After graduating pre-academy, aspiring ninja were to attended the three-year course of the Ninja Academy.

The last year of Pre-Academy was the screening process for the village children. They were split into two groups, those whose future career path demanded more of a physical challenge such as the future ninja, blacksmiths and other heavy craft smiths and those whose future career paths tended more towards the academic such as the merchants, scribes and accountants.

That was a year ago. Naruto was now 9 years old, and the first year of the Academy had started. Due to the large number of ninja hopefuls the class was further split into four separate classes, though as the year progressed these classes would be given many opportunities to mingle and learn together as the teachers used such opportunities to observe the students and how they interacted with each other as such information was essential for forming the ninja teams.

Naruto's thoughts were interrupted by a increasingly loud commotion outside. 'Oh. Its them' Naruto thought as he looked towards the classroom door from where he sat in the last row.

"Make way for the village's strongest future kunoichi!" yelled out a brash, young, female voice as a young girl burst through the door, only to pose just inside with her arms flung wide obviously demanding that everyone look at her. She was dressed in a short purple dress with boots on her feet and her platinum blonde hair was tied up in a pony-tail high on the back of her head.

Just behind her, as if hiding in her shadow, slunk a timid little girl wearing a red dress with her shoulder length bubble-gum pink hair pulled back by a light blue headband. "Um Ino, you really shouldn't be so loud," she murmured meekly as she tugged on the back of her friend's dress.

"But Sakura," whined her more confident friend, "How else would everyone know that I have arrived. Come on you try it too, just yell out that you're here." She continued obviously trying to encourage her more hesitant friend.

'Oh... My... God,' thought Naruto hysterically as the first moment of shock passed, 'it's a chibi Ino and Sakura!'.

He barely managed to stop himself from bursting into laughter and eventually calmed himself down.

Ino's eyes moved around the room and eventually landed on one Uzumaki Naruto. "Who's he? I've never seen him at the playground or park before." Before she could continue that train of thought however, Iruka-sensei entered the classroom, and they began the lesson proper.

Iruka-sensei began the lesson by explaining how the Ninja Academy's curriculum was designed to provide only the basics of ninja techniques with the expectation that students would expand upon this in their own time. After all, they were learning to become ninja and one of the basic tenets of being a ninja was the ability to gather information. To this end the first six months of the Academy was dedicated to information gathering, code breaking and the idea of looking underneath the underneath.

For the year, the school day would be broken up into specialty classes with various teachers coming in to instruct on everything from hand seals to Taijutsu stances, escape techniques to stealth skills, Genjutsu basics to Shuriken and Kunai throwing, and so much more. The last two years were devoted to refining these skills and to understanding village and shinobi history, thus building strategic knowledge, and these classes were conducted by their first and second year home-room teacher and one assistant, Iruka and Mizuki.

Lectures on ninja history were not only used to teach strategic thinking by examining the battles and plans of past shinobi, they were also deliberately boring in an attempt to teach patience. Students were expected to be able to pay attention even when overwhelmingly bored all whilst recognising retaining key strategic points and hints for further training opportunities that were liberally sprinkled throughout the lectures. Such as the mention of jutsu used which could lead the students into the private study of the various elemental styles, Genjutsu or even Fuuinjustu. Patience was deemed a necessary skill for a ninja as contrary to popular belief many ninja missions were anything but exciting.

Survival training exercises would periodically occur throughout the school term and would consist of learning what was safe to eat, how to build an undetectable shelter and how to manually make fire and find water.

The Academy Three introduced the students to jutsu creation but it was up to the students to widen their repertoire themselves by accessing the low rank jutsu available at the Ninja Academy Library and the Konoha Public Library and in their own Clan Archives. This was why the Libraries contained such a large number of beginner guides freely accessible by Academy students with subjects covering many E and D-rank jutsu, various Taijutsu styles, jutsu theory and basic Fuuinjustu scrolls. Henge, Kawarimi and Bunshin no Jutsu were chosen to be taught in the Academy not only because they were E-rank and thus easy to learn and cast but also because they formed a security measure to allow for the easy escape of Genin and students in the case of attack.

There was actually two ways to graduate from the Academy, the first way was the standard completion of the Graduation Exam showing competency in all subjects instructed in by the Academy and consisted of a written exam, an accuracy test, Taijustu competency spar and the casting of the Academy Three. The second way to pass was based on the underlying lesson of information gathering and was accomplished by displaying a mastery of a skill learnt outside of the Academy and by doing so plus having the endorsement of an acting shinobi of the village, such of the case of Rock Lee and his specialisation in Taijutsu, guaranteed advancement to the rank of Genin.

