AN: This chapter will skip the next two years, to put Naruto in his final year of the Academy. So he will be 11 now, his control and reserves have only gotten better. He's learned a few more jutsu nothing to amazing or OMG.. Shiruba has also picked up some jutsu of his own, Skill wise the two are strong Gennin verging on Chunnin. For those who have noted that I am rewritting my original Awakening story to give a more linear and thought out story line.. ** High Five **
* Also I did not change Kiba and Akamaru to Kiraba and Tsumaru... they are different people, there are other Inuzuka out there.. :D Kiraba is Kiba's older cousin. Remember Naruto spent two more years in the Academy than everyone else.
My world academy is a two year program, One year basics the next year is Gennin Graduation... Sadly Naruto took that step three times. So he has had three different sets of class mates. The first year held Kiraba, the Second Graduating year held Neji and his team and then the third held the Ones from the Anime and Manga. I hope that clears up any issues.. :D
To answer some questions, Yes I will be bringing back the construct Jutsu so he can play puppet master with them. However that will be after Kyuu-chan wakes up from his sweepy time.
Skillz:
Naruto
Taijutsu: Gennin ( Perfected Uzuken)
Ninjustu: Chunnin
Genjutsu: Academy level
Control: Perfect (For now)
Kenjutsu: None
Kikai: (not used yet)
Medical : Gennin ( basic of basic )
Fuiinjutsu: Mastered (still needs more experience using though)
Shiruba
Taijutsu: Gennin (Teamwork attacks/ Uzuken strikes)
Ninjutsu: Academy/Gennin
Genjutsu: Chunnin
Control: Perfect
Kenjutsu: Uhm.. no hands?
Medical : Chunnin
Kitsune : None yet.. Kyuu will train that.
Now... that is out of the way... I hope that clears things up and leaves them just a little stronger than the rest of his class.
As for pairings.. I'm not sure if there will be any but I will take suggestion Het or Gay...
/\ Last Year in the Academy /\
Naruto now eleven, stood a little more than five foot tall his blond hair grown longer, but still pulled back leaving the bangs to frame his face. Stood in the back of the classroom, he couldn't wait for this year to be over. He ran a hand to straighten out his clothes dark blue ANBU style pants, and closed toed shoes that were flexible. His shirt the same dark blue was sleeveless to reveal the full length sleeves of the black ninja mesh shirt he wore under it. A modified black trench, with the Uzumaki swirl on it's back in blue, hung open with several pockets for scrolls. At his side sat probably the largest fox anyone had ever seen. His twin tails twitching as he sat on his haunches Shiruba's head coming to Naruto's waist.
This would be his last year here, and he couldn't be more grateful. Fail or pass the exam he was already a gennin. The Hokage had taken care of that last year, in private of course. But he was interested since Tsume's son Kiba and Shibi's son Shino would be in his class this year. So he would have friends of a sort. He did miss Kiraba but he was graduated and doing missions now for a few years. He simply sat in his seat and waited. It didn't take long for last years students to make their way in. It seemed he was in the class for Heirs. Which after the losses of the Kyuubi attack many had sought to refill their numbers. Hyuuga, Akamichi, Nara, the Uchiha, Inuzuka, Yamanaka, and several others including civilians that sought the 'glory' of ninja life.
He motioned for Shino to sit with him, getting a nod from the boy. He was soon joined by Shikamaru and Chouji. Shino looked at him strangely, if it could be said as such from within his coat and glasses, before a single kikai flew over and crawled up the boys sleeve. Naruto just nodded before he returned his gaze to the other two. "I'm Naruto Uzamaki, I already am familiar with Shino." He nodded his head to indicate the Aburame.
"Troublesome," the Nara said. "I'm Shikamaru and this is Chouji." He indicated the heavier boy that was currently eating handfuls of chips. "What's with the Kitsune?"
Naruto smiled, looking down at Shiruba."He's my companion much like the Inuzuka use ninken or the Aburame use their Kikai." To which he felt the boys Kikai move out of his arm and fly back to Shino. The other two boys seemed oblivious to this action.
Shino seemed to be thinking, which Naruto knew it was conversing with his hive. "You are the one Father spoke of." To which Naruto nodded, he had yet to have the Aburame look over his hive. "I suggest you visit soon, Father would be interested in this development."
Naruto nodded his agreement, it was long over do. "Perhaps you would escort us there after classes today?" To which Shino nodded. The whole conversation had caught the Nara's attention. As he had known Shino for several years, and had never heard his friend talk so much in a relative amount of time. He would file it away for later as right now interrupting them would be to troublesome.
