The Tale of the Cursed Namikaze

by Datura7

Jinchuuriki, scapegoats of the village and society. And the jinchuriki of Konoha, a dumb blonde with an optimistic view on life. But what if, that boy was not dumb? What if he was our normal average intellect guy, with some curses or rather gifts? What if his parents were alive? What if he was still alone? How would he proceed? PS: The story will be a bit slower than average.

5. Chapter 5 - Graduation

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any other characters, Masashi Kishimoto and studio pierrot does.

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Chapter 5:Graduation

Timeskip-2 years

It has been two years since the massacre. At the start, Naruto had been a lot out of character. He had become very reserved and quiet for a while. Always downcast and avoiding any conversation. The combined efforts of Hiruzen, Iruka and Mikoto seemed to have brought him out of his absurd state. Or that is what they thought.

Naruto had to say what really got him to decide to show that he had bounced back was Mikoto's devotion to treating him as her own son, and trying to uplift his spirits. She always held herself and worked on lifting his, Kiyomi's and Sasuke's spirits up, even if she wasn't feeling any good. She would always try to make them see how beautiful life was, and not to waste it on thinking of the dark past. Naruto saw all this and for the first time understood how invaluable and powerful motherly love was. After a few weeks of the massacre, he decided to swallow his feelings and show he was okay.

Naruto, not to hurt and concern his oba-chan any more, simply chose to swallow down his emotions. All thought Naruto had gotten back to his former self, except one. Kakashi from afar still kept an eye on the boy. Whenever he had a conversation with the Hokage or Mikoto about Naruto, he could see that Naruto had made them believe he was alright and didn't change much. But Kakashi would always reply, "He has changed. He has become more like his father than his mother now, it was the opposite before."

Naruto had started to help Mikoto in opening up both Kiyomi and Sasuke, just for the sake that the woman can have some respite. Thats why he only played the part of was of a simple listener or an occasional greeting. It wasn't very hard to break Kiyomi's isolation as she didn't push everyone away for a long time, she just wanted someone who would hear her. And Naruto became her ears and gave some replies accordingly. Eventually, Naruto and the girl had become good friends and spent quite some time together, training together or playing. Kiyomi had graduated and had already become a chunin after a year of being a genin.

No one was having any luck with Sasuke for a long time. He had covered himself under a thick layer of ice. He had become even more antisocial. It was visible that he was the most affected by the massacre. The clan was his pride. His father was his guide. His elder brother was his idol, rival and closer to him than any other person in the world. He eventually receded back a bit but was never able to get back to his former character.

Naruto tried to befriend him but he was always pushed away disrespectfully. Naruto had stopped his extended hand after a while due to the constant disrespect and there was a thick wall between the two, but the wall did have a pin-hole through which they observed each other.

Mikoto a year after the massacre, when she thought that everyone's character had returned as much as they could, decided to return to her ninja duties. She had already taken up the political duties of the Uchiha clan head, just after the massacre. It would be a lot of duties at a sudden and many doubted if it was the right decision.

When she was asked the reason why trouble your body and mind again? She would always say that she didn't want to rely solely on the inheritance of the Uchiha clan, and only sit by using the money, as it would give a wrong show to her children. Also, it would teach her children to be independent when she is gone, as she needed to prepare them if she were to catch a fatal illness and leave the world unprecedentedly. She could not just sit and be near expecting everything would happen. She had rejoined to her former status of a full-fledged jonin.

---

The alarm clock rang. Naruto woke and tapped it shut. He had made a habit of waking up early at five-thirty. He had pledged himself to train and be better than before. He never wanted to go through losing someone again. Because he now experienced and knew…Attachment isn't a joke. You literally feel physical pain when you miss that person.

He had recently completed the tenth volume of fuinjutsu and became a seal master. He was heavily praised for it by his Jiji and oba-chan. Now only left was improving, improvising and creating some seals of his own. He had also refined his taijutsu, kenjutsu and shurikenjutsu. The only thing to learn more about was his ninjutsu. He was forbidden to learn any jutsu higher than B rank at the moment. His Jiji had reasoned him from going further as it would no doubt catch attention, and also dangerous to learn without any supervision. Naruto too had to agree. He didn't want anyone to know his true skill level at the moment.

As for his sharingan, he didn't dare even activate it once. It still hurt. There was not one day that he didn't think about Shisui. He would often go to Shisui's grave, in a cemetery where all the massacre victims were buried. He had put a number of seals on his grave as he didn't want any filthy grave robber to even touch the grave. He would also go to training ground 31 and just sit there at the edge of the cliff. He always felt like he was spending time with Shisui when he was at these two places. He still liked the serenity and solitude the place offered.

He got up from his bed and made his way to the kitchen. On the way he saw the calendar and it had a red mark on it. While scratching his head, he tried to recall what was the occasion. 'Is it someone's birthday? A festival?...Ahh, no idea…Why the hell didn't I write anything there...Oh wait, yeah today is the graduation exam. Finally, can show my skill and proceed further.' He ended his thought with a small smirk.

Both he and his Jiji had decided that the graduation day was the final day of the act he had put up till now. He didn't need to downgrade himself anymore. He did spend a small time on the thought that this was a step closer for him to know about his parents. He knew thinking of his roots was not worth all of his time, it was just some history that he deserved to know. He knew and trusted his Jiji on the decision that whatever decision his Jiji took was for his own good. He also didn't regard his heritage as important anymore. The only thing important to him was to fulfil the promise he had made to Shisui, be the Hokage and try to find a solution to this world. He would also wanted to protect people close to him, as didn't want to experience untimely death ever again. But somehow it was always a secondary thought. Maybe because he had already lost the one most important to him?

He proceeded to make his breakfast consisting of two boiled eggs, some rice and grilled fish. After eating he dressed himself with his usual attire without any of the bandages, nor his tanto with its strapping vest. The vest had become one of the most valuable things he owned. In personality he and Shisui used to share a lot in common, in physical objects this was it.

He finished watering some plants which he had and left his house. He still had a bit of time left. He headed in a different direction, a very familiar one though…He reached training ground 31, specifically at the edge where his brother was standing a two years back. He would often come here and talk when he felt like it or just to calm down. He didn't know why but this place and the Hokage monument, more specifically the top of the Yondamine's face would always soothe him.

"Hi...it has been a while... sorry for that...There isn't much going around nowadays...the village is peaceful...due to your and Itachi-nii's sacrifices...He did save the village and Uchiha's name as you asked…Sorry, I can't tell you about Itachi-nii as I have no idea where and how he is. But I am sure he is relaxing somewhere peacefully." Said Naruto sombrely.

"Well anyways...Today is my graduation exam. After today I can become a shinobi of Konoha just like you." Said Naruto with a more uplifted voice and gentle smile remembering how Shisui used to tell him about his missions with pride. The time how with his teams he went behind enemies' lines and executed their mission. He still marvels at how the presence of his elder brother drove away most of the shinobi. That was the aura of a flight on sight Shinobi he mused.

A gust of wind passed by. Swaying his hair a bit. Naruto smiled. He always took these natural phenomena after his talk as the answers to him from his brother.

"Thanks for the words of encouragement. I will be one step closer to complete our promise and start protecting the village you hold dear. I will become the Hokage one day as I promised you." said Naruto.

Another gust of wind passed and Naruto's smile brightened a bit. He just said, "Thanks...for everything." He told those words an uncountable time now. Nevertheless, it felt like he needed to say it that many more times. He just stood there now with his eyes closed. Just feeling and enjoying the nature around him, regardless of the time passing by.

"I knew that I would find you here." Said a feminine voice.

"Yes, you would, wouldn't you?" Replied Naruto shifting his attention from nature to his friend. Kiyomi and Naruto had gotten close to each other knowing almost everything about each other. Keyword almost. She did sometimes ask for his reasons for hiding his caliber. He always just replied, "I will tell it to you when the time is right, not now. Pardon me."

Kiyomi went and stood near Naruto looking at the waterfall in front. Naruto turned to face the girl who was considered as one of the most promising kunoichi, and an elegant young lady.

The said girl had changed her get-up a bit. She now wore a black top whose sleeves went till mid-forearm, with the Uchiha clan symbol at the back. Which was at most times covered by her waist-length raven-coloured hair. She still wore a similar kind of gloves, but the colour now changed to navy blue. She wore a purple-coloured apron skirt, under which she wore black shorts. With navy blue sandals and black stockings which went up to her thigh. She had tied Hitai-ate around her forehead. Since it was not mandatory for a Konoha ninja to wear the vest, she didn't wear her chunin vest. (AN: It is Rin's outfit with only some colour changes and the extra gloves.)

"Well, I do know you pretty well." Said Kiyomi.

"You don't have any missions today." Asked Naruto.

"No, I am on a short rest period after the previous mission. Same for kaa-chan…Were you talking with Shisui again?"

Naruto just nodded and asked, "You were looking for me? Did you need something?"

"Yes, I was looking for you, but I don't want anything. Just wanted to say all the best for today. Though you don't need it. Will you show what you are capable of today?"

Naruto chuckled a bit and said, "I will, but not everything. Will be kind of a shock to everyone. A big one too. If everything is showcased then some might even get too much of it that they will faint."

Both laughed at this. Between laughs, Kiyomi said, "I...I can't wait to see Sasuke's reaction when he comes home."

