Naruto had settled into his new lodging rather nicely. It was slightly more spacious than his old apartment, and had a private training ground attached. The overall setup was set a decent distance off to the side of all the other buildings, providing a bit of privacy. Naruto looked down to the stack of papers in his lap, and flipped to the next page.

"Physicality - Part I"

"A large part of being a Shinobi is having physical prowess. Having the strength and endurance to continue fighting is vital to one's success. Please follow the following training regiment for the next three months."

"There is a set of both gravity seals and physical weights located at the training ground. Please use the gravity seals at training level one to start."

Naruto scanned the list of exercises. Push ups, Sit ups, Laps, and others. He sighed. There wasn't much use in reading further without being at the training ground. Getting to his feet, Naruto channeled his chakra once again, savoring the feeling as it filled his tenketsu with the same heavy strength it always did. Taking a firm hold of the Physicality bundle, he leapt across his new lodging space and out the window beginning his journey. Bounding across rooftops Naruto felt his body sing, that malevolent chakra filling him with energy and power.

He almost overshot the next roof a few times, but made it to the training ground unscathed. Naruto noticed a tan rucksack laying on the ground. So he strode over to it, opening it quickly, and found what seemed to be a sticker. It had instructions attached:

"Peel and stick to your bare chest."

Naruto was confused but did as he was bade. The feeling of his chakra being called upon was noticeable immediately, and he gasped as his every movement seemed to slow. His breathing became difficult, limbs sluggish, heart pumping faster. He frowned and began to adjust to this new reality, trying his best not to panic. Naruto turned his attention to the bundle of papers he had brought with him. So began his physical training.


Naruto's frame shook with exertion, muscles burning with exhaustion, bones nearly creaking. His body had been thoroughly thrashed physically today, and now he was straining his coils too. Fingers reinforced with chakra, he held himself balanced on a knife's edge. The kunai he was standing on wobbling dangerously. He did one more push-up before collapsing to the ground, the sound of kunai clattering rung through his head. He looked up dazedly, the world blurring. He smiled tiredly at his progress before the world went dark.

It had been a busy three months, but Naruto had never felt so *alive*. The training was brutal, and incredibly thorough. Whoever had created the regiment was not only both skilled and knowledgeable, but also an incredible teacher with a wide range of fields. Taijutsu, Genjutsu, Ninjutsu, Fuinjutsu, world history, tactics, and others. No stone was left unturned. Naruto had taken to learning like a duck to water. Soaking up all the information he could, and learning to cross fields of knowledge with each other. Naruto not only learned each subject, but understood it. He knew why certain hand seals were used for certain Jutsu, and had even begun modifying the techniques he knew to suit his needs. Naruto felt ready for the Academy, incredibly so. After finishing his morning laps and weights, he began the short walk to his destination. He opted not to take the route through the rooftops, instead meandering lazily through the river of bustling activity that is the streets of Konoha.

Savoring the cool breeze blowing through his tousled hair, he opened his cerulean eyes as he sensed a gathering of numerous chakra signatures. He passed through the front door, and began scanning the halls for his assigned classroom.

A blue plate clung to the wall, a lone silver word etched into it. "Iruka." Naruto swiveled on his heel and stretched his hand towards the door handle, swinging it wide open. Striding into the classroom, his eyes were immediately drawn to the tallest member of the class. "You must be Iruka, I gather?"

Naruto's voice rang out clearly, quieting the room. Most of the people here already knew each other, and were intrigued by this newcomer.

Iruka responded professionally, that familiar hint of coldness tingeing his tone. "Yes, that's correct. You must be the new student."

Naruto suppressed a sigh. Always the same with adults. "Yep, that's me."

"Alright well why don't you come to the front of the room here and introduce yourself?"

Naruto did so, and once he reached the front he opened his mouth.

