The Academy was very interesting place and rather easy to understand. Then again, it kind of helped that I knew what was being taught, thanks to a simple invention back in my world called television. I remembered various hand signs that were made in order to perform several jutsus, including that clone technique that Naruto had so much trouble with in the beginning of the series. Iruka Umino, the instructor, was a very kind and patient man and I could see why Naruto admired and respected him so. It was probably because Iruka treated him like a person and not as a demon container. I guess that was why I considered Iruka another one of my favorite characters in the Narutoverse. He was pleased that he got to work with me and how I progressed fast. I had to admit that I didn't think that I would be able to understand all the hand signs and jutsus involved, but I did. I excelled in taijutsu and genjustu. I was decent in ninjutsu, but taijutsu and genjustu were my areas of concentration.
"Show me a shadow clone, Mina." Iruka instructed.
Class examinations were today and they also determined whether we graduate or get held back another year. I was determined to get through this thing and determined to be just as good as Naruto or, maybe, like Sakura. I've always had a fascination with the medical world, even back home. I would always watch those medical shows like, E.R Mysteries, or Trauma: Life in the E.R. I've always wanted to help other people. Iruka said that I had excellent chakra control and having such control would definitely be beneficial to becoming a medical nin. I sighed before focusing on my hand signs and developing the perfect clone for the instructor. Right next to me, a perfect clone of myself appeared. Iruka praised me and then instructed me to disguise myself as any ninja of my choosing. I smirked as I decided to use Naruto as an example. Needless to say, he was very pleased and I knew that I graduated.
I was later presented with my headband. I had to admire it and the symbol that indicated that I was a ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village. I traced the symbol with the tip of my finger before tying my hair up and putting on my prized possession. I was pretty damned proud of it. I started to walk off back to the main part of the village when I heard a certain hyperactive ninja shouting my name. I smiled as jogged up to me, with a few of his fellow ninja following behind. There was somebody missing, though. I looked around to see if I could find the pervy sensei and then I sweatdropped. He was probably off at the baths peeking at naked women. I huffed but I wasn't about to worry about that for now. If I didn't know any better, I would say that Jiraya would show up anytime soon if my calculations were correct.
"You made it!" Naruto cheered with a big grin on his face.
"Yep!" I grinned back.
Everyone congratulated me on my achievement and all of them were looking forward to what I would do next as a ninja. According to Iruka, I was to be placed on Team Seven, to fill in for Sauske. I frowned briefly, wondering what else in the Narutoverse had been altered, before I returned to reality. Sakura asked me about what field that I wanted to be in. I blushed. There were so many things that I could do, but I admitted that I wanted to help other people in need as a medical nin. I told her what Iruka told me but I also mentioned that I wanted to be a great fighter, like Naruto-who beamed. Sakura's emerald eyes brightened when she heard that I wanted to be like her. She then turned to Ino, who had tagged along as well.
"There you go, Ino-pig." She said teasingly. "You got yourself an apprentice."
"Watch it, forehead." Ino growled.
Before the two kunoichis got into it, Jiraya suddenly entered the fray...or more like bounced into the fray. He crash landed next to the group and then bounced a couple extra feet before coming to a complete stop. I saw a red hand print on his face, which meant that I had been right about his whereabouts. He stood up and dusted himself off. Naruto and I just stared at him, like he grew an extra eye on his face. The sannin pretended not to notice this but I saw the tick mark on his forehead. He was irritated and I knew that was because he had gotten caught by Tsunade. She was the only kunoichi (other than Haruno Sakura of course) that could send a man flying from one side of the village to the other side.
"Got caught, pervy sensei?" Naruto asked with a devilish smirk.
"Hmph."
"He did." I added, grinning.
"Alright, you two." Jiraya sighed. "So kid, I see you graduated. Are you ready to begin your training?"
I nodded. I was willing to forgo the celebrations and skip ahead to training. If the events involving the Akatsuki were to come to light, then I had to get down to business and start training. Jiraya must have seen how serious I was because he smiled approvingly before he took Naruto and me to Training Ground 44. I wasn't really surprised to see Kakashi there with his nose buried in one of Jiraya's books. Naruto huffed in irritation and I simply sighed.
"Well, kid," Jiraya began. "I guess we'll begin your training by letting you fight Naruto and see what you learned."
My eyes widened in surprise. Naruto was powerhouse and I wasn't expecting to fight him so soon, but I had to start somewhere. I became serious again and faced Naruto. He got into position just as I did. I ignored the audience and simply focused on my opponent. He would be extremely difficult to overcome, but I always believed that anything was possible if one put their mind to it. Once I got the signal to begin, I charged Naruto.
