Trying something new. Faster pace story.
Naruto was always considered a troublemaker, but what many didn't know was that he used his pranks and mischief to draw attention away from the darker parts of his life. It was an attempt for attention from the villagers. As a 7 year old, Naruto was relatively small, meaning that he was able slip to places others couldn't. Still, he would be caught every time, although it was on purpose to let people know that it was him. Despite this, he always managed to get a lot of the shinobi and ANBU to chase after him as his unlimited stamina and energy causes the chasers problems. Even so, his pranks had caused quite a stir in the village, with villagers being more annoyed at him for doing so, which is why it came as no surprise when he was called before the ANBU commander and the Sandaime Hokage.
As Naruto stood before the ANBU commander and the Sandaime Hokage, he couldn't help but to feel a bit nervous at the sight of them. Normally, he would be delighted to see jiji, but this occasion felt different as he knew that his pranks had landed him in to some deep trouble. But still, he never expected to be standing in front of such high-ranking officials. The ANBU commander's face was stern and serious, while the Sandaime Hokage had a contemplative look on his face. Naruto swallowed and gulped, hoping that his prankster persona would be enough to get him out of this situation.
"Uzumaki Naruto," the ANBU commander began, his voice deep and commanding. "You have caused quite a disturbance around the village with your pranks. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
Naruto hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I'm sorry, ANBU commander. I didn't mean to cause any harm. I just wanted to make people laugh and for them to acknowledge me."
The ANBU commander's expression softened slightly, knowing what he had to go through in his life, but despite this the Sandaime Hokage still looked skeptical. "Naruto, your pranks have been getting more and more dangerous. We can't let you continue down this path. However, we have another proposition for you."
Naruto's ears perked up. Another proposition? What does that mean? The Sandaime Hokage continued on, "We would like to offer you a position in the ANBU as an ANBU trainee. We believe that your skills and abilities would be of a great use to us."
Naruto's eyes widened in shock. He never would have expected this turn of events. "Really? You want me to join the ANBU?"
The ANBU commander nodded. "Yes, Naruto. We believe that you have the potential to be a great asset to us. You have shown exceptional talent in your pranks, and we believe that you could use that same ingenuity and creativity in the field."
Naruto couldn't believe his ears. He had always dreamed of becoming a ninja and serving the village, but he never thought that he would be given such a prestigious opportunity. "I'll do it! I'll join the ANBU!"
The Sandaime Hokage smiled. "Excellent. We'll start your training immediately. You'll be working under the supervision of the ANBU commander and a few of his top agents."
Naruto felt a surge of excitement and nervousness as he left the Hokage's office. He couldn't wait to begin his new training, but he also knew that the road ahead would be tough. Becoming an ANBU member was not an easy feat, and he would have to work harder than ever to prove himself. Nonetheless, Naruto was determined to make the most of this opportunity and show everyone what he was truly capable of. This opportunity does not come by easily and he knows it, despite Naruto's immaturity, he understood that it was rare to be in the ANBU at his age or at any age. This would be the perfect opportunity to prove himself. As Naruto made his way to the ANBU headquarters, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. He had always felt like an outsider in the village, but now he was being given a chance to prove himself and become a respected member of the community.
The ANBU headquarters were located in a secluded area of the village, surrounded by thick forest and guarded by dozens of ANBU agents. He had never been to this part of the village before, as it was closely guarded with Naruto having little reason to go there. Walking towards the headquarters, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement as he gets to train to be a ninja by people who actually trains him.
As he entered the training grounds, he was greeted by the ANBU commander and a group of their agents. The commander gave him a brief rundown of what his training would entail and what was to be expected of him. The first feel weeks, he was to do only physical training. The expectation was for him to get his speed up to par as well as some weights for him to get his strength and speed up. In addition, he was to do 50 push ups and sits ups as well as running laps. He was to improve his strength in punches as well as being taught Taijutsu.
Naruto listened intently, nodding his head as he absorbed every word. He was eager to get started on his training and prove himself worthy of the ANBU's trust.
The first few days of training were grueling. Naruto was pushed to his limits, with every muscle in his body aching from the intense physical exercises. But despite the pain, he never gave up. He was determined to become a skilled ninja and make the ANBU proud of him.
In addition to physical training, he was also taught the art of Taijutsu and being stealthy. He learned how to move quietly and quickly, how to track and hunt targets, and how to fight effectively with his fists and feet. He was also taught how to use weapons like kunai and shuriken, and how to manipulate chakra to enhance his attacks.
Naruto loved every moment of his training. For the first time in his life, he felt like he belonged somewhere. The ANBU agents treated him with respect and saw his potential, and he felt like he was finally getting the recognition he deserved.
After his first day with the ANBU, he was told by members of ANBU that he would not be attending the Academy any more. He didn't miss that place at all. He was an outcast in class with teachers not willing to teach him as well as purposefully misguiding him and not correcting him. For no reason what so ever, he would be given detention or thrown out of the class as well. Most of the class made fun of him for being dead last. The only people which Naruto liked in the class were Shikamaru and Chouji as they did not make fun of him and occasionally hung out with him. However, their friendship was not tight as Shikamaru was too lazy to be close friends with Naruto and Chouji just follows Shikamaru.
Now, Naruto had found a new family in the ANBU. They accepted him for who he was and believed in his potential. He had finally found a place where he could belong.
As Naruto continued with his training, he quickly began to excel physically. His speed and agility surpassed expectations, and his Taijutsu skills were quickly improving. He learned how to use his chakra to perform incredible feats, such as walking on water and climbing trees. Water walking took the most time for him to complete as his huge chakra reserves were of great difficulty for him to control.
