Chapter 1
(Graduation!)
It was a beautiful day for the leaf village as the sun shone down enveloping it in its warm rays. The many streets of people were bustling with activity. However, a loud shriek erupted causing all eyes to stop and stare at the monument where the faces of the past four hokage sat sturdily only to have white paint dripping down the first hokage's nose from the nostril; the characters spelling "loser" written boldly on the headband of the second hokage; a running nose and teary eyes for the third and as for the fourth hokage, his eyes had giant eyelashes sticking out of the bottom, teary eyes and a runny nose. Meanwhile, two jonin ninjas were chasing the blonde haired boy responsible for the vandalism through the streets as he laughed his head off.
"Naruto, come back here!" one of them shouted.
"You've crossed the line this time Naruto!" yelled the other. Naruto just laughed then leapt off of the ground with the ninjas still in pursuit. He held a can of yellow paint in one of his hands as he ran, sloshing it all over the place including his jumpsuit.
"Give it up," Naruto cackled in reply. "You're just bent because you don't have the guts to do what I do, do ya?! Losers! Wannabe's! You'll never catch me!" Naruto continued running and making the ninjas really angry as he kept evading them. Meanwhile, another boy was also being chased. His raven black hair glinted in the sun. He wasn't laughing as loud as his companion though as he tried to think of a way to lose the jonin's on his tail. He quickly took in his surroundings and devised the perfect escape strategy. He smirked as he went to execute it and once it had been he'd managed to evade them completely leaving his pursuers dumbfounded.
"Hey, where'd he go?" one asked scratching his head.
"I could've sworn he was here just a second ago," the other said. Meanwhile, Sasuke Uchiha snickered some from his hiding place. As they left to go search for him again, Sasuke decided to leave the can of green paint he'd been carrying behind and go meet up with his partner in crime.
Back with Naruto, the ninjas chasing him were still having no luck catching the young and obnoxious blonde. Naruto continued cackling as he landed once more on the ground and took off again into the air, leaping from roof to roof as the ninjas followed. However, where Naruto had touched down, a camouflage cover was dropped to not only reveal Naruto but Sasuke as well who'd caught up and hid at the last second. Naruto stared after their "would be" captors and chuckled whilst reaching back to scratch his head.
"That was too easy," he laughed. Meanwhile Sasuke watched after them scoffing with a smirk on his face.
"Heh and they call themselves Jonin!" Sasuke mocked. They raised their hands and high fived each other before an angry but familiar voice called them out from behind.
"Oh yeah, Naruto, Sasuke!" shouted Iruka Sensei from behind. Naruto being spooked, yelled out and jumped in the air flailing then fell on his butt while Sasuke yelled out and jumped away from their sensei also spooked by the suddenness and took up a defense stance, breathing rapidly. They calmed down a bit when they saw it was only Iruka.
"Where'd you come from Iruka Sensei?" questioned the young blonde. "What're you doing here?" Sasuke rolled his eyes and looked away. Iruka's eye twitched.
"No, what are you doing here, you two are supposed to be in class," Iruka said pointing an accusatory finger at both Naruto and Sasuke. Sasuke just humphed while crossing his arms and looking away.
"What's the point when I already know everything anyway?" he questioned the Jonin.
"Yeah, I don't see why we have to sit around all day bored out of our minds. I can just look off Sasuke's answers!" Naruto exclaimed. Iruka's eye twitched once more.
"Alright then, if that's the way it's gonna be," he said. The two boys gave their sensei a questioning look with some worry etched in on the side. A bit later, the two were hog tied and sitting at the front of their academy classroom for everyone to see. Iruka stood over them with his arms crossed.
"I'm at the end of my rope you two," he stated. "Naruto, you failed the graduation test last time and the time before that and Sasuke you might think you know everything but being arrogant and skipping class doesn't get you past the graduation tests either. Tomorrow is when you two will have another chance and now you're messing up again!" Naruto humphed at his teacher and turned his head away annoyed while Sasuke just glared daggers up at his sensei's eyes for his and Naruto's recent humiliation. Once again, Iruka's eye twitched irritably.
"Fine then, since you both missed it Naruto; Sasuke, everyone will review the transformation jutsu!" A loud groan of protest sounded throughout the room. A few minutes later, Naruto and Sasuke were untied and standing in line with everyone else. Iruka held a clip board with all of his student's names getting ready to start. As they stood there, Shikamaru Nara started complaining while staring at the two offenders.
"This is a total waste of time you guys," he groaned, letting them know his annoyance. Another of their classmates, Ino Yamanaka joined in.
"Yeah, we always have to pay for your screw ups!" she said whilst glaring daggers at souly Naruto.
"Like we care!" Naruto huffed.
"Besides what're you complaining about Nara?" Sasuke stated dryly. "I thought you hated sitting around and doing nothing all class." Shikamaru Humphed.
"Yeah well I hate physical labor more," he complained.
"Very good Sakura," Iruka complimented the first student he'd called. Sakura meanwhile beamed with pride having completed her transformation then turned to look at Sasuke expectantly.
"Didjya see that Sasuke?" she asked hopefully. Iruka interrupted her by calling Sasuke's name next. She continued beaming as she went back to her seat. Sasuke sighed as he stepped forward.
"Why are girls so annoying?" he wondered as he went.
"Beats me," Naruto replied as he and Ino entered a glaring contest. It was short lived however as Iruka growled out Sasuke's name from the front of the room after his transformation causing the two combatants to look forward. Naruto almost fell over laughing although he tried to contain it.
To get back at Iruka for the whole roped thing, Sasuke had transformed into Iruka but without any clothes on. Luckily the smoke from the transformation covered his hiney from the rest of the class which had the boys laughing and the girls snickering. Iruka meanwhile was not pleased. Sasuke transformed back and stalked back to his seat with a smirk on his face. His transformation had given Naruto a naughtier idea.
Iruka, trying to push the Uchiha's offense to the back of his mind to be dealt with later, then called up Naruto's name and Naruto smugly walked up to the front of the class. Shikamaru watched him thinking, he's definitely up to something.
Naruto stood at the front now with the rest of the class, save for Sasuke and a certain blue haired girl down the line, staring daggers at his back blaming him for their predicament. Naruto continued grinning as he made the appropriate sign for the transformation.
"Transform!" he stated loudly. The sound of moving chakra echoed throughout the room and in a puff of smoke, Naruto had transformed but not into his teacher. Instead, in Naruto's place stood a naked woman with huge breasts looking sexily at Iruka. She winked at him and said, "Hey sensei, gimme an A plus; yeah?" in the most sexiest voice she could manage. Iruka was caught completely by surprise and before he knew it, a fountain of blood erupted from his nose sending him swirling backwards dizzily. Naruto meanwhile had transformed back laughing hard.
"Gotcha!" he exclaimed. "That's my sexy jutsu!" he continued laughing. Sasuke meanwhile was trying to suppress an ugly grin. Iruka was back on his feet having had it with his two troublemakers.
"Cut the stupid tricks!" he yelled. "This is your last warning!" and with that, the blonde made his way back to his seat, fist bumping his best friend and only brother along the way.
Much later however, the two were grumbling again as Iruka supervised their cleaning of the Hokage monument. Naruto and Sasuke were both working on the first hokage's face.
"Humph, this sucks!" Naruto grumbled to himself.
"Yeah I thought it looked rather fitting," Sasuke grumbled back. They shared a quick glance and a faint smirk then turned back to their jobs.
