Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto; this story is just like the 270,000 thousand others on this site.

XXX

Naruto and Jiraiya had taken to lying under the stars at their training ground. It had taken him all day but Naruto had the tree-climbing exercise down and he was nothing but proud. Every time he mastered a technique or jutsu, it took him one step closer to his dream and this fuelled him to go on.

Jiraiya yawned. "Tommorow we make for the capitol, alright Naruto? So make sure you say your goodbyes before we go."

"Hai, ero-sennin." He didn't want to leave but he accepted that he wasn't going to improve any further here. It was going to be sad saying goodbye to Maiko-kun.

Naruto sat up to stretch his arms; it had taken nearly every ounce of energy out of him in today's training. For once Naruto felt truly worn out. Naruto gazed over the small town, it really was beautiful… His eyes were attracted to some sort of bon fire set up at the entrance to the town. "Ero-sennin, Is there some sort of celebration on in town today?"

"Mmhm, not that I know of… whys that?"

"Look!"

Jiraiya reluctantly sat up and observed where Naruto was pointing. His eyes narrowed immediately.

"That's no bon fire Naruto… The village is under attack!"

XXX

Shindou grinned widely, the attack was going superbly. The village samurai put up little resistance and that little kid was nowhere in sight. His men were currently burning the houses after they pillaged them for all their worth. He pondered his next move while scratching his chin.

"Maru! Take a few men and head after that girl from the other day… I want my revenge…"

"Hai Shindou!"

Yes, things were going very well…

XXX

Naruto and Jiraiya ran through the south entrance of the village into complete mayhem. The villagers fled in every direction with whatever they could carry while the bandits laid waste to the village.

"Naruto! Let's split up and handle the groups separately. You head to the west side and I'll take the east! Don't underestimate the bandits; they can catch you by surprise!"

"Hai ero-sennin!"

Jiraiya ran off into a side alley and into the darkness. Naruto cracked his knuckles and charged down the street before he spotted one of the bandits lighting the roof of a house on fire with a torch. The bandit never saw Naruto's fist until it sent him through the wall.

Wait a second…

Naruto smiled as he slammed his hands together into his favourite seal. "Kage bunshin no jutsu!"

He summoned nearly twenty clones. "Alright dispatch and take out any bandits you find. Help any villagers you can as well!"

"Hai boss!" They all shouted and charged off.

Naruto took in a calm breath and placed his hands in a seal of his own. He closed his eyes and exhaled sharply. Rinnegan!

The sight powers of the Rinnegan gave Naruto the biggest field advantage. He saw everything, including a large group of chakra signatures heading for… Maiko…

Naruto started to panic. He could stay and help finish off the bandits or help Maiko? What would Ero-sennin do?

"Fuck it." Naruto turned around and headed in the direction of Maiko's.

XXX

Maiko was folding the washing next to the window before she realised what was happening in the village. She dropped the basket as she noticed the growing fires from the village. "Father!" She yelled in fear.

No answer…

She turned around to come face to face with Maru. "You…"

"Hehe, me…" Maru turned to the group of soldiers he had taken with him. "Wait outside… I owe the little lady something…"

He turned back to Maiko as the bandits exited the house. She attempted to run passed him but he grabbed her small wrist and threw her back into the wall, causing her to smack her head against it. She slid to the ground in a daze, autonomously grabbing her head. Her vision was blurred and she could feel the blood trickling over her hand.

Maru aimed a sharp kick at her ribs before he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. As he walked out of the house he was greeted by the sight of his men scattered on the floor unconscious. But what annoyed him the most was the familiar tuft of young blonde hair in the middle of them all. He dropped Maiko roughly on the ground in his rage and charged at Naruto.

"You!"

Naruto looked up at him and thrust his hands forward. "Shinra Tensei!"

Maru couldn't explain what happened. One second he was running at the boy, about to flatten him and then he was taken off his feet and thrown into the walls of the house.

"H-How can you be so powerful! You're just a kid!"

The boy stepped over him. "I'm not just a kid! I'm Naruto Uzumaki, future Hokage of Konohagakure and you hurt my precious people!" Naruto slammed the heel of his right foot straight into Maru's unsuspecting face.

XXX

Shindou felt like the whole world had collapsed beneath his feet. The plan had been going so well, he had defeated the village defences, overcome the samurai and was milking the villagers for all their worth. Then that shinobi showed up. The silver haired old man had single handedly defeated all of his men, not to mention that kid that seemed to of cloned himself somehow.

