The evening breeze caressed Naruto's cheek as he perched on the rooftop of his apartment. The events of the day—recognition by Iruka, betrayal by Mizuki, and the strange power he had unleashed—cycled in his thoughts. Even though the Forbidden Scroll was back in the Hokage's possession, Naruto's mind continued to seethe with the recollection of what he had read.
Pokémon Jutsu
The techniques he had instinctively used had been unlike anything ninjutsu he had ever witnessed, even though he had just started to study the discipline. Perhaps due to the nature of the situation, Iruka hadn't questioned it then. But Naruto knew that he had found something incredible. Something that could possibly make him special at last.
Naruto stood proudly outside the Academy the next morning. For the first time, he was wearing his headband as a proper Konoha Genin, not a joke or an imitation. It was given to him personally by Iruka, who smiled with pride. To Naruto, that moment meant more than words could ever say.
He entered the classroom to the usual snickers and glares. But he ignored them today. Today he was different. Stronger. More determined. He would no longer be defined by the villagers' hatred.
Iruka entered and clapped his hands. "Alright, everyone. Your teams will be assigned to you today. From now on, these will be your teammates on missions and training."
As names were announced, Naruto barely listened. His squad was all he cared about. And most importantly, if he would be together with her.
"Naruto Uzumaki."
The girls of the class swooned. Naruto scowled. Of course, Sasuke, who is "cool and talented," would be called first.
"Haruno Sakura."
Naruto groaned. Of all people.
"And finally, Uchiha Sasuke."
He looked up. "What? Wait!"
He glanced over to see Sakura with an expression of horror and Sasuke staring at him. Naruto grimaced as she emitted a deafening whine, "WHY HIM?!"
Iruka sighed. "These are the last teams."
Naruto's gaze shifted. Wonderful. Just my luck. teamed up with the pink banshee and the grumpy duck-butt.
They were told to wait for their Jonin sensei after team assignments, hours later, no one appeared.
"He's running late!" Naruto grumbled. He jumped up and cracked a mischievous grin. "Time for a gag, hehe."
Within a few minutes, the door creaked and in stepped a silver-haired, tall man with a careless demeanor and masked face.
He grumbled, "Hmm. you guys look. boring."
Naruto grinned. Old man, wait and see.
The moment Kakashi stepped forward, a rubber fell from the doorframe and struck his head.
Quiet.
Sakura gasped in shock as Naruto burst out laughing. Sasuke just rolled his eyes.
Kakashi sighed. "What do I think of you three at this moment? All of you are fools.
Naruto stopped laughing. "Hi!"
Kakashi ignored him. "Come meet me on the roof."
Kakashi leaned against the railing once they were all assembled. "Okay, let's make introductions. Your name, interests, dislikes, and dreams".
Sakura fawned over Sasuke and did so first with zeal. Compared to Sakura, Sasuke was steady, however, in his goal of killing "a certain someone" and rebuilding his clan.".
Naruto's turn was the next. He grinned and stood up proudly. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I like training, eating ramen, and refuting others! Waiting, people who judge me without knowing me, and jerks who think they are superior to everyone else are things that I hate! And my ambition is to be Hokage so that I will be known by everyone in this village.".
Kakashi whistled. "Well. What, Hokage? It's a huge dream."
Naruto crossed his arms. "Yes, I will certainly do it!"
With a long, unreadable stare, Kakashi nodded. "Alright, report to Training Ground Seven at sunrise tomorrow. You will wish you hadn't eaten breakfast.
Naruto frowned. That sounded ominous.
Naruto stayed behind while the team dispersed, his mind going back to the Forbidden Scroll. He needed to learn Pokémon Jutsu better. He craved more after getting a taste of its potential. This was his time to make his mark, not just on his team but the ninja world as well.
His fist tightened.
He was just beginning his path.