Danke to Shirotsume for betaing what I presented him after one and a half years of writing hiatus. What a guy.
This begins at Naruto's pre-little shit stage.
One, two, three, four. An easy activity for children to take up when bored was to count their steps. Paved surfaces always turned out to be more fun, because then they could try to fit the exact same amount of steps between dividers on cement. That would be a first exercise in controlling their gait and pacing.
Naruto, and many children in Konoha, had to make do with just straight-up counting. Sometimes he'd count the amount of steps between intersections; two-hundred steps as the length of a particular stretch of road is hardly the use of a perfectly objective unit of measure, but Naruto really didn't care much. Walking wasn't tiring and he had all the time in the world to walk to wherever he needed to go.
All the time in the world – that was a funny thing. As an academy student, Naruto had classmates that complained about not having enough time in their days to hang out, do homework, go to classes, and sleep. Adults worked and slept like clockwork sometimes, like they never had free time. He'd met the Hokage a few times, a kind old man that never seemed to do anything but sit in his office and write. That man seemed busy a full hundred-percent of the time, and he'd bet the masked guards around him stood at attention all day every day.
That was his career goal, though, to be a ninja like one of those guys. He hoped he was never that busy, to spend so much... time... doing things. Because then he'd have no time to do what he wanted. Like right now – Naruto began the Academy only weeks ago. While some kids bemoaned their lost time, he went for the morning and afternoon, then spent his day doing whatever he wanted. He stayed on top of his work so far, and he was proud of that – but only because he had so much time to do what he wanted that he didn't even need to worry or rush about it. Time moved leisurely for him, and so did he through his days.
And pondering time, Naruto found a new unit of measurement on that day on the road: steps per seconds. He had to amend that: not quite steps per seconds, because he wasn't that good at counting time. But he wanted to give it a try anyway! One two, three four, five six. On his rough estimate, he was walking two steps a second. Naruto wondered if that was impressive, and looked down at his feet to speed up his gait. He was walking comfortably through the market district of Konoha, heading to his apartment after a day at the academy. He wasn't hurrying; maybe if he walked a little faster he could do three in a second?
He was sat on the earthen road beneath, and a cacophony of movement overtook his vision. Clattering hooves stomped down on the ground, accompanied by whinnying from above. Creaking wood and snapping leather followed alongside a furiously-spinning wooden wheel. This took less than a second – about a comfortable step – to pass, and then he goggled at a growing dust cloud as he felt an ache bloom on his left shoulder. He barely had time to react, taking in a deep breath that would've fueled a scream hadn't he inhaled a lungful of dust.
The boy hacked and coughed, legs kicking out and hands holding his throat. He'd panic if he had the chance, but laying on a dirt road coughing his lungs out was taking up all of his attention at the moment. As he rolled on the ground, he bumped into something solid, and looked up with teary eyes.
Silently as any other of the statuesque sentinels he'd seen over his life, stood an ANBU ninja. His mask followed the cart that had almost trampled Naruto Uzumaki for a few moments, then turned to face the boy – who responded in a like manner, eyes round. The ninja proffered a hand and then suddenly Naruto stood again. “Thank you so much oh-â€
“If you had been a smidgen faster, I'd be picking your carcass off the ground rather than pulling you up.†The ninja interrupted his torrent of words. “I wouldn't have been able to drag you back. Take more care when you're on the streets looking down at your feet. Good ninja don't get crushed by merchant carts, remember that.†The ANBU patted his head with a huge hand that had just made him feel weightless, but now pushed down on his legs like a baby elephant stepped on him. With a parting nod, the figure turned, Naruto following him with wide eyes, and blurred out of existence.
In the distance, he thought he saw a slight movement on the roof of a far-off building. He could bet that was the ninja.
He wondered how long that'd have taken him in Naruto-steps, rather than the half-moment it did in ANBU-teleports? How many ANBU-teleports would take up a second, anyway?
