Chapter Nine: The Naruto Effect

Minato/Yondaime speaking.

With that said, on with the fic.

(Three Years Later)

A great deal has occurred within three years. Three months after Naruto's (age 11) new training with Jiraiya (age 49) started, Hiruzen (in his 60s) did something that shocked all of Konoha. He stepped down and retired as Hokage once again after choosing the person who was to succeed both him and Yondaime as next Hokage. He and the council chose Jiraiya to be nominated for the job; however Jiraiya declined the offer, saying that it would cut into a great deal of his time for his research as well as his training Naruto. Hiruzen didn't need to be a professor to figure out what kind of research Jiraiya was talking about since he himself read those books of his like many others.

After careful consideration, he selected Tsunade (age 49), the Slug Sannin and his former student to be the next Hokage. To say that Tsunade was shock at this would be an understatement. At first she was rather reluctant to take the job, with her reasoning being much different from Jiraiya's. She recalled what befell her grandfather and grand-uncle, Shodaime and Nidaime, who died young during their reign as Hokage. And there were her kid brother Kawaki and her lover Dan, both of whom sought to become Hokage and they died young before they could live out that dream. Since then, she started believing that the Hokage job was shit and that only a fool would want to become Hokage.

But after adopting Naruto as her new son, she gradually started seeing things differently. She found a reason to risk her life for something she held as very precious, her son and Shizune (age 26), both of whom happens to be her family, and in some respects Jiraiya, Hiruzen and Kakashi (age 25), whom in their own ways were like family to her, although they got on her nerves occasionally. She was stupefied that she out of all people was nominated to live out the role of Hokage. After some coaching from Shizune, Jiraiya, Hiruzen and surprisingly even Naruto, Tsunade decided to accept the role as Godaime Hokage.

Hiruzen soon saw the ironies when he chose the Slug Sannin to be next Hokage. Among them was the fact that he was trying to protect Naruto who is the son and sole heir of Namikaze Minato, Yondaime Hokage, who was once the renowned Yellow Flash who was sealed away inside Naruto along with Kyuubi. During his reign as Hokage, Minato's name alone was taboo among many enemy villages and nations and many of their military battalions were instructed to cut their losses and retreat should they have ever met him in battle.

Now Naruto is the son and sole heir of Senju Tsunade, Godaime Hokage, the renowned Sannin and miracle healer throughout the entire medical profession in the shinobi world. She's also known as the legendary Sucker because she sucks so badly at gambling that it became legendary and as a result she's in debt to a lot of people she borrowed money from for her gambling addiction. Hiruzen could only hope that her debtors wouldn't turn on Naruto as well.

Hiruzen however was happy that Naruto didn't grow up pampered and spoiled as he feared he would have and Tsunade saw to it personally over the years. Naruto was brought up and trained to be humble and a hard worker and earn what he felt he deserves. Although retired and enjoying it however, Sandaime still had influence in the council and would act as Tsunade's advisor from time to time. Also the law he placed upon all of the clan leaders, village elders and the ANBU who're aware of Naruto's heritage as Minato's son and heir was still in effect not only because Sarutobi was still acknowledged as Hiruzen but also because Tsunade wouldn't tolerate anyone endangering her son's well-being.

(At The Hokage Mansion)

Naruto had returned home from his training with Jiraiya. Presently, the boy had a busted lip, a bloody nose, and two black eyes and was covered in bruises and cuts all over and his clothes were ragged and torn. His hair was a mess and covered in dirt. Tsunade, while kneeling in front of him, was healing and tending to the injuries he endured from Jiraiya's training session. His ninja masked had long been removed off his face, for now that was.

Baka ero-jisan, Naruto cursed mentally before wincing in pain, I ought to file for child abuse and training malpractice on that bum!

'Don't complain Naruto,' replied Minato, 'I felt the same way during my time when he trained me. Trust me, it'll pay off.

You weren't the one who was beaten to a bloody pulp by a summoned armored toad, Naruto mentally retorted.

'It wouldn't have happened if you didn't make that scathe remark about how he hasn't gotten any since who knows when after using your ridiculous Oiroke No Jutsu on him,' Minato commented.

It wouldn't have happened if he didn't stop for every five minutes or so during my training to look at half-naked girls at that stream he repeatedly drags me down to for his so-called research, Naruto countered.

