I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR ITS CHARACTERS ALL RIGHTS BELONG WITH KISHIMOTO, VIZ MEDIA, AND SHONEN JUMP. PLEASE SUPPORT THE ORIGINAL RELEASE

Chapter 1: A Decisive Loss, New Gains

We start our story in Konohagakure no Sato, better known as the Village hidden in the Leaves or The Leaf Village. Here our favorite blonde knucklehead MC lives and breathes. He desires to be recognized, loved, respected and not treated like trash. To achieve his goals, he enrolled into Konoha's Ninja Academy. Here he would learn how to be a ninja and achieve his goals. He enrolled two years and some months ago. During which he slept, joked, pranked, disrupted, and didn't focus on the majority of the subjects. Because of this he was barely passing the academy. He however found a one-sided love in a girl named Sakura Haruno. The Pinkette was in his opinion the prettiest girl in his class. She however hated Naruto, much like the rest of the class and villagers. She didn't like Naruto because he was the opposite of her crush, Sasuke Uchiha. Sasuke Uchiha is the only candidate for Rookie of the Year. To females he's mysterious, cool, and hot. To his male classmates, he's rude, unfriendly and to some too prideful. However, Naruto sees him as his number one rival. He had all the respect. He had all the girls he could want. He had the love of the people. Most importantly he had the recognition from the villagers! Naruto envied him. He didn't get what made Sasuke 'cool'. Naruto hoped that today was the day he finally knocked the duck butt of his high pedestal. If he knocked Sasuke Uchiha down a few notches, everyone would have to recognize Naruto! However that's easier said than done being 49-0 against his 'rival'. However, now he's late for class.

Naruto started to run to the academy so he wouldn't be too late. He couldn't bear another lecture of his teacher Iruka Umino. After running so fast someone bumped into him.

"Oof!" Naruto exclaimed. "You should watch where you're going man!" Naruto yelled at him.

'So, this is it. Finally face to face with Minato-sensei's son. After watching over him for Lord Third every now and again I already know he's going to say something loud and obnoxious' the man thought. "Well, I believe it was actually you who ran into me and made me drop my favorite book." The Silver haired man said.

"What? No way! It was totally your fault!" Naruto said. Naruto noticed the man's clothing. "Wait are you an Anbu member?"

"Hmm? Oh, I forgot I was still wearing this. Well, I guess I am then. It seems I'm not going to get an apology from you so anyways, why are you running into people?" The Anbu Operative asked.

"OH NO! I'm late for the academy! I'll see you later Anbu-san! Sorry about bumping into you!" Naruto yelled has he ran off.

"My name isn't Anbu-san it's Kak- ah whatever." The Anbu man said. As he picked up his book and walked away.

Naruto finally arrives at the academy being eight minutes late. And unfortunately for Naruto, Iruka was upset he was late again.

"Naruto! Why are you late?" His Sensei asked.

"I bumped into an anbu man." Naruto said.

"Yeah right! The Anbu are the top shinobi in the village! There's no way you ran into someone like that Naruto!" A boy yelled out.

"Just take your seat!" Iruka yelled. Naruto put his head down and walked to his seat. Unbeknownst to him a lavender haired girl with white eyes was looking at him. This girl was named Hinata Hyuga. She had a crush on the boy since he stuck up for her some years back. She just didn't have the courage to go up to him and talk. She would either faint or stutter. Something her younger sister makes fun of her for.

'Oh Naruto-kun, why must you give Iruka-Sensei a hard time? I know it's your dream to be a splendid ninja. If only I had the courage to go up to you and ask if I could help.' The Hyuga heir thought.

Fast forward a few hours

"So now we will have the final spar of the day. Naruto Uzumaki versus Sasuke Uchiha. Remember to give each other the unison sign and begin." Iruka said.

'This is it! This is my moment to finally prove that Sasuke-teme isn't as great as everyone says!' "Sasuke-teme, I will defeat you here and now. When I do everyone here will have to recognize that I'm the better ninja." Naruto said. This was met to a choir of boos from the Sasuke fan girl club. "Ah who cares what you fan girls think!" Naruto yelled.

