disclaimer: i don't own naruto
Authors notes- Hey all who are reading, i hope you liked the last chapter and I want to confirm this story will go on. Pls review as I really want to get some feed back =D
CHAPTER 2: EXAMS
Puffy eyed Naruto woke; he still had a huge grin on his face from last night revelation. Slowly, in classic Naruto fashion, the yellow haired child got ready for Ninja Academy. Finally up and ready, he set off for a day of dreary school.
On the way he got several glances and glares from adults, oddly he found himself unperturbed by this and kept a beaming smile on his young face. As he arrived at The Academy he noticed a few kids smirking and laughing in his direction. He paid them no attention. Obviously they were expecting him to become angry, like the average temperamental Naruto would. So they decided to push him further.
"Watch out guys, loser coming through!" One of them cheered. At this they all fell into a chorus of hysterical laughter.
Consequently, Naruto briefly thought about retorting, but that would be playing right into their hands. So, very un-Naruto like he pushed on, drowning out their laughter with thoughts of his own. Currently he was recalling his meeting last night with his 'guest'. Reaching his class Naruto, pushed open the door and made his way to his seat at the back of the room, isolated from the unkind eyes of his class mates.
-10 minutes later-
"NAAAAAAARUUUTOOOOOOO!" yelled Iruka, his classes instructor.
"Yes?" Naruto asked with his most innocent voice.
"Don't act innocent Naruto, everyone here know very well that you were dozing off. Again!"
"I'm sorry Iruka sensei."
"DON'T… wait… Did you just apologies?" the perplexed instructor exclaimed. Naruto gave a slight nod, why was his teacher so confused; he apologized… occasionally, didn't he? "Wow, I never thought I'd see the day?"
Small snickers from a few were heard, but mostly people were bewildered by the fact that the notorious trouble maker: Naruto Uzumaki had apologized.
"Anyway, as I was saying your Final Exams will take place in one week and I hope you are all ready, first you will all have a written test (Naruto groaned) then a physical test and lastly a to see if you can make two acceptable clones of yourself (Naruto: FACEPALM)." After his speech he gave a slight glance at Naruto, who after what had gone across as the worst news possible, had an exaggerated expression of dismay on his face.
-After School-
After a long day of revision for the exams, school was finally over. As he watched his class mates being picked up by their parents, Naruto was reminded of his own parents, and instead of being disheartened by the fact that they were no longer with him, he smiled, proud of his parents. Then he noticed that a group of children weren't going home, but were heading towards the park, he decided to tag along. Maybe he could make a friend.
Careful not to be noticed, because he wasn't sure if they'd let him come with them, Naruto trailed silently behind them. The group was of three kids. Ino: an obnoxious blonde haired pretty girl, a huge Sasuke fan girl. Sakura: a kind, pink haired girl, also a Sasuke fan girl but of a lesser degree to the blonde. Hinata: a shy, timid, dark blue haired girl, not a Sasuke fan girl.
As he followed the three he followed the three girls he wondered why there weren't any boys among the group. Maybe they weren't friends with any boys? This thought for some strange reason made him glad but he didn't understand why.
-After school-
Hinata Hyuga walked along happily with her two friends, they laughed and told jokes with each other as they made their way to the park. They were mostly talking about people in their class, so the topic ended up on a certain orange wearing boy.
"He is so annoying." Ino proclaimed.
"Yeah and he's immature too," Added Sakura, "plus I've never seen him with anyone one, seriously it's like he has no friends."
"At least we don't have to worry about him being in our team, he so useless he probably won't even pass."
"I WILL PASS!" came a new voice from behind, the three turned to see who it was.
"N-Naruto" Stuttered Hinata beginning to blush. She didn't even realize he was behind them.
"Naruto! Were you eaves dropping on us?" screamed the angered blonde. She looked at him with complete disgust.
"No, I was just… on my way to Ichiraku's when I overheard you talking about me." lied the boy.