'Like you didn't take an interest in reading a few of his books after stealing Kakashi's rare limited edition which you read three times if I recall,' Minato stated.

Whatever, Naruto mentally snorted before cutting off his conversation with his father. Since the day Naruto became aware that his father Namikaze Minato was sealed away inside his stomach, he often converse with him about how he could make improvements in all of his abilities. Often times when Naruto seemingly trains alone at the training ground he'd go to with Jiraiya, Minato would coach and guide his progress, and once in a while when he's not too busy, Kakashi would stop by and hang with Naruto and spar with him on occasions. Sometimes Naruto would ask Minato questions about his life before he became Hokage.

"You really took a hard beating today Naru-chan," Tsunade said, "You're most fortunate to have been infused with my super strength although more than half of it is still dormant. If you were anyone else, those injuries would have broken bones, damaged organs and blood vessels."

"That makes me feel a whole lot better," Naruto remarked in sarcasm. Tsunade ignored him as she continued healing him. Since her inauguration as Hokage, she left the matters of healings and other medical issues to Shizune and the other medic-nins and would enter the medic scene during extreme circumstances. But since this was her son, she'd take care of the matter herself.

"Although a large portion of my chakra is still dormant inside you," Tsunade stated, "We'll have to work on how we can help you tap into it and use it at will."

"We will," Naruto asked excitedly. Tsunade smiled, "Yes, however, as you train to awaken that sleeping chakra and use it to give you immense strength through near perfect chakra control, you'll have to be very careful about how you use and apply that strength. It's not something to be taken lightly as that strength is unquestionably deadly if not handle with caution. On the other hand, it can be a powerful asset against almost anyone and anything."

"What do you mean almost anyone," Naruto asked.

"Did you forget already who's bigger and far stronger than you my little Naru-chan," Tsunade teased earning a snort from her son. He retorted, "I'm not little, and I'll surpass you in time."

Tsunade stuck her tongue out at him playfully and said, "We'll see about that."

A while later she was done healing him completely.

"All done."

Naruto flexed his muscles and sighed, "That's so much better."

"That's good," Tsunade said, "You'll have to be able to do this as a medic-nin when I'm not around, especially if you're on the battlefield."

"Huh?"

Tsunade stood up and looked her son in the eye seriously.

"Naruto," Tsunade said pointedly, "I know you're feeling sour about what Jiraiya did to you, however consider what you experienced as a lesson in real life scenarios."

"What do you mean?"

"Back in my days when I was much younger, there weren't any medic-nins in the battlefield and as a result, many Leaf shinobis lost their lives…among them being my kid brother who was killed not too long after becoming a Genin. Dan was also killed on the battlefield from severe wounds and blood loss. He died while I tried to heal and revive him…"

Naruto knew that the topic about her little brother and Dan was very touchy subject for her and he was very cautious about how he approached it. Tsunade wiped away her tears and continued, "This is also an important lesson of being a medic-nin. It doesn't matter how strong anyone is on the battlefield: because when their family, friends, or loved ones are on the hospital beds, they can't do a damn thing to help. Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents and lovers will turn to you to preserve the light in their lives and in the lives their loved ones by their sides. Do you understand?"

Naruto nodded slowly. Tsunade continued, "Naruto, you're not going to be just a medic-nin like my apprentice Shizune; nor are you just the son and sole heir of Konoha's Yellow Flash, Namikaze Minato, Yondaime Hokage. You're also my son and sole heir of 'the legendary Slug Sannin, Senju Tsunade, Godaime Hokage; Miracle Healer, the medic-nin who can cure anything.' That's the image people have about me, and they'll expect the very same of you once your training with me is over. The worst cases that everyone else would quit on will be brought to you, and you'll be expected to do something about it and succeed where everyone else have failed. You're the one who'll inherit the legacies and wills of fire of both your father and my own."

Naruto nodded, "I understand kaa-chan…"

Yet another dimension was added to the reality of being a medic-nin. Layers upon layers, there were always new aspects to consider.

