Chapter 9: Understanding our Flaws

Naruto Uzumaki (The Future Hero)

Naruto yawned as he slowly got up from his bed getting ready for his morning. He hadn't remembered too much besides him feeling very tired from yesterday, possibly relating to the fact he went inside the chain's spirit domain for the first time. He himself however had to be ready for today after what he had heard, The team's were most likely getting picked today.

He hoped that he wouldn't get on the same team as Sasuke. He just couldn't stand him at all and he confidently could feel that even If he try to make thing's work with Sasuke, the Uchiha's ego would be far too much for the team and have an incredible strain on it's atmosphere. He hoped that he could Sakura on his team however. Even though the girl was mean to him and put him through walls and what not, he just couldn't get over the fact that he found the girl attractive personally.

"If the girl is putting you through wall's and causing you physical harm, How do you still crush on her? Is this the new generation's way of showing love?" A voice that sounded like the chain spirit asked.

"W-Wha-Sora?! Is that you? And you don't understand how my relationship with Sakura works! It's just something that she...does..."

"Yes, I can communicate with you within your head just like you can as well, Do not worry though as nobody else can hear our conversation. There is nobody that can be aware of us. I seriously doubt it."

"Well then make sure not to comment on everything that happen's with me, I'd like to avoid getting a headache and I feel like in that situation it would be a massive pain..."

"Understood Young one. I'll keep that in mind." As the voice seemed to just shut off.

"Alright then...Time to begin my day."

Naruto proceeded forth with his normal routine. He showered and brushed. He did a little exercise and proceeded to eat, and prior to leaving carried the chain for five seconds. Which of course lead to Naruto feeling awful for a few minutes after but afterwards was on his way to the Academy. On his way to school he wasn't looking as he seemed to be staring off into nothing before he crashed into the back of an unknown boy who was around his size.

"Oh! sorry about that!" Naruto apologized quickly. The boy turned around and Naruto got a better look. He had white,silver hair which nearly covered his eye's from the front but besides that was of relatively normal size. He had piercing, deep, red eyes that looked almost as if they were staring into someone's soul. He wore a black shirt with a white vest on it, alongside a pair of black pants alongside sandals, his toenails painted black. Besides that though, Nothing else really caught his eye.

"I don't think I've ever seen you before! Are you new? My name's Naruto Uzumaki and I'm going to be Konoha's Future Hokage as well as Future Hero! Remember that!" As he pointed at the boy." The boy smiled as If happy too see someone with the motivation the boy had to seemingly push himself.

"You have quite the enthusiasm Naruto-san. I've never seen someone as eccentric as you haha." The boy responded politely.

"You don't need to reply with honorifics, I'm personally not a fan of them.

"Oh? Is that so? Good to know. I myself don't like the use of honorifics either. I myself find them to be somewhat unpleasant at times and they can be distracting in varying ways..." The boy responded back with the same smile.

"Naruto. Let us leave." The chain spirit suddenly spoke up in his head.

Naruto, who was surprised by the sudden call of his Name by the spirit, responded with "Why though exactly? Danger nearby?" Naruto asked confused.

"This...thing...in front of you...His presence disturbs me...It's not right..." The Chain spirit added sounding somewhat distraught

"Well! I'm kind of in a rush to get the academy for something important today! Could you tell me your name? I'll keep in touch if possible." Naruto said while scratching his head nervously and putting his other hand out in order to possibly shake hands.

"Sure. The Name's Ito. Nice meeting you...Naruto." The boy said while retaining his smile and shaking Naruto's hand.

"Alright! see you later!" Naruto said as he began running to the academy. Ito looked at Naruto as he ran to the academy.

"Naruto Uzumaki huh?...Interesting..." Ito said while closing his eyes.

(Flashback)

Hiruzen Sarutobi (God of Shinobi)

Hiruzen stared at the boy that had just entered into his office. The boy in return also stared at Hiruzen as he slowly made his way forward coming up to the desk. He proceeded to bow

"Hokage-sama. It is an honor to meet you. I've never been called upon before so this is quite incredible for me If i'm being honest." He said with a smile while slowly putting his head up.

"There's no need to bow young one. The business we have isn't very serious and I don't believe it to be necessary." Hiruzen said

"Well of course I'd have to insist Hokage-sama, It's just how I am. Regardless, I assume you called upon me about understanding me further before placing on my team?" Ito asked.

"Yes actually. You see, You are a relative unknown and I myself was not familiar with someone like you within the village to my great shape considering the potential you seem to harness. This also leads me to this question. Why do you intentionally hold back? What are you hiding?"

