Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. It is owned by Masashi Kishimoto (hope the spelling is correct and I don't know his last name)

Sorry guys, no answers this time, unfortunately. But one clarification. Naruto got the prosthetic arm only after the war ended. But, here, it didn't end so he didn't get the prosthetic arm… yet ;-)

"Blah" – Normal speech

'Blah' – Thoughts

"Blah"- Kurama and other tailed beasts talking

'Blah' – Kurama and other tailed beasts' thoughts

Shadow Clone Jutsu- Jutsus

Okay guys, without further delay, here is the story

FLASHBACK:

At this, Naruto whispered to Shikamaru, as all of them made their way back to the class, "Well, not all of us are passing".

Shikamaru whispered back, "Right, Mizuki. You won't be alone this time. I will be with you, just in case. To make sure that you leave him alive".

Naruto grinned as he whispered, "That's good to hear".

Shikamaru then punched him in the gut as he whispered, "That is for the slip-up".

Naruto held his gut as he apologized, "I am sorry".

One Year Later:

The last year at the academy was no different from the previous two for the group of boys. It was still sleep-through-the-class for Naruto and Shikamaru, eat-through-the-class for Chouji and pay-rapt-attention for Shino and Sasuke. Their 'erasing-the-doubts-of-fellow-classmates' program was put to a halt because of focusing on the last year of academy.

The graduation day dawned near and Naruto was getting tensed up day by day in response. He did not show it in front of the others except Shikamaru, though. Kurama wasn't a massive assurance either. He was rather interested in tearing Mizuki apart instead. So, he was inclined on not taking advice from Kurama, if he could.

As for their private training, their chakra reserves had further increased. Shikamaru's had increased up to high-jonin to low-elite jonin level. Naruto's was rather irrelevant to his already huge chakra reserves. Their chakra control had also increased. Naruto's was at high-chunnin level. This was because of his massive chakra reserves. As for Shikamaru, it was already at mid-jonin level.

Naruto's jutsu library hadn't grown. Instead, he had focused on perfecting his already present jutsus. And also, he was working on adding new elements to Rasengan and so far, he had succeeded in creating Water Release: Rasengan and Lightening Release: Rasengan. He was working on mastering these two and was trying to add earth element next. But fire release proved to be elusive to him.

As for Shikamaru, his elemental jutsu library now consisted of a couple of earth and fire release jutsus each. His clan jutsu mastery had grown to a level where he was now capable of creating new jutsus himself.

Their group training had also gone smoothly. Shikamaru and Naruto still hid their actual abilities, showing only glimpses of it. Sasuke was still unable to defeat Naruto in spars outside of the academy. Even the parents of the boys had decided to help their training. Even though they had caught glimpses of Naruto's and Shikamaru's actual powers, they had decided not to snoop on them. They had thought that there was some reason for hiding their abilities. In Naruto's case, the reason seemed pretty obvious because of his condition. But, for Shikamaru, they were unable to find the dots, let alone connect them.

Soon, graduation day dawned upon the academy and Naruto chose pranks to ease up his built up tension. And Shikamaru had chosen to help him with it, though he himself didn't know how he had been persuaded.

Flashback:

"Come on Shikamaru, it will ease up our tensions. Besides, once we graduate, we won't be able to pull off such pranks again", Naruto said as he tried to persuade Shikamaru to join him on his last prank.

Shikamaru sighed and said, "It's going to be such a drag, Naruto".

Naruto then thought for a while and said, "It will let us see how far we have come with our training. ANBU will be a good challenge. And, we can show the village a glimpse of what we are capable of".

Shikamaru sighed and said as he finally yielded, "Alright Naruto, but only this time".

Naruto grinned and punched the air, "Yes, dattebayo".

His last prank, as he called it, was to be just like the one he had planned in the previous timeline, but only bigger. So, multiple pranks were set around Konoha.

Naruto had a knack for doing the impossible and he was making full use of it. He was painting the hokage monument and yet, not one person noticed him. It was only when he was putting the finishes touch on his father's face did someone spot him.

"NARUTO! Get down here. Stop your prank at once", shouted a chunnin standing below the monument.

