Apprentice

CH. 2

It had been 4 years since that day, Naruto was 11 and it was approaching time for his class to graduate.

Hiruzen looked on at the boy with a proud gaze, like a grandfather would a grandson.

Hiruzen quickly learned that he simply wouldn't be able to give what he promised Naruto alone, so he fell back on his most trusted ANBU.

Kakashi - Codename INU.

He had Kakashi fill in where other shinobi once chased him, he had the man spar with Naruto when he was too tired. Soon Kakashi would keep Naruto company out of his own will.

They became close, Kakashi acting as a father figure to the boy.

Kakashi was growing just as much as Naruto was. The realization that he now had something to protect again spurred him to train like an S-Rank Nin was out to kill Naruto.

Hiruzen watched happily as Kakashi grew to overtake him in power, soon being able to rival the likes of Jiraiya and Tsunade.

Eventually Kakashi took over practical lessons. While Hiruzen focused more on his spirit and mind.

Naruto was no slouch either. Had Hiruzen wished it, he could've made him a genin only a year after entering his tutelage, but he didn't.

Afterall, Naruto wanted normalcy. It's hard to have that without friends surrounding you.

He stopped pulling pranks. A mixture of worry for harming others like the accident, and sheer exhaustion from Kakashi's training, Hiruzen's studying and his work at the academy. There was simply no time for nonsense.

Because of this, a few of his classmates saw him in a different light. His change spurred them to work hard.

The teachers, however, were not as kind. They were irate at his progress, truly disgusted that the 'Kyuubi Brat' as they so called him privately became a  model student.

The teachers were openly cruel to the boy, with the Hokage having to step in often. His classmates were confused.

I thought they didn't like him because of the pranks. Why are they being mean to him?

The class, in a way to rebel, began to treat Naruto neutrally, like every other classmate.

He was however, truly a role model to some. Ino Yamanaka liked his change in attitude, as well as how hard he worked, the two became fast friends.

Sakura soon followed, after Naruto showed the shy girl some kindness.

The three became fast friends, Naruto often spending time with them. It was the only time he could truly act his age.

And Naruto couldn't be happier. He finally had the normalcy he wanted so badly. Soon graduation came and went. Naruto passing at the top of his class.

Hiruzen expected nothing less after all.

A few however, were bitter about this.

The dead last suddenly becoming top student overnight.

Naruto sat on a stool, his face neutral and his hair in a ponytail, a goofy smile on his face as a the man Infront of him took his picture.

Naruto received his ID shortly after, representing him as an official genin of the leaf. He immediately went to his sensei to show off.

"Sarutobi-sensei!" Naruto burst through the door with blinding smile on his face.

"Naruto, did you get your picture taken?" Naruto nodded and presented his ID to his Sensei.

"Very good! I was worried you'd paint your face or something..." Naruto scratched the back of his head.