Chapter Three: Gennin exams, A friend in need.

Shizune held up a stopwatch for the four in front of her to see, "Ready everyone?" She asked.

Naruto nodded as he lifted his hands to form a basic hand seal, "Ready Nee-chan!" he exclaimed.

Sasuke formed the same seal and merely nodded.

Shino merely lifted his hands out of his jacket pockets.

Hinata formed two hand seals before holding a third.

"GO!" Shizune exclaimed as she clicked the button on top of the watch.

"SUBSTITUTION JUTSU!"

All four academy students disappeared in a puff of smoke, replacing themselves with a Log before they all jumped into the clearing again while forming hand seals.

"TRANSFORMATION JUTU!"

After another puff of smoke, Shizune was surrounded by four copies of her, Shizune looked over all of them with a sharp eye for a full second before nodding, allowing the three of them to form hand seals once more.

"CLONE JUTSU!"

"INSECT CLONE JUTSU!"

Shizune nodded as Sasuke, Hinata, and Shino's clones popped into existence, though she frowned at the seven dud-clones that Naruto barely managed to produce, the four hesitated for a moment, "Don't stop! Keep going!" Shizune ordered.

The four moved a few steps closer to Shizune to stop next to each of their individual ink-pots, quickly kneeling to write out the storage seal. In fifteen seconds, Naruto finished his seal and sealsedthe ink pot into it. In twenty-seven seconds, Hinata finished with Sasuke only a few seconds behind her. Shino was the last to finish at forty seconds exactly.

The moment Shino finished, he stood up, that being the signal that they all begun a Ninjutsu to show their use of an Alternate Chakra Type. Shino's was the fastest to activate considering his bug clone just lost it's form and flew back into Shino's body.

Hinata made a single handed seal, "BYAKUGAN!" she exclaimed, showing her bloodline as an Alternate.

Sasuke was the first one to turn away from the group as he formed a quick series of well practised hand seals, "FIRE STYLE: FIREBALL JUTSU!"

Naruto turned as well, his cheeks bulging as he felt the chakra build up in his throat, "NINJA ART: POISON FOG JUTSU!"

*Click*

The academy kids turned to a smiling Shizune, "In total, seventy eight seconds." Shizune said before showing them the face of the watch, "Yeah I'd say you're ready. You guys are basically guaranteed to pass!" She said to the group.

Sasuke smirked confidently while Shino nodded. Though Hinata looked over worriedly at Naruto, who was looking over at the only deformed clone that still was in existence, 'Naruto-kun still can't do the clones...what do we do?' she thought, hoping to find a way to help her new friend in some way.

Shizune pocketed the stop watch, "Okay guys! That covers all the academy stuff I think, you looking forward to the first tests tomorrow?" She asked.

Sasuke raised a brow, "It's only the written tests." he said.

Shino nodded in agreement, "It would be quite shocking that we'd be looking forward to a test. Why? Because it's a seemingly unnecessary challenge that we've taken part in hundreds of times in the academy." He explained.

Shizune just smiled at the boy, 'What am I supposed to say to that?' she thought before waving it off, "Maaaah, y'know what I mean. Good luck tomorrow and maybe I'll see you when you're all gennin?" she asked hopefully.

Sasuke and Hinata instantly nodded while Shino tilted his head, "It would be unlikely, as you are a Tokubetsu Jonin the odds of working together is minimal at this point in time." Shino said calmly.

Shizune just sighed and decided to annoy Shino by hugging him to shut him up, "Okay Shino-kun." she said as she shut him up by shoving his face into her chest, it worked.

Sasuke bowed politely, "Thanks sensei." Sasuke said simply before he began to walk off home.

Shizune frowned as she placed Shino back on his feet, causing the bug user's eyebrows to stay in a permanent furrow as he began to march off after Sasuke.

Shizune turned to Hinata only to see her still watching Naruto, and that he had only just managed to focus enough to dispel the illusion that was the clone, causing him to sigh before he turned back, seeing Hinata and Shizune watching him, "What?" he asked before smiling and pretending there was nothing wrong.