"Whatever dobe. Let's just be done with this!" Sasuke said. This was met with a bunch of "He's so cool", "He's so hot!" And "he's so talented!" And it made Naruto mad! They gave each other the unison sign and began their fight.

Naruto charged in with a furious punch! Just to hit nothing as Sasuke dodges the attack and then elbow him in the ribs. Sasuke then kicks him away. "I thought you was going to win. What happened to all that bravado?" Sasuke taunted. Naruto hated when he got like this in a fight. Sasuke would become arrogant in fight.

"Yeah, yeah. A Lucky shot that's all." Naruto said back. Naruto then charged in with a running knee attack only for Sasuke to dodge again. 'All I have to do is catch him in the temple like that lady said she did at the Dango shop!' Naruto thought. Naruto started to swing violently and recklessly. Sasuke moved and dodged every attack. Sasuke finally jumped back, and Naruto charged and hit him square in the jaw. "I did it? I DID IT!" Naruto yelled.

All the fan girls were shocked that Naruto hit Sasuke. Usually, the Uchiha would dodge or block all of Naruto's attacks. 'I can't believe he punched me! If someone like Naruto can hit me in the face like that then I stand no chance against him!' Sasuke thought to himself. Sasuke then went through a few hand signs and said, "FIRE STYLE: FIRE BALL JUTSU!" After that Sasuke blew out a huge fireball pointed at Naruto. The fireball made its way to Naruto and Naruto didn't have the necessary No speed to dodge Sasuke's attack. The attack hit Naruto hard.

"Sasuke! That's enough. Your winner Sasuke Uchiha" Iruka said. The girls all cheered. And Sasuke put his hands in his pocket and walked off. Meanwhile a hurt Naruto laid on the ground defeated. Everyone walked back into the classroom except one boy. The spiky hair boy walked up to Naruto.

"Hey Naruto-san, you must have been training hard. The gap between you and Sasuke is really big. Yet you still managed to land a hit on him. He reacted poorly to such a move so, he hit you with a ninjutsu. In my book that's a win because applying that much effort is too much a drag for me." The boy said before he walked off.

'Wow Shikamaru-san acknowledged me! This was a defeat today but not a complete loss. Later I'll have to ask Jiji if he can help me make a better training regimen.' Naruto thought.

Later that day

Naruto walked to the Hokage's tower. He wanted to ask Lord Third about helping him with that training regimen. As he walked into the building, he seen the man he bumped into early today. "Hello Anbu-san, do you remember me?" Naruto asked. The Anbu Operative looked over and seen Naruto.

"Hello Naruto-kun, I do remember you from earlier. What brings you by the Hokage's office at this time? Don't you have homework from the academy you should be doing?" Anbu-san asked.

"Oh, that's right Anbu-san, I'm here to ask Hokage-Jiji about helping me create a training regimen. And homework? You mean that boring stuff Iruka-sensei gives? Yeah I don't do those." Naruto answered.

"Well Naruto-kun, Hokage-sama is extremely busy. So good luck!" The masked anbu man said with an eye smile.

"Okay thanks Anbu-san." Naruto replied. Naruto walks inside the Hokage's office and sees Hiruzen Sarutobi working on a bunch of paperwork. Hiruzen looks up and sees Naruto standing there. Hiruzen truly loved the boy as a grand child. If only the village council would've let him help Naruto at a far younger age could he be nurtured better. It's saddening to see Naruto's life from outside and must be sadder living said life. He promised Minato Namikaze that he would look after him and so far he let his successor down severely.

"Ah, Naruto-kun how are you doing today?" Sarutobi asked. He noticed the boy looked nervous.

"Well, I was wondering if you could maybe help me out and design a training regimen for me and help me like become strong like Tsunade and Jiraiya, y'know?" Naruto asked while scratching the back of his head. Hiruzen sees why Naruto could be nervous asking this.

"Hmm, I see. Is that not the academy instructors' jobs? What has Iruka and Mizuki done to help this regimen?" Hiruzen asked.

