Chapter 1: Prodigy and Prototype

"Okay Naruto we will be testing you on jutsu performance. If you pass these tests then you will become a Konoha Genin." Iruka stated and Naruto nodded, a smile on his face

"Naruto, this will be the Transformation Jutsu Test. Transform into me or Iruka. Maintain the Jutsu for at least thirty seconds in order to pass." Mizuki said and Naruto nodded. Naruto formed his hands in the dog, boar, and ram hand seals before transforming into Iruka. The Chunin kept straight faces as Naruto stayed transformed for the required thirty seconds.

"Good, you can undo the jutsu now Naruto." Iruka said as him and his fellow Chunin wrote on their papers, grading Naruto's performance so far.

"Okay, now the last test for you Naruto is the Bunshin Jutsu Test. You will be required to conjure at least one bunshin in perfect condition in order to pass." Iruka announced with a minuscule amount of worry. Naruto had never successfully performed the Bunshin Jutsu before, he didn't want him to fail.

Iruka wiped his sweaty palms onto his pants before clearing his throat.

"Naruto, you may proceed whenever you're ready." Naruto nodded once more, going through the hand seals dog, boar, and ram.

Iruka widened his eyes as a perfect replica of Naruto stood right beside the original.

'No!-'

'Fucking way!' Mizuki's thoughts mirrored Iruka's immaculately. The white haired Chunin gripped his pants with a firm tightness. He clenched his teeth, slightly grinding them in frustration.

'When did he learn to do it?!' Mizuki internally screamed as his plan afterwards went down in flames. There wasn't anyone else who failed who was desperate enough to become a Genin. Naruto was his only chance to get to the Forbidden Scroll. He had no family and the villagers despised him.

'Damn it!' Now Mizuki had to come up with a different way to steal the forbidden seal scroll. Now that Naruto was a shoe-in for Genin.

Iruka nearly jumped in his chair in excitement, but managed to rein it in with a proud grin.

"Naruto Uzumaki, step forward." Iruka ordered with his same grin. Naruto did just that, a similar expression on his face.

All three Chunin stood up from their seats, Iruka grabbing a Konoha Leaf Headband.

"From this day forward, you are a Konohagakure Genin. A Leaf Shinobi." Iruka held his hand with the headband out. Naruto took the headband graciously.

"Before you put it on, do you pledge your loyalty to the village?" Naruto nodded.

"I do Iruka-sensei."

"Do you hereby swear to abide by the laws for which Konoha has been founded?"

"I do."

"Do you swear to protect the villagers, and to keep safe Konoha's legacy?"

"I do."

"Finally, do you swear to uphold Konoha's standing, following all orders the Hokage gives, no matter what they may be?"

"I do."

"Naruto Uzumaki, you may put on your headband." Naruto tied his headband around his head. He proudly showcased the leaf's symbol in the middle of his forehead.

"You are now a Konoha shinobi. Congratulations, Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto grinned and launched himself at Iruka.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! Thank you so much!" Iruka yelped as Naruto squeezed himself especially hard with his embrace.

"Okay Naruto let go! We still have other people to test!" Naruto let go and rubbed his head sheepishly.

"Sorry Iruka-sensei." The man simply shook his head, a smile on his face.

"Don't worry about it. Go ahead and brag to your classmates, we know you by now." Iruka said and Naruto laughed before running to the door. Right as the newly minted Genin approached it he heard Iruka call back him.

"Naruto!" The blonde looked back to see Iruka smiling at him.

"Don't let up, now that you're a shinobi. The real work has just begun." Naruto nodded with a determined grin.

When Naruto exited, Iruka looked fondly at the door. He didn't know how Naruto learned and mastered the Bunshin Jutsu. The Chunin figured Naruto would fail it, and would have to repeat the year. Despite him wanting the blonde to pass, he really believed he was fated to never perform the jutsu. He didn't know how Naruto did it, yet he didn't care. He was just glad the blonde had succeeded.

A Week Earlier

Naruto had been stressed about the upcoming Genin Test. He didn't want to stay stuck in the Academy. Hokages didn't stay Academy students and so he wouldn't either. The blonded decided to walk around the village at night. He figured he'd try thinking about how to pass the Genin Test. Surely Bunshin Jutsu was on the test. Unfortunately it was his worst jutsu!

The blonde had begun to lose hope, the future already giving him headaches. He had been so lost in his thoughts, he didn't realize where he was stepping.

"Ah crap!" A purple and black spiraled snake sank its fangs into Naruto's forearm. The effect was instant, Naruto's body became numb and his vision blurred. The world was now nothing but a dark blob, and his limbs felt distant.

