Chapter 2: The Academy
I don't own Naruto. UPDATED FEB 12th 2024 (MAJOR CHANGES)
Hiruzen strode into the pristine and sterile white room as he walked along the smooth white floors he walked over to Naruto. "Naruto it's time for you to go outside" He stated sternly, Naruto's face showed no emotion, he nodded and followed Hiruzen to the exit.
As they left the building Naruto marveled at the buildings towering over him and the seemingly infinite blue sky. It was very colorful just like how Haruki had described it.
He carefully analyzed his surroundings, noting the sheer amount of people in the area. For what he could count, there were hundreds of them, inside stories, talking with one another. Hiruzen guided him to a small apartment and gave him the keys. "You will live here from now on and the academy starts in two days so be prepared to make sure to get some notebooks, pencils and maybe some new clothes" with that the hokage handed him 100000 ryo and told him to spend it on necessities.
Naruto opened the door to his new apartment and looked around. There was a table and a few chairs and a small futon with an industrial sized trash can in the corner. The dark lime green walls surrounded him.
He quickly explored his entire apartment before deciding to go outside and get some food and possibly some supplies.
He entered the shop slightly amazed by the infrastructure. It was large and expansive although there were several design flaws. He looked around to see two almost identical individuals, one of them being taller than the other. But upon closer inspection he recognized them as Nara. It was clearly father and son. They seemed to be debating buying some school supplies.
Naruto walked over and grabbed the items Hiruzen recommended and paid before leaving.
He wondered what the academy entailed for him and maybe just maybe it would give him a challenge.
His nose smelt something and immediately he was reminded of his hunger. He looked around briefly and found the source of the smell he walked over to the stand and sat down. He looked at the menu and he frowned when he didn't recognize the dishes. All he knew was rice balls, cooked beef and a few fruits and vegetables. He began doing the calculations. He calculated the estimated volume of the bowl, the ratio between noodles, meat and soup. "Could I get a Pork tonkotsu ramen?" He asked "Sure thing the old man said".
Naruto left with his hunger satisfied but his mind still wandering.
Danzo's POV
Danzo looked over Naruto's records throughout all his fights and all his tests, never once did his heart rate spike higher than normal. Nearly every test he had completed had 100%. He had never lost a fight, never lost a match of chess, never missed a kunai target and even managed to beat the chunin instructors in a taijutsu match. He was perfect. Then Danzo frowned and realized that the boy would be wasting his time at the academy but he wouldn't let that happen.
Naruto's POV
Naruto sat down at his new desk and set up a chess board and moved a piece and for hours Naruto played chess with himself. What he found odd was that he won several times with both sides. His prediction was since he was equally skilled on both sides he would win with white since it had an inherent but very small advantage
.
So it must mean he was better with black but then he would have won with black every time. He signed before resetting the chess board and heading to bed.
/
Naruto woke up to rays of sunlight hitting his eyes and he slowly prepared himself for the day ahead, he put on an white flak jacket and white sweatpants, his hair still messy and relatively long. Today was the first day of academy although he didn't show Naruto couldn't help but be excited. After all, the academy was one place that maybe someone could challenge him, maybe this person can beat him in chess or a physical fight. He let out a small smile.
Naruto was waiting patiently for the academy doors to open. But when on the walk to the academy. He noticed that people were staring at with looks of hatred and anger. He didn't not know why but it didn't really affect him in any way so he just went on with his day.
He waited, seeing more and more children arrive at the academy but some of their parents had given him some dirty looks. Naruto shrugged this off, walked into the building and entered his class. He was the first one there and picked a seat near the back to get a better view of the class.
Kids slowly filtered in 1 by 1. Naruto carefully analyzed each person discreetly trying to guess personality traits, weaknesses, insecurities and strengths.
In the end when the entire class arrived Naruto was intrigued by some of his classmates especially the clan kids and last Uchiha. He carefully looked at them and already had seen some friend groups being built like The Nara and the Akimichi seemed to be getting along.
The Uchiha had taken the seat next to him. Naruto carefully observed his behavior. He seemed angry and filled with hatred and sadness. Naruto decided not to interact with him, deeming it to be a waste of time.
