Well, fanfiction went down today, so again a gentle reminder if fanfiction ever does croak, I will post all chapters for free on pat reon too. Case in point, I made sure this one is also up there for free now as I'm not sure if FF will go down again shortly.
That aside, I am doing my deep dive into Naruto again. More mainstream-ish Naruto at least, since other than Shatter, Naruto Uzumaki, which is clearly influenced by Bleach, my pure Naruto fics haven't been updated for a year and TTONU… geez, on the tail end of year one of COVID.
That being said, I've already got the next two chapters of this fic up on pat reon (at my second tier, with the next chapter after that almost done but not proofread, and I'm already starting on the next one). I would also appreciate some feedback as too how much pre-canon academy stuff most of you will tolerate. I'm going to try and be a bit speedy with it all and just touch on key moments, as writing 4 years or so of pre-canon stuff, even with the side stuff I had planned (so good news for Itachi and Uchiha fans in general), is a bit much to me, and I don't want to get too bogged down in it all.
That aside, I'm starting to wonder if I need to make Yakumo second tag for this fic considering the importance I'm lending her… I'll think about it and if the chapters do seem heavy on it, probably will add it.
I've also set up a discord as a place to chat with other writers and readers as well as memes and source discussions. discord. gg/mgAZ9GGuFG.
Well, either way, enjoy this chapter for now and expect more Naruto updates to come.
SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan
Previously:
Naruto would start his training regimen under his assorted trainers. His training would progress in an unorthodox manner, enough for Sarutobi to reconsider the plans for the graduating teams and Jounin instructors. Naruto would convince Sasuke to attend the ninja academy with him, while also managing to save a white-eyed girl before the day got started.
Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the Naruto anime/manga all I own are my original characters and plot twists.
'Talking'
"Thinking"
'Heavily demonic voice'
'Fox or Death talking'
"Fox or Death thinking"
*expression*
Jutsu
Flashback
Chapter 10 – Day one
As Naruto walked into the room which would be his classroom for the next few years, he was genuinely happy to see a familiar face.
'Hi, I'm Naruto, what's your name?' Greeted Naruto cheerfully.
'Yakumo.' Said Yakumo, giving a small smile.
Naruto sat next to the girl, noting Sasuke had gone to sit at the front of the class near a window. Over the next few minutes, Naruto made idle chit-chat with Yakumo as he observed his classmates enter. It was as the room was half full that Naruto started to notice something odd.
"There are a lot of clan heirs here… I guess even I count as one." Thought Naruto, before someone next to him cleared their throat.
'Pardon me, is this seat taken?' Asked a boy Naruto vaguely recognised.
'No, have a seat.' Said Naruto cheerfully.
'My name is Shin, nice to meet the two of you.' Said the grey-haired boy Naruto recognised as being one of Danzo's agents.
A quick survey of the room showed Naruto another of Danzo's agents was also in the classroom and had sat himself behind Sasuke. A few moments later, a rather rambunctious boy with a dog entered, looking very excited, but it was who came afterwards that held Naruto's attention briefly. The girl who Naruto had saved entered after the loud boy and had quickly sighted Naruto, before deciding to sit in the seat in the far-right corner at the back of the classroom. Naruto noted if the girl had access to her Doujutsu, it was the perfect point to survey the entire classroom and cover her back at the same time.
"Maybe there is potential there after all, even if it seems there is no spine just yet." Thought Naruto, before noting Yakumo was drawing something.
'That looks really good.' Said Naruto, getting Yakumo to look at him and note his authentic appraisal.
'Thank you.' Said Yakumo, before returning to her sketch.
Yakumo had a set of pencils with her and was sketching the front of the classroom in great detail, even including the heads of those seated in front of her. Naruto's admiration of Yakumo's work was cut off as two Chunin entered the classroom.
'All right, settle down everyone. We will now take roll call, please stand when you hear your name.' Said a white-haired individual, wearing his forehead protector as a bandanna.