Hinata shook her head, "N-nothing! I was just umm," she paused for a moment before nodding in the general direction his clones were in, "Wondering how much progress you've made w-with your back-up plan?" She asked quietly.

Shizune smiled softly at that while Naruto grinned, "Yeah! Kaa-san is gonna get me started tomorrow afternoon on this other clone thing. I'll be ready for the practical exam in three days, believe it!" He promised with a smile so wide that his eyes were forced shut.

Shizune's gaze suddenly turned to a glare, "Naruto!" she exclaimed.

Hinata and Naruto both jumped at her shout, making his smile fade as he saw Shizune's angry and hurt gaze, Naruto looked down at his feet, "Sorry Nee-chan." he said softly.

Shizune smiled and walked over to Naruto, hugging him softly, "It's okay Naruto, just stop doing that please? You don't need to hide yourself from your friends and you promised you'd never hide behind that mask around Tsunade-sama or me." She said softly.

Hinata blinked in confusion, "A-ano, what's wrong?" she asked timidly.

Naruto stepped away from Shizune and shook his head, "N-Nothing really Hinata, I just umm, just a moment of weakness on my part." Naruto said with a small but very much real smile.

Hinata smiled too and nodded.

"Hinata-sama."

The three of them turned to see someone who was obviously a Hyuuga, "Kenta-san." Hinata said with a polite bow.

Kenta smiled softly, very much grateful for the timid and now worn out Hinata, "Hiashi-sama was expecting you to be home nearly an hour ago." He lied.

Hinata paled drastically, "W-W-what?" she asked before she looked to Shizune, "I-I have to go Sensei, Naruto-kun." she said before running off, Kenta staying in her shadow as they sprinted towards the back gate of the new Senju complex.

Naruto watched on with an odd foreboding feeling as she disappeared, 'Get home safely Hinata-chan.' Naruto thought to himself before looking up at Shizune, "Sorry about before Nee-chan, I still get nervous and it just happens I guess." He said with a shrug.

Shizune sighed, "Well, you know what your punishment is." she said with a smile as she folded her arms.

Naruto groaned, "But I don't wanna bathe Tonton!"

#########

"Goodnight Naruto-kun, you don't have to wait up for Tsunade-sama you know." Shizune said with her head sticking out Naruto's balcony door.

The little blonde looked up at her and smiled, "I know, but I want to," he said before sinking further into his chair, "It's nice here too." he said absent-mindedly.

Shizune smiled at him, 'Sometimes he acts so much older than he is.' she thought as he turned and smiled to her again.

"Night Nee-chan."

"Night Naruto-kun."

Naruto smiled politely as Shizune walked away, though the moment she closed the door behind her, Naruto's expression became one of intense focus as he looked at the Hokage monument again, 'Shisui Uchiha...' Naruto thought as he closed his normal eye, his Sharingan morphing slowly as he began to pant heavily.

#########

Flashback

"It really is cool y'know?" I said as I turned to my friend.

Itachi merely nodded, "You just want your face on the mountainside. I don't see why, being Hokage means you're mostly stuck in that office doing paperwork."

I couldn't hold back my laugh at that, "C'mon Itachi, I know you're still a kid but you're way smarter then that!" Itachi looked at me with a blank expression, then his brow furrowed, "Seriously? You don't get it?" I couldn't believe it!

Itachi just raised a brow at me, "Dude, out of everyone I thought you would've known," I started before feeling that this was quite important. I leant closer to ensure he was actually focussed on me, "To become Hokage, you have to be the fastest, the strongest and above all, the most giving." I told him.

Itachi looked forward at the Hokage monument, "The most giving... I don't understand." he said simply.

I couldn't hold in my sigh, "Itachi, what you willing to give for this village?" I asked him.

Something in him changed.

I saw it, I felt it. He looked exactly the same, but his aura was different, his presence was different. This is what he was like before they pulled him out of the ANBU program...