Iruka entered the class and ordered everyone to quiet down. "Welcome to the first day of the Ninja academy of Konoha. Today we will be going over expectations rules and how the system works." He began. Naruto pondered what he does by how the system works he thought to himself. "Expectations are that you try your hardest to graduate, You listen to teacher instructions and meet to minimum requirements for entry into the Ninja corp of Konoha additional if you wish to specialize in any field we offer medical ninjutsu, Black ops, advanced ninjutsu courses, advanced taijutsu courses and an advanced genjutsu course but those are restricted third years and above.
To pass this year, you must have a minimum of 65 in all courses and the bottom student of this year's graduation exam will be expelled permanently." Iruka said with a slight edge to his voice "This year will consist of basic chakra theory, basic taijutsu, Ninja protocol, Basic survival training, History of Konoha and basic kunai and shuriken usage. Also our academy includes several clubs, a variety of sports and a chess club" He explained. Naruto carefully digested the information he frowned upon when he realized that all his courses were basic. He had learned these courses years ago. He sighed, if the curriculum wasn't going to give him a challenge, he hoped at least one of his classmates would. But his interest peaked with the chess club; maybe someone was good enough to beat him.
"The class system works by ranking the classes based on the grade average and specific tests. The two bottom classes will compete in a competition to determine who will have to retake the year." Iruka explained. Naruto dwelled on the rules. It was straight forward the part where the bottom classes were to face was to encourage teamwork among students. So the top ranking students could help the bottom students. It was an interesting idea.
"Now then everybody we don't we do introductions who wants to go first?" Iruka asked. Nobody raised their hands. Iruka decided ok then if that's not happening I will attend "Is Akimichi Chouji here?" "Here" Chouji said looking quite nervous, "why don't you come and introduce yourself?" Iruka ordered Chouji to walk in front of class and spoke. "I am Chouji Akimichi, I like food and hope to make some friends," he said quietly. Iruka clapped "The next person is…"
Naruto waited for it to be his turn while waiting. He tried to hear as such as he could but seating in the very top had some issues. "Uzumaki Naruto!" Iruka called and Naruto left his seat and went to the board. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki, I hope our class can graduate as number one" his expression never changed. Iruke nodded, signaling him to go back to his seat.
Shikamaru's POV
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow and every person that went up showed some nervousness or some fear even though he felt a little nervous himself yet Naruto walked up to the stage without hesitation his expression never changed and he spoke with confidence.
It was unusual and unusual things always interested him.
/
Naruto slept through the majority of his classes. He was incredibly bored. The material in class were things he had learned and mastered. He desired something difficult to test the limits of his capabilities.
Sasuke's POV
Sasuke glanced at the boy beside him and scoffed what a failure, he's going to be the deadlast . He thought to himself. Sasuke smirked, he was very much ahead of his peers. But still a feeling in the back of his head telling him something was wrong. He glanced back over to the blonde and the feeling got stronger and something told him he was very wrong.
Sasuke continued analyzing the blonde he doesn't even know how to dress like a proper shinobi he thought to himself. The bright white sweater and sweatpants were the complete opposite of what a ninja should wear. It was bright, easily dirtied and very noticeable.
"It's time for taijutsu, " Iruka declared "everyone follow me in a single file line" he continued Sasuke smirked. Finally, he would be able to prove himself.
"Hey Sasuke," Naruto said, and Uchiha looked back at him. "What?" Sasuke practically scowled. "Why are you doing this?" Naruto asked in his voice as calmly as ever.
Sasuke looked back at him with a fierce glare, "that's none of your goddamn business." He scowled at the blonde. Naruto's face remained unchanged but his eyes seemed darker.. "You can keep running away Sasuke and running away to cling to your loneliness and despair. And someday when you have matured enough to have allies, you may face me." Sasuke froze at Naruto's words, and Naruto stared right into his soul. But without a word left. Sasuke was horribly reminded of what Itachi had said to him. And found that Naruto's tone and words gave him that same terrible fear that Itachi gave, he left like he was seven years old again coming back from the playground to find his parents dead and Itachi standing over them.
Iruka's voice interrupted his thoughts "Sasuke Uchiha vs Shikamaru Nara '' Sasuke quickly cleared his mind and continued to think about Naruto's words. They repeated in his mind over and over again.
Sasuke entered the circle where Shikamaru was waiting. The battle was short Sasuke had kicked Shikamaru right out the circle. "Winner Sasuke Uchiha" he declared. The girls seemed to blush in the corner and Sasuke walked out the circle still thinking about Naruto's words.
