Thanks Waffle192 and wolfking98 for reviewing last chapter.
Chapter 3: Ruthless, Fierce, and Opportunistic
Sitting in his apartment, Naruto looked at the forehead protector with the leaf insignia in the center that laid on his dresser. After finishing off Mizuki and reporting the situation to the old Hokage to clear up any lingering suspicions and explain how he was the "victim," the old man rewarded him by naming him an official shinobi of Konoha. The Hokage also remarked that he saw the whole battle through his crystal ball and complemented on Naruto's efficiency. Naruto guessed that the 3rd Hokage figured if Naruto could defeat a chunin level ninja, then he at the very least deserved to be a genin. During that time, the 3rd Hokage asked Naruto the same question he always asked him each time he saw Naruto, "Are you in full control of the fox's power." Each time Naruto was faced with the question, he would just smirk and nod. The old man didn't need all the details, but he just wanted to make sure Naruto wouldn't go off on a rampage.
Naruto smirked at the thought.
Remembering why he woke up earlier than usual, he tied the forehead protector to his head and proceeded to the academy. Today was the graduation ceremony, afterall.
He entered the academy building. 'Let's hope this is the last time I ever step foot in this building.' Naruto thought bitterly. He looked around and quickly realized he was early as not many others had arrived yet. Coming to that realization, Naruto decided to rest for a bit. However, that was not to be, as his sensitive ears picked up the sound of rushed footsteps and shuffling. The door slammed open and two newly graduated kunoichis shoved their way through the door each announcing, "I'm first!"
Naruto tuned out their conversation, because frankly he couldn't give two shits about who was first. He ignored them until he noticed the pink-haired one of the two kunoichis seemingly staring at him. Disdain laced his features and he wrote this off as just another example of how much of a freak everyone thought he was.
That was until she started running towards him.
"Sasuke!" The pink-haired girl, Sakura, shouted. Naruto looked over to his left and for the first time noticed the black-haired boy, apparently named Sasuke, sitting next to him. Naruto was performing a self-sense check because he didn't even know the guy was there.
"Naruto, move. I want to sit next to Sasuke." Sakura demanded. Naruto just looked at her like she was speaking a different language.
"Like hell I will. Go find another seat." Naruto replied in a low voice, "Why should I bother to move when you're already standing up?"
Sakura began trying to shift Naruto herself. That was massive mistake. As soon as Sakura made contact with Naruto arm, that same arm swiped out, claws and all, and pushed Sakura back about two feet.
"Back off." Naruto said simply, in the same low, dangerous tone. Sakura looked down at her arm and saw the shallow cuts, undoubtedly left by Naruto's claws. Sakura silently got up and sat in the seat behind Naruto, fear evident in her eyes.
Sasuke watched the confrontation with interest. Sasuke wasn't very familiar with Naruto, but he never knew the boy to strike out like that. Naruto always appeared to be very volatile, but since no one ever approached him, Sasuke didn't have much of an idea how Naruto would react to certain situations. Placing his hands in front of his face and lacing his fingers together, he feigned indifference.
After the remaining graduates entered, the female teacher, the same one who oversaw Naruto's recent attempt at the exam, arrived. She made eye contact with Naruto for the briefest of moments before looking away.
"As of today, you are all shinobi. But I warn you, from here on out, things will become increasingly more difficult as you go. Now, you are only genin, low level ninja. You will all be grouped into three man squads led by a jonin. Each squad has been carefully determined, based on your abilities. Now I will announce your squads."
Naruto's attention was drawn to the part about the three man squads. He sighed. He really dreaded being placed on a team with an airhead or something. He would probably end up killin-
"Squad Seven: Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha." The instructor announced.
Naruto slammed his head on the desk and growled, Sakura looked torn between crying and laughing, and Sasuke appeared not to care. Ino was upset that she wasn't placed on Sasuke's team.
"Squad Eight: Shino Aburame, Hinata Hyuga, and Kiba Inuzuka. Squad Ten: Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi." The instructor heard another bang and looked up to that Ino had slammed her head on the desk and Shikamaru was chuckling while poking her. The instructor sighed.
After the team placements were announced, the jonin came to collect their squads, except the jonin for squad seven. Even after an hour, squad seven's sensei was still a no-show. Naruto was pacing the room, growling lightly, Sasuke was in the same position he has been since he entered the room, and Sakura was strangely silent, still afraid of Naruto.
