Chapter 024

Her father Hiashi was impressed and pleased with Hinata's progress and surprising improvements. He was no fool though; he knew that Naruto had something to do with it and as a result, he encouraged Hinata to associate more with Naruto and try to get to know him on deeper levels. Hinata was shocked that her father, as harsh as he could be towards her because of her past failures, was praising and encouraging her and it was all because of Naruto's influence. Eagerly seeking to heed her father's encouragement, Hinata sought to get to know her major crush even more. Hiashi had even invited Naruto over on several occasions and allowed him to socialize and train with his daughter. Sometimes, Hanabi (age 6) would eavesdrop on them to see what was going on. She didn't know what her father saw in Naruto, besides some weird kid who wore that same ninja mask all the time and seemingly never takes it off.

(The Following Day)

Naruto and all of the other students were all outside at the practice area. They were all going to practice throwing kunais at human-shaped targets. Some of the students had better time aiming and throwing the kunais than many of the others. When it came time for Sasuke to throw his kunais, he threw them with time precision accuracy. The girls marveled at how efficient Sasauke was at throwing his kunai right on the bull's eye. Naruto stood there quietly as he waited patiently for his own turn while bored out of his mind.

Even Ero-jisan's training was more fun than this, Naruto thought, Pity that no one knows I'm secretly training with him.

'Or with me for that matter also Naruto,' Minato added, 'And Tsunade-sama.'

…True, Naruto thought.

"Naruto you're up," Iruka announced. Naruto raised his head as he went over to his wooden human target stand.

"Good luck, dobe," Sasuke mocked. Naruto ignored him and picked up his kunais. Standing a long distance from the target, Naruto ran back and forth from left to right as he aimed and launched his three kunais at intended areas of the target before throwing the last one straight into the bull's eye. Sasuke smirked and stated, "I made all four bull's eyes and you only made one. If you were as smart as everyone thinks you are, you'd have stood still and threw your kunais at the target like everyone else."

"I'm afraid Sasuke's right Naruto," Iruka commented, "If you'd have stood where you were supposed to, you'd have possibly managed to hit more than one bull's eye."

"That may be true," Naruto looked at Iruka and said, "However if you look carefully Iruka-sensei, if that target were an actual person, each section I threw my kunais at would have meant an instantaneous death. Enemy shinobis won't allow us to get bull's to their hearts. We'd have to know where else they can be effectively taken down."

Iruka looked at the target and saw what Naruto was talking about; the first kunai was embedded deep into the forehead, the second straight into the jugular, the third at the liver and the last one straight through the heart. Naruto executed all this while he was running unlike the others Iruka acknowledged.

"You're right Naruto," Iruka agreed, "For each spot you launched your kunais at; it would mean immediate death for the target. I'm amazed you managed to pull off such a feat and knew exactly when and where to hit at while in running motion."

"When you study the human anatomy in depth," Naruto said, "You learn a thing or two."

Iruka sensed that there was more to Naruto than meet the eyes, aside the fact that he's the son of the Hokage. He wondered if perhaps Tsunade had something to do with this since she was an ace medical specialist.

Who is this kid, Iruka wondered as the Ino, Hinata and the other girls circled around Naruto and praised his accomplishments. Sasuke decided to ignore them until…

"That was amazing! You might reach or even break Itachi's record at this rate," said one of the girls. Hearing that remark made Sasuke's blood boil; there was no way he was going to be out-staged by Naruto. Sasuke saw that had to push himself harder if he was to become stronger to kill his brother and out-do Naruto who he felt was suppose to be the dobe, not his equal or superior.

If only I had my Sharingan activated like Itachi's, Sasuke thought, Then I'd have had the ability to surpass Naruto's abilities…

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(A Week Later)

A week ago Naruto told his family about his time with Ino and Hinata after they treated him to lunch and sparred with him. Jiraiya was rather amused at the fact that Naruto had two girls who were interested in him and not just as everyday typical fangirls. Tsunade and Shizune weren't surprised at all. Tsunade though teased her son at how he would grow up to become a true lady's man.

Jiraiya, being who he was, told Naruto that he would give him some copies of his rare limited edition Icha Icha Paradise books showing how he could give Hinata and Ino a really good time. This of course earned Jiraiya a free flight into the Hokage Monument in courtesy of an enraged mother named Tsunade.

Sandaime was also told the story by Naruto after he returned with Konohamaru from their vacation away from Konoha and in turn Sandaime told Naruto about his fun time away with his grandson. Although Sandaime didn't voice it, he saw it was a chance for Naruto to revive and rebuilt the Namikaze clan and reestablish it as one of Konoha's strongest clans once again after he becomes of age to marry. Sandaime grinned inwardly, knowing fully well that if word was to ever get out that Naruto is not only the son of Godaime Hokage but also the biological son of Yondaime Hokage, Naruto would have to run for hours as armies of girls and possibly older kunoichis would chase after him screaming for him to marry them and allowing them to birth his children.

(Present Day; At The Hokage Mansion)

Tsunade and Naruto were looking at each other with narrow eyes, awaiting the other make the first strike. Kakashi, Shizune and Tsunade's new pet pig Ton-Ton, which she was carrying in her arms, were watching the duo, wondering how this mother and son duel would end. Neither of the two opponents was willing to back down.

"It's not too late kaa-chan," Naruto warned, "There's still time to back down."

"Like I'd ever submit to you," Tsunade retorted with unbroken determination, "I'm not afraid of you."

"It's your funeral," Naruto replied, "Your move."

"I'll match you. Full house, kid," Tsunade grinned smugly, putting down her cards on the table both her and Naruto were sitting at. Naruto made a "hmmm" sound and proceeded to look at his cards at great length, shuffling them around. Mother and son were going for broke in this game.

"Well," the impatient Hokage finally said, "What do you have?"

"I have a bunch of red guys, a ten, and an Ace," Naruto said, putting down his cards, "That's good, right?"

Tsunade stared dumbfounded at the Royal Flush of Hearts. She hadn't gotten one of those in her many years of gambling. For Naruto, this was his form of payback for all the hard hits Tsunade would inflict on him during the times he'd spar and train with her.

"WHAT?!," Tsunade shouted, finding it hard to believe that she lost to her son, again, "YOU CHEATED!"

"I didn't cheat kaa-chan," Naruto replied, "You are the Sucker after all! You simply SUCK and it's legendary at every casino you drag and take us to! The fact that we're not in the poor house or homeless for that matter because of all the loans and debts you've acquired is nothing short of a miracle!"

Kakashi was futilely stifling a laugh that was threatening to break free. It was amusing how Naruto had the guts to talk to Tsunade like that knowing fully well that he was risking her wrath. Shizune however was torn between being upset that her little brother was gambling, and being pleased that he was so good at it, which was A LOT more than what could be said of her sensei, who was presently fuming at yet another loss to her smart-mouth son.

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