Chapter 11: Canon Start

Kiba didn't bother hiding his boredom, yawning at the sight of Iruka's lectures, "Why are we still here? We already learned stuff way more fun than this."

"Grr, yap yap."

"And Akamaru's already woken up from his nap time."

"Be patient Kiba. Why? Because the final exam is around the corner. We cannot become shinobis without proper knowledge."

"[Munch] [Munch] Yeah. Look at Ken, he's really smart and studies about shinobis on his own."

"Speaking of Ken." Ino aimlessly doodled her notebook, secretly agreeing with Kiba but will never say it out loud, "I'm still surprised he's firm about his decision."

"It's troublesome for him. We can't just force Ken to become one you know."

"I know, I just think it's a real waste. He's so good at fighting and ninjutsu yet he rather stays behind the counter and sew clothes."

Shikamaru sighed, "He has a point though, becoming a shinobi means he has to take dangerous missions someday, but he values his life too much. However, I think the bigger reason is because of Chika-san."

Naruko lifted her head from the table, her interest piqued, "What do you mean dattebayo?"

"Think about it, his kaa-san's traumatized from anything shinobi related. Chika-san wouldn't say anything, though I highly doubt she's okay with her son becoming a shinobi. Ken must not want to worry her."

"If he really doesn't want it, we should just go with it. He'll be happier that way dattebayo."

"That's funny considering how much you used to pester him to become a shinobi."

"I-I was having a phase dattebayo. Besides, if he can be happy being a civilian, then I'm happy."

"You know it would be hilarious if Ken came back and shouts-"

As the door slid open to reveal the boy in question, holding up his career sheet, "Sorry, is it too late to change my submission?"

Naruko practically jumped on her table, "YAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY!"

"Happy that he's a civilian right, loser."

"Shut it teme."

Okay, had some late night cramming all these shinobi studying materials. Other than the ones I've learned from canon, everything else is like politics and math. I turned to the window next to me, "It should happen right about... now."

"Naruko!"

"How dare you defile the Hokages' faces!"

"Nya ha ha haa! You guys suck because you're too scared to do what I did dattebayo!"

On a bright sunny day, the Hokages' faces were clearly seen by everyone, painted more colorful than average graffiti. My personal favorite was Minato's terrified visage with his wife's furious glare next to him.

Honestly, it's a really funny sight.

Holding back a groan, Iruka put down his chalk, "Class is now free study until I return."

With our teacher gone to catch the little troublemaker, we were free to make noise. That's right, I recognize this scenario. It's the first episode and the start of canon. Back when I reincarnated here, it felt so distant yet now I'm going to become a ninja with the rest of the Rookie 9. Speaking of Rookie 9...

"So Sakura, you're planning to become a medical shinobi at Konoha Hospital, have you thought of becoming a specialist?"

"I haven't thought much about it yet, though all the fields are enlightening. Becoming a medical shinobi who can help a lot of people is just what I've dreamed of."

With Satsuki replacing Sasuke, there's no handsome young genius for her to fangirl over. When I gave her tips about chakra control and medical ninjutsu, Sakura was hooked to dream big.

"By the way Ken, you never told us what changed your mind to become a shinobi, you were so against it before."

"I realized I should stop lying to myself. Despite the danger, deep down I thought about a future of myself in the battlefield. If I really want something, then I might as well shouldn't let fear determine my actions."

"Hm. As if I'd believe you're afraid."

"Th-that's inspiring of y-you Ken-kun."

As for another change, Hinata seems more confident than her canon counterpart... I think. Since I last watched the anime was long ago, it's hard to tell. Furthermore, her hair grew and reached just below her shoulders. I can already see a hint of my number one waifu from my past life and it scares me that I'm being charmed by a loli.

Noticing my staring, Hinata reddened, fidgeting while avoiding eye contact, "Wh-wh-what's wrong?"

"Sorry, I'm curious about your hair. I thought you said having short hair would be easier to fight with."

"Th-that's... Um..."

Any more and she'll pass out from embarrassment. Ino beamed, "I'm curious too. Maybe it's because a few months ago, a certain handsome boy with a Kekkei Tota said he prefers girls with long hair."

"Ino-san!"

... Whelp, I dug that grave on my own, didn't I.

"By the way Ken, I bought a new shampoo which a nice scent last night." Flipping her long silky hair, the Yamanaka flirted with a wink, "What do you think?"

"You look very pretty Ino."

"Hey no fair, I want Ken-kun to compliment me too."

"You? He said my clothes complimented me. I'm gunning for Ken-kun."