"I would give my life and as many of the enemy's as necessary to ensure Konohagakure will stay peaceful."

Shit, I believed him.

#########

Naruto gasped as his Mangekyou faded back to a normal Sharingan, causing him to put a hand over his eye in pain, 'This Shisui was an interesting guy. And to think he knew Sasuke and Itachi too.' Naruto thought to himself as he closed his Sharingan eye.

"Have fun with that?"

Naruto looked to his right to see a tired looking Tsunade had at some point sat next to him and poured her own drink from his bottle, "Not really Kaa-san, it hurts when I activate the next stage, but as long as I don't try any special stuff with it it won't stop working for me right?" Naruto asked.

Tsunade sighed, "Well, basically yes, but there's so much more to it then that Naruto-chan." she said tiredly as she slumped further into the chair.

Naruto tilted his head as he sat up and looked at her, "Kaa-san, what's with all the blood?" he asked.

Tsunade looked down at her shirt and closed her eyes to suppress the urge to throw up, "Just as I was leaving work..." she glanced at Naruto, "...a young girl came in with a cut that travelled from just below her jugular to the top of her pelvic region. There was also large amounts of bruising all over the body... it was rough." she said with a shake of her head.

Naruto scowled as his fists clench, "Dammit." Naruto muttered angrily.

Tsunade shook her head, "Yeah, it was pretty brutal." she said with a sigh.

Naruto felt the tears form in his eyes before he could do anything about it. He wiped his eyes clear as he glared off to the side, "When you say... pelvic region..." Naruto said as her words began to click in his mind.

Tsunade just nodded, "Yeah, exactly what you think. This is one of the reasons I hate ninjas sometimes, they just use their power to get what they want, regardless of the consequences." She said with a scowl.

Naruto pouted, sad that his mother had to go through seeing all that she had, but even more sad for the people that had already suffered. He looked around, trying to gain inspiration for a subject change before he suddenly remembered something, "Really sorry to hear that Kaa-san, but I kinda have a problem to attend to and I was hoping you'd be able to help me quickly?" Naruto asked.

Tsunade blinked tiredly, but smiled happily at the chance to help out, "Sure, what do you need?" Tsunade asked as she placed her drink down, pulling herself up into a more comfortable position.

Naruto smiled as he turned to Tsunade, "Well you know how Iruka-sensei said that I might have a Chakra mutation from our bloodline? I was wondering how we can check, cause as much as I've read, I can't think of a way to activate it without knowing already what I'm trying to activate." Naruto said as he scratched the back of his head.

Tsunade looked up in thought, "Good point, that is how they did it in the old days, but now if a person is good enough at being a medic, they know how to channel a patient's chakra into a physical state for analysis." Tsunade explained.

Naruto's brow furrowed, "A physical state... you mean like those Chakra Crystals?" Naruto asked, remembering once when he observed Tsunade helping analyse one of the chakra poisons one of the next generation of slugs had begun to excrete. She had extracted a purple cloud of chakra before it compressed into a tiny purple crystal so that Tsunade could touch it. Then after chipping off a small chunk, Tsunade was able to analyse it under a proper microscope.

Tsunade nodded, "Exactly like those Chakra Crystals, but while in the medical environment they're called...?" She asked, hoping Naruto would be able to answer.

Naruto merely blinked with a sheepish smile, showing that he hadn't come across the term before.

Tsunade smirked, "Gems, just gems." She explained.

Naruto nodded as he recorded the words to memory, 'Gems, huh...' Naruto thought before holding a hand out to Tsunade, "So, can you do mine and see if I have one?" he asked.

Tsunade tilted her head in thought, "I can, but only if you apply for an in-village Ninja Medic License after you graduate." Tsunade offered.

Naruto frowned, knowing that before he'd been complaining about how if he registered, they might start assigning him shifts in the hospital, but a part of his mind flashed to the girl that may have been assaulted, 'If it's to help people like her, people who really need it...' Naruto thought as he looked up to meet his mother's eyes with a nod, "Yeah, I'll register as a medic-nin." Naruto promised.