Things continued on until two girls one blond and one with strange pink hair walked in together only to stop and see only one seat near the Uchiha. They both started a cat fight over who got to sit there, shouts and yells disrupted the rather peaceful classroom. This was what Iruka and Mizuki walked in on. "QUIET!" He coughed after yelling, "Now take a seat so we may begin. If you refuse to follow my rules you will be out the door and off the list to be shinobi."
The class quickly settled down, "Now we are going to spend today evaluating your skills so we can adjust ourselves or work with you on them." He placed several papers on the board that held categories and names of the students. "We will begin with a written test. Followed by splitting into these groups and cycling through the different categories." With that said Mizuki passed out the tests, and they began working on them. Naruto on the other hand, wrote random answers not truly seeing the point for him as he could see the genjutsu on the test.
/\ After School /\
Naruto, Shino, Shikamaru and Chouji were walking down the street. " Naruto, how come everything they had you perform was so much more advanced or worded poorly?" The Nara wanted to know. It had confused him how the blond was being treated and the fact that Naruto simply seemed to let it wash over him.
Naruto sighed, "They dislike me for something that happened on my birthday Eleven years ago. I had no control over it yet they insist on taking out their anger, hatred and grief on me." He didn't really give much away but to the Nara that was more than enough. Shino on the other hand knew what that was not because he was told but because he was informed by the Kikai within him. Naruto and He both knew it wouldn't be long before the Nara put it together enough to ask.
"Well this is where we part ways. Naruto if you still wish to come with me to see my father, we must head this way." He indicated a path diverging from the other two boys. Naruto just nodded and waved to the other two as they split up.
The two walked in silence as the approached the Aburame Compound, it was a more of a sprawling home with several outer houses in a network. They wee very simple and efficient being the only word Naruto could come up with for them. Crossing through the main gate the two were covered in Kikai, this being the reason not many came to visit. It was simply a security measure, as you were either allowed , had Kikai or you were an intruder and would be sucked dry.
These two were simply left alone to pass through the cloud to enter the main courtyard. Naruto stepped aside to let Shino lead the way as he didn't know where to go. SO he followed the boy through the house into his Father's office. Where Shibi was seated at his desk going over some documents. "Father, I have brought Uzamaki-san with me. He has an interesting situation that I am sure you will be able to assist him with." Shino spoke them bowed out to leave.
Naruto stood there as Shibi nodded to his son and watched him leave, "So Naruto what would be the situation, as I would appear to deal with your Kikai."
The blond took a moment to speak, "I have bonded with the Hive that you gave me, though the outcome is quite different. They seem to be having difficulty adapting to my chakra. They live long enough to create the next generation, though they seem to be living longer now As I have felt their numbers growing slowly." He looked to the Clan head, "If you wish you may send one to investigate as you would know more about this."
Shibi nodded, and sent a Kikai to speak with Naruto's, in the mean time. "I would again like to thank you for the seal, as all members now wear it and it's placed after the birth of all new members before the receive their hives." He spoke calmly though he would admit to be intrigued by this development, and wished the boy had come sooner. But perhaps they had to evolve to accommodate the chakra of the demon.
It was a few moments before the kikai came out and flew back into one of the many holes on Shibi, whom like his son seemed to be listening to voices that no on else could hear. "Well it is just as you said, though there is more too it." He paused and turned in his chair to search for a scroll. Finding it he pulled it from the shelf opening it up, "Part of the issue is we never placed the jutsu on you for them to fully bond, but they seem to be doing that on their own. Yet I will work this to speed them along. As your hive should be nearly thirty times this size by now." Naruto nodded, as his go ahead. Shibi then flashed through seals and placed his white glowing hand on Naruto.
The surge of chakra washed over him seeming to sink into his body. The Kikai reacted and started to move around rapidly. As the light faded they too settled down, "There that jutsu works to create a haven inside your body for them to nest without the true strength of your chakra weighing on them. Though I am curious as to what they look like after so long." Naruto thought on that, and felt one slip out of his arm to his hand.
This was the first time he had seen them since they sunk into his body, the were a deep purple color. This one seemed to stretch his wings before he fluttered around a bit them flew off to the mans desk. Shibi pulled out a magnifying glass, and started looking over the details of the Kikai. The carapace coloring was obvious from so many forced generations of breeding near the chakra, advanced pincers, and what appeared to be a poison sack were visible. "This appears to be a guard, though it's different than the hive you were given. They have adapted to your chakra but now they have a stable place to build their hive within you now." The kikai flew back into the boys arm.