Naruto coughed, then turned and began walking. Thoughts of times and rates filled his mind.
-----
The Academy's administrative wing was very nicely-furnished. There were no flaws to be seen in the floor, in the curved cream walls, or on the furniture dotting the building. Naruto was a kid, but this was a slice of the adult world, and he had to act accordingly. He stepped away from the busy foyer towards the reception desk.
“Can I go upstairs to the Hokage's office?â€
The man with a grey beard, garbed in a Chunin vest, stood and leaned over the desk to see the tiny kid talking to him. His smile waned as Naruto squinted back at him. This was the adult world, though, and so he acted accordingly. “Do you have an appointment?â€
“Can I make one for right now?â€
“... No.â€
“How about this time tomorrow?†The child tilted his head. The ninja frowned, but leaned back and flipped through a notebook on his workspace. The Hokage seemed to be free at the moment, and at the moment on the next day.
“I would go up and ask his secretary.â€
“Okay! Thanks mister!†A blinding grin followed this response, before the little kid scurried away. The ninja groaned, easing back into his chair. It was hard to be rude at that little ball of goddamned sunshine, hard as he tried. A small part of him hoped the kid wouldn't be rebutted by the Hokage's secretary.
At this point Naruto had moved on to said secretary, who raised an eyebrow at the small child by her desk. She idly scanned the floor for parents, before realizing who stood before her.
“You're here to meet the Hokage, I presume?†She recognized the child, partially from the Hokage's infrequent habit of bringing him back here. She pushed a lock of brown hair that'd escaped her tight bun behind her ear and pulled her glasses back, facing him directly.
“Yes ma'am. The mister at the front told me to check with you to make an appointment. Can I meet the Hokage this time tomorrow?â€
What an odd kid. She checked the folders on her desk, then peered over at him. “He's available right now, actually. Would you like to meet with him now?â€
Big blue eyes blinked twice, cartoonishly. “Oh wow, that's great! Yes, I want to.â€
The woman nodded, then stood up. Naruto was really a small child; she was a petite woman and he was both significantly thinner and shorter than her waist. She pushed open the thick doors to the village's leader's office with a curious ease, and called inside. “Hokage-sama, Naruto Uzumaki wants to meet you.†She looked back at him. “He should be free for the next forty minutes.†She pushed the door further to allow him passage, then walked back to her station.
“Naruto!†The Hokage's voice was filled with joy. “It's good to see you. I haven't seen you in so long; you have recently begun the Academy; how are you handling it?â€
“Hey old man!†Naruto waved, running up towards the man's desk and planting himself on a seat. “The Academy is going great! I'm on top of my homework and my first test is next week, it's gonna go great!†As soon as his piece was done, Naruto looked around from atop his perch. The Hokage's office wasn't anything particularly interesting, unless one could read all the books and scrolls lying around on its floor. They were closed, so he simply squinted at the sheer mass of them. Naruto imagined the Hokage seemed so happy mostly because he wouldn't have to work while on a meeting.
The Hokage smiled, watching the child do what children did. “It's good you're excited, but make sure you're ready for that test. You don't want to start off your career on a bad note.†Naruto nodded enthusiastically. “So, why have you come here today? I always love an update from an up-and-coming ninja, but is there anything you need?†His features darkened somewhat. “Are you getting along with your classmates and teachers well?â€
Naruto's face took an absentminded quality. “Well, old man, there is something I need. I was thinking about teleporting.â€
The Hokage leaned back, smile drooping. “What about it?â€
“I want to teleport.†He crinkled his nose. “Ninja can do it, like your ANBU ninjas. When do you think I'll learn that in the Academy?â€
“In a few years, if you stick to it. You're thinking of the Kawarimi. That allows you to teleport and replace yourself with something that's the same size as you.â€
“No, just kind of disappear and show up somewhere else. I was on the street and saw this guy from there to way over there to the top of some building.†He opened his arms wide at 'way', enunciating loudly.