This was why early graduation was possible and why at the end of the third year of Ninja Academy students were given the opportunity to take the graduation exam with permission from their guardians and again half way through the fourth year and then again at the end of that same year.

Naruto looked around the class as Iruka-sensei droned on about Chakra and it's uses, a small smile on his lips. He remembered this day, even if it had been more than twelve years before.

He flicked a stray strand of blond from his face. Blue eyes scanned the room one more time. Kiba was in the back room, a wide grin plastered on his face. Shikamaru was in the back too, on the other side, sleeping. Hinata was in the back as well, meekly poking her hands together. As his eyes roamed, he noticed the rest of the nine. Ino, Sakura, Choji, Shino…

He then turned to Sasuke. Naruto had vague memories of Sasuke as a child. He didn't know how he held up now. Stories from Itachi were all he had to go on.

"I'll try talking to him later." Naruto thought as the class shifted out of the room and out onto the field.

The first activity the class was supposed to do was target practise. Naruto groaned as he noticed how close and big the targets were. He zoned out as Iruka lectured the class on safety procedures.

"Naruto, would you like to go first?" He heard the class's snickering again and looked around, slightly confused. Iruka had a Kunai in hand. Blade first, so he could easily grab it.

He grabbed the handle and waited for the man to release it before he pulled. Iruka seemed surprised then smiled.

"It seems you were paying attention, that's good. Why don't you try hitting the circular targets? It's not expected of you to hit the bulls-eye the first time. Just try to hit it in general okay. I'll make suggestions to help you okay."

"Ah." He thought. Iruka-sensei had helped him with his calligraphy and taijutsu, he was completely unaware of his other skills.

He looked around for a moment. The other student's eyes were glued on him, watching intently to see how well he would do. Most notable was Sasuke. His onyx eyes seem to boring into his body. Watching intently with anticipation. A small smile on his face.

Naruto almost laughed, he looked so innocent.

He turned his attention back to the kunai. They were small, and lighter than normal. The sides were slightly dulled, though the tip was still razor sharp. In the mid-day fire country sun they gleamed. He hefted them, to get a sense of balance.

There were five targets and ten Kunai. He grinned. Threw the first Kunai with a swing of his arm and a flick of his wrist. It sailed past the target and he heard the chuckles of his classmates behind him. They were lighter than he was used too, not too much so, but still. That throw had been way over what he had estimated.

He went to grab another Kunai, and this time grinned. He hefted it once more, and with a flick of his wrist, sent it flying. It hit. Not a bulls-eye, but it was a second ring.

He smirked as he heard the other kids fall silent. He picked up two more and threw those. The first hit the third inner ring, and the fourth the bulls-eye. Then he picked up the remaining six and struck home. Every single time. The class was silent.

"G-good job Naruto-kun."

He bowed with a small smile on his lips. "Thanks Iruka-sensei!" He exclaimed at the man in a slightly louder tone than normal.

He smiled as he looked at the looks on the other children's faces.

Lunch came and Naruto sat at one of the tables alone, munching on leftover rabbit meat from his dinner yesterday.

The small grassy field was filled with kids of all ages, running around and interacting with one another. His blue eyes cast around, and already he could see the old groups from his childhood start to consolidate. Choji and Shikamaru were sitting beneath a tree watching clouds while the larger boy snacked on both their lunches.

"Hey…"

turning his head, Naruto saw Sasuke standing beside him, obviously wanting to initiate a conversation but was evidently too shy to, if the light pink dusting his cheeks were anything to go by.

"Hey…"

A pregnant pause filled the air for a moment. This didn't happen last time. What should he do…what should he do? He made a decision.

"Want to sit with me?"

Sasuke smiled, and sat almost immediately. "So…" His voice was so high pitched compared to what he remembered.

"You're Sasuke right?"

"Yeah."

"I'm Naruto! Good to meet ya!" He reached out a hand and the other boy seemed startled, but then, with some hesitation, Sasuke extended his hand and the two shook hands.

"What are your hobbies?" Naruto had a feeling he'd have to drive most if not all of this conversation himself.

"Um…well…I like to train. Especially with my aniki. I like to spend time with my aunt and uncle as well."

Naruto laughed. "That just sounds like you have no hobbies dude."

"Well, what are yours then?" Sasuke asked. His voice sounded indignant.

"I guess I don't have any hobbies either." He blushed in embarrassment and a small smile appeared on the other boys face.

"Well, what do you like to do?"

"Well-"

Suddenly there was a shout. Naruto turned to the source. It was another Uchiha, this one three or four years their senior. Naruto arched an eyebrow at the teen. He didn't remember much about the Uchiha and from what he could, this kid seemed to fit the bill.

