Disclaimer: This and the rest of the following chapters are based on characters and a world not of my own.

Prologue

Uzumaki Naruto was on top of the world. The hitai-ate currently resting on his head was worn and frayed but he wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. His surrogate father, Umino Iruka had bestowed the right of passage on to Naruto after he had kicked the ass... er defeated the traitor chuunin, Mizuki. Naruto was happily walking around Konohagakure no Sato, displaying his new found induction into the shinobi ranks. The citizens didn't know if they should quell their hateful gazes, or increase their deathly gaze even more. Naruto didn't care though. He had a week off before teams were assigned and currently, he had to go get his picture taken and registered into the Konoha bingo books.

However, before he had to do that, the Hokage had summoned him to come and visit before he designated picture appointment. Naruto understood that he had a special relationship with the Hokage. No Genin, scratch that, Academy student could walk into the Hokage's office and take a seat in his office just to get away from things. Naruto probably did that at least once a week. It wasn't so much to get away from the glares and whatnot, but the Hokage needed someone to come in every once in a while to get his mind off all of that paper work... right?

The weird thing about today was, the Hokage has never formally summoned him before... ever. Naruto didn't know if every new genin was summoned as a congratulations and to meet their commander, or if something was going on. Naruto figured that none of it mattered though, nothing could bring him down from the high he felt at being one step closer to his dream.

Iruka could only stare, opened mouth and gaping like a fish out of water. He faintly noticed that the Hokage looked as if he had swallowed some fecal matter. However, his two adivosrs looked content with the decision made. Iruka couldn't believe what was about to happen. The utter discrimination against Naruto wasn't just blatent, it was sickening.

Not only that, Iruka could only think of the impact it would have on Naruto. Someone who was pushed to the edge so many times, only to be forcefully pulled back by either himself or the Hokage; well Iruka wasn't too sure if him and the Hokage could pull him back from the brink after this.

Iruka was pulled out of his angry stupor by a knock on the door. Iruka was surprised for a couple of different reasons. One, he never heard Naruto knock on a door before, and two, the advisors called him in so that they just had enough time to inform Iruka of the descision, without him arguing the agreement.

Naruto slowly walked in, with an uncertain happy smile on his face. It was quickly wiped away once he witnessed the horro on Iruka's face, and the defeat in the Hokage's eyes. Naruto's thoughts were quickly confirmed that something was up, however they were quite different as of why. Naruto believed there was some princess who needed to be rescued off in a far distant land, and only he could rescue her because he was the best up and coming ninja in Konoha's ranks, and when he successfully completed the mission, he would be named Hokage. Dire, but not that bad.

However, Naruto was brought from his thoughts when the Hogae cleared his throat. Naruto noted the two Hokage advisors, Koharu and Homura-temes, had particular smug looks on their faces. Naruto now knew that this most likely was not going to be good. The Hokage gave Naruto a grave look and began to speak.

"Due to recent research by by my 'colleagues,'" the Hokage sneered, "a 'loophole' has been found that has no mention of an in-field promotion to Academy students. As such," here the Hokage shed a lone tear as his words were finally reaching a vacant Naruto, "you, Uzumaki Naruto, are stripped of the rank 'Genin' and due to your poor grades and failing of the Academy sessions three times, as per the rules, you are no longer allowed to pursue the field of 'shinobi.'" The Hokage shook his head in disgust as he could almost see Naruto's heart breaking and dreams getting shattered.

Iruka tried to reach out to console his young, ex-charge, but Naruto jerked out of his reach. Naruto slowly untied his hitai-ate, revelling in the fleeting feeling of being one of his village's protectors. Once the deed had been done, Naruto dropped the now decrepted, tattered cloth to the floor. His shoulders sagged, as if the world was on them, and his arms swung lazily in front of him. His head drooped, causing a shadow over his eyes. The Hokage described the look as an utterly and thoroughly defeated person, and that is how Uzumaki Naruto felt.