears threatening to fall from the boy's eyes. The Sarutobi clan head then continued, "I have watched you grow from an infant into the fine young shinobi I see before me, and I couldn't be prouder. I've seen the way the villagers look at you, their glares, their hateful words, all of it. I wish there was more I could have done to protect you. I wish I could have done more for you. But not only have I seen how they've treated you, but I've also seen how you handle it. Lesser men would have given into the hate and fought back with more hate. But not you, my boy. You only seek to prove yourself to them. You truly hold the Will of Fire."
By this time, Naruto was crying openly, not caring about rule 25 of the Shinobi Principles of Conduct. Right now, he wasn't in the presence of his Hokage, he was being praised by the one person who's opinion he held higher than Sasuke's, his grandfather. Although He wasn't a Sarutobi Clansmen, Hiruzen was just that, his grandfather. Like all boys do when their grandfather gives them a speech so heartfelt and full of love, Naruto raced over and gave his surrogate grandfather a hug. Before long, there was a large wet spot on the Hokage's robes, but he paid it little mind, as all he cared about in that moment was the vulnerable young boy who had suffered too greatly at the hands of the village he called home.
After about twenty minutes, Naruto removed himself from the Old Man's embrace, and backed up to the other side of the Hokage's desk.
"Uh, sorry I got your robes wet," apologized the blond, whose eyes were noticeably more red than they were when he entered the room, though no one paid it any mind.
"Think nothing of it, my boy. Now there's another reason I called you here. Kakashi told me what transpired at training today, regarding you wanting to learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu. Now normally, for a Genin, that'd be an automatic 'no'. But your case is a little more.. Special," stated Hiruzen. At Naruto's questioning glance, though, he continued, "You have more chakra than a normal Genin. In fact, you have the same, if not more chakra than I do."
At this revelation, Naruto's eyes grew wider than Hiruzen had ever seen someone's eyes grow, and considering he's bordering seventy, that was saying something.
So many thoughts were going through his head right now, though the most prominent one being 'How could I, a mere Genin, have more, or even close to the same amount of chakra as the Hokage, who had been a ninja for longer than a good majority of the people in the village had been alive?'
Naruto had learned a lot about the man he called Old Man over his tenure at the academy. He learning of his surrogate grandfather's moniker, The God of Shinobi. How could he have anywhere near the amount of chakra that someone with that nickname has?
"How could I have anywhere near the amount of chakra that you have, God of Shinobi," asked Naruto, forsaking his loving nickname just this once to reiterate his point.
"Before I tell you that, I would like to continue what I was saying about your training today. Since you do indeed have so much chakra, I am allowing an exception of the rule for this jutsu. I would like to teach it to you," stated the Third Hokage.
"W-w-w-what?"
"I said I'd like to teach it to you, the Shadow Clone Jutsu," restated the elderly shinobi.
"Can Sasuke learn it too," was the first coherent thought that came out of Naruto's mouth after the revelation that he'd be learning such a useful technique.
'Even when he's told he can learn such a useful training tool, he thinks of others first,' thought Hiruzen before speaking aloud, "I'm sorry, Naruto, but I can't teach it to a normal Genin like Sasuke."
"But Sasuke is anything but a normal Genin," came Naruto's rebuttal of the hird's previous statement. "He's the son of the Uchiha clan, the most prestigious ninja clan out of the Leaf village, he's a prodigy in his own right, he's trained with me rigorously everyday for the past two years, and his brother murdered his clan. Not to mention he can already do the Great Fireball Jutsu."
"You make fair points, but I'm not convinced he should be allowed to learn it," stated Sarutobi.
"Then come with us to our next training session, he'll show you that he deserves to learn this jutsu just as much as I do," Naruto proclaimed.
"Very well, I will meet with you at Training ground 7 at 7 tomorrow, and we shall see if Sasuke truly deserves to learn such a chakra-extensive technique," stated Hiruzen.
"Hooray," shouted Naruto as he jumped up and down in excitement. After a few hops, he settled down with a confused look plastered across his face. The next thing he asked what the Third had dreaded most about this meeting, "So why do I have such large chakra reserves?"
"That question has two answers, yet I can only go into detail about one at this very moment, I'm afraid," responded Hiruzen with a downcast expression. "One reason is due to your heritage, particularly your mother's heritage. Her clan was partially known for their large amounts of chakra. I'm afraid I can't go into much more detail, as your mother had many enemies, and she did not want you in danger until you could protect yourself. She told me to tell you about her when you became Chunin."
