Iruka sighed and slumped back into his chair, staring at the paperwork in front of him.

Naruto had failed the test, again. This was his second try. The only reason he'd been allowed to take it again at all was because he'd signed up to take it early instead of with his class. If he failed the next exam, too, though, that really would be it for him. There would be no more chances after the third try.

"I'm going to be Hokage! Believe it!"

No.

He wasn't going to let that dream die, not if he could help.

Naruto was the village Jinchuuriki. If he didn't graduate from the Academy and enter the normal Shinobi forces of the village, he was going to be dragged into ANBU, or worse. Root. He couldn't not be a Leaf Shinobi, because of that seal on his stomach housing the monster. If that happened, he would never get to be Hokage, never be allowed to join the normal forces. He would be their leashed trump card, to be sent out when absolutely needed, but otherwise kept in the safety of the village.

In fact, he was willing to bet that he was going to spend most of his night in the Hokage's office tonight, arguing with the ANBU commander and Danzo about why Naruto should stay in the academy instead of just being absorbed into their forces. He wasn't about to let them get him, though, not without him even experiencing a normal Shinobi life. ANBU would slowly kill him, mentally, emotionally, and eventually physically. ANBU had an even lower life expectancy rate then even being a normal Shinobi did, after all.

He didn't want that for Naruto.

Heck, the only reason he even knew about those two and their bidding war was because he'd proven to be one of the few in Naruto's corner and willing to help him.

He made up his mind and gathered his papers, disappearing in a swirl of leaves and smoke, only to reappear a few minutes later in front of the memorial stone, where he was relieved to find his target.

"Can I help you?" Kakashi finally asked when the newcomer didn't just pay his respects or leave, or even left to come back later when he was gone.

"I have a student who needs your expertise." Iruka said simply. If anybody could help Naruto with his little problem, it was the Copy-nin, their Village's foremost Ninjutsu specialist. If it meant helping one of his students, he wasn't above swallowing his pride and asking for outside help.

"Oh?" Kakashi turned around, intrigued by the Academy instructor. There weren't many Chunin (or even other Jonin) who could (or would) speak so boldly to him.

"He competes with the Nara Heir for dead-last, and just failed his second attempt at the exams. But his work is good enough to pass, until the Ninjutsu portion. His Henge and Kawarmi are both perfect, it's his clone jutsu that he just can't get, no matter how much I work with him on it." Although his Taijutsu could use some serious help, too, but his weapons skills were fairly decent. If he could just get better weapons...

"If he's that bad with such a simple technique, then maybe it's a good thing he doesn't pass." Kakashi snorted. "Why should I help?"

"I'm the only one in that Academy willing to help him. Considering his circumstances, I would almost say he's a genius to have come as far as he has." He admitted. "And because if he fails a third time, I and the Hokage will have lost the bidding war for him to be part of the regular forces. You of all people should be the last one to want Naruto Uzumaki in ANBU or Root for life." It was a low blow, but it might be the only one to work. He'd of course guessed Naruto's parentage, he was more surprised that more people hadn't. He had his father's coloring and his mother's attitude and zeal for life.

He also knew that there were people who would love nothing more then to kill the son of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki separately. If it were discovered that if they had a son together, well. Konoha would be overrun with assassins.

Kakashi froze at the vague reference about the boy who, under other circumstances, would have been his baby brother. Iruka was correct, though. If Naruto didn't enter the normal forces, he would be sucked into ANBU or Root and never let go. He would become the village's chained and leashed trump card, only let off the leash when absolutely necessary.

"Tomorrow after class lets out. Bring him here." And he left without another word.

Iruka didn't let the abrupt exit bother him. When you reached Elite status, you were given leave to be as rude or eccentric as you liked, who was going to stop you? Besides, it was hard to tell between a developed quirk for coping, or the person just being a jerk. And nobody on the Shinobi forces was going to hold a developed quirk over somebody. If that was how they coped, if that was how they didn't snap under the pressure or memories, then so be it. Besides, his reference to Naruto's parents probably brought some of those memories to the surface.

While he was there, he took the time to pay his respects to his own fallen friends and parents, then left for the Hokage tower. As much as he would prefer to head home to start grading papers and preparing for the next day, it was time for another argument with three of the most powerful people in the village. Well, more like two, since he and the Hokage were on the same side.

And here he thought that being an Academy instructor would be more relaxing then going into the field. What a fool he'd been.