"No way, Ken-kun is my future husband."

Somehow the girls in the class argued over who I like more. With Satsuki being a girl, someone else become the target of these rabid fangirls. And that someone happened to be at the top of the class and is an extremely skilled shinobi in the making. I'll give you three guesses whom it is and the first two don't count.

I looked over to Satsuki with my polite business smile still in effect, silently praying for help with my eyes.

"No."

'Ugh! Where's Naruko, AKA my fangirl shield, when I need her?'

And right on cue, Iruka-sensei returned with a pouting Naruko tied up. The former glared, "Naruko, you are about to take the graduation exam soon. When are you going to become serious and stop making pranks."

"Ah! Hey, are you girls bothering Ken-kun again dattebayo!?"

The blonde tried to wiggle away like a caterpillar, only to be pulled back Iruka by the rope, "Are you listening to me at all!?"

"When can I go home? I bet kaa-chan would laugh at tou-chan's face."

A vein visibly throbbed on Iruka's forehead, "Alright! Since you are not reflecting, we can review the Transformation Jutsu along with the entire class."

Groans and complaints were aimed at Naruko who still showed no remorse, though she did make a face when Iruka gave extra homework. Everyone lined up in front of our teacher, using the Transformation Jutsu to turn into exact replicas of Iruka.

I quietly whispered, "Nice job with Yondaime-sama's face, it's pretty creative."

"Funny right? I thought of it when I saw tou-chan shaking in fear last week dattebayo." Naruko giggled, smiling jubilantly.

Her carefree attitude made me smile. I can't exactly approve of her pranking, though I can't exactly say anything either. She's doing this to lessen her loneliness after all.

"My next target are the clan compounds, wanna help me out dattebayo? I bet those stuck up clan heads would blow when they see their homes painted like ramen."

Okay, maybe she's not exactly lonely. Naruko already made some friends compared to her canon counterpart.

At the height almost a head lower than me, Naruko Namikaze has bright blonde hair tied in pigtails with red scrunchies. Her attire consists of a sleeveless kimono-style blouse that was orange in colour and held closed with a blue obi over a short-sleeved mesh shirt with a pair of dark blue shorts and brown shinobi sandals.

"Perfect score Satsuki."

"Hm."

I then turned to the Uchiha, her hair in a ponytail with bangs framing her face and onyx eyes. She wore a long-sleeved, high-collared purple shirt with the Uchiha clan symbol on the back, baggy blue pants, red armband on her left arm, and a long purple fingerless glove that ran nearly the length of her arm. Her hairstyle had a bit of spikiness but hardly resembles a duck butt, more silky smooth now.

And not to mention hot enough to make male adults drool over the 12 year old pre-teen.

"You were amazing as usual Satsuki-chan."

"Hey Satsuki, check out my jutsu."

"Are you doing anything after school Satsuki-chan?"

Much to Naruko's irritation, Satsuki was receiving all the attention yet again. A big portion of the male classmates were acting tough to impress the Uchiha. Said Uchiha didn't bother sparing them a glance, standing next to and using me as a fanboy shield.

"Really? You ignored me earlier and now you act as if this is natural?"

"Hm."

"This isn't gender equality. It's you using me at your convenience."

"Hm."

"I'm not gonna say 'no', though would it hurt to say 'thank you'?"

"Hm."

"That's the best I'm gonna get out of you, aren't I?"

"Hm."

"I don't know why I keep saying this after the first dozen times. By the way, kaa-san made you fried chicken today."

"Hm."

"You know kaa-san isn't gonna stop because you said so. Besides, it's hard to live alone. Just take the bento and enjoy it."

"Hm."

Satsuki turned her head away, I've known her long enough to know that's how she hides her embarrassment.

"Takamiya Ken."

I stepped up, with my usual black spiky hair and casual smile. I'm wearing a white sleeveless hoodie with red accents over my black undershirt, dark blue cargo pants stopping at my knees, and standard ninja sandals.

Without performing any hand signs, I transformed into an exact replica of Iruka-sensei.

"Well done, perfect score as usual Ken. Next, Namikaze Naruko."

As the blonde walked in front of Iruka, she flashed a mischievous grin I know all too well, "Sexy Jutsu."

Naruko transformed to a random mature woman with a voluptuous figure with smoke hiding the exact parts that leaves the imagination to run wild. She winked seductively, causing Iruka to launch back like a rocket with his nose bleed as thrusters.

"Ha ha ha ha! Gotcha Iruka-sensei!"

"Cut the stupid jokes! This is your last warning!"