"Yeah, I guess he will be the most affected due to his superiority complex. I acknowledge he is as good as me in many areas. Also, only he, Iruka sensei, Shikamaru, Shino and maybe Hinata will remember today's performance. Others are too ignorant. And there the others will go saying they will be a ninja while they don't keep tabs on minute details." Said Naruto sarcastically at the end.

Kiyomi just hummed at Naruto's view and then said, "And yeah kaa-chan asked you to join us for dinner today to celebrate both your and Sasuke's graduation. Sasuke was told to say this but I doubt he will."

Naruto and the Uchiha family nowadays usually had dinner together on special occasions or whenever his oba-chan felt like it. Mikoto had left her insecurities about what would happen if someone saw the bond she shared with Naruto. She didn't care what people would think anymore.

Naruto nodded and said, "I will be there."

Both of them just remained silent capturing the cool breeze until Kiyomi said, "You will be late if you don't go now...Unless you remove your resistance seal or decrease its power."

Naruto just smirked a said, "You do know me well, don't you?"

"Duh...I said that in the start itself." Said Kiyomi in a deadpan expression.

"Yeah, yeah, I know everything about you too."

Kiyomi just scoffed and said, "No you don't."

"Oh yeah, really what do I don't know. Care to enlighten me, 'my' kitty cat."

Kiyomi just blushed a bit. She used to hate it when he would call her that. But recently when he calls her that with 'my' before it, she would feel like butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She didn't understand why it happened at first. After a while, she was able to figure out her feelings, and the culprit who stole her heart. She didn't know when she fell for him. She just was able to reason why. She guessed it was due to Naruto's nature towards her, and maybe because he was the one she opened up to after the massacre. He would listen to her, whatever she wished to say which she wanted to say. She didn't want to talk much with her mother as she knew the older Uchiha was keeping a strong façade for them. She didn't want to trouble her mother emotionally. So that's when Naruto became her ears, he would reply sometimes. He had become her pillar in a sense. And she didn't want to lose her pillar and stay along its support for as long as she lived. She felt like Naruto was the only person besides her mother and brother, she could be herself with. Maybe it was a bit selfish, but it was what it was and she didn't lie to herself.

She involuntarily turned her head a bit so her hair would cover the blush on her cheeks, so Naruto couldn't see it. She was also fidgeting one of her legs rubbing against the ground.

She timidly said, "I...I…I can't say it. You will have to find it yourself, Whiskers."

Naruto just looked at the sudden change in Kiyomi's demeanour. He didn't mind his nickname anymore and they had decreased the number of times they used it. Initially, it was used for teasing purposes. He noticed that she stuttered at the start. She rarely did it. He also observed the timid and shy behaviour and thought, 'Must be something important...Well, I too still have two very big secrets to myself. So, it's only fair she keeps this to herself. I should let it be and not pry further.'

"Hymnnn, ok need to go now." With that, he formed a half ram seal and released his resistance seal .

"Oh…ok bye." Said Kiyomi a bit downcast now due to Naruto's lack of anticipation.

"Bye see you at dinner." With that, Naruto sprinted his way to the academy.

This left Kiyomi alone on the ground now. She just sighed and said to herself, "He didn't even try to know..." She always wondered how would she convey her feelings to him if she got all timid, nervous and shy only by thinking about it when he was around. It was unlike her, but the hormonal teenage girl couldn't help but act in that manner.

---

In the years Naruto had played dumb and as the dead last. It was now coming to its end. He had a grin on his face while pacing at high speed towards the academy. He was ready to give everyone a bit taste of who the real Uzumaki Naruto was.

He also grimaced a bit that he would be leaving the academy. It was his best alibi for his payback or big pranks. He had started to incorporate his seals in his pranks. So, he didn't need to be present at the crime scene or be on the run escaping guarding Anbu, with the use of time-ticking seals. He knew the blame would go to him but he had proof and witnesses that he was in the academy.

He picked his victims on how inhumanely he was treated by the person. If he was nice and they were still outrightly barbarous to him. Then they were subjected to his special pranks. For instance, it included stink bombs whose smell would stay in the place for a good amount of time, slime explosions in their house and many more. It would take a significant amount of time and work to remove the smell or slime. So, in conclusion, he purposefully frustrated those people.

His Jiji had caught on his little trick but the old man just asked for the true reason of the prank repetitively on some people, knowing there was one. Hiruzen didn't scold him after the reasoning. He just shared a laugh after the details of the elements used as most of the time Naruto would use. Also, because mostly the victims were mostly civil councilmen and women who also irritated Hiruzen at the meetings to no extent.

On his way towards the academy, he was also thinking of his classmates. In truth, he was treated as an outcast by most of the kids as they were advised by their parents to do so. There were some who weren't directed similarly, he could say this by the way they acted. He had grown well in reading people. Since no one but a handful only talked to him those who weren't directed by their elder also didn't have close ties with him. Regardless he did have to agree his batch was a fairly talented one with most of the clan heirs in it. He then thought of the ones who according to him cut to be a genin.

First was his closest friend, Nara Shikamaru. Heir of the Nara clan. Both he and Naruto had the similarity of not showing their true potential and are considered the dead last duo. Naruto knew about Shikamaru's abnormally high intellect, even for a Nara. His tactical genius was shown when both played shogi. Naruto was good at it, he could give a good challenge to almost everyone except Shikamaru. The Nara was just on a different level. The only low point was his laziness. He could be considered the pinnacle of how lazy a person could be.

Next was his other close friend, Akimichi Choji. Heir of the Akimichi clan. The boy was very kind and generous. He would always offer whatever he was eating. He was also quite sensitive to his weight and fat stature. He suffered due to his lack of confidence and reluctance to hurt anyone.

Along with these two, he had a lot of fun in the academy. They often spent time together and received punishments together. He would admit it that Shikamaru, Chouji and Iruka made the place bearable.

Then there was Hyuga Hinata. Heiress of the Hyuga clan. The girl was very kind and a lovable person. However, she suffered from severe confidence issues. She stuttered a lot and it always multiplied when he was around. She would also get red at times when he went near her. It was like she had suddenly caught a fever and sometimes fainted in his presence. He was forever clueless about what had happened. Nevertheless, he considered her a friend as she was never cruel to him and talked as much, as she could with him. He liked her despite her strange quirks.

Next was Inuzuka Kiba. Heir of the Inuzuka clan. The boy was very competitive. Too competitive that he had a one-sided rivalry with everyone. He usually disrespected others, trying to show he was better and the alpha. Naruto wasn't a fan of Kiba's behaviour and had gotten into some fights with the boy. He was impulsive, short-tempered and brash. Easy to get into his head and make him commit a mistake. He was always accompanied by his ninken dog, Akamaru, who fitted in Kiba's jacket. The pup always agreed with the thing Kiba would mutter from time to time. Naruto did consider him as a friend, as sometimes Kiba too would join in his pranks. And Naruto could tell Kiba never harboured any malice against him.

Another was Aburame Shino. Heir of the Aburame clan. You could say he was one of the most appropriate examples of how a shinobi should act, which was a common thing amongst his clansmen. He never showed any emotions, always calm and composed. It was always mysterious what the boy thought due to the lack of facial clues, eyes covered with goggles and a high collar jacket covering most of the lower face. The biggest plus point according to Naruto about the Aburame heir was that he always spoke logically. Every sentence he spoke had a reason to back it. Due to many finding the bugs, his clan became a bit repulsive and stayed away from him. Cause of this reaction of others, Naruto would occasionally find something to discuss about, they were friends in that sense.

Yamanaka Ino, heiress of the Yamanaka clan. She was a very outspoken and loud girl, in his opinion. She is one of the most devoted fangirls of Uchiha Sasuke. She was very proud of her looks and extremely self-conscious about it. She loved gossip and scavenged for every secret she could. She wasn't bad-hearted but focused on the wrong things. Naruto was neither on friendly terms with her nor did he find her trustworthy. Though he accepted that her ability to find information could be handy.

Haruno Sakura was a civilian girl. She was Ino's rival for their Sasuke-kun's affection. She was also very self-conscious about her looks, particularly about her forehead. It was slightly bigger than usual and she tried to hide it with her pink bangs. She occasionally asked Sasuke out for dates but was denied every time. The closeness of the Uchiha family and Naruto had become more and more common. She with some brilliant reasoning blamed him for the denials and tried to hit him, it was a natural reaction of her. Naruto found it odd, that this was her coping mechanism. Naruto obviously dodged them. He thought the girl was crazy to some extent and definitely not trustworthy.

And the last and his least favourite person, Uchiha Sasuke. Sasuke always acted as if no one was better than him. The level of arrogance shown just amazed Naruto. At times he found it hard to believe that this was his oba-chan's son. The stark contrast in the behaviour was just too much at times. He just ruminated the whole time and somehow his fangirls found it cool. Sasuke was too judgmental in Naruto's opinion. He would evaluate every person he met, if he deemed them weak then he would be disrespectful to them. If someone was stronger then he trained to be stronger than that person so they could go to the other group. But he also had to give Sasuke credit for his focus on training. The boy was a living oxymoron because of having both superiority and inferiority complex.

He did acknowledge that the massacre was the hardest on him but it didn't mean he had to act like this always. He couldn't answer why Sasuke wasn't able to swallow his emotions like he had done. He had also seen how his oba-chan still tried to make him behave but it hasn't worked. Unknown to all, things that had happened to the uchiha boy that night. No one knew what happened that affected him to such an extent.