"What the.." Naruto's eyes grew heavy, his consciousness waning. The blonde passed out while the snake disintegrated into ash, accomplishing its purpose. Two Anbu arrived at the scene a moment later. The two looked to each other before nodding. They inspected Naruto for any injuries, finding none.

"What do you think happened?"

"He could just be tired, there's no markings on him."

"He doesn't have a fever, his pulse is normal. Everything is baseline."

"Let's take him to his apartment." One of the Anbu hauled Naruto onto his shoulder, whisking him back to his home.

They never knew of what occurred, and how it would change the shinobi world.

Present Day

Naruto never drew any conclusions as to what happened. He figured it was just a random snake attacking him while he was careless. However, he did notice that everything became clearer after that night. He went through the Bunshin Jutsu scroll and it just clicked. He made the hand seals and made a perfect bunshin. It was as easy as breathing he was so good!

Another thing that shocked Naruto had been the fact that many things became easier to learn. Which was unusual for the blonde. Before he had to cram in as much information as possible in order to perform a jutsu. Nowadays he can read about it, hear about it, see it, or even feel the jutsu then- BAM! The jutsu was permanently in his skill set.

He realized this when he saw a ninja use shunshin to cross a rooftop. Upon witnessing it, he felt he could perform it too. He didn't know how he knew the hand seals, or how much chakra it took to perform it. Yet it didn't matter, for he could use it as easy as breathing.

Naruto shunshined across the rooftops just as if he's done it his whole life.

Currently, the blonde was on his way to the Academy. Today he was being inducted into a Genin team with the rest of his passing class. He wondered who he'd team up with. He walked into the building, filing in with most of his classmates. Him and about eighty percent of his class was there, some stragglers like Shikamaru Nara would be a little less on time than others.

Some people in class were whispering in shock at how Naruto of all people became a Genin. The fact most of them had so little faith in him irked him, but didn't deter him. He was going to be Hokage damn it! He watched as Shikamaru trickled in with some other people and he shook his head. There was an open spot next to Naruto and Shikamaru took it.

"Troublesome.."

"Jeez Shikamaru, did you just get out of bed or something?" Naruto asked and Shikamaru didn't look at him, slouching and planting his head into his palm tiredly.

"I wish, but my troublesome mother was on my ass this morning." Naruto arched an eyebrow at him but didn't say anything.

"How did you of all people make Genin?" Shikamaru asked.

"The same reason why you got out of bed this morning."

"Because your mom told you to?"

"No, because I had to."

"Hm, you got that right. I'd rather be asleep than be here right now." Shikamaru sighed and Naruto chuckled.

"Hey! How did an idiot like you make Genin?!" Kiba shouted from the side and Naruto huffed before standing.

"I made it because I've got some talent! Unlike you! You're just good at smelling like a dog's ass!" Naruto shouted back and Kiba growled.

"Oh yeah!? Then come prove it!"

"I will! I'll kick your ass so bad you'll like cats more than dogs!"

"Oh yeah?!"

"Yeah!"

"Guys! Can you both shut up!? You're both in my ears!" Shikamaru asked over them. Both Naruto and Kiba relented simply sticking to glaring at one another.

"Idiots." Sasuke muttered under his breath, looking forward until Iruka entered the classroom.

"Sorry class, I got held up with something. Now I'll be announcing what team everyone is on, and who will be their Jonin instructor.

While Iruka went through the listings Naruto went into his thoughts.

'There's so much I don't know. I don't know what happened to me.. but it's like the secrets to jutsu just.. reveal themselves! I wonder if I'm going through puberty or something...'

"And now Team 7: Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha." Sakura felt downtrodden when her and Naruto were paired up, however she saw the light at the end of the tunnel when Iruka said Sasuke's name.

'From fuck no to fuck yeah!' Inner Sakura's thoughts exactly. She looked at her new teammates, linger on Sasuke before looking at Naruto.

'Huh, he didn't say a peep. Wonder what's up with him?' She saw Naruto staring straight ahead, a concentrated look on his face.

'He looks really serious. Maybe he's really focusing now.' Sakura thought, staring into Naruto's ocean eyes. She liked the determined look they had in them. It wasn't a sexy focus like Sasuke's charcoal orbs, but it was reassuring.

'Maybe this won't be so bad after all.'

Iruka called everyone's teams, some excited for their futures, some not. All the Jonin came and took their newly minted Genin before exiting. It left Team 7 alone with Iruka.

"Well, he's taking longer than expected.." Iruka cleared his throat. He looked to the three impatient Genin before rubbing his head.

"I'm gonna go see if I can find him outside. You three stay put, I'm sure there's a good reason for this." Iruka sped out the door leaving the three dumbfounded.

