Chapter-4

Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto.

Naruto returned home from his second day at Academy and it was as boring as his first one. Entering his home, he found his windows open and sandals at his front door. Seeing this the boy was confused and afraid nobody comes to his room when he wasn't there. Kakashi, old man and Mikoto all came when Naruto was present. With kunai in hand the boy gulped and went ahead "Who's there." "Who, you want to know brat" came a voice from inside. Naruto gulped "Tell me who you are dattebayo. Or I will call shinobi to kick your ass" blurted out the boy.

"Kick my ass. You think some random shinobi can beat The Man of who tamed the West! The Hero of East! Lover of every woman from North to South! The Legendary Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku! The one and only! The Great Gallant Jiraya!" came the voice of Sanin as he gave a weird pose

"Dammit Pervy Sage you scared me" screamed the blonde Uzumaki on which Jiraya just laughed. "How are you brat. I heard you started Academy." Inquired the Sanin "Yeah, it's boring. All book stuff you know" the little blonde replied "Yeah it is, I still remember my Academy days. I of course was an amazing. Likes of which Academy haven't seen or heard"

"Like hell you were, old man told me you were dead last and I shouldn't be like you in Academy" Jiraya's bragging was cut short. "Dammit you old monkey"

"Whatever brat, I was awesome enough to become great shinobi even without taking Academy seriously. You aren't" commented the old Sage

"Whatever, how long you are here for." "A few of days at best"

"Oh" "Don't be sad kiddo, Since, you are an Academy student. You might get chance to trained by yours truly"

"Really you are gonna tarin me" "Not now kiddo, maybe once you graduate. For now, I will give you some scrolls" "What's with the look it contains some jutsu too."

"Jutsu, give it to me" "Nah, I will give them to Mikoto, I don't want her on my ass because you injured yourself because of your stupidity" grumbled the Sage

"I am not stupid dattebayo" "And I am not a super-pervert"

"Wanna go to Ichiraku"

Never to say no to Ichiraku Naruto threw his bag and pulled Jiraya out as they left Ichiraku. At the entrance Teuchi the owner of the stand greeted his favourite customer and his former teacher. "Ohayo Teuchi" "Ohayo Jiraya-sensei, Naruto-kun"

"You are back in town sensei" "Yeah for a few of days. How's business" "Similar, what do you like to order" "Miso for me and what do you want brat" "Pork" chipped the blonde "And juice too" he added. "Well, it's coming" Teuchi said as he went to work.

Naruto remembers when Jiraya first took him to Ichiraku. He was four still living in orphanage. He thought Teuchi was just like others treating him right because of Jiraya and will hate him after that. But the day he realised Teuchi was different was when once Mikoto was out of the village with her family. She left meals for him but he spilled them on accident. Kakashi was on mission too. Naruto then decided to ask Third Hokage for something as the shops didn't serve him. But his secretary kicked him out.

As he walking still hungry, he came near Ichiraku still afraid to go in. Teuchi saw him and called him and treated him to a meal. When Naruto asked to pay for it the man declined saying it was on the house and he was welcome to eat whenever he wants. From that day Naruto always used to spare cash to buy Ichiraku.

In those days Naruto formed many friends with Sasuke not there he was afraid to go to the park but when he went Ino, Chouji and Shikamaru still played with him. Chouji dad even said he was allowed to eat at Akimichi restaurants for free. Although Naruto went there very less as the waiters didn't like him too and glared at him. They even try to mess with his food.

Even guys on the second floor gave him breakfast. Naruto found out their names were Hayate, Genma and Raido and they didn't hate him too. Naruto thoughts were interrupted by the delicious smell of Teuchi's ramen.

Naruto and Jiraya chatted with Teuchi and his daughter Ayame as she returned from her school and left after paying up the bill.

A couple of days have passed and Naruto and after Naruto's continuous pestering Jiraya decided to teach Naruto something. So, we find ourselves near a bathhouse with an annoyed Naruto with a leaf in his hand. "Dammit why can't this stupid leaf stick" yelled the blonde "Shh, brat you will give our location" replied Jiraya as peeped on the lady's side. "I wouldn't be yelling if you gave me some tips instead of peeping" came Naruto's voice in return. "Now why would I do that. You are going to be a shinobi kid. You have to learn to think for yourself"

Well, it was a half-truth, it's true that shinobi need to be independent thinkers but that comes when you become chunin and more. Genin and Academy students needed to be guided till a certain point. Jiraya didn't believe that, from the start he believes in making his students independent. This was a reason why initially his team was behind other teams even with Minato's genius and Mikoto being the Uchiha heir. But once chunin exam rolled around his team were the only ones to get all of their members promoted.