“Ah, that's the Shunshin, Naruto. That's a much higher-level technique that you won't ever learn in the Academy. I'd suggest learning your Academy basics before you get started thinking about stuff like that. But if you're really interested...†He winked at Naruto. “I could teach you Shunshin if you master Kawarimi. It's a basic technique for high-level ninja.â€
“Wow, really old man? That's so awesome!â€
-----
Naruto was a model student as much as a child could be. He answered correctly when called upon, he did his work and had limitless energy when exercising with the class. Thus, when he approached his first instructor, Chunin Iruka Umino, asking about jutsus, he didn't shrug him off as he might've liked. Naruto was levelheaded as far as children could go, and despite any grudges he might want to hold, from the past few weeks he'd seen nothing but positivity from the young boy.
As opposed to a troublemaker or an angry child, he saw a kid on top of his priorities with nothing but cheer to show for it. That went a long way in allaying his grudges; Naruto was not focused like a Hyuuga or Aburame, but it seemed like he used his time wisely instead of playing around, and that was a big start for a prospective ninja. So instead of growling at him to leave, Iruka held himself back, wondering what was going on in his little head, and tried to help.
It was also his duty, the one he'd sworn by, to support his students, and so he would – regardless of whom they were.
“What jutsu are you curious about, Naruto?†He asked neutrally, keeping the steel from his voice. The boy had a shy smile on his face, and he could hear his feet scuffing on the floor.
“I asked old man Hokage-â€
“Hokage-sama, Naruto.†He automatically corrected, somewhat aware of the boy's connection to the village leader. “Don't forget to respect your elders, even if they're your friends.†He dispensed his wisdom, then gestured for the boy to continue.
“Sorry, Umino-sensei.†He bowed slightly. Iruka nodded. “I asked Hokage-sama about a jutsu that I saw an ANBU use, and he suggested it was Kawarimi, which is one of the Academy basics. Turns out it wasn't but I actually really want to learn Kawarimi anyway because it looked really cool and if they're the same then-†Iruka held up his hand and Naruto's jaw clicked shut.
“Your class won't be learning Kawarimi for quite a while. You're just not ready for that yet. You don't even really know what a jutsu really is yet; I can't go and teach you one in my right mind.â€
Naruto contemplated this for a few moments. Iruka found it curious to see a child stop and think, but waited.
“If I work really hard and read ahead and get everything I need to get and learn everything I need to, will you teach me Kawarimi early?†He squinted and gave Iruka his biggest smile.
The teacher regarded the child in front of him. He pushed his issues aside – it was his duty to make this child everything he could be. Part of him wondered what would happen to him if he was handed to some instructor who really didn't want him to succeed, who let their feelings get in the way of their job.
Naruto, as a student, had come up with all of his homework thus far. Iruka thought from what he'd seen that Naruto was the real deal – he worked lackadaisically but seemed creative as a student. From that, he thought that after he sent the students' first tests in to be graded by the administration, after which they'd get put into classes corresponding with their aptitude, Naruto could certainly get transferred to one of the higher-level classes if his academic drive was really there, beyond simple competence. From his work and from his in-class performance he looked golden, but testing was another world entirely, where in-depth knowledge was valued most. Of course, that test would definitely influence where he would go and when he would be moving ahead.
His test would definitely be watched closely, given this initiative he could see in Naruto. His grudge was pushed back further – from their first personal interaction, Naruto was taking a strong initiative to improve. He had to respect that, at least.
“Well, I don't see why not, Naruto. Just stick to your promise and work hard. If I see you in the advanced classes after your first test, I'll get you ready and teach you Kawarimi.†He smiled, genuinely, and Naruto beamed back.
Naruto just could not wait to cut out every second he'd need taking slow steps. If he could teleport, he could just cross the road before the cart was even on the same street.
It's been a while. This will actually be pretty brief. So well, tell me what you think, it's been a while since I've tested my writing chops.
