(And here we are again with my next chapter. I hope you guys enjoy what I got in store for you.)

Three weeks had passed since Naruto joined the ninja academy. During those weeks he made quite a few friends, such as Shikamaru, Chouji, and Shino from the Nara, Akimichi, and Aburame clans by showing Shikamaru the game of Pai Sho, enjoying snacks with Chouji, and understanding how important insects are by Shino. Sasuke had become both his rival and close friend. Kiba of the Inuzuka clan was mostly envious of Naruto and his skill. He had also gained a fanclub following just as Sasuke had before he enrolled in. And like he promised Hinata, began training with her every day after classes to improve her skills and confidence.

One morning, it was the day of the academy graduation. Naruto was up and ready to head out before he patted Soreth's head, "This is the day, Soreth. Wish me luck." Soreth gargled in response, before Naruto headed off.

As Naruto walked through the village, he felt as if he was being watched. He glanced back seeing a poorly done rock disguise. He rolled his eyes, "Konohamaru, rocks aren't even squared."

Popping up from the fake rock was a boy wearing a long blue scarf. It was Konohamaru Sarutobi; the Sandaime's Grandson, "Oh, man. Nothing gets past you, aniki."

"I know. But, hey, just keep at it and you may fool me one day." Naruto chuckled.

"And I promise you I will!" Konohamaru declared, as he walked off feeling determined.

Naruto smiled as he continued on, until he made it to the academy building. When he entered the classroom, he saw the rest of the class already in their seats. He found an empty seat next to Hinata and Sakura, "Hey, girls, mind if I join you?"

"Oh, good morning, Naruto." Hinata greeted him.

"Not at all. Have a seat." Sakura answered, as Naruto sat in between them.

"So, you two nervous at all about the exam?" Naruto inquired.

"Not a bit." Sakura answered.

"I think we'll all do fine." Hinata put in.

"So do I." Naruto agreed.

Soon Iruka came into the room, "Morning, class."

"Morning, Iruka-sensei." they greeted him.

"I hope you've all prepared for this day, because this is where we test if you have the basic requirements needed to become shinobi of the village. Should you pass you will be given a Konoha headband just like mine." he motioned to the leaf symbol headband around his forehead.

And so the students one by one were being called to follow Iruka into another room to take the academy exam. When each student came out they were now wearing a Konoha headband to prove they passed.

Iruka called out, "Naruto Uzumaki."

Naruto stood up, "That's my cue."

"Good luck, Naruto." Hinata smiled.

"Thanks." Naruto followed Iruka.

In the next room, Naruto stood before both Iruka, and another Chunin named Mizuki. Naruto secretly frowned at Mizuki. Despite the man always being a happy persona, there was something about him Naruto was uncomfortable with.

"Now then, Naruto, to pass the exam you will require to demonstrate the henge technique and the clone jutsu." Mizuki instructed.

"Is that all?" Naruto asked rhetorically, "All right then." so Naruto started off with the henge jutsu and from where he stood now stood what looked like Korra as a teenager. After looking at old pictures of Korra he was able to get the looks of her perfectly. Both Chunin were taken aback by what Naruto turned into.

When Naruto changed back, Iruka spoke, "Good job, Naruto. Though who was that you changed into?"

"A secret girlfriend of yours?" Mizuki teased.

Naruto scowled at Mizuki's teasing, "Nothing like that. Let's just say it was someone very special and leave it at that."

Iruka and Mizuki dropped it, as Iruka instructed, "Next you're required to make at least two clones."

"As you wish," Naruto said, as he got in position and formed a hand sign, "Shadow clone jutsu!" suddenly two more Naruto's appeared at Naruto's side.

"Naruto, that's shadow clone jutsu." Iruka gasped, as he and Mizuki were surprised.

"Yeah. And that's better than the average clone jutsu," Naruto added, "So do I pass?"

Iruka smiled, "You pass," he got up and presented Naruto with a Konoha headband, "Wear this with honor and loyalty, Naruto."

"Will do, sensei." Naruto answered, as he held the headband in his hands before tying it around his forehead.

He left the room and returned to the classroom. Naruto went back to his seat, as Sakura spoke up, "Congratulations for passing, Naruto."

"Thanks, Sakura."

