-Chapter 5- A dinner, an Interview-and a curious self proclaimed rival

Naruto wakes up in the middle of the night

'Oh I left the lights on. I better turn them off.' As he walks to his kitchen he feels off. Someone is always near by. He can feel it but he isn't sure how.

'I might be crazy.'

He walks back to his room and gets into his pajamas and gets back into bed and falls asleep.

Naruto wakes up and goes to take a shower. He gets dressed and eats a bowl of cereal and left his apartment.

The walk to the academy though. That was rough. All the looks he was getting. Yesterday he didn't get any since someone was walking with him but today it's just him so the stares were back.

'This is going to be a long year'

As he got closer to the academy he noticed Ino, Choji and Shikamaru standing at the front of the academy by a tree. Choji noticed him first.

"Yo *crunch* Naruto over here."

Naruto ran over to them and was excited to talk to them. "Hi everyone"

"Good morning naruto. How'd you sleep?"

Naruto quickly thought of last night. Feeling lonely and only going to sleep because he had no one to talk to.

"I slept good. How about you." He didn't want them to worry already.

"That's great I slept good as well." Ino was raised to be very polite at least when she wants to be.

"Yeah that's great Ino. Very cool. Naruto my parents wanted me to invite you for dinner today. Did you want to come over?"

Naruto was standing in somewhat disbelief. This is the first time someone has invited him over anywhere.

"I can come over?"

"Yeah that's what I said. We'd go to my house after class ends. You'll pretty much be there all day. My mom and dad want to talk to you."

"I'd like to come over please." Naruto said while looking at the floor.

"Hey can we come over too?" Choji said

"Yeah can we?" Ino questioned

"I don't see why not but since you guys have been over before I'm pretty sure you'd have to help with whatever nonsense is going to be there." Shikamaru said

"Wait why won't Naruto have to help out?" Choji asked

"It's his first time there and my parents asked me to bring him. I doubt they'd make him do anything." Shikamaru answered

"Don't worry Naruto we'll make those two dimwits do everything." Ino said whispering into Naruto's ear

"I heard that." Shikamaru said with cross popping veins appearing

"Whatever if I have to do things it's fine." Ino said

"I can help it's not a big deal. I do all the chores at my apartment what's the difference?" Naruto questioned

"The diffference is my mom won't let you. Anyways We should get to class."

"Right" the other three exclaimed

They get inside split up and go to their seats.

"When do you think he'll pass out the mock test from yesterday?"

"I don't know. It was a lot of papers. It might be a while before we see those."

While the two spend sometime talking Iruka walks in and takes notice of the students socializing.

"Alright everyone it took me a long time yesterday but I graded the mock exam. I am pleased to say that everyone did great. Some better than others but that doesn't mean you aren't as smart it just means you need a little improvement. "

Iruka hands back the papers and Naruto is anxiously waiting for his. Ino got her paper back already.

"Hey look I did great I got a 93. What do you think naruto pretty great huh!" Ino exclaimed as she was very proud of herself for doing that well. Naruto was starting to get nervous. Would she make fun of him for scoring low?

"Congratulations Ino." Naruto said sincerely

"Thank you Naruto I'm sure you did very well too."

After a couple more students Naruto got his paper.

"What you get?"

Naruto looked at his paper and he got a 72. Naruto was very proud of himself but he was a little disappointed. He wanted to do better but he's at a disadvantage he isn't as educated as everyone else.

"I got a 72" Naruto said looking a little sad

"Hey it's okay don't be sad a 72 is good. Congratulations. Look we both passed." Ino said holding up her paper to him.

Naruto was confused as to what she was doing so he held up his paper to hers and she tapped it. Like a cheers celebration. As Ino hoped it would brighten his mood. It did

He tapped her paper back and with a small smile said "we passed."

Ino was happy she made Naruto feel better. The two talked more while Iruka was calling people in and out for their little 1 on 1s while the rest were able to read or just relax.

The first week at the academy is never much for the students unless you're in the 3rd year.

As time flies by and Ino talks to naruto while he simply listens and just interacts with her she hears her name from Iruka.

"Ino yamanaka please come down for your interview."

"I hope it's not to bad. I'll be back."

Ino walks her way down towards the door and enters the hallway. There she sees her teacher Iruka standing there holding some papers.

"Great follow me."

He leads her to the room next door where the interview will be a little more private.

"Have a sit please yamanaka-San." He says calmly. Ino sits down.

"have you been enjoying the first two days?"

"I actually have. I've had a lot of fun the last two days."

"What is it that is making you enjoy the classroom? Is it being able to finally grow, is it the new faces, perhaps my amazing teaching skills?" He says jokingly

"I like the three friends I have to myself right now. Shikamaru, Choji, and Naruto."