"Why is he taking so long?" Naruto asked and Sakura frowned.

"I don't know but this is so unprofessional." Naruto mirrored her expression completely in agreement with her. They all waited, their ire growing by the minute.

After an hour later they hear the door open.

They look to see him. Kakashi Hatake.

"Well now, you three.. look unimpressive. I don't think I like you." Both Naruto and Sakura rose in their seats yelling, while Sasuke glared.

"You bastard! You would say that when you've been late three hours!" Naruto shouted and Sakura joined in.

"Yeah! This is not professional at all sensei!" The masked man shrugged before pointing up.

"Meet up with me on the roof, you have one minute." Kakashi then disappeared and Naruto noticed his jutsu immediately.

'Shunshin.' He looked to his teammates before smiling.

"Well, see you guys up there!" Naruto like Kakashi, disappeared from the room. Leaving both Sakura and Sasuke in shock.

'How does know he how to do that?' Sasuke squinted his eyes before he and Sakura ran up to the roof.

When they got there, it was to see Naruto laughing and Kakashi smiling.

"You did not! That's hilarious!" Naruto was gasping for air at this point and Kakashi simply nodded.

"Did too, he never saw it coming." Kakashi affirmed and Naruto kept cackling.

"What could we have missed in the minute it took to get here?!" Sakura asked and Naruto slapped his knee, before wiping his eyes.

"Ah.. you had to have been there." Naruto's response made both her and Sasuke's eye twitch.

"Okay, now that you're all here.. sit on the steps and we'll get introductions in order." The three genin did what Kakashi said and sat across from the jonin on the steps.

"Now introduce yourselves. Likes, dislikes, dreams for the future. Stuff like that."

"My name is Naruto Uzumaki, I like ramen, dislike the time it takes to make ramen, and my dream.. is to be the strongest ninja ever, the Hokage!" Naruto said and everyone smirked.

'No surprise there.' Kakashi said before Sakura raised her hand.

"I'm Sakura Haruno. I like.. ahem. Someone special, as well as pretty things. I dislike.."

'Well, he hasn't been annoying lately. He's actually been pretty.. cool.'

"I dislike being annoyed, and incompetence. My dream is.." She looked at Sasuke before shaking her head.

"My dream is to be a good kunoichi, like Lady Tsunade." Kakashi nodded also raising an eyebrow.

'Tsunade isn't just a good kunoichi. But Sakura's on the right track.'

"I am Sasuke Uchiha, there aren't many things I like. There's many things I dislike. I don't have a dream, because dreams are a waste. I have a future, one that I will make sure happens. I'm going to kill a certain man, then I will restore my clan." Sasuke said cryptically and everyone minus Kakashi widened their eyes.

'Just as I thought.' Kakashi hummed as both Naruto and Sakura looked at Sasuke bewilderingly.

'So intense!'

'So hot!'

Kakashi cleared his throat, explaining that there was going to be a survival test for the three of them. If they didn't pass they would be sent back to the Academy, and if all three Genin were shocked by the news.

"No way!" Naruto shouted.

"That's not cool sensei!" Sakura declared.

Sasuke simply glared, gripping his hands together.

"That's how it has to be. We don't need any weaklings in our shinobi ranks. You have to proof you're worthy to be a Konoha shinobi. Your Genin test before is to weed out the people who can't even make the basics. This time, your basics will be put to a real test. Meet up with me tomorrow at dawn. Don't be late, don't eat, or you'll throw it all up." Kakashi then disappeared leaving the three Genin to themselves.

"Well, that was brief." Sakura huffed and both boys agreed.

"What do you guys think?" Naruto asked and Sakura shook her head.

"This sucks, but there's nothing we can do about it." Sasuke nodded.

"Right. We have to see what he says tomorrow. Let's sleep it off." Both Naruto and Sakura nodded.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow!" Naruto shunshined away leaving Sasuke and Sakura in the dust.

"Tch, showoff." Sakura shook her head while Sasuke walked away.

Sakura sighed, walking alone to her home.

Early The Next Morning

When Naruto had woken up he got ready, putting on his usual attire as well as eating breakfast.

He forgot Kakash's advice, his mind was preoccupied with what had been happening to him. He just couldn't figure it out. While he was getting ready he felt something course through his mind. He was brushing his teeth when this happened. All of a sudden he could see through walls, he could see chakra pathways and their points.

He looked into the mirror to see The Hyuuga Clan's Byakugan staring back at him. With this new ability came a few other things he couldn't do before, yet now he knew it as if it's been a part of him all along.