"Oh, well they don't really like me all that much and I know you're super strong. I mean from the Shodaime to Yondaime-sama, their all connected. Lord First and Second are related. Second taught You Jiji. And your student trained the Fourth Hokage. So, their all linked." Naruto explained.

'So, Naruto-kun has noticed that then. It's not uncommon for the next Kage to have a relationship with that last one. Little Naruto doesn't even know he's the son to one. Am I truly making the correct choices? Oh, Minato why'd you have to go and leave us.' Lord Third thought to himself. "How about this Naruto? If you show that you're going to be committed to my training I want you to go to the library with this pass I'll give you and study up on history, ninja arts theories, taijutsu styles, and how to cook. If you show me in two weeks what you've learnt I will help you design a regimen." But before Naruto could say something. "Also, you must eat Ramen once a week and it can only be two bowls." Sarutobi said.

"NOOOOO JIJI! How could you?" Naruto cried out.

"Listen Naruto-kun, if you eat nothing but ramen then you won't grow and be tall or strong. Eating healthy is important for a shinobi. Then study is also important as well. You could learn basic layouts of other villages, political smarts, new ninja arts to become a better shinobi. Life of the shinobi is hard Naruto-kun. It's not a fun job to do. You must be willing to give your life to protect the innocence of the villagers. And only by using the Will of Fire will you be able to do that in the Leaf Village. This way you'll grow strong and tall and maybe even a better ninja than the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze." Sarutobi explained further.

'Well, I am short. If I did all of this, I could kick that Sasuke-teme's ass in front of everyone!' Naruto thought. "Okay Jiji, you have my word I will do what you've asked of me. I promise and I won't break it because that will become my Ninja Way." Naruto said.

Two Weeks Later

Naruto sought out what he said to do. He achieved it. For the seven days a week he spent each day on something different.

Monday was History and Layout of Konoha

Tuesday was Ninjutsu

Wednesday was Genjutsu

Thursday was cooking healthy foods

Friday was Taijutsu and Exercises

Saturday was History of other major villages

Sunday was fuinjutsu

He learned everything thing he could in those two weeks. Using his days wisely. He even skipped going to the academy so he could focus on this. On the first Saturday he found a Fuinjutsu book. Fuinjutsu: Beginners Guide to Creating Seals by Kushina U. He wondered who the author really was because this book was so broken down that it was so simple to learn. Either that or Naruto took it like fish to water. He was somewhat interested with seals given how Yondaime-sama mostly used nothing but seals. In his way it was a tribute to his favorite Hokage. The next most interesting thing he did learn was that Mizuki was just giving me garbage Taijutsu scrolls. He found a book called Taijutsu: Dynamic Fluid Style. He learned that this style was for flexible and fast people. It describes that its strikes although may feel weak add up after a while as majority of your strikes are directed to the Joints or in the middle of a muscle. He honestly thought maybe he should give this book to that Hyuga girl in his class, Hinata. That style wouldn't really fit him, but he could learn something from it. One of the basic Taijutsu books stated mixing and mashing Taijutsu styles while hard, it isn't impossible. And he would do whatever it took to gain an edge. He gathered his stuff and walked to the Hokage's Tower. Once he arrived, he waited to be called in.

"Come on in Naruto-kun. I hope these last two weeks have been informative for you." Hiruzen said.

"Yeah Hokage-jiji. I did everything you said, and I also took interest in fuinjutsu!" Naruto exclaimed.

'So, Naruto-kun has took an interest in fuinjutsu. This could be bad if he discovers he has a seal on his stomach to seal the tailed beast inside it. But he could also gain great strength from this and be like the Uzumaki of old. I will have to discuss this with Jiraiya-kun.' Sarutobi thought. "Oh that's good to hear Naruto. Fuinjutsu is a difficult ninja art to master. But as you know, The Fourth Hokage was a seal master and his main jutsu was that from seals." Sarutobi said.