"Is there anything else I should be aware of now that my foolishness has been corrected?" True Naruto realized he should have seen them after he tried to bond them, but maybe he was prideful and didn't want help. Though now he could feel the pull on his chakra adding to them, and hoped they wouldn't take much seeing as it was denser than normal. But then they had been living his chakra for two years growing to live off of it by the look they were feeding of his Kyuubi mixed chakra if the slightly more demonic build and coloring were an indication.
Shibi saw the look that filtered across the boys face, "For now do not use them until they let you know they are strong enough to be used." Shibi thought over this, " I would say another year since I am sure their breeding rate is accelerated. As well as they have adapted and evolved to live with out the jutsu they are far different from our own breeds. Though if you would give us a starter hive to study once yours has rebuilt we would appreciate it." Naruto nodded, he wouldn't screw up like this again.
They spoke more over the Kikai and what Naruto could expect over the next several months as his colony grew in size and adjusted to the jutsu and his chakra. As well as other things, and investments Naruto wanted to make with the money he was earning from his stipend, mission and owning the complex he lives in.
/\ Jump ahead to Graduation /\
The months of boredom flew by for the young blond, yet he still managed to keep up on his -own- studying and work. His grades were worse than anyones, and effectively placed him dead last of his class once more. Yet today would be the practical end of his mission and pretending to be stupid or just failing his classes.
He had just been called into the exam room, and performed two of the three required jutsu, a henge and the substitution. Now it was time for the part that he always failed thanks to someone using a henge on his clones. Though he believed it was Mizuki, today would prove everything. "Now Naruto if you fail this test again you will never be able to be a ninja." Iruka stated, with a tinge of worry for the boy who seemed to strive so hard for the role.
Slowly going through the hand seals he summoned several regular bunshin. He knew they were fine, yet once the smoke cleared there were several half dead looking clones either laying or floating around the room. Irukua shook his head sadly, "I'm sorry Naruto but you fail."
Mizuki interrupted, "Come on Iruka cut the kid some slack."
"No, it's the rules I won't bend them, I'm sorry."
Naruto shook his head and walked out of the room, taking his seat near Shino and his friends. He just looked down at Shiruba and gave him a wink. It would all soon be over. But for now Iruka walked out and gave some announcements about meeting back here in two days for team placement for those that passed, and for those that didn't good luck in whatever career they chose or he would see them next year.
Naruto and Shiruba walked outside and mingled around the training field 'acting' depressed over the fact that he didn't make it again. Though inwardly he hoped that this would end his ruse of being a failure though almost four years of the stigma would be a bitch to wear off. When he spotted Mizuki looking right at him.
"I'm sorry you couldn't pass the normal way." The instructor said.
Naruto tilted his head, "What do you mean normal way? Is there another one?"
Mizuki hid his smile, "Yea but it's not as easy as these tests... I don't know if you will be able to pass it."
"I can do anything, come on Mizuki-sensei let me at least try..." He gave a small pout, even Shiruba had whined a little.
'I got the brat now, "Well this is what you have to do..."
/\ Hokage's Office /\
"... and I am suppose to bring the Forbidden Scroll to the clearing tonight by 9." Naruto finished retelling Mizuki's 'secondary exam'. "I would need the scroll to make it convincing, though I am sure with His superiority complex to me I would be able to take him with Shiruba."
The hokage pondered over this, and the reports on the two instructors and had to agree that Mizuki was definitely the traitor, as for his reasons to want the forbidden scroll it was more than likely to take it out of the village and to someone else. That he could not allow but letting Naruto take the scroll as bait was the only true way to do so."Very well, I will organize to have the scroll in my office around Seven, Though I will organize a small group of ANBU twenty minutes after you have left with the scroll." He sighed, "That should give you enough time to set up and 'study' the scroll and potentially catch Mizuki off guard, though if he is not alone I do not want you to engage is that clear?"
Naruto nodded that he understood, as right now This was the Hokage and not Jiji, it was a strange duality between them Leader and Soldier at times at others Grandfather and grandson. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
/\ Shortly after 7 /\
Naruto and Shiruba bounded out of the Hokages office, and took off through the streets both sending three clones to run off in other places as they headed towards the clearing. Which they landed in a short twenty minutes later, just as the ANBU would be summoned, giving them a fair window of time. He pulled the large scroll off of his back and opened it, passing up the Kage Bunshin and that Chakra Threads. No this time he was going to see what else could be useful that wouldn't be illegal to use to often. There were a few jutsu and seals but none of them held promise until he got halfway through the scroll.
Two jutsu seemed to stick out, one was a Bloodline Copy Jutsu. This one seemed to create a weak version of the victims bloodline in the user. Which Naruto could see the potential in that as well as he doubted it would stay weak for long once the Kyuubi woke up again.
