Shino looked at Naruto with interest. He was always wondered why his bugs were afraid of Naruto.
Just like Shikamaru Shino was curious about why Naruto was mistreated. Shino thought the fear that his bugs felt and the villagers treatment were somehow connected. Shino had asked his father Shibi about the matter. Shibi didn't tell Shino about Naruto's jinchuriki. He only said that the villagers were being foolish.
Naruto had noticed the boy's stares. So he invited him to join them for lunch.
Shino was shocked. Most of the students avoided because they thought he was disgusting because of his bugs.
Naruto and the others were to lazy to care about something simple like that.
And thus the introverted boy became friends with the lazy trio.
Naruto's peaceful life was slowly coming to an end.
Sasuke and Kiba were constantly challenging him to a fight during taijutsu practice. When he was paired with them he threw the matches.
Danzo was constantly putting pressure on Hiruzen. Danzo was upset with Hiruzen because he was letting Naruto waste his potential.
"Hiruzen out of all the jinchuriki that boy is the weakest. The longer that boy stays weak the more at risk Konoha's safety is." Danzo
"You should have thought about that before you leaked his jinchuriki status." Hiruzen glared at him
"It was necessary. I gave the village a target to focus their anger and hatred on. It was all in order to unite them in our time of unrest." Danzo
Hiruzen was getting tired of seeing his face.
"Just leave Danzo." Hiruzen said in a tired voice
Before walked away he told Hiruzen if he continues to be soft on the boy the village fall to ruin.
Hiruzen sighed. He knew Danzo was right the other villages wouldn't fear them knowing how weak their jinchuriki was.
After his discussion with Danzo Hiruzen told Naruto he should focus on becoming a ninja. Naruto told the old man he wanted to live a peaceful life. Knowing that boy could be stubborn Hiruzen didn't argue with him.
Hiruzen tasked Shikaku with convincing Naruto.
Shikaku tried to persuade Naruto but he knew it was futile. He gave Naruto a warning. Shikaku told Naruto he would his regret his decision.
Shikaku would later know how true his words were.
In a safe part of the Forest of Death, the academy held a test. In order to ensure the children would be safe. A chunin or jounin observed each team.
The objective was for the students to obtain each other's scrolls through the course of battle.
Naruto was paired up with Choji and Shikamaru. Shino was paired up with Kiba and Hinata.
Through the course of the exam Mizuki was thinking of killing Naruto.
(Mizuki was assigned to them)
Unaware to him there were people hiding in the forest with that objective in mind.
Onoki perceived the burgeoning potential within Naruto, the son of the legendary Fourth Hokage, as a dire threat to the balance of power amidst the Five Great Shinobi Nations. In his eyes, Naruto embodied a force that could potentially upend the delicate equilibrium that had been meticulously maintained for generations. Driven by his fear and unwavering determination to safeguard the interests of Iwagakure, Ohnoki resolved to take decisive action against the young Uzumaki. He summoned a clandestine assembly of his most skilled and loyal ANBU operatives, entrusting them with a perilous mission - the elimination of Naruto Uzumaki. The ANBU, known for their impeccable stealth and unwavering dedication, embarked on their covert assignment with resolute determination. They infiltrated Konohagakure under the veil of darkness. They waited for the day of the test to strike.
The anbu waited till Mizuki and the boys were isolated.
Mizuki got blindsided by the anbu and was thus killed.
As Naruto and his friends wanted to advance through the forest. They felt an invincible wall was blocking their path.
"It looks like it's a barrier." Shikamaru
"It seems we got company" Naruto said as he sensed the anbu
"Quite impressive young Uzumaki. You were able detect us even though we were suppressing our chakra. " The leader of the group
"What business would anbu members such as yourself have with academy students." Shikamaru
"We are after the young Uzumaki." Anbu
"What could they possibly want with Naruto." Shikamaru thought
Naruto offers himself to the anbu in exchange they let his friends go.
"Our leader has given us strict orders to kill you Naruto Uzumaki. So I am sorry you and your friends have to die here." Anbu
A one sided battle between Naruto, his friends and the Tsuchikage's assassins unfolded. The inexperienced students found themselves overwhelmed by the skilled assassins. Naruto, with his unwavering determination to protect his friends, selflessly sacrificed his left arm to block a lethal sword strike aimed at Choji. Despite his valiant efforts, he was mercilessly stabbed by the assassins, leaving him lying on the ground, close to death's embrace.
Shikamaru and Choji sat beside the friend with tears in their eyes.
Naruto remembered Shikaku's words.
"One day you will regret that you couldn't protect those who you care about." Shikaku
Naruto sat up and looked at the Anbu.
With a defiant voice, he uttered, "You can hurt me, spit on me, hate me. That's alright. But know this, if you dare to harm my friends, I will never forgive you." And with that, a potent aura, Conqueror's haki, erupted from Naruto, sending shockwaves through the forest.
Shikamaru and Choji fainted from the pressure of Naruto's haki. The anbu remained standing.
As the leader felt Naruto's haki.
"Tsuchikage-Sama was right you are a monster that needs to be eliminated." Anbu
The anbu steeled themselves and prepared to strike down Naruto.
Before they could Naruto's conqueror's haki took a tangible red form.
The anbu were enveloped by his conqueror's haki.
With this the effect of his haki on them was amplified.
Naruto continued unleashing the power of the Supreme King until he noticed the anbu were dead.
Naruto took in the destruction his haki had caused to the surroundings before passing out.
Anko and the ninja made their way to source of the terrifying aura they sensed.
They arrive to site of the near dead Naruto, his unconscious friends and the dead anbu. Also the destruction of the Forest.
Seeing the state of student Iruka immediately rushed him to the hospital.
The other ninja checked up on Shikamaru and Choji to find out they were fine.
They also examined the dead bodies.
"Judging by the wounds on the kid. He was most likely their target. Lord Hokage isn't going to be happy with us for letting this happen. "Anko thought
Tbc