"You two aren't going home till you've cleaned off every single drop of paint!" Iruka stated. "And don't think I'm not telling Sarah about this!" Sasuke scoffed.
"Heh, whatever, she's away on a mission right now," he said. Iruka glared down at the Uchiha.
"Well then I suppose telling Kisuke will suffice."
"Can't," said Naruto. "He's on the road again for work." Iruka was taken aback.
"Oh!" he exclaimed. He entered into deep thought over the matter. "Hey you guys," he finally called down. The two boys looked up.
"Yeah, what do you want now sensei?" questioned Naruto grumpily. Iruka looked up at the sky with his index finger on his chin in thought.
"Well, I was just thinking…maybe when you have this all cleaned up, I can take you both out for some ramen since Sarah and Kisuke are away. What do you think?" He looked down at Naruto's now lit up face, excited at the idea. Then Iruka turned to Sasuke who looked just as pleased but not as enthusiastic since ramen wasn't his favourite food in the world, although it did come in as a close second. Iruka smiled now that he had the boy's attention.
"Hah, now that's some serious motivation, I'll have this clean in no time!" exclaimed the blonde excitedly. Then he turned to Sasuke grinning. "And don't worry Sasuke, if you get tired I'll just pick up your slack!" Sasuke scoffed back at him.
"Heh, my slack?" he questioned mockingly. "Last time I checked, you're the lazy one when it comes to chores!"
"What, no way, that's totally you. You're always leaving them to the last minute!" Naruto protested.
"At least I get them done," retorted Sasuke. "You don't even finish the job half the time! I'll probably have to pick up your slack because you'll get too lazy!"
"Oh yeah tough guy, bring it on! I'll have this monument cleaned faster than it was painted!" Naruto turned away from Sasuke then and started scrubbing like crazy. Sasuke growled getting started vigorously scrubbing at his own end.
"Not it I finish first! Just watch, with my speed I'll clean circles around you loser!" he snapped back.
"Dream on, dick face!" Naruto countered.
"Dumbass!" Sasuke.
"Dill-weed!" Naruto.
"Pervert!" Sasuke again and it continued on like that for the rest of the cleanup. Iruka sat back and sighed as he watched his two students turn yet another simple task into a heated competition. At least it wasn't sparring practice. It was hard enough to separate them from battling one another and he couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of fights they got into at home. He sighed again at the thought. His students were just too stubborn for their own good sometimes.
Eventually the monument was cleaned and by this time the sun was already going down. However, despite the long hours, the two were still intent on calling each other names only as they were now exhausted they weren't as profane.
"Bird brain!" Naruto huffed.
"Booger breath!" Sasuke wheezed. Iruka decided to put an end to it all.
"Alright you two, that's enough. The monument's clean and a promise is a promise so, who's up for ramen?" The two boys looked at their sensei slightly confused as they tried to remember why they'd started their competition again. Finally they smiled and nodded, having just enough energy to make it to Ichiraku Ramen the famous leaf's ramen noodle shop.
Naruto, Sasuke and Iruka placed their orders and once the food was in front of them, they began to eat, Naruto guzzling his down faster than the others. As they ate, Iruka looked over at his two academy students curiously.
"Naruto, Sasuke," Iruka started. The two looked up from their meals acknowledging their teacher. "Why would you do that to the hokage faces? I mean you know who the hokage are, don't you?"
"Of course we do," Naruto confirmed through the slurping of his noodles.
"They're the shadow ninjas of the hidden leaf village, the leaders," Sasuke stated. Naruto finished his bowl and sighed with relief.
"Yeah, everybody knows. They were the greatest shinobi of their time right, the best of best, undefeated ninja champs?" he paused for a moment and looked up at the ceiling in thought. "And dad's the one who saved the village from the nine tailed fox long ago, he's the most amazing." Iruka became even more befuddled.
"Then why did you do it especially if you know your father was the fourth hokage?" he questioned the young blonde. The boy took a while to respond but when he did it was with a wide grin.
"Because I'm going to be greater than any of them, even dad. Me, Naruto, the next hokage! A ninja legend! Then everyone will have to stop disrespecting me and look up to me and not because I'm the fourth's kid, believe it ya know!" Iruka looked at his student with interest as he swallowed some more ramen. He cleared his throat.
"I see." Then he glanced over at Sasuke. "And you Sasuke, why did you get involved with this? Come on, you must have a reason." Sasuke finished his own bowl of ramen and glanced at his teacher.
"Why you ask?" he pondered. He then thought about it for a second. "Huh, because I was bored!" Iruka gave his second student an unamused and disbelieving look.
"You were bored?" he inquired trying to see if he'd heard right. Sasuke closed his eyes and turned away slightly.
"Yup!" he clarified. Iruka sighed feeling older than usual and tired. Then Naruto perked up some as he turned to his sensei.
"Oh yeah, by the way, I kind of wanna ask a little favor sensei," he said clasping his hands together in the begging position.
"Hm, do you want another bowl?" Iruka questioned the blonde. Naruto shook his head.
"Mm, mm! I…wanna try on your headband, c'mon please!" he begged. Iruka was slightly taken aback but recovered quickly with a chuckle.
"Oh this?" he asked tugging at his leaf headband. "No way! You can only wear the leaf headband when you finally graduate from the academy and become a ninja. You've gotta pass the test tomorrow." Naruto groaned.
"Awn, that is so unfair!" he complained causing both Sasuke and Iruka to laugh lightly. Sasuke elbowed him lightly in the side.
"Heh, you can't become hokage if you don't become a ninja tomorrow with the rest of us," he hinted. Naruto just kept grumbling.
"I want another bowl!" he declared now as there was nothing else to do to get out of stressing over the upcoming test. Iruka chuckled.
"Hey is that why you took off your goggles?" he asked indicating the green goggles Naruto usually wore which sat on the counter. However, Iruka didn't get an answer as the old ramen man placed another bowl of ramen before him and he began eating. Sasuke then looked up at the man.
"Another for me too please," he stated politely. The old man nodded and happily went about his daily routine of preparing ramen for hungry customers. Iruka smiled as he watched his two students eating their new bowls of ramen. He thought back to the olden days when the two hadn't spent as much time together, before the Uchiha massacre and before Naruto had really been motivated to stay with the academy.
The two had been two boys who'd barely even looked at one another or even acknowledged the other one's presence. However, that'd all changed after the events of the massacre and then about three weeks later, Sarah Uchiha, the eldest daughter of the head of the Uchiha clan had returned home to Konoha after having trained for years to become the next legendary cat sage of the Uchiha clan. She'd only taken a day to settle down and then the next day had signed all of the legal documents to adopt Naruto and had retrieved her down trodden younger brother from his misery.
Next, it'd been revealed to everyone that she'd been married while away and had brought home a husband along with the funds to procure a different residence other than the old Uchiha estate claiming that it held too many good and bad memories. Upon the boy's arrival at the new home, the two hadn't gotten along right away but then Sarah had broken the ice and with the third's blessing, had been allowed to tell Naruto of his parentage and Sasuke a little more about his own clan. Naruto hadn't been allowed to tell anyone else in the village and he'd agreed to Sarah's terms but that hadn't stopped him from shocking Iruka with the news on a ramen run.
Slowly but surely after the merging into a new family, the two boys Naruto and Sasuke had made it obvious they didn't like one another but had eventually grown upon one another becoming not only rivals but best friends and brothers. As soon as they'd gotten used to each other though, that had been when the pranks Naruto had used to pull by his lonesome had evolved into something worse for the village as Sasuke eventually had joined his brother as a way to ease the pain of his great loss. Ultimately the Uchiha didn't care about what the village thought of him or Naruto and whenever someone went to torment Naruto they would receive a death glare and a warning from Sasuke causing them to back off.