He will train Naruto the same way too. Sure, the kid didn't have Minato's intellect but Naruto was witty and his different approach towards problem was sometimes even better than Minato's ideas.

Muttering about stupid old perverts Naruto went back to sticking, Jiraya told him he needed to stick it on his forehead with chakra. But no matter what he did the leaf just exploded. He tried to concentrate but the old pervert's giggles weren't helping much. His thoughts were stopped by Jiraya nearly falling due to the one of the rocks he was standing on broke.

Naruto laughed at Jiraya "You can't even peep properly Pervy-Sage" he said between his laughs "Shut up brat, I can at least stick that leaf" shot back Jiraya. "Whatever" Naruto grumbled as he went back on leaf. Now tried to stick the leaf but it exploded again.

"What am I doing wrong, am too stupid. This stupid leaf its it can't handle my chakra. Wait handle. I am stupid, stupid. The rock on which Pervy-Sage was standing broke because he put too much weight on one rock. Maybe I am putting too much chakra" with a new approach Naruto tried again with minimal output of chakra he can muster. This time also the leaf didn't stick but it also didn't explode it just fell down. "Maybe too less" with this Naruto tried again.

After half hour of failed attempts of leaf either falling or breaking Naruto finally got it.

"Yatta, Oi Pervy-Sage look look I got it" yelled the blonde. Jiraya looked at it and smiled "Looks like you finally did huh brat" "Yeah, I realized I was putting too much chakra and then tried again and again till I did the right amount" Naruto explained with pride.

"Now teach me a jutsu" demanded the Uzumaki. "Easy there kiddo now you have to stick twenty leaves on body at the same time" "What" Jiraya laughed and said "Yup brat it's not that easy. Well, most kids would only need five but you have far more chakra than any other kid. Heck you would probably have as much chakra as a chunin now" explained the sage

"What how come, that's not fair" little Uzumaki complained. "Its good thing kid. Believe me, when you get older you will be able to fight much longer than others. Also, will be able to throw much more jutsus too" now Naruto was excited he instantly went back to practice.

After couple of hours Naruto and Jiraya went home. Before leaving Jiraya even told him if he can master the exercise before he leaves, Jiraya will add another jutsu in the scroll.

This time Naruto was practicing alone as Jiraya was practicing alone. "If it isn't whiskers" came a voice from behind "Hello to you too dumb blonde" replied Naruto "You are also blonde Naruto" retorted Ino "Well your whole clan is" Naruto chirped back. Naruto and Ino always bantered each other. It was fun as it was much lighter than that with Sasuke's. "Who is with you" Naruto asked "She is Sakura, she also goes to Academy but is in class B" answered the Yamanaka. "Oh, hi Sakura" "Hi" the girl replied.

"So, what are you doing" "Training" "Playing with leaves is training now" chuckled Ino. "Shut up. It's for chakra control needed to learn jutsu. You wouldn't know because you are dumb" retorted Uzumaki.

"It is Ino, but I heard they are going to teach it after first year" Sakura first time joined in "Really, how do you know that" "Pervy-Sage taught me" "Who" "Jiraya, the guy who pays for my apartment" "Oh that guy"

"Naruto teach us" Ino demanded. "Why would I" Naruto replied. "Because you are my friend and friends help each other" "Fine"

"So, what you have to do is take a leaf and stick it with your chakra on your forehead" explained Naruto "Seems easy" muttered Ino and then decided to try it only for her leaf to fall down. Sakura tried it to end up in same boat. After few attempts of failing multiples times. The girls got annoyed. "Oh, come on Naruto at least tell us something" demanded the pale-blonde "Why, I thought you were so smart maybe you aren't" taunted the darker-blonde.

Before another argument could escalate Sakura decided to intervene, she was getting tired with this. "Naruto-san, it would be better if you gave some hints. You are supposed to make it easier for students while teaching" Sakura said something she read it in a book. "Fine, you have to find the right amount of chakra. Too less it falls off, too much it breaks apart"

After Naruto's advice Ino and Sakura got in less than ten minutes. Sakura was the quicker of too. "Done, now how do we learn jutsu" Ino said between huffs. "God it is tiring, how is he not winded up. Sakura too has sweat all over her forehead"

"It's not that easy to learn a jutsu. You have to stick at least five to have enough control for a jutsu" Naruto reprimanded. "Huh, then why are you doing more. You already have more than 10 leaves sticking at you Naruto-san" Sakura questioned after regaining her breath. "That's because I have too much chakra. So, I would need more control than others" Naruto sheepishly responded. "I knew it the way you eat it has to go somewhere" Ino was at it again

"Hey, don't look at my food. Besides Chouji eats that much too and he doesn't have my problem" Naruto defended himself. So, what if he eats more Ino doesn't have to complain about it. "That does explain why you aren't winded. Me and Sakura are tired after only one leaf and you have going longer with much more leaves" Ino's astonishment was visible through her voice. "We are gonna leave Naruto. Chakra Exhaustion is dangerous from what my dad told me. You don't overdo it too." With this warning Ino departed with Sakura.