Naruto was also irritated by how everyone deemed him a prodigy. Okay, he accepted was better than usual standards. But prodigy? No, prodigies are people like both of Naruto's elder brothers, Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui, Hatake Kakashi, Namikaze Minato and Senju Tobirama. Naruto didn't consider himself nor Sasuke a member of that league.

Needless to say, both Naruto and Sasuke had a disliking for each other. And Naruto sometimes hated that he had to lose to the emo during spars when could easily win it. They had a complex relationship due to Naruto's closeness tot he rest of the Uchiha family and dislike between them. It always gave his oba-chan a headache when they were in a petty agreement, which happened very often.

Naruto had reached the academy. Everyone had arrived except for the instructors. Thinking of the two instructors he couldn't help but think about the vast difference in them.

One side was Iruka sensei, who was like his father figure. The scar-faced instructor was always nice to him and treated him at Ichiraku's. It wasn't all flowers at first but Iruka within the initial months itself, but changed as Iruka tried to understand who Naruto was. Naruto was kind of delighted with Iruka's approach towards him. Naruto genuinely thought if was right deceiving someone by showing a fake image of him to someone who genuinely wanted to help and understand him. Even when Naruto imprisoned the demon that took the life of his parents. He could not help but try to be close to the boy. He had a familial-like relationship with Naruto. Naruto liked Iruka a lot.

On the other side was Iruka's assistant, Mizuki Sensei. Sensei his ass, Naruto always cursed internally. The white hair chunin always taught him the wrong stances and moves. Naruto gave no clue that he knew about this fact. It was clear how much hate Mizuki carried. Both hated each other with passion.

Naruto was making his way to the last left corner window seat at the top, which was luckily free, and Shikamaru and Choji were on the other seats of the desk. He was then stopped by the emo king himself. Standing in front of him and blocking his way. Both just glared at each other. The whole class was watching now as all knew about the animosity between the two.

"What is it teme?" snarled Naruto.

"I didn't expect you to come here, dobe. I thought you had chickened out. It would have been the better and more reasonable option rather than to embarrass yourself here. You have no shame it seems." Said Sasuke with a smirk.

The Naruto which he had shown to them, would have just jumped to a fight by now. But he didn't need to do it now. He had to accept now he went a little overboard at times with his acting. Naruto just looked around the room seeing many laughing and how many of the girls were they fawning on how cool Sasuke was. 'These are our brilliant upcoming kunoichi.' thought sarcastically. Naruto just gave a bored look and calmly said, "Is it all you had to say, duck-butt hair?"

Sasuke was first surprised at the unexpected way Naruto replied. At the dig towards him, he just snarled and gritted his teeth. He chose not to reply as he found the aura of Naruto to be different from the goofy person he knew. He knew others would cause a commotion and that would give him a bit more of observation and then reply.

Shikamaru from his seat at the back was taking a nap, well at least he tried to. He heard the short-heated conversation and opened one eye, as opening both would be too troublesome. He could not see Sasuke's expression, due to the boy's back facing him but he did notice the opaque expression that the blonde had on. It was an expression Naruto used to have when they were in an intense position while playing shogi.

Shikamaru most of the time won and drew the rest. But he accepted apart from his father and a few other Naras, Naruto used to push him quite hard in the game. He knew Naruto was acting in the academy. But never asked why. As it would be such a drag, and also because he guessed there must be a reason that they shouldn't know, or else Naruto would have told him. 'So be it,' he always thought and he didn't pry for information. Now seeing the different side of his friend, he just thought to himself, 'So finally showing your true self, you troublesome blonde.' He yawned and went back to his nap.

As Sasuke had predicted, the commotion came. His fangirl club hadn't taken the dig lightly. The most vocal being Sakura and Ino. Slurring out insults like, 'Baka, stop acting cool.', 'How dare you insult Sasuke-kun! Baka, apologize.' And much more nonsense like this. After half a minute of this commotion, Naruto did not let it affect him so stopped. He had gone through worse.

Sasuke was stupefied. He had never seen Naruto so calm and uncaring of what people said. He just thought, 'He has somehow calmed himself and is ignoring everyone. He seems serious about the test. But such a change of character just due to seriousness? No there is something else going on.'

Seeing he couldn't get under Naruto's skin. He decided to tell him why he had really stopped him. But nevertheless, he tried one last dig while conveying the message he had to. He didn't like how close Naruto was to his mother and sister. As per him, a Uchiha shouldn't be associated with a loser. But he was obedient to only one person in the world. And it was his mother. He just said, "Kaa-san has asked me to invite you to dinner tonight. She somehow thinks you will be able to graduate. Come only if you graduate today. Don't bring your sorry ass just for free food."

Naruto for a bit of time, did get angry at the last sentence. He just wanted to destroy the boy now. He in an angry tone said, "Teme...we will see who will be sitting with a sorry ass at the dining table today."

"Yes, we will." Replied Sasuke.

Both not even glancing at the other once more just moved to their places. While each of them were moving to their place Naruto just vaguely heard Sakura and Ino complaining that he was always invited to dinner at their Sasuke-kun's house despite being disrespectful to the emo.

Naruto reached his seat where he saw Choji having a bag of chips which the boy offered him. He gladly took one from the bag. He then saw Shikamaru, still in a napping position, with his eyes half open and in an uninterested and sleepy tone he asked, "So finally decided to remove your mask, huh?"

Naruto found no need to lie and knew Shikamaru wouldn't mean any harm. "Yes, should have guessed you knew."

"Knew is not the correct word. I too guessed it, quite a while ago, but never pried as I know you must have your reasons."

"Thanks for that." Naruto liked this. He and Shikamaru somehow understood each other. Naruto understood his nature while Shikamaru understood Naruto's.

"You can thank me by not causing too much ruckus. This exam is already quite a drag. I don't want it to be too troublesome now. I want to sleep. So don't extinguish my sleep." Said the Nara with a slight glare at the threat to his sleep.

Naruto just chuckled and smirked while saying, "I can't promise nothing on that now, can I?"

With that, Naruto sat on his seat and Shikamaru went to his slumber with an irritated grumble. Choji wanted to ask what the two were talking about as he was lost from the start, and what were the two discussing. But the clock struck seven and Iruka with his assistant entered the classroom.

Iruka saw everyone was present and was also a bit surprised at the silence. Usually, he had to shout to settle everyone down. He then cleared his throat, "It is good to see everyone is already here and serious about the exams. We will start with a written test and then proceed to the other parts. I wish all of you to be able to perform the best. Good luck."

With that Iruka continued by handing everyone on the left side the question paper while Mizuki was on the right. Naruto was kind of glad that Iruka took charge of his area as he had no doubt the white-haired chunin would try something fishy. When Iruka handed him the paper his sensei said, "Good luck Naruto, I believe you will do great."

Naruto smiled at the attempt to lift his spirit. He would tell his sensei everything after today was done he thought. As Iruka deserved to know the full truth according to him. He just replied, "Yes, I will. I will also show that I am well enough today."

Iruka just smiled back and ruffled his favorite student's hair. He went back to the front to commence the exam. He went and signalled for the start. Twenty minutes into the exam Naruto had written enough to pass. He didn't wish to write anymore and he wasn't aiming to ace everything. He saw to his side that Shikamaru too had written enough to pass and was already napping for two minutes now. He too followed the example and started to take a power nap.

Iruka saw the two slackers taking a nap and his eyes were twitching furiously, with anger at the laziness of the two. On a normal day, he would have dunked a bucket of cold water on them. But refrained himself reasoning that it was an exam, he shouldn't interfere and they needed to start knowing what and when to do by themselves.

After the hour of the start of the written exam, the bell rang, indicating the time up. Everyone gave their papers back. Even the ones who had fallen asleep, the number had increased with the time going by.

After everyone gave their papers. Iruka handed it to a person who had come to collect it so the checking could be started. While Iruka was arranging and giving the papers away, Mizuki just stared at Naruto's direction, with a small evil smirk on him. He just mulls over, 'I will make sure you fail, demon. I have set the last portion of the exam. There is no way you are passing that...After that, you will unwillingly help me in my fleeing and fleecing of this village.'

After giving away the papers Iruka signalled for everyone's attention and said, "Okay now we head to the next part of the exam. It will be Shurikenjutsu, followed by Taijutsu, and then ninjutsu. So, we will have to go out now. Follow to the front ground, everyone."

All went to the ground and near the settled targets. They had to throw ten kunais and ten skirikens. It was expected to have at least a fifty percent as bullseye to be eligible, for becoming a genin. Scores were also only given for bullseye. The turns came in alphabetical order of the surname. This resulted him Naruto being near the last and Sasuke just before him. This always showed the drastic contrast in the levels. So will it be today also, just the sides changed.

After a while, Sasuke's turn arrived, with all nearly before him scoring between five to seven in both parts of the test. Sasuke went up to the throwing area with a loud cheer from his fangirls. He proceeded not minding the commotion behind him. He did very well for a person of his age by scoring nine in both aspects of the throwing test.

While he was walking back to the waiting area, he saw Naruto advancing for his turn. He in a cocky manner said, "Dream of beating that, dobe."

Naruto didn't reply and just went forward. He would let his actions speak. He went and took eight shurikens first. Each between the slots between his fingers of both hands. He lifted his hands a bit as if showing it to the emo. He then threw all of them together and quickly picked two more shurikens and threw them at greater speed so all would reach the target together. All of them are stuck at the dead center of the targets…at the same time.