The other was called the Chakra Shroud. Reading through it's description, the jutsu basically creates a layer of chakra over your skin, that constantly drains on your chakra however it deflects most weapon attacks and would reduce a fair bit of damage from jutsu. Naruto could see why that could be an issue for most people, but for him Chakra was readily available should he be forced into pulling on the Kyuubi's. Though given his bloodline, the expenditure was less since his chakra was naturally denser because of it.
He took the time to commit the seals for both of those jutsu to memory though he didn't know of any bloodlines that he would really want to copy to himself. Checking the time he had a few minutes before Mizuki would arrive so he created several clones and had them hide just outside the clearing. "Shiruba get up in the tree, and stay safe."
The kitsune jumped and ran up the tree, to perch and wait for the perfect moment, well in his mind the perfect moment. With Kitsune you never really know what they are thinking and have planned, which that is something Naruto did as well.
Within a few moments Mizuki appeared, "Well it seems like you did it. Now hand over the scroll and we can give you your 'promotion'."
Naruto looked at him with a funny grin on his face, "You came alone? Foolishness.. Kirigakure no jutsu." He flew through seals causing a think fog to flood the clearing and much further out as well. Picking up and placing the scroll on his back securely. " By order of the Hokage you are under arrest for Treason."
Mizuki looked around and couldn't see anything, 'how did the brat do this, it must be in that scroll'. "You think a little fog will save you from me?"
Naruto's voice came from all directions, "Not really but it's enough that I can get you..." His clones from earlier lunged out striking at Mizuki from all angles with the Uzuken fists, pulsing chakra into the mans pathways disrupting and rupturing several of them. "We don't need to see you...we can hear you, and smell you."
From above Mizuki heard a different voice, "Raiton: Kitsune Shock Tackle." The sound of electricity crackled through the mist before it collided with Mizuki, surging through the mans body causing him to scream as the moisture in the air only served to dampen him and increase the power from the Raiton attack. Soon to be followed by a silent thud of an unconscious man.
Dismissing the mist jutsu, he quickly tied the man up and ensured his own Headband was tied snugly around his bicep and put the collar with the leaf plate on Shiruba. Then he tied up the unconscious traitor, before hefting him over his shoulder, and giving the kitsune the forbidden scroll they took off for the tower.
/\ Hokage's Office /\
Naruto and Shiruba jumped through the window, and soundly tossed Mizuki to the floor near the Old mans desk. " Got him, alive..." Naruto looked to Shiruba who quickly trotted over and let the Hokage take the scroll back. "Would you like the 'Full' report or just the last few hours?"
The hokage looked at the chunnin that was knocked out and tied up laying in front of his desk. Then back to the young boy who had done all of this, with the help his kitsune. "No Naruto that will be fine, given the severity of what may have happened with the scroll, I have observed the entire encounter through my crystal." He waved his hand to indicate, the small orb that sat on his desk. " I will have the traitor sent to Ibiki for questioning, Now though I want to know what jutsu you managed to pick up from the scroll as I saw you use Kage Bunshin, I can assume that you already knew of that skill."
Naruto nodded, "I had time to also learn the Chakra thread, " ' not lying but stretching the time that I learned that one in.' "I also memorized the signs for the Chakra Shroud, which I believe I could use efficiently for periods of time."
The hokage, didn't detect any lies from the boy, and given the time those two skills would be the least of his troubles if he managed to get any other skills from the scroll. "Those two will not be difficult for you, but I would suggest you keep the Shrouds use to a minimum. The thread given your bloodline may end up more of a weapon than just a skill."
Naruto had come to realize that as well but didn't show of voice that he could do so, "I see I will look into that. Now, is there anything else Hokage-sama?"
Sarutobi looked at the boy, "Yes unfortunately there is, Hatake Kakashi has requested you specifically for his team. However since he is the only user of a Sharingan in the village he will also have Sasuke." He watched Naruto twitch at the young Uchiha's name.
"I request my actual scores from your and Jiraiya's exam be the scores I am to qualify with for team placement." Naruto said, it was truly the only way to avoid being stuck on the teme of an Uchiha's team. "Those results should place me as the number one student, and remove any chance of placing me on his team because that would be an unfair advantage to have the two highest ranked gennin together."
The Hokage, smiled slightly. Though he didn't know how he was going to tell Kakashi. "Well with you being the Rookie of the Year, four years in a row, (cough) That would more than likely make your team Yourself, Kiba and Sakura.. but I don't see you keeping her alive.." The hokage said. " I will not break up Asuma's team which is the Ino-shika-cho combination, but I can place you on Kurenai's team. Since you are similar to the Inuzuka with Shiruba it won't disrupt her dynamic, and we will place Kiba with Kakashi." He muttered more to himself, "So that would give you Shino, and Hinata as your team."