While Naruto was teaching, Jiraya's mission was also getting finalized with Hiruzen agreeing with the Fire Daimyo request as the Water Daimyo stated to start trade between them if Yagura is taken out. Of course, Konoha and Kiri can't trade but Hiruzen played it by asking the Lord for Konoha to have 15% of the profit from the trade. With that the mission was finalized with Jiraya, Kakashi and Shisui being the team to do it. They will depart after two days as Kakashi just returned from mission giving him the standard rest time during peacetime.

"Shisui, you have been chosen for a very important mission. You understand that don't you" asked Fugaku Uchiha. "Hai, Fugaku-sama" replied Shisui "This mission is personal to Uchiha clan too. No matter what Minato wrote there are still people in council who are suspicious of us. It's important to clear our name" came the calm but serious of Mikoto "I understand that Mikoto-sama, I will definitely put that farce to death" promised the teen "Good, prepare yourself if you need anything. Be free to come" with that Fugaku dismissed his nephew.

"Shisui, can I get a minute" asked Itachi "Well aren't I popular tonight" chuckled the older teen. "I want to come with you. But mother won't allow it and I don't think even father want me to go this time" stated the Uchiha heir. "Of course, they don't. Itachi its war there. No parent wants their kid in war"

"Then why are you going. Mother won't send you if it was this dangerous" "You think she didn't ask me to decline. But I can't do that masked man made our clan traitors. People in council still don't trust us. Some civilians still fear us. I want to clear all that" said Shisui with distain in his voice. "You told me to not to do things alone" the younger tried to argue.

"And I am not doing it alone. I have Jiraya-sama and Kakashi-senpai with me. Besides you are needed here, people of Konoha need to be reminded how important are we to village. Be the hero village is in need of" "We already have one if they just accept him" "Naruto-kun is still young and needs time to show how good he is. You need to give them that time. To both Naruto and Sasuke and all other kids too. You protect them from inside, I will save them from outside" with that Shisui flicked his forehead and left. "Take care Shisui, listen to Jiraya-sama and don't be stupid" Itachi said to his retreating form.

Two days has passed smoothly and Jiraya was trying to find Naruto. He is going to depart and will probably spend the night surrounded by lovely ladies of red-light district. He has to see the little tyke before he departs. He found the boy with Mikoto's brat.

"So, there are you brat. And you are here too brat no two" Jiraya greeted the boys. "Pervy-Sage" "Jiraya-sama" came the two greetings. "There is no need to call him that he is just an old pervert" Naruto chimed "No need, dad would punish me if I didn't treat someone like him with respect and he is mom's teacher too" Sasuke replied with shudder. Naruto shuddered too Fugaku really don't like disrespect. There is reason why he didn't to his shenanigans in front of Police Head.

"So, brat completed it." "You bet I did, I did even better" Naruto said as he took 23 leaves and stick them all over his body. "Now that's twenty-three. Good job kiddo" Jiraya praised. Naruto rubbed his back sheepishly. "I learnt it too" Sasuke chimed in as he showed it by putting 9 leaves over him. He could do more too but chakra exhaustion will catch up to him. And his brother very adamantly explained how dangerous that was to both of them. "Looks like we have another winner. Great work" Jiraya praised even made Sasuke blush.

"Now here is the jutsu" Jiraya said as he gave them the scroll for Substitution "That's substitution jutsu we are gonna learn that in our third year." Sasuke commented with barely contained excitement "Yeah, yeah now look how it is done and don't practice it now. Do it supervision" warned the sage as he showed the kids jutsu. After showing it them he decided to drop them home while giving Naruto a treat in Ichiraku.

Jiraya first arrived at the Uchiha main house. He told Naruto to wait outside and asked Sasuke to send Mikoto at front. "You can come inside sensei" asked his beautiful student. "No thanks Mikoto, I still to the treat the brat to Ichiraku before depart" answered the Sage. "Oh, fine so you are gonna leave tomorrow. You really believe its him" "My gut says so. And it hasn't been wrong" "Then please take of Shisui, he is still young barely sixteen and being sent in war" "Don't worry, Mikoto I will make sure your nephew is one piece" proclaimed her old teacher. "Oh, by the way, these are some scrolls that I written for Naruto and Sasuke too if you want" seeing the confused look

"Don't worry it's just chakra exercises and academy jutsu and with some D & C rank here and there" explained the sage. "Jutsus what's the rush, I am not letting them graduate early like Itachi" "And you don't have too I am just preparing even without the masked man his parents had many enemies who will try to get him. Sasuke too considering your own family and him being Uchiha. There is nothing wrong with extra preparation." said the sanin.