Naruto laughed out loud as he said, "Hahaha, losers. None of you can do it, but I can. That's why I did this".

The chunnins' anger rose and suddenly, they started to chase Naruto, who dropped the paint and started running while laughing all the time.

Just as soon as more chunnins started to chase Naruto on the rooftops of the commercial district of Konoha, Shikamaru joined him.

Naruto asked while running, "All set?"

Shikamaru smiled as he replied, "All hell will break loose right about now".

Just as he said that, numerous explosions of color started going off at several places around Konoha and one shout was clearly audible from the whole of Konoha, "NARUTO!"

Both the boys laughed as they ran away from, now, a horde of chunnins, villagers and surprisingly, ANBUs covered in orange paint. What frustrated everyone was that the two boys were easily keeping their distance from the group who were chasing them. After sometime, they managed to easily leave behind the chunnins and the villagers. The boys were now solely being chased by the ANBUs who were slowly gaining on the boys.

The boys, now being hard pressed to escape, were running towards the academy where Iruka was teaching and also worried as to where Naruto was.

'Where is Naruto? I hope he is okay. The graduation day is near. By the way, where is Shikamaru? Is he with Naruto?' Iruka was thinking while lecturing the class about the Codes of Conduct of Shinobis.

Just as he thought so, two figures, distinctively that of Shikamaru and Naruto, crashed through the window of the classroom with speeds of a jonin and exited through the door. Iruka barely recognized the boys at such speed and suddenly six more orange colored ANBUs did the same thing as the two boys and left Iruka dazed at what he saw.

Meanwhile, both Chouji's and Sasuke's eyes widened at the sight while all the rest of the classroom erupted in excitement and whispers began to be heard.

Chouji turned towards Sasuke and asked in a whisper, "Was that….?"

Sasuke nodded and replied, "Yes, I think so too".

Iruka, recovering from the shock, ran outside in the direction towards which the two boys had run to.

A Few Minutes Later:

Surprisingly, what the ANBUs had failed to do, Iruka managed to do within minutes as now, he was holding the two boys by ears in front of the classroom full of snickering students much to the dismay of the two.

"Defaced the hokage monument, set off explosions across the commercial district of Konoha, paint graffiti on the walls of the hokage's office and explode a big orange paint bomb in the ANBU HQ. Did I leave anything out, you guys?" Iruka asked the two.

The two boys just snickered in response as the rest of the class just watched them with wide open jaws in shock.

"I don't know what I should do with you two. Shikamaru, now even you have begun pranking with Naruto. I expected that you would stop him, not join him. As a punishment, everyone will show their Transformation Jutsu as a practice for graduation exams", said Iruka.

At this, everyone glared daggers at the two boys who were now laughing out loudly.

"This is all your fault Naruto and Shikamaru", shouted everyone as they went on to show the Transformation jutsu.

Soon, it was Naruto's turn to do the Transformation Jutsu and Shikamaru knew exactly what he was about to do and grinned.

Naruto made the hand-sign for his first original jutsu and shouted, "Sexy Jutsu". Suddenly, there was a small explosion of smoke as the jutsu took its effect. As the smoke cleared, standing in Naruto's place was a busty blonde girl with only smoke covering her assets.

As soon as Iruka saw this, his nose exploded with blood spraying out and was knocked back flying.

As soon as he recovered, he hit Naruto, who had transformed back, on the head and shouted, "Don't use such a hideous and useless jutsu you idiot. Now go and clean the hokage monument you two".

The two boys left to clean the monument soon after, all the while laughing at such a memorable day. It sure was a good stress reliever for the two time travellers.

The Hokage Monument:

"The prank was awesome", said Naruto as he rubbed the paint off of his father's face.

"Agreed", said Shikamaru as he smiled while he scrubbed the paint off of the third hokage's face.

Naruto suddenly took on a serious look as he asked, "You ready for tomorrow?"

Shikamaru mirrored his expression as he replied, "I am the one who has to ask you that. Are you ready for tomorrow? Because, tomorrow is the day that all hell breaks out loose. Everything begins tomorrow with the Mizuki incident".