This begins at Naruto's pre-little shit stage.
One, two, three, four. An easy activity for children to take up when bored was to count their steps. Paved surfaces always turned out to be more fun, because then they could try to fit the exact same amount of steps between dividers on cement. That would be a first exercise in controlling their gait and pacing.
Naruto, and many children in Konoha, had to make do with just straight-up counting. Sometimes he'd count the amount of steps between intersections; two-hundred steps as the length of a particular stretch of road is hardly the use of a perfectly objective unit of measure, but Naruto really didn't care much. Walking wasn't tiring and he had all the time in the world to walk to wherever he needed to go.
All the time in the world – that was a funny thing. As an academy student, Naruto had classmates that complained about not having enough time in their days to hang out, do homework, go to classes, and sleep. Adults worked and slept like clockwork sometimes, like they never had free time. He'd met the Hokage a few times, a kind old man that never seemed to do anything but sit in his office and write. That man seemed busy a full hundred-percent of the time, and he'd bet the masked guards around him stood at attention all day every day.
That was his career goal, though, to be a ninja like one of those guys. He hoped he was never that busy, to spend so much... time... doing things. Because then he'd have no time to do what he wanted. Like right now – Naruto began the Academy only weeks ago. While some kids bemoaned their lost time, he went for the morning and afternoon, then spent his day doing whatever he wanted. He stayed on top of his work so far, and he was proud of that – but only because he had so much time to do what he wanted that he didn't even need to worry or rush about it. Time moved leisurely for him, and so did he through his days.
And pondering time, Naruto found a new unit of measurement on that day on the road: steps per seconds. He had to amend that: not quite steps per seconds, because he wasn't that good at counting time. But he wanted to give it a try anyway! One two, three four, five six. On his rough estimate, he was walking two steps a second. Naruto wondered if that was impressive, and looked down at his feet to speed up his gait. He was walking comfortably through the market district of Konoha, heading to his apartment after a day at the academy. He wasn't hurrying; maybe if he walked a little faster he could do three in a second?
He was sat on the earthen road beneath, and a cacophony of movement overtook his vision. Clattering hooves stomped down on the ground, accompanied by whinnying from above. Creaking wood and snapping leather followed alongside a furiously-spinning wooden wheel. This took less than a second – about a comfortable step – to pass, and then he goggled at a growing dust cloud as he felt an ache bloom on his left shoulder. He barely had time to react, taking in a deep breath that would've fueled a scream hadn't he inhaled a lungful of dust.
The boy hacked and coughed, legs kicking out and hands holding his throat. He'd panic if he had the chance, but laying on a dirt road coughing his lungs out was taking up all of his attention at the moment. As he rolled on the ground, he bumped into something solid, and looked up with teary eyes.
Silently as any other of the statuesque sentinels he'd seen over his life, stood an ANBU ninja. His mask followed the cart that had almost trampled Naruto Uzumaki for a few moments, then turned to face the boy – who responded in a like manner, eyes round. The ninja proffered a hand and then suddenly Naruto stood again. “Thank you so much oh-â€
“If you had been a smidgen faster, I'd be picking your carcass off the ground rather than pulling you up.†The ninja interrupted his torrent of words. “I wouldn't have been able to drag you back. Take more care when you're on the streets looking down at your feet. Good ninja don't get crushed by merchant carts, remember that.†The ANBU patted his head with a huge hand that had just made him feel weightless, but now pushed down on his legs like a baby elephant stepped on him. With a parting nod, the figure turned, Naruto following him with wide eyes, and blurred out of existence.
In the distance, he thought he saw a slight movement on the roof of a far-off building. He could bet that was the ninja.
He wondered how long that'd have taken him in Naruto-steps, rather than the half-moment it did in ANBU-teleports? How many ANBU-teleports would take up a second, anyway?
Naruto coughed, then turned and began walking. Thoughts of times and rates filled his mind.