Naruto thought it over, and felt slightly sorry for Kiba, though he took to the rivalry with Sasuke. He didn't really know Kiba all that well, but he was slightly worse than he and Kiraba were the first two years. "I think that will work out better, the rivalry from Kiba to the Uchiha will drive him. " Drive him to suicide he hoped.
"Well that's settled I will inform the Jounnin of their teams tomorrow, and here's your pay and bonus for completion of the mission. The bonus was for bringing him in alive to question." Sarutobi handed over the envelop with quite a bit of money in it. " Now I will be placing this mission in your file though not the length of time it lasted." He smiled, as Naruto looked up from his pay and smiled back. Having a solo C-rank mission as a gennin is a tremendous start.
"Oh, before I leave Jiji... how come you don't use Kage-bunshin to do your paper work?" He laughed as he and Shiruba jumped out the window. The relief of being done with acting and being treated as if he were stupid, and not having to be stuck with the Uchiha, washed over him and he decided that no training tonight to celebrate.
/\ Jounnin Meeting: Next day /\
Sarutobi sat at his desk as he looked over the group of Jounnin, Asuma, Kurenai, Hyate and surprisingly Kakashi was on time. Though that may have been because he told him 9 am and everyone else 11 am. But who cared they were all there. " As you know you four will be taking on teams this year. Though with recent events I have had to adjust your teams with the release of some previously classified information." He enjoyed building up the suspense.
Coughing to clear his throat. " With this information, Kakashi I have to deny your request for Naruto Uzamaki." He passed out the 'correct' student file for the Jounnin to look over, since he Jiraiya and Ibiki all had a hand in testing the boys skills. "As you can all see he is the Rookie of the year, as such I cannot stack the teams."
Kakashi along with the other Jounin looked over the boys scores, and true ability levels. "Hokage-sama you can't be serious there's no way he cou..."
"Kakashi, Naruto as of last night completed a C-rank Solo mission, to track down and capture a Chunnin who had stolen the Forbidden scroll. I think my judgement along with Jiraiya and Ibiki's on the boys skills should be more valuable than that of a Chunnin instructor?" The Hokage stated with a bit of killing intent leaking.
The rest of the Jounnin nodded, though Kakashi didn't look so happy about it, "Would I have gotten him if he were the dead last?"
"No, he requested several years ago to never be teamed with a Sharingan or an Uchiha." The hokage said sadly. "He can remember most of the attacks against him when he was younger, being fire jutsu and the sharingan being visible far too often. It's better if they aren't teamed as He would do nothing to help Sasuke and would given the chance just let him die." He remembered hearing Naruto mutter his thoughts on the Uchiha a few times, " 'The only good Uchiha is a dead one or Itachi,' I believe were his exact words. I can't fault the boy for his sentiments, but given Sasukes personality and desire to Kill Itachi I think we all know which side Naruto would take, given Itachi was Naruto's primary rescuer from most of the attacks on him as a child."
The gathered Jounnin hid their reactions to the fact that Naruto would gladly let the Uchiha die, than help him but the small story that the Hokage gave them they could understand. If that was the worse thing about Naruto they could handle that. Kurenai spoke up, "So then what will the teams be?"
"Well Team seven will be Kiba Inuzuka, Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha with Kakashi." He handed him the stats on his team. "Team eight will be Shino Aburame, Hinata Hyuuga and Naruto Uzamaki under Kurenai." Handing her the team adjustment stats as well, "Ten will be the new Ino-Shika-Cho combination under Asuma and Eleven will be with Hyate.. and there was no changes to your selection." He pulled out his pipe and lit it taking a few drags. " You are all dismissed, team pick up will be tomorrow at noon."
They all filed out with the exception of Kakashi, " Hokage-sama,please reconsider."
Sarutobi looked into the one eye of the man,"Kakashi, Naruto would rather resign being a Ninja than being placed with an Uchiha and he wouldn't respect you because of that eye. That and I know of the councils orders for you to focus only on Sasuke. Kiba will have his clan to fall back on, Sakura will worship and do whatever Sasuke wants. Just as the council had her trained. I will NOT put Naruto on your team for the fear of him quitting, killing him, or going rogue."
"Surely the boy couldn't be capable of killing yet he would hesitate."
"Not with Sasuke he wouldn't, he doesn't see him as human... just trash that needs to be taken out. The only reason he hasn't yet is because I promised him that he wouldn't be teamed with him. That's the end of it and please drop it. It's what he wants," Sarutobi pleaded with his eyes to the man.