Ultimately, despite the pranks they pulled together and the constant fighting they did to prove who was stronger, Iruka was glad Naruto had found some form of peace in the village, Sasuke too. Yes it was a small and somewhat broken and abstract family but Sarah Uchiha, Kisuke and the boys were a family nonetheless.
Soon it got really late and Iruka wound up walking the boys home listening to their bickering over the dumbest matter he'd ever heard all the way. Finally they got to the front walkway to the house.
"Hey, a light's on," noted Naruto. Sasuke and Iruka looked up to see that it was true. Then as if on cue, the door opened up to reveal Kisuke home early from work.
"Kisuke?" Sasuke asked bewildered. Kisuke nodded acknowledging the Uchiha.
"Sasuke; Naruto; Iruka. How're things going? I hope you boys had the decency to at least to save that paint for someone who might actually need it!" The boys winced as they realized he knew. Iruka walked forward as did Kisuke until they met in the middle.
"I imagine that lord third told you the news," Iruka inquired. Kisuke nodded giving Naruto and Sasuke a side glance. He turned his attention back to their teacher.
"Indeed and I also heard they had to clean up after themselves too. I'm just glad they were able to right their wrong." Iruka nodded.
"Well then, I guess I'll leave them in your capable hands. Their final test is tomorrow so I suggest an early sleep for an early start."
"Of course," Kisuke replied. "And don't worry; I'm sure it won't happen again, will it boys!" Kisuke turned his special glare on Sasuke and Naruto as they walked towards the entry of the house behind him. They winced unable to escape the piercing glare.
"Nope, never again," Naruto gulped.
"It was just a phase," Sasuke confirmed with a nod as they slipped inside. Kisuke turned back to Iruka with a chuckle.
"I'm afraid I'm not as authoritative as my wife as I can only manage an effective glare," he stated sheepishly reaching back to scratch his head. "But I imagine she'll have her own form of punishment for them when she gets back." Iruka laughed lightly.
"Oh I don't doubt that," he agreed. "Not one bit." Iruka knew too well from witnessing one of those said punishments that although Sarah Uchiha could be a sweet girl, if you got on her bad side, you'd be toasted before you knew it. Iruka glanced up at the black sky above, sighed then turned.
"I'll see you around Kisuke," he said as he waved a hand and walked away. Kisuke watched as the man disappeared into the darkened streets of Konoha. He sighed once more before turning around and entering the house he shared with his wife and little brothers whilst closing the door. He then made his way into the living room where the guilty two were already waiting for the lecture. Kisuke took a seat opposite them and folded his hands in his lap.
"So here we are again," he finally said breaking the silence. "Do you two have anything to say for yourselves?" He watched and waited expectantly as the boys thought it over.
"Instead of painting we should stick to being ninjas?" Sasuke shrugged.
"Getting on Iruka sensei's bad side then good side gets us free ramen!" Naruto stated. Clearly they were trying to hide some of their shame but nevertheless this didn't please Kisuke and they could tell as he just continued waiting. The two shared a glance and sighed heavily.
"We're sorry!" they apologized in unison. Kisuke nodded, acknowledging the right answer. Then he sighed and leaned back on the chair he was on.
"What're we ever going to do with you two?" he wondered aloud. "I just hope you two make it as ninjas tomorrow because maybe then you'll smarten up."
"That's right!" Naruto exclaimed loudly. "Tomorrow's the last test to see if we make it as ninjas. Then the real fun begins. No more sitting on our butts and taking notes. We'll finally get to train!" He grinned widely and showed his obvious excitement but Kisuke could also tell that he was kind of nervous too.
"Tomorrow's test is going to be easy, no sweat!" Sasuke stated as he sat back on the sofa with his arms behind his head. "We'll be ninjas before you know it!"
"I wouldn't get ahead of myself just yet you two," said Kisuke seriously. The boys glanced at him. "You see, you might be taking tests tomorrow and you might pass but…remember that tomorrow's test is only the beginning of a series of tests that will throw themselves at you when you least expect them to. The tests to come will test your skills, your views on life, your own bond as brothers. No test in life is easy and you have to be ready for that but if you can endure those tests one after the other then I have no doubt in my mind that you'll make excellent shinobi. However, don't become so arrogant that it costs you your life alright?"
"Right!" Naruto and Sasuke agreed in unison, Naruto giving a curt nod. Kisuke smiled then leaned forward leaning on his knees and glanced at the nearby digital wall clock. He sighed as he stretched.
"Well it's late now and you heard Iruka," he stated. "If you want a snack before bed then get it now then it's time to turn in okay?"
"Alright!" Naruto Exclaimed. He leapt up and ran to the kitchen immediately thinking of Sarah's leftover chocolate cake in the fridge. Sasuke stood, placing his hands in his pockets and nodded in reply to Kisuke's suggestion. As he headed to the kitchen he could see Naruto already had the cake on the counter.
"Naruto, cut me a slice to won't you?" he asked as he headed in and pulled out the whipped cream.
"Sure but pull out the berries too!" Sasuke did so and as Kisuke entered the kitchen he too asked for a small slice of his wife's homemade confection. The three then sat down and ate their treat. As soon as they were done, they put everything away and washed the dishes then went upstairs. The boys got ready for bed, Naruto dawning his favourite night cap after having gotten dressed and brushing his teeth. Then the two went to their respective rooms after wishing the other goodnight and were out of the conscious world by the time Kisuke came in to check on them later.
He smiled as he then made his way to the room he and his wife would share whenever they were home at the same time. He'd be sleeping alone tonight but he knew that everything would be alright. He sighed as he crawled into bed with just his boxers then as the confines of sleep came to take him away he had one last thought directed to the two boys. Naruto, Sasuke…make us proud! And then he slept the rest of the night.
"We will now start the final exam," exclaimed Iruka from the front of the room. All of the students were gathered in their academy classroom, some eager to show what they had and some nervous at the thought of failing. Amongst these nervous people was Naruto. He couldn't help tapping his foot throughout the whole time Iruka was talking. Sasuke meanwhile sat in his seat cool and collected only half paying attention to the teacher.
"When your name is called, proceed to the testing room," Iruka continued. "The final test will be on…the clone jutsu." Upon hearing this, both Sasuke and Naruto deadpanned.
Clone jutsu? Sasuke thought worriedly. But that's Naruto's worst technique.
I'm screwed! Naruto mentally yelled. That's my worst jutsu. Great…I'm never gonna pass and Sasuke's gonna kill me! As the names began being called, Naruto's foot tapped louder and more rapidly as he also began perspiring from the stress. As they waited for their names to be called, Sasuke stood from his seat and approached Naruto. Naruto glanced up.
"Hey c'mon, you've got it this time," Sasuke encouraged. He patted his adopted brother on the back. Naruto remained panicked.
"Heh, yeah right!" he exclaimed. "It's easy for you to say since you can ace anything! Gah, why couldn't it be transformation or substitution or something?" Sasuke then smacked him upside the head. "Ow, hey what was that for?!" roared the blonde turning on the standing raven haired boy. Sasuke scoffed.
"For being such a loser," he replied simply. "If you ever want to become hokage someday this is the only way and a true shinobi never loses his cool in the heat of battle so just stop thinking about it and just do it when the time comes! Oh and if you don't pass, I'll shred all of you ramen coupons when I get home after I strangle you!"
