A/N: Lawl~ I love you reviews and reviewers! Anyway, here is a new chapter! I honestly can't stop writing guys! It's an amazing feeling! This is the fastest I've EVER updated! Also, I know that Naruto failed his exam... three times(?) so that meant he had to start the academy at five or so to have failed that many times before graduating. I didn't exactly want to make Minato that young, so he's entering the Academy at 7. Will he graduate early? Hmmm, good question. Guess you'll have to wait and see! :D

Key:

"Speech"
'Thoughts'
Demon/Deity
Demon/Deity thoughts
"Sign Language/ANBU coded signing"

Chapter 3: Where it Begins

Minato was right. One hundred percent, absolutely correct.

Rock Lee and Maito Gai were like freaky twins...or Lee was some strange nature induced mini-clone of Gai.

Once the pair had arrived at the Hokage's office and asked Sarutobi who they could ask about helping them in their Taijutsu (while maintaining big bright puppy-dog eyes so that the old man couldn't say no) they were introduced to the Jonin, Maito Gai. The man hadn't changed much since Minato had last seen him. He was still as loud as he was seven years ago, and most definitely had the same bleached looking smile, and continued to spout out his somewhat confusing "springtime of youth" and how it burned brightly.

Of course Lee had taken Gai in immediately. If it wasn't the fact that they looked so alike, it was the fact that Maito Gai readily agreed to help the two of them on his spare time. He was after all a Jonin, he had to go on missions to make a living. Minato, however, noticed the small nearly unimportant tapping of his finger the Hokage had been doing when he was talking to Gai about the possibility of training them. He was a bit annoyed that his memories of ANBU morse code was faulty, and he couldn't quite grasp the message he was giving Gai. Though he could guess it had to do with him in some way or another.

"Your flames of youth burn brightly!" he exclaimed to them, displaying his wide pearly white smile at them, "I will help you both, but I won't hold back so be prepared!" From the corner of his eye, Minato saw Sarutobi flinch in sympathy. Gai couldn't be that bad in training...right? Sure he went through insane self induced training regimes when he was alive, but that was mostly just to be able to beat his "Eternal Rival" Kakashi. With that errant thought, Minato wanted to face palm. 'The guy is going to rub us in Kakashi's face and declare he's a better teacher than him so he wins some sort of unsaid competition.' Wanting nothing more than to groan, Minato took in a small breath and said,

"I'll do my best not to disappoint you Gai-sensei." bowing to his new teacher in respect. The small action made Sarutobi nearly drop his pipe. He was torn between feeling elated at the change Naruto was showing or crying at the fact that a near death experience caused such a change.

"YOSH! I as well, Gai-sensei! I won't let you down!" Lee exclaimed bowing to the man as well, albeit a little lower than Minato had.

"Good!" Gai said happily, "I have time tomorrow, so meet me at Training Ground 14 at 6a.m. and we'll begin your training!"

"HAI!" the two boys said in unison. While he was somewhat dreading what Gai had in store for them, Minato couldn't deny he was feeling elated at the same time.

"Now, boys," Sarutobi's voice rang out in the room, "I want you both to take this very seriously, while I ask Gai to remember that they are both only seven and eight years old."

Meaning, 'This isn't something I normally do, and Gai, don't make them do anything even close to you're normal training' Minato couldn't help but smile, at least he wouldn't be thrown in the metaphorical waters without knowing how to swim.

"Of course, Hokage-sama!" Gai exclaimed happily. He would have to make a conscious effort to not over exert the two eager potential shinobi. But could anyone really blame him if he got a little carried away? Their flames of youth burn so brightly!

"Good, good." Sarutobi said with a slightly amused smile, "Now, off with you all and enjoy the rest of your day. Oh, Naruto, here is your monthly allowance, yours as well Lee." he said grabbing two small envelopes and handing them over to the two orphans. On their way to the Tower, both had confessed they were orphans, strengthening the growing bond between the two of them.

"Thanks, jiji!" Minato said with a bright smile. Finally! Now he could probably buy some decent furniture and maybe a new bed.

"Thank you, Hokage-sama!" Lee said gratefully to the Village leader.

"Ne, Lee," Minato began turning to his friend, "want to come with me to buy some stuff? We can race to the market sector!"

"YOSH! Let us see who is the fastest!" Lee exclaimed excitedly, stuffing his envelope in his pocket. "Thank you again, Hokage-sama!" Without another word, both Minato and Lee dashed out of the office at their top speeds, which for the little training they had, was impressive.

"They are quite energetic!" Gai observed as he watched the boys race to the other side of the village out of the Hokage's window.

"They are indeed." Sarutobi said with a small smile gracing his lips. It was nice to see Naruto act more like himself. Though he wasn't really surprised in this case. From all his time watching the boy, Sarutobi noticed an immediate lack of friends due to those ignorant civilians that told their children, and others, he was a demon. Watching the two boys acting like life-long friends was most pleasing to see, and it was obvious to him that Naruto would do anything to protect and help his first true friend.