Tsunade tilted her head as she looked at the determination in Naruto's eyes and his outstretched hand, she smiled as she sent chakra to her pointer finger and took Naruto's hand into her own, "Here we go, just send some chakra into your hand." She said as she put her pointer finger in the middle of Naruto's palm.

Naruto's face twitched at the small sting of pain, but he continued channelling chakra to his palm before Tsunade pressed her finger a little harder, "Ow!" Naruto exclaimed as he pulled his hand back in slight pain, the wound glowing green as he channelled his already stored medical chakra to the wound.

"Perfect." Tsunade said as she held up a small crystal into the light on Naruto's balcony.

Naruto looked up at the Gem with a smile, "Cool, how long do you think it'll take to find out?" Naruto asked.

Tsunade casually dropped the Gem into the valley of her breasts, causing Naruto to sigh as he knew that meant he'd never get it back as she spoke, "About a week, but forget about that." Tsunade said as she felt the dried blood move uncomfortably as it was soaked and now dried into her clothes. She held back some bile as she took a deep breath with her mouth, only to have a flash of the bloody academy girl she had looked after enter her mind, 'Nope, I won't be sleeping tonight.' Tsunade thought with a sigh before turning to Naruto and deciding to be productive, "So Naru-chan, how about we get started on that clone technique tonight?" she asked.

Naruto grinned, "We get to start early? Yes!" Naruto asked in excitement, 'One more jutsu on my path to becoming gennin!' Naruto thought excitedly.

Tsunade smiled softly as she watched Naruto look up at the Hokage mountains with a grin. Her eyes grew soft as she looked at Minato's face, seeing the resemblance with Naruto when he had his Genjutsu inactive. With it active, he basically looked like a mini-male Tsunade. Tsunade's smile dropped as she stood, feeling the grind of dried blood in her clothes, "Meet you in the training room soon okay? I'm just gonna change clothes first." She said before walking inside.

Naruto nodded and sprung to his feet as he grabbed the leftover drinks and glasses from his balcony, bringing them inside and placing them on his bench for Tsubaki to grab for washing later, "Kaa-san! Do I wear the restricting bracelet?" he asked as she opened his door.

Tsunade glanced over her shoulder at Naruto and shook her head, "Nah, this is like producing medical chakra, you'll need all the focus you can get initially, but once you get the hang of it, then you can try with the bracelet." Tsunade said as she stepped out.

Naruto ran into his room to get ready for some late night training, though as he went to put on his training robe, he realised the time, "Oh yeah, I gotta take them off for the night now." Naruto mumbled to himself as he lifted his foot onto a chair.

Naruto reached up his pants and undid two clasps, taking off the small set of weights from his first leg before lifting up his other one and doing the same. Naruto stretched his legs out a couple of times before nodding to himself and stretching tall with a yawn.

As he yawned, Naruto's mind flashed to the expression of sick-disgust that Tsunade showed when she had looked down at the blood on her clothes, 'Kaa-san will have nightmares again if she sleeps tonight,' he thought with a sad smile, 'But at least that means we get to train til tomorrow, our training nights always seem to cheer her up a little.' Naruto thought before turning to his wardrobe.

Pulling out his Training Robe, Naruto began to get changed as he thought about what the training would be like that night.

##########

Three Days Later...

##########

Naruto sat into his chair and leant back with a wide yawn before looking around the academy classroom, 'Still no Hinata...' Naruto thought in worry as he looked at the empty seat in front of him next to Shino.

"You think she'll make it?" Naruto asked the person next to him.

Sasuke seemed to snap back into focus as if he'd been daydreaming, "Hn?" he asked with a raised brow.

Naruto rolled his eyes, "Hinata hasn't been to train with us for a few days and she hasn't been here at the academy either, if she doesn't show up today she won't even be able to get her ninja license." Naruto explained.

Sasuke blinked before glancing at the empty chair and then looking towards the clock, "If you really cared so much why don't you go check at her compound? We still have an hour until free period is up and the test begins." Sasuke suggested, not really believing that Naruto would.