This threat now held the blonde's attention. He was rearing to go afterwards as his precious ramen at a lower price was at stake.
"Fine then, I will pass!" he declared. "In fact when I do, it'll be so amazing it'll make your passing look like a total failure!" Sasuke grinned, pulling Naruto into a choking head lock causing Naruto to start making choking noises.
"Heh, as if. I'm not a loser like you Naruto!" Sasuke continued his choke hold while Naruto struggled to break free. Finally they were interrupted as Sasuke's name was called. Iruka raised an eyebrow at their current posture when he looked up. The Uchiha then grinned and let go and began to exit the classroom. He called back as he left with a wave over his shoulder,
"Alright, my turn. I'd better see you on the other side Naruto!" he said. Then he was gone leaving a grinning Naruto still rubbing his neck. Finally when his name was called, Naruto stood on somewhat shaky legs and walked into the examination room.
Inside, Iruka sensei and Mizuki sensei sat behind a table filled with leaf village headbands. Naruto gulped then took a deep breath as he faced his examiners. Alright, get it together Naruto, he told himself. If Sasuke could do this then so can you; believe it ya know!" Naruto took up a stance with a very concentrated look on his face filled with determination. He brought his hands together to form the simple hand sign for the clone jutsu and as he did so, called forth all of his chakra, pouring his entire heart and soul into the mixture. The chakra became visible slightly, surrounding him and circulating. He closed his eyes and breathed in then out.
"Clone Jutsu!" he called out as he finally executed it. There was a puff of smoke as the chakra converged and reacted to make the clone. Still breathing steadily as the smoke cloud dispersed, he slowly opened his eyes to see a very disappointed Iruka sensei with his eye twitching while Mizuki just stared at what was supposed to be Naruto's clone. All of a sudden, Naruto's confidence left him as he slowly turned towards the dreaded outcome of his jutsu and nearly cried out in frustration.
The clone on the ground couldn't even be called a clone as it lay flopped over with its tongue sticking out looking as though it hadn't seen the sun ever or had been printed out of a photocopier with not enough ink. The eyes were lifeless and despite it bearing a resemblance to Naruto, Naruto could tell that it was the most pathetic clone he'd ever seen just like the last time only this time it looked worse. Naruto began shaking in humiliation and frustration praying that maybe, just maybe, Iruka would let him have a pity pass. However his hopes were dashed as Iruka declared,
"You fail!" Naruto took a step to steady himself as his body was going through a torrent of different emotions, mainly anger and embarrassment. Mizuki meanwhile looked up from his seat and glanced over at his partner.
"Iruka sensei," he started, calling the other teacher's attention. "He's off but his moves weren't bad and he did hang in there and replicate. This is his third try so you know he really wants to become a ninja. We could cut him a break and pass him." Upon hearing this, there was new hope in Naruto's heart as he listened intently to see if his sensei would be swayed. Iruka sighed.
"Mizuki sensei," Iruka responded. "The other students created at least three effective replications. But Naruto could only create one and look at it…it's pitiful. I can't pass him." The new news made Naruto flush red and get even angrier than he'd been before. But all he did was grind his teeth and storm out of the room. Iruka looked after him feeling sorry for the boy and wishing there was something he could do.
Naruto meanwhile found his way to the outside of the academy, to the playground space and stalked over to his favourite tree swing across from the academy. Sasuke, who'd been waiting for him on an above tree branch, took the blonde's frustrated grumbling and mumbling under his breath as the sign that he hadn't passed. Sasuke watched his adopted brother as he mounted the swing, sitting sideways and glaring back at all of the other students that'd passed with envy. Sasuke tried to think of something to say to make him feel better but couldn't come up with anything at the moment so he just remained silent and pondering while he and Naruto watched from across the way as the parents came to collect their kids after graduation.
"Hey did you see that," one of the new ninjas spoke up with pride, speaking with his friends.
"They passed me with flying colours," claimed another nearby.
"They called me first," bragged someone else. Meanwhile the parents were saying how proud they were of their kids and hugging and laughing them in one big cluster whilst chatting amongst their neighbors. Sasuke watched from above while Naruto gazed on, saddened by the embracing of the families. Meanwhile Sasuke's own heart, felt a twinge of sadness as he remembered his own family then let his mind wander to wondering if Sarah would be home tonight. He was pulled from his thoughts from some women talking from the cluster of grownups and couldn't help hearing their conversation.
"There, you see him?" asked a woman of her friend. Sasuke sat up to hear better.
"It's that boy," confirmed her friend nodding her head. "I heard he's the only one who failed."
"Well it serves him right!" said the first again. "Just imagine what would happen if he became a ninja." And immediately, a new wave of rage rushed through Sasuke as he realized they were talking about Naruto and were being loud on purpose so he could hear them. Stupid losers, he thought staring daggers at them. Why do they always have to pick on Naruto and say harsh things? They're supposed to be grownups but they act like children. They should know better, the bitches.
"Shh, we're not allowed to talk about that!" the first offender cut her friend off. Sasuke continued staring daggers at them while Naruto just readjusted his favourite green goggles on top of his head. The two then heard the sound of approaching footsteps and looked up to see that Mizuki sensei had approached the tree. He gave his most sincere smile.
"Naruto," he stated. "Mind if I talk to you for a second?" he questioned. Naruto seemed taken by surprise. "It's about the exams today," he continued. Naruto took a while to finally nod in agreement. As they got up to leave, Sasuke leapt down from his branch, calling forth their attention. He glanced at Naruto quickly then looked away again as he started walking.
"I'll wait for you at the usual rendezvous," he called over his shoulder.
"Okay," Naruto called after him. "Oh and here!" Sasuke stopped and turned slightly, just in time to catch Gama-Chan, Naruto's frog shaped wallet. Naruto grinned. "Since I failed, I guess the candy run's on me today," he said sheepishly. Sasuke gave a faint smile the shook his head as he turned.
"Forget it, we'll go halvsies today. See ya later." And with that, the Uchiha began making his way down the road. He'd hidden his new leaf headband in his bag as he hadn't felt in the mood to brag to Naruto that day. Naruto then followed Mizuki sensei to a protruding ledge from Mizuki's flat. There was a brief yet long moment of silence as they stared off into the setting sun. Finally Mizuki broke it.
"Iruka sensei's tough, but he's not against you," he stated.
"Then why," Naruto wondered, "Why only me?" he stared down at his sandaled feet as he swung them back and forth over the ledge.
"He wants you to be strong with all his heart," Mizuki explained. "But…that will never happen if he goes easy on you." Mizuki took a glance over at the blonde looking down and smiled lightly. "He's like you, no parents; no family."
"But…" Naruto spoke up. "This time I really wanted to graduate. This time I wanted to move forward with Sasuke and…I think he wanted that too." The blonde sighed then began playing footsy with himself out of boredom. Mizuki sighed then chuckled. He glanced at the boy again out of his peripheral vision.
"Then I guess I have to tell you," he stated. Naruto turned to look at him curiously. "It's a secret…but I'm going to let you in on it." Mizuki sensei now had the blonde's full attention and with that he divulged the secret.
"Are you sure about this?" Sasuke asked in a whisper as the two, under the cover of night, headed for the third hokage's office. They stopped behind another building to check their surroundings.
"Of course," Naruto confirmed. "Mizuki sensei told me all about it. If I can master a jutsu from this scroll then I can pass the graduation exams even though they're over." They continued on, avoiding security at all costs. They stopped again, almost upon their destination.