Naruto nodded and said, "It would be a waste of all these years if we aren't ready. Mizuki incident, mission to Wave, Chunnin Exams. Too many things in a short time. If we aren't ready, no one will be. Also, we have to squeeze in some time to go to Mizu to help Yagura too".

Shikamaru nodded and said, "Yes, since he was under Madara's Genjutsu. We need to help him as soon as possible. But, you said that other tailed beasts have also returned. Won't the Sanbi help him?"

Naruto answered, "No idea. Haven't talked to anyone but the furball since I returned".

Shikamaru deadpanned at this and shouted out, "WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN DOING? WE NEED THEIR HELP TOO YOU KNOW, YOU IDIOT. You are a drag Naruto. I still don't get it as to why the sage chose you of all the people to save the future".

Naruto sweat dropped at this and gave a nervous laugh as he said, "I will talk to them, don't worry Shikamaru. Now, let's just finish this up and rest so that we can be in top shape tomorrow".

Shikamaru face-palmed at his reply and both of them got back to cleaning.

The Next Day:

Naruto woke up with a jerk at the sound of the alarm. It was 6 in the morning. He remembered once what day it was.

'Everything begins today. You ready Kurama?' mentally asked Naruto.

'Of course I am. What did you expect? I can't leave the world in the hands of an idiot, now, can I?' replied Kurama.

'Thanks Kurama', Naruto smiled as he left for the daily training with Shikamaru.

Their protection was taken away as soon as Danzo was killed. So, Naruto and Shikamaru had started training more furiously without worrying on their secrets being revealed.

An Hour Later:

They wrapped up their training sooner than usual and left for the academy soon after straight from training.

Along the way, they met Sasuke and Chouji and started walking together towards the academy for the graduation exams.

"We are going to blow through the exams", Chouji punched the air in excitement.

"The exams are going to be a breeze through the park", smirked Sasuke.

They then looked at the other two who were deep in their own thoughts.

Sasuke broke their thoughts by asking, "What do you guys think? I am pretty sure you will finish the exams with a blindfold and two hands tied behind your back". Chouji nodded at this and awaited their reply.

Shikamaru looked at them and said, "Don't know. Though the exams will be a drag".

Chouji looked at them confused and asked, "What do you mean you don't know?"

Shikamaru sighed and replied, "We don't know at which place we will pass. Naruto still has a promise to keep, you know".

At this, Chouji and Sasuke remembered that Naruto had told them that he would stay a dead last so that he and Sasuke could be on the same team.

Naruto chuckled and said, "Don't worry guys, I'll ace my dead last act one last time".

Sasuke cheered up and said, "After that, you two can show everyone, including us, your true powers".

Shikamaru grinned and said, "Hold on to your horses there. You've got a death wish or what? Just hope that you don't get to see his true powers. I myself am hoping so too".

Chouji asked, "Why is that?"

Shikamaru answered with a shiver, "I don't wish to die so soon".

With that, all four started laughing as they walked towards the academy.

Some Hours Later (Naruto's Turn):

Iruka called out Naruto's name and as soon as he entered, he told, "Alright Naruto, this is the last part of the exam. All you have to do is perform the three basic academy jutsus and you will be allowed to become a genin".

Naruto grinned and quickly did the Transformation Jutsu and the Replacement Jutsu flawlessly, which actually surprised the two academy instructors, Iruka and Mizuki, at his proficiency.

Then, he did the hand-sign for the third jutsu and shouted, "Clone Jutsu", and after a small explosion of smoke, two lifeless bodies vaguely similar to Naruto were seen on the ground.

Iruka's jaw hung open for some time until suddenly, he burst out shouting at Naruto, "Narutoooooo! You fail! You can't even do a single clone jutsu". Anger was clearly visible in his tone.

Naruto flinched at his favourite academy instructor shouting at him whereas Mizuki was smirking as if he had won the world for himself.

Mizuki, trying to act innocent, said to Iruka, "Now, now, don't be angry Iruka. He did do the replacement and transformation flawlessly. That should count for something. Can't you pass him for that?"

Iruka, still angry, shook his head and replied, "No. If he can't even do the clone jutsu passably, then he will be nothing but cannon fodder. He is better off not being a shinobi".