"Ahh yes you're part of the Shika-Ino-cho squad from your parents. Makes sense you'd be with them, but Naruto what about him makes you enjoy his company?"

"I don't know. I kinda just walked up to him yesterday. It was kind of a swing either we'd be friends or we wouldn't and we became friends."

"Interesting. Your score in the mock exam was I believe a 93. Did you think you needed help in any areas or where do you think you could do better in to improve?"

"I missed some points in math. I'm not that great at it. I'm still very proud of it. I can work on it with my father or mother at home."

"Very good remember as your new teacher you can always ask me too. Okay so have you had any chakra training or anything in the last year or so?"

"Yeah actually my dad has me reading about it at home."

"Great. So it seems there isn't much to improve or help with on your end it seems your family has it covered. Is there any other questions you have for me?"

"No not really I think I'm okay."

"Okay wonderful. Thank you for your time. Remember we start sparring next week. It's best to have a sparring partner ready."

"Okay thank you Iruka-sensei"

She leaves and returns back to her classroom and Naruto is just kind of staring off into space.

'Was he waiting for me?'

She gets closer and closer and he still isn't paying attention so she decides to poke him.

"Hey. You need to pay more attention." She pokes him in the face.

Naruto jumps up he wasn't expecting her back so soon. Everyone else's interviews were a little longer maybe she was just super smart or something.

"Hi. What happened? Was the interview okay?"

"It was fine. It was just some questions not too big of a deal."

"Oh okay. So are you going to the dinner too?"

"Yep I'm going alright. I'll tell my mom and dad that we should go too. We will probably meet you there."

"Okay. Sure."

The rest of the day is going by rather slowly since they're just doing assignments and readings so far but then.

"Naruto Uzumaki. Please come down for your interview please."

Naruto looks at Ino and she nods and motions him to go down.

He stands up and makes his way down for his turn. He goes into the hallway and sees Iruka.

"Please follow me."

Naruto follows him as he's being led into the other room.

"Please sit down"

Naruto sits down and is really nervous. He isn't sure what he wants or what to say.

"Have you been enjoying the last two days?"

"I want to say yes." He said quietly naruto needs to work on being better with adults but they still kinda scare him.

"Okay that's fantastic. What has been the best part of the academy for you so far?"

He took a little time to think about it. 'Should I say about the friends I made' Iruka sat there watching him trying to decide in what to say. He found it amusing.

"When I was little I always wanted a friend but I never made any. No one wanted to be near me. But now I have 3 friends and I'm happy with them." Naruto said.

"Hey I think that's fantastic. You know when I was your age I thought it was hard to make friends too. It gets easier. The first friend to make is always the hardest."

"Really?"

"Oh yes I bet you'll have hundreds of friends when you're bigger."

Naruto finds his words kind and thinks Iruka isn't so bad.

"Okay so I want to ask you something but I don't mean to sound mean or to offend you okay?"

"What?"

"Has anyone ever taught you about chakra or do you even know what it is?"

" I don't think so? I might know what it is but I'm not sure."

"Okay and that's fine. We will teach you here so don't worry. And lastly you are rather quiet. I tend to move seats a lot in order for students to get to know each other. Is that okay with you. OR would you like Miss. yamanaka to sit with you all year?"

"Uh I don't know. What did she say?"

"I didn't ask her this question but I felt like I needed to ask you."

"It's okay if you move us around. I don't mind but you should ask Ino just in case."

"Alright sounds good. I'll see what I'll do but that's pretty much it for now. Thank you."

Naruto walks out of the room and walks back his normal classroom. There he walks back to his seat. Once he sits down the bell rings and it's time for them to leave.

"Hey Naruto. Over here. We're all having dinner at my house remember. We should get going."

Naruto got his stuff and met Shikamaru at the door waiting for him.

"Are they coming too?"

"Yeah they're going to come by later though. We walk home together."

"Oh okay."

They start walking through the districts and talk about various small things. Like dinner

"So what is your mom making anyways?"

"I have no idea. I wonder if she's even started or if she'll wait to ask naruto what he wants."

"Whatever it is I hope it's food."

Shikamaru and Ino just stare at Choji

"What did you just say?" Ino asked dumbfounded

"What?"

"Nothing never mind."

"Alright well I'll see you guys later." Choji walks away.

Nothing happens for the rest of the walk. Ino goes to her parents flower shop while naruto and shikamaru go to his house.

"Mom I'm home. I brought Naruto."

Naruto takes a second to look around the entrance one thing he does notice is that it's HUGE.

"Your house is really big."

Shikamaru isn't sure what he's supposed to say to that "Thanks?"

"Shikamaru is that you? You need to clean your room young man we have a guest who is coming and I don't even know when he'll be here." Yoshino comes around the corner and sees Shikamaru with Naruto.