"I dunno," Sasuke protested. "If you ask me, I don't think that guy can be trusted, sensei or not. For all we know, this could be a set up to lure us or rather lure you into a trap only to get pummeled later by some assholes who don't like you." Naruto rolled his eyes.
"Look Sasuke, do you want me to pass or not?" Naruto asked accusingly. "Cuz the way I see it, we can trust Mizuki sensei and the scroll is going to help me do it. Now hurry up, we're losing precious time!" Sasuke sighed, following his adopted brother as they infiltrated the third hokage's home. It didn't take them long to find the scroll, however, before they could slip away, the elder spoke to them through the dark.
"Naruto, Sasuke…is that you?" he asked. They froze not giving an answer. A light switched on and the third saw they held the scroll in their hands. His face became stern as he gazed at them with his piercing elder's stare.
"And just what do you two think you're doing?" he demanded to know.
"Run!" Naruto shouted and the two made their way to the window to escape. However, the third was quicker and soon stood in front of their escape route. Sasuke glanced at Naruto who looked about the room desperately for another form of escape. Thinking quickly, he grabbed Naruto's shoulder and dragged him towards the front door, however, the hokage once again blocked their exit.
"I'm afraid you two and I are going to have to have a little chat," he declared. Sasuke just grinned. There was a poof of smoke and the third was looking at empty places, then back up again at the window where the real Naruto and Sasuke were trying to escape.
I see, he thought. So Sasuke used the clone jutsu to make two clones but was able to make one look like Naruto. Clever boy, I'll give him that but not clever enough. He charged forth just as the boys were almost out the window. The third grabbed a hold of Sasuke's shoulder and yanked him back from the window.
"Sasuke!" Naruto exclaimed. Sasuke threw a fast kick that the distracted hokage didn't see coming into his solar plexus just as he was about to grab Naruto. The third stopped short, having had his breath knocked out of him but still keeping a firm grip on the Uchiha boy's shoulder despite the boy's struggles against it. Naruto tried to go back to get his brother.
"Sasuke!" he exclaimed again. Before he could go and save his partner, Sasuke lashed out with a kick.
"Go now Naruto!" he shouted. "While he's down, now's your time to escape and get the job done while you can!" Naruto hesitated.
"But you'll…"
"Like I didn't know we'd get in trouble for this when I came here with you!" he growled. "Now go, and don't you dare fail again or I'll kick your ass myself!" After another two seconds, Naruto finally gave a curt nod and was gone before the third hokage could recover himself. A little while later, not too soon after Naruto had fled, two ANBU guards burst into the hokage's room to find the hokage leaning over and trying to breathe again while holding on tightly to the Uchiha's shoulder.
"Lord third, what happened here!" one asked, eyeing Sasuke suspiciously. They came forth, helping the hokage back up to his feet. He breathed in and out to get himself back to normal.
"Naruto and Sasuke just broke in stole the sacred scroll of sealing," the third wheezed. "I managed to get Sasuke but Naruto got away. Send word out to all the Jonin available now!"
"Yes sir!" replied the ANBU who'd been indicated. Then the third turned to the other.
"Help me get Mr. Uchiha here to my office and summon either Kisuke or Sarah, whoever's in the village."
"Sir!" saluted the second. He did as he was told then once the Hokage was comfortably in his office with Sasuke sitting in a chair and being watched by the second ANBU, he made his way out to carry out his second task. The minutes seemed to tick by endlessly. The third left the room at one point to address the Jonin who'd assembled at the entrance to the building. Sasuke left his chair at the same time to watch from the window, accompanied by his supervisor. As Sasuke stared out at the Jonin, something caught his eye and horrifying realization that he'd been right all along came flooding over him. He began to panic internally.
What do I do? I have to go and warn Naruto but I'm under guard duty! He gave the ANBU a side glance, trying to figure out how to get past the elite ninja. However, it didn't take long for the hokage to return after sending out the Jonin to search for Naruto and upon his arrival back, he shooed the guard away. Then he held the Uchiha boy in his hard gaze for a while then…
"Alright Sasuke," he started. "I'm not sure what you and Naruto were planning but I hope you realize the capital offence you've both committed here in stealing that scroll." The Uchiha scoffed whilst turning his head away stubbornly.
"I wouldn't call it stealing so much as I would call it borrowing," he huffed. The third cocked an eyebrow.
"Borrowing? What could you possibly need to borrow such a scroll for?" he wondered. The Uchiha grinned as he glanced the hokage again.
"That…I'm afraid is classified information," Sasuke replied smugly. The third hokage didn't seem too pleased with his attitude as he grumbled something incoherent afterwards. Meanwhile Sasuke was trying desperately to figure out how to get to Naruto. What do I do, I'm running out of time! I sure could use one of Naruto's crazy schemes right about now. Then it dawned on him after this thought, the most craziest and most embarrassing by his standards, idea ever. He groaned inwardly as he realized he'd have to pull off "that" jutsu. He turned back to the third, standing in the process.
"Anyways lord third, I must apologize, but I must take my leave now," he said somewhat smugly. The third tensed annoyed.
"Unfortunately you're not going anywhere until we've had a chat with either Sarah, Kisuke or both!" he stated. Sasuke grinned slightly.
"Wanna make a bet?" He then formed the hand signs for the transformation jutsu and in a puff of smoke, Sasuke was replaced with a naked girl with rather large bosoms, her arm holding them up to make them bulge better. She had long black hair that framed her face and a cute high voice, evident in her giggling. The female Sasuke brought her index finger up to her chin in a thinking posture and gave the third a lustful look.
"Won't you please let me go lord third hokage?" she pleaded. Meanwhile the third, who'd been caught completely by surprise and was in himself a slight pervert though he'd never admit it, fell victim to his own dirty mind and his nose erupted in a fountain of blood that was bigger than Iruka sensei's the other day. He became dizzy as he fell backwards into his chair. Sasuke transformed back, happy to be normal again and praying nobody else had noticed him pulling off Naruto's sexy jutsu.
However, Sasuke had no time to make sure as he took to the rooftops from the window of the Hokage's office and headed towards where he knew Naruto would be, praying that he wouldn't be too late.
"W…what?" Naruto asked shakily. He stood in a forest within the leaf village a little ways off from the populace. Iruka sensei had found him but was now standing with kunai sticking out of him from his attempt to save Naruto from the onslaught. Meanwhile, Mizuki sensei had done just as Sasuke had predicted. He'd set a trap for the young blonde not only to get rid of him but to steal the sacred scroll of sealing he'd borrowed so he could learn a jutsu and finally graduate.
Mizuki had arrived shortly after Iruka and Iruka had pushed Naruto out of the way of the kunai. Then the two jonin's had tried to tell him what to do with the scroll. Naruto was confused and more than anything had wished Sasuke was there to cover him. But he wasn't, Naruto was all alone with the two jonin and one of them had just told him the reason behind the hatred and scorn of the villagers. Mizuki now grinned at the young blonde maliciously as he tried to comprehend what he'd just said.
"That's right," Mizuki said. "The fox spirit that killed Iruka's parents and destroyed our village has taken over your body. You are the nine tailed fox, Naruto!"