"Like we believe you for a second Naruto, you're always lying," Spat Sakura, "Get lost!"
To Naruto that comment hurt like hell, it was like someone had punched him. From anyone else it wouldn't have affected him, but whenever Sakura insulted him it always made him feel this way, he just wished he knew why.
"Fine… I'm going," Naruto said quietly. His attempt at making a friend had failed. He turned and ran from that place in embarrassment, as fast as his feet would carry him, leaving a cloud of dust behind. When he was sure he was out of sight he stopped and recalled what they has said to him. The words, "won't even pass" kept ringing in his head. He hated it when people underestimated him! He came to a conclusion: He would prove them wrong; he would pass the test, and finally be acknowledged. He vowed to himself, he was going to pass the exams, even if it meant he literally had to train day and night.
-Day of Exam-
Daring him to proceed, his class door silently awaited him, Naruto trembled before it, his body wouldn't move, he was too nervous. What if he failed? What if he never became a ninja? What if… NO! He couldn't think like that! He was going to pass and he was going to become a great Shinobi! He was going to become Hokage and he was going to make his parents proud!
He reached out, his hand trembling with anxiety and slowly pushed open the door and stepped in. Studying the room he noticed that everyone seemed as nervous as him, except for one person. Sasuke Uchiha. The Uchiha scion sat with a blank expression on his face. His dark hair bordering his face, he sat unfazed by the exams that could decide if he would become continue in the life of a shinobi. Of course, the upcoming test didn't matter to him, he was what they called 'naturally gifted' and was top of the class so he would breeze past this test.
After a deafening silence, Iruka sensei took his place at the front of the class and spoke, "Today, as you all know is the day of your final exams, you all know the rules so I expect nothing but silence. Now as soon I give you your papers you may begin." Then he began to hand out the papers. When he got to Naruto he gave him a look that said "you can do it" and handed him his paper.
Naruto stared at the paper. The first question was about the Hokages. It read: 'How many Hokages have there been? Naruto simply wrote '4'. The next question was 'Name 2 chakra natures.' Naruto mentally sighed, were all the questions this easy? The answers he wrote were 'water and fire'. The next few questions were of equal difficulty, meaning he could do them in his sleep. Then 2/3 of the way through he came across questions he had no idea how to answers. One such question was 'What do you write on an explosive tag?' The rest of the paper was equally difficult so he mentally sighed and gave up.
Finally the written test was over and Iruka sensei collected in everyone's papers. Then he addressed the class, "Now it's time for your physical test. Individually yo will all go outside were I will be waiting and will show me three standard academy moves."
These words sent Naruto over the moon, Academy moves were the most simplistic fighting moves you could learn. One by one Iruka led individual students out into the training grounds. Last but not least it was Naruto's turn; he followed his sensei out of the class. He was led to a training dummy which he had to attack.
"Okay Naruto show me three moves you have learnt during your time at the academy." Iruka instructed. So without the slightest hesitation Naruto beat upon the training dummy with the simplest moves he had in his arsenal. A right hook, followed by a kick the dummies shin and finished with an uppercut.
"Good work Naruto, come on lets go back in."
When Naruto was seated and everyone's attention was on back to the front, Iruka began, "Now it's time for your final test. The clone test. One by one you will come to the front and create as good a clone of yourself as you can."
Everyone watched as one by one their class mates made their way to the front and created a clone of themselves. As before Naruto was last and so far everyone had created a passable clone. When he got to the front he lifted his hands nervously and made the hand signs necessary for The Clone Jutsu. He focused his chakra…POOF…. and standing on his right was a goofy faced clone of the blonde haired, blue eyed, whiskered faced jinchuriki. The clone was hunch backed and his arms were slightly deformed.
"AWWW MAN! Why the hell can't I do this?" Naruto yelled. The sight of his clone was truly disappointing.
"Okay Naruto take your seat." Iruka said emotionlessly. He knew Naruto must be really frustrated with himself for not making a good clone.