'How..? This is the Hyuuga's Doujutsu right? So how can I have it too?.. I'm not part Hyuuga am I?' Naruto shook his head before deactivating the Byakugan. He saw that his eyes reverted to his normal blue. He knew the Hyuuga's eyes didn't do that, so why could his? He reactivated and deactivated once more to confirm his theory.

'Holy shit! This is awesome!' Naruto didn't realize that a certain Hyuuga Heiress gasped at her discovery. She simply kept watch on her favorite blonde shinobi, hoping he didn't see her with his new ability.

Naruto after a short celebration went to the training ground that Kakashi said to meet up at. He hoped his teammates were ready. The test didn't sound easy. After a few shunshin Naruto had appeared at the training ground. He was actually the first one there. So Naruto took this time to sit down on the grass and lean on a nearby tree. He had to go over everything he knew.

'Transformation, Bunshin, Shunshin, Byakugan, Gentle Fist, Air Palm... I don't get why I know this now. Why is it all so confusing?! It hurts my head questioning it. What's that saying? Don't look a gift horse in the mouth? Maybe I'm just an awesome shinobi! Yeah, I won't question it!' A few moments later Sakura and Sasuke walked toward the training ground. Sakura looked significantly more tired than Sasuke did.

He couldn't blame her. It was the ass crack of dawn, and she probably had anxiety about the test. So she most likely didn't sleep well either. Naruto made sure to pack extra snacks for him and his team. He made sure to buy some from a store owner who didn't rip him off. As they approached he waved them over.

"Guys, over here!" Naruto grinned and his two teammates arched an eyebrow, Sakura looked annoyed.

"Naruto shut up, it's too early in the morning for you to be yelling like that." Naruto frowned at her, putting his hand down slowly.

"Sorry Sakura-chan. I was just happy to see you two." He apologized and Sakura immediately felt remorse as she watched Sasuke lean comfortably on the tree Naruto was sitting against.

"I'm.. sorry Naruto. I'm just really tired and hungry. I didn't mean to snap at you like that." She blushed embarrassingly. Naruto softly smiled at her, a simple small one, unlike the grin he was sporting earlier. Sakura found he looked better with a genuine one like that.

"It's okay, I'd feel the same way if I skipped dinner or breakfast." Naruto said and both of his Genin teammates raised an eyebrow.

"How did you know I skipped dinner?" Sakura asked and Naruto shrugged.

"You think Sasuke likes skinny girls. You skip dinner to not eat and not get fat. I think it's a little ridiculous but that might just be-"

"Hey! It is NOT ridiculous! And I don't do it for Sasuke! I-I I'm on a diet!" She stood up and pointed at the blonde who had his hands up in a placating manner.

"Whoa Sakura-chan! I didn't mean to offend you! I just think it's ridiculous because I think you look perfect-AH DON'T HIT ME!" Naruto shielded his face as he saw Sakura wound an arm back, stopping at what he said. Sasuke smirked at his comment, finding amusement with his new team. Sakura blinked slowly, before putting her arm down in surprise. She even had red stain her cheeks from his words.

"You think I look perfect huh?" She twirled her hair and Naruto nodded unshielding his face.

"I mean.. yeah. I think so. I prefer women with more muscle and stuff. You know, shinobi women. I think you're perfect as you are and I wouldn't want you to change.. but I think you'll look badass and beyond perfect if you worked out and ate more!" Naruto said and Sakura squinted her eyes at him for his words. She slowly knelt down and pinched his cheek.

"Better watch what you say Naruto. Flattery like that might mean you're up to no good." She winked and Naruto felt like he was in some sort of masochistic heaven. She let go of his cheek and let him succumb to her womanly charm.

'He's an idiot, but at least he's cute when he's complimenting me.' She laughed and Naruto shook his head. He looked to Sasuke who smirked at him.

"Thanks for the help teammate." Naruto rolled his eyes and Sasuke kept his smirk.

"Technically she's also a part of our team. If I helped you it would've been friendly fire." Naruto rolled his eyes at Sasuke's logic.

"But you didn't help me, so it's a betrayal." Naruto rebutted and Sasuke nearly chuckled.

"Lesser of the two evils."

"Did you just call me evil Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked sweetly and the Uchiha felt a drop of sweat drip down his neck.

"Not exactly-"

"He really did Sakura-chan!" Naruto grinned and Sasuke felt his ears warm up.

"No what I meant was-"

"That's so mean Sasuke-kun."

"I-" At this point both Naruto and Sakura hollered with laughter. Sasuke blushed with embarrassment.

"Oh shut up." Sasuke glared and the laughter died off shortly after.

"Ah good times. That reminds me, I brought us some snacks!" Naruto dug into his bag and pulled out some energy bars and water.

