The Enteance Exam was more for the Civilain Kids, As those who didn't have the required physical and mental capabilities would be ejected from the program before it started.
But As Both the Head of the Uzumaki Clan, and Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, Naruto knew he would get in, so trying wasn't really necessary.
But it didn't mean he wouldn't be trying, as this was more of a teat, and Naruto wanted to get into the Top Class, same as all his friends would doubtlessly get into.
So after the Hokages Speach about the Will of Fire and how those who strive to protect the leaf, will become Excellent Shinoni, The Placement Exam began.
A series if Intense Physical exercises were what decided the preliminary placement of students in the classes.
And after each of the tests were finished, the results of the first five places were as such.
1. Naruto Uzumaki
2. Sasuke Uchiha
3. Hinata Hyuga
4. Kiba Inuzuka
5. Choji Akimichi
Over the years, Sasuke had treated Naruto both as a Goal to be surpassed and his Greatest Ally.
When he had a day off and nobody was available to have fun, Naruto would sometimes go to Sasuke's house and train with him and, on the rare occasion he was there and not on Anbu work, Itachi.
Sasuke was a little disappointed that he still hadn't beaten Naruto in the placements, but he also thought if he was going to loose to anyone, he would it rather be Naruto or Hinata, both were the best the village had to offer and his friends, even if Hinata had confidence issues and was shy.
Kiba was slightly less amicable about his defeat at Naruto's hands, but after some good natured, yet Harsh words about ego and thinking himself better than everybody else, when he hadn't earned that place, Kiba was mostly quite for the rest of the day unless he was being talked to or talking to Akamaru.
Next was a Written exam.
The written exam was mostly general theory and a few sneaky questions about Chakra theory.
Naruto, came in fourth.
With Hinata, who was third, and a Civilian Girl named Sakura Hanaro, who placed second.
And for first place, Shikamaru cam win first by a land slide, breaking the record for the fastest Written exam finish time, and the Higest score achieved with such a short time.
Shikamaru wasnt very happy about having high expectations placed on him, but over the years of training in both Uzumaki Fuinjutsu, and Some Kenjutsu along side Naruto, he had become a little more motivated to be better, seeing that as Naruto had helped him and his Clan so much, he wanted to even the score between them by being someone he could rely on in the future.
After the Placements were all finalised the day began, with names being called out by the teachers of the classes.
And so Like Naruto had hoped for, Every one of his friends were in the top class with him.
His homeroom teacher was a Chunin named Iruka, Naruto couldn't sense anything very special about the man, His Chakra was average for a Chunin and he couldn't sense any overpowering strength from him it was age to say he wouldn't go much faster than Chunin.
But what the man lacked in physical Capabilities, he more than made up for in excellent Theoretical knowledge, being able to answer almost every question that any of the students had.
Only a question from Naruto about a certain Clone Jutsu theory he had, had stumped the man.
And as the day came to an end, all the important info about how they would proceed going forward in training being distributed, The new students were all released for today,
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With His Studies at the Acadmey taking up most of his days, Naruto had to quickly make a new schedule to keep up with his training, and also to make sure he has enough free time to spend with his friends.
And so, with some help from Anko and Kakashi to get their opinion on his schedule, he came up with a new schedule.
Early mornings would be a brief warm up, to get ready for the day.
From there he would attend his Shinobi Training, and also work on simple Chakra control exercises in the back of the class room.
And it was after school his schedule would change based on the day of the week.
For Mondays, it was Sealing Chains practice.
For Tuesdays, it was Storm release training, which had actually been very productive and Naruto was now in the process of choosing a Second Storm Jutsu to learn.
For Wednesdays and Thursdays, It was Fuinjutsu studies with Tengan, and Shikamaru was also there on occasion when he wanted to learn something new and interesting.
And on Friday's, He spent his time on Kenjutsu training with Fenrir.
He usually had Saturdays and Sundays off, but if nobody was free to hang out, Naruto often spent time will Skoll, who had grown into a much larger Wolf, and did some team training with him.
His new schedule had proven to be the right choice when he realised he wasnt losing any sleep, and in fact, he was sleeping much better than ever.
And as his first month as a Shinobi in training came to an end, Naruto was very much looking forward to the rest of his time at the Academy.
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It During his third month of his first year, That Naruto officially made friends with Sakura Haruno.
The Girl was Smart and diligent in her work. Outperforming almost everybody in theoretical work, except for Shikamaru.
But her Physical training was very much lacking, mostly because she didn't really train outside of the Academy or when she had absolutely nothing else to do.
And so it was on a Saturday, the day before An Uzumaki Party, that Naruto extended an invitation to Sakura and her family.