Moving along with the act, Naruto ran outside angrily while Iruka was left fuming.

Outside the academy:

Naruto was sitting on the swing of the tree which he was accustomed to. Shikamaru, knowing what would happen had already left with his parents. In fact, he had dragged all of the rest of his classmates and their parents along too as he had thought that if they were to stay there, things would go out of hand and he didn't want that to happen. Yet, news of Naruto failing to graduate had already spread.

"Iruka sensei doesn't hate you, Naruto", Mizuki said as he neared the place where the blonde was sitting.

"Then why didn't he pass me", Naruto asked angrily, putting up an act.

Mizuki smiled and answered, "It's because he cares for you a lot. He doesn't want to see you get hurt. He genuinely wants you to succeed. You see, you and him are a lot alike. Both of you are orphans and just like you, he used to prank a lot when he was young. He sees himself in you. That is the reason why he didn't pass you. If you can't do the clone jutsu, he thought, you can't do anything else".

Naruto knew all of this already. Instead, he was listening to Mizuki's negative thoughts, 'Just a little more. He will break and I can make him get the scroll. Then, I can give the scroll to Lord Orochimaru and gain his favor. Even if he fails, he will die and the village will be rid of a monster and I'll become a hero'.

Mizuki then said, "Although, there is a way that you can use to graduate".

Naruto, acting excited, asked, "Really? What is it? What is it?"

Mizuki smiled and said, "This is a secret test by which you can graduate without even knowing the basic academy jutsus. All you have to do is to sneak into the Hokage's tower and get the scroll of seals from there and meet at the place where I tell you to. If you complete this successfully, you can graduate as this is a test for potential genins. So, what do you say, Naruto?"

Naruto gave a big smile and said, "I'll do it, dattebayo. When is the test, Mizuki sensei?"

Mizuki grinned, thinking that the boy had taken the bait, and replied, "Tonight".

Naruto nodded excitedly after which Mizuki left, failing to notice a small grin on Naruto's face.

Later, that night:

Naruto was racing towards the forest with the scroll of seals on his back. It proved to be too easy for him to steal it, again. It was more like he was handed out the scroll. The hokage had agreed with going with the same set of events as last time and had willingly given the scroll to Naruto knowing that it would be back safely. But, for the sake of the act, he had decided to raise an alarm after some time. Both the boys had agreed to it and Shikamaru had agreed to meet up with him by following Mizuki.

Naruto, after reaching the clearing where Mizuki had told him to come to, removed the scroll from his back and opened it, deciding to learn a couple of new jutsus from it. Honestly, shadow clones turned out to be hand-stitched just for him and he expected to find more similar jutsus.

He spread open the scroll and started to read:

Shadow Shuriken/Kunai Jutsu:-

A jutsu similar to the shadow clone but instead of channeling the chakra into the user's body, the user channel's the chakra into the kunai or shuriken and focus on replicating them. If successful, the original kunai or shuriken can be replicated by the times proportional to the amount of chakra used.

Warning – Requires great amount of chakra. Suggested only for Jonins and above.

"Hey! Jiji uses this jutsu. This will turn out to be quite useful. Okay then, I'll learn it", Naruto said as he made a shadow clone and set it learn the jutsu. He then moved on to the next jutsu on the scroll.

Genjutsu: Bringer of Darkness Jutsu:-

A Genjutsu that can counter even an Uchiha's Sharingan and Hyuuga's Byakugan. A Genjutsu that can also render the Inuzuka's senses useless. It is stronger, powerful and more potent than the Genjutsu: Temple of Nirvana Jutsu. The jutsu covers the area around the user in a never ending envelope of darkness, unable to sense anything but chakra, that too only to the most potent of the sensors. Anyone outside the range of the jutsu doesn't see any change in the area of effect. The range of the jutsu is proportional to the amount of chakra used.

Warning – Requires a lot of chakra. Suggested only for Elite jonins and above.

"Finally, dattebayo! A Genjutsu that even I can use. I am definitely going to learn it. The counter to Uchiha and Hyuuga dojutsu and the Inuzuka senses is and added bonus", he said as he made another shadow clone to learn it. He then moved on to the next jutsu on the scroll.