"My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I look forward to meeting all of you." It was a formal greeting, short and to the point. The entire tone of the classroom changed however as a smile tugged at Naruto's lips. It was a vicious thing, all teeth and not reaching his eyes. It raised hackles and put people on their guard. Just like that it was over, and Naruto was sauntering up the aisle to find a seat. The class let out a minute breath of relief, although Naruto picked up on it all the same. Naruto paused, and gazed around the room. Spying the closest available seat, he made his way towards it.

"Well I guess that's not the only reason I chose this one.." He mumbled inaudibly to himself. Dropping his pack to the ground, Naruto slumped into an open seat. He turned his head to the left. Sitting next to him was a young boy, maybe a year younger than himself. He had shining obsidian hair, and dark coal-like eyes. His brow was slightly furrowed, and he seemed to possess a permanent glare. He steadfastly ignored him.

"And what's your name?" Naruto inquired friendly. The boy glanced at him, then looked away. Seemingly dismissing him entirely. Naruto frowned slightly. Turning around to the row behind him. He asked: "What's his problem?"

A boy with his face buried in the wood of the desk lifted his head enough to respond. "That's Sasuke. He has… issues." Piece said, his face hit the desk with a thud once more.

Naruto was a bit perplexed. So many odd people here. He slouched slightly and began swirling chakra in his hand, tracing the outline of his hand and emanating an incredibly faint purple glow. It was one of the exercises he had been given as part of his chakra training. So focused on the control of his energy that he was startled by a girl yelling at him. He let his chakra slip back into dormancy and looked up. She was of average height, probably similar to his own stature. She had incredibly bright pink hair that cascaded smoothly down her neck. From where he was seated he couldn't quite tell how long it was. She had brilliant blue-green eyes that were filled with indignation. Naruto spoke up.

"Were you saying something, miss?"

Anger flared in her eyes and she glared daggers at him. "Yes! I said you're sitting in my seat!"

Naruto looked down at the chair he was seated in. He pointed. "This one?"

"Yes stupid! The one I said!" It was clear she was upset, although Naruto wasn't too sure why. There wasn't a seating chart as far as he knew.

"This chair that I'm sitting in?"

"YES!"

Naruto let out a puff of air from his mouth. "But I'm sitting in this one."

The girl looked like she was going to combust. "Yes, and I'm telling you to get out of it! That's my seat next to Sasuke!"

"If I'm sitting in it, wouldn't that make it my seat?" Naruto looked up at her innocently.

"I- Well, No- But-"

"Haruno. Sit down somewhere else."

Naruto looked to his left. It was the obsidian eyed boy, having spoken up from where she was previously brooding.

"But- Sasuke-" Pinky tried to object.

"Sit." The Obsidian Eyed was firm in his command. Pinky left without further objection. Naruto sighed and slumped onto his desk, his eyes leaking over his arms which were folded across the desktop. He glanced at The Obsidian Eyed, the question clearly in his expression. He glanced at him, let out a sort of "hmph" sound and turned back towards the board. Shrugging, Naruto did the same.

Class was boring, Naruto decided. He already knew most of the subjects, and The Obsidian Eyed didn't seem to be at all interested in conversation. The consequence of all the factors was a very bored Naruto. He sunk a little deeper into his arms, his eyes closing. It was peaceful, at least. The low drone of the teacher's lecture, the slight breeze coming through the window to his left, and the snores of The Lazy One behind him. All that was left was to-

"Naruto!"

The boy in question's eyes blinked open. An irate Iruka stared up at him from the front of the class. Naruto lifted his head. "That's my name, yes."

"Are you paying attention?" The man was still professional in tone, but it was obvious how annoyed he was.

"Of course I am." Naruto responded without hesitation.

"Then would you please tell me who the founding fathers of Konoha are?" What an asinine question. Naruto thought to himself.

"Hashirama Senju, chieftain of the Senju clan, and Madara Uchiha, chieftain of the Uchiha clan. They united their warring clans to create the first hidden village, Konoha."

Iruka blinked, then smiled. "Very well put, good answer Naruto." With that he resumed teaching.