Sakura was shocked that she was invited to an Uzumaki Party, especially when they had proven so hard for even Other clan heads to be invited to.
The Uzumaki Clan had become infamous for their parties and their selectiveness, some rumours even saying that they refused the Daimyo when he asked to attend.
Of course that never happened, as the Daimyo himself refused when an Invitation was given.
And so, on the Sunday night when the Party started.
Naruto Had set a table for his friends to sit at and just have fun, which now included an extra seat for Sakura.
They mostly talked about their clan training, and the training the Uzumaki had helped them in, which even Sasuke had started taking extra training with Naruto for Kenjutsu.
Hearing about this, Sakura started to feel left out and out of place.
She was just a civilian, and she was sitting with Clan heirs who all seemed so close.
But Naruto saw this, and Quickly made an offer for Sakura.
"Hey Sakura, have you ever thought of taking a more active approach in Taijutsu training?" Naruto asked.
Sakura shook her head, "I don't have much talent for that sort of stuff" she said with a weak smile.
"Talent matters not when hard work is truly given" Naruto said, reciting words he had heard from Frigga on occasion.
"I know of a man who was deemed talentless in all ways, he was nearly kicked out of the academy in his day, but he made it through with pure hard work in Taijutus. Now he is known as the Green Beast of Konoha, and is a shinobi who can take on even Fenrir"
"Fenrir? That's your Guardian, right?" Sakura asked.
Naruto chuckeld, "He is more than that, He is my family. You see, he is actually a Summon, from a clan of wolves that used to work closely with my Clan before they all died. When I first summoned him, he proclaimed me as family and now he's like a Big brother to me. He is the overall strongest being in the village. He's told me some of his past about how he trained with the Kage of Uzu/my Grandfather, the village where my clan originated from. And my grandfather was said to be just as powerful as the First Hokage" Naruto explained.
Sakura felt like she had shrunk.
Hearing the words from Naruto about the strength of the people around him, she felt small in comparison to everybody there.
But a small fire seemed to be alight in her eyes, "Do you think you can introduce me to this Green Beast of Konoha?" She asked.
Naruto nodded, excusing himself and Her from the table, saying that he'll be back in a bit.
Naruto led Sakura over to a table with Kakashi, Anko, Fenrir and a man in green spandex with a bowl cut and bushy eyebrows.
This man was Might Gai, the strongest Taijutsu master in Konoha and possibly all of the Hidden Villages.
Also Kakashi's Rival/Best Friend.
Seeing Naruto Approach with Sakura behind him, They all stopped talking and greeted the two.
Gail stood up with a flamboyant flare and greeted Naruto.
"Naruto! It is good to see you in such Youthful spirits! How may we help you and your Young Pink haired Friend?" He asked.
"Gai, I would like to make a request of you" Naruto said, which caught almost everybody at the table's attention.
"Oh? And what Request is that my Youthful Friend?" he asked, with his trademark grin.
"I would like to ask you take My friend, Sakura Hanaro, as a Taijutus apprentice" Naruto Requested.
Gai nodded in thought, and stepped forward to get a better look at the Pinkette.
"Hmmm... She different could go very far, I can see the determination in her eyes! But are you confident that she can keep up with me?" he asked.
Naruto turned to Sakura, "Gai has trained every day, for most of the day, at levels of intensity that make the Hokage himself feel fear, for most of his life. His idea of a light warmup is A few laps around the perimeter of Konoha while wearing weights around his legs and arms" Naruto explained.
Sakura seems to waver for a second, but seeing the fact that Naruto had went out of his way to help her, Sakura didn't want to let her friend down and make his effort all for naught.
So she nodded, "I will do whatever it takes" she said.
Gai grinned and laughed, "That's the spirit of Youth that I like to see!"
"But if I may suggest a few things before we begin our training" Gai asked.
Sakura nodded, determined to reach the level that Naruto described Gai to be at.
"I suggest you learn Medical Ninjutsu. It will ease the Burden that the earlier training will have on your body by helping you recover, and also help in you training immensely, As there are Techniques that speed up the bodies natural Regeneration process and allow for more training! And second, I suggest you start a proper training schedule, working your way up from the ground up to a level where you can handle the training I will provide you" As Gai described his wishes for Sakura, Anko pipped up from the table.
"I can help with Medical Ninjutsu, if you'd like? I've become one of the best healers in the village currently, although I'm nowhere near Tsunade of the Sanin, I'm confident in my ability to teach" Anko offered.
Sakura nodded, accepting her help.
"But before we set anything in stone, I suggest that we inform your parents" Fenrir pointed out.
Naruto nodded, and Gai, Anko, Sakura and Himself went over to The table where Sakura's parents were talking with some People from the Nara clan.