"I'm so happy for you." Hinata smiled.

"Thanks, Hinata, and I'll be happy for you as well when you pass." Naruto replied.

"Hey, what about me?" Sakura asked suspiciously.

"Don't worry. I'll be happy for you too, Sakura." Naruto said, and Sakura felt at ease.

And eventually all the other students had taken the exam and passed. Outside the academy after class, the students were being congratulated by their parents and families. Naruto looked around feeling left out that there was no one there specifically to congratulate him. Naruto shrugged it off and decided to just head home.

When nighttime fell, Naruto and Soreth were on the roof of his house, with Naruto holding onto his air gliding staff. He looked to his dragon partner, "You ready, boy?" Soreth growled in excitement, "Let's go!" he unfolded his staff as it became a glider.

Naruto took off into the air using his staff to fly, as Soreth flapped his wings and flew after his partner. Every night since Naruto's return to the village, he and Soreth would fly through the night sky so Soreth could get his exercise since he couldn't do it during the daytime or be spotted.

As they flew above the forest area, Naruto and Soreth were doing some tricks in perfect sync. After they flew around enough, Naruto spoke, "How about we head back, boy?" Soreth looked as if he agreed. Before they could head back, Naruto looked down and saw someone making off with a very large scroll, "Scratch that. Something's up." he took it down as Soreth followed him.

They got down closer, as Naruto hushed Soreth to wait back, while he flew ahead to head the figure off.

"Hold it right there!" he ordered as he landed on the ground. The figure stopped, as Naruto continued, "Pretty big scroll you got there. And with the Hokage's seal on it as well," The figure brought his head up revealing to be Mizuki, "You?"

"Naruto, there isn't time. I just stole this scroll back from some thieves, and they're after me now." Mizuki explained frantically.

"Thieves?" Naruto inquired.

"Yes. I want you to go to the Hokage and inform him of this matter." Mizuki ordered.

Naruto squinted his eyes at the Chunin before answering, "You're lying."

"What?" Mizuki asked, "What're you talking about?"

"Don't play innocent with me, Mizuki," Naruto called his bluff, "You're not being pursued by thieves. You are the thief!" he declared.

"Naruto, that's a bold accusation." Mizuki frowned.

"I know I'm right, and you know it. I know there weren't any thieves coming from the direction you were running from because I was also coming from there," Naruto explained, while not wanting to tell him he was flying above previously, "Confess, Mizuki."

Mizuki's innocent demeanor changed to that of a psychopathic look, "Yes. I stole this scroll from the vault."

"But why?" Naruto demanded.

"Let's just say I know some people who would pay a fortune for this scroll." Mizuki explained deviously.

Naruto frowned, "You're a traitor to our village!"

"And you're worse than a traitor." Mizuki retorted.

"What the hell's that supposed to mean?" Naruto asked, but knew what he was prepared to say.

"You mean you don't know?" Mizuki asked rhetorically, "No of course you don't since it's forbidden to be said. Well, I say screw that rule! The truth is Naruto, the nine tailed fox that attacked our village years ago and killed so many of our beloved shinobi and our Fourth Hokage was actually you!" Naruto didn't respond, and Mizuki continued, "That's right. You're the fox spirit that killed so many lives just for the sheer delight of killing! That's just the way demons like you are born! Selfish! Greedy! Abominations to the world it..." he was cut off as Naruto had shot a blast of fire at him. Mizuki looked and saw Naruto standing tough with his fist smoking.

"Selfish? Greedy? Interesting choice of words coming from you who's actually stealing!" Naruto shouted.

"I don't have to listen to demon's words. I got places to be." Mizuki said, preparing to take off.

"Oh, you're not going anywhere," Naruto replied, "We're not going to let you."

"We? Who's we?" Mizuki inquired.

"Me and this guy." Naruto let out a whistle call.

Suddenly a roar echoed in the forest, as Mizuki was confused and worried, "What was that?" Suddenly swooping down was Soreth who shot a fireball at Mizuki. The ninja jumped away before the fireball could impact with him, creating a crater sized hole in the ground, "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!" he cried.

Naruto answered, as Soreth hovered at his side, "This is the last night for you as a free man." he approached and stomped into the ground and caused a boulder to come up, and was hurled right at Mizuki, who barely dodged it.