Naruto frowned then returned to his prior position. He then recalled the slip of paper detailing the day's schedule, and thus retrieved it. Next on the agenda was sparring practice. A vile grin stretched itself across his tanned visage. He was going to have so much fun.


The sun was high in the sky, air slightly breezy. It was a hot Konoha day. Though considering Konoha's warmer climate, that wasn't exactly a surprise to anyone present at the grounds. Packed dirt made up the ground that the class stood on. They were loosely arranged in a circle around Iruka, who stood calmly with a clipboard in his hand. His gaze shifted from the wooden board he was clutching to the class, eyes sweeping across all who were present. He spoke loudly.

"Alright class, now we will be commencing sparring. Will Hyuga Hinata and Uzumaki Naruto please step into the ring?"

Naruto let an excited grin grace his lips. This was going to be so fun. Clan spawn? For his first real fight? He was almost shaking with anticipation. He stepped forward confidently. Across the ring and to his left, he noticed movement. A girl with indigo blue hair nervously shuffled through the crowd. When said figure finally breached the inner ring, Naruto almost let out a sigh. Just glancing at her was enough to assess and come to the conclusion that this girl had serious confidence issues. Iruka spoke again. "Please face each other and make the seal of confrontation."

Naruto watched as White Eyes did as she was bade, and he too stepped forward to do the same. He pressed his index and middle finger against hers, and with a subtle application of chakra, dug himself into her. He watched with a sinister grin as she held back a wince. He ceased his antics and took a few steps away from the girl. Iruka raises his hand, then lowers it quickly. "Begin!" He barks out.

The White Eyed made a strange hand seal and then exclaimed, "Byakugan!"

Naruto wasted no time and took off at a light run towards her. She crouched down into a stance unfamiliar to the boy, but he pressed on regardless. Throwing a punch immediately, he allowed it to be swatted away by his foe. He swung his other hand up directly after, hoping to catch her off guard. A savage grin stretched across Naruto's tanned face as White Eyed swayed back and in that moment, with her eyes able to see more than the average Shinobi, she realized her mistake. She had been baited perfectly. Her eyes shut as she braced for impact. It was rough. A painful blow to the outside of her left leg, as Naruto's foot came crashing into her with the force of a hammer. The White Eyed crumpled like a sack of potatoes. Naruto frowned. Winning that easily didn't feel very good... He opened his mouth. "Was that it?"

The class was surprised. Newcomer or no, clan children weren't typically taken out in three moves. Mutterings spread quickly throughout the crowd. Simple, tasteful and effective as all hell. Iruka raised his voice to calm the crowd, but Naruto beat him to it. He supposed he should play nice with these peers of his, weak or no. Striding over to where White Eyed was attempting to stand, he reached a hand down to her. She glanced up at his smiling face, many of his features shrouded in shadow due to the bright sun burning behind him. She assumed the smile was genuine, and was rewarded for her assumption by being hauled to her feet. He then changed the way he was grasping her hand, forming the seal of reconciliation. The blond boy spoke. "Good match, White Eyes."

She turned red and stammered out a simple reply. "Y-you too..."

By the time the words had fully left her lips, the boy was striding back to his place amongst the crowd.

The months went by quickly, and soon the class was approaching graduation exam day. Naruto didn't try much these days. Most of his classmates barely posed a challenge, and the studies were things either he already knew, or were accomplishable with common sense. This led to a lot of lazing around by the blond, and he occasionally had to actually try lest he slip into the "No Pass Zone." Despite his nonchalant attitude when it came to school, Naruto refused to sink that low.

A loud, bordering on obnoxious yawn pushed its way through the silence of the classroom. A tanned blond stretched exaggeratedly as he leaned back in his chair. It was the final written exam that the class had to complete, and he had finished a tad earlier than usual. Orange clad arms met behind his head in clasped hands. Closing his eyes, he focused chakra into his feet. Chakra was difficult to control when it went places with fewer Tenketsu, and so Naruto made it his mission to be able to control his chakra anywhere with maximum efficiency. Chakra gently swirling, he felt the slight grip of the floor. Hesitantly, the blond attempted to lift his foot off of the floor. He found it surprisingly difficult. A bloodthirsty grin began to spread across his face. It was done. If this meant what he thought it did… "Umino!"