Tall, pale, with a sharp yet somewhat squared jaw. Dark brown hair and a white shirt. Black short khakis and a ninja holster on his leg. Naruto smirked. He'd forgotten about the whole 'don't talk to the demon brat thing.'

When he was a child he would have cared more that he was ignored. Now though, now he didn't care, and most importantly he knew with enough time everyone would eventually come around to his point of view and/or side. So when the nameless Uchiha came over, shouting how "Sasuke-sama" shouldn't associate with such trash he kept a small smile on his lips. As the kid forcibly dragged Sasuke away, Naruto waved and smiled.

"It was nice talking to you while I could, Sasuke! Maybe we can talk more later."

Then he was alone.

Naruto cast a look at the blue sky above that was slowly transitioning to a deep orange. With a crunch, he took a bite of the apple he had plucked in the forest.

He looked around. Sasuke had not gone home.

"Hey Sasuke!"

He jogged over in a light, yet fast, pace.

"Hello."

"You waiting for your parents to come and get you?"

"Yes, I'm waiting for my mom. My dad is the Police Chief for the Konoha police force, so he can't come and pick me up."

"Cool." He smiled at Sasuke.

"Are you waiting for your parents?"

"No. I'm an orphan. I just waiting for Iruka-sensei to finish up so I can ask him for a few questions."

Sasuke seemed shocked. Then smiled apologetically. "Sorry. About at lunch….I don't know what that was about."

Naruto laughed it off. A wide toothed grin birthing on his face. "Don't worry about it. I'm used to it."

"Sasuke-kun, you made a new friend already?"

Naruto turned to the voice. It was a woman. A tall women at about five foot eight, with black hair and pale soft skin. She smiled down at them. It was a soft motherly smile, one of triumph, the smile of a mother whose words had come true.

"Kaa-chan. This is Naruto…he's in my class."

Naruto bowed deep at the Uchiha matriarch. "Hello, Uchiha-san."

"And so polite too! And adorable. See Sasuke-kun? I told you you'd make friends no problem."

"Kaa-chan…" Sasuke moaned. Naruto chuckled. He'd never seen Sasuke pout before, and being nine made it all the more enjoyable.

"Naruto-kun, I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to go take little Sasuke-kun away from you for now. We've got to go home for now. Hopefully see you tomorrow?"

"Of course, Uchiha-san."

She smiled at him, grabbed Sasuke's hand and pulled him away.

Naruto's smile slowly faded as he realised what was at stake. Clenching his fist, he turned and made his way to the training ground to meet Shisui.

Later

As the pale crescent moon shone like a silvery claw in the night sky, Naruto and Shisui sat on the Hokage faces, staring out into the village that was set aglow with various lanterns and lights.

"What are you going to do about the coup?" Naruto asked, handing Shisui a dango he had bought after their training session.

Shisui froze.

"How do you know about that?" Shisui asked as he narrowed his eyes.

Smirking, Naruto simply tapped his ear.

"You and Itachi-san aren't as quiet as you think. To me at least."

After sighing in relief, Shisui turned to Naruto. "You cannot tell a soul about any of this, Naruto."

"Hai, hai."

"I'm serious Naruto, I'm not trusting you with this information lightly."

Shisui threw his head back, staring at the the blanket of stars that stretched to infinity. "I'm going to use my special jutsu to hypnotise the clan leaders, and stop the coup before it starts. Im not strong enough by myself though, so Itachi will be there, using his genjutsu to make my job easier."

"That won't come to pass." Thought Naruto, "Thanks to Danzo."

"We need to wait for the Kotoamatsukami in my right eye to recharge. It'll be ready in three months time."

"The coup is happening earlier than before. The timetable has been moved forward." Kurama growled, "We need to prepare."

"Oi, fox…how do you feel about this? I know you got some strife against people with these Sharingan." Naruto wondered, and Kurama let out a scoff.

"This clan is cursed…destined to be exterminated one day. It was only just a matter of 'when' since the very first day the clan formed. It was rare to see any Uchiha that is different from the two main types I've observed. The first type are the ones that grew arrogant and complacent with their eyes, and relied on them so much they easily got killed in battle early in their lives. The other type desire power so much they would do anything possible to gain an upper hand."

"Even so, they do not deserve extinction."

"Naruto?" Shisui said, bringing Naruto back to reality.

"Sorry Shisui-senpai, I was just thinking."

Shisui sighed. "Its late Naruto, go get some rest. And remember, not a word of this to anyone."

"I got it dattebayo. Goodnight Shisui-senpai." Naruto waved as he made his way back home.

"The stars…" Naruto heard Shisui say as he walked away. "They look pretty tonight."