The traitor frowned, as he dropped the scroll, and whipped out a large shuriken and hurled it towards Naruto. The blonde used airbending to redirect the weapon so it was heading for Mizuki. The traitor jumped before the weapon could impale him. Mizuki landed back on the ground looking at Naruto in confusion, "This can't be! You're not this strong!"

"Shows how little you know about me," Naruto replied, "And I'm not a demon. I'm something much more. I'm the Avatar! And I think it's time for you to pay for your crime."

"Never!" Mizuki tired to run, only to find his feet were contained in the earth keeping him from escaping.

"Oh, I think you will. And I've got a class to teach you before I take you in," he summoned multiple shadow clones, as they all spoke, "My class is Pain 101. Your instructor is me." Mizuki watched in terror as the Naruto's approached him and the sounds of painful hits echoed through the forest. Mizuki soon laid on the ground beaten to a bloody pulp, as Naruto and Soreth stood above the traitor proudly.

"That takes care of that." Naruto declared, as Soreth let out a growl of agreement.

Suddenly Soreth heard the sounds of others approaching and quickly flew into the trees above to hide. Naruto looked behind and saw Iruka arrive on the scene with fellow Chunin Izumo and Kotetsu, "Naruto?" Iruka asked.

"Hey, sensei, what kept ya?" Naruto asked.

Izumo asked, seeing Mizuki unconscious, "What happened here?"

"I caught him stealing the scroll from the vault and took him down." Naruto answered.

"You took him down single handed?" Kotetsu asked in disbelief.

"Mizuki may talk a big game, but as it turns out talk is all he is." Naruto explained.

Iruka approached, and smiled, "Well, done, Naruto. Not even a shinobi for a full day and already you've done the village proud by catching a traitor. The Hokage will be pleased when he hears of this."

Naruto nodded, "Well, you guys can take this guy to lock up and the scroll back to the vault. As for me, it's late and I need my sleep." he hurried off, as Soreth followed him from above.

When Naruto and Soreth returned home, they went inside with Naruto laughing and cheering, "Oh, was this an awesome night or what?" he asked Soreth who roared happily, "Soreth, tonight we'll be sleeping like heroes."

Soreth curled up into his sleep space and fell asleep. Naruto spoke to himself, "Time to tell Master Jinora the good news." he got into the lotus position and started meditating.

When he opened his eyes he was in the Spirit World and right outside Iroh's tea shop. He walked inside seeing the shop was closed for the nighttime even in the spirit world. However he did see two familiar people sitting down at a table having some tea. It was Iroh and Jinora.

"Room for one more?" Naruto asked.

The two looked over and saw the unexpected night visitor, "Naruto, welcome." Jinora greeted him.

"Always a place for you here no matter what the time," Iroh answered. Naruto smiled, as he walked over and pulled up a seat to join them, "Have some tea." Iroh poured him a cup.

"Thank you, Iroh."

"What brings you here this late, Naruto?" Jinora inquired.

"Well, first off I wanted to show you I earned this today." he motioned to the headband on his head.

"The Konoha headband," Iroh began, "You graduated from the ninja academy today."

"Precisely." Naruto confirmed.

"Congratulations, Naruto," Jinora smiled with joy, "I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you, master. And that's not the only thing that happened tonight."

"Oh, what is it?" Iroh asked.

"I stopped a traitorous shinobi in our village form making off with one of our villages jutsu scrolls."

"Really?" Jinora asked in interest.

"That's right. Me and Soreth took him down like that."

"Was Soreth seen?" Jinora inquired.

"Not at all."

"That's good, after all not everyone in the world especially the ninja nations could take to seeing a living dragon as easy as others might." the Airbending master explained.

"I know," Naruto nodded, "And tomorrow, is where we have orientation at the ninja academy as genin."

"Before you go, Naruto, how about a quick game of Pai Sho?" Iroh offered.

"I'd be delighted." Naruto answered, as Iroh set up the Pai Sho board for them to play, as Jinora watched them, while still feeling overjoyed to hear of Naruto making the Genin level of shinobi and believed he would continue to go further while being a shinobi and the Avatar.

(And that's the chapter. Naruto passed the exam and stopped Mizuki. Don't miss next time where he's placed on a team. Until then, guys.)