"I figured you two didn't eat so I brought some stuff." Sakura's belly exposed its desires as she looked at Naruto's supply.

"But didn't Kakashi-sensei say not to eat? We'll throw all this up or something." Sakura said and Naruto shrugged.

"Where is he? I don't see him. It's been like half an hour and he still hasn't shown up. We've got some time." Naruto said and Sasuke shrugged before grabbing a couple of bars. Sakura looked at him skeptically.

"What? He's right." Sasuke summarized and Sakura sighed before sitting down next to Naruto.

"Do you want some? It's yours after all." Sakura asked and Naruto shook his head.

"I mostly brought it for you guys. I ate earlier, and I figured you two would be hungrier than I am. If you want more water or energy bars just look through the bag." Naruto said and both Sasuke and Sakura smiled at him.

"Thanks Naruto, it was really thoughtful of you." Naruto immediately blushed from the praise.

"Oh it was nothing." He laughed sheepishly while rubbing the back of his head. Naruto looked to Sasuke who smiled, he simply nodded and Naruto returned the gesture.

"Well still, it's really appreciated." Sakura said and Naruto gulped. His stomach felt fluttery and warm.

'Butterflies..' He thought as he watched her cutely eat the snack bars, taking careful bites out of them.

'Kawaii..'

After a couple of hours of waiting they see Kakashi walk toward the field.

"See? He's late." Naruto said and both Sakura and Sasuke shook their head in disapproval of their sensei.

"Jeez sensei, if you wanted to sleep in you could've told us to come later." Sakura jibed and Kakashi raised a silver eyebrow. He noticed the color in her cheeks as well as Sasuke's and Naruto's.

'They seem well rested and decently fed. A pretty good start so far.'

"I didn't sleep in Sakura. I was simply.. helping an old lady cross the road." All the Genin glared at him and he felt some sweat drop.

'Tough crowd.' Kakashi cleared his throat before taking out a clock and two bells.

"This will be your test. Your job is to take these bells from me, in any way possible. If you get a bell, you pass and become an official Genin. If you don't then you fail and get sent back to the Academy." Sakura raised her hand after that.

"But sensei, there are only two bells while there's three of us?" Kakashi nodded firmly at her.

"That's right. There are only two bells. It's to ensure at least one of you goes back to the Academy." All three Genin glared at Kakashi, two of them feeling worried, while one of them contemplated.

'He's gotta be joking. Our teams just got formed, there's no way Hokage-jiji would go for something like that.' Naruto thought as he analyzed his teammates. He could feel how worried they are. They had that much anxiety about the whole thing.

'I have to make sure they don't face him alone. Sasuke will be okay for the most part, but Sakura.. I hate to admit it but she's slacking in the physical areas of being a shinobi. Huh, I feel so much smarter all of a sudden. Is this a part of what's going on with me?' Naruto looked down at his hands, confusion on his face.

'There's something about him. He's not like Sasuke or Sakura, he's seeing through what I'm saying.' Kakashi almost smiled at that, he felt a small measure of pride for Naruto.

"No matter what happens sensei, we're going to kick your ass and take your bells! Even if there's two you'll be so damn impressed at how good at ass kicking we are, you'll have to let us all pass!" Naruto pounded his fist into his open palm. The effect was nearly instant, shaking Sasuke and Sakura out of their reverie.

'Such determination and charisma, he's really just like..' Kakashi widened his eye as a silhouette of Naruto's father took over him.

'You really are Minato-sensei's son, Naruto.'

Sasuke felt immediate ease and confidence flow through him, Naruto's words hitting him like a brick.

'He's right, my journey doesn't stop here. Nothing will stop me from completing my goal.' He smirked at the blonde, standing with confidence.

'Naruto.. you're.. you're so cool right now.' Sakura's smile glowed brighter than before, feeling the warmth of Naruto's words course through her. If anything, just from this feeling alone, he had her vote on him becoming Hokage one day.

"I would love to see that." Kakashi eye smiled as he stepped back.

"Don't be afraid to try and kill me, it might make your chances slightly better not to hold back." Kakashi said and all three Genin hardened their expressions.

"Begin." Two of the three Genin dove to the nearest shrubbery they could find, hiding from the Jonin. Naruto stood in front of Kakashi, arms folded.

"You stuck around. I thought you were smarter than that Naruto." Kakashi said and Naruto grinned ferally.

"You have no idea what I'm capable of sensei." Naruto said and Kakashi arched an eyebrow, right before taking out an orange book. Naruto squinted his eyes, making out the words on it.

'Icha Icha Paradise. Perv.' Naruto shook his head in shame.