"What's also true," Naruto continued with sincerity, "Is that not only will I be a great medic-nin, I'm also going to be the next Hokage and a great one like you mom and like all the other Hokages before me! When my time comes, I will protect everyone I love and hold dear to me and I will risk my life for this village that's been regarded as a treasure to all the Hokages! And I never go back on my word! That's my way of the Shinobi!"

A moment later and after deep consideration, Tsunade said, "I have a gift for you Naru-chan…"

"Really," Naruto asked excitedly and happily, "What is it?"

Tsunade removed the necklace off her from around her neck and placed it around Naruto's neck. Naruto was shocked by her gesture.

"B…But…," he stuttered, "This is the very necklace your grandfather gave you."

"I know," Tsunade said, "And that crystal is one of two in the world that exist; you can buy mountains with that necklace alone. But keep in mind that with that necklace you carry the legacies of Shodaime and Nidaime, Nawaki, Dan and the rest of our family ancestors. It's something I want you to take with you on your path in becoming Hokage."

Overcome with emotions, Naruto jumped and embraced Tsunade, happily "I love you kaa-chan!"

Tsunade smiled brightly as she embraced her son as well.

"I'm happy you appreciate your gift," Tsunade said before she placed a light kiss on her adopted son's forehead, "Now let's start on your human anatomy studies."

"Yeah" Naruto agreed, and as the mother-son pair went on their way to the medical section of the mansion.

"And tomorrow you'll spend the day sparring with me," Tsunade added with a large smile. Naruto grimaced on the thought of sparring with his mother Tsunade. For what it's worth, he'd rather spar with Jiraiya, knowing that Tsunade's hits were far worst than his.

"Hey," Tsunade said, "Don't give me that look. I did say that we'd have to work on awakening that dormant strength of yours, didn't I?"

"You did," Naruto whined, "But you hit so hard."

She grabbed Naruto before wrapping her arm around his neck and giving him a hard noogie.

"KAA-CHAN!," Naruto cried as he futilely struggled to break free; it's one thing to spar with your freakishly strong mother, but it's something else when she applies that strength for giving noogies. Tsunade laughed while watching her son's predicament. For the pass couple of months, Tsunade got into the habit of giving Naruto playful noogies.

(Two Weeks Later)

Naruto was sleeping at his desk at the academy again. This time he looked completely drained and exhausted. He spent all night studying his mother's medical scrolls and practicing his healing and medic jutsus and three days earlier he trained with Jiraiya on controlling his new seal and fox summoning. Naruto was sitting/sleeping between Ino and Hinata. Both girls took pity on Naruto seeing the state he was in. Hinata saw the look in Ino's face and knew what she had in mind; both girls were tempted to see how he looked like underneath that ninja mask he wore. Hinata blushed at the thought but was too timid to pull it off. Ino, being the more abrasive type, moved closer to grab and pull the mask down when…

"NARUTO!"

Naruto immediately jumped from his seat and stood in attention. Everyone else laughed at the scene while Ino mentally cursed and yelled at Iruka for ruining her chance to see the blonde's face.

"Yes Iruka-sensei," Naruto said. Iruka, annoyed at Naruto's sleeping habits, stated, "Do you find our discussion on the five Hokages boring enough to put you to sleep?"

"When your kaa-chan is the granddaughter and grandniece of Shodaime and Nidaime who taught Sandaime, who taught my kaa-chan and chose her as Godaime after the death of Yondaime who was trained by Jiraiya-sama, another student of Sandaime, what more can you teach me about them that my kaa-chan hasn't already taught me?"

Iruka's right eye twitched from Naruto's sense of reasoning yet well worded explanation. The fact that annoyed Iruka further was that Naruto was right. Ino and other girls chuckled from his explanation.

He's so smart, a couple of the girls thought as they looked at him dreamily.

"Well Naruto," Iruka said, "Since it's your family we're talking about, it SHOULD hold your attention to say the least since they were the ones who built Konohagakure No Sato and contributed greatly to the medical fields and this village's history."

"I'm sorry," Naruto replied, "No disrespect to you or to my family ancestors, but I spent all last night and days prior studying and practicing with little sleep. But if you need my participation, then I'll add my two cents into the conversation."

"That's good to hear," Iruka said, although concerned about Naruto with regards to what he said earlier, "We were just going to talk about Yondaime Hokage."

'Now that I can do,' Minato stated.