"My my...You have quite the superstition Hokage-sama haha. Regardless, I simply don't seek fit to reveal my power in those exam section's. A Shinobi shouldn't have to show what he has for a mere "exam" It's flawed. I myself believe that the village exam's should be more survival-fit, A better environment for the testing of-" He couldn't finish as Hiruzen interrupted not liking where this was going one bit.

"I'll consider it, but no promises. After all, something like that sounds more like something Danzo would implement and that's not my cup of tea to be honest." Hiruzen said. He himself was well aware of what the War Hawk was capable of and he was quite sure that Danzo himself would almost certainly hold an interest in such an idea over his war-mongering beliefs.

"Haha, It's fine. Back to the topic though, As I've said before I simply held no desire to show my talents that may or may not be. It's possible that maybe I did really well on certain sections because those were the only thing's I was good at, even then maybe not. You, as the hokage should figure it out." Ito said with a laugh.

"I myself shouldn't have to figure it out. You shouldn't be so childish as to chide me for something that I can't completely focus on when they are many other thing's I must do for the sake of this village." He firmly responded back.

The smile on Ito faded as into what appeared to be a rare face of anger from the boy.

"That's contradictory Hokage-sama. You don't seem to focus much on the academy, but when it comes to the boy "Naruto" You act as If you've been following the academy for a while and know of every single little thing happening. Why not just come out and admit to Naruto that-"

"You dare question my relationship with Naruto? You are crossing a line boy! You should know Naruto's issues are far more distant then just the academy!" Hiruzen said as he suddenly stood up while slamming his hands on the table in anger. The God of Shinobi seemed very intimidating with the Killing Intent flooding out, but Ito was not bothered.

"There are many orphans that are like Naruto's case. I understand Naruto has it far worse thank's to that little seal on his stomach, but you still contradict yourself. Even though It doesn't necessarily bother me as much as it probably bother's you when you go to sleep at night but just be aware of that. I myself do hope to meet that boy. Call it a hunch but I feel like that boy might become exactly what this village need's." Ito said while his smile slowly resurfaced back.

"I'd be careful with him though. I wouldn't be surprised if a boy like him could become the Greatest hope to ever exist and become a Child of Prodigy. However, I myself could believe just as easily If the boy was an illusion and will light the path to show us that no matter how pure a soul and how much they work towards something, It will not happen. If that end's up being the case, then it'll be on everyone's heads, and punishment will almost certainly be served." The boy known as Ito said eerily.

"You...You speak as If you lived and walked on this earth for years and yet you are only a mere twelve year old...What are you hiding?..." Hiruzen asked suspiciously.

"Me?...Haha, what kind of question is that Hokage-sama? I'm just a mere citizen that is worried for the future of Konohagakure..." He said as his smile grew while his eyes closed.

Hiruzen maintained his gaze but decided to switch the subject once more.

"Fine then. Now then, can you describe to me how you would grade your skills..."

"Average Taijutsu and Above Average Ninjutsu. My talent mainly lies within Genjutsu." The boy responded in a simple manner.

"Is there any jutsu in particular that you believe to be quite unique to you and or your strongest?"

"Haha, Deception is the greatest tool of a Shinobi Hokage-sama...You of all people should know this..." Ito said as If he would fall for such a thing.

"Well you've done your homework...Impressive." Hiruzen said with a smirk.

"Who would I be If I didn't? I'm an orphan, It's not like I've got much else to do. The Orphanage is a place I go back to occasionally but It's a place of bad memories so I don't have much else to do." He said while scratching his head, seemingly bored.

"Orphanage? Bad memories? Does It have something to do with the fire-"

Hiruzen didn't finish his sentence as he noticed the boy suddenly tensed up and stared at him directly. The boy's face changed to a simple expressionless face, The boy leaked nothing such as Killing Intent and just looked content in a way. However, Hiruzen felt something off regarding this change in the boy and decided to not inquire, It just didn't feel right.

"I apologize. I did not mean to remind you of any bad memories." Hiruzen apologized with concern evident.

"It's okay Hokage-sama, It's understandable you wouldn't be aware of my case." Ito said once again with his signature smile.

"I don't have much time left for this meeting so I'll be up front. Your team as of now will likely be with Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha. You will have Kakashi as your Sensei and will be known as Team 7. Any Issues?" Hiruzen said sternly.

"No. I'm actually rather excited to work with Naruto. Can't say the same thing for the Uchiha considering his attitude but It's fine. Kakashi Is also someone that I believe is formidable enough to lead us. I have no issues."

"Alright then, You are free to go. I thank you for your time Ito." As Ito had begun walking to the door until he suddenly stopped.

No Hokage-sama. I thank you for giving me the time to talk with you.

It was an enlightening experience for me...