Sakura and Sasuke watched as Naruto suddenly stopped in place, his nose and ears twitching as he walked to the door and left. They were utterly confused until Naruto later walked back into the room with masked, silver-haired man.
"I have no first impression of you guys. Meet me on the roof in five minutes." The masked jonin said in a dull monotone voice.
When they met on the rooftop, the jonin broke the ice, "How about a little introduction? Tell me about yourselves, like your names, dreams, like, dislikes, and hobbies."
"Why don't you go first?" Sakura said nervously.
"My name is Kakashi Hatake. Things I like and things I hate, well I don't feel like telling you that. My dreams for the future? I haven't really thought about that. Hobbies? I have a lot of hobbies." Kakashi told them.
'All we got was his name.' Sakura thought unimpressed.
'Ass.' Naruto thought.
"Your turn, fox boy." Kakashi said pointing to Naruto who growled at the nickname.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I can't think of anything I like other than fighting and we'd be here all day if I started listing all the things I hate. My dream isn't something I should say out loud." Naruto muttered the last part under his breath.
'Hmm, that's not very surprising, considering the way he grew up.' Kakashi sighed, then pointed to Sakura, signaling her to go next.
"My name is Sakura Haruno. Things I like, or the person I like," She glanced over to Sasuke, smiled and blushed, "Hobbies," She glanced over to Sasuke again, "Dreams for the future," She squealed loudly forcing Naruto to cover his ears.
'Kunoichi, these days, are more concerned with boys than with training.' Kakashi thought, disappointed. He looked over to Sasuke.
"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I hate a lot of things, and I don't particularly like anything. What I have is not a dream, because I will make it a reality. I am going to restore my clan, and destroy a certain someone." Sasuke said the last part with an ominous aura.
"Now that we are all acquainted, tomorrow, you will be taking another test, a survival exam, if you will. This will determine whether you really become a genin or if you get sent back to the academy." Kakashi stated, surprising his new students.
"There's a sixty six percent chance that you will fail. And also, don't eat breakfast, or you'll throw up." Kakashi stated in a dark voice, further surprising his students.
The next day, Sakura and Sasuke arrived to find Naruto at the designated area training with around a hundred clones, practicing his kenjutsu and his Burst Step. They sat and watched Naruto have a battle royal with himself. Sasuke quickly took notice of a specific Naruto, who seemed to be running through the rest of them. He suspected that to be the real Naruto and his suspicions were confirmed when that Naruto received a shallow cut on his shoulder and didn't dispel. Sakura was amazed that the same kid who couldn't even perform the basic jutsus of the academy created so many solid clones and was wielding twin swords pretty well.
After the rumble came to a close, the real Naruto walked towards his teammates. He didn't feel much fatigue, and he guessed that was a benefit from having absorbed the foxes chakra: seemingly endless stamina. He walked past Sasuke and Sakura and picked up his black, high collared jacket from the ground and placed it back on. Then, he leaned back against the tree and closed his eyes.
Naruto opened his eyes again when he had the feeling that someone was staring at him. He looked up and realized Sasuke and Sakura were gawking at him shamelessly. Sasuke looked like he was trying to disect him and Sakura just looked like she was trying to figure out what he was about.
"What the hell are you all gawking at?" Naruto growled.
Before either could answer, Kakashi poofed into the area in a puff of smoke, "Yo." He said waving his hand with his eye closed in what appeared to be a smile.
"You're late Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura shouted at the jonin as Naruto's ear pinned to his scalp.
"Damn it all! Would you lower the volume?!" Naruto hissed back to Sakura who quickly apologized and remained silent. Naruto's eyebrows shot up at this. Realization hit him and he allowed himself a fanged smirk. She was completely afraid of him. Truthfully, Naruto wouldn't have it any other way.
Kakashi watched the little exchange curiously. It appeared Sakura feared Naruto and Naruto was actually satisfied with that. He would definitely have to keep a close eye on Naruto.
The genin of team seven watched as Kakashi retrieved two silver bells from his pocket. He clicked them together and held them out for display.
"What are those bells for?" Sakura inquired.
"These are your test. You will have until noon to steal these bells from me." Kakashi said simply as he placed an alarm clock on a nearby log.
"But there are only two bells and there's three of us." Sakura stated as she noticed the problem.