"Can't believe we got put with a pervert of a sensei." Kakashi turned a page as he paid Naruto no attention. Naruto sighed.

"Gentle Fist Style: Air Palm!" Naruto attacked with two palms of wind catching everyone in the vicinity by surprise.

'How does he know that?!' Kakashi dodged to the side as he felt more than saw Naruto flank his back.

'He even-" Naruto activated the Byakugan as he attacked Kakashi with his fingers and his open palms.

'-has the Byakugan and knows their taijutsu style!' Kakashi barely dodged Naruto's attacks as the blonde kept up the barrage. At one swipe at Kakashi's thigh he sliced off the string holding one of the two bells.

"Don't underestimate us!" Naruto shouted as he saw Kakashi put away the book.

'He's getting a little more serious. Good.' Naruto upped the ante as he stabbed at Kakashi's midsection. The jonin dodged to the side only to see Naruto start spinning.

"8 Trigrams: Palm Rotation!" Kakashi widened his eyes as he substituted with a log. He witnessed the log be decimated from Naruto's chakra.

'How can he perform these techniques? Why does he have the Byakugan? This doesn't make any sense.' Kakashi sighed crouching on a branch as Naruto finished his technique.

'I won't be hidden for long, not with those eyes of his.' Kakashi thought as he moved to a different branch, thinking of different ways to deal with the blonde. Meanwhile the other two Genin were completely dumbfounded.

'Is that really Naruto?' Sakura thought with widened eyes.

'Cha! He's kicking that lazy asshole's ass!' Inner Sakura had some words too. Meanwhile Sasuke was shaking.

'So much power.. where has he been hiding this?' Sasuke shook his head, keeping his eyes on the field.

Kakashi kept his eyes on Naruto who stood still in the middle of the field. He kept watch waiting for the blonde to move first.

'What is he- no one of my bells!' Kakashi watched with a widened eye as Naruto walked up to the bell on the ground and picked it up.

'How could I be so careless? Well, onto Plan B.' Kakashi reappeared in front of Naruto, who pocketed the bell. Kakashi smiled at him.

"Well now Naruto, it looks like you pass." Kakashi heard a gasp from the side, it was Sakura.

"You can wait the rest of this test out while Sasuke and Sakura compete for the bell-" Naruto held up a hand, silencing Kakashi.

"No. I'm still in it, they're a part of my team. I won't pass until they do too." Naruto kept his expression firm as Kakashi watched dumbfounded once more.

"Okay then." Naruto immediately shunshined away leaving Kakashi alone.

'He's got the team part down perfectly, and he's no slouch in abilities. A lot of potential in him. Let's test out that Byakugan of his.' Kakashi thought as he saw Naruto and Sakura conversing.

"Sakura, you me and Sasuke need to work together. Kakashi-sensei is trying to- hold on."

'Shadow Clone Jutsu.' Naruto placed his fingers in a crossed seal, immediately a physical clone of his appeared out of smoke. Sakura widened her eyes as she saw Naruto and his clone talk.

"Go to Sasuke, tell him to meet up with us." The clone saluted.

"Aye aye Boss!" The clone shunshined away and Naruto turned back to Sakura whose eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

"How did you-"

"I don't know, something's changed within me. I'm.. becoming stronger, faster, better. I hope to figure it out more when we pass. But Sakura, I need you with me." Naruto said and Sakura immediately blushed.

'He is so cool..' She shook her head to focus.

"You're right, but how can we take him on? He's a Jonin, an elite ninja!"

"I know, that's why we need Sasuke. We might not win, but maybe that won't matter." Sakura looked confused by that, her face scrunching up.

"What do you mean? Sensei said only two of us can pass because of the bells. You already have one, and Sasuke-kun.. he's a better shinobi than I-" Naruto pinched her lips before she could put herself down any further.

"Stop beating yourself up Sakura-chan." Naruto let go of her lips and she looked down at the branch they were on.

"Sasuke and I, we may have some advantages you don't. But it doesn't mean he and I are better than you, far from it." Sakura looked up then, noticing the spark in Naruto's deep blue orbs.

"I do mean it, you have so much potential. You just don't focus on the right things." Sakura frowned, confused at first.

"What do you mean?"

"You like Sasuke so much that you hinder yourself in order to try and get him to like you. You're perfect to me, but if we want to be.. unbiased-don't hit me by the way. I think you're underweight from a medical view. You've looked really pale before, and it worries me. I truly think if you just ate regularly and exercised, then you'd be one of the most beautiful people in the world. AND you would be healthy." Naruto's words captivated Sakura, sounding so eloquent and unlike how he was before.