"Oh you're here already. Well that makes everything easier then. Shikamaru go clean your room and Naruto you don't have to do anything. Come with me please."

Yoshino leads Naruto to the kitchen and has him sit down at the table and hands him a glass of juice and sits down with him.

"Naruto how are you? Is everything okay?"

"I'm okay. I am hungry. I haven't ate since yesterday."

"Well that's no good. Growing boys need food in order to get big and strong. Do you want to eat before dinner?"

"Can I have a sandwich?" Naruto asked

"Of course you can. What kind?"

"Uh I don't know. Any kind."

"That's not very helpful naruto." She laughs

"I'm sorry"

"It's okay I'll just make you a ham and cheese sandwich. Is that okay with you? Or do you want something else."

"No that's okay. I've never had one before. I want to try it."

"Really? Well what do you normally eat. The shop owners do sell to you right?" She gets up and stands in front of him causing Naruto to get nervous

"I-I don't know. I don't buy food. When I was smaller they wouldn't let me in. I mostly fish in the forest."

'Of course they didn't let him in.'

"Naruto I'm not mad. You don't have to get nervous. Do you want to help me make dinner and your sandwich?"

"Yeah."

"Okay come on let's go to the kitchen."

Shikamaru really did not want to clean his room. Why did he have to no one came in here except him.

"Well this blows." Is all shikamaru can say as he's cleaning the room

"Hey shikamaru."

"Hi dad"

"You mom told you to clean your room?"

"You think I'd do this willingly?"

"Fair enough. Where's Naruto were you supposed to bring him?"

"I don't know. I thought he was going to come here with me."

"Let's go see."

"You don't have to tell me twice to stop cleaning"

They both walk into the living room but there's nothing there. They hear Yoshino laugh from the kitchen but there's a knock at the door.

"I'll go answer the door. You go see what they're doing."

"Alright."

As shikamaru gets closer to the kitchen he hears his mom laugh even more and once he gets to the kitchen he can see why. Naruto's wearing an apron trying to help cook but he can't walk because the aprons too big and he'll trip.

Shikamaru mouth essentially dropped as he's never heard his mom laugh so hard at something before.

"Hey Shika what's going on?" Shikaku walks in and is stunned. He sees Naruto trying to walk with his hands full with dishes and food.

"A little help please." Naruto says quickly

"Sorry sorry you're just so adorable I don't want to help so that you can stay longer."

"That's not funny." Naruto says with a red face

The rest walk in the kitchen as well Naruto and Yoshino don't even realize the others are here.

"Shikamaru doesn't like helping me. You are the perfect helper."

"Hey I'll have you know that what you said is entirely correct. I cant be bothered with that." Shikamaru says

This causes Yoshino to snap back to reality and she now notices everyone's in the kitchen.

"Oh my. I'm so sorry. Would anyone like anything to drink?" Yoshino says grabbing the juice

"I want some." Choji says

Ino looks at Naruto

"I like your apron." She says

" said it's crucial to cooking. Whatever that means"

"Yoshi you told him that so you could see him in an apron?" Shikaku says shaking his head while trying not to laugh

"Don't act all superior. Look at him. Too bad he can't stay small forever."

"Oh how cute." Noriko says.

"When will dinner be ready?" Ino asks

"Not for another 30 minutes or so. You four go play while the adults talk."

The kids walk off and Naruto trips on the apron.

Yoshino catches her laugh as he takes it off and walks away.

"You know I thought we'd have to force our kids to be friends with him but it seems they got to him before we could." Inoichi says

"Is that a good thing though. They'll be a bad influence on a boy like him." Yoshino says

"Eh who cares really. That boy needs friends." Shikaku says

"You're right all that time alone for Naruto isn't good. He needs to develop communication skills."

"I was talking about Shikamaru. Yesterday was the first time I'd seen him in 2 weeks. The boy is always sleeping."

"Oh. Well just tell him to do something during the day."

"We tried. He fell asleep playing cards with us the other week. I don't know if it's because we bored him or he just sleeps too much." Shikaku says

"That boy is lazier than I was when we were little."

"Hahaha I believe that. The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree."

"Heh yeah. He makes me proud."

"How was the academy for Ino?"

"It was really good. I hope. She told us how she walked in and saw a boy sitting all alone at the top and she walked up to him and asked if she could sit next to him."

"How fun. It sounds like she already wanted to be friends with him at first sight."

"Hey Inoichi watch out Ino might be making moves on him. Seems like she knows what she wants."

"NOT ON MY LITTLE GIRL HES NOT."

"Oh honey relax. He's a nice boy." Inos mother says (IMA BE REAL IDK HER FUCKING NAME)

"Alright dinner should be just about done. Go get the them. Also are Choja and his wife not coming?"

"No Choji said they were on a date night."

