Chapter 9: Just Some Bully

Half a year has passed and Naruto & Sasuke made a lot of progress. Their chakra control was near perfect and these days they were using chakra to enhance their bodies to do physical exercise which they were doing it for 6 hours a day. They weren't worried about the half yearly exams because they were ready for it.

All the teachers have given up on sabotaging Naruto in the academy. When it comes to studies Naruto knew more than he should as compared to kids his age and sometimes he spouts something which even teachers can't understand. When it comes to physical he was one of the strongest in his age group as he sparred everyday with Sasuke Uchiha and was sometimes got tips from Might Guy who was a taijutsu specialist so he doesn't need any teachers help. And now they can't even grade him wrongly because in half a year the whole village got the knowledge that the demon was a nerd. It was very hard for them to stop the progress rate of Naruto Uzumaki.

On the day of the exams, Naruto got some confidence in him as he likes all his teachers who always ask him if he needs anything and keep him on his toes when it comes to studies from the syllabus and out of it to.

The whole day was spent on the academy because of grading in the physicals which was to be done individually and each student had to remain seated till all the students were graded. Naruto and Sasuke still did their daily practice at the academy by sticking the leaf on different part of their body. When they reached home they were greeted by Mikoto who cooked a wonderful meal for them for a job well done in the exams. After eating they went a sleep immediately.

Mikoto was happy with her situation now seeing Sasuke smiling like never before, it was Fugaku's idea to come and prepare dinner for the boys as it was their special day, Itachi well he getting out of their hand with all the freedom they gave him as child and now there was another family member on the way. Naruto was also now opening up to her and let her wash his hair & make a pony tail. The next day result was going to be announced and she wanted to be there for both of them as they will be ranked.

The next day, Sasuke is excited because he wants to know where he stands in his class. He can lose to Naruto because he knew dude was smart as hell I mean if it weren't for him he would be right where he was before meeting him but he refuse to be lower than others because in his point of view they are not good enough. Naruto on the other hand didn't really care about the ranking as it was meaningless to him because he know the true meaning behind the ranking; it was to increase competiveness among them which would result in result in motivation. Naruto doesn't need these ranking to motivate him to study; all he needed is some curiosity.

Each and every kid who studied in the academy was present with their parents to see how their child did in the academy. Mikoto & Fugaku were also present with Naruto & Sasuke and today for some reason the need for wanting to glare at Naruto was high but no one did seeing Uchiha clan head with him.

There were many children who crying and going home cause they failed the exams and some like Kiba were glad they passed by a margin. Sasuke running forward reaching the ranking board and seeing the number one student name Naruto and in the second was him burst with joy.

Sasuke: Mom, mom; I came second and Naruto is first.

Mikoto pinched Fugaku's back.

Fugaku: You did good Sasuke I am proud of you (said with a weird face).

Sasuke: Okay (blank face). Hey Naruto how do you feel being on top of the class?

Fugaku: This punk doesn't even care about my compliment.

Naruto: Nothing (blank face).

Sasuke: I knew you would say that. Come on let's meet Guy Sensei tell him.

Guy: Did someone called me?

Sasuke: Sensei, guess who is on top of their class?

Lee: Neji Hyuga.

Sasuke: Bro I was talking about my class.

Guy: Hmm, I saw your result and I must say I am very proud of you both.

Sasuke: Thank you sensei (happy).

Fugaku: His complement you care for (anger).

After this small meeting they went for Ichiraku Ramen for celebration. And with some exercise they went a sleep because they got school for a month before summer holiday.

The next day is the most hardest for Naruto because of the ranking. Today Naruto was not safe with hateful glare like yesterday which was projected at him. He felt the full force of those eyes. All the student who failed, got lower marks or placed on the rank not to their liking blamed Naruto for it, why because that was what they learnt from their parents who console them by telling that it was all his fault not theirs if he was not in their class teachers would surely pay attention to them rather than being distracted by that freak of nature. Some parents even said that Naruto must have cheated and sabotage their test to be on the top. There were many different reasons flying around the academy.