Naruto's voice rang clearly throughout the classroom. A slightly peeved Iruka responded. "Something you need, Naruto?"

Naruto responded, a sinister grin stretching his lips apart. "Bathroom"

Uruka sighed, then made a sort of shooing motion with his hand. Obsidian Eyes, who was seated to Naruto's left, glanced at the grinning boy to his left. He shuddered. That was not the face of someone who went to the bathroom with pure intentions.

Striding down the hall, Naruto turned right instead of left, moving towards the exit rather than the bathroom. He dashed past through the doorway, moving towards that tree with the swing beneath it. Once arriving, Naruto didn't slow down. He ran full force at the trunk, planting his right foot first. Naruto felt the thrum of chakra as his foot hit the tree and stayed there. Preserving momentum, he sprinted up the tree. Once at the top, Naruto stopped for a breath. That felt… amazing. To put what was once just practice and theory into real life application was the greatest rush. The view from the top of the tree across the village was beautiful, and Naruto was reminded of just how small he was compared to the world around him. I have a long way to go…

He slid down the trunk of the large tree, frowning. So much to do, too few hours in a day. I should probably get back to class. I've been gone a bit too long.

Naruto sped walked back to the classroom. He slid up the aisle, and slumped into his seat. Despite his recent breakthrough all Naruto felt was a deep set hunger for more, a desire to grow stronger and break his limits.

"Alright class, this concludes the written exam. If you were unable to finish please turn in your paper regardless." Iruka's voice was clear and it was the thing that startled Naruto out of his slight slumber. He got to his feet with the rest of the class. "Next we have the practical exam, please wait in line until your turn."

Naruto was surprised to see that he was up first. He pushed the door open and was face to face with his white haired instructor, Mizuki. Naruto was never particularly fond of Mizuki, as he had on numerous occasions thrown back handed comments at him, as well as obvious favoritism in the classroom. Naruto never was too bothered by this obstacle, as he knew most everything that the academy had tried to teach him. However, Mizuki was on his shit list and would be doled out punishment for the way he had been treated. Naruto crept closer. "Alright brat, shuriken and kunai accuracy test. Throw them at the target blah blah blah."

Sighing, Naruto slid the first handful of shuriken in between his fingers, four on each hand. Pulling his sleeved arms to his chest, he thrust his arms forward. All eight shurikens flew towards the human-shaped target, puncturing its head. Turning away, he repeated the action with kunai. Mizuki looked like he wanted to explode. Offering a cocky grin at the man, Naruto spoke. "Something the matter, Sensei?"

The white haired man breathed deep, gaining control of himself. "No. Good job, Naruto."

Said boy scoffed. Mizuki looked like he would rather push a boulder for all eternity than speak those words again. The boy turned on his heel and strode out of the room, annoyed.

Upon exiting the practical exam area, Naruto moved to find Umino. "Those who have finished both the physical exam and the written exam, please follow me for the chakra based assessment."

Naruto did as he was bade. He wasn't first in line this time around, and found himself in line next to Obsidian Eyes. "How have you done thus far, boy?"

If anyone else addressed him as such, Uchiha Sasuke would have beat the tar out of them. However, this was Uzumaki Naruto, and he knew he just had an odd manner of speaking. He returned the question easily. "Perfectly. What about you, Uzumaki?"

Naruto was very glad that Uchiha Sasuke was in his class. He was the only tolerable student, and the only one worth his time. The blond could tell something incredible lie dormant in those Obsidian Eyes of his. Naruto smirked. "Perfectly."

The Last Uchiha let a similar sort of expression onto his face. "I knew you weren't as terrible as you let on, Uzumaki."

