It has only been two years since Naruto came to live with Raven and for the first time in a year Naruto was actually looking forward to training again. The reason for this was simple, for today Raven was beginning Naruto's weapons training. As an added bonus Raven had invited Ten-Ten and her mother to join them.
Naruto and Raven were standing in the training field when Ten-Ten and Suka arrive and Naruto immediately rushes over and gives Ten-Ten a massive bear hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," he says to the slightly blushing girl over and over again.
Raven can't help but laugh at his young Ward's action. "Come on the training hasn't been that bad."
"You've got to be kidding me," Naruto exclaims letting the still blushing older girl go. "You've been trying to kill me for the last year," he tells them before looking up at Suka hopefully. "Please Suka-chan," he almost pleads, "Please don't let him kill me."
The retired Kunoichi can't help but laugh at the poor boy's pleas. "Don't worry Naru-chan," she tells him kneeling down to look him in the eyes. "I'll protect you from the big bad Raven-kun."
"Yatta," Naruto cries out before giving the woman as tight a bear hug as he had given her daughter just moments before.
0o0o0o0o0
True to her word Suka protected Naruto from Raven although neither had the heart to tell the young Jinchuuriki that while Raven was very proficient with most known weapons it was Suka that was the real Weapons Expert among their group. As such Suka took over Naruto and Ten-Ten's weapons training for the remainder of the year until Ten-Ten joined the Academy shortly after Naruto's seventh birthday.
In that year Naruto developed his kunai and shuriken throwing to the point that he could hit any target he aimed at nine times out of ten, even while on the move. Of course Ten-Ten beat him by being able to hit the targets ten times out of ten. Also in that year both Naruto and Ten-Ten were introduced to various other weapons including senbons, knives, swords, staves, whips, chains, axes and clubs.
By the time Ten-Ten was ready to enter the Academy they had both gained a wealth of knowledge about almost every weapon they may encounter in their shinobi carrier as well as helped Ten-Ten's father Ryo test out his newest shipments of weapons for his shop.
Raven and Ten-Ten's parents would always laugh whenever they children got a new shipment to play with comparing it to the way children acted on Christmas morning. Once Ten-Ten entered the Academy Raven once again took over Naruto's training so that Suka could help her husband with their shop during the day and continue Ten-Ten's weapons training after school at home.
0o0o0o0o0
Naruto's last year of training saw his introduction to the wonders of traps and seals and with them the infinite possibilities for newer and better pranks for him and Kiba to pull. At least that was how the year was to begin but during what was to be his first lesson into the fields of traps and seals turned into something that would forever change the young orphan's life. Whether this change was for the best or the worst was something that could not be known at the time.
"Now Naruto," Raven warns the blonde bundle of energy before the boy can get too far into his plans for more pranks. "Remember when I told you I was a Jack of all traits but a Master of none?" Naruto nods his head remembering Raven telling him those exact words when they had begun his training three years ago. "Well that's especially true when it comes to traps and seals," he tells the young boy. "Minato was our team's traps and seals expert. Now I did learn enough from him over the years to be competent enough with the few seals and traps I do use but they're perhaps my weakest point when compared to the other things I do know."
"So if this Minato is such an expert then why not have him teach me?" Naruto asks not realizing his mistake until he sees the pain and sadness in Raven's eyes.
"I wish I could Naruto," Raven replies softly, "I wish I could." Raven sits down on the ground and motions for Naruto to do the same. "Naruto the reason Minato can't teach you is because he died during the Kyuubi Attack," he tells the boy.
"I'm sorry Niisan I didn't know," Naruto says realizing he had just dredged up painful memories for his Guardian. "What was he like?" Again Naruto doesn't even realize what exactly it is he just asked but the answer is far from what he excepted.
"Minato was a lot like you," Raven tells him with an almost sad smile. "He had your same bright smile and your thirst for knowledge. He also had your same friendly nature and your kind heart. While you'll never know him he would have been very proud of you Naruto."
"Proud of me," Naruto asks, "Why would someone I'll never know be proud of me?"
"Because he was your father," Raven answers plainly. "Minato Namikaze was your father Naruto."
"My…my father," Naruto asks completely floored by the revelation. "How…how can you know? How come no one ever told me? Surely Ojijisan had to have known. How come he never told me?"
"You have to understand Naruto your father had many enemies," Raven tells his best friend's son. "Many of them are still alive and would love nothing more then to kill you for nothing more then because you are Minato's son." Raven takes a breath to steady himself before he continues the talk he had hoped to avoid until Naruto was at least in his teens. "Your father was a great man Naruto, never for a moment forget that," he says to the blonde boy. "But even the greatest of men are still only human and as such are capable of making mistakes.