Naruto listened as the names of his classmates were read out, noting that the person sitting next to him responded to the name of Shin. It was with some amusement that Naruto noted most of the girls in the class were a bit slow to respond to their names being called, having been distracted with their shared collective task of staring at Sasuke.
"Oh I can have some fun with this I think." Thought Naruto in amusement, before hearing his own name.
'Here!' Said Naruto, before sitting back down.
The day progressed slowly for Naruto, but it wasn't an uncomfortable slowness, as it gave him ample time to observe all of his classmates. It wasn't until lunch time that things finally became somewhat interesting. While Sasuke had many admirers, Naruto had his fair few detractors, so as Naruto sat by himself on a bench, Sasuke coming to join him was seen as sacrilegious to the female student body, barring a few exceptions. As Sasuke sat down, Naruto instantly started up a conversation, confusing many, as it seemed the two already knew each other. After a few minutes, Yakumo also made her way over to the group and was excitedly introduced to Sasuke by Naruto. After a bit of conversation, Yakumo started to draw something. Unbeknownst to most of their classmates, Yakumo had crafted a subtle Genjutsu around the three.
'So who is your friend, Naruto? I thought you were an outcast, being friends with the village golden child is a bit odd.' Said Yakumo.
'Sasuke is a good kid; he just doesn't know what we know yet.' Said Naruto.
'What do you two know that I don't?' Asked Sasuke.
'No spoilers, Sasuke. You need to be patient. How are you finding class so far?' Asked Naruto.
'Exactly like I told you, a waste of time. Also, why didn't you sit next to me in class, now there are weirdos all around me?' Asked Sasuke, sounding somewhat disgruntled.
'Sorry, I forgot, I was just excited to see Yakumo again.' Said Naruto, causing Sasuke to raise an eyebrow.
'Do you two know each other?' Asked Sasuke.
'I guess you could say that. I only managed to get enrolled thanks to some help from Naruto.' Said Yakumo.
'So what now then?' Asked Sasuke.
'Now? We go back to class; lunch is almost over.' Said Naruto.
'What about the seating?' Asked Sasuke.
'Sorry Sasuke, maybe next year, it'd be rude to leave Yakumo alone.' Said Sasuke.
'Can't both of you sit next to me then?' Asked Sasuke, already uncomfortable with the attention his neighbours were giving him.
'Hmm, maybe, but that would be a bit rude to Shin.' Said Naruto.
'Bring whoever you want, the more the merrier.' Said Sasuke, before a bell sounded.
Yakumo smudged her drawing as she packed it up, breaking the Genjutsu, before the trio returned to class. Much to Sasuke's relief, Naruto and Yakumo sat beside Sasuke to his right in respective order. Shin also moved across and sat himself behind Naruto, making conversation with the pale, dark haired boy who had been sitting behind Sasuke earlier in the day. As there was only five of them, one of Sasuke's admirers sat behind Yakumo and bore a hole into both her and Naruto's head for preventing her from sitting next to Sasuke. Much to Sasuke's relief, the rest of the day passed without issue. As the final bell rang, Sasuke stood up quickly and turned to Naruto.
'Let's go, I don't want to get ambushed.' Said Sasuke, causing Naruto to raise a brow.
'If you are such a great ninja, shouldn't you be the one doing the ambushing, or at least, not get ambushed yourself?' Asked Naruto.
'In theory yes, but I don't have the energy after this morning.' Said Sasuke.
'Fine, only this time, consider this part of your training from now on.' Said Naruto, before standing up and picking up Yakumo's things as well.
As the trio made their way outside, Yakumo was scribbling on a piece of paper. As soon as the three stepped out of the academy grounds, they seemed to disappear into thin air.
'So what do you mean this is going to be part of my training?' Asked Sasuke.
'Hiding in plain sight and evasion. You need to attend your classes, but avoid your stalkers, it will be good training for infiltration missions.' Said Naruto, causing Sasuke to sigh.
'Fine, but I want that spar now.' Said Sasuke.
'Would you like to join us, Yakumo?' Asked Naruto.
'I don't think I would have very much to contribute, I can barely walk as it is.' Said Yakumo.
