Naruto Uzumaki's life as a ninja student was anything but ordinary.
Despite his mischievous nature and reputation for causing trouble, he managed to form bonds with a few classmates, notably Nara Shikamaru and Akimichi Chōji. Surprisingly, during his early years in the academy, his peers refrained from calling him derogatory names like "demon fox." However, his antics often made him the center of attention, earning him teasing and laughter from his classmates.
Naruto's struggles with ninjutsu were a running joke in the academy. His attempts at the Clone Technique were especially infamous. From turning Sarutobi Hiruzen into a bizarre caricature to other equally embarrassing mishaps, Naruto consistently scored last in class. Despite his poor grades, he found inspiration in Iruka's lessons on the "Will of Fire."
A dream took root in Naruto's heart: to become the Hokage.
"To be Hokage," Naruto declared, "means being the strongest and earning the respect of everyone in Konoha." Seeing how villagers revered Sarutobi Hiruzen, Naruto believed that becoming Hokage was his path to acceptance.
His sense of justice was evident early on when he stood up for a shy classmate, Hinata Hyūga, who was being bullied. Unfortunately, this act of courage resulted in him being beaten up. Unknown to Naruto, his kindness left a lasting impression on Hinata, who began to admire him from afar.
Meanwhile, Naruto developed a crush on another classmate, Haruno Sakura. Unfortunately, Sakura was infatuated with Sasuke Uchiha, the class prodigy. This only added to Naruto's frustrations since nearly every girl in the academy seemed to share Sakura's feelings for Sasuke.
Handsome, intelligent, and always at the top of his class, Sasuke Uchiha was Naruto's opposite in many ways. Naruto envied Sasuke but also felt an inexplicable connection to him.
One day, the unthinkable happened.
"The Uchiha clan was wiped out," a classmate whispered. "Sasuke is the only survivor."
Naruto's heart sank at the news.
An orphan... just like me.
Later that evening, Naruto spotted Sasuke sitting alone by the river. His silhouette, framed by the setting sun, radiated loneliness. Naruto, feeling a kinship with Sasuke, hesitated to approach him. Sasuke, noticing Naruto's gaze, turned away arrogantly. Naruto mirrored the gesture, walking off with feigned indifference. But as they both glanced back, secret smiles played on their faces.
As time passed, the two boys developed a rivalry that masked a deeper bond. Though they often argued and competed, they understood each other's pain better than anyone else.
---
Graduation day arrived.
Naruto, still unable to perform the Clone Technique, was the only student in his class who failed to graduate. His disappointment was immense. That's when Mizuki, one of the academy instructors, approached him.
"If you want to become a ninja," Mizuki whispered, "there's another way. Steal the Scroll of Seals and learn a jutsu from it. Then you'll graduate."
Naruto, desperate to achieve his dream, followed Mizuki's suggestion.
---
Elsewhere, the legendary ninja Tobirama Senju, watching the events unfold through the recorded chronicles of Konoha, expressed his disbelief.
"Mizuki is clearly deceiving Naruto," Tobirama said. "That scroll contains Forbidden Techniques. Sarutobi should never have let this happen."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, defended himself: "I didn't let him steal it. I was caught off guard!"
The First Hokage, Hashirama, chuckled. "How does someone steal something so valuable from under your nose? You've gotten sloppy, Sarutobi."
Jiraiya added his own brand of humor. "Or maybe the old man's just as easily distracted as me."
Sarutobi shot back, "I'm not a lecher like you, Jiraiya!"
Back in Konoha, Naruto infiltrated the Hokage's residence and used his signature "Sexy Jutsu" to incapacitate Hiruzen. With the Hokage temporarily downed, Naruto successfully took the Scroll of Seals and fled to the meeting point Mizuki had specified.
---
The other Konoha villagers were stunned.
"The Third Hokage defeated by a kid's prank jutsu?" Onoki, the Tsuchikage, sneered. "That's embarrassing."
The Fourth Raikage roared with laughter. "The Third must be getting senile!"
Even Orochimaru, watching from the shadows, smirked. "I didn't think Sarutobi could fall so easily. Perhaps this is why I abandoned him."
As Naruto waited for Mizuki, Iruka Umino tracked him down.
"Naruto, do you know what you've done? That scroll is dangerous!"
Before Naruto could respond, Mizuki appeared, revealing his true intentions.
"Foolish boy," Mizuki sneered. "You'll never graduate. That scroll is mine now!"
Mizuki then dropped a bombshell: "Do you know why the villagers hate you, Naruto? You're the Nine-Tails Demon Fox that attacked Konoha years ago!"
Naruto froze in shock, his heart pounding.
"That's enough, Mizuki!" Iruka yelled, stepping between Naruto and Mizuki.
Mizuki, however, was relentless. "The whole village despises him! He has no place here!"
Tears welled in Naruto's eyes, but Iruka's voice cut through his despair.
"Don't listen to him, Naruto! You're not the demon fox. You're a member of Konoha, and you've worked harder than anyone I know!"
Iruka's words reignited Naruto's determination. With newfound resolve, he opened the Scroll of Seals and learned the Shadow Clone Jutsu, a powerful technique far beyond his years.
When Mizuki attacked, Naruto unleashed hundreds of clones, overwhelming the rogue ninja in an instant.
---
Watching from afar, the great shinobi Tobirama was impressed.
"The Shadow Clone Jutsu... Not bad for a beginner," Tobirama remarked.
Hashirama grinned. "Looks like the kid has potential after all."
---
Back in Konoha, Naruto returned the scroll to the Hokage. Hiruzen, no longer angry, saw the determination in the boy's eyes.
"Congratulations, Naruto," Iruka said, handing him a forehead protector. "You're officially a ninja."
Naruto beamed with pride, holding the protector close. "I did it. I'm one step closer to becoming Hokage!"
From that day forward, Naruto's journey truly began.
In the days and years to come, he would face countless challenges, form unbreakable bonds, and prove to everyone in Konoha that he was more than just a vessel for the Nine-Tails. He was Uzumaki Naruto, a ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village and a future Hokage.
And his story was only just beginning.
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