-----
The Academy's administrative wing was very nicely-furnished. There were no flaws to be seen in the floor, in the curved cream walls, or on the furniture dotting the building. Naruto was a kid, but this was a slice of the adult world, and he had to act accordingly. He stepped away from the busy foyer towards the reception desk.
“Can I go upstairs to the Hokage's office?â€
The man with a grey beard, garbed in a Chunin vest, stood and leaned over the desk to see the tiny kid talking to him. His smile waned as Naruto squinted back at him. This was the adult world, though, and so he acted accordingly. “Do you have an appointment?â€
“Can I make one for right now?â€
“... No.â€
“How about this time tomorrow?†The child tilted his head. The ninja frowned, but leaned back and flipped through a notebook on his workspace. The Hokage seemed to be free at the moment, and at the moment on the next day.
“I would go up and ask his secretary.â€
“Okay! Thanks mister!†A blinding grin followed this response, before the little kid scurried away. The ninja groaned, easing back into his chair. It was hard to be rude at that little ball of goddamned sunshine, hard as he tried. A small part of him hoped the kid wouldn't be rebutted by the Hokage's secretary.
At this point Naruto had moved on to said secretary, who raised an eyebrow at the small child by her desk. She idly scanned the floor for parents, before realizing who stood before her.
“You're here to meet the Hokage, I presume?†She recognized the child, partially from the Hokage's infrequent habit of bringing him back here. She pushed a lock of brown hair that'd escaped her tight bun behind her ear and pulled her glasses back, facing him directly.
“Yes ma'am. The mister at the front told me to check with you to make an appointment. Can I meet the Hokage this time tomorrow?â€
What an odd kid. She checked the folders on her desk, then peered over at him. “He's available right now, actually. Would you like to meet with him now?â€
Big blue eyes blinked twice, cartoonishly. “Oh wow, that's great! Yes, I want to.â€
The woman nodded, then stood up. Naruto was really a small child; she was a petite woman and he was both significantly thinner and shorter than her waist. She pushed open the thick doors to the village's leader's office with a curious ease, and called inside. “Hokage-sama, Naruto Uzumaki wants to meet you.†She looked back at him. “He should be free for the next forty minutes.†She pushed the door further to allow him passage, then walked back to her station.
“Naruto!†The Hokage's voice was filled with joy. “It's good to see you. I haven't seen you in so long; you have recently begun the Academy; how are you handling it?â€
“Hey old man!†Naruto waved, running up towards the man's desk and planting himself on a seat. “The Academy is going great! I'm on top of my homework and my first test is next week, it's gonna go great!†As soon as his piece was done, Naruto looked around from atop his perch. The Hokage's office wasn't anything particularly interesting, unless one could read all the books and scrolls lying around on its floor. They were closed, so he simply squinted at the sheer mass of them. Naruto imagined the Hokage seemed so happy mostly because he wouldn't have to work while on a meeting.
The Hokage smiled, watching the child do what children did. “It's good you're excited, but make sure you're ready for that test. You don't want to start off your career on a bad note.†Naruto nodded enthusiastically. “So, why have you come here today? I always love an update from an up-and-coming ninja, but is there anything you need?†His features darkened somewhat. “Are you getting along with your classmates and teachers well?â€
Naruto's face took an absentminded quality. “Well, old man, there is something I need. I was thinking about teleporting.â€
The Hokage leaned back, smile drooping. “What about it?â€
“I want to teleport.†He crinkled his nose. “Ninja can do it, like your ANBU ninjas. When do you think I'll learn that in the Academy?â€
“In a few years, if you stick to it. You're thinking of the Kawarimi. That allows you to teleport and replace yourself with something that's the same size as you.â€
“No, just kind of disappear and show up somewhere else. I was on the street and saw this guy from there to way over there to the top of some building.†He opened his arms wide at 'way', enunciating loudly.