I'm sure you can, Naruto remarked, You're the subject at hand anyway father.

"I'd like to say some things about Yondaime," Naruto said as he moved and went to the front of the class. Iruka stepped aside and gave Naruto the spotlight.

"OK Naruto," Iruka stated, "What would you like to say about Yondaime Hokage?"

Looking at the class, Naruto started, "Yondaime Hokage, whose real name is Namikaze Minato, started off like all of us here. Like some of us, he had no in-born skills or bloodline limit that we know of. After becoming a Genin, he became a student to Jiraiya the legendary Toad Sannin along with two other Genins. Under Jiraiya's tutelage, he gradually started making new advancements…"

Naruto continued his discussion while holding everyone's attention, including Iruka's. The class were amazed at how much he knew about Yondaime in such details. The girls just looked at him dreamily, like how they would do with Sasuke.

"You'd think Naruto lives with the man," Kiba whispered to Shikamaru, who replied, "How troublesome."

"Hn," snorted Sasuke in boredom with his arms crossed. Naruto continued, "…Years later, Minato became the teacher to three Genins, these being Hatake Kakashi-niisan, Rin and Uchiha Obito. Sometime later though, Obito was killed and Rin left Konoha with no one knowing anything about her whereabouts or what became of her. In all accounts, she's possibly dead. In spite of all this, Kakashi-niisan stayed loyal to Minato and in time became an ANBU around the time Minato became the new Hokage.

"Before and during his reign as Hokage, Minato became renowned by many as Konoha's Yellow Flash because of a powerful jutsu he created that made him capable of moving like the speed of light; so fast that all you see is a yellow flash of light. He became a mighty force to be reckoned with and feared by many. Minato's name alone was taboo among many enemy villages and nations. Many of their military armies were warned to cut their losses and retreat should they have ever meet him in battle. Minato later married a most skilled, talented and beautiful kunoichi named Kushina, who was from the former Uzumaki No Kuni (Whilrlpool Country).

"Yondaime was said to have been the greatest of all the Hokages. That was until Kyuubi No Kitsune came along and attacked Konoha. This gigantic great fox was unlike any other tailed beast. When his nine tails were swung, they could destroy a mountain and cause of tsunami. Konoha sent their best shinobi forces to battle the great fox but they failed to defeat it and many were killed. Things seemed hopeless, that was until Yondaime, the village's champion, appeared to do battle with Kyuubi. His presence was a sight for sore eyes to everyone there. What they didn't know however was that Minato was planning on sacrificing himself to save this village and everyone he viewed as precious with the use of a powerful and most forbidden jutsu. After his battle, both Kyuubi and Yondaime vanished without a trace. His pregnant wife died with the child during the attack. Minato defeated Kyuubi however a heavy price was paid for it.

"Since the loss of Yondaime, Sandaime resumed the role as Hokage until my mother, Senju Tsunade, the legendary Slug Sannin, was chosen to become the Godaime Hokage."

Everyone stared at awe at Naruto, especially Iruka, who couldn't think of anything to add to what Naruto explained about Yondaime.

Naruto said a lot more than what I would have said, Iruka acknowledged while looking at Naruto in astonishment. A few of the guys looked at Naruto jealously, thinking that they could have done better while some of the girls were thinking how smart and handsome he was.

"Thank you Naruto," Iruka complimented reclaiming control of the class again, "That was a most impressive and detailed explanation you gave about Yondaime Hokage. You really do your studies I must admit."

"I have to," Naruto remarked as he started walking back to his desk, "Because Yondaime is the Hokage I plan to surpass."

That statement caught everyone's immediate attention, as everyone turned and looked at Naruto as if he was joking.

"You," Sasuke mocked, causing Naruto to stop where he was and look straight at him, "Of all people intend to surpass Yondaime Hokage, the man who's said to have been the greatest shinobi and Hokage that ever lived?"

"That's right," Naruto replied with unshaken conviction. Sasuke snorted, "Hn…And what do you intend to surpass him in, dobe?"

"In just about…everything," Naruto answered with a large smile underneath his mask before enthusiastically adding, "Because I'm going to push myself to work harder to become the future Hokage of this village some day!"

After saying that, he continued on his way back to his seat with everyone was still staring at him in disbelief. Everyone at that moment saw Naruto in a whole new light.

