Chapter 4: Green Fox

"I knew this was gonna happen," Sakura rubbed her temples out of frustration.

Ino snickered at the story, "well, at least it's interesting." Sakura turned and glare at her.

"Yeah so funny until Sasuke starts wearing an orange jumpsuit shouting 'BELIEVE IT!'" she said as Ino imagined and shuddered in fear at that.

"Hey!" Naruto responded indignantly, "orange is the greatest color ever."

Sasuke snorts with laughter, "yeah right. Like I would be caught dead in that orange monstrosity. Now a blue jumpsuit..." Sasuke laughs at the looks of horror on Ino and Sakura's face.

"Yeah, well, I can't believe I got caught so quickly." Kiba mumbled dejectedly while Akamaru nuzzled against his partner to comfort him.

Naruto gave Kiba a pat on his back, "don't worry. Next time just make sure you have a better escape plan. My personal suggestion? Carry some marbles to trip up the ANBU that are about to catch you. Anyways, as much as I want to do that again, I think we should practice moving a bit more and wait a bit before do another prank at all. Let the heat die down so to speak. That said, how bad was your guys punishments from your mother's?"

Sasuke sighs, "I've been cleaning the entire district by myself and will continue to do so for the next month."

Kiba cringes, "I got kennel cleaning duty for the rest of the week. Mom scolded me for getting caught and says I better win next time or it's more kennel duty."

Naruto had a momentary look of longing and jealousy on his face. He went back to eating his instant ramen. They soon went inside to learn more.

"Today, class..." the children still haven't settled down from lunch and were noisy, "Okay, settle down class." Still noisy, a tick mark grew on Iruka's head as the children ignored him. "I said," he used his Big Head Jutsu and yelled, "QUIET DOWN!" That silenced everyone. "Now, as I was saying, today will be the start of learning survival training. By the end of the year, you will be given a week in a survival situation where you will be given limited supplies and must survive together in 3 man teams." The noise level grew at that. Naruto was kinda excited for the end of the year now.

Naruto sat still in the middle of a grove, five foxes sleeping around him in the early morning. The sweet smell of morning dew permeating the air, the slow creeping warmth of the sun slowly dispelling the cool night air. Naruto breathed in everything, following the instructions Sakura gave him on meditating. He held it for a count of ten, then released everything. He felt his jealousy of his friends having parents, the sadness of being alone, and the anger at the world slowly melt into something more manageable. The 75 leaves he had on his body stuck fast. Then, as he moved and broke concentration, the leaves were blasted off him. He frowned a bit at that. He still had trouble properly letting the leaves down, however his chakra control was certainly improved. He petted his foxes then got up stretching. As he was stretching, Naruto felt something inside him. Thinking it was chakra, he closed his eyes, reached deep inside, and tried to mold his chakra by mixing what he felt together. He then held out his hands hoping for something. when he opened his eyes, he found a tree standing before him, at chest height.

Naruto blinked. Then blinked again. "WHAT!" Naruto was completely flabbergasted at what he seen. He tried again and again for the rest of the day until he was exhausted, only realizing after so long he misses school that day. But now he figured he had something to show Sakura and Ino whose family owned a flower shop.

Naruto decided to stay out for the night and tried to make a lean-to of living trees, but didn't have enough chakra and only made a couple small trees. He cuddled up with the family of foxes and soon fell asleep due to exhaustion.

The morning sun and chirping birds awoke Naruto. Naruto stretched and got up, moving the foxes out of the way carefully. Standing up, he blinked the sleep from his eyes and immediately went to find Ino and Sakura. Thinking Ino would know where Sakura was better, he went towards the Yamanaka Flower Shop. The bell rang as he opened the door and Ino started her normal greeting until she saw it was Naruto. "Oh, hey Naruto. You looking for something?"

Naruto looked around suspiciously trying to make sure no one was around. Turning back to Ino, he said, "Ino, I need yours and Sakura's help. I discovered something you both are probably the smartest people who know the most about this. Also, some random flower seeds for growing."

Ino was confused at that last request, but started picking out a handful of seeds from random flower species, as well as a couple of dowels for growing. "Sure, but I just started my shift, so you'll have to wait a few hours before I take lunch." She rung him up, "3,550."

Naruto handed her 4,000 Ryo. "I'll be at Ichiraku's. Bring Sakura quickly. This is important." He grabbed his change and items then left. "See you at Ichiraku's Ino!" He waved her goodbye and left to go to his favorite Ramen Stand.

Ino was watching Naruto go when she heard her dad chuckling from the door to the back. "Didn't know you were dating Naruto," he said teasingly, knowing his daughter chased after that Uchiha boy.

Ino was glowing red with embarrassment and anger, "It's not-" she stopped and thought of a prank with smirk. "Well, me and Sakura decided to share Naruto and wow! What a man." she said with faux dreaminess. "Plus he has a stamina of a god! Honestly daddy, I think we need another girl so we can stop being sooo sore and tired after every 'training session.'" She walked to the back to start stocking shelves as Inoichi stood there mouth agape while Ino was quietly chuckling.

As the door closed behind Ino, Inoichi recovered, "wait, princess, you're joking right?" No answer from Ino. "Ino dear," he started worryingly followed her, "please tell me you're joking." Still no answer as she started moving fertilizer. "Ino princess, please, you're too young for such things. You're joking right?"

The rest of Ino's shift went like that, much to her amusement and her father's chagrin.

Soon Ino headed off to Sakura's place to find her. Once she found Sakura, she dragged her to where Naruto was. There they found him talking to Teuchi and Ayame with 12 empty bowls next him towering. "Hey Naruto, Teuchi, Ayame," Sakura greeted everyone at the stand when she walked in, "did you want us for something, Naruto?" Sakura immediately got to the point.