Said boy's smirk sharpened. "Let's fight sometime, Uchiha."

"Sure, as long as you're prepared to lose."

A bark of a laugh escaped Naruto's lips. "Me? Lose?" He chuckled again. "You amuse me, Uchiha."

One last glance was shared before they turned their eyes to the door. Obsidian Eyes walked into the room. Naruto felt the boy's chakra light up with use. For such a dark and brooding boy, Obsidian Eye's chakra was incredibly light. It felt bright, powerful, and frightfully lonely. Interesting…

Naruto was up next, and upon entering the exam room, he was met by the smiling face of Umino Iruka. "Alright Naruto I have confidence in your abilities so let's get this over with."

Naruto responded in kind. "Gladly."

"Let's start with the Transformation Technique." Instead of responding, Naruto made a single, one handed seal. His tanned form was consumed by a plume of smoke, then where he once stood was Lord Third Hokage. Naruto had chosen the Wrinkly Old Man because he was one of the few people he knew well enough to be able to mimic not just their form, but their mannerisms as well. Umino observed for a moment and then scribbled something onto his clipboard. "Thank you. Now the Clone Technique, if you would?"

Wordlessly, he stuffed his hands into his pockets. A light breeze of his chakra had six clones poof into existence, surrounding him protectively. Umino was shocked. No hand seals? No chants? He furiously scribbled a few more notes. "..G-Great.." It was clear to Naruto that his teacher wasn't expecting such a proficient showing. "Sensei, why so surprised?"

"That isn't something that any academy student should be able to achieve!" Umino burst out. Naruto rumbled out a laugh, haughtiness filling his tone. "Please. As if I'm anywhere near the level of those weaklings."

Umino would have scolded him for his arrogance, but he wasn't exactly wrong in his assessment. "Okay.. Well last one I suppose. Substitution please."

Umino was startled. The chairs were being shuffled, Naruto standing right where he was, arms crossed. Soon enough, Naruto joined the seats in their lightning fast game of musical chairs. The last substitution was performed, and Naruto was now seated behind Umino. The man in question shook his head. "Well, here you go I guess." The teacher looked rattled. "You pass. What color would you like?"

"Black." The single word passed Naruto's lips as he strode past Umino, smoothly grabbing a forehead protector as he did so. Umino stared dumbly at the back of his retreating student.

Naruto passed Sasuke as he exited the examination room. They exchanged nods, then went back to brooding and walking respectively. Swinging himself into a random chair, Naruto kicked his feet up onto the desk, and lounged back. Genin teams would be determined today after a brief wait, so he had time to kill. The blond closed his eyes, entering his innate domain. It was a vast expanse of ankle deep water, murky enough as to obscure what material made up the floor. In the center of the area, there lay a single skull, still wet with blood. Behind that loomed a group of impossibly large metal bars. Deep within that side of the mindscape lay the great Nine Tailed Fox. Naruto wasn't here for that today, though. Slowly trudging towards the ichor covered skull, Naruto gazed at his greatest crime. Killing a fellow villager in cold blood. For reasons that still eluded him, he had faced zero repercussions for this action. Additionally, everyone around him seemed to have forgotten the slain boy had ever existed. His feet stopped him right at the skull. Naruto bent over slowly. He grasped the skull, the warm and slick bloody coating his palms. Naruto held the skull up to his face, staring deep into the empty sockets. He could sense the boy's spirit, somewhere inside his innate domain. His hand began to close, exerting pressure onto the skull. It creaked, cracked, until it ultimately shattered. The skull crumbled into dust, and the nature of his Bloodline Limit, or Chakra technique was revealed.

Shrine

Naruto staggered back, as the same skull reappeared back in the middle of the room. It was clean, almost seeming bleached white. Something about what just happened felt right to Naruto. This power that he had suppressed, hidden away. It was his. Yes, it had slain someone. Murdered them brutally. However, said technique had only risen to the surface in interest of protecting him. He would use this power to protect himself. To grow stronger. To become the strongest of them all.