The Revival of Uzushiogakure

Chapter 2: Pass or Fail

"Speech"
"Internal thought"

Previously.......On Avatar

Iruka was just sitting there staring at Naruto in complete awe. He didn't know what to think, let alone say. He felt a maelstrom of emotions well up inside him. Surprise, shock, wonder, and somewhat pride. "N-Naruto how did" Iruka started but was cut off. "I'm not as stupid as everyone thinks sensei," Naruto said with a smirk as he started on his 3rd bowl of ramen. Iruka was taken aback by the statement but then he recomposed himself.

"Naruto, I know you're not stupid but why don't you put this much effort into your academy work?" You could've probably passed the first time" Iruka plead. Naruto's face just turned into a defeated look.

"You don't get it Sensei, the academy is built like it wants me to fail."

"What do you mean Naruto" Iruka replied.

"Well for starters you overload us with all these damn math, physics, and shinobi history lessons and make it all sound so damn boring." "Sometimes it makes me want to take a kunai to the head."

Iruka sweat dropped at this."

"All this time spent in class learning about it just so the final exam can ask 10 questions that are pretty much common sense."

"I've spent 6 years at the academy Sensei, I knew all the important stuff already after the first two years."

"I could even perform 2 of the required jutsu after the first week."

"As far as I'm concerned, the last 4 years were just torture," Naruto said as he shivered at the thought.

"Wait I don't get it, if that's the case then why did you fail the final exams twice?" Iruka asked as stared at Naruto with a look of confusion.

"It's that damn clone jutsu" Naruto replied with a hint of frustration in his voice.

"It's supposed to be the simplest jutsu in the world but I have too much fucking chakra to be able to squeeze out the little amount required for it."

"I've read books on chakra control but nothing they've suggested worked." "I even tried asking my other teachers for advice but none of them even considered helping me.

"They just kept telling me to figure it out on my own."

"That's when decided to do exactly that. I spent the last 2 1/2 years working on my chakra control in seclusion."

"I just don't know if it's going to be enough " Naruto finished with a defeated tone.

Iruka was just sitting there stunned not knowing what to say.

From what he was told by other teachers, he was always led to believe that Naruto was just a troublemaker who just refused to pay attention in class.

He had no idea Naruto was facing such difficulties.

Despite his situation, he saw how determined Naruto was to strengthen his own weaknesses. Weaknesses that even he as the boy's teacher, didn't know he had.

Iruka felt a little bit guilty as he realized, he had once again misjudged the boy and didn't offer much solace as his instructor.

Not having the biggest reserves himself
He'd been damn if he wasn't going to have faith in him if anything.

looking at his most troublesome student in a new light.

Iruka then put on the biggest smile he could muster as he put his hand on Naruto's shoulder in a reassuring manner.

"I know you can do it Naruto." "You sure as hell exceeded my expectations today." "I know you can exceed your own and everyone else's " Iruka said with a smile.