Naruto: A Different Life

Chapter 24: Crumpling Paper. Seriously ?

The next morning the Hokage was less than impressed by Naruto's graduation picture for his file, the blond being painted with vibrant red swirls and his hair spikier than normal. He and Naruto were in the Hokage's office arguing about whether or not Naruto would have to change it when suddenly the door burst open. A kid with an incredibly long scarf that dragged on the ground came charging in yelling, "On guard, Old Man!" In his hand was a shuriken that he prepared to throw before falling flat on his face, his legs getting tangled in his scarf.

"I get it! It's a trap, right?" He glared around suspiciously as a second person barged into the room. This one was wearing the Leaf headband and dark, circular glasses.

"Are you alright, Honored Grandson? And no, for the record there are weren't any traps." The guy exclaimed.

Naruto sat in his chair unfazed, but annoyed his argument was interrupted. "Who's the kid?" He asked, rolling his eyes. He didn't miss the slight glare from the ninja who clearly new who he was, but decided to ignore it since the kid had turned on him.

"Ah, so it was you who tripped me!" the intruder accused, even though Naruto sat about four feet away.

The blonde's eye twitched in annoyance and could help but yell back, "Oh come on! You clearly tripped over your scarf, moron!"

"What did you just call me, idiot?" The kid yelled back getting in Naruto's face. Naruto retaliated by grabbing the kid's collar and lifting him slightly off the ground. He could hear the other guy ordering him to let the Hokage's grandchild go. The brat taunted him; he dared the blond to take his best shot. Four hours of sleep, skipped breakfast, an argument with the Hokage and then the brat's attitude led to Naruto slamming his fist down onto the 'honorable grandson's' head.

"Like I give a damn about who you are!" Naruto snapped and then turned to the Hokage and managed to cool his tone. "Whatever. I'll get a new picture taken, alright? Just schedule me an appointment." He then turn and stalked out the door, closing it with a satisfying SLAM!

"Ah, jeez." He muttered to himself as he made his way down alleyways to avoid villagers on the way back to his apartment. Usually he had a better grasp on his temper but the brat's attitude really irritated him for some reason. "Oh my gosh, what?! Quit following me!" Behind him behind a cloth that let the other blend into the old fence was the instigator of the bad mood plaguing Naruto.

"Haha, you saw through my disguise fairly quickly. You are obviously one with great ability. Teach me your skills and I'll become your disciple." The kid exclaimed excited. His enthusiasm left Naruto momentarily dazed, since Naruto had just hit him five minutes ago. "You gotta teach me that Ninja Centerfold you used on gramps. Okay, Boss?"

"Boss?" Somehow this kid managed to erase all the earlier anger and irritation Naruto felt. The blond was suddenly reminded on Dani and Kat who could make his smile in a matter of a few words. That in mind he set off with the troublemaker and started teaching him the do the perverted jutsu. After a while the kid had it down and the two of them sat down and talked.

"So your name is Konohamaru, like as in the village?" Naruto asked after learning the kid's name. He had realized in the past two hours together he never even knew his subordinate's name and immediately confronted Konohamaru about it, the later rolled their eyes and introduced himself.

"Yeah, my grandfather said it would bring me luck." Konohamaru frowned and glared at a random twig on the ground. "Everyone in the village knows it but only refer to me as 'honored grandson'. They only see who I am related to and not who I am. It's not fair." His glared intensified, and Naruto felt slightly sorry for the poor twig subjected to it. "But that will all change once I become Hokage."