Naruto looked out the window as the same foreboding feeling from a few nights earlier set in, 'How come I feel like Hinata's been...I dunno, something...' Naruto thought.

At the sound of a chair scraping across the ground, the two looked forward to see Shino had stood up, "Unfortunately my curiosity and concern has overthrown my need to abide by the rules," Shino said calmly as he turned to Naruto, "I will come with you, I know the way." Shino said before marching off towards the classroom door.

Naruto blinked at Shino before standing and nodding, "Yeah, right behind ya Shino." Naruto said as he quickly followed, the two boys leaving the room in a matter of seconds.

Sasuke blinked as the two left before sighing as he was suddenly surrounded by the fangirls once more, 'Damn...' Sasuke thought with a sigh before trying to zone out, looking at the wall at the front of the classroom.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he watched the 'Seconds' hand on the clockface, causing Sasuke to scowl, 'That clock's frozen...' he thought before realising something, 'That means those two don't know! Shit, what time is it?' Sasuke thought as he stood, looking around the room for another clock.

##########

Shino and Naruto jumped from building to building, moving as fast as they could towards the Hyuuga complex. After a few minutes though, Shino glanced towards Naruto calmly, "Naruto, I was curious as to why you find it important for Hinata to at least be there to try. As you have not known her long, it seems illogical for you to risk being late for the gennin exam for her." Shino said, asking in his weird way.

Naruto merely shrugged, "It's my duty as a medical ninja to make sure my comrades are at top health, and how can I be expected to look after people in real life situations if I don't even try?" Naruto said before looking ahead and smiling slightly, "Besides, she's one of the first friends I've ever made, along with you and Sasuke." Naruto said with a growing smile.

Shino nodded in reply before turning to their right and making one last massive leap, "You are the third human I could call... friend." Shino said quietly, agreeing with Naruto's motives.

Naruto nodded as the two came to a stop at the front of two large gates. Shino stepped forward and bowed politely, "Good morning, we are here to ensure Hinata makes it to the academy in time for the gennin exams." Shino said without coming out from his bow.

Naruto watched as both of the Hyuuga guards looked at each other uncomfortably. There was a few moments of silence before the Hyuuga on their left sighed, "Welcome Shino-san, but Hinata-sama went through some stuff a few days ago and has yet to recover mentally. Her father has said that none are to see her." he explained.

Shino stood from his bow and then did nothing. Causing the Hyuuga men to stare at him expectantly as he tried to calmly think of a way to get to Hinata.

"Can we leave a message for her then?"

The two Hyuuga men and Shino turned to Naruto as he took a step forward, "Listen up, my name is Naruto Senju and I need to tell her some things. If I write it down can you give her the message?" Naruto asked.

The men looked at each other for a moment in thought before the one who hadn't spoken yet nodded, "I guess so..." he muttered.

Shino watched as Naruto reached into his ninja pouch and pulled out a notepad. He began writing on it as quick as he could before scribbling it out and tearing the page away. After starting again, Naruto smiled before coming to a pause in his writing and glancing at Shino and smiling wider and finishing the note.

Passing the note to the first of the two gate guards, Naruto bowed politely, "I know it might not seem like much to you guys, but even though it's not a clan practice, Hinata really tried hard to get this far at the academy," Naruto began before standing, "Please, I don't want my friend to miss something this important and regret it later."

The two guards looked at each other as Naruto stepped back by Shino's side and turned away, a moment later and Shino did the same before the two of them walked off.

After a few minutes of walking, they entered the first portion of the shopping district, meaning that they were nearing half-way of their walk back. But they came to a stop as Naruto stared at the sign of a nearby shop, "Umm, Shino?" Naruto asked.

Shino looked back, "Yes?" he asked.

Naruto pointed up at the large clock that was part of the sign, "What time does that say?" Naruto asked calmly, just in case he had misread it.

Shino turned his head and looked at the clock, "...We're late."

##########

"Now when you say 'Alternate' you mean...?"