Naruto then went to the kunai section. Again, taking eight kunais in the same fashion. He threw all of them and got bullseye for all. He then took the last two kunai, one in each hand. He then turned his head a bit. It was done so Sasuke could see his closed eyes. With a completely bored and indifferent expression, he threw the last two kunai simultaneously at the targets, still having his head turned slightly and eyes closed. The kunais struck the target with pinpoint accuracy.

He then turned around fully and opened his eyes to see one of the ugliest sneers he had ever seen. He knew his skill would infuriate Sasuke, but the emo asked for it. He just smirked at Sasuke's furious face, angering the boy even more. He just mused, 'This is just the start.'

There was silence all over the ground due to the skill shown. Many, actually most of his peers and Mizuki dubbed it to be luck. Many even started muttering about how much luck was favoring Naruto. But the ones like, Shino, Shikamaru, Hinata, and Iruka knew such a level of skill couldn't be showcased alone in luck. Even Sasuke knew such a display couldn't be achieved solely by luck, but he refused to believe that Naruto could beat him and deemed it as luck. Iruka chooses to end all the muttering by saying, "Gr-great job Naruto. That was brilliant. You have the highest score now...Okay now let's proceed…After the remaining turns we will go onto the Taijutsu portion of the examination."

After everyone's turn was done, all went to the area of the ground where there was a circle for the spar area. Naruto saw Mizuki with the board for calling out people in pairs for the spar. He knew who Mizuki would have set him up with. The white-haired chunin always made the same pair and Naruto sometimes got fed up with faking his loss to the same person. But today it was a good thing to have the usual pairings.

His prediction was right as after sparing sessions between a few of the students Mizuki in a cheerful manner said, "Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto, enter the ring." After the splendid Shurikenjutsu display, Mizuki desperately wanted to see the demon get beat up.

Both headed towards the ring, which was about twenty feet in diameter. While heading towards the ring he silently removed all his resistance seals, so he could be at his fastest, which was around mid to high chunin level. He was riled up to crush Sasuke. There was also a lot of cheering from the class. Mainly from the fangirl group. They were screeching things like, 'You can do it Sasuke-kun', 'You are the best, Sasuke-kun.', 'Show that Naruto-baka his place, Sasuke-kun'.

In between the chaos he also heard a faint cheer for him from Hinata saying, "Do your best, Naruto-kun." He was only able to hear it because he had developed a good outward sense, like hearing, smelling, and seeing to look out for dangers. It was also enhanced due to the presence of his tenant. He nodded and acknowledged the cheer at her which caused the girl to go red as a tomato. He also saw Choji giving him a thumbs up. Then he saw Shikamaru. Both just smirked at the eye contact as if knowing what would happen.

Both reached the circle and went to a diametrically opposite position while taking their stances. Sasuke took his clan's, interceptor-style, stance. It needed to keep your hands stiff and forward, fisted. His legs were a bit bent so that he could spring into action in the first second. It was a style that needed the sharingan for its full potential. Which according to him, he didn't have. He thought, 'I don't need the sharingan to beat this dobe. He will pay now for his luck before.' He then glanced at Naruto's stance and found it to be different than the usual one but smirked at the weak stance of the blonde. He internally mocked, 'Pathetic as always.'

Naruto had taken the stance of his clan. Arms nearer to the body than most of the taijutsu styles, leaving a lot of openings to attack. His palms were open but ready to be fisted at any moment. His body leaned slightly towards the back, the leg which was forward was straight and inclined, while the hind leg was bent a bit more than usual, ready to jump back if needed. The Uzumaki style was reliant on one's speed and flexibility. It would let the opponent dictate the start by using one of the many openings. The Uzumaki style preferred defense and counter-attacks.

Naruto was not a complete fan of this style, which was the reason for him to learn other styles too. But it was highly effective against an opponent who would underestimate him or was angry. And right now, Sasuke could be considered in both categories. Looking at the smirk Sasuke had, he knew Sasuke had fallen into his trap. He was barely able to keep himself from smirking. 'Oh...you are not forgetting this day for all eternity.' He teased Sasuke in his mind.

"Hajime!" Called out Mizuki from the outer edge of the ring.

As expected, Sasuke immediately jumped into action. He closed the distance between him and Naruto with an impressive display of speed. He leaned forward to punch the unguarded sides of Naruto. He saw Naruto hadn't moved and his fist was only inches away. Internally he had already taken a win for himself. 'Too easy.' he bragged internally.

At the last moment, Naruto caught Sasuke's hand and directed it aside. Naruto then slide his front leg back and twisted a bit to make his body turn and the hind leg swinging in, to make contact with now Sasuke's unguarded side. The moment Naruto's leg made contact with Sasuke's side, Naruto had an unfazed expression, while Sasuke's had a completely surprised one.

Naruto hadn't packed a lot of power in the kick, if he had the emo would have brought a minor crack to a rib or two. Before Sasuke could slide too far, Naruto quickly grabbed the backside of Sasuke's shirt. In swift motions, he pinned Sasuke to the ground with the boy's frontside touching the ground. Naruto's one hand was holding both of Sasuke's hands at the back. A knee pressed to the back, forbidding the Uchiha of any movement. And the other hand on the Uchiha's head forcing him to eat the ground.

Sasuke turned his head despite the force Naruto was putting in. He was able to make it sideways so he could see the blonde bastards. After the head turned, Naruto slammed Sasuke's head again to the ground with more force. The force almost became unbearable for the emo. But he made no sound, not wanting to show he was in pain.

"Too Easy." Said Naruto calmly. Unknown to Naruto, he said the same thing that Sasuke had said in his mind, just moments before. These words enraged the Uchiha to no extent. Naruto saw one of the coldest glares in his whole life till now, that too with a single eye. He would have also heard a lot of pleasant words if he hadn't pressed Sasuke's head that forcefully.

There was pin-drop silence. Everyone was speechless at the turn of events. Iruka after ten seconds of the pinning over said, "Winner Uzumaki Naruto."

Before anything could happen, the devoted fangirls started to cite accusations against Naruto. Some were, 'Sensei! That baka cheated.', 'There is no way Naruto-baka can defeat Sasuke-kun. He cheated Sensei!'

Mizuki wanted to take this as a chance and fail Naruto by somehow proving that the demon did actually cheat. But before he could speak, he was beaten by Iruka at it.

Iruka was just getting more and more impatient at the worthless accusations. It was clear that Naruto had simply just used defense and counter-attack, though its speed was unimaginable a few moments ago. It showed how good Naruto's reflexes and muscle memory were, and that required a lot of training, no chance in hell it was luck. He then remembered what Naruto had told to him before the exams began. He could guess the reason why he hid his skills but had to ask and confirm it. He just said, "Stop the accusations…Naruto only used pure speed and deception. A simple and effective, defense and swift counter-attack strategy."

Sakura, Sasuke's most devoted fangirl, not accepting the reasoning said, "There is no way this baka can defeat Sasuke-kun! He must have cheated!"

Iruka just facepalmed and asked, "How?"

"He must have cast a genjutsu and tricked all of us. Yes, he must have done that only. What else could we expect from the dead-last cheater?!" said Sakura in a manner as if it was obvious.

Before Iruka could give an irritated reply, Shikamaru butted in. He just scoffed and asked, "Do you even think before you talk or what?"

"What did you say, sleepyhead?!" Sakura yelled in such a shrill and loud voice that Akamaru completely hid under Kiba's jacket to protect his ears.

And to back her rival in defending her Sasuke-kun Ino said, "Shikamaru, Sakura's reason is completely correct. You use your sleepyhead!"

Shikamaru too cringed at the two voices but continued by saying, "Ok first did you even see Naruto use any hand seal to cast a genjutsu?...Nor can I sense any chakra in the air. He would have needed to increase the sphere of influence of his jutsu. So, he would need to spread his chakra. Check it...There isn't even a small amount of chakra." Seeing the now troubled faces he continued, "And if Naruto did cast a genjutsu, then our Uchiha here, who are supposed to be the undisputed best at genjutsu, falling for one created by our so-called dead-last and not even noticing till someone in the side-lines screeches it out...Well, that is even more pathetic!"

Naruto was in Wonderland. Due to the nonsense in the sidelines still going on, he was still able to keep Sasuke tasting the ground. The emo was getting more and more restless with each passing second due to still being pinned. He knew Naruto was enjoying himself, forcing him down and pressing his face more and more. He didn't want the blonde to enjoy it anymore. He accepted his stupid moves and fell for Naruto's lucky trap. But those in the sidelines weren't stopping until now.

Iruka after Shikamaru's explanation said, "Shikamaru is right everyone. Stop the accusations now. Next one to say any empty accusations...Fails!" Iruka then saw Naruto still pinning Sasuke down forcefully and the said boy squirming, trying to free himself from Naruto's hold. He just had a big sweat drop at the back of his head. Here there was all ruckus going on at the side-lines while these two were lost in their own fighting world not caring what others were saying. Iruka then said, "Naruto release Sasuke now...and do the seal of reconciliation."

Naruto released Sasuke much to his remorse and took a step back. Sasuke got up and dusted himself. Then he saw Naruto holding out his middle and index finger, joined together. Sasuke too much to his reluctance brought out a similar set of fingers. Both boys interlocked them and formed the 'Seal of Reconciliation'. Indicating that even after their fight they were still comrades.

After the last sparing session. Iruka said, "Everyone head back to the class, for the Ninjutsu portion."

