When Naruto awoke he found himself tied to a log and blinked as he looked around and said "Hey, what the, hey, someone let me go. What's going on." as he tried to get free.

Naruto frowned and tried to get free and after 30 minutes he thought "Damn it...why the hell was I tied up and where is everyone.....they left me, they all tied me up and left me for dead....Damn it....did we even pass the test.....how the hell am I suppose to get free." as he tried some more to get free.

After a while Naruto looked at the wire tying him down and thought "Damn it, how can I escape. If only I could get to my weapons and cut myself free....wait cut...no, I haven't even gotten close to doing that but....what choice do I have." as he began to concentrate on folding his chakra and trying to escape by cutting the wire with his wind element.

4 hours later Naruto was near exhaustion and thought "This isn't working, I can't do this, I don't have the control to do this....I'm never going to let this happen again. I'm going to train to get my chakra control and my wind control so good I can cut anything no matter how tired I am....I...I've got to try something else...maybe, maybe if I I compress my chakra and release a huge bubble of chakra at once it will losen the ropes enough for me to escape...I hope." so he closed his eyes and began to concentrate putting as much chakra together as he could as he kept concentrating until he felt like he was about to pass out from using so much chakra and he released it and at that moment he passed out do to chakra exhaustion and pain as what wind chakra manipulation he could do as well as the amount the chakra was compressed when he releasedit the chakra shot out of his body like a Hyuuga kaiten and cutting the wire, the log, the ground his body and his cloths while also creating a sphere 15 ft wide around his body and at least 2 ft deep in the center where his body lay.

In less then 2 minutes ANBU as well as several other ninja including the Hokage were at the scene and the Sandaime saw Naruto and looked around and said "What happened here."

An ANBU said "Sir, my team was first to appear and we found him just as he is now. I do not know what happened here but from what I can tell it appears by the damage that he was attempting to use wind manipulation sir."

Kakashi who had arrived looked at Naruto and frowned and the Sandaime asked "Kakashi, what happened."

Before Kakashi could say anything the sound of quite sobs was heard and a mumbled noise was heard and the 30 people who had gathered look at the source and the Sandaime saw that Naruto had tears going down his face and he heard "why...why did they leave me...why am I tied up...why."

Kakashi turned and slammed his fist into the tree behind him and said "Sir...I do not know everything but earlier Naruto figured out the test in the first 2 minutes as I had reported to you and I had tied all 3 of them up even though Naruto was passed out after I knocked him out so I could test the other 2 without his interferance and I tied him up so he wasn't laying face first in the ground. I asked Sasuke and Sakura if they knew the rope escape jutsu and they both said yes and I assumed that Naruto did as well since they did so I left to report their team passed. It appears that he didn't and they left him tied up here and this must have been the result of him trying to free himself after 5 hours since the test ended sir....I take full responsibility for this as it was failure on my part for not making sure he was alright when he woke up. I had assumed his teammates would have woke him up and freed him but it doesn't appear so."

The Sandaime said "I see....Kakashi, I don't care if you have to quit reading your books all together. I want a demonstration by Naruto within 2 weeks showing that he can perform the rope escape jutsu. That lesson was taught by Mizuki at the accademy and appears to be another lesson he sabatoged Naruto on. I do not care what anyones personal feelings for Naruto are but he is a Konoha shinobi like anyone else. Do you understand what I am saying Kakashi."

Kakashi said "Yes sir, I will make sure to teach it to him personally."

The Sandaime looked at Naruto and said "I shudder to think how long he would have been here if he didn't do what he did. That must have been a final desperation move. Kakashi, take him to the hospital and make sure you are there and find out if you are correct and if so explain what happened. We don't need him thinking your another Mizuki waiting to betray and kill him or his trust in our village could be lost."

Kakashi nods and an ANBU said "Sir, I'm sorry for interupting but if I may ask a question."

The Sandaime nods and the ANBU said "I first want to say that I do not have a problem with him and his status but what I was wondering is why he was allowed to pass in the first place from the accademy when he failed the actual gennin test."

