4.NINDŌ

NARUTO UZUMAKI,

SEVEN YEARS OLD,

KONOHA SHINOBI ACADEMY,

OFFICE OF THE HEADMASTER.....

"So, Naruto failed, huh!?" Hiruzen said.

"Unfortunately yes, Lord Hokage." replied the headmaster.

"Can I see his report card and answer sheets?" asked the Third Hokage.

"Here, Lord Third!" the headmaster handed over the documents.

The Third Hokage took them and then analysed it for some time.

"It looks like Sato Kirisima doesn't taught him good enough..." accused Hiruzen.

"My Lord?" said the headmaster in confusion.

"The report card shows that in the examination, Naruto has easily passed the physical part and struggled a little in chakra-related part but passed nonetheless and only failed in the written part." clarified the Hokage.

"Huh... I still don't understand your reasonings my Lord. Please clarify them some more." requested the headmaster.

"You can clearly see in his answer sheets. The only answers he had given were the ones I helped him understand, which indicates that Sato Kirisima isn't as good as an academy instructor as we thought him to be." the Third Hokage clarified again.

The headmaster sighed and said, "It isn't that Sato isn't capable Lord Third.... it's just.... he probably doesn't want to taught young Naruto because of what he holds.... I will talk to him. So for the moment, what should we do?"

"Take a re-test and pass him." replied Hiruzen.

"But there's no such thing as academy re-test in the history of Konoha Shinobi Academy my Lord. And the council will never approve this once they find out that it benefits young Naruto" said the concerned headmaster.

{{A/N: This is the only way Naruto can fail his examination three times and still remain in the same class and doesn't knew Neji at all, who is his senior.}}

"That's why you will hold the results for the next two weeks until the monthly council meeting where you will present the bill for Academy re-test. And I will approve it with the excuse that it will help us recover more quickly from the Nine-Tails attack and knowing the Civilian Council, they will fully support me because it increases the chances of their own family members to become Shinobis which will help further increase their social standing within the village. So they will support me at all costs unless they find out about Naruto's predicament which I highly doubt they would, anytime soon." said Hiruzen.

"That's ok but won't it degrade the quality of our shinobi?" questioned the headmaster.

"Most of them will fail the true genin tests, so don't worry about that. Although it will waste some of our resources but a select few of them will pass who possess good qualities of shinobi. We will recover those lost resources from these select few. so it's a win-win situation for us." answered the Hokage wisely.

"I understand Lord Hokage. I will do it." said the headmaster.

TWO WEEKS LATER....

Naruto was studying very hard from the books his Hokage jiji had given him.

He had failed the previous examination and disappointed himself and his jiji but this time he will pass the re-test.

He had made three friends at the academy, the lazy Shikamaru, the mutt Kiba and the fa-big boned Chouji; and he doesn't want to lose them, his only friends. They are so much fun to hang out. That's why he is studying his hardest to pass the re-test.

{{A/N: Naruto hangs out with them or skip classes with them and sometimes he participates in a race with them which kiba generally wins.}}}

He also had found a very cute girl in his class, her name is Sakura Haruno, although he hasn't told about it to anybody, not even his Hokage jiji. But soon he is going to ask jiji for advice on it in a way that he doesn't find out about it.

So he really really want to pass the re-test and doesn't want to be left behind by others. That's why he is studying so hard and he will be damned if he is the only one left behind in the Academy.

{{A/N: He didn't noticed Hinata's affection for him at all and had a ever so hopeless crush on Sakura. RIP Naruto's crush.}}

ONE WEEK LATER,

APARTMENT OF NARUTO...

Naruto has somehow managed to pass the written exams and is promoted into the next class. Hiruzen was happy for him so he visited him.

"Jiji, I passed... hehe!" said a happy Naruto.

"I know my boy. Naruto, do you know what once a wise man said to me?" inquired Hiruzen.

"Dunno!" replied Naruto.

"He said to me 'Failures are the pillars of sucess'. It means that one should never give up no matter what until they find success. Then only one can truly be successful in their life. You must never lose hope in life no matter how bleak the situation is." said Hiruzen wisely.

"I will forever remember it jiji.... by the way who was this wise man who said it jiji. He must be very cool." said Naruto.

"The second Hokage my sensei. He created many jutsus because of his belief in the phrase 'Failures are the pillars of success". said Hiruzen.

"Woah... so you mean I can also create cool jutsus and become an awesome shinobi just like the second Hokage if I never give up no matter what until I found success, right?!" said Naruto.

"Yes!" replied Hiruzen sagely.

{{A/N: That's how Naruto got his nindo.}}

"Naruto let's go to the Ichiraku's Ramen to celebrate your success." said Hiruzen.

"Yeh! You are the best jiji!" exclaimed Naruto in excitement.