Summoning Jutsu: Edo Tensei:-

A jutsu that can summon a soul from the dead. Requires a living body as a sacrifice and vessel for the reincarnated soul. The soul thus summoned is completely in control of the summoner. The summoned soul's vessel is also immortal as any damage dealt to it will be regenerated in a short amount of time.

Warning – Requires a large amount of chakra. Not suggested to anyone.

The jutsu can be released only by the summoner himself and killing the summoner won't reverse it. To release the jutsu, the seals have to be done in reverse.

"I am not going to learn this jutsu. No way", said Naruto, out loud.

'Oi gaki. Learn the seals so that you can teach them to that shadow controlling friend of yours. If someone were to use the jutsu, he can control them and perform the seals in reverse to release the jutsu', Kurama told him.

Naruto brightened and replied, "You are right, Kurama. Okay, I'm learning the seals". He then got to learn the seals.

2 Hours Later:

Iruka was worried. The third hokage had just told the gathered chunnins and jonins that Naruto had stolen the scroll of seals and had disappeared since the last two hours. They were ordered to bring back both Naruto and the scroll without any damage to either of them. He had stressed on the either of them part seriously knowing that the adult generation held a grudge against Naruto, or precisely the Kyuubi sealed inside him.

It was precisely for that reason that Iruka was worried about Naruto. Many people wanted to harm him and if they were to find the boy before he did, no one knew what would happen to the boy. So, Iruka was racing ahead of time, looking for Naruto and somehow, he knew where he had to go, towards the forest.

After some time, he came to a clearing in the forest, near a shed. There, sleeping on the grass, was Naruto. Iruka looked around and saw massive amount of destruction everywhere. But, the surprise was overshadowed by the sleeping form of Naruto.

He shouted angrily as he jumped off from the branch of the tree he was standing on, "NARUTO! What have you done? How could you do it? Why did you steal the scroll of seals?"

Naruto woke up with a jolt as he looked around in panic. Finally, after seeing Iruka, he settled down back and asked with a smile, "Oh Iruka sensei. Look, I managed to complete the mission. Now I get to graduate, right?"

Iruka suddenly took on a puzzled and confused expression as he asked, "Huh?! What do you mean, Naruto? What mission?"

Naruto looked at him excitedly and answered, "Mizuki sensei told me that I can graduate if I steal the scroll of seals from the Hokage's tower and bring it here to give it to him. Since you are also my sensei, you can pass me too, right, dattebayo?"

Iruka got lost in thought, 'Mizuki told him to do it. I knew, Naruto was innocent. But, why would Mizuki want him to steal the scroll?'

Suddenly, he heard sounds of approaching shurikens and kunais. He pushed Naruto away as he jumped back himself. True enough, the place they were previously standing got covered with shurikens and kunais and some were even impaled on Iruka's legs.

Iruka looked up to see Mizuki laughing on top of a branch of a tree.

Mizuki said, "I see that you have found out about my little secret, Iruka".

Iruka replied angrily, "Mizuki, it was you! I should have had known all along".

Mizuki shrugged and looked towards Naruto and said, "Now, Naruto. Hand over the scroll to me.

Iruka shouted to Naruto, "No Naruto! Don't give him the scroll. He will use it for himself. He has cheated you".

Mizuki said, "Naruto, give it to me. Iruka is lying to you because he doesn't want you to have it".

Iruka shouted, "Stop lying Mizuki! Don't let him trick you Naruto".

Mizuki laughed hard as he said, "I am not the one lying to you, Naruto. But, the whole village is. They have been lying to you, your whole life. Since the decree, twelve years ago, everyone has been lying to you. Everyone knows the decree except you and even now, Iruka is trying to hide it from you. I'll tell you what it is".

Iruka looked shocked as he shouted, "No Mizuki. It's forbidden. Don't do it".

Mizuki, paying Iruka no attention, said, "The decree is that no one can tell you that the nine tailed fox is inside you. The fox spirit that killed Iruka's parents and destroyed our village has taken over your body! You are the nine-tails fox! They've all been sneaking around hiding things from you your whole life. Didn't you think it was strange how they treated you? Like dirt! Like they hated you for just being alive!"