"I um, I.." Naruto smiled at her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm no expert, but I do my fair share of physical stuff. If you ever want to join me then I'll welcome you with open arms." Naruto said and Sakura stared at him, her expression unreadable. The blonde gulped, thinking he went too far.

"Of course if you want to that is! Haha.." Naruto rubbed the back of his head, watching as Sakura's pink lips lifted upwards.

"I'll think about that Naruto." Sakura smiled as she turned toward the field. Naruto exhaled in relief, turning to the field with her.

While those two conversed, Naruto's clone talked with Sasuke.

"Sasuke." The Uchiha turned to the side with a slight annoyance.

"Naruto."

"I'm a clone of the Boss. He's talking with Sakura-chan right now." Sasuke slightly twitched at that.

'Another jutsu. What else is he going to show us?'

"Hn."

"We need to work together on this. Kakashi-sensei is trying to play us like a fiddle. We don't need those bells to pass, he's trying to make us fight each other. I know you know that." Sasuke frowned at the words. Unlike Naruto's expectation he in fact did not know that.

"What's your plan?"

"We work together, like a team."

"That's it?"

"That's all we need. Come on, I'll lead you to Sakura-chan and Boss' location." Naruto's clone jumped out into the shrubbery and Sasuke clicked his tongue before following.

'Your power.. Naruto, you will show me what else you're hiding.'

Naruto's clone and Sasuke quickly regrouped with Naruto and Sakura.

"Here he is Boss!"

"Sasuke-kun!"

"Good job.. me." The clone simply saluted before popping into smoke. Naruto's memories flooded in from the interaction.

'Huh, neat.' The blonde thought before he shook his head.

"Okay Kakashi-sensei is waiting, let's come up with a plan." Naruto said and both of his teammates turned to him with expectant faces.

Kakashi's clone stood in the middle of the training ground waiting almost impatiently.

'Naruto and the others have been quiet for a while now. What are they planning?' The real Kakashi was off somewhere in the trees, looking down at the scene.

Kakashi's clone then heard a snap.

'A trap.' Kakashi sidestepped the tree log coming at him.

"You're going to have to do better than that!" Kakashi then saw an air palm come at him from the bushes.

'Naruto.' Kakashi leapt over the air and witness a giant fireball coming at him.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

'Sasuke's finally at it huh?' Kakashi's clone cancelled the fireball jutsu with his own. An explosion rocked the middle of the air, creating shock waves and smoke in the vicinity.

Before the clone touched the ground an air palm made its way through the smoke.

'Sneaky Naruto.' Kakashi's clone twisted at the last minute to avoid the palm. When he turned he was face to face with clones flanking his side.

"Bunshins won't work." Kakashi sighed as one of the Bunshin's ran up to him with an open palm.

'Wait a second, they're physical copies!' Kakashi dodged the clone's nearly debilitating strike, only to face another clone who struck at him.

'No- they're mixed! Some aren't Kage Bunshin!' The clone phased through Kakashi's clone, feinting for another clone to strike.

'Clever.' Kakashi's clone felt heat rising from his back as another fireball was launched.

'There's something different.. It's bigger, wider, and faster. It was enhanced by an air palm!' Kakashi's clone had no time to dodge as the fire consumed him.

Kakashi shook his head from the trees.

'Did they actually dispel my clone? I'm disappointed in myself, but they're really impressive.'

"Kakashi-sensei! Your clone is finished! Come out, or I'll bring you out!" Naruto shouted and Kakashi widened his eye.

'So fast!' Naruto appeared behind Kakashi.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Naruto spewed out a massive fireball that had Kakashi leaping into the open field.

'He can create fireballs too? Somebody must've had ninjutsu training for breakfast.' Kakashi felt sweat drop from his forehead.

'I'm getting too rusty if they can push me like this. I will not use the Sharingan, I will not use the Sharingan!' Kakashi saw another fireball launched his way and he jumped. Immediately another fireball was launched at him making him dodge.

'These kids-' Unlike the few fireballs this one had heated shuriken inside of it.

'Ninja wire!' The shuriken curved to redirect themselves toward Kakashi. Kakashi crouched just in time, only to look up and see-

'Raining fireballs, logs and shuriken!' Kakashi widened his eye as the sky was nothing but those three listed things. Immediately Kakashi dug underground with his Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu.

'Whew, that was close.' Kakashi closed his eye to take a breather. After a quick breath, he looked up to see two Byakugan staring at him.

"Hey sensei." Naruto grinned, and Kakashi at this point was down right flabbergasted.

"How-"

"Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu. I don't quite know either, it's like I'm a sponge or something." Naruto looked at his hands as Kakashi sighed.