"Naruto, stay behind after class today, alright?" He requested quietly while handing back graded assignments. Of course, having an Inuzuka in the room meant that no matter how quietly he spoke, everybody still knew about it, especially since this Inuzuka was a loudmouthed little brat. "Kiba? What have I said about eavesdropping on and then sharing private conversations?" He demanded, spinning to face the boy in question, silencing the snickers and taunts with a glare around the room.

"That it's rude and could be dangerous?" Kiba said sullenly after a moment. He'd said that they might be discussing sensitive, and therefore classified information (although why they would be discussing it in the open in the first place was beyond him), or something that was deeply personal that should not be shared.

"And?"

"To not to."

"And?"

"Detention during lunch and after school if I did it again." Kiba muttered, sinking down in his seat. His mother was going to kill him this time, he just knew it. Akamaru didn't help by yapping his amusement.

"Exactly." Iruka nodded in satisfaction and went back to passing out papers and workbooks. "Naruto's not in trouble, I just want to talk to him about something." He added when he caught some whispered taunts directed at the blonde, glaring at the culprits.

Naruto bit his lip, concerned, but Iruka was one of the few teachers he trusted and knew wasn't going to hurt him, so he didn't question his teacher or let it bother him too much. Chances were, it was going to be an invitation to go out to eat or come over to his apartment for some extra practice and study time under the teacher's supervision and with easy access in case he got stuck on something again.

When Naruto approached his desk while the other students filed out of the room, Iruka shot him a smile and gathered his things. He could do his grading while Kakashi and Naruto worked, or while they waited for Kakashi to arrive, whichever happened first. Just in case, he'd gotten three bento's for dinner, not sure how long this would take, and figuring that the least he could do was provide food for the Jonin who was taking time out to help his student. He also knew that Naruto wasn't going to have anything substantial to eat tonight if left to his own devices, which was why he took Naruto out to eat so often or invited him over for dinner or study sessions.

If he could, the boy would live off instant ramen cups.

"I've spoken with a Jonin, and he's agreed to help with your clone problem." He explained, leading Naruto out of the building. "He's an Elite, and a Ninjutsu specialist, so if anybody can help, it should be him." He smiled reassuringly when Naruto flushed red. "Frankly, I've done everything I could think of to help you get that technique down. Your other techniques are all spot on, there is no reason that I can think of for you to not get this one." His frustration was evident, but Naruto knew it wasn't directed solely at him.

"Are you sure he can help?" Naruto asked, he was still down that he'd failed again, and the other kids in class had made sure to remind him about it at every turn.

"If anyone can, it's him." Well, unless they wanted to go to the Hokage, who was a very busy man. He had no doubt that the Hokage would be thrilled to help, but he didn't want to bother him unless they'd truly exhausted all other options.

"Ah. Kakashi Hatake, this is Naruto Uzumaki. Naruto, this is Elite Jonin Kakashi Hatake." He introduced the two, although he had no doubt that Kakashi knew exactly who Naruto was. "I'll be over here." He said, and sat near the Stone, out of the way. He was pleased that Kakashi had been here when he said he would be. He was notorious for being late for everything except urgent mission briefings, after all. There were jokes that he would probably be late to his own funeral some day.

"Your sensei tells me you are having problems with the Clone jutsu." Kakashi said simply, standing in front of Naruto. "But your other two Academy techniques are perfect." Which was highly unusual, which also made it interesting.

"Yes, sensei." Naruto said, eyeing the Jonin cautiously. There was something familiar about him, though...

Kakashi nodded thoughtfully, extending his senses to Naruto's Chakra. There was more of it then he remembered sensing last time he saw Naruto on his last birthday. Which made sense, that was almost a year ago and his reserves were still growing as he grew. But the growth was still more then he expected. "Why don't you demonstrate the Henge and Kawarmi for me, then? And then the Clone." He instructed.

"The normal Henge, not that version you created." Iruka called from his spot, giving Naruto a warning look. Now Kakashi was curious.

Naruto made a face, but surprisingly didn't say anything. "Henge!" He called, making the handsigns almost lazily and without having to think about the Chakra output like most Academy students did, and certainly without all the smoke from excess Chakra that most people had. Kakashi marveled at it, but decided that the instructor had understated just how perfect his Henge was. His familiarity with the technique was almost Jonin level. Surprisingly, instead of the Hokage or his sensei like most Academy students were recommended to do (simply because of familiarity), he chose Kakashi himself, even though they'd just met. It was still perfect, though. He dropped the Henge and almost immediately Kawarmii'd with a nearby leaf. Again with very little smoke.