"The reason I'm telling you this is because seven years ago your father made the greatest mistake of all in order to protect this village." Seeing Naruto's confusion he continues to elaborate. "Seven years ago during the Kyuubi Attack Minato knew he could never actually kill the Kyuubi so he did the only thing he could and that was to seal the Demon into a new born child, you."
"Me," Naruto asks as realization of the shear magnitude of Raven's words suddenly hits him. "You mean my father was the one who made me a Demon?"
"No," Raven nearly shouts. "You are not the Kyuubi Naruto nor will you ever refer to yourself as that monster you understand me?" he demands. "You are the Demon's jailer and its container. You are not the Demon itself and don't you ever forget that."
"But why me," Naruto asks, "Why would my father seal the Kyuubi in me?"
"Because Minato was not the kind of man to ask others to make a sacrifice that he himself was unwilling to make," Raven answers sadly. "Minato knew he could never ask another parent to offer their child for the ritual and as such he made the ultimate sacrifice for Konoha and gave both his life and yours to save this village."
"I think I understand," Naruto says after a few moments of silent thought. "But why do you refer to my father's sacrifice as a mistake?"
"Because the Baka never told me about his plan," Raven replies. "You see Naruto you and I are more alike then you realize," he tells Naruto. "Where you contain the Kyuubi No Kitsune I hold within me the Hachibi No Tatsu, the Eight-Tailed Dragon."
"Hachibi No Tatsu," Naruto says repeating the name of the Demon Dragon Raven contains. "What does the Hachibi have to do with my father not telling you what he was going to do?"
"I thought that was obvious," Raven replies with a slight chuckle. "If Minato had told me before and then I could have come back sooner and you might not have had to grow-up the way you did before I finally did return," he adds with a twinge of regret.
"But you're here now," Naruto tells him with one of his foxy grins, "And since you knew my father so well you can tell me everything about him."
"Hai," Raven replies as he stands up. "But let's go inside so we can talk more comfortably," he suggests.
0o0o0o0o0
The morning of Naruto's first day at the Academy arrived and Raven was just finishing serving breakfast when the energetic blonde came bounding down the stairs. "Morning Naruto-kun," he says as they both sit down to eat.
"Morning Raven-niisan," the boy replies before digging into his meal.
"So you remember our deal?" Raven asks watching the boy devouring the contents of his plate in mere moments.
"Yeah, yeah," Naruto replies adding more food to his plate. "I have to be good and not get into any trouble," he grumbles. "This Jutsu has better be worth it," he tells Raven, "Cause Kiba and I had a great prank planned," today and he's going to be disappointed that we have to wait till tomorrow to pull it off."
"It'll be worth it," Raven chuckles, "I promise." Raven knew about the boys' plan for using some of the seal and trap skills Naruto learned over the last year to pull off a major prank on their first day at the Academy and in attempt to teach Naruto a little restraint he made a deal with Naruto to teach him his first Jutsu after school if the blonde didn't get into any trouble today. Raven went so far as to inform Naruto that he would be picking the boy up after school and asking his teacher if he had behaved himself and if the teacher said that he hadn't then Naruto would have to wait until that weekend to learn the Jutsu.
"You ready," Raven asks putting the dishes into the sink as Naruto finishes clearing the rest of the table.
0o0o0o0o0
A sulking Naruto sits in the back of the classroom waiting for his friends to come in and join him. The reason he was sulking was because as soon as he had arrived at the Academy the Civilian Parents had instantly started glaring at him. As Raven had left him alone he had over heard a few of the mothers whispering about pulling their children from the Academy if they ended up in his class.
"Hey Naruto what gives," Kiba asks as he enters the room to find his Pranking Partner sulking. "I thought we were supposed to be setting up. What happened?"
"Raven-Niisan says I have to be good to day or I won't get to learn my first Jutsu until this weekend," Naruto pouts, crossing his arms over his chest while sulking even more.
"Man that sucks," Kiba grumbles plopping down in the chair on the right of the blonde. "It had damn well better be a kick ass Jutsu," the Inuzuka adds.
"Raven-niisan says it is but I think he's just saying that," Naruto replies.
"So," Kiba begins with a wicked grin, "We do this tomorrow?"
"Definitely," Naruto answers with a grin of his own.
0o0o0o0o0
By the time Raven arrives to pick up Naruto he finds the boy once again sulking in the back of the classroom. "Why the long face," he asks sitting beside his Ward.
"I got in trouble for sleeping in class," the boy tells him. "But I couldn't help it," he adds quickly, "The class was so freaking boring and I already knew everything they were talking about. I mean look at this." Naruto hands Raven a sheet of paper with the outline of everything that they are supposed to learn over the next four years. "See, aside from first-aid, wilderness survival and the Jutsus I already know everything," he tells his Guardian, "And they're not even teaching those until the third year."