The Sandaime said "First, for the past 3 years the only thing that he has failed is the clone no jutsu. Every other part of the test he passed 100 percent on. If he could have performed that jutsu he would have graduated already 2 years ahead of those his age. Now as you all know the clone jutsu takes only a very small amount of chakra to make it which is why it is used as a distraction. Naruto is able to produce HUNDREDS of Kagebunshin. I myself if I used all my chakra could only produce maybe 40 if I am lucky. If you see that and understand exactly how much chakra he has to control to do ANY jutsu and he can perform the replacement and henge perfectly you would understand his problem is that it is impossible for him to make a clone no jutsu unless he had chakra control on the level of Tsunade or even greater. When that information was presented to me I saw it was a factor that no one including myself failed to take into account. Now the next thing, Naruto has stealth skills surpassing that of even some of our ANBU. He was able to paint the Hokage monument in broad daylight wearing ORANGE and he wasn't notice until he was done. He also showed skills in infiltration by getting past the security in the Hokage tower and escaping outside the village for several hours while only 1 person who was not aware of the fact Naruto was being tricked by a superior was able to find him. Take that in effect it means that if Naruto doesn't have the skills to be qualified to pass then most of our forces including some of our ANBU are not qualified to be a ninja. If other countries found out about Naruto abilities and that we did not pass him then Konoha would be a laughing stock to other countries and our clients would seek out business else where and if Konoha doesn't accept Naruto whose to say another village wouldn't try to recruit him seeing the potential that many in our village refuse to admit. Were lucky that his strong will and determination wants to prove himself here thanks to the few who have accepted him because I would hate to see what he could do if he became our enemy."

Kakashi said "Also if you think he isn't qualified, in the bell test where I had ordered him and the others to come at me with the intent to kill, had I not had years of experience and trusted my instincts I would be in the hospital from the trap he used against me. He had me believe that he was going to use numbers of kagebunshin to wear me down so his teammates could join at the end and get the bells while I was weak and I underestimated his ability. My shirt and Jounin vest were sliced in half when I dodged at the last second when he used the kagebunshin as a smoke screen when they were dispelled to hide his attack as he came down from above with his sword ready to strike as he fell."

Many were shocked hearing this and a few gave Naruto another look while gaining him a little respect.

Kakashi walked over and placed his hand on Naruto before they left in a swirl of leaves and said "I don't want this spread around. ANBU, repair the damage and return to you duties." as he left in a swirl of leaves.

When Naruto awoke he found himself on a bed and after a few moments of letting his eyes adjust he found that he was inside his apartment. He sat up looking around and found himself wrapped in bandages.

A noise from another room alerted him of someone else being there and Kakashi walked into his bedroom and Naruto blinked before the memories of what happened returned and he scowled at Kakashi.

Kakashi said "In case your wondering, after whatever it was you did destroyed part of the training ground the Hokage, myself and several other ninja arrived and found you in a crater wounded. We believe we know what happened but would like to hear from you to see if it's true. I took you to the hospital and made sure they treated your injuries correctly before I brought you back here to rest. Could you tell me what happened."

Naruto glared at Kakashi and said "Why should I."

Kakashi sighed and reached into his vest pocket and pulled out a scroll before unsealing a ANBU mask and putting it on.

Naruto eyes widen and whispered "Inu."

Kakashi took the mask back off and said "Yeah, I'm Inu."

Naruto frowned and asked "Why....why was I tied up, why did you all leave me there. Why would you do that to me after all the times you saved me." as he looked at Kakashi questioningly.

Kakashi asked "When you woke up, did you see Sasuke or Sakura."

Naruto frowned and shook his head no and Kakashi sighed and said "After you figured out most of the test, good job on that by the way, I knocked you out and Sasuke attacked me at that moment. I had to shushin us both away and I put you against the training log to go test both Sasuke and Sakura who barely worked together, actually Sakura tried to help Sasuke but with the way you explained it I had to pass them. I was angry at both of them and told them that you should be put on another team while both of them were dropped from the program. I had tied them both to a training log and you had slumped to the ground and I didn't know how long you would be out I tied you as well up. I then chewed both Sasuke and Sakura out and asked them if they knew the rope escape jutsu."

Naruto asked "The what."