"A leaf?" He questioned when the boy walked back out from behind the tree. Most people used a log or something, mostly because it was bigger and easier to grab hold of with your own Chakra to switch out with it. Leaves were difficult to use, mostly because they were small and in almost constant motion from the wind. Naruto nodded slightly and formed the handseals for the Clone before carefully focusing on his Chakra. Kakashi immediately spotted the biggest problem, but let it continue. And immediately winced.

Iruka sighed. This attempt was the same as the day before in the exam.

Ten sickly looking and completely white Naruto's were laying in the grass. Half of them didn't even look solid, which they should have despite being illusions.

"Well, your biggest problem is that you put too much Chakra into it, and completely overloaded it." Kakashi said bluntly.

"That's the smallest amount I can use!" Naruto cried, frustrated with that.

Iruka cleared his throat before anything else could be said. "I've already taught him tree and water-walking, I've even made up control exercises for him. As far as I can tell, his control is as good as it's going to get." There was simply too much Chakra there. Maybe in time he could get it all under control, but they didn't have that kind of time available to them, not if he wanted Naruto to pass his next exam and be allowed to join a Genin team.

Kakashi hummed and studied Naruto thoughtfully. "Perhaps, then, a different technique might be better suited for you." He said thoughtfully. The standard clone taught by the Academy wasn't the only one out there, after all, and there was nothing that said it had to be the standard clone used by the student. As long as you could demonstrate that you could perform the Academy three, you were passed. The standard clone was also the least Chakra intensive Jutsu in the world, which was why it was perfect for Academy students to use for learning how to use their chakra, without burning out.

"Different technique?" Naruto asked, eager.

"Hai. There are many different versions of the Clone technique. There's mud, water, exploding shadow, shadow, there's a Shinobi rumored to use a lightning clone, bugs... there are many of them out there."

"Let's not teach him the exploding shadow clone." Iruka muttered, pulling out the work he was supposed to be grading now that they seemed to have gotten down to the lesson itself.

Kakashi heard him, though, and snorted in amusement. He wasn't that crazy, after all. "You have the Chakra for the shadow clone..." He said thoughtfully, watching Naruto. Honestly, he was probably uniquely suited to truly utilize Shadow clones to their full potential, unlike others who could just use one before they had to use a soldier pill just so they could continue. He himself could only reliably use three, and that was if he hadn't been throwing around jutsu before that, or even after.

"Put Chakra into this." He requested, handing Naruto a piece of Chakra paper.

"What is it?" Naruto asked, confused.

"Chakra paper. We use it to tell us what our elemental affinities are. Depending on what your affinity is, we might be able to rule out some of the Clone types for now." Like the water and mud clones, at least. That was another reason he thought the Shadow clone would be perfect for him, it didn't 'require' a certain elemental affinity. "If it burns up, that's for fire. Crinkles, lighting. Gets wet, water. Crumbles, earth. And if it cuts, that's wind. You can have multiple reactions, sometimes." He explained further.

Naruto studied the paper in his hand for a moment before carefully pushing Chakra into it, almost jumping when it split in half before both halves burst into flames. "Huh. Interesting." Kakashi mumbled. "The interesting thing about fire and wind, is that wind is weak to fire, but can also strengthen it if used correctly." He said. "I'm sure your sensei can show you more later." He promised, glancing at Iruka, who had an interesting expression on his face. Privately, Iruka hoped Naruto would be content with that part being left to his Jonin-sensei, whoever that may end up being.

He would quite like the Academy building to stay standing, after all.

"However, that rules water and mud clones out. Perhaps later in your career you might be able to learn those two, but as they are both the complete opposites of your two elements, that would require a lot of control, practice, and experience that you simply don't have right now." He admitted, and almost smiled at Naruto's fallen expression. "Bugs are exclusive to the Aburame clan, using their special insects. I don't know the lightning clone... yet. Shadow it is, it seems." He muttered to himself.

"Kakashi..." Iruka started to protest. That technique was considered forbidden for a reason, after all.

"He has the Chakra for it. Believe me. He's not about to exhaust himself with this one." Kakashi reassured the Chunin before he could say anything. "You came to me, remember?" He reminded Iruka, raising his eyebrow, not that anybody could really see that, of course.