Raven growls softly as he gets up and walks over to the front of the class to speak with Iruka. "What is this," he asks showing the outline to the Chunnin, "Is this what you're actually teaching at this Academy?"
"Is there a problem sir," the younger Shinobi asks.
"Damn straight there's a problem," Raven replies. "This isn't a four year Shinobi training regiment," he tells the confused Academy instructor. "Aside from the academics this is a two week Militia training course." Taking a deep breath Raven tries to regain control of his emotions before continuing. "Show me the Obstacle Course."
0o0o0o0o0
Once outside Raven gasps at the sight before him as he sees what in his opinion is little more then a playground. "You have got to be shitting me," he says still not believing how low the Academy standards have fallen since his own school days. "Where are the swinging punching bags," he asks, "Where are the kunai and shuriken launchers. Sure they were blunted but they taught you to avoid enemy attacks."
Shaking his head he turns back to a now wide-eyed Iruka and a fearful Naruto. "I want to see the person in charge of the Kunoichi training program," he tells the Chunnin in a voice the leaves no room for arguments.
0o0o0o0o0
Following his meeting with the Academy Instructors a still agitated Raven paces the Hokage's office still ranting about what he discovered less then an hour ago. "I'm serious Otousan," he says completely ignoring the Hokage's amusement at his little tirade. "They're not training Shinobi," he tells the older man, "They're training Cannon Fodder. Sweet Kami's nutsack have you seen their curriculum?"
"I have," the elder Sarutobi answers, "And I still fail to see why you are so upset over it."
"Have you gone completely senile in your old age," Raven almost demands. "Have you not even been paying attention to anything I've been telling you? The Academy is a fucking joke. No wonder the other Villages aren't taking us as seriously as they once did," he adds as he starts to build up more momentum as he continues his ranting. "Hell I wouldn't take us seriously if I knew about the kind of training the Shinobi in this village receives before their Jounin Senseis take over.
"My God no wonder the failure rate for the Final Genin Test is so high," he tells the now grinning Hokage, "Those kids never even learn how to work on a team. Even then when they do manage to pass the damn test their Jounin Senseis have to basically start their actual training from scratch."
"So when can I expect you to take over the Academy," the Hokage chuckles. Raven's eyes nearly pop out of their sockets with his mouth hanging open as he looks at his father causing the man to breakout into full scale laughter at the sight of his son's shocked face. "If you feel so strongly about changing the Academy's curriculum and raising the quality of the Genin it produces then surely you're willing to take over the Academy and make the necessary changes," he tells the still speechless younger man. "I'll have you staff informed about your appointment and you can meet then Friday after school," he adds with a triumphant smirk while leaning back in his chair.
A still shell-shocked Raven makes his way home after his meeting with the Hokage as his mind tries to process what just happened. In the back of his mind he can feel Hachibi laughing at its container's misfortune.
0o0o0o0o0
Friday quickly arrives and Raven is now standing infront of the Academy's entire teaching staff still trying to figure out what he's going to say to all of them. As he surveys the room he's amazed by the fact even though he doesn't look it (thanks to Hachibi's regenerative capabilities) he's actually older then everyone else in the room, even if it is only by a few years.
"First of all I wish to thank everyone for taking time out of their busy schedules to attend today's meeting," he tells them. "For those of you that don't know me, my name is Raven Sarutobi and I have been appointed by the Hokage to bring this Academy's standards back up to snuff."
"What do you mean back up to snuff," a silver-haired Chunnin demands. "We're teaching these brats what they need to know to be Shinobi," he says causing several others to join in on his outburst. "Why should we listen to some third rate ninja newcomer who thinks he knows more then those of us who have been teaching at this Academy for years, even if he is the Hokage's kid?"
"First of all," Raven replies maintaining an aura of confidence and authority. "I am not a third rate anything," he informs them. "Unlike everyone else in this room I have seen what's really out there and nothing you are teaching these kids now can even hope to prepare them for what awaits them in the real world."
"Bullshit," the Chunnin snaps only to find himself hoisted in the air by his throat. His feet dangle almost half a foot off the ground as the Killing Intent radiating off of Raven prevents the other teachers in the room from intervening and assisting their fellow Chunnin.
"Have you ever fought in a War," Raven snarls baring his now enlarged canines, "Because I have. How many Nuke-nins have you fought and killed in combat? Because for the six years I was gone from this village I collected the bounties on over one hundred B and A Ranked Shinobi and three S Ranks.
"Finally who was on your Genin Team because I trained along side the Fourth Hokage himself under the Legendary Sannin Jiraiya," he adds causing murmurs to begin circulating through out the room at his brief history. "I may look young," he tells Mizuki, "But I am older and more experienced then everyone else in this room. So you can either follow my new curriculum or you can resign and ask the Hokage to resume active duty. The choice is yours."