Said boy was none other than Rock Lee, and orphan child who just finished his first year at the Academy. According to his file, the young eager student was the bottom of his class, "dead-last" as so many people enjoyed to label the position as much to his annoyance. Though it was hardly his fault. Due to a birth defect the boy was unable to mould chakra, a death blow to most shinobi careers. Even so, he persevered and his Taijutsu was something to take note of, as well as his scores on theory and the other written subjects. His complete lack at Ninjutsu and Genjutsu was simply bringing his scores down. Perhaps he should change the scoring for the boy? It was clear he was eager, and under Gai's tutelage, would no doubt become a force to be reckoned with.

'I believe I will wait and watch his progress with Gai's training before I decide to do anything.' Sarutobi thought to himself as he blew his pipe.

"So, Hokage-sama, you wish me to observe Naruto Uzumaki's during this?" Gai asked for clarity. He noticed the ANBU morse code that he was to take both the boys and train them as a mission that would be explained as soon as they left. He figured it would be to watch over the blonde haired boy as it was obvious the Village thought him to be a demon, and had been sent to the hospital on more than one occasion because of it. While it was true Gai held deep resentment for the Kyuubi, he held none for the poor jiinchuriki that was forced to hold it. Only pity and gratitude. He didn't, however, know the boys true parentage.

"Yes," Sarutobi said unsurprised by the Jonin's deduction, "I'm sure you have heard about the incident earlier this week?" With a noticeable flinch, Gai nodded.

"Hai, Hokage-sama."

"Then you should know there have been much changes in Naruto since then. I want you to keep an eye on him, make sure he isn't traumatized and unstable because of the event, and teach him to the best of your ability. I know he will be great one day."

Knowing full well the implications of his assignment, Gai nodded seriously, "Of course, Hokage-sama."

"I have won this most youthful race!" Lee exclaimed happily as he stopped on the edge of the market sector of the village, Minato only a few seconds behind him. Minato couldn't help but let out a breathy laugh. Just a little while spent with the guy and Lee had picked up Gai's verbal tick.

"In my defense, I ran about five laps before this." Minato said taking deep needed breaths.

"Then we shall do this again another day when you are fully rested!" Lee himself was taking deep breaths also, but looked as though he were prepared to continue running and have no complaint if someone said he couldn't stop until told so. Minato knew after this, without a shadow of a doubt, that Rock Lee would grow to be feared in the Elemental Nations one day.

"For sure!" the blonde replied with his trademark grin, though it was a bit more sincere than his usual ones. Looking out to the bustling market, Minato frowned a bit. Already he could see the glares pointed his way and Lee because he was near him without causing him harm. Turning to face Lee once more, he said, "I have to change really quick, Lee. I'll be right back!" Not waiting for his new friends answer, Minato made his way back a few blocks and ducked into a small alley way to henge into a dull looking eight year old civilian kid. Dark hair, dark eyes, and no outstanding looks; basically a younger version of his older version.

Walking back out calmly in order to blend in with the crowd, Minato made his way back to Lee and couldn't help but smirk at his befuddled expression.

"Hey, I'm back." Minato said with a smile.

"...Naruto?" Lee asked unsure.

"Yup! Jiji taught me the Henge jutsu and I want to practice with it!" A lie, but he doubted a eight year old boy would understand the actual truth. Explaining complex methods on the seals used to cage the Kyuubi was simply information that would well go over the kid's head.

"Amazing, Naruto!" Lee exclaimed with a fist raised to the air, "Training during something so simple! I will strive to do the same!"

Laughing outright now, Minato merely nodded at his friend and suggested they make way to the market and shop.

It was about two hours later that Minato and Lee had parted ways at his apartment, with a more than enthusiastic goodbye on Lee's part. The boy was someone that Minato, had he not had experience with Gai, would easily be exhausted by. Thankfully, he had experience, so it was far easier to get along with him. By the door were a few bags of items he had bought. A few scrolls on chakra control, as well as a small number of blank ones, a nicer futon, a journal, and a number of ink and pens he would be using to regain a grasp at seals.

He knew that with his current control, it would be beyond stupid to even attempt seal work. Fuuinjutsu demanded some control, but most importantly, complete and utter focus. Besides, he couldn't be caught doing anything too advanced until he found someone to tell him the basics of Fuuinjutsu. Since, for the most part, after that it was all experimental work. Having Jiraiya teach him again came to mind, but having no memory of the man ever coming to see Naruto before made him seriously doubt he would be his teacher in anything.

'Next time I see that damn pervert, he's in for a hell of a lot of pain! I'll make Tsunade look merciful!' Minato screamed in his mind. He still couldn't believe that the man he considered a father would abandon his son as he had done. He was a bit more, but not so much, lenient on Tsunade. She hadn't particularly been fond of Konoha for obvious reasons, but both she and Jiraiya could have raised Naruto outside of Konoha until he was supposed to take the Genin graduation exam.