"Okay. Less food I have to make I suppose."

The parents round up the kids and make them wash their hands before dinner. They sit down and begin to talk naruto on the other hand is too hungry and just sits down kind of dizzy.

The adults sit down.

"So how is the academy going. Does it still suck?"

"Inoichi! What he means is does it still go by rather slow?"inos mother says

"It's okay. I like that I can eat whenever I want." I Choji says

"It does go by slow. We had a test yesterday and it was pretty hard." Ino said

"Oh a test how fun. What did everyone get?"

"I got a 93!" Ino said proudly

"I got an 81. I think I got lucky with multiple choice guesses" Choji said

"I got 90"

Naruto feeling a little embarrassed by having the lowest score only said his and nothing else

"72"

"Oh that's amazing everyone passed."

She notices Naruto is a little sad but Ino spoke up first

"Naruto it's okay you didn't get a high score. You passed remember. Just study harder next time."

"I did study. Mai started to teach me to read not that long ago."

"Wait. When did you learn to read?" Shikamaru asks

'Maybe I've been taking a little too much stuff for granted'

Naruto was feeling even more embarrassed. He was going to get ready to get made fun of. So he just sunk into his seat but the reaction of others wasn't what he was expecting.

"I don't know a couple of weeks maybe?"

"Wow that's really incredible."

"Huh?" Naruto looks up

"Well Naruto learning to read isn't easy and you started to learn it a couple of weeks ago. I'm guessing you started to learn math a few weeks ago as well." Shikaku asks

"Yeah. I don't get it? What's so good about that?"

"Well maybe it's the fact that you just started to learn it and you did that well." Inoichi says

"What I think he's trying to say is that you did very good and you should be proud. You're a very smart boy naruto." Yoshino intervenes

"Really? I'm not dumb?"

"No. You're not dumb. Don't say that. You just require more help to catch up and once you're caught up you'll be getting the top score on all the exams."

"Hey!" Ino and shikamaru exclaim

"it'll be a competition that's for sure." Shikaku states

"Thank you. Can we eat now?"

"You're welcome and yes you can eat."

They spend the rest of the evening talking. Well the adults would talk and the kids would listen while they tried to leave no one was allowed to leave until everyone finished. Everyone was starting to leave since it was getting late and it was now Naruto's turn to leave. He waves to Shikamaru and his family. Shikaku and Shikamaru leave into the house but Yoshino stays out.

"Bye." He says while walking out

"Wait a minute young man I want to have a word with you."

"What?" He says

"Look I know you don't like adults. And I know you don't know me or trust me but just know that you are welcome here anytime."

"I can come over again?"

"Of course you're shikamaru friend. It'll be good for him to play with you. Besides I need my cooking buddy to come back too you know."

He smiles. "Right"

"You should smile more. You have a great smile naruto"

"Thank you."

"Bye." He waves again and walks off

"Bye"

Naruto goes on home to study and do whatever he does at night.

Hokages office.

An early night. Hiruzen hasn't had a lot of paperwork but he has been required to visit a lot of meetings with other villages, making deals and treaties so his village will remain neutral and protected from the conflicts set up by the contrasting villages

"This is a huge pain."

knock*

"Come in"

"Hokage-sama. I'm here to give my biweekly report on Naruto." Kakashi said poking his head in

"Oh yes please come in."

Hiruzen doesn't stop his paperwork but is focused on what kakashi has to say.

"From what I can see everything seems to be normal atleast for him. He isn't sick, he seems more alive almost."

"What do you mean?"

"Well I mean when I first started watching over him he only really sat there. Barely moved, didn't really eat. He was like a statue. Now atleast he moves around."

"That doesn't really make it seem any better but it's a start I suppose."

"He did do something that I found weird. Then I did something to confirm whether it was a fluke or not."

"What happened?"

"I'm pretty sure he sensed me."

"How is that possible. No ones taught him how to use chakra yet. Probably. How did you first discover this?"

"Well the first time I was reading a book and then I let my guard down the next time I look up he's looking in my direction looking around."

"Interesting. You said you did it again to test it out?"

"I did. So a couple of days ago he fell asleep. He woke up in the middle of the night and when he went to turn the lights off I got to the front door. Released some chakra and he opened the door looking around. Naruto really is suited to be a Shinobi. If he can do that passively then I wonder what else he can do that we aren't sure of."

"We can't really be too sure until he gets assigned onto a team or if he gets taken as an apprentice."

"Does Master Jiraiya take any?"

"He hasn't before but it could change now with Naruto. I have been getting letters from him saying he should be coming back within the next few months or year. It wouldn't be so bad to tell you this now as I have some missions for you in the future regarding the intel he's gathered so far on Kumo and according to him a location for one of orochimarus bases not that far away."