Everyone silently followed. Naruto took a glance at everyone's expression. It was extremely grueling to hold back his laughter at Mizuki's and the fangirl duo's faces. He and Shikamaru were at the very back of the crowd while heading back to the class. Naruto just complained to him, "Oi Shikamaru, couldn't you have held your smartass for some more time? I was having so much fun making that teme taste the earth and seeing his thunderous face."

"What are you blaming me for? Only you were having fun. All I got was having to listen to those banshee fangirls screech. Also didn't I say not to cause ruckus at the start of the day? From the start of the day, all you have done is cause a ruckus. Do you know how much more sleep I could have had?...You troublesome blonde." Retaliate the Nara.

"Ahhhh...fair enough."

'This is such a drag...I wish I was a cloud.' thought the Nara as they entered their classroom.

Students were being called to do a set of ninjutsus. The instructors had already graded the other aspects and would make a cumulative score and then decide whether the child passed or not. After a while at the last came Naruto's turn. He went to an adjacent class. Inside, on a desk, both Iruka and Mizuki were sitting. Naruto went before them and waited for the instructions. He saw the grin that Mizuki wore. He just wondered what did the assistant instructor did that he was so confident.

Iruka then said, "Naruto perform the Henge no Jutsu."

"Ahhh...Iruka-sensei is it ok if I do a variation of the Henge no Jutsu that I created." Said Naruto with complete innocence.

"Yeah, why not! That is even better and can earn you extra points for it." Said Iruka with glee unknown of what was coming for him.

"Great." He just held his hands in ram seal and said, "Oiroke no jutsu." Naruto then with a puff of smoke transformed into a very curvaceous, exotic, older female version of Naruto, who had two open pigtails ponies and was completely naked with only the most intimate areas covered by a thin cloud of mist in front of it.

A man could only take so much, both Iruka and Mizuki were blown out of their seats due to the blood that burst out through their noses. Naruto dropped his transformation and burst into laughter rolling on the ground.

Both the instructors wiping off the blood from their noses sat back in their seats. Naruto tried to stop laughing but he couldn't. He just stood up still trying to stop the laughs.

Iruka said while rubbing his forehead, "I swear Naruto...Be serious at least at an exam...But ok I will accept this as you did transform...And you did find a very creative way, but I am not giving the extra marks...And you won't do it ever again, is that clear."

"Crystal." lied Naruto.

Iruka then threw a kunai at one of Naruto's sides and said, "Perform the kawarimi no jutsu."

Naruto then performed a sealless kawarimi with the kunai.

Iruka nodded and said, "Good, Now lastly perform the Bunshin no jutsu." There was some fear in his voice as he knew this was the one jutsu Naruto was never able to do.

Naruto now knew the source of Mizuki's grin. He completely unfazed just brought a half ram seal, and three more Naruto-s puffed into existence. At this, both Iruka and Mizuki were completely bewildered. Well, they didn't know that they were actually Kage bunshins. Before any questions could be raised Naruto released the clone jutsu.

As the clones left their existence Iruka got out of his stunned state and smiled gently. Not caring how it was possible, as all knew Naruto couldn't do the Bunshin no jutsu. The smile only grew larger when he said, "Very good Naruto. You passed...Now come here."

Mizuki could only sit there helplessly on the declaration of Naruto graduating. He was now trying to think of a backup plan.

Usually, Iruka would just hand the Hitai-ate to the passing student, and they would tie it, where they wanted. But now instead of doing that he took a Hitai-ate, got out of the seat, and got to his knees so he could be at Naruto's height. Iruka himself tied the Hitai-ate, which had a blue cloth, around Naruto's forehead. After that he placed his hand on Naruto's head and with a proud yet gentle tone said, "You did exceptionally well. Keep up the work with a straight head, not too high. You will achieve great things. I believe you sure will. And you did show me how well you really are."

Naruto just showed a bright smile. Iruka saw the heart-warming smile, which increased his smile too. He looked at the boy. He was the same as the one he had spent the past six years. He had just intensified some of his characters while suppressing others. He was kind of relieved at seeing the real version of Naruto, as he could be more assured that the blonde could now take care of himself in the ninja world.

Naruto left the room happy. He could see Iruka-sensei now knew he had acted all this time and his sensei wasn't angry with him. And was still as close to him as ever, even more now he would say as there was nothing to hide, between the two. It was his only concern of the day how would Iruka react to his real skill level. And now it was solved in the best way possible.

He entered the classroom where all the passed students were sitting. His glee turned into irritation when almost everyone saw him with agape mouths. 'Damn these monkeys! I did expect them to forget all my skills shown in some time….But this early! I swear we are turning back into degenerate apes...I don't need to deal with them now…Just Ignore.' he said to himself.

He just went back to his seat and immediately Iruka entered and announced, "Congratulations to all of you on your graduation. You are now genin of this village. Do not mistake this as the end of your hustle. It is just the beginning...You all are to report to the academy back in a week for your team allotments. Make sure you take a picture at the Hokage tower and do your ninja registrations within the week...I wish you all the best for your future." With that, he left the room to complete a bit of last remaining paperwork regarding the exams.

Everyone was leaving when from the crowd Mizuki called out for Naruto to come near him. Naruto went towards the chunin. "Yes?" asked Naruto in an uncaring manner.

"I just wanted to congratulate you on your graduation Naruto." Said Mizuki calmly.

"Thanks." was the outward response. 'Just what are you up to now?'

"It is too bad, despite your splendid performances you were not able to get the rookie of the year title, as Sasuke's year-round performance was better." Now Mizuki displayed a smirk and continued, "But there is a way, an extra test actually by which you can snatch the title if you are interested."

"For real?" asked Naruto with fake enthusiasm.

"Yeah, you just need to bring the large scroll, the scroll of sealings, which is in the Hokage's tower. And meet me at the forest outside the eastern gates." and Mizuki told Naruto about the apparent test.

Naruto found it almost impossible to stop his eyes from twitching. 'I didn't show I was this dumb, did I?...Uhhhh well, I never thought he was also a traitor and attempting to steal the forbidden scroll. Need to tell Jiji so he can apprehend this basta... Wait a minute coming to think of it if I play along, I can have the forbidden scroll to myself for a short while, in that much, I could at least see something. This is good! But how dumb can one be to ask a dumb kid to do such a task?' Naruto internally smiled at the opportunity presented to him.

"You just wait for me." declared Naruto this time with real enthusiasm. With that, both left the place.

---

The sky had just turned dark. It was the perfect time for infiltration now. It would have been a suicide for anyone to enter one of the most guarded places in the village. But not for someone who knew the building inside out and also the places and timings of Anbu guards.

Naruto infiltrated the Hokage tower with ease and immediately put silencing seals on all the alarms of the tower. It would give him enough time to get out, after stealing the scroll and make a run for it. He now went to find the vault containing the scroll. After going through many hidden vaults that he found and opening them, he still hadn't been able to find the scroll.

He landed on a particular edge of a corridor and found a vault there. After a few failed attempts the lock finally opened. He grinned at finding the scroll, which was almost as tall as him. He then picked up the scroll and turned to run out. As soon as he turned, he saw his Jiji right there standing a few feet away, blocking the path. Naruto a bit nervous said, "Oh hey Jiji, how ya doing?"

"I am doing quite well…actually was till now...And cut the crap. What are you doing with the forbidden scroll? It is only meant for the Hokage. "

"Oh, this…You see…Ahhh, leave it just tell me how did you know I was here?"

"There are some last lines of defense I have set up. And I asked you a question."

"I am baiting a traitor! That is the most I want to say now."

"Well, I know you don't have a bad intention. But I can't allow this. It will be crossing the line. By a big margin." He stood more firmly.

"Fine then." Said Naruto and laid the scroll at the side. He then immediately formed a ram seal and said, "Oiroke no jutsu!"

In an instant, Naruto turned into an older sexualized female version of himself with the clouds hiding the most private parts. Standing in a very seductive pose moving the body slightly and in a very sultry tone said, "This a jutsu I created. Do you like it?"

He got the reaction he expected as Sandaime's nose exploded and he fell back unconscious with a perverted grin.

Naruto released the jutsu with a big grin he cheered internally, 'Oiroke no jutsu the strongest jutsu of all time!' With that, he left the building before many of the leaf shinobi would start looking for him.

---

It had been an hour since he had stolen the forbidden scroll. Still, there was no sign of anyone near to finding him. He had this time purposefully left a trail so someone could find him, and he only hoped Mizuki could come in time.

He had seen the fuinjutsu section of the scroll as he being a seal master certified by the Hokage, was in his boundaries to see it. He felt seeing too much would be too out of line, also he didn't want to end up being lost in the forbidden jutsus, and making himself too indulged in them.

There were only two seals that had been listed as forbidden and they were. Gojo Kibaku Fuda (Tandem Paper Bombs), a jutsu created by the Nidaime. It was about self-replicating explosive tags. The reason it was forbidden was due to the caster would end up being at the center after the tag gets activated and taking all the explosions with the opponent, killing both.

Next was Shiki Fūjin (The Death Reaper Seal), it was a jutsu that would call the Shinigami and could seal anything in an eight-tigram seal. This jutsu had no boundaries. The catch was the Shinigami would take your soul. It was a Jutsu developed by the Uzumaki clan. He then realized how truly incredible and why his clan was so feared. Contemplating a jutsu that called the Shinigami, was just inconceivably too brilliant.