"Now class your exams have officially finished, you will receive your marks in an hour's time." As the instructor finished cheers erupted from what seemed like everyone in the class. Except of course, Sasuke who, as usual, kept his cool. And Naruto, who was banging his head on his desk in frustration.
-An hour later-
Everyone in Naruto's class was lined up at the front of the room. Some strange coincidence meant Naruto was once again last. Iruka, the scar faced instructor was one by one calling out their names and stating their results. So far, everyone had passed and now it was Naruto's turn.
"Naruto Uzumaki…" an echoing silence which felt like several hours passed, and then Iruka with a disappointed look on his face, said, "Fail." That last word made felt like a kick in the gut to Naruto, he had failed. His life as a ninja was over. Laughter focused at him erupted and he felt humiliated. He stomped back to his seat and made it clear that he was pissed off so no one would bother him.
-After School-
Naruto sat silently on swing as he watched the members of his class being collected by their parents. He watched as children showed their parents their new headbands. He watched as hugs were given and congratulations sounded. All of this only reminded him of his own fail, so he shut his eyes and tried to drown out all the noise, he wanted to be alone. He thought he'd never be happy again. He had failed to become a ninja, failed to be acknowledged, failed to make the parents he never knew proud.
Sometime later, Naruto noticed that it was silent he opened his eyes and found that everyone had left and he was all alone, the only one that failed.
"Naruto, you okay?" The mysterious voice came from behind him. He turned to see, Mizuki sensei. Mizuki was a man of average height, who usually stood on the side lines as Iruka taught and rarely spoke, however, when Iruka was off sick, he was the one that would teach.
"Yeah, I'm fine" Naruto lied. He could see Mizuki wasn't buying it.
"Look kid, I know your upset that that you're the only one that failed, but there's a way you can still become a Genin." At these words Naruto looked up now with new hope in his eyes. "Are you up for it?"
"Of course sensei!" Naruto said eager to know of what his sensei had in mind.
"Okay let me tell you what you have to do."
-Iruka's afternoon-
Iruka was sitting at his desk in the school when the door opened and in walked none other than the Third Hokage. He was an old wrinkly man, with a small beard and he seemed to be having a nose bleed. Seeing him walk in Iruka sighed, there was only one reason the Hokage ever came to see him, "Hokage-sama," he bowed low to show respect, "what has he done this time?"
The Hokage put on a stern face, "He's stolen the forbidden scroll."
Iruka gasped, the forbidden scroll contained jutsu only to be used by experienced shinobi, for any normal person, using any one of those techniques could land you in a hospital. He wondered why Naruto had stolen it. He knew he was upset after failing the exam but he wouldn't do something like this. He hoped it was just a misunderstanding. None the less he got up, "Which way did he go?"
"Towards the east forest," the Hokage replied.
"I'm on my way." And with that Iruka darted away, hoping he wasn't too late.
Iruka was going as fast as he could, trying to get to the east forest before Naruto killed himself. Finally, after 20 minutes of frantic searching he found Naruto. He gave sigh of relief, Naruto was still standing but looked pretty beat up. "Naruto what are you doing?" Iruka questioned.
"I was just learning from this scroll." The blonde answered.
"WHAT? Naruto, why did you steal that scroll?"
"So I could pass." Naruto honestly said.
"Naruto we have to take that scroll ba-" He stopped mid-sentence as three Kunai flew from the trees and hit him in the chest. He screamed in pain. Overwhelming the pain he searched around for the person who threw the weapons and his gaze rested on a figure hidden in shadow on the branch of a tree.
"Nice job finding the moron!" The mysterious figure said. Iruka knew that voice.
"Mizuki?" he questioned. The figure jumped down from the branch. It was indeed Mizuki.
"Naruto, hand me the scroll!" Mizuki shouted.
"NO! Naruto, whatever happens, don't give him the scroll. That scroll is too dangerous to get into the hands of a traitor!" Screamed the desperate Iruka.