"Hahaha...!" Hiruzen laughed and then ruffled his hair affectionately.

SIX MONTHS LATER,

HOKAGE TOWER,

STUDY ROOM....

It was one of those times where Hiruzen has time for relaxing in his private study. Having cleared his schedule for today, he had decided to take the time to practice his calligraphy as a means to enjoy his free time.

Soon though, his free time was interrupted.

"Hokage-sama!"

Hiruzen sighed seeing that his once peaceful day was going to end in all ways except peacefully.

"Hokage-sama! Please come quickly! It's an emergency!" Two Chuunins ran into his private study as he turned to face them.

"What now?" Hiruzen asked with annoyance in his voice, "Is Naruto causing trouble again?"

"It's the Hokage Monument," one of the Chuunin said and continued, "He's vandalizing it with paint, even now as we speak! He is drawing his own face on it."

Hiruzen sighed again as he puffed out from his tobacco pipe. Having no other choice, he got up and placed on his Hokage robes and hat before making his way to the roof of the Hokage Tower. Upon arriving with a few other Chuunins and Jounins, they found Naruto on one of the scaffold brazenly painting and writing large graffiti all over the monument.

On Senju Hashirama's head, who was also known as the First Hokage, there was a graffiti writings of the 'First Hokage Hashirama Senju, the founder, the God of Shinobi and Wood'.

On Senju Tobirama's face, once known as the Second Hokage, were a graffiti writings that screamed 'Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, revolutionary and Water'.

On Hiruzen's head, it also had graffiti writings that said 'Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, Professor, the God of Shinobi and Hokage jiji'. It made Hiruzen smile.

On Namikaze Minato's face, also known as the Fourth Hokage had the graffiti of 'Fouth Hokage, Yellow flash and the one who surpassed all other Hokages'.

And just by the side of Fourth's Head, Naruto had painted his own head and was writing 'Naruto Uzumaki who will become Konohagakure's future Hokage and surpass all of the previous ones.'

STREETS OF KONOHAGAKURE.....

By this time, everyone in the village was seeing the stunt Naruto was pulling in front of everyone.

"It's that kid again..." said a random stranger.

"I will never understand why Lord Hokage tolerates him...." said another one.

Just like that the entire Konohagakure residents started murmuring among themselves.

ROOF OF THE HOKAGE TOWER.....

"Naruto!" one of the ninjas on the Hokage Tower yelled, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"You stupid!" Naruto yelled back with a large cheese smile, "Can't you see? I'm giving this old monument a new makeover and adding my face to it."

"You have any idea how much trouble you're in!" another ninja yelled.

"You aren't gonna get away this time, Naruto!" another one screamed.

"Like you can catch me!" Naruto retorted with the grin never leaving his face, "It's way better than listening to any crappy, stupid lecture I get at the academy!"

"NARUTO! YOU'RE IN A WORLD OF TROUBLE FOR VANDALISING THE HOKAGE MONUMENT!" screamed the arriving Sato sensei at the top of his lungs.

"Hokage-sama," Sato said with a bow, " I am ashamed of him, I just found out awhile ago that he is missing and within that span of time he had committed this shameful act of vandalism, not to mention while cutting classes."

"Sato, I am aware that you don't like young Naruto kun despite fully understanding the difference between a sealed kunai and sealing scroll. Naruto isn't the Nine-Tails and you knew it. But no matter what you aren't able to see past your own hatred, to see the truth that he is just seeking a little attention, he just wants people to notice him even if in a negative way, that's why he is doing all of these pranks. You only came here to save your face because you are fully aware that I will question you on the whereabouts of Naruto and you needed an excuse to justify yourself that's why you came. There's no way you just noticed his absence in the class with all of your hatred for him. Therefore you are relieved of your duties as the chunin instructor of class-1/A of the Konoha Shinobi Academy because I find you unfit for that class, from now on you will handle class-1/B. Sent Iruka Umino to my office tomorrow." said the aged Hokage.

"Lord Hokage!" said the chunin ashamed.

"You and everyone else go find him and bring him to me unharmed. I will decide his punishment" Hiruzen ordered sternly.

So everyone assembled gave Naruto a chase with a "Get back here Naruto!".

And Naruto just ran laughing and continued running while hopping over fences of backyards, gardens and alleys.

NEXT DAY,

HOKAGE TOWER,

HOKAGE'S CHAMBER....

The Third Hokage as usual was battling his undefeated enemy, the paperwork when he was interrupted.

"Knock! Knock!".

"Enter!" said the Hokage.

A chunin came in and said, "You called for me Lord Hokage!".

The person in question wore the standard chuunin shinobi vest over a tan shirt and black pants and has dark-brown hair in a high pony-tail and brown eyes. His most distinguished feature was a long scar running across his face.