In his free time, Naruto would practice his pranks on his fellow ANBU agents. Though they were annoyed by his antics at first, they eventually grew to appreciate his sense of humor and saw it as a way to bond with him.
1 year later
Naruto's skills improved dramatically. He was faster, stronger, and more agile than ever before. The progress he made in just a short time with the ANBU was nothing short of impressive, with years in the academy would not make him achieve what he is at right now. Despite his newfound skills and abilities, Naruto couldn't help but miss his old life a little bit. He missed the simple joy of pulling pranks on his classmates, and the thrill of running away from angry villagers. But he knew he had to leave that life behind if he wanted to become a true ninja.
The ANBU commander noticed Naruto's wistful demeanor and called him out on it. "Is everything alright, Naruto? You seem a bit preoccupied."
Naruto sighed. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just...I miss my old life a little bit. I miss being a prankster and causing chaos."
The ANBU commander chuckled. "I understand, but you have to put that life behind you. You're a ninja now, and you have a duty to protect the village. Besides, who says you can't have a little fun every once in a while?"
Naruto smiled, feeling reassured by the ANBU commander's words. He knew that being an ANBU member was a serious responsibility, but it was good to know that he could still have some fun every now and then.
Despite his progress, he knew that he still had a long way to go before he could become a full-fledged ANBU member. But he was determined to make it happen as soon as he can.
After weeks of training, Naruto was called into a meeting with the ANBU commander. "Naruto," the ANBU commander began, "you have shown exceptional progress during your training. Your physical abilities have improved significantly, and your stealth techniques are impressive. But there's one thing that we haven't been able to test yet: your ability to handle high-pressure situations."
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. "What do you mean, high-pressure situations?"
The ANBU commander leaned forward. "As an ANBU member, you'll be expected to handle dangerous and life-threatening missions. You'll have to make quick decisions under pressure and act accordingly. We want to test your ability to handle these types of situations."
Naruto nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "What do I need to do?"
"Tomorrow, you will be doing a simulation of a real mission. You'll be put in a scenario where you'll have to retrieve an important scroll from a heavily guarded fortress. You'll be given a team of ANBU agents to assist you, but the success of the mission will rely heavily on your leadership and decision-making skills." Naruto's heart raced with excitement and nervousness. This was his chance to prove himself and show that he had what it takes to be an ANBU member.
"Jiji! Have you heard? If I pass the test tommorow, I'll be an ANBU!" Naruto exclaimed as he barges into the Hokage's office. The Hokage looked up from his paperwork, a small smile on his face. "I've heard, Naruto. I'm proud of you. You've come a long way since you first entered the academy."
Naruto beamed with pride. "Thanks, Jiji. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure the mission is a success."
The Hokage nodded. "I have no doubt that you will. But remember, Naruto, being an ANBU member comes with great responsibility. You'll be called upon to do dangerous and sometimes morally ambiguous tasks. It's important that you stay true to yourself and your beliefs, even in the face of adversity."
Naruto nodded, his expression serious. "I understand, Jiji. I won't let you down."
The Hokage smiled. "I know you won't. Now go get some rest. You have a big day ahead of you."
As Naruto left the Hokage's office, he was filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. He knew that this was his chance to prove himself and become a full-fledged ANBU member.
He retreated back to his apartment with a smile on his face. On his way there, he still saw glares and faces of hatred directed towards him. However, he had learnt to deal with them with the ANBU training helping him to conceal his emotions to his liking. Naruto mostly ignored everyone until he bumped into Shikamaru and Chouji. Naruto wanted so badly to tell them of my ANBU experience and my enrollment, but he had to keep it to myself. He had to act that he dropped out of the Academy for good, and that his future was uncertain. He couldn't risk exposing my secret to anyone, not even my closest friends.
The next day, Naruto and his team were transported to the simulation they approached the fortress, Naruto could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He took a deep breath and reminded himself to stay focused. This was the moment he had been training for, and he was determined to make it count. He was greeted by a team of ANBU agents who would be assisting him on the simulation. They were a group of skilled and experienced ninjas who had been through many missions before. Naruto felt a little intimidated by their presence, but he knew that he had to have trust in his own abilities and lead them to victory. The simulation exercise began, and Naruto and his team set out towards the fortress.
The fortress was heavily guarded, with ANBU agents patrolling the perimeter and watchtowers stationed at strategic locations. Naruto scanned the area, carefully assessing the situation and formulating a plan. He knew that the success of the mission depended on his ability to lead his team and make quick decisions.
"Okay, here's what we're going to do," Naruto said, addressing his team. "We'll split up into three groups. Group A will create a distraction by attacking the guards at the front gate, while Group B will sneak around to the side and enter through the side entrance. Group B will hopefully draw out some of the guards and leave Group C, my group, to get in. Once inside, we'll locate the scroll and get out as quickly as possible. Any questions?"
His team nodded, and Naruto led Group C towards the side entrance, waiting for Group B to do their role. Group A, the distraction started to engage in combat. Their role was to distract and draw some enemy away from the scroll while Group B entered from the side entrance. As they sneakily entered the fortress, they got anbushed by the enemy.
"There's more enemy then I thought, we need to split up and one of our group will support them long enough so that another group can sneak in and take the scroll." Naruto signaled one team to go support the ambushed group.
Naruto then led the last team to enter through the back as a five enemies were waiting for them.
I'm not planning for Naruto to stay in the Anbu for his whole shinobi career, maybe return to the military when the other Konoha 9 graduates?
What do you think?
I'm still new to writing these stories, advice would be nice.