One Who Shapes The Future

Chapter 2: Return Of The Fox

Seven years have passed since Naruto left Konoha for training. Seven years have passed since his Bushin has taken his place until his return. Because it wasn't really alive, it had no need for eat or sleep, so it worked on chakra control for the benefit of its true person for after it was dispelled. Sarutobi was very kind to him, despite being a clone. He helped him with chakra control, which improved with each passing day. He taught him several Katon jutsu for the real Naruto when he returned to Konoha and the Bushin was dispelled.

The Bushin did that. He trained. And trained. It was difficult to find him NOT training sometimes. But days passed, and he didn't stop. Eventually, it was September. The day of Graduation. 'Naruto' walked straight to school from the training grounds, sighing. The Bushin was tired of needing to keep up this act for so long, it was getting pissed off. Pretending to like the Haruno bitch. Acting like an idiot. Failing the exams on purpose. While goofing off in lessons and playing pranks was fun, it didn't help at all.

He sighed and ran into the Hokage. "Hey Jiji!" He called.

Sarutobi looked at him and smiled. "Hello Naruto-kun, how are you?"

The blonde frowned. "Want me to be honest?" Sarutobi nodded. "I'm sick of waiting for the boss to come back." He sighed. "Seven years of acting like an idiot, seven years of training...seven years of being beaten up by those god damn villagers. I shouldn't really have emotions, but I feel pity for the boss. I can't really feel the pain, but boss could...and for five years he was beat up, hated...it makes me wonder how he stayed sane."

Hiruzen sighed. "Yes...it was one of my many regrets, telling the council Naruto was a Jinchuuriki...it caused him so much pain."

"He doesn't blame you old man," 'Naruto' told him. "He can't bring himself to hate any of these people...he loves them too much..."

Sarutobi beamed with pride. "He is a very strong person...he will be the greatest Hokage this village has ever seen. Even stronger than the Shodaime."

The Bushin nodded in agreement. "Yeah...well I better get to the academy. Don't want Iruka-sensei to be disappointed in me for being late on the day of graduation."

Hiruzen looked at him. "Doesn't the original return today?"

He nodded. "God I hope so, I do not wanna be the one to take that god damn exam."

Hiruzen laughed. "Well, run along Naruto-kun."

'Naruto' nodded, and left for the academy.

XXXX

Meanwhile, on the streets of Konoha, someone walked on the streets. He wore black ANBU style pants with black Shinobi sandals. On his right thigh were bandages and a kunai holster. Attached to the back of his pants was a shuriken pouch. Both the holster and pouch were littered with seals on the inside. He wore a chain mesh shirt, covered by a blood red T-shirt. Over his T-shirt, he wore a silver hoody, a seal on the sleeve. What couldn't be seen was a pair of eyes on the inside of the hoody, red and slitted. Underneath the sleeves was a pair of gauntlets, bronze with silver rimming. Under one was a short blade, on the underside of the other was a seal. He also wore a pair of black and red gloves, each one with a slitted eye, green in colour. Under the hood, though it couldn't be seen, was spiky blonde hair with red tips, that reached to the person's shoulders, sky blue eyes, and 3 whisker marks on each cheek. He stood at 5"7, tall for his age.

"Konoha eh?" The person mused aloud, a strangely deep yet normal voice. "It's as...friendly as ever."

A voice snorted in his mind. 'These people won't change partner, you know that.' It told him.