Iruka bit his lip, unsure, but Kakashi had a point. Naruto did have plenty of Chakra for it, and he was the one to come to the Jonin for aid. He couldn't reject that aid now that they had a solution. And it was such a simple solution that he felt like kicking himself for not thinking of it himself. Although he supposed that the water clone he knew would have been too difficult for a fire and wind aligned student.

"Alright." Kakashi motioned for Naruto to sit on the ground, following after him and pulling a Kunai as he did so. "The Shadow Clone jutsu is an A-rank kinjutsu, meaning it's technically a forbidden technique. This is because of the high Chakra requirements and the 'mind transfer' aspect."

"The what?" Naruto asked, confused.

"Whatever your clone learns, you will learn it, too, once it dissipates. That makes Shadow Clones uniquely suited for scouting or learning something quicker. This only transfers knowledge, and Chakra control to an extent, you will still have to physically train and I expect that you will be responsible and not send a clone to class in your place." He added sternly, Iruka's own stern agreement echoing him.

"So cool!" Naruto breathed, wide-eyed.

"I would be careful with it, though. Too much information at once could be bad for your brain." He cautioned the boy.

"But if it takes a lot of Chakra, then how am I supposed to learn it?" Naruto asked, downfallen.

"Chakra is something you have plenty of." Kakashi informed him dryly. "The handseals are..." And he got down to actually teaching the boy how to use it, using the Kunai in his hand to write the symbols for the handseals on the ground. Then he made Naruto practice them first before adding Chakra to the equation. Only once he was sure that Naruto's hands were familiar enough with the motions did he start walking the student through molding the Chakra needed for this technique.

"Now try it." Kakashi instructed, standing up and moving back a few steps.

It took three tries. Three tries to perfect the technique. Three tries before Kakashi told Naruto to just keep summoning clones, as a technique was never truly mastered until you were able to perform it seal less, smokeless, and effortless. While he was at it, try to manage the same thing with the other Academy techniques.

"An A-rank Kinjutsu." Kakashi said simply, watching Naruto in wonder. "When you said that he could be considered a genius..."

"Yeah. The trick is getting him to sit still long enough to learn. Otherwise he picks things up near effortlessly. Which just makes what's going on all the more heartbreaking."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm pretty sure he was taught the Kata's wrong on purpose. I've been trying to correct it, but the damage was done before he was ever put in my class. And when he first came to me, he thought Chakra was called 'catra'. I went over past tests, and sure enough. He put 'catra' down as the answer when it should have been Chakra. His weapon skills are solid, too, when he has a decent weapon in his hands. But he can't get a decent weapon. I'd gotten him a set of good Kunai, they were stolen off him the next day by a group of Jonin. The only place he's really allowed to shine is his trap's."

"The pranks."

"Hai. Just replace the glitter and paint with Shuriken or Kunai, even an explosive." Iruka shrugged. "Dye in the showers of the Hyuga and Uchiha compounds, replacing ANBU uniforms in headquarters, you name it, he's done it. And I'm the only one who can actually catch him when he doesn't want to be caught." He sighed.

"You know, if he's able to summon as many clones at once as I think he can, he could be a monster in Taijutsu." Kakashi said after a moment.

"He'll have the numbers for sure. He could also do collaborative techniques with his clones in lieu of a teammate or something..." He narrowed his eyes. "Especially with his elements being fire and wind."

"Bring him by tomorrow, I'll see if Gai can come by and help with his Taijutsu." Kakashi offered. Now that he'd started something with Naruto, now that he'd let himself actually interact with and spend time with the boy, he found himself reluctant to going back to- well, not quite ignoring his existence... He couldn't forget or ignore everything the Chunin had told him about his should-have-been little brother, either.

"Really?" Iruka asked, surprised that Kakashi had volunteered like that. Kakashi hummed. "Alright... But I will not have that green monstrosity in my classroom." He warned.

Kakashi snorted. "I'll make sure Gai leaves any extra suits at home." He promised, amused. "You're a good teacher." He finally said after a moment. "Not many would have sought outside help for their student."

"Yeah, well." Iruka cleared his throat. "It's my duty to ensure he gets a good education and good training. Pride doesn't really have a place in it." He said gruffly. "Naruto! Take a break!" He suddenly called, pulling the Bento out of a scroll and handing one to Kakashi.

"Duty, huh?" Kakashi muttered, watching as the two of them interacted. "Hm-hm."