A/N: I was going to go back and change the Yondaime's name, now that it has been revealed, but I probably won't get around to it. If people really want me to, I will, but otherwise…. And, of course, I don't own Naruto.
Iruka sighed as he headed home after eating a dinner of ramen with Naruto, wondering about his mysterious student. At first glance, Naruto was brightly colored, a little slow, and had only two thoughts in his head – being Hokage and eating ramen. However, in the past two years, Iruka had gotten to know Naruto better, fairly well in fact. He knew that Naruto was uncommonly smart and talented, with a quick mind and wit, and that many of his pranks were calls for attention and recognition. For a moment, Iruka smiled in thinking of the similar stunts he had pulled as an orphaned and ignored kid. Then, he frowned. For all of Iruka's understanding of Naruto, he simply could not grasp how and why Naruto failed the genin exam.
After two years of classes at the Shinobi Academy of Konoha, many students dropped out, but with a large number of different classes, there were always plenty who moved on to reach at least genin, with a large majority of those who passed making chuunin. It was for this reason that Konoha was famed for its strength; it had both numbers and skills. Yet, Naruto, one of his best students, had failed the test. This year, the test consisted of a weapons and aim test, using both kunai and shuriken, a taijutsu spar against two other genin and then against an instructor, a stealth and espionage test, and a performance of bunshin and kawarimi no jutsu. (1)
It was definitely odd, Iruka thought, how Naruto seemed to be doing worse and worse as time had gone on. When he had asked Naruto if everything was alright, Naruto had simply smiled a wide, foxy grin, and said that he still just wanted to stay in Iruka's class longer. Iruka believed that, he could see how much Naruto liked his class and him as a teacher, but he also felt that Naruto was still hiding something. So, Iruka decided that tomorrow, he would ask the Hokage to allow him to stay as Naruto's academy sensei until Naruto graduated. With that in mind, he slept soundly.
Two years later, Iruka again stood at the front of a second-year shinobi academy class. "Welcome everyone to your second year at the Shinobi Academy. I will be your teacher this year. You will address me as Umino-sensei." Naruto tuned out the rest and fell asleep at his desk, having already heard this last year. An eraser smacked him in the face, waking him up. Iruka had thrown it out of reflex, but the entire class giggled and laughed. "This year, we also have an assistant instructor, whom you will all address as Mizuki-sensei."
Two years had passed. (2) Naruto had failed his exam a second time, and was now in his third repetition of the second-year class. Iruka had been so worried the second time, that he had gone to the Sandaime Hokage in his concern. But, the Hokage had merely told him not to worry. Of course, Iruka continued to worry.
Naruto was actually quite excited. The Yondaime Hokage's scroll, his father's scroll, had told him to wait these three years for a special reason. Uzamaki Naruto was not the container of the Kyuubi. Instead, amongst this year's students, one of them was the true vessel, and Naruto had been waiting for this moment. His father had left him instructions for training these past two years, which he had followed rigorously, which supposedly placed him at least at mid-Chuunin level. Proud of his father's trust in him and his strength, Naruto readied himself to continue the protection of the village, as befit an aspiring Hokage. (3)
And so, Naruto goofed off in class that day, and ignored what was being taught. Much of it was a waste of his time, and instead, he stealthily read one of the scrolls from his father. It was his favorite one, as it first introduced him to the fact that he had had a loving, caring, and powerful father, and that someone out there trusted and believed in him:
Naruto, my son,
If you are reading this, then you must already be eight years old. I wish I could have been there to watch you as you grew up into a fine, upstanding young man, and I apologize for whatever has happened to you thus far. Some introductions seem to be in order, though. First, I am your father, Kazama Arashi. Second, I am or was the Yondaime Hokage. Third, the reason every hates you is because they think that you are the container for the Kyuubi that attacked the village five years ago.
But, now I will tell you the truth. I am placing the safety of the village in your hands, and I know that you, my son, will make me proud. Your will and chakra are linked through your seal to the other child's seal, and powers that seal to contain the fox. Before I died, I created and tattooed additional seals on you, which is why this scroll suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
I believe that you will become a great and powerful person, and most importantly, kind to others and caring. You might even be like your dad and become the Hokage some day. With that in mind, I have also sealed many training scrolls and techniques for you so that you can reach your full potential. I have even sealed some money for you as well. Most of these seals will activate on their own at the proper time, so that you don't overburden yourself.
Every year, you will receive a letter from me, and I hope that you will try to understand and see me really as your father. I'll tell you about our family and tales from when I was young like you are. Keep this a secret though, until the time you feel is right to let other people know. You should also try to find Jiraiya, my sensei, as well as Sarutobi, the Sandaime Hokage. Those two have always been trustworthy friends and mentors and will help you as best as they can. Likely, they already even know some of the truth, but I can't say for sure.
