Hello everyone: this chapter has been going on for a few months now as I've battled depression and writer's block. Hopefully its a good chapter. let's go

Hyuga Compound, 1 AM

Hiashi Hyuga sat out on the porch as an ANBU operative wearing a white and red mask with pink flowers painted on it and short black hair in a pixie cut lands on the porch next to him. They clear their throat and whisper "Hiashi-san, i have word on the boy. So far there's talks about him being in the same squad as Hinata". Hiashi sighs "any word on who else will be in the team?" The operative nods "It's currently either between the Uchiha, the Inuzuka, or the Shiru girl" Hiashi nods "i understand, and why are you still wearing the mask. On my property, you are still a Hyuga, Hanasaku." The operative sighs and removes her mask as Hiashi walks away "Yes... uncle "

Naruto's Apartment, 3:30 am

Naruto sits up and goes to the kitchen to get some water boiling before he sits on the floor and starts to meditate. He thinks "Kurama?" The demon within him perks up. "Hmmm what is it?" Naruto gets up "How much longer until academy graduation?" The demon hums in thought "If it's the same as i remember ages ago, you still have about a year" Naruto chuckles "another year for the others to catch up, 'tebayo" Kurama sighs "Patience, Naruto. The time will come." He gets up and continues his morning by boiling eggs and exercising until he has to leave for the academy. "Let's get this going." Naruto thinks as he heads out the door

Academy Gates 5:30 am

Naruto arrives at the gate and sits as he waits for 6. He starts to meditate again as he waits for the gates to open, but he's interrupted by the sound of footsteps. He opens his eyes and sees a small group of people arriving at the gates. Amongst the small group is Kiba and Ino. Ino smiles "Good morning, Naruto" Naruto gets up "Morning, Ino. Morning, Kiba" Akamaru barks and Naruto chuckles "Good morning, Akamaru. You guys are here early." Kiba smirks "gotta beat the rush of the lazy ones. The advantage starts first thing in the morning" Naruto smiles "That's the attitude you need to become a shinobi." The gates open and Naruto smirks "Let's get going." As soon as Ino, Kiba, and himself get in, a large crowd of students start running in. Naruto sighs "These are the ones who will possibly struggle"

Academy Gates, 4 pm

Kiba, Ino, and Naruto walk out of the school gates. Kiba chuckles "man that was easy. Our lesson today was just on ninja tools?" Ino nods in affirmation "It's hard to believe some of the class don't know how to throw a kunai" Kiba sighs "oh shit. Naruto, follow me. I got a surprise for you." He takes off running and Naruto quickly takes off after him "Bye, Ino."

Inuzuka Compound 4:45 pm

Kiba and Naruto both arrive at the Inuzuka compound. A lady with spiked hair and red lines on her cheeks is at the door "Kiba! Who is that!?" Kiba covers his ears "You're too loud. This is Naruto Uzumaki" The lady's voice quickly softens "So you're the boy who asked my son to join his squad. It's been hard for him to have fun within the compound with me being the head of the clan." Naruto smiles and bows "I'm glad to help him. He was a good teammate the day i chose him. If he's not my teammate, i know he'll make good teammate for someone." The lady smiles "That's why i asked you here. I would like to make you an honorary member of our clan" Kiba smiles wide "Awesome! You're gonna be like a brother now" The spikey haired lady sighs "if he passes our tests that is" Naruto bows "I promise to do my best." She smiles "wonderful. By the way, my name is Tsume. Let's go"

Tsume leads Naruto into a room of ninken that are young but by no means puppies. Tsume smirks "Choose. If they accept you, you get to keep and name them. If none of them choose you, well then, there's the door." Naruto looks at all the dogs and thinks "Kurama, which one should i choose?" Naruto looks at one with redish fur and scars all over it. Kurama speaks up "That one" Naruto smiles and looks at Tsume "The red Rottweiler with all the cuts. They're small now but i know they'll grow" Tsume smiles "Going for a big dog? You're cocky, ain't you? Let's give it a shot" Tsume picks up the dog and carries it into another room. "Stay in here for 10 minutes. If she scratches you even once in defense or out of fear, you fail" Naruto nods and gets in the room. Tsume puts the Rottweiler in before shutting the door.

Naruto looks at the dog and holds out his hand. The dog whines and sniffs Naruto's hand. Naruto smiles and reaches out for the dog, which nudges his hand.

5 pm

Tsume opens the door "Your time is up." She looks at Naruto who has the dog asleep in his lap. She smiles "You did it, kid. You actually did it. She was a feisty one, always fighting with the others, and you tamed her in minutes. Get up" Naruto gets up and the dog yawns and stretches, wagging her tail. Tsume sighs "what will you name her?" Naruto thinks for a bit and smiles "Kegawa" Tsume smiles "You can keep her. She's yours now. Be back here in the morning and we'll hold the ceremony to make you a full honorary member and then we'll train you in our techniques." Naruto bows and gives Kiba a high five as he runs out, with Kegawa close behind.

Naruto's Apartment, 5:45 pm

Naruto heads into his apartment and locks up before he sets Kegawa down and starts to meditate for the rest of the night. "Naruto, hold her. I want to test something" Naruto nods and grabs Kegawa before he continues his meditation

Naruto's Mindscape, ???

Naruto appears in the mindscape with Kegawa in his arms. Kurama is standing behind the cage "Hmmm... interesting. You can bring people with you into the mindscape. Animals are of course easier to do" Naruto smiles "Since we're here, let's train" Kegawa barks and Kurama smiles "Let's go" Naruto spends the rest of the night training