'Don't worry, I can carry you. Besides, it would be a good idea to see how a fight might go, in case you do get attacked before you can make your move.' Said Naruto.
The three made their way to the forest bordering the Uchiha clan district. It was with some amusement that Naruto noted, while none of Sasuke's admirers had followed them, it seemed one of his own had managed to track them.
'Sasuke, no Sharingan for the spar, we have a guest.' Said Naruto quietly.
The hair on the back of Sasuke's neck stood up in fear.
'Who is it?' Asked Sasuke, allowing his eyes to dart around without making it obvious.
'Don't worry, I think it is one of my admirers rather than one of yours.' Said Naruto.
'As if you have any admirers.' Scoffed Sasuke.
'Don't tell me you're jealous? I'm sure we could swing by the academy and pick up a few fans if you want.' Said Naruto, causing Yakumo to raise her hand to her face to hide her smile.
'Forget I said anything, but is it really okay to let someone watch us training?' Asked Sasuke.
'Don't worry about it, Sasuke, I told you, you'll need to get comfortable facing a different pair of eyes eventually.' Said Naruto, patting Sasuke on the shoulder.
As the two took their stances, Yakumo slid down against a tree coming to rest on her bottom with her legs outstretched.
'Ready?' Asked Naruto.
'Ready.' Said Sasuke, before the pair dashed forward.
Naruto, always the aggressor in their fights pulled out a kunai and held it in a reverse grip, before attacking with an upward slash. Sasuke ducked and slid down aiming to kick Naruto's legs and drop him to the ground, only for the blonde to somersault back. Naruto brought the kunai down looking to stab Sasuke in the face only for the boy to raise both arms in a cross grip, blocking Naruto's forearm from advancing the kunai any further than just a finger away from his noise. Having stopped the momentum, Sasuke wrapped his arms around Naruto's and pulled, before using his legs to help him throw Naruto over his head and causing him to release the kunai. Sasuke flipped over on to his front before picking up the kunai and throwing it at Naruto. Naruto landed on his feet with the grace of a cat, before plucking his kunai out of mid-air and charging at Sasuke again. Sasuke was prepared this time and launched a handful of shuriken before going through a few hand signs.
'Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu.' Said Sasuke, releasing a basketball sized blob of fire with a trail behind it.
Much to the surprise of their unseen onlooker, Naruto charged directly into the path of the fireball, ducking the hastily thrown shuriken, before clapping his hands, causing the fireball to flare up to the sides, before parting his hands, causing the fireball to split down the middle. Sasuke only had a moment to blink in shock before Naruto gave him an uppercut and followed it up with a side kick, sending him in to a tree before a kunai thudded into the bark of the tree just next to his right earlobe, drawing the tiniest drop of blood.
'Dead. You are getting better though.' Said Naruto, as his hand glowed green before he pulled his kunai out of the tree, simultaneously healing Sasuke's ear at the same time.
'What did you do to the fireball?' Asked a dazed Sasuke.
'What do you mean? I split it in half.' Replied Naruto.
'You know what I mean, how did you split it in half!' Asked Sasuke in irritation.
'Oh that, you need to get more practice fighting Sand Ninja… actually, that gives me an idea. What do you say to a field trip this weekend?' Asked Naruto.
'Where to?' Asked Sasuke in confusion.
'The Land of Wind.' Said Naruto, causing Sasuke to tilt his head.
'And you can just go there?' Asked Sasuke, which caused Naruto to laugh and sling his arm around Sasuke.
'Really? You still haven't realised how to get around this place yet? Oh Sasuke, for a supposedly smart guy, you can be pretty dumb at times. Just leave it to me.' Said Naruto.
'That was new.' Said Yakumo, as the pair approached her.
'Well, I don't want to make Sasuke feel left out, I keep secrets from everyone not just him.' Said Naruto with a wink.
Naruto let go of Sasuke and offered Yakumo a hand to help her stand. The girl took the hand gingerly and slowly raised herself to her feet using the tree to brace herself.
'Sure you don't just want a piggyback ride?' Asked Naruto, seeing Yakumo straining slightly to adjust to standing again.