Stay safe, and I hope that you can forgive me. I only wish you the best and believe in you.
Your loving father,
Arashi
Naruto remembered with a smile how he had been so happy that day. Though at first he had been somewhat angry and upset, he had then realized that not only did he know who his father was, but he had a family, and someone believed in him. His father, the Fourth Hokage, had chosen him specifically as an heir to protect the village. Truthfully, it was on that day that Naruto really threw himself into his dream of becoming the Hokage. He smiled to himself as he also remembered what he had done next. Right away, he ran to the Hokage tower, dashed past the guards and ran to find the Hokage. The secretary had smiled at him and told him the Third was in a meeting, and asked him to wait. She had even given him a piece of candy to eat. Naruto could tell that she seemed like a nice person, and that she didn't hate him or look at him with those cold eyes.
Then, when the meeting was over, Naruto dashed into the office, running through past and under and around the cold adults coming out of the room. The Third had seemed somewhat down. Later, Naruto realized that it was around the time of the Uchiha Massacre. But, Naruto had bounded in and given the old man a hug, which was gradually returned.
Naruto had always, even before reading the letter, looked up to the Third, both as a strong Hokage and a grandfather figure who had sheltered and protected him. "Ojisan!" Naruto had shouted.
Sarutobi had smiled feebly. "How are you doing, Naruto?"
"I learned about my family today." Naruto had carefully whispered to the Third, making sure there was no one around them. "My dad left me a letter."
Somewhat shocked at the sudden revelation, but immensely cheered, Sarutobi had laughed. "That is good news. Do you need any help or anything, now that you know? Are you alright with everything?" He had asked just to make sure, as he probably had been able to tell from the large grin on Naruto's face.
"Eh, that's okay, Ojisan. Dad set up everything already. Just take care of yourself and keep that Hokage hat and seat warm for me." Relieved and feeling wonderfully happier, Sarutobi had just smiled and laughed again, and then had taken them out for a late dinner of ramen at their favorite ramen stand.
Naruto was knocked out of his cheery memories with a well-placed eraser. "Naruto! Pay attention!" Iruka shouted, somewhat irritated.
"Ow!" Naruto rubbed his forehead. "That hurt, Iruka-sensei!"
Shaking his head, Iruka sighed. "Now that you are paying attention," The class laughed a little, before Iruka silenced them with a glare. "We can continue the introductions. Please introduce yourself to the class."
He bounded up to the front, to Mizuki's astonishment and annoyance but as Iruka had expected. Naruto turned to face the class. "I am Uzamaki Naruto, the number one most surprising ninja in the whole village and the most infamous prankster in the world. This is my third year in the Academy, but, one day, I will become the Hokage. And, I will definitely be the strongest and best Hokage ever!" Any, with that astounding declaration, he returned to his seat, ignoring the snickers and laughs of the other students.
Iruka sighed, and tiredly rubbed his forehead. This always happened. "Thank you, Naruto. Next, Nara Shikamaru, please come up and introduce yourself to the class."
"Troublesome." But, Shikamaru got up anyways and plodded to the front.
Naruto ignored Shikamaru's bored introduction, more or less. It wasn't that he was trying to be rude, but that he was simply too excited to meet at long last the true container for the Kyuubi. And, beside, he could always read more about the Nara clan from the reference scrolls his dad had left. Watching, Naruto waited as Shikamaru went back to his seat, and as Iruka asked the true vessel to come to the front of the classroom. "Please come up introduce yourself…"
A/N
(1) The academy teaches only the most basic skills in setting up the groundwork for future learning. The foundation is very important, which is why students spend two years on these basics alone. It is in genin squads where shinobi acquire their distinctive skill set and style, which they hone as chuunin and make famous as jounin. Also, students are, normally, only twelve years old at graduation and still have small chakra reserves, hence the basic techniques.
(2) Two more years have passed, as Naruto failed the test three times. Because he had done well the first year, each time he is retained in the next year's graduating class. This also means that Naruto is actually a year older than Lee, Neji, and Tenten, and two years older than the rest of the Rookie Nine.
(3) Here is the first main plot twist. Naruto is not the vessel of the Nine-Tails! Instead, the Fourth, his father, gave Naruto the job of protecting the true vessel through this cloak of anonymity.
Yes, it is a cliffhanger! Read next time to discover the identity of the true container… Let me know who else you think would be a good container for the Kyuubi. Of course, I already have the character picked out though…