"Stop it!" Iruka yelled. He wanted Mizuki to shut up more than anything, not because he hated the young blonde and didn't want him to have the information, no, it was because he didn't want Naruto to get hurt by it and run away. Iruka didn't hate Naruto like the rest of the village, in fact, he thought of Naruto as a little brother as he did with Sasuke as the two were always together. He didn't want this information leak to hurt that bond, more than anything, he wanted to protect Naruto. But pinned down the way he was with kunai sticking out of his legs and shoulders, he wasn't able to do anything effective as Mizuki's words travelled faster than him.
"They've all been sneaking around, hiding things from you your whole life," Mizuki continued tauntingly. Naruto just stood there taking the onslaught of the truth, shaking the entire time.
"Didn't you think it was strange how they treated you? Like dirt! Like they hated you for just being alive!" Naruto's eyes widened with horror and realization. He didn't want it to be true, it couldn't be true. But everything Mizuki had said was true because that was the only explanation that made sense.
"No!" Naruto shouted, clenching his fists and taking up a defensive pose though what he would defend against was unclear. "No, no, no, no, no!" he kept shouting over again, his chakra becoming visible and lashing out with the boy's rage. Iruka looked at his pupil, pain reflected in his own eyes as he watched him suffer helplessly.
"Naruto," he tried to reach out and reassure him but the blonde wasn't listening. Mizuki laughed.
"That's right, you will never be accepted in this village," Mizuki declared. "And Sarah, she wasn't there the night the fox attacked but nevertheless she adopted you out of pity and to keep a close eye on you, I mean, it only makes sense her being a cat sage and all and just think what will happen when Kisuke and Sasuke learn the truth. They'll turn away in disgust too because no monstrous demon deserves to live!" Naruto shook even harder as the new fear of losing his only family became clear. He became choked up as tears fell from his eyes. Iruka was now even angrier at Mizuki than before.
"Mizuki, shut up and leave Naruto alone!" he shouted. Mizuki gave him a mock smile.
"Oh why don't you stop trying to protect him Iruka? Even you hate his guts because he killed your parents!" Naruto shook harder and even though Iruka tried to go to his student's aid, he winced in pain as the wound where the kunai had made their mark flared up at his sudden movement. He held his leg and rubbed at the sore spot as he remembered his conversation with the third hokage earlier.
"Iruka," the third's words echoed in his mind. "Naruto never had a mother or a father to care for him and despite being adopted by Sarah and Kisuke; he's still treated the same way. He's shut out of everything and doesn't know why. Most people won't even look at him and even Sasuke is in the dark on matter, trying to figure out the reason. If he ever does, I'm not sure what he'll do since Naruto is one of the only comforts he's found since the destruction of his clan and family. But still, how would you feel if everywhere you went, people turned their backs on you? That's why he gets into trouble; he wants people to notice him other than the family he's acquired because even he knows that when Sarah and Kisuke are with other people, he's barely mentioned. It may not show on the outside or when he's playing with Sasuke, but he's always thinking about his parents and wondering why they had to die and leave him all alone. In other words, he's still hurting inside."
"Die Naruto!" Mizuki called out from his place in the trees, snapping Iruka out of the memory. Iruka looked up in absolute horror to see that Mizuki was preparing one of the large shuriken from his back to finish off Naruto. He threw it and Naruto began to try and get away, fear etched onto his face as the deadly shuriken got closer. It was then that Iruka reacted on instinct.
"Naruto, get down!" he shouted. Unsure of what else to do the blonde listened, covering the back of his head with his hands for some minor protection. He waited for the shuriken to find its mark, waited for his life to be over. However, it never happened as he heard a sickening sound of shuriken meeting flesh and felt the presence of another over his own body. He looked up and a shocked expression came over his face.
There was Iruka; spread out over him protectively having taken the shuriken's hit to his back. It stuck out of him now and he grit his teeth against the pain. Meanwhile, Mizuki was looking rather shocked.
"W-why?" Naruto stuttered out, still looking at his teacher with wide eyes. Iruka coughed some.
"Because we're the same," Iruka stated through the pain. "When I lost my parents, no one seemed to care. They didn't have time for me; they just forgot I was there. My grades dropped, I became the class clown. I just wanted them to see me and to know my name but my school work wasn't enough to get their attention so I did crazy things but then I had to pay for it. It was hard." suddenly something wet hit Naruto's cheek and Naruto registered that Iruka now had tears flowing from his eyes.
"I know that's how you feel Naruto. Even with those three, you still feel lonely and it hurts inside and I know…that I could've been there for you more. I let you down and I'm sorry. No one should have to suffer that much, no one should be alone like that." Naruto felt his own body shaking now as he listened to what his sensei had to say. Meanwhile, Mizuki had also been listening and had come out of the shock from when Iruka had jumped in the way of his shuriken. He started laughing at Iruka's words.
"Don't make me laugh!" he shouted. "Iruka always hated you. He was orphaned because the nine tailed fox killed his parents and now that beast is inside you! He'd say anything to get the scroll from you!" Naruto finally snapped. He couldn't take it anymore so he took off out from under Iruka and ran deeper through the forest trying to get away from the two sensei's who were confusing him so. Iruka reached out after him and called out his name.
"Naruto!" But the boy kept running. "Naruto!" he shouted louder but it had no effect. Meanwhile, Naruto just continued running and running. To where he didn't know but he knew it'd be better than there. The many thoughts came crashing through his head and he tried to sort them all out as he ran.
The nine tails…is inside me? How can this be happening? I…I didn't ask for it! Does this mean…dad put it inside of me, was Sarah lying when she said my parents loved me? I don't know what love means to most people but I'm pretty sure it doesn't mean putting a monster inside your own son! He was yelling all of it inside his head while tears slipped down his cheeks. He finally made it to another clearing where he realized how far he'd gone and how tired he was. He didn't know where to go so he just settled for slumping down and sitting behind a tree. He panted heavily trying to catch his breath. He was still thinking hard about what had just happened and what it meant that he almost didn't hear a familiar scoff nearby.
"So this is where you decided to hide from that jerk!" Sasuke said as he came up in front of Naruto. Naruto looked up and the fear he'd felt before when it was mentioned came rushing back, his heart rate picked up and he just stared at Sasuke in bewilderment unable to say anything.
Sasuke, he thought. Does he already know? Will I be left all alone when he does? Everything's going to change now and…but would he really turn his back on me? Naruto continued staring and was shaking now. It caused Sasuke to cock a curious eyebrow.
"What's the matter with you?" he asked. "You look like you've seen a ghost. If you keep gawking like that, your face will freeze and you'll look even more stupid than you already do." This snapped Naruto out of it somewhat and he became enraged but not entirely at Sasuke.
"Shut-up!" he shouted. Sasuke was taken aback by his adopted brother's new attitude. Right away he could tell something had already happened. But what could've made him this angry? He wondered. The answer came as he heard Naruto's name being called by Iruka. He edged over and watched as two figures came into view. Another Naruto was being chased by Iruka. Sasuke figured it must be a transformation technique.
"Naruto," they heard Iruka say. Sasuke gave Naruto a look, noticing him flinch. Sasuke went back to watching and listening as they got closer. "Everything Mizuki said was a lie. Give me the scroll, hurry! He's coming after you to take it away!" Sasuke watched as the fake Naruto came to rest on a tree branch then just as suddenly leapt up and head butted Iruka. Iruka let out a sound of pain as he was sent crashing to the ground of the clearing. He skidded to a halt and the fake Naruto came to a skidding halt of his own on his feet.
What's going on? Sasuke wondered. What's with the fake Naruto and whoever that is over there, it certainly isn't Iruka sensei. The fake Iruka, as Sasuke had figured out; then sat up on his side.