Naruto nodded and bought the two of them a bowl of miso ramen. "Yeah, I discovered something yesterday when I was meditating in the forest before class."

"Yeah, you never came to class, what's up with that?" Ino interrupted.

"Ah, I, uh, got so distracted by what I found out, that time kinda just slipped by, hehehe," Naruto sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "Well, while I was out there, I discovered a feeling of energies mixing inside me. I think I was manipulating my elemental chakra unknowingly." He paused and pulled out a seed and a bulb in his hand and held each one in each hand. "So when I focus and mix and manipulate it properly, I get..." He concentrated for a minute before two flowers bloomed in his hand. In his right hand, a sunflower, and in his left hand a pink tulip. He handed the sunflower to Ino and the tulip to Sakura. Ino raised an eyebrow at that then smirked at the unintentional meaning behind the two flowers. Sakura however was speechless for a different reason.

"Naruto, did you just use Wood Release?" she stared in disbelief.

"Wood Release? Wazzat?" Naruto was confused for a second before he remembered. "Oh!" his fist landed in his flat palm in recognition, "is that the First Hokage's famous skill?"

Sakura nodded dumbly, while Ino took a second take, "wait, you think he has Wood Release?" Sakura once again nodded.

"I gotta tell the old man! You guys wanna come?" Naruto shouted excitedly.

Sakura looked confused but shrugged. She was still shocked by what she learned. Ino nodded enthusiastically, "yeah, let's go tell your old man. I wanna see if you can make anything else. Would love to have you work at our shop."

Ino dragged Sakura behind her while she followed Naruto. Naruto took them towards the Hokage Tower, which the two girls thought was weird but thought that maybe his old man worked there. When they burst into the tower, Naruto immediately took to the flight of stairs and ran up towards the Hokage's office. By the time Ino and Sakura realized what was going, they were to late to stop Naruto from bursting in yelling, "HEY OLD MAN! I GOT SOMETHING TO SHOW YOU SO GET THAT HAT READY FOR ME!"

Sakura was stunned for only a moment before she smacked him upside the head, "You idiot! Speak to Lord Hokage with more respect!"

Hiruzen chuckled, "Hello Naruto, my boy. What is it you wanted to show me?"

Naruto was rubbing his head where Sakura smacked him. "Oh right, watch what I learned I can do." He pulled out another seed as Hiruzen looked on curiously while smoking his pipe. Closing his hand, Naruto focused his chakra and molded it in such a manner like he's been doing. Soon enough a yellow lily grew much to Sarutobi's shock. Naruto gave the flower to the Hokage who took it, looking at it in wonder before putting it down.

"Naruto, who all knows about this?" Naruto saw the seriousness in Hiruzen's face.

"Um, everyone in this room I think." Sarutobi nodded at that and made a few hand signs where the ANBU vacated the area, and then the privacy seals were activated.

"Naruto, you should keep it mostly to yourself, at least until you learn how to control it better, and become a ninja. There are those who would harm you or kidnap you should they find out you are able to use the Wood Release." Hiruzen took a long drag from his pipe. "I am making this an S-rank secret until you are a Chūnin."

Naruto nodded at that. "Okay, I'll keep it to myself. But um, is there any techniques that use Wood Release that you can teach me?" Naruto looked expectantly at Hiruzen. Hiruzen started thinking about it, tapping his pipe. Naruto was growing visibly impatient, and Sarutobi milked it for as much comedy as he could get.

Finally, after a while, he said, "certainly I do, but I think I'll give you two techniques when you graduate from Genin. As for right now, focus on your studies, and keep practicing in secret." Hiruzen took another puff of his pipe. Naruto nodded in agreement. "Anything else I can do for you three?" The three of them shook their heads no. "Alright, then please be careful and promise me to be safe. See you Naruto, my boy."

"See ya later Old Man. I'll be back later to take that hat."

Hiruzen chuckled as they left his office. He notified his ANBU and summoned Tenzo. "Tenzo, I want you to also keep an eye on Naruto. Stop Danzo from learning about Naruto's capabilities for as long as possible." Tenzo nodded and body flickered away. Hiruzen sighed, "oh Naruto, never a dull moment with you around." He glared at the paperwork on his desk. "Now if only you would disappear. Stupid paperwork."

Naruto left with Sakura and Ino, both of whom were still shocked at what just happened. "Naruto," Ino started, "do you always talk that way with Lord Third?"

Naruto nodded, "Yep! Old Man Sarutobi is nice." Naruto gave a foxy smile to the two girls. "He gave me my apartment and saved me from..." he stopped at that and his mood seemed to drop a bit before he brightened up just as quickly. "Anyways, he's been there for me when no one else was." Naruto's smile seemed to soften a bit, turning into a small smile that seemed a lot more genuine.

Sakura and Ino looked at him with sadness. "Naruto, you want to get some Ichiraku's for dinner?" Sakura asked him. He nodded enthusiastically. She gave a soft smile to him.

Ino looked at the pair and spoke up. "Well I got to get back to the shop. My lunch is almost up. Bye you guys." She left the two to head back to the shop. Naruto and Sakura headed off to Ichiraku's Ramen stand, talking along the way about training and school. Unbeknownst to them, an ANBU with a blank mask was watching them. After a minute, the blank masked ANBU left to report to their boss. They were intercepted by Tenzo. A wooden mess of vines surprised the ANBU operative. Tenzo drew a kunai and slit the blank masked ANBU operative across the throat.

"One down."