Throwing out his current futon and replacing it with the new one, Minato flopped down on it happily. Not even two days here and he cleaned his home, made a new friend, and got himself a teacher! So far, so good. He would have to make sure to ask Gai if there was any chance he could teach him the academy ninjutsu before going, or perhaps simply the theory behind it so he could "figure it out" himself. Already knowing the transformation technique would probably be a good reason to want to learn more. After all, all he needed in order to bring up the Kage Bushin was a failed Academy bushin. Even Gai would be able to tell he had too much chakra to ever be able to perform that low taxing technique.

Taking the few moments to rest his small body, Minato reached for his new brown leather-bound journal. He had a number of filled journals hidden away in the Namikaze manor, along with the entire family fortune, heirlooms, and scrolls on both Kushina's and his own techniques. The estate would have been the first thing to get back to, but he had foolishly (at least in retrospect) keyed Sarutobi in the seals so should anyone ever open them up again, he would know immediately. So he wouldn't be able to even touch the Namikaze grounds until the man told him of his true parentage.

'Damnit...that would have helped out so much.' he thought to himself as he began to write a detailed entry about his past couple of days.

It wasn't a surprise to him when he left three filled pages in his journal a short time afterward. He had always described his days with detailed clarity. He used the entries to relive his more pleasant memories, and for when he needed to remember a certain event for war planning. Now, he would do the same to see in a couple of years where he had began and how far he had progressed.

There was still some time for him to get things done, so Minato once again released his senses in order to see if anyone was watching him. Once finding there was no one, he made a small number of clones, commanding each of them to henge into a completely other person, both his age and older and sent them out to different training grounds to work on chakra control while he himself was off to the "Forest of Death" to do more strenuous training. The nature chakra the place emitted was more than enough to mask his small body, especially if he made it to the far end of the forest that neared the border of Konoha.

It wasn't too difficult sneaking his way to the training ground. Many people, for good reasons, strayed away from the place and it's surrounding areas. As soon as he was far enough in, Minato made a score of clones, having them pair up and spar while he himself began to go through the beginning steps of his infamous Rasengan. This time, he planned to complete the technique and successfully add on the elemental aspect to the swirling ball of chakra. Right now, he was simply concerned with getting back to being able to perform the technique.

He continued till the sun overhead began to make it's decent, leaving the sky to shift to a vibrant mix of orange, red, and yellow with a darkening sky trailing it not far behind. Sending a mental command to his clones, the ones in the other training grounds immediately dispelled themselves, the memories of their training attacking him immediately. Waiting a few seconds, he dispelled the others in small groups with a five second interval between each dispelling so he wouldn't be inflicted with a headache.

One of his clones gave him the memories of a small boy, an Uchiha from the red fan on the back of his shirt, watching him intensely. He didn't seem to have any training, otherwise he would have masked his presence. Instead it seemed the boy was content with simply watching him. Thankfully, the clone did nothing to advertise the fact that he knew the boy was watching him, and when he was given the command to dispel, had made his way out of the boys line of sight.

'He looked about Naruto's...my(?) age.' Minato thought to himself before disregarding the event all together. The boy could be any number of children born to the Uchiha clan around the time Naruto was born. He could even be the youngest son of the Clan Head, Fugaku for all he knew, or the son of a civilian hoping to one day be a shinobi like so many of his clan.

With his body shaking, Minato made his way home slowly, the sky blackened completely by the time he had made it to the front of his apartment door, leaving on the street lights to illuminate the streets. Rubbing his eyes, Minato went to the kitchen to make himself a much needed dinner. With the help of a shadow clone, his food that consisted of well cooked rabbit meat, rice, and a large number of steamed vegetables was readily waiting on the table for him to eat.

The food, he realized, tasted fantastically. He knew he was a good cook, but certainly not of this caliber. 'He's never been able to eat anything like this...' Minato thought to himself as he stared sadly at his meal. His Naruto was at a time forced to dumpster dive to get go to sleep without the pain of an empty stomach. His Naruto had been forced to eat rotten fruits to get even the smallest of nutrition. His Naruto had been forced to eat the cheapest of cupped ramen constantly because that was all anyone was willing to sell to him.

He realized he was crying when he took a small bundle of soaked rice in his mouth, but continued eating regardless of the freely falling tears. 'You're happy now, Naruto, aren't you?' the unspoken question remained unanswered, only his gut and the words of the Death god giving him comfort. As the meal was finished, Minato made his way to shower before falling on his futon, dried and dressed, allowing his drooping eyes to close and sleep to take over.

A/N: Gah, I can't get Gai's personality right... also don't remember much on Lee's background... damn, I need to go re-read Naruto. Also, classes this quarter are going to be super~ time demanding, sooooo while I hope to still be able to update as quickly as I have the past few days, I most probably won't... Also, sorry not a lot happened this chapter, but I'm working reaaaalllyyy hard on Gai's training and who he'll meet next and what not. So, think of this more like a filler I guess. I swear you won't be disappointed next chapter (which should be posted in the next few days.)

Reviews are loved~