After, the mesmerization of his clan just lifted his shirt up, exposing his stomach, sent a bit of chakra saw his eight trigram seal on it, and realized how the Yodamine had 'died'. He had always assumed the cause of the death was, exhaustion after sealing the bijuu in him. Now he thought that he knew the truth

Finally, he sensed someone and then another person a bit further. He left his concentrating state and got up with the scroll slung to his back. Then after a second Iruka emerged from the bushes. It was unknown to all, but somehow the blonde was always found by his instructor after some pranks. Even when the Anbu weren't able to locate him, somehow Iruka would always find Naruto's hiding spots.

In an exhausted voice Iruka started, "Naruto, What The Hell ARE YOU DOING?!", ending with a yell.

"Mizuki-sensei told me to bring this scroll here for him. And here I am waiting for him." Said Naruto calmly.

"What Mizuki? But why?" said Iruka staggered. If it was anyone else, they wouldn't believe it, but he did believe in Naruto. Iruka from the start knew something didn't fit as he knew Naruto could never do something villainy, or could he?

"We are gonna have company soon. And the answers will be revealed soon by the person himself." Replied Naruto and stood ready.

As soon as Naruto completed saying Mizuki appeared on one of the branches of the surrounding trees. He saw both Naruto and Iruka. He evilly smirked and thought, 'Excellent, now I can kill two birds with one stone.' He never told this or would accept to anyone but he was extremely jealous of Iruka for being so respected amongst people even when Iruka was a chunin like him. For that, he hated Iruka too. He then threw his fuma shuriken towards Iruka.

Iruka was about to shout at Naruto. But his gut senses told him to dodge and he did. He then looked at the spot where he was standing, there was fuma shuriken planted on the ground. He then turns back to see his assistant on a branch. Naruto had jumped back.

Mizuki just snarled at his missed attempt and said, "Naruto hand over the scroll now."

Iruka in disgust yelled, "What's the meaning of this Mizuki? What's gotten into you?"

"For power, what else? That's the only thing I want, crave, and care for...Now Naruto hand the scroll, if you don't want to die." growled Mizuki.

"Don't Naruto." aid Iruka with authority signaling Naruto to stand his ground for the imminent fight.

Mizuki knew Naruto would follow Iruka no matter what. To break this, he chooses to reveal a few things that would start making the boy question everything…According to him.

Mizuki smiled evilly, "Do you know Naruto why does everyone hate you? You do know that everyone loathes your existence, don't you?"

Iruka paled at Mizuki's words. He couldn't let Mizuki tell it. It would break Naruto completely. "Mizuki, don't you dare say a word!" shouted Iruka.

Naruto didn't say anything. He was not silent due to the fact that Mizuki was going to tell his status. He was still because he didn't like being reminded of his past or the reason of it. When Mizuki stated the fact that everyone hates him, though he was able to constantly overlook the hatred nowadays. He now couldn't help but remember his past. But he remained calm.

"You are the kyuubi. You are its reincarnation. You are the one that killed so many people, twelve years ago. You will never be liked or accepted. Hear that…You will always be a vile monster in everyone's eyes." Yelled Mizuki.

"It's not true Naruto. You are not the kyuubi...it's just sealed into you. Don't mind what he says. It is not worth lending an ear to it…Forgive me for not telling you this earlier when I should have. We can calmly talk about it, but now please trust and work with me." Said a frantic Iruka desperately seeing the silent demeanour of Naruto. Which was very unusual for the boy. But in reality Naruto totally fine, he was just waiting when the chit chat would end.

"Iruka why are you showing care and sympathy for the demon that killed your parents? Have you forgotten about your parents? Why care for it? You should be hating it...Stop your current act and show him the hate you have inside. Show it and help me avenge your parents and the rest who died that night." said Mizuki, trying to play divide and rule. He knew he couldn't take the two together so he had to divide and backstab later.

"Never. I won't side with you. You are too small-minded. I can't believe I didn't see this earlier. MOREOVER, I DON'T HATE NARUTO…AND USE 'HIM' NOT 'IT'…I NEVER HAVE NOR COULD EVER HATE HIM!" Retaliated Iruka.

"Why?" It was not Mizuki this time. It was Naruto who asked, genuinely curious. He had not known that the reason for his sensei's parents' death was inside him.

He just thought about how Iruka always cared about him. He now estimated Iruka's age at the time of the attack. A child, in the latter years of his academy, who lost both his parents suddenly and then grew up without them. Years after, the same child is the father figure to the boy holding the cause for his biggest misfortune. It was just unexplainable, could it be true?

There was silence all over. None of the two chunin had expected Naruto to say something abruptly. They just looked at him. Naruto seeing the attention on him just told his thoughts out, "I know the difference between the scroll and the sealed kunai. I asked 'why' because wasn't it easier just to hate me like the rest? I mean you lost both of your parents. How could you not hate me just for containing what caused you your greatest pain?"

Iruka just looked at the boy. He had initially expected the boy to talk frantically and stress about the sealed biju. It was a news which would even shake the strongest hearted a bit. But here Naruto didn't have much to any reaction about it. He now easily inferred that Naruto already knew about the sealed Kyuubi. He also deciphered the boy was keen to know if his affections and bonds were genuine or not.

Iruka just took a calm breath in and said, "I won't say my feelings for you were the same from the start. At first, I too was a bit hostile. I wasn't able to get how to treat you. Gradually I did start observing you more vigilantly. I know how hard it is to grow without a parent. I started to see myself in you. And you just grew on me. If you ask why I don't I hate you?...Honestly, I can't give a proper reason...People die every day. It is not abnormal that someday someone close to you has to leave. I know my parents too wouldn't want me to hate you...I have no reason to hate you. You always need a reason to hate, but none to love."

Naruto now hummed and just broke a small smile. He was quite pleased hearing those words. He was just a moment away from saying his gratitude. But his senses made him run toward Iruka and kick him in the chest to push him back from his place. And himself back to his original place using the push generated on him by the kick.

Mizuki felt enraged at the things transpiring in front of him. He wanted to create a distance between the two and divide them. But instead, the two just grew even closer. He just took his second and last fuma shuriken and threw it at the scar-faced chunin, who was facing Naruto and vice versa.

The shuriken was just inches away from hitting Iruka when Naruto kicked both of them out of its trajectory. Iruka stumbled back and fell. He just thought, 'The Hell!…Is this what I get for telling the truth?' He then saw the fuma shuriken embedded a few feet away from where he was standing seconds ago. He cursed his lack of concentration. He just got up, took out a kunai, and stood in a defensive stance, saying, "Thanks Naruto that would certainly have gotten my head."

"Just die both of you, will ya?" snarled Mizuki.

Naruto, with a big grin on his face said, "I might have taken you out in a less painful way before. But you tried to hurt Iruka-sensei. Now you will pay. Brute force for you now."

"As if you could beat me." mocked Mizuki.

Naruto just made a plus sign using two half ram seals and whispered, "Tajū kage bunshin no Jutsu (Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu)."

The full area was now covered by kage bunshins of the blonde. On the ground, on the branches of the trees, a solid copy of Naruto was there with a menacing grin on them.

Both Iruka and Mizuki just looked agape all around with surprise. Well one of them also had a lot of fear. It also hit both of them the clones in the exam were kage bunshins. They just looked at the several hundred kage bunshins that Naruto had made. It was crazy. This is a forbidden jutsu, for its excessive requirement of chakra. And here the boy was spamming them as if it was nothing!

Naruto just said, "Everyone, get him."

After half a minute or so all of Naruto's clones had dispelled, and he stood near the white-haired traitor. The said traitor was now bleeding on the outside and internally in many areas, with multiple broken bones and cracked ribs. He was knocked unconscious, and completely impotent of moving. But Naruto was not taking chances and tied his legs and hands together.

Naruto took a step back and scratched the back of his head. He looked at Iruka and said, "I went a bit too overboard, didn't I?"

"I guess a bit, but he deserved it." Replied Iruka with a gentle and reassuring smile.

"I didn't get to say this before... Thanks, Iruka-sensei, for what you said and did for me. It means a lot to me." Said Naruto returning a gentle smile.

"I just told the truth and did what my heart says...Sorry for ending this moment but I really need to know...You already knew about the Kyuubi sealed into you? If yes then since when? And who told you?" asked Iruka wanting to know how the boy knew as it was taboo to speak about it.

"Yes. A while after the academy started, I forced Jiji to tell me why everyone hated me. He told me then. I have accepted the fact." said Naruto calmly.

Iruka was dumbfounded. Naruto knew about the Kyuubi nearly since the start of the academy?! The Hokage had told an S-class secret to a six-year-old! He just shook his head, though he accepted it was better that Naruto heard about it first from the Sandaime and not someone else like Mizuki. He then said, "Well ok, let's go to the Hokage tower now. Hokage-sama must be wanting the scroll back."

He lightly smacked Naruto's head and headed towards the tower, leaving Mizuki knowing that the Anbu would come and take him.

---

Hiruzen had seen it all from his crystal ball. He had explained it to all the jonin and older chunin who held important jobs in the village, the ones who had reported after the alarms sounded as the silencing seal went off. Which had also woken the Hokage from his blissful state.

All of the gathered shinobi left after the explanation, almost all muttering about the foolishness of the blonde. He had sent his personal Anbu guards to retrieve Mizuki so he could be put on trail. He was glad that he had trusted his guts and told Naruto the truth long before. Finding it in such a way, as what happened now would have been too problematic.