"I could've gotten it done faster with shadow clones dattebayo."

"No, you made this mess, you take responsibility like a proper shinobi."

Kushina admonished her daughter, albeit finding the prank funny as well. Kaa-chan and I joined them for Ichiraku ramen, slurping up the noodles and broth.

"Tomorrow is your final exam, are you nervous?"

"No way, that exam will be totally easy dattebayo."

"What about the theoretical part?"

"Ugh, I'll pass dateebayo!"

Kaa-chan giggled at the sulking Naruko, "Well, I hope you will have good teammates, it would be nice if you two could be together."

"Wait, we get teammates dattebayo?"

An exasperated Kushina held her head, "Ken-kun?"

"No, Iruka-sensei didn't forget to mention it." I rolled my eyes, "All students who passed the final exams and become a genin get to form teams of 3 and one jounin sensei, Naruko."

"Really!? That means we can stay together! Yippee dattebayo!"

"However, the team formation isn't decided by us. The senseis will be the ones doing that."

The ball of sunshine drooped, face pudgy and pigtails lifeless, "Boo..."

'Well, I already have an idea about team placements considering I'm at the top and Naruko's at the bottom, though I'll just leave it as a surprise.'

"Grr..." Naruko was upset, staring into her ramen bowl before inhaling with more fervor than usual, "Like that will stop me, I'll pray with all my might to be in the same team dattebayo!"

"Naruko, slow down. You are going to choke-"

"Too late."

Not sure how power eating and wishing are related, though the little blonde managed to break her personal record and downed over thirty bowls of ramen.

"Namikaze Naruko."

Iruka called out students one at a time to a different room, all he said publicly was to perform jutsus, nothing specific. When Naruko's turn arrived, I flashed a smile and gave her a thumbs up. She returned the same gestures, but I could tell she was nervous. I haven't seen any improvements from her since our last training together, shadow clones are considered B-ranks for a reason.

Regardless, I'm sure she'll be fine, otherwise her face would be more constipated-looking.

"My money says the dope would fail."

I turned to my left with a slightly admonishing gaze, "Come on, Satsuki. Naruko worked really hard, I'm sure this time would be different."

"Her three consecutive failures said otherwise."

That's another mystery I've been wondering before reincarnating. Apparently, the Academy follows a system where grades don't matter when shifting to the next grade. Only the final exams before graduation mattered whether you can become a shinobi or not. Makes a lot of sense since the Japan in my world has this system. Here I thought Naruto might've entered the Academy three years earlier than usual and failed three times.

"Takamiya Ken."

"See you outside."

"Hm."

Satsuki didn't bother glancing at me, completely confident in my success.

"The practical portion is simple. Please do the basic Academy jutsus." Iruka explained, already giving me perfect scores on my paper to save time.

Nodding, I performed all three simultaneously at the same time. Without hand signs, clones filled the room while transforming and substituting.

"Well done. Is there another jutsu you would like to demonstrate for extra points?"

In response to Mizuki's question, I raised a hand to the training dummy, conjuring a miniature black hole on my fingertip. With one simple contact, the dummy then had a hole in its chest area clean through.

"Very impressive. Congratulations Ken-kun, you passed."

Bowing, I grabbed a headband and appreciated. After 12 years, I've become a genin, touching something that I once thought as something that didn't exist before made me feel a lot of emotions. Tying it to my forehead, I waited for the exam to be over and mentally prepare myself for tonight. I can't let myself be swept away by joy.

Whenever there is happiness, there will always be sadness.

"Extra credit? Why doesn't anyone else do it?"

"They do, but each test is unique and a secret to everyone else. Think of it as a mission. Will you take yours?"

"Of course dattebayo! Anything to be in the same team as Ken-kun!"

Her prayers to the god of ramen must've been answered! Not only did Naruko finally become a shinobi, she can be with her childhood friend!

Sneaking into the Hokage office, Naruko spotted the secret storage Mizuki told her. All she has to do now is to bring it to the location without letting anyone find out.

"Naruko? What are you doing here?" Just then, Minato teleported to Naruko's location, anxious since he hasn't seen her daughter in a while. And then he found her in a restricted area, the Yondaime narrowed his eyes, "Naruko?"

Without thinking, Naruko instinctively used her secret weapon, determined to not fail the extra credit test, "Oiroke no jutsu: kaa-chan version!"

As the smoke abated, a naked Kushina seductively posed with light smoke barely covering the sexiest parts. With bigger breasts and lewder curves, the transformed Naruko winked, speaking with a voice more tempting than a succubus, "Minato-kun~ I want a second child~"

The Yondaime Hokage, known as the Yellow Flash and most powerful shinobi in the Hidden Leaf Village, threw his head back as blood rocketed out of his nose.