"Master Jiraiya is coming back. You think he'll sign my book?"

"Really? That's all you took away from that?"

"Mission stuff and briefings. Nothing I haven't heard before."

"Yes we'll be prepared to be away for a few weeks when he returns"

"Yes sir."

"Dismissed."

Kakashi leaves and Hiruzen is left with his paperwork.

'I'm getting too old for this. I think once this is over it's time for me to retire again.'

He got back to his paperwork.

-Enter The Uchihas-

Sasuke was a normal child. He liked his family, liked to play, and most importantly wanted to be like his older brother. His role model was a Shinobi. So he wanted to be a Shinobi just like him. But for that he had to go through school and he did not like that one bit.

"But mom why do I have to go. Can't I skip?"

"No sasuke you have to go. School is important. You will meet all your friends and people you work with there. Besides you missed two days for being sick you're already behind."

"Your mother is right sasuke. The academy is the perfect place to finally meet your rival."

"My rival?"

"His rival?"

Both sasuke and Mikoto ask

"Yes. Your rival. A boy in red. Don't underestimate him. He might not have any training but he's still the strongest one there."

"I bet I'm stronger anyways."

Sasuke couldn't believe what he was hearing. There was a kid his age who had never trained before, and he was the strongest one."

'How strong could he be. I can already do Justus how could he be any better with no training.' Sasuke thinks to himself while eating the breakfast prepared for him by his mother.

"Thank you."

Sasuke grabs his bag and leaves. He is on his way to the academy.

Once he arrives he goes into the class and looks around for a boy in red. He's interested in what he looks like.

'I don't see anything I might as well sit down. Dad was wrong. No one here is better than me.'

After a few minutes of waiting for the teacher the door opens and he sees A boy with red hair walk in. Naruro has his back turned to him while he talks to Ino. Sasuke eyes widen. That's him. It has to be him.

'He doesn't seem like much. Why did dad say he's the strongest?' Then out of nowhere Naruto immediately turns to look at him.

Sasuke looks away. 'How Did he know I was looking at him?' He's interesting

"Alright class today we will be learning some taijitsu basics so please grab a sparring partner."

The entire class is excited except Naruto. Sasuke looks up at him from his seat and he looks confused.

-with Naruto-

'What is that?'

"Ino." He taps her shoulder

"What happened?" She turns from her book to look at him

"What's taijutsu?"

"It's hand to hand fighting."

"Fighting? I've never fought before. I think?"

"You think?"

"When I was little and groups of villagers chased me I don't know if I ever fought them."

"Well this is the perfect time for you to learn."

"Will you be my partner?"

"Naruto I'm sorry but I can't. I don't think it's very fair I have practiced taijitsu before. Besides I don't think boys and girls can partner together. Go ask Iruka sensei."

"Okay."

Naruto walks down to Iruka

He tugs on his shirt

"Yes Naruto?"

"I don't know what taijutsu is"

"Oh dear. Okay you don't have any practice?"

"Does fishing count and hunting count?"

"Well not really but that tells me you know how to use weapons and that's good for me to know. Let me see if I can get this sorted out for you okay."

"Okay"

-with sasuke-

He's looking around for a partner but everyone around either looks away or scurries fast.

'Where did that red haired kid go?'

"Okay who here has no experience with taijitsu?"

No one raises their hands

'Do I have any? I only practice jutsus. I should probably raise my hand.'

Sasuke raises his hand

"Okay great sasuke as you have no experience with tai jutsu you can partner up with Naruto here."

Sasuke looks at this "Naruto" kid and it's the red haired boy. 'He has no practice with taijutsu? What makes him so strong I don't get it.'

Sasuke walks down and they are officially partners for any further taijutsu lessons for the next few months. Everyone else is getting to know their partner while Naruto and sasuke just stand there looking around.

'Should I say something?' Naruto thought to himself

'This guy is really weird. Is he okay?' Sasuke just looks at him and turns his head. He's trying to read him.

"Why are you looking at me weird?" Naruto ask curious

"My dad said my rival would be a boy in red. You're the only boy with red hair. I'm trying to see what makes you so much more special than everyone else."

"I don't know? Do I know him?"

"My dad is Fugaku uchiha. The head of the uchiha clan."

"Uh who is that exactly?"

'He doesn't know the uchiha clan. Don't his parent teach him anything?'

*sigh* "never mind. I'm Sasuke I'm going to train to beat my brother."

"You have a brother what's he like?"

"He's the best at everything and I'm going to beat him."

"Woah. I think you can do it."

"Thanks. What's your goal?"

"My what now?"

"Your goal. What do you want to do?"

"I don't know. Go fishing for this week's dinner?"

"That's not a dream. That's chores. Everyone needs something to work towards you know."

"Really? Why?"