“Ah, that's the Shunshin, Naruto. That's a much higher-level technique that you won't ever learn in the Academy. I'd suggest learning your Academy basics before you get started thinking about stuff like that. But if you're really interested...†He winked at Naruto. “I could teach you Shunshin if you master Kawarimi. It's a basic technique for high-level ninja.â€
“Wow, really old man? That's so awesome!â€
-----
Naruto was a model student as much as a child could be. He answered correctly when called upon, he did his work and had limitless energy when exercising with the class. Thus, when he approached his first instructor, Chunin Iruka Umino, asking about jutsus, he didn't shrug him off as he might've liked. Naruto was levelheaded as far as children could go, and despite any grudges he might want to hold, from the past few weeks he'd seen nothing but positivity from the young boy.
As opposed to a troublemaker or an angry child, he saw a kid on top of his priorities with nothing but cheer to show for it. That went a long way in allaying his grudges; Naruto was not focused like a Hyuuga or Aburame, but it seemed like he used his time wisely instead of playing around, and that was a big start for a prospective ninja. So instead of growling at him to leave, Iruka held himself back, wondering what was going on in his little head, and tried to help.
It was also his duty, the one he'd sworn by, to support his students, and so he would – regardless of whom they were.
“What jutsu are you curious about, Naruto?†He asked neutrally, keeping the steel from his voice. The boy had a shy smile on his face, and he could hear his feet scuffing on the floor.
“I asked old man Hokage-â€
“Hokage-sama, Naruto.†He automatically corrected, somewhat aware of the boy's connection to the village leader. “Don't forget to respect your elders, even if they're your friends.†He dispensed his wisdom, then gestured for the boy to continue.
“Sorry, Umino-sensei.†He bowed slightly. Iruka nodded. “I asked Hokage-sama about a jutsu that I saw an ANBU use, and he suggested it was Kawarimi, which is one of the Academy basics. Turns out it wasn't but I actually really want to learn Kawarimi anyway because it looked really cool and if they're the same then-†Iruka held up his hand and Naruto's jaw clicked shut.
“Your class won't be learning Kawarimi for quite a while. You're just not ready for that yet. You don't even really know what a jutsu really is yet; I can't go and teach you one in my right mind.â€
Naruto contemplated this for a few moments. Iruka found it curious to see a child stop and think, but waited.
“If I work really hard and read ahead and get everything I need to get and learn everything I need to, will you teach me Kawarimi early?†He squinted and gave Iruka his biggest smile.
The teacher regarded the child in front of him. He pushed his issues aside – it was his duty to make this child everything he could be. Part of him wondered what would happen to him if he was handed to some instructor who really didn't want him to succeed, who let their feelings get in the way of their job.
Naruto, as a student, had come up with all of his homework thus far. Iruka thought from what he'd seen that Naruto was the real deal – he worked lackadaisically but seemed creative as a student. From that, he thought that after he sent the students' first tests in to be graded by the administration, after which they'd get put into classes corresponding with their aptitude, Naruto could certainly get transferred to one of the higher-level classes if his academic drive was really there, beyond simple competence. From his work and from his in-class performance he looked golden, but testing was another world entirely, where in-depth knowledge was valued most. Of course, that test would definitely influence where he would go and when he would be moving ahead.
His test would definitely be watched closely, given this initiative he could see in Naruto. His grudge was pushed back further – from their first personal interaction, Naruto was taking a strong initiative to improve. He had to respect that, at least.
“Well, I don't see why not, Naruto. Just stick to your promise and work hard. If I see you in the advanced classes after your first test, I'll get you ready and teach you Kawarimi.†He smiled, genuinely, and Naruto beamed back.
Naruto just could not wait to cut out every second he'd need taking slow steps. If he could teleport, he could just cross the road before the cart was even on the same street.
It's been a while. This will actually be pretty brief. So well, tell me what you think, it's been a while since I've tested my writing chops.