Raven drops Mizuki on the floor before returning to the front. "That goes for all of you," he says turning back around to face the them once again. "The Hokage gave me a job to and I intend to do it. You can stay on here at the Academy and help me give these children a real education or you can see the Hokage about finding another assignment."
"Does that include the Kyuubi Brat as well?" Mizuki snarls before finding himself pinned against the back wall of the room with the tip of a Kunai pressed against his throat.
"You are dismissed Touji-san," Raven snarls as his green slitted eyes blaze with an unholy fire. "The ANBU will escort you to Ibiki and you can explain to him why you were referring to my Ward as the Kyuubi," he tells the now terrified man, "And if I ever see your sorry ass any where near Naruto-kun I will kill you." As two ANBU remove a still shaken and fuming Mizuki from the room Raven turns his Demonic gaze towards the rest of his staff. "That goes for the rest of you," he tells them. "As long as I'm in charge of this Academy ALL students will be treated equally. No more favoritism and no more discrimination. No student in this Academy will be treated any better or any worst then any other student. If you can not follow this rule then you can leave now."
Raven waits for a few moments before allowing his eyes to return to normal and smiles to himself when he sees that none of the remaining Instructors move to leave. "Good now that that is out of the way we can get down to the real business of fixing the problems with the current curriculum," he says leaning against the table at the front of the room.
"To begin with the we will no longer be teaching History to the first years," he tells them receiving shocked gasps from several of the teachers. "Instead the lectures for first year students will focus on chakra and Jutsu theories as well as cryptography. At the beginning of each week the students will be assigned certain chapters to read from their History books and at the end of the week they will be given a written test covering the contents of those chapters as well as the contents of that weeks lectures.
"Any student that fails that weeks test will be assigned after school tutoring to help them bring their grades up. They will also learn the Leaf Sticking and Leaf Floating Chakra Exercises. Second year students will learn survival training, first-aid, stealth and tracking along with the Henge no Jutsu, the Kawarimi no Jutsu, the Bunshin no Jutsu and their practical applications," he informs them receiving a several nods and murmurs of agreement. "Third year students will be taught Tree Walking and Water Walking Chakra Exercises as well as Genjutsu detection and dispelling training.
"Fourth year students will begin Team Work Exercises in the form of simulated Missions. They will also receive weekly counseling sessions to prepare them for the mental stress of Shinobi life. Also during the fourth year I will evaluate each student's progress to determine if any one demonstrates any special skill or aptitude that would warrant extra more specialized training such as medical training that we do not offer here. Those students will be assigned to a special sensei for additional outside training."
For the most part none of the teachers had any objections to the new curriculum and most could even see the benefits and logic behind implementing such changes. "In addition to these changes we will spend all four years building up the stamina, chakra control and chakra capacities of all the students so that their Jounin Senseis will not have to do this for us once they become Genin. Also the Academy Taijutsu as well as the Kunoichi Program will both be receiving a complete overhaul as both are completely ineffective."
"That's outrageous," the Head of the Kunoichi Program cries out.
"Is it," Raven asks. "Tell me. What generally happens to a captured Kunoichi?" Seeing the painful look in their eyes he knows that Kunoichi in the room have either been captured themselves or like the Shinobi knew a Kunoichi that has been captured. "Exactly," he says before continuing. "Our current Program doesn't address the issue," he tells them. "Nor does it address the issue of teenage hormones or the pain of loneliness on long Missions that leads to numerous children being born out of wedlock."
The look of understanding he sees in their eyes is enough for him as he continues. "The Kunoichi Program for the first through third year students will be suspended from now on," he informs them, "Since most of the girls in the Academy aren't yet mature enough to understand what we need to teach them. The Kunoichi that still remain with us come their fourth year will be given courses in rape prevention contraception and seduction as well as counseling sessions and one on one meetings with active and retired Kunoichi to help better prepare them for the harsher realities of being a Kunoichi.
"I know some of my changes seem a but extreme right now and will at times appear to be pretty harsh on the students," he tells them. "It is intended to be for the purpose of weeding out those not serious about being Shinobi or those that think being a Shinobi is some kind of fun and exciting job. It is my intention for us to give those students that remain for the full four years the best chance we possibly can at actually surviving long enough in the real world to gain the experience required to become excellent Shinobi and to also increase the quality of the Shinobi this village produces. Any questions?"
0o0o0o0o0
A/N: Okay so that one got away from me there but I think I did pretty good. How about you guys? As always please remember to Read and Review and let me know what you think. Next chapter will cover the Uchiha Massacre (which has been modified to suit the needs of this story) as well Rookie Nine's four years at the Academy (including the changes they go through under the new curriculum) and Team Assignments (haven't decided yet if they'll remain the same or if I'll change them around).
Until next time enjoy and please check out my other stories. I know shameless self promotion but oh well.
Later,
Raven