Iruka was completely shocked that Mizuki would reveal everything to Naruto. But, one look at Naruto gave even bigger shock to both of the chunnins. Naruto was cleaning his ears with his finger, not even paying attention to the two. Both of them sweat-dropped at this.

Naruto, noticing that the two were looking at him, asked, "Oh! Is your fighting and shouting and revealing the truth over so soon, dattebayo?"

Iruka's jaw dropped at his reaction and Mizuki's anger shot off towards the sky. Instead of replying, Mizuki just took the fuma-shuriken he was carrying on his back and threw it at Naruto.

By the time Iruka had recovered and ran towards the blonde, the fuma-shuriken had already covered half its distance. Iruka, at once, knew that he wouldn't make it and Naruto was making no effort to move out of the way. Iruka, not wanting to see his brother figure get pierced by the massive shuriken, closed his eyes and yet ran forward, hoping that some miracle would save the boy.

He expected a scream from the boy or a maniacal laugh from the chunnin to be heard. But, when he heard neither, he opened his eyes to see that both Mizuki and Naruto were still standing at the same place. But, what surprised him, and apparently Mizuki too, was something black holding the fuma-shuriken in mid-air, some distance away from the blonde.

"Shadow Gathering Jutsu, success", Shikamaru said as he walked out from the shadows of the tree.

Mizuki and Iruka looked at him in surprise. Mizuki asked, "What are you doing here, Shikamaru Nara?"

Shikamaru lazily replied, "What does it look like to you? I am saving my friend's life".

Mizuki smirked and said, "Well, Shikamaru, the friend you are speaking about is nothing but the nine tailed fox, which terrorised our village twelve years ago, in human form and nothing more. So, why don't move aside so that I can finish it off?"

Shikamaru, in turn, grinned and said, "Perhaps you didn't hear what I said, did you? I said, I am saving my friend's life. Friend... got it? By the way, if it's all the same to you, both of us already knew about it".

Both Mizuki and Iruka looked surprised and shocked at this. 'They know about this? Since when?' were the thoughts running through both of their minds.

Mizuki, recovering first from the shock, said, "Then, I guess, I'll have to finish off all of you".

This time, it was Naruto who smirked as he said, "Sorry Mizuki sensei, but you see, I can't let any of my precious get hurt now, can I?"

With that, he made the seal for his trademark jutsu and said, "Shadow Clone Jutsu".

Both, Mizuki and Iruka's eyes widened at this as Iruka shouted out, "Don't Naruto, you'll die because of chakra exhaustion…"

He was silenced by the sight in front of him. There, surrounding them, all around the forest were thousands of Naruto clones. Not illusion but solid clones.

Shikamaru chuckled and said, "I can't do this many, but can do some. Shadow Clone Jutsu".

With that, a couple of dozens of Shikamaru's shadow clones poof'ed into existence.

Mizuki was too shocked to move and what followed next was nothing sort of a massacre. Iruka was also shocked. Standing in front of him were two boys, one who had recently graduated to be a genin and one who hadn't, and they were rolling out shadow clones in dozens, thousands for Naruto and didn't appear the least bit tired. It was a feat that even elite-jonins found hard to do and in Naruto's case, Iruka doubted whether even the hokage could do it or not.

Iruka, overcoming the shock, smiled and called Naruto to come to him. When he came close, Iruka removed his own headband and made Naruto wear it. He then said, "Congratulations Naruto, you are now a genin".

Shikamaru grinned at this. As for Naruto, he touched the headband which he had worn for many years, though not in this timeline and then smiled wide and embraced Iruka in a big hug. He then fist bumped with Shikamaru and all three of them left for the hokage's tower with Mizuki's bloodied body being carried by Naruto's shadow clones while Iruka was helped by Naruto. Shikamaru was carrying the scroll of seals and followed behind them.

Hokage's Office (Hokage's tower):

The Hokage was looking at the three people in front of him. Iruka, who was looking really worried; Naruto, with a huge grin on his face and Shikamaru, with a lazy look on his face.