"My brother said every Shinobi needs something to work towards so they always have motivation to make it home."

"That's good advice but I don't have anything to come home to."

"Where's your family?"

"Don't got one."

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that." Sasuke says feeling bad for him

"It's okay. I got used to it years ago."

"Alright" 'It doesn't take a brain scan to know that's a lie.'

-outside-

Outside in the practice area of the school are courts for their sparring matches. There's multiple and a lot of spectators.

"Alright as you can see there are a lot of spectators to oversee your matches. And more of you may notice they are your parents. Due to Shinobi being in and out of missions we don't have enough people to proctor the matches. Hence the volunteers from your parents."

Everyone gathers with their parents and line up in their courts. Everyone except Naruto and Sasuke. Sasuke parents hadn't shown up yet but he spots them far away."

Sasuke tells towards them and waves them over towards them

"Your brother didn't come."

"He's a Shinobi. He's out on missions a lot."

"Is he strong?"

"You kidding. My brother is the strongest person I know. Aside from my mom. She scares me."

"Why is everyone scared of their mom I don't get it."

"No reason."

Sasuke mom and dad show up and stand next to him. They look at Naruto. He's exactly how they imagined him to look like.

'Just like Kushina.' Mikoto thinks to herself while feeling nostalgic

Fugaku on the other hand was studying him. He activated his sharingan without being noticed. 'His chakra is strong. He has a lot of it too. You literally have to be blind to lose him with a sensor on your squad.'

Mikoto elbows him. He collects himself.

"I'm Fugaku and she's my wife Mikoto. Where here to spectate your training matches. Is that okay with you naruto."

"Yeah. Okay." He says facing away from them. He felt like his gaze was piercing through him.

"Dear you're scaring him." Mikoto says with a chuckle.

"He'll be okay. A little scaring never hurt anyone."

Are you two ready?

"Sure."

"Yes Father."

"This is a training sparring match. No jutsus of any kind are allowed. Am I clear."

"Yes father"

"Yes sir"

Okay.

"Begin"

Sasuke charged at Naruto while Naruto stood there. Sasuke lead with a side kick but Naruto dodged it and punched him in the stomach.

Sasuke jumps back "Agh that hurts" 'let me calm down. What should I do next.'

Sasuke rushes back in and fakes him with a punch to the face and sweeps his legs causing Naruto to lose his balance but he catches himself and goes for the stomach again.

-with Mikoto and Fugaku-

They watch and note where Sasuke can improve and where he is severely lacking. They decide to do this for Naruto as well as it's unfair for Sasuke to get help and improvement from spectators and Naruto can't.

"Wow this fight sure is something." Mikoto says while noticing the awful forms they have

"It's not their fault. We never really taught Sasuke how to fight without jutsus. I'll be honest I didnt think they'd do sparring practice right away into the year. I'll have itachi train him when he gets back."

"What about Naruto? He needs help too"

"It's not our responsibility." Fugaku doesn't mean to sound cold it's just the simple truth. He isnt allowed to help him. But seeing the look his wife was giving made him say another thing.

"I might not be able to help him but I'll bring it up to the hokage."

Mikoto smiles "thank you dear."

-Naruto and Sasuke-

As the fight goes on Naruto and Sasuke traded blows but now Sasuke has to think a bit. He's getting tired while Naruto looks completely fine. As he stands there and wondered when Naruto will move he blinks.

*BAM*

Sasuke is on the floor. He had just gotten punched in the face.

"I-I'm sorry I didn't mean to hit you like that."

"This fight is over. Perform the Unison sign."

"The what?"

"Like this."

Naruto mimics sasuke

"You're really fast. You might be faster than my brother."

"Thanks?"

"How fast are you out of everyone here?"

"Out of everyone here?"

"Yeah."

"I'm not sure."

"Well you better answer me. I am now your rival."

"Why?"

"Don't ask why just answer my question."

Seeing sasuke get irritated by Naruto not knowing his question was where Mikoto decided to step in.

"You both did very good. Now that it's over we need to give you feed back on how to improve."

"Sasuke-Chan you need to focus more. There were many times where you were losing focus because naruto was too fast for you and you lost track of him. You were also too aggressive. You charged at him too many times which allowed him to hit you more."

"Naruto you need to stop hesitating. The entire fight you were unsure of what you wanted to do. While being cautious is important it's not always the right decision. Like when you hit him at the end. You didn't think. You hit him without thinking the second he blinked."

Even though she was a retired Shinobi Mikoto never lost her combat And analysis skills.

"Is there anything you would like to add?"

Mikoto looks at Fugaku

"No" he crosses his arms

"Alright then. Off you two go. We are going to talk to your teacher."

-with Iruka-

He's walking around to each group and writing down notes on how he thinks he can help each student improve.

"Iruka" he turns to see Fugaku staring at him.