"Exactly. Therefore, only two of you will pass and truly become genin." Kakashi answered, "Your test starts now."
The three genin quickly scattered.
A few minutes passed. 'Well they have the hiding part down.' Kakashi thought to himself.
A barrage of kunai and shuriken flew out from a bush. Kakashi grabbed one of the kunai out of the air and with it, deflected the onslaught of weapons. He sensed a disturbance behind him and spun around quick enough to block a sword strike and deliver a kick to his attacker. It was Naruto. As Naruto flew back from the kick, he poofed into smoke revealing that it was only a clone. Kakashi had heard that Naruto had mastered the Shadow Clone Jutsu and the Burst so he wasn't very surprised by the use of the techniques.
'I might have to fight this one seriously. And his instructors said he was dead-last in class?' Kakashi thought to himself.
He was broken out of his thoughts as Naruto dashed from behind a tree with great speed, both of his swords in his hands. Kakashi also noticed the sound of rustling leaves to his left and right. Kakashi was also making sure to be aware of his rear because Naruto could at any time use the Burst Step and try to flank him.
Sakura and Sasuke were waiting for an opening in Kakashi's defenses until they made their moves. For now, they were content with watching Naruto perform.
Naruto swung his right sword down clashing with Kakashi's kunai. Bringing his left sword for an inward strike, Naruto hoped Kakashi would side step to the right. Naruto got his wish and watched in satisfaction as a clone he commanded to burrow underground jumped out and swung his claws forcing Kakashi to duck. The real Naruto used his Burst Step to appear in front of Kakashi to attempt a kick. Kakashi grabbed Naruto's foot and throw him towards his clone. While Kakashi's back was turned, two hands came from the ground and grabbed his feet in a vice-grip. Kakashi's visible eye widened. Two more Naruto's appeared at each of Kakashi's sides and grabbed his arms, holding him in place. The real Naruto, who was previously thrown, rebounded off a tree and came flying back at Kakashi.
Naruto hadn't accounted for the fact that Kakashi might have been physically stronger than his clones. Kakashi turned and headbutted the clone on his right, dispelling it, and used his now free arm to quickly punch the clone on his left. He flashed through the hand seals for a Fireball Jutsu, and blew the fireball straight towards the real Naruto. Naruto Burst Stepped out of danger, but not before receiving some burns.
Sasuke and Sakura's eyes widened. This was their chance! Sasuke let out a barrage of kunai before jumping out of his hiding spot and Sakura prepared herself by channeling chakra to her feet and performing the necessary hand seals for the Clone Jutsu.
Kakashi noticed the kunai heading toward him so he pulled out his own kunai and deflected them. Sasuke took advantage of this and attacked his blind spot. He delivered a jumping kick that forced Kakashi to focus his attention solely on him and block the kick. Sasuke wasn't finished, though. He twisted his body enough to throw a punch at Kakashi's face. Kakashi was forced to block the punch with remaining arm.
Out of the corner of his eyes, Kakashi saw Sakura in the air with a kunai in her hand coming toward him. Kakashi hadn't had the time to deal with the Naruto clone currently holding his feet down in place, so the best he could do was throw Sasuke at the air born Sakura. Before he could do this, two figures swooped through and he felt that something was swiped from his side.
It was the bells.
Kakashi released Sasuke and the clone holding his feet dispelled. He looked to the side to see Sakura and Naruto holding out bells. Sasuke seemed to be cursing himself for not getting a bell.
'Whether they realized it or not, that was a team effort and I'm very impressed with their skills. Naruto is a very ruthless fighter, Sasuke is fierce, and Sakura uses the situation to her advantage.' Kakashi thought while smiling.
"You all pass." Kakashi said while still smiling. Sasuke was pleasantly surprised, though he was still upset that he couldn't retrieve a bell. Sakura was cheering and Naruto smirked.
"Team Seven will begin their missions tomorrow." Kakashi stated proudly while giving all three a thumbs up.
As the rest of the team walked off, Naruto stayed back, still smirking with his fang peeking over his lip. He began to laugh softly to himself.
'Another step closer.'
A few more chapters will follow canon storyline with a few deviations, and then things will become interesting. Once again, review if you wanna be a cool mofo! I like to know whether or not I'm doing well. Thanks to those who have reviewed, favorited, and followed. You da best!