Iruka came forward as he said, "You see, lord hokage, it wasn't Naruto's fault… ".

He was promptly cut off by the hokage as he motioned him to stop, "I know Iruka. I saw everything". He motioned towards the crystal ball on his desk.

Naruto chuckled as he said to Shikamaru, "See, I told you that jiji peeks on people. He is a closet pervert".

Shikamaru chuckled at this as the hokage lost his composure and the pipe he was smoking, fell out of his mouth. Iruka looked flustered and shouted at him, "Naruto! Give some respect to the hokage. Don't call him jiji".

The hokage, regaining his composure, chuckled and said, "Now now, Iruka, don't get angry. I suppose the hospital should be your next decision. And some rest too. I will have a talk with the boys before sending them home".

Iruka, taking cue that it was time for him to leave, bowed and left.

Once he left, the hokage activated the privacy seals of his office as all of them took their seats.

The hokage smiled at the two boys and said, "Congratulations are in order, I guess. Now, let us see. Naruto, how about I teach you a new jutsu as a graduation gift? And one for you too Shikamaru?"

Naruto bumped his fist in air as he said in excited voice, "Yeah! More jutsus, dattebayo". Shikamaru nodded and smiled.

The hokage smiled at seeing his pseudo-grandson happy. He then said, "Well then, tomorrow evening, I'll teach you. Moving on, what next?"

Shikamaru took on a serious look as he replied, "In two weeks, Naruto's team will leave for Wave country on a C-rank mission which turns out to be an A-rank one. After its completion, a month later, the chunnin exams will begin. That is where everything starts going wrong".

Naruto interrupted here, "Not if we can help it. Chunnin exams this time is going to be different".

Shikamaru replied, "I hope for the same. By the way, lord hokage, I want my team to be sent on the Wave mission too".

This time, both Naruto and the hokage looked surprised at his request. The hokage asked, "Why do you want so, Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru chuckled and said, "First, I know this idiot. He will definitely want to save Zabuza and Haku. If someone doesn't look out for him, he will definitely screw up things in doing so. Not that, I don't want to save. In fact, I want to save them too. Their abilities are going to be highly useful to the alliance if the war were to break out again. It's just that this idiot has a single track mind and so, someone has to take care of the mission while he saves them".

Naruto grinned widely and nodded his head. The hokage chuckled and asked, "Any other reason, Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru nodded and said, "Actually, there is a second reason too. Mizu no Kuni is close to Wave. From Wave, we can go to the hidden mist. That's what my main intentions are. I and Naruto have to go to Mizu and back in the gap between the Wave mission and the chunnin exams".

Naruto understood the reason for that and nodded. The hokage asked in confusion, "Why do you want to go to Mizu? Haven't you heard of the bloodline wars? It makes you a potential target Shikamaru".

Shikamaru smiled and said, "I appreciate your concern, lord hokage. But, by us going there, every wrong thing happening in Mizu can be set right. You see, the bloodline war is happening because of Madara. Fearing that the Sharingan would turn out to be useless against the bloodlines, he placed the fourth Mizukage under a Genjutsu and instigated the bloodline purge".

Naruto continued, "The fourth Mizukage also happens to be the jinchuriki of the Sanbi, Isopu. If we can get there, we can both release him from the Genjutsu and kick off the formation of the great alliance early on. We can also get the rebels to join back the Hidden Mist".

The hokage was impressed by the planning of the two boys and their efforts to save the world. So, he smiled and said, "I'll make sure that what you requested will be completed. As for the journey to the mist, you can say that you are on a special mission if caught by your senseis and that you are travellers to those of the mist. Now, go home and take rest. As for tonight, you can receive your rewards for completing your first B-rank mission".

The boys were overjoyed by this and soon after they left, thinking about the next few days until the Wave mission.

That's it folks. Next chapter will be the beginning of Wave.

Guess I owe all of you an apology and an explanation for the hiatus. A couple of days after I posted my last chapter, I met with an accident and was hospitalized for three weeks. Then, I was discharged with a still broken right hand. As soon as I recovered, I began working on this chapter and here it is. I hope you can forgive me and any mistakes present in this chapter. Thank you for the support guys. Read and review, please