Konohagakure No Sato :
Uzumaki Apartment :
The Apartment welcomed a new guest today . A New but also a frequent Guest who visits this apartment twice a month . The Hokage visited Naruto on the same evening after getting informed by Iruka .
The Time was near 6 PM and Naruto and Hokage sit opposite each other on the dining Table . The Hokage drank his tea and savoured it's taste.
( another hidden gem around Konoha , even though it was in report , I am really surprised by it's taste ...*sigh*)
Even though Hokage was surprised by the tea , it was not that amazing , it was just a unique flovor , but it's still short against his usual tea that is imported from The Land Of Tea .
Gathering his thoughts , Hokage thought about how he gets distracted easily at Old Age , The Hokage takes his attention away from the tea and looks at the blonde , who is sitting across him now .
The Hokage was anxious when he found out about Naruto's early graduation form . And now He is drinking Tea and thinking of trying to talk to him out of it .
" Naruto "
" Grandpa , ... is there something ??"
" Iruka told me about your application for early graduation "
" eh Iruka sensei ..?? "
seeing Naruto looking confused , Hokage smiles and speaks
" Yeah , Afterall I am your Guardian , you know "
" ohhh "
Naruto gathers his thoughts , He knew The Hokage will findout and seek him , but he didn't know that Hokage is also his Guardian .
( ...well there is also a cheap Godfather , and Kakashi too )
Naruto spoke with a diasappointed expression
" I thought to surprise you Grandpa , but now you already knew "
" Naruto , why do you want to graduate early "
"isn't it obvious ....to become a Genin "
" Genin ?? "
" yeah a Genin , Chunin , Jonin and then .....hehe Hokage "
" .....Hokage "
" the faster I become Genin the faster I will be a Chunin and.....well then Hokage "
" Faster , hmmm "
" Not only Greatest but also the youngest Hokage , How is it Grandpa "
"...is that really all there is ?? Naruto "
" ...The Academy is boring , all my friends are busy training at home "
" Shikamaru and others ? "
" mm , .... Gian and others are graduating this year , so I thought ....well you understand right , Grandpa "
" You want to graduate with them too ...but what about your other friends ? "
" Others ?? ....it's not like we will not be friends anymore right "
Seeing Naruto's confused expression , Hokage flinched and realises something else
( yeah ...Naruto has 'Bonds' now .....and also Naruto himself is as strong as Chunin ..... )
The Hokage knew Naruto and his daily activities , He also knew that Naruto has already studied till 6th year Courses and there is also Fuinjutsu and Medical Jutsu .
Academically Naruto is eligible to Graduate , As for capability as Shinobi , Naruto also knew quite a few jutsu with everything else , Already on the same level as Chunin .
( If it was any other time maybe , but now ....)
The Hokage decided to persuade Naruto with 'Will of Fire'
" Naruto "
" yeah ? "
" Do you know why First Hokage founded the Village , The Konoha "
".....because of wars , right "
Seeing Naruto answering the textbook answer , the Hokage smiles and reminisced the times when he was a kid and was taught under Second Hokage and also met First Hokage .
" yeah .....it was for peace "
" peace "
" The constant warfare of Warring states period , creating a system where shinobi could live and work together in peace , rather than as mercenaries "
"..."
" His goal was to establish a peaceful nation where clans could coexist and prosper, a vision that led to the first shinobi village and the Kage system . under a unified leadership "
seeing Naruto's awed expression , The Hokage smiled inside and continued
" oooo....!!!"
" The Second Hokage also founded the Konoha Academy "
" I read that "
" Bringing children from different , often rival clans and also talented Civilian , all to learn together in a shared, open-minded environment , it helped to break down old clan rivalries and foster a sense of unity and shared identity within the new village "
".."
" The Second Hokage also set the age of graduation as 12 year old , do you know why Naruto "
" no , why 12 "
" Whether First or Second Hokage , and even the Clans or any Shinobi that survived The Warring Era , No one wanted their children to go to war "
" ...war "
" yes , a 12 year old is a threshold to produce more highly prepared and capable ninja to ensure Konoha's prosperity "
" ....but Grandpa I heard there are lots of geniuses who graduate early "
" ....."
" I think I am good enough , no ??? "
" Naruto "
" ... "
" This may be selfish of me , but If possible I don't want you to be Shinobi this early "
" ....why ? Don't you know my dream "
" I know you want to be Hokage but I also want you to enjoy your Childhood , Spend time with friends and make memories "
" ..."
" As your Grandpa ....For ME ...These things are as important as becoming Hokage "
" bu-"
" Do you remember 'Will of Fire' "
" um "
" 'Will of Fire ' also include that ' With each ninja protecting the next generation ' Old leaves burning themselves to nourish the new leaves "
"..."
" Enjoy your Academy days Naruto , The village does not need you to contrubute this early , We are Konoha , The Strongest Village In Shinobi Nations "
" ....But Grandpa It's boring "
" ...huh ??"
Naruto presented his pre-prepared excuse that he thought of , The excuse that he thought before applying for early Graduation .
Only then The Hokage remembered Naruto's age and also his capabilities with that age .
( it's Like Kakashi or Itachi ....Problems among Geniuses)
With No rival or even anyone close to him in terms of Ninjutsu , Taijutsu or even in studies .