Now he was waiting for the teacher and student to arrive. Mikoto after the explanation hadn't left, saying she had to talk with Naruto. He knew that he couldn't deny her unless he wanted to see a mother's wrath. Though he didn't know why she waited.

In normal times, when not on duty Mikoto wore a simple dark purple blouse with a red-plum skirt and a light-yellow apron normally worn over it. Now the said woman was in her shinobi get up. She now wore a black full-sleeved shirt, ends folded back to the middle of her forearm, dark blue pants, ankles bandaged, her jonin flank jacket on top of the shirt, and her Hitai-ate tied to her forehead.

Both Naruto and Iruka entered the Hokage office and saw both the occupants in it. Naruto just paled a bit at his oba-chan's presence. He knew his Jiji wouldn't grill him much. But his oba-chan...he would rather not try to imagine.

He calmly went to the desk passing his oba-chan who was just giving a sweet smile, he very well knew the smile promised pain. He handed his Jiji the forbidden scroll who kept it to the side. He said, "Well I did bait the traitor and brought the scroll back safe and sound."

"But caused way more chaos than needed. Why couldn't you have just told Hokage-sama and let the experienced ninja handle this? I know you are capable of thinking that." Said Mikoto letting a bit of her irritation loose.

Naruto sweated a bit. He couldn't say he wanted to read the forbidden scroll, could he? He then took a moment and said, "Aam...what would be the thrill in that? This was way more adventurous and dramatic...Aaaaah!" Naruto ended up holding his head and moving here and there a bit. The reason for this reaction was due to the fist that he received to his head by his oba-chan.

"Wha...Why did you do that?" Asked Naruto.

"You and your dramatic ways. You could have got hurt." Scolded Mikoto.

Naruto just barely above a whisper said, hoping Mikoto would not hear it, "I got more hurt now by you than all this time while I was baiting Mizuki."

Mikoto had caught this and sharply said, "You said something, young man?"

Naruto stood at attention and said, "No, nothing."

Hiruzen had first let Mikoto finish her concern. And then said, "Naruto...Mikoto is right. You should have come to me...But since you did well in apprehending Mizuki... I will report this as a C-rank mission in it."

Naruto and Iruka smiled at this while Mikoto pouted at the apparent encouragement of such behavior. She in an annoyed tone said, "Don't encourage him to do such acts again."

"I was coming to the punishments...Due to your reckless behaviour Naruto you won't be getting the payment for this C-rank mission." Said Hiruzen calmly.

"WHAT! No fair!" complained Naruto.

"Shut it. Handling you becomes harder day by day." Said Mikoto. It was usually the case that as the child grew, he or she becomes less mischievous. And so was the case with her other two children. But Naruto was the opposite. And she blamed Kushina's genes for it.

"Then stop being overprotective and stressing about everything, on the three of us." Said Naruto.

"You three are still young. And need proper steps to rise up. You can't reach the summit in a single go. And I am not overprotective, if I was, then I don't think I would have let you three become shinobi of this dangerous world. I do as much needed!" Retaliated Mikoto.

It was true and Naruto couldn't cross the current statement he was given. He just pouted, crossed his hands, and stayed there. Iruka had just been watching the mother-son-like display and to ease things a bit he said, "Mikoto-san you don't need to worry too much about Naruto. He is very skilled. He had been keeping it to himself. But now I think since he won't keep his skill to rust. No one can even do political harm over him as he will be under Hokage-sama now, and the civil council can't do much now."

After he completed saying he saw the sheepish expression all the three were giving. He in a deadpan voice said, "You two knew about his skill levels from before, didn't you?"

"Ahhh sorry Iruka I had to keep this from you. Yes, I know Naruto's true skill level, I kept a constant check on it. I wanted to keep it a secret for as long as possible." Said Sandaime.

"Well, it's understandable, you don't need to apologize Hokage-sama."

Now Hiruzen turned his attention back to Naruto. Hiruzen knew the boy liked to manipulate and take advantage of such situations as the one presented to him today. He didn't try to do anything of that characteristic in the boy as it was a necessity for being a good leader. Not the most modest of ways, but important nonetheless.

He knew Naruto had played along to read the scroll. He just didn't know which ones the boy had read about. He had been thinking from the start if, it was a good idea to ask in front of other people giving them company or not. He had reached his conclusion. "Naruto which jutsus did you read from the scroll?...Now you don't need to deny as we both know that I know how you think and what you thought when Mizuki approached you." The usual gentle voice was stern now. He had decided to ask in front of Mikoto and Iruka so there could be two extra pairs of eyes to keep on the boy from using those jutsus.

Naruto grimaced a bit. He had prematurely thought he had gotten away. He should have guessed his Jiji could look through all as he was the Hokage and the closest person to him. Moreover, his Jiji had to ask this in front of both his parental figures. He could see the reason why his grandfather did it. He saw no way out, except for the truth. He stretched his sensing ability as much as he could and couldn't find any Anbu in the hidden parts of the office.

Indifferently he simply said, "To date, I already knew a kinjutsu, Kage bunshin no Jutsu, and its variations from the scroll, which you taught to me. Now we can add the fuinjutsu section of the scroll to my knowledge as well. If you all wish me to say the names then the jutsus are Gojo Kibaku Fuda (Tandem Paper Bombs) and Shiki Fūjin (The Death Reaper Seal). I have read them, and I have memorized them. I am also pretty sure one was used on me, wasn't it?"

Both Mikoto and Iruka just stood with slightly agape mouths and widened eyes. They didn't know what the jutsus did. But reading the forbidden scroll was a punishable crime. And Naruto just admitted committing it. They first couldn't believe that Naruto would do such a thing. And then accept it in front of the Hokage! Was he so honest to his Jiji that he would tell everything, even a crime like this to him? What would be the consequences now?

Even if the Hokage and Naruto had an inseparable bond and closeness, he could not leave this unpunished. Both wanted to say something to keep Naruto safe but looking at the Hokage's stern and indifferent face they knew none of their pleas would have any weight. They couldn't see Naruto's expression due to his back towards them. Also, the tension in the place was affecting their minds to think of anything reasonable to say.

Hiruzen had rested his chin on the platform made by his interlocked palms and elbows on the table. He looked at the calm and indifferent face Naruto had, the boy stood casually and arms in his pockets. Naruto was as cool as a cucumber, even in a situation where he accepted a very punishable act. He saw the tensed demeanor of both Mikoto and Iruka. The two seasoned shinobi were showing signs of worry but nothing could be said about what Naruto was feeling. He was impressed as he now knew Naruto had thought it through properly and had a prison free card with him.

Hiruzen just said, "You do know that it is a punishable act. So why did you do it?" He didn't answer Naruto's question regarding the utility of the Shiki Fūjin on the boy.

Naruto would be lying if he said he didn't think this through from the start. He knew this situation could arrive. There was a reason why he only read the fuinjutsu section. A sly grin now adored his face. He said, "Punishable act? Why? What I did was all within my rights to read."

"Naruto! What the heck were you thinking when you opened the scroll? What entitled you to read it?" Scolded Mikoto.

"These things are not meant to be a game Naruto. What are you saying?" Said Iruka, a bit agitated at the claims made by Naruto.

At this, the Hokage only raised an eyebrow. Naruto seemed calm and confident but still hadn't broken a single drop of sweat. Stood the same as before. He just asked, "How?"

Naruto took out one of his hands from his pocket raised the index finger and said, "I am an Uzumaki. I know if there were any seals in it then it would have been designed by my clan. Almost all the seals we use in Konoha, are Uzumaki-derived seals. So, I am within my rights to study that. The other one was created by the Nidaime, a Senju. And we have already had a debate that I am free to read the Senju jutsus as they were our cousin clan and there are no Senjus residing in Konoha."

Naruto knew he could also do this for the other side of his heritage and add many of the Uchiha secret jutsus to his arsenal. But he had no intention of saying that side of his lineage, as he would have to show his special eyes to prove it. Moreover, it was a thing he only wanted two people in the world to know. He and the Sandaime. He had concealed the eyes and he didn't regret it.

Naruto saw the nodding and agreeing face his Jiji. But he knew it was a false agreement. Hiruzen then confirmed his false agreement by saying, "I acknowledge your reasoning. But it is inadequate. Your heritage allows you to view normal jutsus, not forbidden jutsus, unless the clan's leader, or have their permission. Though you are the only one left of your clan left in Konoha, you can't take that position till you are eighteen or a jonin."

Naruto now had an ever bigger sly grin and said, "Maa, maa, Jiji, I know that was too farfetched. In all honesty, I could never have opened the scroll solely with that reasoning without fearing consequences, could I?" He then released his middle finger, now joining the index finger, indicating two, he continued, "Remember you had said that all the seals masters of Konoha knew the forbidden seals too, when I had asked once about it. But you had told me that you wouldn't teach me and I am not entitled to those jutsu. I now know the consequences of the use of those seals. I understand your stances and agree with your actions when I put myself in your feet…But you can't blame me for being curious, can you? And I, being a intermediate seal arts graduate (AN: calling him a seal master from now didn't feel right.) now, tested and certified by the Sandaime Hokage, you. I am within all my rights to learn that jutsu...Am I not? How is the choice of my words?" Naruto slid his other hand out of the pocket and spread both out a bit wide as if he had done a presentation and was asking for the listener's opinion. He also never left eye contact with his Jiji.