"Here. Let's go back to the surface." Kakashi handed Naruto the other bell, surprising the Genin. He took it and went above ground with the Jonin.

Sakura and Sasuke were patiently waiting in the shrubbery, readying for another attack.

"Sakura, Sasuke, come out!" Naruto called to the trees and the Genin smirked.

'He did it.' Sasuke thought, walking with his hands in his pockets.

'CHA! I knew he'd get the other bell!' Inner Sakura didn't think that this time.

"Okay, okay, okay. You three were really impressive out there. I didn't even get a chance to test you on genjutsu. It's safe to say you all passed." All three of them widened their eyes.

"But sensei, the two bells-" Sakura was interrupted with Kakashi's hand being held up.

"Were only a deterrence to stop you three from working together. But with Naruto's encouragement, leadership, and guts, you three overcame that easily. You all also demonstrated good cooperation, communication, and the will to be a team. All traits I was looking for." Kakashi explained and the three Genin nodded.

"I've tested team after team, and they all never quite understood what I was trying to do. They fought each other for the bells, worked alone, and never once thought about helping each other. In this line of work we're jointed for a reason. I noticed you all ate as well, that was also good. Not every order should be followed to the tee unless it is absolutely paramount. Those who break the rules are trash, but those who abandon their comrades, their friends are even worse than trash."

"So does that mean?.." Naruto trailed off, and Kakashi gave him a thumbs up.

"From this day forward we are all officially Team 7! Congratulations!" Both Naruto and Sakura jumped up into the air while Sasuke smirked.

"We will begin our very first mission as a team tomorrow, take the rest of the day off. We'll meet up here in the morning." Kakashi said and his Genin nodded.

"Alright! Let's go you guys! Ramen on me!" Naruto said and his teammates rolled their eyes.

"Naruto we can't just eat ramen when we're celebrating, we need some substance. How about barbecue or something?" Sakura said as the three Genin walked off. Kakashi watched as the three of them bickered. He was starting to like them. He then looked to the Hokage Tower, he and Hiruzen had a lot to talk about. Kakashi looked to his team one more time, focusing on Naruto before leaping away.

Fourteen Years Earlier

"It is almost complete, now all I have to do is let the snake-" Orochimaru was rudely interrupted as Anbu and the Hokage barged in.

"Orochimaru! Stop this!" Hiruzen ordered as his Anbu stood by his side, weapons at the ready.

"Oh sensei.. It's too late to stop the inevitable." Chills went down everyone's spine as they looked at the man.

"Orochimaru.. how far you've fallen." Hiruzen shook his head, disappointment laced in his voice. Orochimaru simply chuckled.

"Oh contraire, I've merely begun to rise." The student of Hiruzen chuckled as he glanced at a snake trapped in a jar.

'With this snake, my dream will become reality!' Orochimaru had a crazed look in his eye, something that Hiruzen didn't like.

"Anbu! Minato! Seize him!" Orochimaru widened his eyes as a yellow flash appeared in his vision.

'Where did he!-' Orochimaru felt a tri-pronged kunai stab him in the midsection.

"It's over Orochimaru, your experiments, your terror, it ends now." Minato's voice made the Sannin seethe in rage.

"No, if I can't have it, then nobody will!" With a snap of his fingers Orochimaru set off a timer for explosive tags in the area. Minato widened his eyes before flashing away.

"Everyone move!" Minato teleported everyone besides Orochimaru out of the Sannin's hideaway, barely escaping the explosion. Everyone appeared on the surface, looking down the steps in worry.

"Do you think he died Minato?" Hiruzen asked, forlorn staining his old features. Minato simply shook his head.

"No, but his experiments are at an end. For now." Hiruzen shook his head, sadness overcoming him.

"I wish I had the strength to confront him.. but, he's one of my precious students." Hiruzen admitted, and Minato placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I know Hokage-sama, I know."

No one knew this, but a certain snake that was trapped escaped out into the village. Surviving until a it found a certain blonde, fourteen years later.

Present Day

Kakashi walked into the Hokage's Office.

"Hokage-sama."

"Kakashi, good to see you. How did the test go?"

"They passed with pretty much flying colors."

"That's great! I knew they'd be able to. We have a good crop this year you know."

"We do Hokage-sama." Hiruzen knew that tone, Kakashi was hinting there was even more than he was letting on.

"What's the matter Kakashi?"

"It's about Naruto."

"Did the Nine Tails leak out?"

"No, it's something entirely different."

"What do you mean?"

"Naruto.. he, he has the Byakugan." Hiruzen widened his eyes at the statement.

"Kakashi, tell me everything. Every. Single. Detail."

Things were about to get even more interesting around here.