"Naruto has quite an ambition," one of the girls whispered to another who nodded in agreement, "True, but do you think he can pull such a feat off?"

"How troublesome," Shikamaru retorted.

In spite of Naruto's attempts in being friends with him, Sasuke still looked at him as his rival and hindrance in getting stronger in order to kill his brother Itachi. Sasuke had no interest in making friends or having a girlfriend. After his encounter with Itachi the night of the massacre, Sasuke's prime focus was to become stronger and advance to higher levels in order to be able to fight and kill Itachi and rebuild his clan.

Sakura, one of Sasuke's biggest fangirls, found it charming that there's someone else besides her that studies hard almost all the time. She, like so many other girls, tried to get Sasuke's attention repeatedly only to be shot down coldly again and again. Though Naruto himself also had fangirls like Sasuke however, he wasn't cold or harsh towards them, although he'd often run from them. Secretly though, Sakura wished that Sasuke was Naruto and Naruto was Sasuke.

Shino, although indifferent, was aware of Naruto's intelligence and since of logic. However, he was intrigued at how Naruto's status from being the son of a Sannin to the son of a Hokage didn't go to his head like it would have done to so many others their age. Naruto however was still a prankster and a clever one at that, Shino acknowledged. Although Shino never came out and admitted it, he appreciated that Naruto didn't find him or his family creepy for their use and connections to insects and kikai bugs and that he was in fact amazed by it, and for that Shino respected Naruto.

Chouji liked how Naruto would hangout with him, Shikamaru and Kiba and not act so fully of himself. Chouji also liked that fact that Naruto never called him fat or teased him like others have in the past. To Chouji, Naruto was really one of the guys.

Kiba, who started disliking Naruto at first, in time took a liking to him seeing how he has a thing for canines like his family. But after training with summoned foxes, how would a person not take a liking to dogs? Also, Kiba's white dog Akamaru also took a liking to Naruto.

Shikamaru, although lazy and non-enthusiastic, respected Naruto, especially since Naruto never blew his spot for sleeping in class repetitiously. However he found Naruto getting himself in trouble for his pranks and other antics to be rather, troublesome.

Ino found Naruto to be a mystery. She sensed that there's was more to Naruto than meets the eyes and more than he let on. He was too intelligent and sophisticated for his age, especially as a strategic prankster and escape artist among the Chuunins and Jounins. Over the years, her father, Inoichi, have been pushing her to get to know Naruto for reasons she couldn't quite understand. At first, she figured that it was because he was the son of a Sannin, but after spending time around him, she saw that he was a puzzle she wanted to solve and solve it she set herself on doing, one way or another.

She did have a crush on Sasuke for a time, but was eventually turned off by his unchanged harsh and cold demeanor, especially since her father didn't like the idea of her fawning over Sasuke like his other fangirls. Ino saw how Naruto and Sasuke were total opposites of each other. One would have thought that Naruto would been the arrogant and cold type because of his status in Konoha whereas Sasuke would have thought to have been the open and humble type especially after what happened to his clan a few years ago. But it was quite the opposite in fact, which attracted Ino more towards Naruto. A couple of times, Inoichi invited Naruto over to their house. Often times though, Inoichi would try to fix it in a way that Naruto would be around his daughter for the majority of the time. His wife caught on to this, however the thought of her daughter being matched with the son of a Hokage was most appealing, so she did nothing to hinder what her husband was trying to do. Instead she encouraged it.

Hinata appreciated how Naruto treated her since the time they became friends. Over the years, he'd spar and practice with her and help point out and correct her mistakes. He didn't look and treat her like she was weak or a disgrace like her family had. In time, she slowly started stuttering less and improved in her skills and speech. Naruto even allowed himself to be used as practice for her Byakugan. On several occasions though, Hinata suffered from nosebleeds for seeing more than she should have. Naruto however didn't know whether or not it was intentional, but he'd tease her about it by asking her if she like what she saw, only to cause her to blush even redder before fainting from the thought alone. Hinata however, was surprised that she never tried to see through his ninja mask using her bloodline limit, and whenever she thought about doing it, she'd be too shy to actually execute it.

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…

Looks like Naruto found a rival within the academy ranks. How will this turn out? Find out next time.