Dark Rising is my main Story, but I am still updating my other ones. Don't worry about that. But if you wanna support me, please read Dark Risings and leave reviews. They really help.

OCs have a special place in my Heart forever. Just saying.

It took Ren all he had to not scream or cry when he saw Naruto arguing with Shikamaru about how he graduated. 'I worked my ass off, for years and I passed but you who never heard of hard work manages to get a headband even when you failed. Why is this village like this? I am so tired of working my ass off and things are just handed to Naruto. Attention, Chakra, The Hokage's attention... all of it. We are both hated, but he actually gets something out of it. Why?'

He was so distraced by his pain, Iruka calling his name barely snapped him out of the darkness. "Ren Uzumaki. Since there are not enough people for a full team, you won't be placed on a team." Ren wanted to cry, and almost started to before Iruka finished. "But, your scores were excellent, just behind Shino and Sasuke. For the reason, you caught the attention of someone. A Special Jonin, Hayate Gekko, our resident sword master for the technical Team Thirteen."

Ren beamed. 'Finally, finally this village does something for ME. And their a swordmaster, something I've wanted to learn for two years.' He thought, his hand moving to the blade on his back. He wasn't sure he COULD use it in combat, but he would sure as hell try.

Iruka was not done. "Hayate has actually asked to Apprentice you fully, so you should be proud of yourself to draw in such a ninja."

"Yes, Sensei, it is beyond exciting for me." He said, all too aware of Naruto's hateful, envious glare pinning him from across the room.

Naruto had always hated when Ren got any bit of attention, when he managed to hit most of the targets or beat people in Taijutsu Spars or when ( After leaving his brother's apartment) he started to get higher grades. But Ren didn't care, Naruto was a brat, lazy and weak and oddly spoiled for an Orphan. He was allowed to get away with murder, like when he painted the Hokage Monument or when he apparently somehow graduated despite being a failure.

:::

In the Hokage's Offce- Hiruzen and Hayate

Hiruzen sighed, looking through his Crystal ball. 'It is a pity, the two sons of Minato and Kushina do not care for each other. They could have healed their rift years ago, but they're too different. Ren too ambitious and Contrarian, Naruto too Lazy and Eager for Quick results. Both crave attention beyond anything, but Ren never gets any because all people see when they look at him is Naruto 2.0.

It is a sad thing, I am just as guilty in that. Ren shows what Naruto could be if he trained. Smarter than average, a good ninja in the making. I foresee him being as good as Asuma at the low end. I guess it is good that he didn't see Hayate as he gathered his books on Kenjutsu, not knowing that is why he gained the man's attention. Attention he so richly deserves.

I have failed both boys, I can only hope it does not bite the village in the ass...'

"Ren has a blade." Hayate said, couging in between each word. "I never got the chance to see him train with the scrolls he grabbed from the library. He actually has ambition, and drive and a path. So few his age seem to these days, even his brother does not."

Hiruzen refrained from breathing out smoke. "I agree, sadly. Alas, it is a time of peace. Now, the boy does not know of Naruto's burden. It might be best for the time being. I can only hope that this does not come back at us."

"I understand, Lord Hokage. I will make him a fierce and splending Shinobi."

"Be sure that you do... be sure that you do."

""'

Ren all but jumped when his name was called after their brief lunch. He turned to the door, and saw a sickly looking man smiling at him. "Ren? I am Hayate, come with me."

He ignored Naruto's snickering as he hurried away, not caring that the man was sick. Many ninja were or they were crippled. It was a simple fact of their world. "Hello, Sensei."

The man nodded, putting a hand on his shoulder. "This will make you dizzy." And then the world blurred, and before he knew it he was in the same training ground he used each and every day. The world swirling around him, Ren gagged, making Hayate laugh. "Sorry, Kid."

"It's fine." Shaking it offf, he asked what was on his mind. "Why are we here?"

"Well, most Senseis have a secondary test, to measure your worth as a ninja. This usually has a pass rate of thirty three percent." Ren froze, terrified. His hard work was going to go into the toilet. "However, you already passed my test."

"How?"

"I saw you in the library. You wasted not a minute of time, you got a blade, you trained. I can see it, you even carry yourself slightly differently. Most of your generation are reliant on others too much, you aren't. You showed drive... as for why we are here, though... I wanna no holds barred Spar! Let us test your mettle!"

Ren grinned, excited though nervous as he pulled out his blade. "I'll show you what I can do,... but in Kenjutsu it is not much yet, I am too new."

Hayate coughed. "Doesn't matter, It is an assesment, not a test. Let's see what you can do. Come at me with the intent to kill!"

And so Ren readied himself, and the moment Hayate nodded, he was off.

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a joy to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.