'Not today, maybe later in the week.' Said Yakumo.
'Ok. Sasuke, you make sure Yakumo gets home safe and avoid your legion of admirers. I need to see about our friend.' Said Naruto.
'Where is it?' Asked Sasuke.
'Just let Yakumo lead the way. It might also be useful to ask her about Genjutsu, considering your pretty poor awareness of surroundings.' Said Naruto.
As Sasuke and Yakumo headed off Naruto remained in the clearing for a moment, before making his way back into the village. Deciding to have a bit of fun, Naruto started to make his way to the Hyuuga Clan compound. As Naruto got closer and closer, he noticed his observer maintained their distance. As Naruto got nearer and nearer to the compound, he noticed a new set of eyes on him. Naruto recognised his observer was not a Hyuuga and was likely the person who had been watching the early morning altercation. With the tiniest of frowns Naruto raised his head to the sky, placing his hands behind his head.
"I can't quite tell. It seems like it is Kakashi, but also might be Danzo. Danzo would never be so obvious; he would know I could tell I am being followed. Kakashi wouldn't have any reason to do so stealthily though, as he would be able to just come right up to me. Am I wrong about who is following me? Hmm, who else could it be?" Thought Naruto, before feeling the presence disappear, almost as though it had sensed Naruto was discerning their identity.
Now back to a single tail, Naruto decided to backtrack and confront his tracker. It was as Naruto doubled-back that he sensed a new set of eyes watching him from inside the compound. It was harder than Naruto thought to sneak up on his pursuer unaware, their visual prowess proving a difficult challenge, but not an unassailable one with some carefully timed chakra flares. As Naruto's pursuer shook their head to regain their vision for the fourth time, they noticed Naruto had vanished.
'You know, if you had an extra eye, you would have seen me.' Whispered Naruto, causing his tracker to let out a yelp of surprise.
The startled girl whirled around to see Naruto grinning at her with his eyes closed.
'You'd be pretty good at hide-and-seek, but shouldn't you be going home soon?' Asked Naruto as he opened his eyes.
'I-I wanted to thank you for earlier today.' Said Hinata.
'Hmm? You shouldn't need to thank me for standing up to a bunch of bullies. If you really want to thank me, next time you see some bullies bullying someone, stand up to them, especially if it is yourself they are bullying. There won't always be someone around to help, but when you can help, you should, shouldn't you?' Questioned Naruto.
'Yes… but it is hard. I would rather they not bully in the first place.' Said Hinata.
'Then like I said, you need to become strong enough that they won't ever dream of bullying you. You don't have to hurt someone every time, but you could set an example. You want people to stop bullying, but if no one ever stands up to them, why should they? Even if you hide from them, they can always find someone else to pick on.' Said Naruto.
Naruto stood up and prepared to leave before turning back and saying one last thing over his shoulder.
'Also, don't forget, but watching someone get bullied and doing nothing makes you just as bad as the bullies. See you later.' Said Naruto, before walking off.
Hinata took a moment to let that statement sit with her, before making her way home. Naruto felt the timid Hyuuga stop watching him, before making his way to an empty alley and sliding down into the sewer network under the village. Making his way into the lab, Naruto noted the only other two Uchiha in the village aside from Sasuke.
'Well Mikoto, looks like Sasuke is popular at school. I wonder if you would be happy or annoyed about that, Sasuke is definitely annoyed.' Said Naruto, noting the ball of energy seemed to bob as Naruto spoke.
Naruto sighed as he sat in front of Mikoto's energy.
'Sorry I haven't had much luck figuring out how to get you back into a body. I have enough components that I could use a tethering seal, but I don't know if it would be suitable for you. I promise I'm working on it though; I just might need a bit more time and some samples.' Said Naruto, expressing his disappointment that he hadn't been able to restore Mikoto to the flesh just yet.
Turning to the body that he did have but seemed to be lacking a mind, Naruto observed the even rise and fall of the subject's chest. It seemed Mikoto caught on and hovered to the head of the body, with Naruto seated at the foot.