There was silence for a moment then both Hiruzen and Naruto shared a hearty laugh. Naruto sure knew the right arguments in a tense situation, the old Kage mused. Hiruzen wouldn't have punished Naruto but wanted to test his ability with words. He was satisfied, and the reason for their laugh was…

Flashback (A few months ago)

Both Naruto and Hiruzen were sitting on top of the Yondaime's head of the Hokage monument looking at the night scenery of their village. Lights of homes and commercial places add an extra glimmer to the place.

Out of the blue Naruto said, "Jiji…I have made a promise to Shisui, of becoming a great Hokage…What is something that we undermine but is very important for a Kage?"

Hiruzen was glad Naruto asked such a question, which showed the seriousness of the boy in completing his promise. He thought for a moment and then said, "Words."

"Words?" asked the now confused boy.

"Where fists can't be used, words are the only source to overcome things…Words are like keys. If you choose the right them, they can open any heart or shut any mouth." Said Sandaime. Naruto hummed in agreement. He was always glad of the old man for teaching such golden things from time to time.

Flashback End

Mikoto and Iruka just looked with dead-pan eyes at the chuckling duo. They had been quite tense about what would happen. At the end now the other two occupants of the room were laughing. Iruka was also stunned with one piece of the information and asked to clarify it. "Wait a minute! Naruto has completed all the fuinjutsu volumes?! From when?!"

Naruto and Hiruzen stopped their laugh. Naruto then said, "Yeah, I have been studying fuinjutsu for seven years now. I have recently finished the minimum to be in that honors."

"So why didn't you ask for the scroll directly?" asked Iruka.

"Jiji would never have let me learn the two jutsu even after begging for days due to its consequences."

"What are they?" asked Iruka curiously.

To this Hiruzen replied, "Both have the same consequence after using it. It is why they are in the scroll. Both jutsu are powerful, but will cause the death of the user...instantaneous death." He saw the faces of slight horror on both Mikoto and Iruka. He then turned his attention to Naruto and said, "You are never to use them. You understand that?"

"I can't promis...Ou-Ou-Ouch...Oba-chan leave my ear!"

Hearing the sentence Mikoto immediately took hold of the boy's ears. She had already seen him unconscious once and she broke down into tears that time. And here he was talking of using jutsus that would kill him. Just the thought of seeing Naruto dead had pushed her to the edge. In a bit quivering voice she said, "You are not using them…End of discussion."

All could sense the fear in her voice. Everyone stopped for a moment and then Naruto said, "Okay I won't use the jutsus I read today. I promise...Now could you please leave my ear?"

The pull on the ear lightened but she hadn't let go of her hold on Naruto's ear. She then in a playful voice said, "No you are getting way too mischievous nowadays."

"Oi, oi, oi this is not fair." Whined Naruto.

The other two occupants laughed at Naruto's apparent mishap. Hiruzen then said, "We have spent quite some time here now. I guess if we want to then we can discuss this all later any other day."

Mikoto then said, "Sure Hokage-sama, bye. Bye Iruka-san. And you are coming with me."

"At least leave my ear!" Complaining to an irritated Naruto.

"Not happening till we reach home." Said Mikoto.

"Uurghhhh...Ou-Ouch." Naruto first grumbled and then whined due to pain as Mikoto pulled his ear a bit harder and directed him to move.

"Bye Jiji. Bye, Iruka-sensei." Said Naruto as he moved with his oba-chan who had lessened her grip but still hadn't left it.

Both Iruka and the Hokage waved their hands and chuckled at the display. When both had left Hiruzen just said, "However strong he becomes Mikoto will always be able to scare and overpower him."

Iruka just chuckled more and nodded at the statement.

---

Naruto and Mikoto reached the doorsteps of the Uchihas house. She had finally let go of Naruto's ear. He just brought up his hand and rubbed his ear when she knocked on the door. He slightly glared at his oba-chan.

The door opened to the sight of the emo king rubbing his thigh. He was peacefully watching television with his sister on the couch when the knock was heard. Both had a small to-and-fro quarrel on who would open the door. In the end, he was kicked off the couch by his elder sister and here he was.

Both the boys saw each other and stopped their respective soothing of the hurt area, not wanting the other to know about it.

Sasuke just said, "Dobe!" He was still mad about how things turned out in today's exam.

"Teme!" was all Naruto snarled.

"Doooobe!" Sasuke growled in an angrier tone.

"Teeeme!"

"Doo/Tee..." both were saying in unison until...

"Arrggghhh," both wailed and took hold of their heads where they were bonked there by Mikoto's fists.

"You two are hopeless...Can't you both at least behave and get together even today for the celebratory dinner." Said Mikoto while pressing the bridge of her nose, trying to stop the incoming headache.

All the three of them went inside. The two classmates just glaring each other and refrained from muttering anything, lest they would get beatings again. When they reached the living room, they caught Kiyomi's attention. She peered up at the couch and then asked, "Kaa-chan what happened that all the jonins and important positions holding, chunins were called?"

Mikoto gave Naruto an irritated look. Naruto just scratched the back of his head and gave a nervous laugh. Mikoto said, "It's because of this troublemaker."

Kiyomi just squinted her eyes toward Naruto and in an inquisitive tone asked, "Now what did you do?"

"Can't say." Replied Naruto.

"Why?"

"Maa maa…my kitty cat such curiosity? Wants me not to tell it even more."

Kiyomi pouted and blushed a little. She scoffed and turned her head fast away from facing the others. In an annoyed tone said, "Fine! Don't tell...BAKA!"

No one had been able to see her blush. Though the pout was a bit visible to Naruto. He had a very faint tint of blush on his cheeks and a gentle smile on him. He didn't know why, but he always found her cute and adorable in her irritated state. Which was why at times he purposefully annoyed her.

Mikoto hadn't been able to see Kiyomi's facial changes. But she somewhat knew why her daughter acted in such ways sometimes. After all, she too had gone through that stage. She knew better than to interfere in her daughter's and Naruto's matter. It was also quite a show at times due to how oblivious the blonde was.

Sasuke was never good at observing human nature or going with social norms. Nor did he usually care for what others thought, except for the topic of strength. It was the one thing he thought he needed to avenge his father, and relatives and save his remaining family.

Sasuke nonchalantly just said, "Must be one of his stupid pranks."

Naruto then grinned and said, "This stupid prank had to bring out all of the seasoned shinobi in the village. You could never do such a thing, can you?"

"That's because I would rather train than do those stupid stuff."

"Aaahhh yeah train and then, lose so easily...like you did today." Ridiculed Naruto. He knew he had hit the emo's nerve. Sasuke took a step forward to hit the blonde but was held back by Mikoto. "Damn you and your luck Naruto." snarled Sasuke.

Naruto just smirked at his success in riling up Sasuke. Mikoto released Sasuke and then again bonked both the boys. Both wailed again and looked at her for an explanation.

"You both will behave. Understand that! Or else my fist will make you both understand that until you do." warned Mikoto.

Kiyomi just watched the two and thought, 'This happens every time. Literally every time they find something to fight on. They are exactly opposite to each other. It would be quite a situation if they are allocated in the same team.' Just as she finished this thought, she heard her name being called.

"Kiyomi, could you help me with the final preparations for dinner? I am already running a bit late due to our Naru-chan here." Said Mikoto while trying to control her laugh. All of them knew Naruto would get irritated when he was called that. Naruto grumbled under his breath. 'Why did she ever have to come up with that name?!'

Kiyomi also tried to hold her laughter and said, "Okay." Sasuke didn't attempt to hide his pleasure at Naruto's irritation and chuckled. Naruto glared at the emo. Sasuke noticed the glare and smirked while saying, "Is there any problem Naru-chan?"

Naruto was about to lunge at Sasuke and give him a good body stretch. But stopped when Mikoto cleared her throat, asking for their attention.

"Now, now, Sasu-chan don't feel so lucky…" she said. It was now Sasuke's turn to grumble and Naruto to laugh. She activated her mature sharingan to show she was serious now and continued, "...Both of you will be spared of chores today as it is your graduation celebration. So, get along, at least don't quarrel till we finish...If I find both of you quarreling or fighting...It will be my kicks instead of fists that will punish both of you."

Both the boys now kept their arms around the other's shoulder, showing their truce and like they have been the best of friends since eternity, and nodded vigorously. Neither of them were willing for more punishments.

"Good...Now come Kiyomi." Mikoto said.

Unknown to all the girl had clicked the photo of both the boys in that state. You would usually find them trying to strangle each other, not arms on each other's shoulders. When she was called and the attention was shifted to her, she displayed a big smile and held the camera up showing both the boys what she had done and also stuck out her tongue. She received two intense glares. "Yeah coming." said the girl and went after her mother to the kitchen.

Both the boys mostly stayed quiet. When dinner arrived then dashed towards the dining table. There they saw many kinds of meat, sliced thin, beef, pork, fish, and carb-cakes, there were also a lot of vegetables sliced and chopped. At the middle of the table, there was a large metal pot over a small portable stove. The metal pot contained a shimmering, tasty broth in it.

They all say down and in unison said, "Itadakimas!" And began savoring the hot pot together, chatting in the middle, laughing at small jokes, and having a great time with each other. A very delightful and cherishable way to end the day.

---

AN: First and foremost pardon me for this long of a delay, had other stuff to sort out. So I know I am not being original at the moment and the flow is of the original manga/anime. I have figured out the current in which I want to take this fic, but I want the main cast to come by then so please bear with me. So kind of till the end of chunnin exams it will be how this Naruto interacts and fights with his/other opponents.

So, thank you for spend your time an reading this, criticism is welcomed.