Kakashi sighed as he rubbed his hand through his hair and said "It was something the accademy was suppose to teach you. I assumed that since both Sasuke and Sakura said they did you did as well so I told them that it was punishment for the poor job they did durring the test and I left thinking you knew it as well and I was planning to ask you all today how long it took you to escape from it so we could work on the jutsu to improve your time if I didn't think you were up to level. I'm sorry for failing you on that."

Naruto looked down and said "I...I forgive you....it was my fault for not knowing that jutsu."

Kakashi said "Which is why I am going to teach it to you."

Naruto asked "So we did pass...did Sasuke and Sakura get the third bell."

Kakashi laughed and said "Theres a saying about looking underneath the underneath but you looked so far under it you came out on the other side of the world. There was no third bell, the 2 bells were a trick to see if you would work as a team. Those who don't follow the rules are trash but those who abandon their comrads are worse then trash....I guess that makes me worse then trash."

Naruto shook his head and said "No....but....I...I don't think I can trust Sasuke and Sakura. I mean you were justified but they..."

Kakashi said "Might have thought you knew it as well. I did chew them out pretty good over their performance and may have had that on their mind as well. I can understand how you feel but things might not be actually as bad as they seem now....or they could be worse. What I am saying is they are your teammates, like it or not and unless one of you get premoted, injured, die, or quit your stuck with each other."

Naruto frowned and thought a moment and said "Alright....I'll try and get a long with them and trust them...but I'm going to also watch myself around them incase they are like others I've dealt with before."

Kakashi smiled and Naruto asked "So what now."

Kakashi said "Well, your cloths you had on were destroyed but your sword was undamaged. I also found your training weights and I replaced them and your cloths you lost by matching them with the ones you had here in the closet since this was still my fault...I notice you had a storage seal on your arm. What's in it if you don't mind me asking."

Naruto frowned and said "You won't tell anyone will you. I mean not even Sasuke and Sakura."

Kakashi said "No, I promise."

Naruto wiped some blood across it and out popped a scroll and Naruto unsealed 4 books and handed the scroll to Kakashi.

Kakashi read it and his eyes got wide and whistled and said "Not bad, who came up with this for you if you don't mind me asking."

Naruto said "My friend Tenten...Jiji knows already about all this and he gave me these 2 books after I read the basics Tenten gave me."

Kakashi looked at the books and his eye widen slightly seeing one of them and said "Did he know....my sensei wrote that one." as he pointed to the one on chakra theories.

Naruto said "Dad was your sensei." as he slapped his hand over his mouth and looked at Kakashi with fear in his eyes.

Kakashi frowned and said "Why did you say the Yondaime was your dad."

Naruto sighed and said "There's a bloodseal in the Kyuubi seal. The only way it could be there where it is located is if the person who wrote it was related to me and since the Yondaime was an orphan..."

Kakashi said "I see.....you need to be more careful with that piece of information. Who else knows."

Naruto said "Just Jiji and Tenten."

Kakashi tilted his head to the side and asked "Why her. I figured Teuchi, Ayame, or Iruka."

Naruto said "She...she was there the night in the woods with Mizuki....she heard everything and accepts me as me....she wants to be my actual friend and believes in me and my dream.....I...she means a lot to me for that. She's someone I don't have to hide things from. She talks to me and treats me as a person and if I don't understand something she tries to help me understand it.....she even gave me THE TALK....NOBODY has ever told me about all the differences between men and woman and explain to me why woman get so upset with my sexy no jutsu...I....I feel I can be me around her."

Kakashi said "I see....maybe I can arrange for her team and ours to work together on an occassion or 2 to allow you a chance to be with your friend."

Naruto said "You would do that." with eyes wide.

Kakashi nods and Naruto said "Thank you Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi said "Now Naruto, you can't tell anyone about me being in ANBU or Inu. We are given code names and mask for reasons that must remain secret, not only for me but for others."

Naruto said "I won't tell anyone....but...could you tell me about dad sometimes. I mean I know I'm not suppose to officially learn anything about him or mom, whoever she is until I make Chunnin and Jounin but surely there is something you could tell me that wouldn't be classified or reveal the truth...anything." in a pleading tone.

Kakashi said "I think I might be able from time to time."

Naruto said "Thanks."

Kakashi asked "So about all this trainning, how are you coming along."