"I know it's why I decided I'll be even better than him!" Naruto said. "But now to why I came here in the first place. I want that training regimen!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Oh yes I did say that. Well, what would I be doing different from what you've done these past two weeks? I know you studied a different thing every day. So just continue doing. Once you find a Taijutsu style you like I recommend breaking that day in half to practice and study some more. Same with the Ninjutsu. Unfortunately, you'll never be good in Genjutsu due to how much chakra you have. You might even have more chakra than myself little Naruto-kun. So, once you understand the basics you can then use that day to learn more of fuinjutsu." Hiruzen explained. Naruto took everything in. He would do everything Hiruzen said. With this information he could become rookie of the year.

After his meeting with the Hokage he went home. He read in a book it's always good to manage your time so when he got home, he would redesign and rebuild his life's schedule. He took a great interest in fuinjutsu so he would have to make sure he did that more. As he was going home, he bumped into another person. This person had an ominous aura to him.

"Oh, I'm so-sorry sir." Naruto apologized.

"Hm oh that's alright. Be better next time. Why are you in such a rush?" The man asked. Naruto being shocked he didn't attack him but decided to answer his question.

"Oh, well you see I'm trying to get home to redesign my training regimen so I can become a well-respected and loved ninja and hopefully become Rookie of the Year." Naruto said.

"Rookie of the Year? Why would you want that? That's a meaningless title. A real ninja is of deception and sneakiness. Why reveal all your cards now? Because if you do graduate and improve everyone will know what you're about. Rookie of the Year is for foolish people." The man said.

"Hmm sir you seem to know a lot about this. Are you a ninja?" Naruto asks.

"I was once a strong ninja yes. I was trained by Nidaime-sama Tobirama Senju. I was teammates with Hiruzen." The bandaged man said. "So, what are you studying for to improve your strength boy?"

"Oh y'know, the basics. Taijutsu, ninjutsu, how to detect and dispel Genjutsu, and even some Fuinjutsu." Naruto answers.

"Fuinjutsu you say? Okay I just got this scroll from the Jonin section of the library. I'll give it to you as a sign of trust in your abilities and future of Konoha." The man said.

"Thanks, erm?" Naruto said wondering what the man's name is.

"You may call me Danzō-sama. I've kept tabs on you, young Naruto. You have great potential. And I think I'm the matter of years you will be even stronger than anyone here. Perhaps you will find me in the future for training." Danzō says. 'I've planted my seeds. In the near future I will train the boy for the Chunin Exams. I will make sure he's placed on Hatake's team with the Uchiha. The Uchiha would have to train with Kakashi and Kakashi will pass up Naruto to someone else. I just have to make sure it's me who claim him. Once we "bond" I'm sure I can convince him to become one of my agents. He will become Chunin and I'll use the Nine Tails as my personal minion.' Danzō thought to himself. Danzō let the boy leave and he goes his own way too.

Sasuke Uchiha is in the Uchiha Compound looking through the library. He's trying to find other jutsu to learn so he can kill him. He's still not over the events that happened two weeks ago. Naruto landed a punch on him. That shouldn't have even happened. He started to grow frustrated with his progress. No way the dead last got a punch on me. He drops a book on the floor and notices the bookshelf doesn't have a wall behind it. He pushes the bookshelf back. He sees a stairwell that leads down and he heads down it. He notices a seal on a door at the bottom of the stairwell. He will keep note of this so that he can come back once he learns how to open it. He will gain strength and knowledge to stop him.

And with that we finish our first chapter. This story doesn't really have any ships planned at all. I do wish to give screen time to majority of the characters however so I'm very open to potentially form some ships. I'd look forward to what you may comment on. Whether it's to further plot, ships, or even constructive criticism. Please remember constructive criticism isn't cursing me out. I would appreciate if you kept those rude remarks to yourself. However this is my first story. I actively go through my stuff to avoid typos and what not. However I'm human so mistakes are natural. Also wanted to address that I will not be using the Japanese names for the Justus. I find it to be too much work to put the word in Japanese and then at the bottom have it translated. That's not smart in my personal opinion but to each their own you know. Anyways drop a comment on potential ships. Just know the story gets really wild with Naruto's placement in story so any potential ships regarding him will either not happen due to certain characters not interacting enough or never happen. Thanks for the read. I'll try to post new chapters every Saturday!