Naruto: Path of Uchiha

Chapter 11: Getting Into Trouble

It had been a whole month since Naruto joined the academy. It was going pretty well. So well that Naruto is at the top of his class, Sasuke being close to him as second best. Hinata is also turning into a fine kunoichi, as for Shikamaru, he is not as lazy as he was before.

Currently, Naruto is at the Nara Household, playing shogi with his close friend Shikamaru.

'You're giving me a tough time', Shikamaru remarks, seeing the play Naruto had laid out.

'No, you've just gotten sloppy', Naruto teases in return.

'You have improved a lot, Naruto', Shikaku, who has been observing them both, comments.

Naruto knew Shikaku Nara before he knew Shikamaru, as he often saw him in the Hokage office. Naruto would not hesitate to say that Shikaku is a good man who treats Naruto well.

'Thank you, Shikaku-san; practice makes perfect', Naruto humbly replies.

'That's correct. How are you doing at the academy?' Shikaku asks, wanting to know his progress.

'He's at the top of the class', Shikamaru answers for Naruto.

'Only by little, everyone's doing their best.' Naruto appreciates the praise, but he is not a fan of attention.

'Stop being so humble all the time', Kurama snarks, which he does way too often.

'Humbleness is a good disguise for strength'

'Yeah, and where did you read that? A hundred-year-old book?'

Naruto shuts him out.

'Yeah, that's only because the teachers are giving you a hard time; otherwise, you would be way ahead of everyone. It's like you're defying the odds', Shikamaru says, praising his friend.

Shikaku smiles at their interaction, glad that Shikamaru has made good friends.

Just then, a figure with black hair approaches the three.

'Naruto! We've got to go!' Sasuke, who has to come to collect Naruto, says as he enters.

Sasuke notices Shikaku amidst his brother and friend, 'Hello, Shikaku-san, it's good to see you' and bows in greeting.

'Good to see you too, Sasuke; you're here to collect Naruto?' Shikaku questions.

'Yeah, since all our brothers are in the village currently, we've decided to meet up, as it has turned into a rare occurrence nowadays', Sasuke explains.

'You know, I am here too', Shikamaru, not happy with being ignored, states.

'I was just getting to you, Shikamaru', Sasuke says with a frown.

'Stop it, you two. Let's continue this match later, Shikamaru; I've got to go', Naruto says, bidding goodbye.

***

'I brought him back', Sasuke says to Itachi, Kakashi, and Obito, sitting near the ramen stand, which has unintentionally become their meet-up spot.

'Hello, my beloved brothers', Naruto says, engulfing each one in tight hugs.

It's been a while since they've last seen each other, and Naruto has missed them every single day.

'About time!' Obito says, hugging Naruto even tighter.

Naruto and Sasuke both take their seats next to their brothers.

'So what are you all up to?' Sasuke asks as Kakashi orders each of their designated meals.

Since Kakashi's the oldest, he is the one who mostly pays.

'Nothing much except we have all been promoted', Obito states smugly.

'Really?' This time Naruto asks, he has always been proud of his brother's accomplishments.

'Yeah. I got promoted to Anbu commander, Itachi took my place as Anbu captain, and Obito is now Jonin commander', Kakashi explains.

'That's awesome!' Sasuke exclaims.

'It is, but me being Hokage will be way more awesome than that', Obito states, sending a look to Naruto.

If Naruto wants to be Hokage, he has to get in line.

Naruto just shrugs in response.

'What about you two?' Itachi asks the two youngsters.

'Academy is going very well. Naruto's at the top of the class, with me following second', Sasuke says proudly.

'I'm proud of you two', Itachi says, patting each boy's heads.

'Are there any problems any of you are facing?' Kakashi suspects.

'Not yet, Nii-san', Naruto replied honestly.

'You are saying that like you want danger to come your way' Kurama says.