Com. Plete. Knock. Out.

A total and utter victory to Naruko, "Oh yeah, that's what you get for messing with the future Hokage dattebayo!"

Before any more trouble arrives, the blonde headed to the rendezvous point.

Naruko set the huge scroll down, smirking proudly, "That was too easy for the super cool kunoichi dattebayo!"

Her survey of the woods resulted in boredom. Naruko arrived earlier than Mizuki stated, growing restless. Her attention was then turned to the scroll, "Why is this thing so big anyway?"

Childish curiosity got the better of her, Naruko grinned mischievously from ear to ear, "Well, I can take a look before anyone notices."

"Before who notices?"

Scared shitless, Naruko hopped 3 meters in the air before falling on her butt, "Gah! Iruka-sensei!? Why are you here?"

"I should be asking you the same thing! Naruko, do you have any idea how much trouble you've gotten into for stealing that forbidden scroll!?"

"Bu-but... I wanted to be in the same team as Ken-kun. I got the scroll, do I still pass dattebayo?"

Iruka blinked in confusion. Judging from Naruko's pleading expression and tone, the teacher felt that they weren't on the same page, "Pass? Are you taking a test?"

"Yeah! The extra credit test. Mizuki-sensei told me to take the scroll and bring it here so-"

Listening to only half of the explanation was enough for Iruka to piece it together, 'Mizuki... It can't be...'

"Get down!"

A sharp sound flew above their heads. Iruka promptly pushed his student out of the way before glaring at the culprit, "Mizuki... Why?"

"I wasn't expecting you to arrive before me. The Yondaime I can understand, but you? Not that it matters." The traitor turned to the stupefied blonde, "Naruko, quickly hand me the scroll."

"Don't listen to him, Naruko! Mizuki's just using you to get the scroll! He's lying!"

"Me lying?" The traitor scoffed, "It's Iruka and the rest of the villagers lying to you. Don't you want to know the truth from 12 years ago?"

Naruko kept glancing between her two senseis. First she was informed of an extra credit test, and now two people are saying contradictory words. Suddenly forced into a big situation understandably left her confused of whom to trust.

"The Yondaime, your own father, sealed the kyuubi into you as a vessel. That's why everyone hates your guts, you are the very same nine-tailed fox who destroyed our village."

Despite already aware, hearing it from someone else stunned Naruko in a brief emotional turmoil, recalling the looks she received from the villagers. The blonde took a breathe, calming herself somewhat before glaring back, "So what!? I already know about that. I'm the super awesome shinobi who's going to be Hokage someday! Something like this is easy to piece together dattebayo!"

An agitated Mizuki and a relieved Iruka looked at Naruko, the former scowling from his plan thwarted. The traitor suddenly grinned deviously, "Oh really, then I wonder what Takamiya Ken would think of you?"

The blonde's fragile confidence shattered all too easily, her face twisted in horror, "Th-that won't change anything! Ken-kun already knows-"

"Does he?" Mizuki countered back, not letting the jinchuriki think things through, "We all know how much he cares about his family, more than anything else in the world. Would he really befriend the same person who killed his father?"

"Silence Mizuki!" Iruka threw a kunai in attempt to shut him up, yet it was deflected easily.

"Of course Takamiya Ken wouldn't! The moment he finds out, he'll view you in contempt just like everyone else!"

"N-no! Stop!"

"He'll cut off all connections with you, furious of being lied to for so many years! He'll call you what everyone else has!"

"STOP! DON'T SAY IT!"

"To Takamiya Ken, you are a monster!"

Naruko's breathing quickened, she couldn't help but imagining her best friend showing her the same cold glare as everyone else.

Scowling at her in hatred.

Turning his back on her.

Calling her a murderer.

Tears uncontrollably ran down Naruko's cheeks as despair and fear began overwhelming. The one friend she tried so desperately hard to make only to lose him because of her past. After growing up hearing the whispers her whole life, Naruko's trauma surfaced and threatened to consumed her.

Red chakra flickered into existence, the emotional breakdown was enough to allow some of the kyuubi's chakra to slip out.

In her state, Naruko couldn't move well, and Mizuki seized that opportunity. A fuma shuriken bolted towards the jinchuriki straight for impalement.

After a specific amount of time lying unconscious, Minato was tempted to teleport to his daughter but opted to watch instead, gathering more information for better judgement. Using the crystal ball, a relic left behind by the Sandaime, Minato watched with the Telescope Technique.