Iruka facepalmed, "We've been through this Sasuke, what's with the 20Questions all of a sudden?" Iruka rhetorically asked.

Sasuke sat coolly in his desk, trying to keep his face blank as everyone stared at him in shock, though he wasn't sure if it was because that was the fifth time he'd asked that question, the fact he'd been asking the same repetitive questions for almost twenty minutes, or the fact that he was talking so much, "Well you haven't given me a sufficient enough answer yet so..." Sasuke muttered.

Iruka sighed and looked to the other teacher, "Are you experiencing the same thing I am right now? I think I'm going nuts!" Iruka exclaimed.

Mizuki just shrugged, "I...think so?" he asked.

*BAM*

Everyone turned as the classroom door slammed open and Naruto charged inside, "MADE IT!" he shouted before falling flat on his face.

Shino jogged in a few seconds later, merely breathing heavily as he surveyed the room. Seeing that everyone was staring at him, an experience he literally had never had before, he just took two slow steps over to an empty desk in the front row and took a seat.

Naruto pushed himself into an upright position and chuckled nervously, "Umm, sorry for being late, have you guys started?" Naruto asked as he scratched the back of his head.

The classroom was quiet for a moment until Sasuke cleared his throat, "I get it now Sensei, thanks." Sasuke said with a calm smirk.

Iruka just blinked owlishly as Naruto retreated to an empty seat next to Sasuke before sharing a bewildered look with Mizuki, who just shrugged back at him, 'Weirdest graduation day ever.' Iruka thought to himself as he lifted up a clipboard.

"Alright, if there are no more questions..." Iruka started as he pointedly staring at Sasuke as if daring him, "Then let's get started, just like with the practice tests okay? I call your name and we take you next door." Iruka explained as he pointed to the adjoined examination room.

"Okay, up first, Shino Aburame."

##########

*Knock Knock*

"Hinata-sama?"

Hinata rolled over in her bed to face the door. Her room was dark as the blinds were drawn completely, she wore her plain grey pyjama bottoms and a white tank top over a long series of bandages wrapped around her torso. Her entire frame covered by a thin sheet as her emotionless eyes were drawn to the crack in the door, "Yes?" She asked weakly.

The Hyuuga branch woman stepped into the room and closed the door behind her as she came to kneel next to Hinata's bed. Since the incident with Kenta Hyuuga, the man who saw Hinata's uncertainty about using the Caged Bird Seal and used it for his sick personal pleasure, Hinata had barely eaten enough to survive and hadn't left her room. Though according to her counsellor, that wasn't too surprising since she had just been raped, cut and beaten.

Feeling a touch on her cold hand, Hinata recoiled as she begun to listen to what the Branch member was saying, "Sorry?" Hinata asked.

The woman sighed, "Hinata-sama, a blonde boy who called himself Naruto left a note for you at the gate. He really wanted to know how you were Hinata-sama." She said pleadingly.

Hinata looked at the note as it was placed on the pillow next to her head, 'Naruto?' she thought as the Hyuuga woman moved around to the other side of the bed.

As she opened the blinds, Hinata reached up and unfolded the paper as she began to read with the help from the sun light...

##########

"Naruto Senju." Mizuki said as he stuck his head out the open door.

Naruto stood up and marched down the steps confidently. Though Sasuke and Shino both doubted his certainty since they had yet to see him perform the clone technique.

Naruto closed the door behind him as Mizuki took his seat again. Iruka begun talking the moment the door was shut, "So Naruto, are you applying for the extra credit marks?" Iruka asked.

Naruto nodded and raised his hand as it glowed green, "Medical chakra, an Alternate chakra type." Naruto said calmly before stepping over to the line of tables against the side of the room.

Mizuki and Iruka watched as Naruto unrolled a blank scroll to the first section and lifted the ink brush from the pot in front of him. Naruto got to work and in around thirty seconds, had calmly produced a Storage Seal. Naruto brought the scroll over as the ink dried, placing it in front of Iruka and Mizuki before stepping back.