"It can't be," he said. The fake Naruto took the fake scroll off of his back and slumped down against his own tree breathing heavily. The fake Iruka meanwhile turned an angry scowl upon him. "How did you know Naruto…how did you know…" a puff of smoke enveloped the fake Iruka and revealed Mizuki sensei with the giant shuriken on his back. "…That it was me and not Iruka?' Mizuki finished his question.
The fake Naruto chuckled with a mad grin on his face. Another puff of smoke enveloped his body this time and cleared away to reveal an injured Iruka sensei, bleeding from his wounds. "Because I'm Iruka," he said simply through the pain. Sasuke's eyes widened and turned to his adopted brother.
"Okay, just what the hell happened to Iruka sensei?" he questioned with a whisper. Naruto flinched. Then he hesitantly spoke.
"He…saved my life." He said softly. Sasuke remained quiet as he looked back into the clearing. Mizuki meanwhile had himself a laugh.
"You're a fool. Why are you protecting that freak!?" he inquired. Sasuke's blood flared up, angry that his brother was yet again being verbally bullied by an immature grown-up. He gripped the tree and grit his teeth. However what he said next caught him by surprise.
"He's the one who wiped out your family!" Mizuki continued. Sasuke took a quick glance back at Naruto who had been curious enough to peek around the tree. However, with the words from Mizuki he flinched again.
"Wiped out his family…what does he mean by that?" Sasuke asked Naruto turned away from his brother. He remained silent.
"I don't care what you say, you're not getting your hands on that scroll," Iruka stated firmly from the clearing.
"Naruto, come on, what's going on here?" Sasuke pressed. Naruto hugged the scroll he was holding close to his chest and Sasuke was surprised to see that he was crying some.
"I finally understand," he said. Sasuke listened now curious. "I know why they all hate me, why everyone in the village wants me gone!" he gripped the scroll harder. "It's because…the nine tailed fox is inside of me!" Sasuke's eyes widened at the news.
"The…nine tails…is in you?" he asked flabbergasted. He just couldn't believe it. Naruto just chose a spot on the ground and began to glare at it as if he wanted it to catch fire. A laugh from Mizuki called their attention back to the clearing.
"As if you could stop me," Mizuki retorted against Iruka. "Don't you get it, Naruto is just like me."
"How's that," Iruka growled while maintaining his glare on Mizuki. Mizuki snorted.
"He wants the scroll for his own power and his own vengeance. That's how beasts are, in fact that's probably why Sasuke helped him get a hold of it because then the both of them could finally take out the ones who caused them so much grief!" Sasuke's eye twitched. He hated that he was being drawn into this too.
"They'll pour all of their rage into that scroll but Naruto won't be getting back at just one person no, he'll destroy the whole village, he'll destroy everything for his revenge. That's just how beasts are, wouldn't you agree?" Naruto flinched again and Sasuke decided he had heard enough. He stepped out from behind the tree and began walking.
"I beg to differ!" he growled. Mizuki and Iruka both looked up in surprise as the young Uchiha took the field. Naruto was meanwhile too shocked to move. He settled for listening intently.
"Oh well, speak of the devil," Mizuki chuckled. "I see someone's been eavesdropping on our little conversation."
"Sasuke," Iruka spoke in surprise. He wondered just how he'd gotten past lord third. Sasuke came to stand a bit beside his respectable teacher and turned to face Mizuki with rage dancing in his eyes.
"My, my you look angry," Mizuki commented mockingly. Sasuke just gritted his teeth.
"You have no right to say things like that about me or Naruto," he growled back. Mizuki just laughed.
"Do you think I care?" he sneered. "Anyways do you even know that the company you keep is a monster just waiting to rip your throat out? I bet no one told you that long ago the nine tails was sealed inside of your so called brother. Now he's the nine tailed fox and soon he's going to tear this village to shreds and you along with it." Sasuke remained quiet and glaring.
"You're right!" Iruka said suddenly from behind. Sasuke whipped his head around surprised and slightly peeved his teacher would say such a thing but it'd caught Mizuki's attention. Meanwhile, Naruto was quivering behind his tree and nearly choking the scroll to death.
"So it is true," he said frustrated. "Iruka sensei never did believe in me. He thinks I'm some beast…some kind of freak! And what about Sasuke. I bet he's going to think the same thing too now that Iruka said it. I…I'm really all alone, aren't I?" Naruto kept holding the scroll but suddenly a loud voice shouted out in anger.
"Iruka sensei!" came Sasuke's raised voice. "How can you say that?! How can you even call yourself a teacher?! Naruto's not…"
"Enough Sasuke, you didn't let me finish," Iruka stated catching the ranting pre-teen by surprise. Iruka then continued.
"Mizuki…you're right," he stated again. "That is how beasts are." Iruka then looked up and smirked at Mizuki. "But that's not who Naruto is." This took everyone including Mizuki by surprise.
"He's nothing like that," Iruka continued. "He's one of a kind, works hard; puts his whole heart into it. Sure he messes up sometimes and everyone jumps on him but his suffering only makes him stronger. That's what separates him from being a beast. So you're wrong, he's nothing like the nine tailed fox. He's Naruto Uzumaki of the village hidden in the leaves!" he finished then turned to Sasuke with a smile on his face. "And I'm certain that Sasuke feels the same way."
Sasuke smirked back at his sensei and gave a curt nod before turning back to Mizuki with the same smug look on his face.
"He's right, ya know," Sasuke stated. "Naruto isn't a beast and I sure as hell haven't seen him sprouting any tails so you're completely wrong about him. Nine tailed fox host or not, he's my brother and that's never going to change so why don't you stopping judging others when you know nothing about them?" Sasuke continued to give off his arrogant smirk which really began to irk Mizuki. Meanwhile, Naruto sat behind his tree, a waterfall coming from both of his eyes and his nose running with relief.
"Heh, you really believe that drivel," Mizuki sneered in annoyance. He glanced at Sasuke then back to Iruka. "Iruka, I was going to save you for later but I've changed my mind. I'll take you and this brat out right here and now!" Mizuki unlatched his second shuriken and began to rapidly spin it in his hand getting ready to throw. Iruka, realizing what was about to happen turned to Sasuke.
"Sasuke, get out of here, right now!" Sasuke scoffed and stepped in front of his sensei, the same grin on his face as before.
"What so you can get killed, yeah right!" he smirked.
"Sasuke, he's a jonin and you only just graduated, he'll flatten you!" Iruka pleaded.
"Better listen to your sensei if you don't want to die!" Mizuki shouted. He brought his arm back to throw but Sasuke quickly weaved a few hand signs and suddenly, after bringing one hand up to his mouth and taking a deep breath he called out, "Fire Style; Fireball Jutsu!"
A big fireball was unleashed and headed straight for Mizuki who was taken by surprise. However, he was able to leap out of the way just in time to dodge the giant ball of flame. After it'd dispersed he leapt back onto the ground from the tree he'd taken temporary refuge in.
"How…how the hell do you already know something like fireball jutsu?" he asked baffled. Sasuke smirked.
"Who knows, maybe I'm just that good. Oh and for future reference, watch who you're calling a brat okay?" Mizuki growled. He side stepped quickly, leaving Sasuke wondering where he was until he appeared again nearer to Iruka, Shuriken spinning again and ready to throw.
"Fine, I'll deal with the weakling first!" he bellowed. Damn it, not enough time to move, Sasuke thought in horror. However, this time before Mizuki could succeed in killing Iruka, Naruto had leapt out from hiding and head butted him in the chin, throwing him backwards while Naruto himself came to a skidding halt in front of his sensei. He held the scroll, standing it up and glared darkly at Mizuki.
