When Iruka passed Naruto in the genin exams, he thought it right... at the time. Seeing his student, the one he grew to love like his own child, placed in a genin group with the legendary Copy-nin as their teacher, he couldn't help but regret letting the boy go.
He truly loved Naruto, as his own child, or younger brother, and would definitely sacrifice his life for the boy. When Kakashi decides to enter his genin team into the chuunin exams, Iruka couldn't help but stand up to the team leader's, his former student's lives in danger.
He knew he would have to let go eventually.
Forget about Naruto, he wasn't his father...
He had no ties to the boy, and the boy had no need for him anymore.
Or so he thought.
Until a certain Jounin changes his mind.