Iruka protected Naruko with his body. He sustained heavy damage yet nothing life threatening. Naruko, not used to such kindness from other people, ran away in confusion as she didn't know whom to trust.

Mizuki was prepared to finish off the weakened Iruka with another shuriken yet just before the weapon would sever the teacher, an almost imperceptible pebble knocked it off balance which allowed Iruka to dodge at the last minute.

His failed murder annoyed Mizuki. In the end, he decided to go for the Scroll of Sealing as a higher priority, leaving the other teacher to die from bleeding.

As Iruka dragged himself up to search for Naruko. Minato zoomed in on the one who intervened.

Takamiya Ken stood on a tree for a while now, observing the whole event yet not directly intruding. What happened next surprised Minato, Ken looked directly at him as if he could see the Yondaime spying.

"Please don't interfere. This is an important turning point for Naruko."

Almost losing his daughter once was enough to scar him. Minato didn't know what Ken is planning though knowing him, Minato would listen for now.

"Why would you go so far to protect the kyubi? She's the very same monster who killed your parents. She's nothing but a mindless monster."

"Yeah... you're right. That is what a monster would do."

Hiding behind a tree, Naruko overheard the conversation and stiffened in shock, hearing what her teacher and probably what everyone else truly thinks of her, 'So it's true, Iruka-sensei really does think I'm a monster.'

"But that is not what Naruko would do."

She jolted from her despair, almost missing what Iruka said.

"I was blinded by rage and grieve. At first I thought she was like that too. However, the more I see her, the more I know she's just a normal person like everyone else. When her friends get hurt, she would cry and care about them."

"Sure, Naruko is clumsy and a troublemaker, but she is also a hard worker who tackles each obstacle one step at a time. She has come so far and proved that she's not the kyuubi, she is Namikaze Naruko of the Hidden Leaf Village."

Upon hearing those words, Naruko shed tears. All the effort she has put into... it wasn't for nothing.

Naruko managed to get through to someone, and that someone changed and has acknowledged her.

Mizuki sighed in disappointment, "I was going to let you die like a dog but I changed my mind. I will end your life myself!"

'Guess this is the end for me...'

Before Mizuki could finish Iruka, Naruko came out hiding and kneed the former's chin.

"Baka! Why did you come back!? Hurry and run!"

"So you've returned Kyubi. If you were smarter, then maybe you could've live longer."

Naruko ignored the provocations. After hearing Iruka, she resolved to not falter again. This time, she will protect him, "Touch my sensei, and I will kill you."

"Hmph. Big talk for a brat, the only thing that will happen is your beating."

"Go ahead and try, I'll return it back to you a thousand fold."

Crossing her fingers, Naruko mustered her chakra, pouring out insanely huge amounts of it and yelled.

"Taju Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

In a instant, hundreds if not thousands filled up the forest. No matter where Mizuki looked, all he could see were Narukos. Petrified, the traitor who bragged about killing Naruko, now fell onto his butt.

"What's the matter?"

"If you're not coming to us..."

"Then we'll come to you."

A thousand punches later, Mizuki lied down unconscious with a swelled face and missing teeth.

Naruko fidgeted, awkwardly handing back the scroll, "I... might've taken a peek inside dattebayo..."

Iruka patted her on the head, "It's okay, Naruko. What's important is that you've done the right thing. Thank you for saving me."

"Iruka-sensei... Do you think... Ken-kun will hate me if he finds out about the kyubi?"

It took a second for Iruka to answer that, he wanted to give an honest answer without hurting her feelings, "Ken is a smart kid, I'm sure he already pieced the puzzle together. Regardless, he still stayed by your side. I think you already know what he thinks of you."

The dream she had many years ago came back to her. Naruko wasn't sure if it was more than a dream, but she kept holding onto hope.

"So, can I still be on the same team as Ken-kun?"

"Don't push your luck."

Minato watched the scene unfold, smiling in happiness that his daughter was gaining more acknowledgement, "I'm glad for you, Naruko."

He then saw Ken smiling at the two before turning to the Yondaime, whispering a thanks before leaving. Minato never called any shinobi to search for Naruko, yet Takamiya Ken transformed into one and told Iruka about the event, and he told Iruka only.

There are a lot of questions Minato wanted to ask but that could wait, he trusts Ken until he thinks the time is right. For now, he has to clean up Mizuki's mess.

AN: I have no excuses except that work is physically and mentally exhausting. Anyhow, enjoy the chapter.

Ja Ne