"Naruto!" Iruka exclaimed in surprise. Meanwhile, Mizuki was picking himself up off the ground. He spat out some blood on the ground then turned to face Naruto's glare.
"Heh, not bad for a punk," Mizuki jeered. Naruto paid no heed to his words.
"If you ever lay a hand on my brother or my sensei…" he began with a growl. "I'll kill you!" he shot out. Sasuke grinned now, knowing that somehow things would be alright. Mizuki laughed.
"Such big words," he taunted. "I can destroy you all in a single move!" Naruto continued glaring while he brought up his hands to form a hand sign, allowing the scroll to drop and roll to Iruka sensei's feet.
"Take your best shot fool. I'll give it back to you a thousand fold!" he declared. At this Mizuki decided he'd had it with the arrogance of the brats before him. He came forth at a run.
"Let's see ya try! Show me what you can do nine tailed fox!" he roared. As he got closer, Sasuke became worried.
"Naruto, run!" he shouted. Naruto paid him no heed. Idiot, Sasuke thought. What can you possibly do against him? His question was answered by a shout from Naruto.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" he called out. There was a thunderous roar of poofs as several hundred smoke clouds disappeared, leaving behind clones of Naruto. Iruka and Sasuke gaped.
"That many now?" he questioned. "But he could barely manage one before!" Iruka chuckled beside him.
"It's amazing isn't it?" he inquired of his other student. Sasuke turned befuddled. "And those aren't just illusions either, they're solid clones!" Sasuke's eyes widened as he turned back to see the hundreds of Naruto's surrounding the area of the forest. Meanwhile a panicked Mizuki was trying to make sense of his predicament as the Naruto's called out to him.
"Here I am!" said one.
"No I'm over here," called another.
"He's wrong we're over here," claimed another group. Sasuke rolled his eyes as he could clearly see his brother was having some fun before the attack. Mizuki finally tripped over his own feet and fell on his butt. One of the Naruto's grinned.
"If you're not coming," he said.
"Then we're going to come after you," finished another. And then all of the Naruto's converged and proceeded to pummel the villainous Mizuki until he could barely remain conscious. Once he was done, the Naruto clones disappeared until there was only one Naruto remaining with a wide grin on his face and him sheepishly scratching the back of his head.
"Sorry, I kind of got carried away," he chuckled.
"Kind of?" Sasuke questioned mockingly as he looked down at the now beaten Mizuki. "I'd say you just about nearly killed him. In fact he looks rather dead!" Iruka chuckled from where he sat.
"Humph, whatever!" the blonde retorted. "At least I beat him with my jutsu. Yours just burned a few trees!"
"Well excuse me," retorted Sasuke. "I can't control other ninja's movements!" he smacked his brother upside the head.
"Alright, alright, that's enough you two," Iruka said. He grinned. "You both did just fine. That clone jutsu was amazing Naruto, really advanced and I never knew you could perform fireball jutsu already Sasuke, that was quite the surprise." The two boys smiled lightly as did their sensei. Then Iruka shifted into a more comfortable position and turned Naruto's way.
"Naruto," he said. The blonde looked up. "Come here a minute. I have something I want to give you." Naruto stood where he was hesitating but finally with a push from Sasuke, literally, he walked forward towards his sensei. Meanwhile, the aforementioned Uchiha walked over too and leaned himself against the tree. Once Naruto was there, Iruka found the strength to stand and then told him to close his eyes.
"No peeking," Iruka clarified. Naruto closed his eyes. He felt cold air as he felt his goggles being removed but it was gone when he thought he felt them being put back. Soon Naruto became impatient. He began fidgeting.
"Sensei, how much longer," he whined.
"Stop being so impatient loser," Sasuke said nearby. Naruto grumbled. Finally Iruka had finished.
"Okay, you can open your eyes now." Once Naruto did, he could see the smiling faces of both Iruka sensei and Sasuke as well as the light of the morning sun rising in the east. Naruto was slightly confused but realization dawned on him as he saw Iruka sensei's forehead protector was gone and he was holding his goggles. His eyes widened with surprise.
"Congratulations," Iruka beamed. "You graduate!" Naruto remained where he was, a complete look of shock on his face that caused Sasuke to laugh.
"Heh, you look like a bigger idiot than usual. If you're not careful, your face really will freeze like that." This caused Naruto to come out of his stupor and start laughing too. He grinned wide. Iruka chuckled.
"And as an extra treat, I'll take us all out for ramen!" Iruka added. This got Naruto really excited, so much so that he jumped up and gave his sensei one of his signature Naruto hugs, knocking him back down again.
"Hey, that hurts!" Iruka laughed causing Naruto and Sasuke to join in. Sasuke looked at his brother and wondered if he'd ever seen Naruto this happy before but then just rolled his eyes as he was just glad that this meant they'd be genin together. Then a voice spoke up from behind.
"Heh, guess this means I won't be able to mommy caudle you two for much longer," said a female voice. The three turned to see that Sarah Uchiha was now making her way across the field. A few other ninjas were with her but to retrieve and arrest Mizuki as they went immediately over to his limp form, now unconscious.
"Sarah!" Naruto exclaimed.
"You're back," stated Sasuke. Sarah giggled her usual girlish giggle as she came to stand with them.
"Yes, I got back just earlier this morning. Lord third told me everything so I brought my team with me to aide you but I suppose I didn't need to since you handled it well yourselves." They all looked over at Sarah's teammates who were now lifting Mizuki to carry him. One turned to Sarah.
"So where to next?" the girl asked.
"First to the hospital since those injuries look rather serious then I assume to prison soon after. You can go on ahead of me. I'll clean up here." The two ninja's nodded and were gone with Mizuki in a flash. Sarah turned back to her two younger brothers and sighed.
"I'm sorry," she apologized, holding them both in her gaze. "I'm sorry I kept the truth from you, especially you Naruto, about the nine tails. You see, I wanted to wait to tell you when you became a ninja but it looks like Mizuki beat me to the punch. However, now that you do know, I assume you'll have many questions for me, questions that the third has allowed me to answer any way I see fit. But for now, why don't we head home and get you two to bed? You've been up all night."
"Yeah, sure," Sasuke agreed.
"Awn, what about ramen?" Naruto complained. Iruka chuckled.
"Heh, don't worry about that, I'll still treat you but you should probably go and get some rest first," Iruka smiled. Naruto gave his own smile back. Then he turned back to Sarah, a newly developed look developed on his features.
"So um, is it true that you only adopted me because you had to keep an eye on the nine tails?" he asked sheepishly. Sarah cocked an eyebrow.
"Now where would you get an idea like that?" she questioned.
"Mizuki said that was the only reason," Naruto replied. Sarah sighed as she knelt down and placed her hands on his shoulders.
"Naruto, the reasons I adopted you were of my own decisions. But if you really must know, I'll tell you the main reason." She paused slightly but a smile grew on her face.
"It's because, I too possess a scary and dangerous power that had me scorned and hated by the village." This caught both boys by surprise. "But more on that when you wake up next." she beamed.
And with that, after Sarah had used her medical nin-jutsu to heal Iruka's wounds, she took her younger brother's home where once there they didn't even bother getting undressed, they just plopped down on their beds and slept, Naruto on his with a pleased grin on his face and his new leaf headband reflecting the morning sunlight that came in through the window.