Naruto thought a moment and said "Well...with Tenten advice I can stand on water a few seconds with both feet about a foot off the shore but that's not very far yet. Tree climbing I can get about half way up a tree, leaf balancing I can get the leaf to stay about a foot above my head but I can't get it closer then that yet, um....I can generate a small breeze enough to move my hair with the great breakthru but the others I haven't made any progress yet. I've actually read all 4 books all the way through and I have began to write down on a seperate scroll I didn't unseal the main points and theories on both sealing and chakra theories and questions I have about them as well as ideas for them. For some reason both seem like I'm not actually learning them but....relearning them....like this." as he pointed to a part of the seal on his stomach.

Kakashi looked at it and asked "What about it."

Naruto said "This isn't covered in either of the books I've read but I know that is the actual chakra converter seal that turns Kyuubi chakra into my own and it's based off the principle of the fire absorbtion seal I read about but how do I know that. It's the same things with the theories on chakra as well as the Kagebunshin no jutsu. While it did take me several hours to learn it I seem to have known part of the inner workings for it somehow. I....I can't explain it. It's....it's weird....you don't think I have a bloodline or something do you."

Kakashi looked in thought a moment and said "I doubt it Naruto...Maybe it's a part of your dad in you...I don't mean like that, I mean your dad was a sealmaster, that's common knowledge so I know I can tell you that. Maybe you have the makings of one as well...but seals are dangerous Naruto and I want you to promise me you won't mess with sensei seal."

Naruto said "Oh, I already made that deal with Jiji anyways. It's why he was so willing to let me have those other 2 books. I mean I pointed out that if I were to learn seals then if something happened to the seal then I would have a chance to warn others or get away before any danger could happen. We also agreed that if I ever wanted to do anything to the seal then I would have to get his permission first."

Kakashi said "Good....tell you what. I don't know if you know this or not and you can't tell anyone I know this but one of the reasons you and Sasuke are on the same team, even if you would have been ranked higher is because I specifically asked for you to be on my team right after you were born, but Sasuke has a bloodline, though it hasn't activated yet, called the Sharingan. Since his family was killed I am the only person in the village who can teach him how to use his bloodline since I have it also right here." as he touched his hiate covered eye and said "I lost my eye and my teammate gave me his before he died after saving my life. I don't like talking about it and the only reason I am telling you this is because I want you to be able to trust me. Now when Sasuke activates his bloodline I will have to focus a little on him to teach him how to use it properly. To make it up to you I can see if I can find one or two more wind jutsu for you to learn after you can use all 5 of those correctly. I'll even see if I can't get some more books on seals for you that are usually restricted for higher ranking ninja. You could also check the library on seals and chakra theory."

Naruto scowled and said "I tried and I was told I couldn't come in there because I don't have a library card and only my parents could get it for me. Yeah right."

Kakashi frowned and said "How about this then, Every time you complete 20 missions successfully I'll buy you a book so you can look at it any time you want."

Naruto eyes widen and said "You would do that for me Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi said "Yeah."

Naruto frowned and asked "Why though...I mean..." as he tried to find the words to explain what he wanted to ask.

Kakashi said "I owe your dad a lot, if I could have I would have adopted you to raise you for him but there were things that stopped me from being able to adopt you and no, it's not the fox."

Naruto said "Let me guess, the council."

Kakashi nods and Naruto said "Yeah, jiji explained about how I can't get away with some of the stuff I did before now that I am a ninja or the council will make trouble for me, bunch of old farts."

Kakashi bit his lip to keep from laughing and Naruto looked at the clock and asked "Do we have team practice today."

Kakashi said "Yeah, at 8."

Naruto said "But it's almost 10:30."

Kakashi smiled and said "I know."

Naruto said "Your going to be late all the time, aren't you."

Kakashi said "A ninja is never late or early. He arrives exactly when he wants to."

Naruto said "I see....well if you don't mind, I don't like men seeing me get dressed."

Kakashi said "Really, maybe I should get Tenten to come help you."

Naruto frowned and said "Don't go there sensei. She's a friend...my only friend my age."

Kakashi said "Relax, I'm just joking."

Naruto said "I know but I don't want to take the chance of angering her at me."