( He did top in Half terms exams ...so it's like A Suffocation because of his talent )
This thought delighted and worried Hokage , His mind worked tirelessely to find a solution
( If I force him to stay at academy ....then he may resent me or even others ...but if Naruto graduates then he may even look down on all his 'bonds' and become Arrogant like Kakashi or Itachi )
The Hokage looked at Naruto , who was looking down like some guilty child , The Hokage saw a resemblance
(....it's like Asuma , a little rebelliousness....If I handle it the same way then ..)
The Hokage massaged his head and soon got an answer
( how about a candy to a kid .... as long as I stall for now )
The Hokage finally have his 'light-bulb' moment and started his delay tactics
" I understand , Naruto"
" really ....then can I "
" no , you are not graduating "
" noooo...!!! "
Looking at Naruto , who put his head down on the table and sulking like a kid , The Hokage smiled and speak
" Hmm , how about this Naruto "
" ...."
" If you stay this year then I will teach you a new Ninjutsu "
" ....ohh "
Looking at the lackluster response , Remembering Kids mood that he knew with his age and experience , The Hokage starts to 'fish' and sighed to himself while throwing a bait .
" *haa*..... How about a B-Rank Jutsu "
( He already has C-Rank and D-rank Jutsu , so B-rank will be a good incentive for a kid )
".....B-Rank ? ....which one "
" you can choose like last time "
" Really , Grandpa "
" yeah , but you need to rank first in the Finals "
" yoshhhh , just you wait Grandpa "
The Hokage knew Naruto's like for Ninjutsu's since a long time ago , Naruto already learned the other jutsu's that he exchanged last time . The Reason Naruto wants to graduate is to become Shinobi and also to learn new Jutsu's that he glimsed from Archive Library.
( Boring he said ...in the end he is still a kid , he already hold out for a year , his persistence is already excellent as kid .....especially for someone like Naruto )
The Hokage looked at Naruto who was jumping around with the pup
( it's not like he is not persistence anymore , but he wants more ...that's all )
The Hokage is well aware of Naruto's routine and also his progress with Jutsu's and other things , He already knew that Naruto will start behaving such similar way in a year or two .
( The graduation of other kids , is the reason that things accelerated .... as long as things are still in control ....I can stall him next year too with the same way )
The Hokage saw Naruto stopping and speaking to him
" Alright , Grandpa It's a feast "
" A Feast ? "
" yeah , for me to get a new Ninjutsu "
" aren't you too confident ...??? "
" hoho , that's right , so just enjoy today "
Naruto jumped off and ran to his Kitchen with Simba , The Hokage looked at Naruto and also starts relaxing after a stressful day . The evening goes away like that , with dinner and some Chat about other Things .
" Alright Naruto "
" Take care Grandpa , and remember your promise OKKK ...!!! "
" Yes yes "
The Hokage goes away and Naruto watched him with Simba in his arms . Seeing his back disappearing , Naruto goes back inside and starts cleaning up dishes .
Simba , Raven and Sadako already ate and now sleepping tiredly , After Hattori sensei found out about his Ninja beasts , he also starts training his beasts with him , now They all train under Hattori Sensei .
Hattori also hinted his capability as a Shinobi in many situations in these two months.
( A subtle way to influence me .....but he didn't know what I myself thought )
After Washing the dishes , Naruto heads to the Bathroom to take a bath . Sitting in the Bathtub , Naruto looks above and remembered The Hokage's reaction because of his early Graduation .
( OC Naruto failed 3 times but was still in the same class as sasuke ....because he applied for early graduation three times )
The Hokage reacted and worried because he knew that 'Naruto' is able to graduate easily .
But The Hokage and Hattori didn't know that
Naruto didn't have any plans for graduation , but just because he didn't want to doesn't mean 'The Naruto' doesn't
( it's natural for Naruto to become a Shinobi early , It will be strange if he didn't want to , especially with his nature )
It's not that there are no benefits in graduating early , if he get graduated then he will have much more freedom , new locations to sign-in and it's not like there will be no guards around .
As a Jinchuriki there is no way that the Village will let the Jinchuriki out alone , but today was just a probe , the reason to apply for Graduation , is to see the attitude of the village otherwise .
( Graduation means new Sign-in location ...otherwise Please give me some Bribery Hokage-sama )
Naruto gets out of the bath and heads to his bedroom while drying his hair with a towel .
( B-Rank ....Shadow Clone Jutsu ...what a jackpot )
Even though Naruto was happy , he remained calm inside
( I hope Grandpa doesn't pull some strings and there is no option to exchange it later )
Naruto slept and remembered the Final exams that are just after this sunday .
( today is Thursday ....well let's revise again , who knows if Grandpa makes an extreamly hard exam )
Deciding to not take any risks , Naruto gets up and starts to study the 4th year materials . While studying Naruto remembered
( The Overdrive Jutsu ...... When is he Gonna teach me ?? it's already two months , He keeps stalling again and again ....as expected of Third Hokage ...!!)
Naruto grumbled and starts focusing on the studies .
The Hokage watched Naruto from the Window from some distance , looking at him studying while grumbling , He smiled and flickered away .
( Everything for the Village )