I didn't expect this thread to come back to life. At least not untill I had the prologue done.
a) Hes hiding his ability, intentionally masquerading as the worst ninja in class, in an effort to be on a more balanced team.
Naruto has a not quite so friendly rivalry with Sasuke, and one of them gets the tar beaten out of him, right before the genin exam, causing him to perform to a much lower standard then normal. The winner takes rookie of the year, the loser is labeled dead last.
Not going to happen. But having Naruto training so hard he is tired enough to sleep though any classes he doesn't like and having a poor performance in the more physical classes (like taijutsu) is something I considered before. Also, I said I would make him a bit smarter, but not much, and I wouldn't want to make him a genius.
c) Sakura probably wouldnt change too much, unless you want her to like Naruto.
There's no reason to change the fact most gilrs like Sasuke.
d) Chouji and Naruto could be better friends. Youve stated that Naruto still has his love for ramen, so he and Chouji might very well take that as common ground. If thats the case, then Naruto would be privy to the Shika-Ino-Chou friendship,
Chouji and Shikamaru being his best friends is something I considered from the beggining. Just because he isn't hated doesn't mean he has dozens of good friends. Take a look at Iruka's childhood.
e) I see Iruka can go two ways: He either becomes a father figure for a fellow orphan, leaving their relationship relatively untouched, despite having developed earlier, or else Iruka doesnt see himself in Naruto, and their relationship never develops beyond student/teacher.
The first option is out, I need Naruto to seek anyone who is willing to teach him anything. With Iruka as a father figure, I don't think it would work. Maybe a favorite student as a fellow orphan of Kyuubi?
f) I dont see the Sandaime Hokage changing at all. He wouldnt have to defend Naruto, but given his personality, hed still watch out for the boy.
Having Naruto being the Fourth's son. the Third feels he owes the Fourth at least some time with his son.
g) Hinata probably wont look at Naruto the same way. I have a suspicion that the reason Hinata is originally attracted to Naruto is because hes both an outcast, like her, and hes not beaten down by because of it. Your Naruto isnt as likely to be an outcast. Hes probably viewed as being annoying, but hated/despised? Probably not. So Hinata, when interacting with Naruto probably wont faint, blush (as much), or stalk/avoid him the same way. They could even be (gasp) friends.
I forgot about her, thanks for reminding me. IF she were to still have enough of her crush to follow him around, she should be able to learn the tree climbing and water walking he will be doing still in the academy using her byakugan, and possibly become far stronger than she is in canon. But, should I do it?
3) Canon plot line
Just one point to cover under this topic. If Naruto is in fact calmer, would they end up fighting Haku and Zabuza? Or would Naruto keep his mouth shut for that one critical time? Personally, I hate how alternate history fics almost always have Narutos team put on that mission, even when his personality has changed to the point where theres absolutely NO reason for them to be put on that particular C rank.
I have been thinking about it. Suggestions for a C rank mission? It has to be somewhat short, because they will go later than in canon and have less time before the chuunin exam. And before anyone asks, yes, I will have the rookie nine again in the chuunin exam.
Anyway, despite the time this thread has been inactive, I just wanted to put my thoughts down. I like the idea of the fic, Im just curious to see how it gets presented in the final draft. Good luck!
Thanks. All input is appreciated, whether I use it or not.
I just can't see Naruto without Kage Bunshin, I even worked out an obvious way to make them explode with lightning instead of fire and being easy enough for Naruto to learn on his own. The problem is finding someone to teach him, or a way to have him learn it.
One question. I can easily picture Naruto meeting Gai and Lee, probably when they're running laps around Konoha. Should it be done? I can easily see Lee and Naruto as friends. Also, failing every other idea I had, Gai probably knows Kage Bunshin, both because it seem to be a rather common for a kinjutsu, and because it would be a good techinique to be used with taijutsu, IF the user has enough chakra.
Is it me or some of you are wondering what will be the main pairing for this fic?
I like Naru/Ino, but I don't intend to have any pairings in this.
If anyone wants to know, I started writing the prologue about two weeks ago, but I'm very, very slow at writing. I'm still at the first scene