"Ah... Iruka, yes I have called for you. I want you to from now on handle class 1/A in the academy. The previous instructor has been unfair to some students. And I have utmost faith in you that you will teach all the students fairly. Here are the documents of your transfer. Show them to the headmaster."

"Hai! I will do my best, Hokage sama! I won't disappoint you." said Iruka and left the Chambers.

Although, he looked calm from outside but inside there is a myriad of emotions was going on shock, surprise, confusion, hate, anger and annoyance.

Shock because he never thought the Third Hokage will choose him of all people to teach the Nine-Tails jinchuriki of the village, despite knowing his history with it.

Surprise because Lord Third has chosen him to teach the next generation of clan heirs of Konohagakure, despite being new to this profession.

Confusion because he didn't know how this situation came to be.

Hate because he now have to see that monster everyday, which has taken away his parents from him.

Anger at himself because as a shinobi one must not lose control of their emotions. And as a teacher he must follow through his teachings then only he can expect his students to follow them. He must remain neutral towards the jinchuriki, no matter what and must treat him fairly.

Annoyance at himself because despite knowing the difference between a sealed kunai and sealing scroll he can't help but loathe the sealing scroll for the actions of the sealed kunai.

"But I must prevail, Lord Third has trusted me and I will be damned if I disappointed him." Iruka thought to himself and departed for the shinobi academy class-1/A.

KONOHA SHINOBI ACADEMY,

CLASS-1/A...

Iruka opened the doors to class-1/A and after reaching his desk, he said, "Hello class! My name is Iruka Umino and I am your new sensei cause Sato sensei has now been given class-1/B to handle, so he won't teach you anymore. So without wasting our time anymore, let us start introductions....

{{{A/N: Until Iruka's encounter with the three Takigakure Kunoichis and the talk with Kakashi on the bench he will remain neutral towards Naruto, showing no affections at all which will happen after the Uchiha massacre. Since Hiruzen made kakashi retire from anbu after the Uchiha massacre.}}}}

NARUTO UZUMAKI,

ALMOST EIGHT YEARS OLD,

KONOHA SHINOBI ACADEMY.....

"Knock it off Naruto!" Sakura yelled," I am not going on a date with you, no matter what. If it's anybody, it's going to be Sasuke-kun, not you."

"But it's just one date Sakura-chan. Besides what do you see in that teme?." said Naruto.

"Don't call Sasuke-kun like that." said another girl before Sakura could give a retort to Naruto.

"Yes Naruto! Don't call him like that. Now go away and stop bothering me." replied Sakura.

Naruto sighed giving up on her Sakura-chan for today. He doesn't understand what all the girls see in him, sure he is handsome, but that's it. He never even notice her(Sakura) or other girls and ignore there very existence like a plague but still all the girls like him.

He is never nice to anybody except his family and is a showoff prick. He doesn't talk to others and consider himself all high and mighty like he is Daimyō or something, prick, total prick. Someday he is going to show him who is the boss.

Everyone was gathered outside in a circle for the taijutsu classes.

"Now we'll divide and pair each of you with your sparring opponents," Iruka said, "First match, Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke."

"Alright! Sasuke, today I am going to defeat you." declared Naruto bodly, "Watch it Sakura-chan!"

"Like you could!" retorted Sakura.

"Yeah show the dead last, who is the boss! Sasuke-kun!" Ino yelled.

"Shut up! Ino pig!"

"You shut up! Forehead girl!"

"Why you-"

"Ino that's enough!" Iruka yelled, "The same goes for you too, Sakura! Now Sasuke, Naruto, step forward and give each other the tradition shinobi greeting, the 'Seal of Reconciliation'."

"Hai!"

"Hn"

"What's the matter Sasuke?" Naruto asked with annoyance, "Too afraid to move?"

"Don't take that crap from him Sasuke-kun!" one of his fangirls yelled.

"I was merely giving you a chance! Nothing else!" replied Sasuke bored.

"Are you both ready?" Iruka questioned and then said, "Begin!"

With that the fight started and finished just as quickly, with Sasuke at the top of Naruto with a fist up close Naruto's face.

So, what was that you were gonna do to me deadlast failure? Ah.... You were going to defeat me, right deadlast." taunted Sasuke.

"Why you?" retorted Naruto.

"Alright that's enough! You two Sasuke, Naruto, step forward and give each the 'Seal of Reconciliation' to show goodwill and sportsmanship to each other."

{{{A/N: Sasuke was taught to be prideful and a little arrogant of his heritage by Fugaku, his father. So he wasn't that nice and all from the start.}}}

In another world Naruto would have ignored today's insult but in this one he didn't and butterfly effect took place, altering the course of the entire future of the world and A PROPHECY WAS FORETOLD....