Naruto: A Second Chance

Chapter III

Naruto wakes early in order to be on time for the graduation exam. He splashes some cold water on his face, brushes his hair, and gets dressed in his usual attire.

Naruto cringes at the selection, but it is all he could really afford. He walks into the kitchen and prepares some ramen for breakfast. He eats his fill. They're nothing like Ichiraku, but they'll have to do.

After he is done eating, Naruto makes his way to the Academy, rooftop by rooftop.

- - - - -

When he arrives, the only other person present is Sasuke Uchiha, the only Uchiha left in Konoha, and the personal thorn in his side.

Each gives the other a sideways glare, and Naruto sits in the back, right beside the window furthest away from Sasuke, in the back right corner.

Naruto waits casually, and the other Academy students in his class begin to trickle in in waves. There is slight surprise and shock on the faces of those who notice his irregular punctuality.

Naruto smirks slightly to himself, his hands clasped behind his head, and his feet resting on the desk space in front of him, one crossed over the other. Iruka walks in and addresses the class.

"Naruto; nice to see you here on time." Iruka smiles and nods to him in acknowledgement. He proceeds. "Today, class, you will be taking the graduation exam.

"I will give you the first portion, which is a small set of about five to ten questions that you have to answer in thirty minutes. After that, you will be called one at a time to the examination room to perform the chosen Ninjutsu: the Clone jutsu."

There are collective mumbles that spread around the room until Iruka is able to calm them down. "Now, let's begin."

- - - - -

Naruto smirks to himself as he walks out of the examination room with his new Hitai-ate tied around his forehead. He ignores the glares of people who believe he doesn't deserve it, and he ignores the whispers and jeers.

His glorious parade is interrupted by Kurama. "Look for an ANBU; you passed, so there should be one around here somewhere." Naruto nods discreetly. Right; thanks, Kurama.

Naruto looks closely at every bit and detail of the terrain. A little ways off, he sees a shadowed figure behind a tree. He quickly heads over to the operative.

The shinobi has a fox-like mask with yellow whiskers and red eyes. The cloaked stranger doesn't utter a word until he is sure there are no eavesdroppers.

"Hello, Uzumaki-san. Are you ready for your promised gratuity?" Naruto nods, albeit a bit too enthusiastically, in response to his question.

The ANBU places a hand in Naruto's shoulder and the next thing he knows, he's in front of his apartment. Naruto raises a brow. "My apartment? What's so special about it?"

The ANBU remove his hand. "There is nothing worth mentioning about your apartment. Please retrieve your possessions, Uzumaki-san."

Naruto simply nods and goes into his apartment to gather his things.

- - - - -

Minato cringes some at his straightforward and generally uninterested tone. He knows ANBU are supposed to be objective, though, so it is necessary in order to keep his cover.