'What do you think, Mikoto, will we wake her up or get you a body first?' Asked Naruto.
Mikoto circled the unknown Uchiha's head twice before moving towards Naruto.
'You can't be serious, you can't go in there, there is no guarantee you will be able to come out.' Said Naruto, only for the ball of energy that was Mikoto to slow in its movement.
'I know you want to help Mikoto, but let me help you first, don't take an unnecessary risk.' Said Naruto, causing the ball to slowly move up and down, signifying its acceptance of Naruto's point.
'It might be worth trying something else though. I can't get Itachi, but maybe Sasuke might be a good substitute.' Said Naruto, causing Mikoto to sway from side to side.
'Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt him, in fact, why don't you come with us this weekend, we're going to go on a field trip.' Said Naruto, causing Mikoto to still in mid-air.
'Just going to get him some combat experience against some bandits, nothing too dangerous. If we run in to any enemy shinobi, I'll make sure we retreat.' Said Naruto, causing Mikoto to move slowly towards Naruto's face.
'Like I said, you can come with us. No one can hurt you like that anyway, but you have to be careful not to be seen by Sasuke, or even worse, distract him.' Said Naruto, causing Mikoto to move up and down again.
'I'll come back at the end of the week. I shouldn't spend too much time hiding now that I'm at the academy. I don't even know if you can feel stressed like that, but try to relax for the next few days.' Said Naruto, before making his way out of his lab and going back to the village to make his presence known for a few hours before going home.
-line break-
Early the next day, Sasuke made his way to the academy. Deciding it would be better to get a start on the day before being assaulted by both boring and annoying thought content, Sasuke walked into the classroom and took his seat at the front of the class.
'Hey there, you're here early.' Said Shin, startling Sasuke from his musing.
'Like you can talk.' Said Sasuke, noting Shin's friend Sai was also there.
'We merely wanted to speak with you before classes started. It seems it won't be possible during class with how popular you are.' Said Sai, causing Sasuke to frown.
'Fine, what did you want to talk about?' Asked Sasuke.
'We just wanted to make your acquaintance.' Said Sai.
'Yeah, you can never have too many friends, at least it keeps your fans away, right?' Asked Shin.
'Hm, thanks then.' Said Sasuke.
'I guess that makes us your second and third boyfriend now.' Said Sai, causing Shin to laugh and shake his head.
'Second and third? Who is my first?' Asked Sasuke in confusion.
'The male blond, Naruto of course. You two started some interesting rumours yesterday.' Said Sai, causing Sasuke to scowl.
'Sai, it isn't boyfriends, we are friends who are boys, not boyfriends.' Said Shin.
'Hmm? I have seen girls call other girls their girlfriends though, can we not do the same?' Asked Sai.
'I mean you can, it is just people don't usually word it like that.' Said Shin.
'Did you two want something from me, or are you just here to start off my morning headache?' Asked Sasuke, his left eyebrow twitching slightly.
'Nothing in particular.' Said Sai, before the pair sat next to Sasuke.
Unfortunately for Sasuke, some of his fans decided to come in early in order to try and get a seat next to him, having successfully deduced he would gravitate towards the front row window seat. For this reason, it was with some disappointment that they noticed the spots next to him had been taken, but those behind had not, with many of them making a beeline for the row behind Sasuke. As half the room was filled, Naruto finally entered, holding Yakumo's things, with her entering behind him. Naruto internally laughed at seeing Sasuke's neighbours and decided to amuse himself with another Doujutsu wielder today. Naruto led Yakumo to the back row and sat in the middle with Yakumo taking the inner aisle seat. It was minutes later that Hinata entered and noted the two sitting in the row where she had intended to sit. After a moment of indecision, seeing most of the seats had been filled with students already and not wanting to sit in any of the remaining spots, Hinata gathered her nerve and made to sit in the spot next to Naruto near the wall.
'Settle down everyone. Now then, if everyone behaves before lunch, we may be able to do some practical training in the afternoon.' Said the dark haired Chunin instructor, as he entered with his lighter haired counterpart.