/
Sasuke couldn't sleep no matter what he tossed and turned but both Narutos and Itachi's words were so similar he couldn't get it out of his head. He went outside for some fresh air and to clear his mind. But when he walked by his bench he saw Naruto sitting there with a chess board and seemingly playing against himself under the dim street lamp.
Sasuke for a moment did not know what to do. He could go over and walk by without saying anything or he could just turn back but he decided to go by. "Hey" Naruto said, still staring at the board, with a blank expression. "What?" Sasuke asked with a scowl. "Would you like to play a match?" Naruto asked in an emotionless voice. Sasuke looked back at the blonde, carefully considering the offer before deciding it wouldn't negatively impact him in any way.
He sat down and nodded for the game. 10 minutes later he frowned, he was losing and losing badly he didn't know what to do but his thoughts were interrupted by Naruto's monotone voice "Do you know why you are losing?" the blonde asked. "No," Sasuke said, continuing to look at the board. "It is because your pieces don't cooperate." Naruto explained moving another piece. Sasuke frowned, he tried to see what Naruto was talking about but he couldn't find where his pieces did not cooperate "what do you mean?" He asked, frowning at the board.
"Look, the rook here is not participating in the battle at all, your pawns are disconnected and vulnerable. This bishop on c6 is very weak. And the reason you lost both your knights is because while they were under attack you only focused on the queen." Naruto explained, Sasuke continued analyzing the board before deciding Naruto was right he was being careless with his pieces.
Naruto looked at him, this is you in real life; you are the queen, it is the most powerful and important piece and the weaker pieces are the other people in class. They respect you for your abilities yet you still refuse to help them, you leave them to their own devices, Sasuke when it comes to academics and physical capabilities you could single handedly raise our grade average but you don't. This is why our class is failing. " Naruto stated looking at the board. Sasuke looked back at Naruto "How do you know our class is failing?" Sasuke asked, skeptical of Naruto's knowledge. "It's really obvious our most talented classmates such as yourself aren't participating. "So you want me to help the class?" Sasuke asked, "No, ultimately that is up to you, I am just giving you a recommendation." Naruto stated his expression never changing. "Also that's checkmate" he said, placing down a knight.
Sasuke nodded and walked away from the bench as Naruto packed up his board and pieces. Who are you, Naruto Uzumaki? He thought to himself before walking home
/
Naruto's POV 5 hours earlier.
The first day of the academy had ended and he was disappointed, it had not met his expectations. After watching the others spar he decided that no one was on his level. He signed and walked to a different hallway where he found Room 234, apparently the room where the chess club was being held. He decided to join since maybe it could be fun but when he entered over 20 pairs of black eyes analyzed his form.
He walked into the room and sat down. The entire club was just Naras and 4 other kids who weren't Naruto walked over to the nearest desk and sat down. A teacher walked in and said "Welcome to the first day of the chess club. He stated.
Shikamaru's POV
He was surprised when Naruto had walked in with not many kids that weren't Nara joined the chess club. Yet again something usual about him, but Shikamaru would make sure to play him.
/
Naruto sat down at infront of his opponent, they had open random draws and the teacher had taught the basics of the game. His opponent was Shikarou Nara. The third best player in the school, he was a whole 2 years older than him and had a lazy expression. "Alright let's do this" Nara said in a monotone voice before moving his piece.
30 minutes later the older boy was scratching his head. He was in a difficult position. Naruto had made a simple move that looked like a blunder sacrificing a knight. But now over 16 moves later Naruto had forked his queen and bishop but still he was winning and could and had forced checkmate in 3. A ninja came into the room "I have orders to bring Naruto Uzumaki to the Hokage tower" he explained Naruto nodded before getting up from his seat and walking away with the Ninja. Well atleast I would have won, he thought to himself before realizing that he had just spoken his words out loud.
Shikamaru looked at his cousin's board and realized something. "What do you mean?" he asked Shikarou. "I had forced mate in three" he stated "but Naruto had forced mate in two" Shikamaru said with a frown. Shikarou froze "Wait what?" he asked.
Shikamaru moved a piece then another and there it was mate. He looked shocked and even Shikamaru looked surprised from what he saw. Naruto was lazy and slept through his classes and lost a taijutsu match against Kiba. He wasn't anything special. But he seemed to be wrong. Naruto had just beaten the third highest ranked player in the Academy, a feat even he struggled with. Just who are you, Naruto Uzumaki? He asked himself.