And now said silver haired shinobi stood before him.

"W-Who are you! Why couldn't you just butt out!"

Jiraiya stared at the man. "It doesn't matter who I am… All that matters is you're going to leave now and you're going to hide. Because if I ever see your face again, I won't give you another chance like this."

Shindou knew when he was beat, and he knew it now. Shindou turned around and ran the way he had come. He would bide his time, revenge would be his…

XXX

When Maiko came to her headache was still in full swing. It took her a minute or two to realise someone was cradling her head in their lap. She reached up and rubbed the bandage around her head. She was also greeted by the face of her young friend Naruto. She smiled.

"Thankyou Naruto-kun..."

"No problem Maiko-chan!"

XXX

Naruto and Jiraiya stood outside the north gate of Aiko, waving goodbye to the gracious people. The rebuilding of the town was underway and the people were praising the great Jiraiya and his promising pupil. Even Jiraiya had to admit it was hard to leave. After defeating the bandits the pair had been treated to a great feast and many material gifts from the people. Their triumph would not be forgotten for a long time.

While Jiraiya was absorbing in the attention from the crowd, Naruto was talking to Maiko a little way off. She handed him a piece of paper with details on how to contact her through the post.

"I'll write to you all the time Naruto, you better write back!"

"I will Maiko-chan!"

"And when you become a genin come and visit me so I can see you grow up into a handsome man!" She laughed.

Naruto blushed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Don't forget me either Naruto-kun…"

"Don't worry Maiko-chan, I never forget any of my special people…"

She bent down to pull him into a tight embrace. "Goodbye Naruto-kun…"

"Goodbye Maiko-chan…"

XXX

After Naruto had left Maiko returned to her farm, her father was still recovering after Maru's raid. She walked out back to hang out the washing.

As she bent down to place the basket she noticed a shadow over her body. She turned around quickly but tumbled to the ground.

"W-Who are you!"

"You've had a rough few days… You're important to my plans and I can't have you getting hurt anymore…"

The mysterious figure laid a palm on her forehead and her world went black. She knew no more.

XXX

Time skip 2 years.

XXX

The sun had just reached its peak over the bustling village of Konohagakure. Cafés and restaurants had just begun their lunchtime rush and business was at its peak. South gate entrance was the biggest and busiest. The west and east gates were mainly used for merchants and officials, but the south gate was for everything else. An old spirit and his young charge ascended over the horizon en route for the south gate.

Naruto laughed and pointed at the gate. "Look Jiraiya sensei! We're home!"

"Calm down Naruto, you're embarrassing me!"

"How can I not be excited? I haven't seen it in two years!" Naruto exclaimed.

Jiraiya couldn't help but laugh at his student's eagerness; flashbacks of a time when he was the same surged through him.

"Now Naruto, you remember what we discussed right? About the things you shouldn't parade around?"

"The Rinnegan and Kyuubi right?" Naruto answered. The Kyuubi hadn't appeared to him since that night two years ago.

"Good, it might cause unwanted attention…" Jiraiya decided it was best not to reveal the Akatsuki to Naruto yet, he deserved to enjoy some peace with kids his age before his world got very dangerous.

Jiraiyas reputation was only bolstered because of the last two years. They had spent them training and performing odd jobs for villages and towns across the nation. However it wasn't all about Jiraiya, the word about his apprentice with short blonde hair and blue eyes was also well known.

They approached the chuunin gate guards who immediately recognized Jiraiya and allowed them quick passage.

The main street was as busy as always and Naruto didn't hold his excitement back as he absorbed his homes in. His natural senses felt the glares from the crowd though. 'Some things never change ahaha.'

Jiraiya snapped Naruto out of his trance when he placed his large hand on the boys shoulder. "I have some paper work to file with the old man, you gunna be okay?"

"Hai ero-sennin."

"You're not gunna drop that name are yah!" Jiraiya palmed his face.

"Not a chance! Ill catchya around sensei!" Naruto bounced off down the street while all Jiraiya could do was sigh.

Naruto had only one place in mind, the one place that always accepted him… Ichiraku Ramen.

XXX

Jiraiya stood in front of the Sandaime while Iruka waited patiently to his right. Hiruzen placed Jiraiya's report on the table and cleared his throat.

"According to your report the boy may already be near Chuunin level? Why is it you requested he be made a genin?" The old man queried.