"Oh yes?" He answered but deep down Fugaku scares him

"Sasuke and Naruto are done."

"Oh that's a shame. I haven't been able to watch them yet. Well how did they do."

"It was sloppy and they had no idea what they were doing."

"Oh so they did bad?"

"I didn't say that. They're the only ones with no real prior training. They did fine."

"Any other notes to make on them?"

"Sasuke will be trained at home you don't need to do anything further with him."

"Wonderful, and what of Naruto."

"He's full of potential. He's incredibly fast." He says looking back at him. Naruto is with Sasuke and Mikoto eating the lunch she brought.

"Any tips on how to help him train?"

"You can't help him" he says firmly

"I beg your pardon?"

"Look I know I come off as rude or blunt it's just the way I speak. You aren't Mikoto so if you don't like it I don't care. YOU can't help naruto. I checked his chakra pools while he and Sasuke were sparring. He has the most I've ever seen. You wouldn't be able to train him properly. All those techniques for chakra control won't work for him."

Iruka took a moment to process what he said then spoke. "What do I do then? He's going to fall behind."

"He'll be fine. I'll deal with it he'll be behind until this gets settled."

" What do I do know."

"Figure something out for now." Fugaku walks away

'He really is scary.' Iruka thinks to himself and goes on to watch another group.

-LATER-

Fugaku and Mikoto are walking home and enjoying each others company whilst on the walk Mikoto starts to talk about Naruto

"So what did you think about him?" Mikoto asks

"He's fine. He might make things interesting for Sasuke."

"You're still on this rival thing for him."

"Naruto is the perfect candidate for being Sasukes rival. Sasuke already lost to him today. This will be good for him."

"That punch he threw was kind of bizarre. He was standing there, we blinked and he punched Sasuke down. I hope he isn't upset. My poor little guy."

"You baby him too much."

"He is our baby boy."

"He's not a baby anymore. He's going to be a Shinobi."

"A mother can reminisce."

"I suppose but that speed was incredible. No chakra or jutsu was needed for that. It was just him. Sasuke needs to continue training immediately if he wants to catch up."

"I think you're being a little over dramatic. Sasuke did fine. I wonder what itachi is going to say."

"Ask him if he's home. I don't know if he's came back yet but I want him to start training sasuke."

"Yes honey."

Two walk back in good moods from a good day.

-With Naruto 4 hours later-

Naruto just got home after another weird day. He had sparring practice and a new rival?

'School just gets weirder and weirder' *Sigh*

Naruto lies down on his bed and stares at the ceiling. Wondering if his parents are out there. Having a good time without him. He was in pain from sasukes kicks and punches but no one is there to comfort him.

'Guess I'll do it myself. Like I used to. How did this go again'

Naruto tries making ice packs and bandages himself up to stop the swelling. It seems to work because the pain went away in little to no time at all. 'I should seriously go to a doctor' he thinks to himself.

He lied down yet again and falls asleep. He wakes up again in the middle of the night but as he tries to go back to sleep but he is woken up by knocking at his door. He is a little concerned as this isn't the first time this has happened.

He makes his way towards the door and he tries to test out a theory he has on himself. He closes his eyes once he gets to the door and just focuses. He doesn't sense anyone. He opens the door and looks down. Theres a toad. Holding a book. 'Wait what?'

"You Naruto?"

Naruto rubs his eyes. He is BEWILDERED

"Did you just talk?"

"No"

"Oh I'm still sleeping. That must be it."

"You can be in denial all you want. Just take the books they're for you"

"Thank you magic frog"

"IM A TOAD" the toad disappears in smoke and Naruto is still holding the book. He decided to do what is reasonable

*knock* *knock*

Yoshino opens the door. She was upset that someone had woken her up but she looked down to see Naruto there looking back and forth holding some books

"Naruto what are you doing here this late?"

"Can I stay here for tonight?"

"Is everything okay? What happened?" She kneels down to talk to him

"I woke up and someone was knocking on my door. It wasn't the first time this has happened I think but I opened the door and there was this frog holding some books. And it talked."

"come inside and sleep you're delusional."

"I have the books right here." He hands her the book and she reads the title

She takes the books from his hands to see them.

"What books are these?" She sees two books and a scroll. "Chakra introduction, the scroll was a ninjutsu scroll. "Probably has a technique engraved in it." And the last book she didn't bother to look at it was already late.

"Well since you're already here. Come on inside and go to bed. Would you like anything to eat?"

"Uh no thank you."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm okay can I just go to sleep?"

"Of course you can."

She leads him to their couch

"I'm sorry naruto I wasn't expecting visitors or a sleepover this late."

"It's okay your couch is comfy." Naruto goes to lie down he shuts his eyes and falls asleep. Yoshino was left standing there.