Seats were rearranged and now Naruto is sitting on the corner back bench away from Sasuke who used to help him to deal with others. Now he was alone sitting constant being teased, pinched, slapped, and getting his notebook spoiled. Teachers knew what was happening because they were chunin and nothing could go unnoticed especially what bunch of children were doing but they didn't try to lift a finger to stop.

Sasuke knew what was happening and he point it out to the teachers but they denied his claim saying they saw nothing. Hinata & Kiba knew what was happening and tried to back up Sasuke in his claim but the teachers didn't believe them either. Sasuke was angry, very angry which was when he unlocked his sharingan which also went unnoticed by everyone, even him.

Naruto silently cried the whole time till lunch break but during that time every other person cursed him and hit him with the teachers ignoring. Naruto himself lost count on how many times he said sorry soaking his entire shirt. He couldn't run away from the middle of the class because he thought he would make his teachers angry too, so as soon as the bell rang he ran away.

Sasuke couldn't follow Naruto because he was too fast and Hinata & Kiba were not able to help because they didn't learn there clan's ability. The entire class was confused seeing the 3 clan heirs act up but they could not find where Naruto went. Some children in the back were grinning on their work done which was noted by Shikamaru & Choji who also volunteer to look for Naruto during lunch break. Teachers found the clan heirs pushed them back into their class when break was over leaving Sasuke furious.

During lunch break Naruto mistakenly entered he Sasuke fan-club's secret meeting room to cry alone but to his luck all members from each year come to room and saw Naruto sitting the corner. Ino & Ami saw the hair and recognized him. The girls also made fun him, jealous of his hair stick a lot of chewing gum on it, found some black paint covered his hair & clothes and idiot was written back of the neck.

Sakura was not a part of this, whatever this was. She knew how it feels when someone teased you and this was going beyond just some teasing. She tried to stop Ino, Ami & others but instead was taunted like how is she in love that good for nothing. She didn't deny their but instead successfully made all the girls leave him alone.

Ino felt weird after Sakura got so defensive about Naruto. She didn't feel that she did anything wrong, to her it was some harmless prank nothing more. Then with last glance she turned around to look at him she saw his teared filled eyes and when tried to wash her hand the paint didn't come off then a realization hit her that it was grease. She quickly ran towards him but he was already gone. A horrible feeling came in her gut realizing what she had done to Naruto.

Today was not Naruto's day as when he came to the roof to find solitude he found more 11 years old bullies who beat him up and he took it think he probably deserve this, he must have caused trouble in the academy which is why everyone is angry with him and he didn't deserve to be on the top of the class that is why the teachers are also mad at him otherwise they would have helped him in the class. The only words came out of his mouth was I am sorry and then he was knocked out cold.

Sasuke quickly ran home thinking he would be there or he might come later. Little did he know that Naruto was on the roof unconscious.

After an hour Naruto woke up remembered what happened and like the old days went to the market. The place where he usually got his hair product also gives haircut. He silently walked in the store which thankfully was empty.

Saleswoman didn't particularly liked Naruto either not because she knew about the nine tails fox or was harmed or hurt in any way during the nine tails attack but everyone around her hated him, so to not feel odd one out she also started hating him. But little did she knew her heart came to her throat when she fulfilled his request made by him and gave him some new clothes to wear it home.

Saleswoman: Naruto who did his to you? You can tell?

Naruto: Please don't worry it was my fault anyway.

With a smile Naruto left the shop. And was quickly noticed by everyone with his new look. Naruto quickly ran towards the home. As soon as he entered the house Sasuke rushed towards him.

Sasuke: What happened (noticing his bald head and different clothes)? Where were you?

Naruto: Just went for a haircut. I probably needed it (trying not to cry).

Sasuke: (Noticing he was about to cry) who was it?

Naruto: No one, it was my fault anyway.

Sasuke: You know it is okay to cry when you feel like it (tears rolling in through his face).

Both of them burst into tears holding other like their life depended on it.