"While his skills are indeed good, he knows next to nothing about team work. I also think it'd be good for him to experience friendships and the experience genin gives. He won't like it but it's for the best." Jiraiya explained.

Hiruzen nodded. "You make good points. Iruka, a class just passed their genin exam did they not?"

"Yes Sandaime-sama. This is the class roster here." Iruka bowed and placed a class roster on the table.

Hiruzen scratched his chin. "What an interesting class, I've never seen such a class with such potential. There's an odd number too, just perfect to fit Naruto into."

Iruka bowed again. "It will be done, Sandaime-sama." Iruka retrieved the class roster and left the office.

Hiruzen's features grew serious. "What about this group?"

Jiraiya sighed. "They call themselves Akatsuki… They're a group of missing ninja, so far to my understanding, all S rank. Not much is known about them or what they're trying to do. But word is they're after the Jinchuuriki."

Hiruzen nodded and frowned. "Naruto has a dangerous and disastrous path ahead of him, because of this… It is our duty to make sure he is adequately prepared."

"I decided a while ago he is going to be my next full-time apprentice. I think the Yondaime's legacy of all people is entitled to it. I'll have him sign the Toad Scroll immediately and then teach him the Yondaime's signature jutsu." Jiraiya said.

"No, not yet. I want to see him develop by himself first. If we rush all these things onto him we risk over-preparing him. We don't want him to be a weapon. We will take your advice and allow him to progress as a genin for now. In a month or two I will permit you to teach him to summon. How does that sound?" Hiruzen asked.

"Understood, am I to return to my previous mission?" Jiraiya asked.

"Yes, I want anything you can find out about this Akatsuki." Jiraiya nodded to his sensei's question. "Mmhm, the next few years are going to be very interesting…" Hiruzen turned and stared at the Hokage monument. 'What would you do in a situation like this?' He pondered in his mind.

XXX

The following morning was a warm sunny day. The villagers continued life as they always had. Except for Naruto, today he officially becomes a genin of the hidden leaf. He barely slept at all that night after Jiraiya told him what was in stall for him.

Naruto dressed and after a quick instant ramen, headed for the genin orientation.

He walked through the familiar academy entrance with pride, he was a genin. Another step to his ultimate goal was ticked off! He walked into the orientation room and was hit with a wall of stares. Nearly everyone in the room had turned to look at the familiar blonde. Suddenly there were murmurs and whispers.

"Who's the blonde kid!"

"He wasn't part of our class?"

"Isnt that Uzumaki!"

Naruto nervously took his seat in the back corner of the classroom and surveyed his surroundings like Jiraiya had taught him. Two certain sets of eyes stood out from the rest. One pair belonged to a boy; he was about Naruto's height with black hair and onyx eyes. While the other's stared in confusion, this one stared in suspicion. From this Naruto could tell he was above the rest in the class. He thought like a ninja and knew to never let his guard down.

The next pair belonged to a girl in an oversized sweater with lavender hair. She had the most familiar look about her, but Naruto couldn't quite place her. She looked at him with… awe. Her eyes seemed to shimmer. When she realised that Naruto was staring at her she blushed and turned away.

Naruto shrugged and turned to the front of the classroom in time to see Iruka-sensei walk in with a clipboard.

"Alright, Listen up! As of today you are all officially genin of the Hidden leaf village. As genin you will divided into teams of three lead by a jounin sensei to train and teach you." The young genin all started whispering to each other. There was nothing mentioned about teams. "You're team mates will become your friends for life and you will share experiences with them that you never will with anyone else. You cannot trade team mates or whole teams. The teams have been created to suit your individual skills."

A few genin started to look nervous about the teams now, especially the girl that was staring at Naruto before.

"The teams are as follows…"

Iruka started to read out the teams. There were groans and cheers, applause and boos.

"Team 7… Sasuke Uchiha…" The dark haired boy that had been staring at Naruto before suddenly snapped to attention, while the remaining girls seemed to tense and stare at him in awe. 'So he's one of them guys…' Naruto thought to himself.

"Hinata Hyuuga…" The other girl that was staring at Naruto seemed to pale considerably. 'She must be nervous about being on the same team as mister spectacular' Naruto smiled at his own musings.

"and Naruto Uzumaki…"

Suddenly all eyes were on him again. 'Crap' Naruto thought as he mentally facepalmed himself.

XXX

A/N: Longest chapter to date guys, Cheers for all the positive encouragement lately. That's two updates in two days, I think I deserve a bit of a break :P

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