At this revelation, Naruto became saddened. He always dreamed about having parents, but that dream never came true. Now here he had the name of his mother within his grasp, yet he couldn't reach it. But he soon realized two facts that made him quite happy.
"You said she didn't want me in danger, right," asked Naruto. At this, the Hokage nodded. "So she loved me. If she cared that much about me, she had to love me, right?" With this revelation, he soon felt the stinging in his eyes, but fought back his tears of joy, as he had already cried once that day, and did not want to do it again. The second fact that made him happy was the fact that he had a clan, which meant he had family. But he was smart enough to figure out that his Old Man wasn't going to part with any information on them.
"So what is the other answer to my large amount of chakra," asked Naruto once he remembered what Hiruzen had said.
"That, my poor boy, requires a history lesson. You know of the Nine-Tails' attack on the village, correct," asked the Third. Naruto nodded almost immediately, for it had been the fight that had killed his hero, the Fourth Hokage. Now Naruto was a smart boy, but that didn't mean he couldn't have dumb moment every once in a while. Sadly for him, this was one of those moments. He couldn't see any correlation between him having large amounts of chakra and the Nine-Tails' attack on the village. This was evident by the confusion on his face.
At this, Sarutobi could do nothing but sigh and wish the boy he cared so much for didn't take it too hard. "Well in the story I'm sure you know, the Fourth Hokage sacrificed himself to kill the beast and save the village. But I'm afraid this is not the complete truth. You see, the Nine-Tails was a being of chakra, a force of nature itself, therefore, it could not be killed, just as a tornado or an earthquake cannot be killed. But unlike both of these natural disasters, the Nine-Tails could be sealed, and was. But not in a scroll like a kunai or a book, no. The Nine-Tails could not be held by such weak vessels." As Hiruzen got closer to the truth, he could see the mask of confusion slowly chip away to a visage of horror, yet he pushed on. "The Nine-tails could only be held by a human, and with how powerful the Nine-Tails was, as it is the most powerful of all the Tailed Beasts, it had to be sealed into someone that was ready for adaptation, like a newborn infant. Alas, only one child was born that night of that year. So, the Fourth Hokage used a forbidden sealing jutsu, as he was a master of the sealing arts, Fuinjutsu. He sacrificed himself to seal away the wretched beast inside of you, Naruto."
With his story done, Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair, looking every bit the part of an almost-70 year old man that had seen too much, now including the crushed look inside the eyes of the one he thought of as a grandson. Many minutes past by with Naruto staring at nothing, his eyes wide from shock, unable to fully comprehend what he was told, until finally, "I-I'm the Nine-Tailed Fox," Naruto asked in a voice that held no hope, a voice that should not have belonged to a boy so young, a voice that told Hiruzen that if he confirmed what the boy asked, Naruto would shatter like glass.
In a voice that revealed just how desperate he was to make Naruto believe, Hiruzen spoke, "No, my boy. You are definitely not the Fox. Remember how I told you how proud I was of you when you first walked in? I am not proud of the beast known as the Nine-Tailed Fox. I am proud of Naruto Uzumaki, the boy who sits before me. The boy who shows me everyday that he is not the thing he holds. The boy who protects this village everyday by holding that beast at bay. The boy who will one day turn into the man I will be proud to call my successor." As he spoke, Hiruzen's voice lost the desperate plea for Naruto to understand, and gained a determination that told Naruto just how much his Grandfather believed in him.
Naruto then looked directly into the loving eyes of the man who had been there for as long as Naruto could remember, and Hiruzen saw in his eyes the determination of someone who would not let down his family. Then Naruto spoke, "You're right, Old Man. I'm not the Nine-Tailed Fox, I'm Naruto Uzumaki, Future Hokage!"
Holy Snap Crackle Pop Rice Crispy Treats. I finally finished a chapter for this story. I even did it before an entire year passed, though it was a close one. Sorry it took me so long. Though I did finish high school, but I'm also almost done with my first year of college, so that's cool. Anyways, I was looking through the reviews for this story, and they just got me wanting to write, so thanks to those who review, you got this chapter out here. I just hope people still read this story. This is definitely the longest chapter I have ever written. This was over 3k, which for me is a lot. This is the first time I've ever written something this sappy, so hopefully I didn't ruin the story or mess this part up. I also did give Sakura a bit of a use in this chapter as I kind of bashed her a few chapters back. Well I think That's all i have to say, so please, R&R if you want me to update.