"Naruto if you don't give it to me I'll have to take it by force!" Threatened Mizuki.
"I'd like to see you try!" This time it was Naruto who spoke. This unnerved Mizuki, so he decided to play dirty.
"Fine. Naruto, I'll tell you the truth. The reason why everyone in the village hates you is-"
"NOOO! Don't do it!" Interrupted Iruka.
"Naruto," continued Mizuki with hatred in his voice, Iruka was still screaming for him to stop but he rose his voice higher than Iruka's could go, "you're hated because you are The Nine Tailed Demon Fox. You're the one who rampaged on the village, and killed so many of our loved ones! Even Iruka secretly hates you, because you killed his parents!"
"NO I NEVER!" retorted Naruto. Although he felt sorry for Iruka losing his parents he knew he wasn't responsible for what happened all those years ago, "It was the Kyuubi, not me!"
His words angered Mizuki who thought that Naruto would have been paralyzed by the revelation, but apparently he already knew, it didn't matter though, he was done with him anyway. Without a word he grabbed one of the extra-large shurikens on his back and threw it with all his might at the blonde haired brat. To his surprise before the shuriken hit its target, Iruka launched himself in the way and the shuriken had wedged itself into his back. He roared in anger. Why was this fool going so far for this kid?
Naruto stared up into the eyes of his sensei who just saved his life and he saw tears dripping out of them, then his injured sensei whispered to him, "Naruto don't listen to him." He coughed some blood and continued, "You are Naruto Uzumaki of the Konohagakure!" Those words touched Naruto, someone had finally acknowledged him for who he was.
Then anger started to flood into him. He got up and looked the traitor in the eyes, "You shouldn't have hurt Iruka sensei!" Naruto got into a fighting stance.
Mizuki seeing the devil ready for a fight laughed, "You idiot! I'll kill you in a heartbeat!"
"Try it trash, I'll return the pain a thousand times over!" Naruto said in all seriousness.
"THEN DO IT! DEMON!" screamed Mizuki blinded by hatred.
Then Naruto made the hand seals for the clone technique with an extra one at the end, and shouted, "KAGE BUSHIN NO JUTSU (shadow clone jutsu)!" At these words, out of thin air, appeared hundreds of golden haired, blue eyed Naruto's. Stationed at every angle making it impossible for Mizuki to escape.
"WHAT? How is this possible?"
"What's wrong? I thought you were gonna kill me in a heartbeat." Naruto said smirking, "If not, then I guess I'll go first." With these words every one of the Naruto's leaped at the fear stricken traitor.
After a few minutes of punching, kicking and all round pummeling, Naruto dispelled the clones and stood by an unconscious, bleeding Mizuki. He looked at the result of his fight and then at Iruka who was resting by a tree and joked, "Too much?" This caused Iruka to chuckle.
"Come over here Naruto I have something for you." Naruto, although confused by what it could be, obliged to his sensei's request. When he got him Iruka handed him something, it was his very own leaf headband. A smile shot onto the blondes face and he thanked his sensei for it. Naruto Uzumaki was now a Genin ninja.
-That night-
Naruto stood ankle deep in a strange liquid, he was veiled in thick darkness and in the distance were two huge, blood red eyes. He walked towards them.
"Nice moves out there." Came the deep voice of the Kyuubi.
"What? The fight with Mizuki?" Naruto inquired.
"Actually, I was talking about how you defeated the old man."
Naruto grinned; he had beaten the Hokage with his original move. "Well It wasn't hard. I always knew he was an old pervert." The blonde chuckled.
"Like it mattered though, you're so small he probably wouldn't have seen you anyway!" The fox began to laugh; he loved making the kid angry. And after having to speak with the brat every night of his life he had learnt that his height was one of his few soft spots.
"Shut up!" the young blond screamed, "I'm not short I just haven't hit my growth spurt yet!"