Kakashi frowned and said "If she's going to really be your friend you can't walk on egg shells around her or about her. If you do your enemies could use her against you to either anger you or threaten to harm her. Now you need to get ready for our first mission and get to training ground 7 as fast as you can. Here is the directions for the rope escape jutsu. I want you to see how far you can get on it before the end of the week and after that I will help you if you are having trouble. Cya." as he handed Naruto a scroll before he went up in a puff of smoke.

Naruto frowned as he read the scroll and thought "That's it. Damn it, I could have gotten out of those ropes so easily if I would have known this. It may take me a little time to actually get it but this seems pretty simple since it's similar to what I am doing for chakra control practice." as he got up and got ready. After creating a Kagebunshin Naruto grabbed a cup of instant ramen and cooked it and ate it on the way to his team training ground.

When Naruto arrived Sakura screamed "Your late."

Naruto said "Hm, you say something." as he rubbed his ear.

Just then Kakashi arrived and Sakura who was angry with Naruto turned to him and screamed "Your late also Sensei, Naruto just got here."

Kakashi said "Sorry I'm late, a black cat crossed my path and I had to take another road." as he smiled making Sakura angrier.

Naruto smirked seeing what Kakashi was doing and said "Really, I had to get a stray dog out of my apartment who broke in while I was asleep."

Sakura screamed "LIARS."

Kakashi smiled and said "Alright team, lets go get our first team mission." as he turned and pulled out a book and began to read as he walked.

Naruto seeing this also unsealed a book and began to read and Kakashi seeing this smiled as he saw the glares both Sasuke and Sakura were giving Naruto and he thought "I wonder how long it will take before he realizes why this is actually a smart thing.....once he learns to keep an eye on his surroundings." as he saw Naruto nearly walk into a tree.

When they got to the Hokage office the Sandaime raised an eyebrow at Naruto and Kakashi and said "Seems you are already teaching your students Kakashi."

Kakashi said "More like he's trying to copy the copy cat. Perhaps I'll introduce him to the joys of Jiraiya-sama work."

The Sandaime coughed and said "Right, alright team 7, your first mission is a D-rank mission to pick up trash out of the park on the east side of the village."

Naruto blinked as both Sasuke and Sakura got shocked looks on their face and Naruto said "Isn't that the park most of the villagers goto to relax when in the shopping district."

The Sandaime nods and Naruto thought a moment and said "I see."

Sakura said "See what baka."

Naruto said "Look at the time of day it is Sakura, right now the park is full of people trying to relax and enjoy themselves, most likely having lunch while shopping or going about their daily jobs. They don't want people disturbing them as they try to relax so this mission is not only a chore to clean up the park but also a side mission to do it with as much stealth as possible while working as a team without disturbing the villagers enough for them to complain....right."

The Sandaime said "Mostly correct, there is another aspect that you will have to figure out yourself but most of these missions while seeming to be chores also have another purpose which is why we have gennin to them instead of accademy students. I am surprised that you figured that out so quickly...what gave it away."

Naruto said "Tora, I've seen enough ninja chasing that cat to often to not think there had to be another reason for chasing it. Search and retrieval, right."

The Sandaime said "If only all my gennins would figure that out. I have a few gennins who have been gennin for years and they still think D-rank missions only real purpose is chores when in fact they are designed to teach another aspect of being a ninja while completing a mission in a controlled enviroment. There is actually a record board with the fastest and slowest times of capturing Tora in the village that is only viewable by those of Chunnin rank or higher since they will never be able to try and break the record."

At this Naruto said "Really...are there any prizes for breaking the record."

The Sandaime said "Besides the mission pay, only bragging rights I am afraid to their fellow Chunnin or Jounins."

Kakashi said "As interesting as this is I am afraid we need to get to the park and complete our mission."

When team 7 got to the park Kakashi said "Well go ahead and get started."

Naruto said "Hey Sasuke, why don't you take everything from the east entrance to the south entrance, Sakura could take the east entrance to the north entrance and I'll take everything that's left."

Sakura said "Why should we listen to you baka." as she went to hit Naruto over the head who stepped back away from her hit making her scowl.

Sasuke said "We will work together in one area and move to the next. That way we can finish sooner."

Naruto said "But..."

Sakura said "Don't argue with Sasuke-kun, he's smarter then you are baka and came up with a better plan so shut up and help us." as she moved after Sasuke.