"You are right with Itachi losing his childhood this early. I didn't want Sasuke and Naruto to go through the same. But their circumstances won't allow it. Thank you for reminding me that." "No problem my wisdom is always present for my stupid students" Jiraya bragged "Sure, take care of yourself too sensei. Don't overdo it" "Caring about your old teacher Mikoto. Don't worry there is nobody present who can take down the great Toad Sage" Jiraya said as departed.

Jiraya and Naruto was sitting at Ichiraku with Jiraya having his beef ramen and Naruto enjoying pork with orange juice. "Brat, I am leaving tomorrow" Jiraya said "Oh, when will you return" Naruto said with sadness. He liked Jiraya sure he was pervert but he was fun to be around and always taught him new things too. "I don't know this time kid. It could be a year, two or even more" replied the sage "What but why, you never go away for that long" "This mission is a big one kiddo. Even for someone as legendary as me"

"Well maybe then you aren't as awesome as you think so" Naruto decide to hide his sadness through taunts. Jiraya saw it but decided to play along "Well at least I am not a shrimp" "I am not a shrimp dattebayo" yelled back the blonde. Jiraya smiled now there was that spark Naruto's verbal tick only came when he was either too angry or happy. "Sure, you aren't. Hey kid why don't you do a thing. If you master calligraphy by the time I return I would teach something cooler than ninjutsu" "Cooler than ninjutsu what's that tell me" "Now that's surprise you impatient shrimp" "Not a shrimp" Jiraya just laughed

Naruto was at his home after Jiraya dropped him off. He was going to sleep and was surprised to Kakashi knocking at his door. "What do you want Kakashi. I have to sleep you know." said a very cranky child. "Can I come in" asked the Hatake. Surprised Naruto nodded. They were past the formalities basically going to each other rooms whenever they wanted.

"Naruto I am leaving for a long mission" "You too" "Jiraya-sama told you"

" You are going with Pervy-Sage where are you two going"

"Top-secret, but I wanna say goodbye. It would be long time before we see each other. So, take care of yourself. Don't be late to Academy, study well and if you need something tell Hayate and others"

"Yup" Naruto said with barely controlled tears. Jiraya was sad enough but Naruto only saw the Sanin for few days in three or four months. So, it was fine. But Kakashi was like a big brother to him. When Naruto came in it was Kakashi who took care of him. He was the one who taught him to read and write after orphanage didn't. When Naruto gets scared with nightmares, he went to Kakashi's room. Kakashi still even helped with his homework. Sure, they annoyed each other. But Naruto really liked him.

Kakashi didn't like seeing the little blonde sad. When Naruto first came Kakashi was still scared of cursing Minato-sensei child. So, he stayed away. Even though Jiraya-sama took care of him. But seeing the scared child alone was too much especially when the child was his former teacher's. Yes, Mikoto-sama made sure Naruto had his three proper meals and even took him to play with her son too. But that wasn't enough for a child especially for one who was hated that much. So, he butted in making Naruto breakfast, talking to him and even teaching him. Kakashi was livid when he found the orphanage hasn't taught him to even read or write. So, he did all that. Naruto really became a little brother like Minato-sensei and Kushina-nee would have wanted.

Kakashi brought himself out of his thoughts as he hugged the kid. That was enough for the dam to break loose. Naruto sobs was felt on his shirt. That's why he wanted to just leave. Why did he let Guy convince him of this. He would have easily dealt with an angry Naruto than a sad one.

"It's okay, it's not like I am going forever." "But what will I do if I get scared or am stuck at homework or something" Naruto said through sobs "You are brave Naruto. I know you can take care of the nightmares and for homework you have Hayate, Genma and Raido" "But they are not you. I am gonna miss you nii-san" "Nii-san, it's the first time you called me that" "I was afraid you wouldn't want me too" muttered the boy "Of course I want you too. You too are like a little brother to me" Kakashi he desperately wanted to tell Naruto now how they would have been like brothers if that night hadn't happened.

"I am going to miss you too Naruto. I brought a gift for you too" "A gift" said the boy looking up. "The scroll for Shunshin" "Shunshin, I can learn that" "Not now once you enough control yes. So, why don't you show me when I come back that you have mastered it" The boy nodded. Kakashi ruffled his hair as he gave him the scroll and decided to leave.

"Can, I sleep with you tonight" asked Naruto with squeaky voice Kakashi hadn't heard from him from the time he came here. "Sure, besides you are gonna oversleep again." Kakashi said for both of them with a chuckle.