'Wow that was pretty quick. Poor boy must've gotten scared.'

Yoshino turns off the lights and heads to sleep.

-Morning-

Shikaku wakes up after a good nights rest to see that his wife is not by his side. This is very common but he wishes some days he would wake up and her still be there.

He gets to go to the kitchen to make breakfast before work. He passes by Naruto on his way there

"Hey Naruto"

"Hi"

"Wait what are you doing here?"

"I slept here. There was a magic talking toad outside my door last night."

"Uh huh okay." He raises his eyebrow and walks towards the kitchen and sees His wife.

"What was that all about?" He asks confused while he points towards the living room

"I have no clue. He showed up last night super late and I supposed he was scared? I'm not exactly sure."

"Oh that's… interesting."

"Yeah he was telling the truth too. It gave him two books and a scroll."

"Im guessing it was a summon then. That's really strange. Who would send a summon to him that late?"

"Take a look at the books and find out."

"Alright let's see… A book on chakra." He opens the scroll and it's the hand signs for the shadow clone technique and the multi shadow clone technique. "What the hell This technique is forbidden for normal gennin and chunnin. Who sent him this." He looks at the last book. "Oh. That's who sent him this." It was the brand new volume of Icha Icha paradise. The only person who has access to this is the man who wrote it. "Master Jiraiya sent him this."

"How do you know that?" Yoshino asks from behind him

He hides the book. "No reason but the talking toad is a give away. His nickname is the Toad Sage"

"So does this mean he's coming back?"

"Not likely. Let me ask him something."

They make their way back to the living room and Naruto is still sitting there waiting.

"Naruto let me ask you something. Have you ever received gifts randomly?"

"Yes" Naruto answered

"What were the gifts."

"This frog wallet." He pulls out his wallet and shows them.

"Okay. Here are your books. You might want to study them if you want to catch up to everyone."

"Are they helpful?" He gets up to grab them.

"They are for you."

"Okay"

Naruto and shikamaru are in their way to class and Naruto puts his books in his bag. He can't wait to see what these books were about.

-Shikaku and Yoshino-

"So what was that third book anyway?"

"Nothing important."

"Oh really? So you let him keep that rotten book?"

"Look no matter what the book was his either way."

"He's a child"

"I personally don't see the problem. I should've kept it."

Yoshino just stares at him

"I'm joking"

They walk back inside and go along with their day.

-time skip. Naruto's house-

It's been a few hours since Naruto got out of school and now that he was done with his assignment he can get to reading these books he got. Naruto looks at the cover "What is chakra and how to understand it"

"What is chakra?" He reads the first page

"Chakra is a combination of a persons physical and spiritual energy. It varies from person to person and certain variables change how much and how strong said chakra is.

For example most Senjus are born with an incredible amount of chakra and are extremely talented in using chakra to reinforce their the physical abilities and healing capabilities.

Chakra is 50% genetics, 40% talent, and 10% hard work. No matter who you are genetics do play a role in your life with chakra."

Naruto takes a moment to process what he just read. 'I don't even know what some of these words mean. I'll ask Mai-San next time I see her.' He continues reading

"To begin practicing. First relax. Second close your eyes and focus. Focus on yourself. Imagine it as a system like your nervous system running through your body and focus it to specific points in your body to get used to it. Once you have done that. Continue to chapter 2"

"Focus it around your body. What does that even mean?"

Naruto sits there and tries to figure out what that meant. So he closes his eyes and focuses on his body. He feels a tingle like sensation all around his body. He opens his eyes to see what it looks like only to see nothing special but he can feel small traces of chakra all around him. 'Guess you can't see it'

Naruto spends the rest of the day reading about chakra and how begin using it on yourself to strengthen your punches and kicks. Next he decides to open the scroll. He tries to force it open, he tries to cut it, and he tries to burn the edges to open it. Then he tries to open it using chakra. It opens.

'Shadow and Multi-shadow clone technique. What's this do?'

He focuses chakra and does the handing. Then a puff of smoke appears and there's a second him. They both stick out their hands.

"Are you real?"

"Are you?"

"What is this"

"I don't know you read the book"

"Didn't you read it too technically?"

"Oh yeah" the clone disappears and Naruto is amazed

'Did I just do that. That's so COOL'

Lastly Naruto looks at the final book. "Icha Icha paradise huh. How bad for me could it be?" Naruto started to read. He got a few pages in before he closed it. 'Maybe I shouldn't be reading this yet.' He thinks to himself with a crimson red face.

Naruto puts them all away and decides to go to bed.

He lies down and is thinking to himself all the things he can practice now that he knows about chakra. 'I can use it to do things I don't want to. Like clean the kitchen or go fishing.' He yawns and decides to go to sleep. After all now that he has a clone there's much to learn