"Doing practical stuff on day two? Maybe this academy won't be so boring after all." Thought Sasuke.
Naruto on the other hand narrowed his eyes, having heard how a large chunk of the Academy curriculum was purely theoretical for almost the first two years before moving to an integrated model with the last six months being solely practical except for jutsu theory and information on Genin roles and responsibilities.
"I wonder who made this happen. I doubt Danzo has the influence to pull something like this off and Kakashi wouldn't bother, he was barely in the Academy at all, so he knows nothing here will be that useful. The old man is the most likely culprit, but the reasoning is not there." Thought Naruto, furrowing his brow slightly.
-line break-
As Naruto spent most of the day mulling over the potential instigator of the changes to the curriculum, it soon became lunch time. Hinata quickly slunk away from her classmates with Sai and Shin also leaving quickly. Sasuke seeing himself now uncovered quickly made his way to Naruto and Yakumo.
'Lunch time.' Said Naruto simply, with Sasuke waiting patiently for the two to get up and gather their things.
'I got to admit Sasuke, I would have thought you would have learnt after yesterday.' Said Naruto.
'How was I supposed to know you would be late?' Asked Sasuke.
'You pick the same seat every time, it makes you an easy target.' Said Naruto, as the three walked outside.
'It's the best seat though.' Protested Sasuke.
'Sometimes you have to give up something you like to protect yourself. Besides, what would you do if I wasn't even here, that'd be one less person buffer for you, what then?' Questioned Naruto.
'If you weren't here, I wouldn't be here.' Said Sasuke simply.
'What if you don't know in advance though, would you skip school?' Asked Naruto curiously.
'Well, if there wasn't anything useful then maybe.' Said Sasuke uncertainly.
'How can you know though? We didn't know they would be doing Shurikenjutsu today until we came in.' Pointed out Naruto.
'Point taken.' Said Sasuke sourly.
'Don't dwell on it too much, you never know what tomorrow might bring.' Said Naruto.
After a rather uneventful lunch, Iruka and Mizuki, the pair of Chunin instructors, came outside and directed everyone to a small target range. The were a dozen targets lined up and some practice kunai and shuriken placed ten metres away from them. Iruka and Mizuki both demonstrated correct technique, with Mizuki using shuriken and Iruka using kunai before they let the students step up to the plate in alphabetical order. Towards the end there were only four people left alphabetically which include Naruto, Sasuke, Yakumo and another girl named Ino Yamanaka.
'Hey Mizuki-Sensei, can you show me how to hold these things?' Asked Naruto.
The white-haired instructor smiled and walked over to Naruto before advising him on how to hold the shuriken.
'Can I have a test throw first?' Asked Naruto, to which Mizuki nodded, now also drawing the attention of the other three alongside him.
Naruto launched a shuriken and it went wide of the target by about a metre, causing some of the other students to laugh, with Sasuke quirking an eyebrow in confusion.
'Hey Iruka-Sensei, can you show me how to hold these as well?' Asked Naruto, showing the instructor a kunai.
The dark-haired instructor hesitated for a moment, before walking over to Naruto and providing him with a few pointers as well. Naruto then picked up a kunai and launched it with it being in the vertical plane of dead centre, but soaring over the target into the tree behind it. Again, some of the class laughed, but less so, as this was a closer throw.
'What a loser!' Laughed the boy with the small dog.
'Hey, it was a test run, I'm ready for the real thing now.' Said Naruto defensively.
'Okay, in that case, is everyone ready?' Asked Mizuki, getting a nod from the others.
Everyone picked up their weapons and prepared to throw them at their targets. Given there were only four of them, eight of the targets were left unattended, causing Naruto to adopt a mischievous smirk. As the other three launched their weapons, Naruto threw his out away from his target. The class laughed for a few seconds, before multiple metallic clanging sounds ran out. Moments later all the kunai and shuriken had all met the centre of the target, across all twelve targets. A stunned silence passed over the students, before Naruto started laughing.
'Haha, got ya! I'm awesome, believe it.' Said Naruto, with a grin at their speechless expressions.