Naruto frowned and looked at Kakashi and said "Were going to have to do the work twice by following Sasuke directions since we have people coming and going still who will be dropping more trash that could go into the area we already done."

Kakashi who was reading his book said "Hmm, you say something."

Naruto scowled and began to help Sasuke and Sakura and Kakashi thought "Your right Naruto."

2 hours later Team 7 was inside the Hokage office and the Sandaime said "So Kakashi, how did the mission go."

Kakashi said "At the beginning of the mission Naruto tried to lead the team by making a plan to divide the park into 3 sections with Sasuke and Sakura both having smaller sections then his own where they could have covered more ground quickly and finished the mission earlier which was first questioned by Sakura and then Sasuke came up with the plan for all 3 to work in one section to finish it first which was agreed upon by Sakura which Naruto reluctantly agreed to do so as not to cause a problem with the team work. In doing so the team had to do the park twice to finish it because of the civilians who were using the park."

The Sandaime said "I see....Sakura, Kakashi said you questioned Naruto plan. What about his plan did you question exactly."

Sakura said "I asked why should we listen to a baka like him."

The Sandaime said "I see...Sasuke, what did you think of his plan."

Sasuke said "Dividing the team would have covered more ground but would have caused Sakura and me to not only do our work but come over and help Naruto cover his area since he had the most area."

Naruto said "I was planning to make a Kagebunshin to help us take one section of the park. There was a reason I was willing to take the largest section."

Sasuke said "I did not know that and I also did not know that we would have to go back and clean up the section again if the entire park was not clean at the same time thanks to the civilian using the park."

The Sandaime said "I see....Naruto, what did you think of Sasuke plan."

Naruto said "I could see where he was going with his plan but I suspected that we would have to have the entire park clean at the same time if we were to complete the mission which I knew would make us have to go over each section twice just to make sure each section was clean."

The Sandaime said "I see....Sakura, now that you heard all this which one do you think had the better plan."

Sakura said "I still think Sasuke-kun had the better plan because at the time I was not aware of the fact Naruto was planning to use a kagebunshin or the fact we would have to go over each section twice."

The Sandaime said "Very well...while the mission was a success on the actual cleaning of the park, the ninja aspect was a failure on all 3 of you. Normally I would not have told you that part but because Naruto figured out there was more to the missions then simple chores I had to rate your mission as such. You all 3 need to learn to communicate all available information to your teammates to come up with the best decision. The correct couse of action would have been a combination of you plan. 2 of you should have taken 1/4 of the park and began working on them while the third went back and forward between the 2 helping one finish one section first before helping finish the other section while the one who finished first began one of the last half and repeated the process. By doing this you would still have had to do a quick sweep of the original half you finished to pick up any new trash but would have finished the mission more effeciently and quicker as such. Now would you like another mission today Kakashi."

Kakashi said "No, I believe they have had enough for one day."

The Sandaime said "Then here is you pay voucher that you can collect from the mission office secretary. Dismissed."

Naruto looked at his voucher and frowned as his teammates left and the Sandaime said "Yes Naruto, is something wrong."

Naruto said "Um...is there any way I could get an extra mission. I don't care what it is but I have things I need to pay for and with $25 a mission I'm not going to be able to pay for the things I owe or my own bills like food and utilities. Please."

The Sandaime frowned and said "Very well. How many extra missions do you need a month Naruto at D-rank."

Naruto thought and said "Will I get the full payment of $75 for the mission if I do it by myself."

The Sandaime said "Actually, $100. Kakashi gets 1/4 of your mission pay on top of his Jounin sensei payment."

Naruto said "I see...3 extra a week if I can. Say Monday, Wednesday and Friday."

The Sandaime said "Very well. I will make sure to hold one that can be done Solo for you but I don't have any right now. I will have one for you Wednesday though."

Naruto said "Thanks Jiji. I owe you."

The Sandaime said "Well if there is nothing else I need to get back to work on the paperwork."

Naruto said "OK Jiji, have a good day."

The Sandaime said "I'll try...by the way, good job on figuring out the true reason for D-rank as well on your plan. I am proud of you."

Naruto smiled and said "Thanks." as he left.

The Sandaime smiled and thought "He's going to make you proud Minato."