Chapter 7: Training
Smiling softly at his son, Minato ruffled his hair. "Now that you're in the academy, I think it's time to start your training."
Giving his father a wide smile, Naruto nodded vigorously.
"Let's first work on your Taijutsu." Minato paused. "Before I decide, I'd like you to go all out against me, so I can get an idea of which style would be best suited for you." Settling into his Take Style, Minato beckoned for his son to attack.
Grinning, Naruto went wild and flew at his father, throwing a fist. Smirking, Minato caught his son's fist before leaning back, and using his son's momentum against him, he nailed him with his elbow, sending him back.
Rubbing his sore cheek, Naruto got back up. Running at his father more carefully, Naruto aimed to hit his father from below with an uppercut. Dodging the fist with minimal effort, Minato grabbed his son's wrist and put him in a firm hold.
"That's good enough, Naruto. I'll have a scroll for you to study later, and I'll help you with getting it right, but for now let's move on." Minato said, "Mm. Let's work on your weapon throwing skills." Following his father, Naruto found himself occupied for the rest of the day as they worked on many areas that he needed improvement in.
The following morning, Naruto found himself waking up at the crack of dawn. Yawning, Naruto stretched and got out of bed. He rubbed away his sleepiness before sluggishly pulling out an outfit from his closet. "This'll do," he muttered to himself as he got dressed.
Grabbing a couple Onigiri from a plate on the table, Naruto bolted from the house as he was running late. "Bye, 'Tou-chan!"
With a sigh of relief, Naruto made it shortly before the bell. Looking around, he saw that people were already starting to form groups. Most of the girls surrounding the Uchiha, a group of boys including Nara, Akimichi, and Inuzuka heirs, and by herself, Hinata. Smiling to himself, Naruto made his way to the Hyuuga heiress. "Mind if I sit with you, Hinata?" He asked, grinning boyishly.
"Hai, Naruto-kun." Hinata said shyly, with a gentle smile.
Easing into the seat next to her, Naruto heard Iruka enter the room just as he sat down.
"Hello, class." Iruka said as he greeted the children. "I am Imuno Iruka, and this is Fuwatari Mizuki. You will refer to us as Iruka-sensei and Mizuki-sensei. In the mornings we will work on your academics. For the first year, there will be no sparring to create a class standing, so during the afternoon when that would usually take place, we will instead work on your Taijutsu and weapon throwing skills. Those of you with styles already decided will work on that. Those without styles will be given a style that we, Mizuki-sensei and myself, feel is best suited for you. Every Friday, instead of normal classes, there will be an event that will test your growing capabilities as a shinobi. In the second year, morning classes will be replaced with classes geared towards jutsu. In the third year, the top three students may, once a week, forego classes and may perform low-level D-Rank missions, to help get you prepared for a life as a shinobi. Your standing may be dropped dependant on how well you work with the two other students as a team, and by how well the three of you perform the mission."
"Today, we will mostly work on introductions. When I call your name, you are to state your name, and your purpose for becoming a shinobi."
"Aburame Shino," Iruka said, as he began calling off names.
Standing up, Shino said, "My purpose for becoming a Shinobi is to better my clan, and to serve the village to the utmost of my capabilities."
"Akimichi Chouji."
Putting down his chips for the moment, Chouji finished chewing the rest before swallowing. "I would like to make my 'Tou-san proud and become a shinobi worthy of the Akimichi name."
"Haruno Sakura,"
Peeling her attention away from Sasuke for a moment, she stood up. "I wish to become a strong shinobi. Showing that you can become great even without a prestigious background."
"Hyuuga Hinata."
Nodding her head, Hinata stood up delicately. "I wish to make my Otou-san proud and to better my clan as its heir."
"Inuzuka Kiba,"
Standing up with a feral smirk, Kiba said, "I'm going to show everyone just how kick-ass the Inuzuka clan can be."
"Namikaze Naruto,"
"I will become a shinobi to make my 'Tou-chan proud and to honor my Kaa-san." Naruto said, not looking at Iruka-sensei, but instead out the window towards the Hokage monument.
"Nara Shikamaru,"
Resting on the desk, Shikamaru was gently nudged by his friend, Chouji.
Eyebrow twitching in annoyance, Iruka repeated himself. "Nara Shikamaru, state your purpose for being a shinobi."
Grumbling about how troublesome introductions were, Shikamaru stood up. "I'm going to be a shinobi following my father's footsteps." Sitting down after his brief introduction, he rested his head on his desk, hoping to return to his dream.
"Uchiha Sasuke,"
"I will become a shinobi to make my clan see me for myself, to do more than just follow in my brother's footsteps." Sasuke said, staring at his desk with his fingers clenched.
"Yamanaka Ino,"
Biting her lip, she stood up. "I am going to be a shinobi to honor the wishes of my father and to follow in his footsteps."
Clapping his hands in satisfaction as everyone finished, Iruka said, "Alright, class. Now that our introductions are over with time to turn to academics. Hearing a collective groan, he chuckled.
Afternoon classes came far too slowly for Naruto's pleasure. As the clock on the wall neared 1:15, Naruto began to watch the clock and zoned out everything else. "Alright!" He shouted out the instant the clock read 1:15, not even waiting for Iruka to dismiss everyone. Rushing out of the class, Naruto made his way to the Academy Dojo, eager to get started.
Remembering his father's words, Naruto placed himself in the corner, to give others room as he pulled out the scroll his father gave them the day before. Ignoring most of the scroll, he focused on the first image.
Leaning forward on the balls of his feet, he positioned himself in what would be recognized as the Tiger stance, despite not using the Tiger style.
With a shout of determination, he focused and repeated the first strike of the Tiger stance. Moments later, he could hear the shuffling of feet as his classmates, and sensei, arrive. "You're late." he told the group, grinning.
Rubbing his forehead in exasperation, Iruka ignored Naruto and turned to the rest of the class. "Space yourself out and work on your stances. Those of you who don't have a style yet, stay here and we'll figure out your style momentarily."
With a clattering of footsteps, the students sorted themselves out across the dojo.
Smirking, Naruto found himself next to Sasuke. "Oi, teme. Can't wait until next year so we can start sparring and I can kick your ass."
Glancing at Naruto with a smirk, Sasuke said, "You won't even be able to hit me, dobe."
Grumbling, Naruto forced himself to ignore Sasuke's words as he repeated the first strike in his stance for the remainder of the afternoon classes.
Slowly, the numbers dwindled as the minutes, and hours passed on by. As the afternoon classes drew to a close, two students continued their practice.
The two boys in a corner continued training, pushing themselves in an attempt to perfect their stances that very day. Eyeing each other every so often, they made a low grunt, unable to form coherent words as they refused to be the first to stop training.
Panting heavily, Sasuke slumped onto the wall. "You...stamina freak." he wheezed out, amazed that Naruto started before him and was still going.
Chuckling with a pained cough, Sasuke said, "You may be inept at just about everything. But you've got stamina to spare."
Pausing briefly, Naruto turned to Sasuke giving him a grin. "Well, I couldn't lose to you, could I?"
Using the wall for support, Naruto did what he could to stay standing. "I won't lose to you, Sasuke-teme. Not now, and not ever."
Succumbing to his exhaustion, Naruto allowed himself to slide down to the floor, unable to press himself any further.
Leaning back against the wall, the unspoken rivals rested, eager to head home.
A/N: Sorry for the delay everyone. Had trouble with one of the scenes.