Iruka placed his now empty coffee cup on the seal before sending his chakra into it.

*POOF*

"Good work Naruto." Iruka said with a smile as he wrote another tick on his check list, 'At this rate even if he can't do the clone technique he'll still pass. He's the first to have gotten one hundred percent in every exam in years.' Iruka thought as he nodded to Mizuki.

The blue haired Chunnin pulled out a blunted shuriken, "Substitution, go!" Mizuki shouted as he threw the shuriken.

Without a hand seal and within a simple puff of smoke, Naruto had replaced himself with a chair that let off a thunk as the shuriken bounced off it, earning another nod from Iruka.

As Iruka took notes on his clip board, Mizuki barked out orders for the next technique, "Transformation, go!"

Naruto formed a hand seal this time to focus on the transformation.

*POOF*

Standing in Naruto's place was Tsunade Senju, a perfect replica.

Iruka and Mizuki nodded as Iruka began to take notes, "Okay, and last but not least, a clone technique." Mizuki said with a smirk, 'Now he'll fail and considering his commitment to making Tsunade happy, he'll take my back-up test for certain.' he thought secretly.

*POOF*

As the original Naruto appeared from the smoke, he was holding a Hybrid hand seal in the shape of a cross, "SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!" Naruto announced as his chakra pushed out around him.

Iruka and Mizuki's eyes widened as eight Narutos poofed into existence, surrounding the original and showing that they were solid by having them simultaneously pull out a chair each and take a seat as he smirked, "Okay guys, we're done." Naruto said casually with a grin.

Iruka blinked in shock, "Shadow clones?! How?" Iruka asked.

Naruto grinned, "Like Kaa-san explained before Sensei, my chakra is too thick for the normal clones, so now she taught me this one instead." as his clones nodded and stood, pushing the chairs back before dispelling.

As the clone smoke wafted away, Iruka stood, dropping his clipboard as he grabbed a headband from the desk, "Here's your headband Naruto, congratulations on becoming a gennin." Iruka said with a genuine smile.

Naruto grinned as he accepted the headband, "Thanks Sensei." Naruto said as he kept it in his hand and left the room.

Closing the door behind him, Naruto turned to the class and grinned as he held up his headband in victory.

##########

*SLAM*

"Hinata-sama!"

Tears fell from her eyes as she ran towards the gate of her compound, Naruto's letter clenched in her fist.

I'm so sorry Hinata-hime, I've worked out what happened.

Hinata's Byakugan eyes spotted the Hyuuga guardsmen beginning to push the gate closed, 'I won't stay here father! I am strong enough for this!' She thought as she ran forward.

If you remember my mother, you'll remember she helped you. As her son and your friend I always will too.

"Hinata!"

But I can't help if you don't get up. I've seen it, you are stronger than this Hinata!

Glancing over her shoulder, Hinata's tears picked back up as she saw her father glaring at her from his upstairs office balcony, "Stop her!" Hiashi shouted.

Don't let that creep's actions define you, lift yourself back up to the light!

'I'm not staying here!' Hinata thought as her tears began to slow as she watched the gate closed.

This is your chance to become a gennin! To fulfil a six year goal you started when you entered the academy! You can't let him stop you!

Hinata paused as a branch member tried to grab her arm, but she ducked under the arm as she sent chakra to her feet, gliding for a moment as if skating in a spin to dodge his grab.

Please come back, come and help yourself back up onto your feet so that your friends can help you! Me, Shino and Sasuke believe in you!

The clan stared in shock as Hinata's chakra balanced under her just like the tree climbing exercise, she pushed hard and leapt up.

I promise, I will guide you. Naruto Senju will back you up one hundred percent!

Hinata landed with a roll on the roof of the building opposite her clan's compound, she stood and brushed the dirt from her pyjamas quickly as she leapt onto the main road and began running, her bare feet slapping against the ground loudly as she pushed through the crowd on her way to the academy, her Byakugan showing her the way.

##########

*CHIME*

Iruka looked up at the clock and smiled as he placed his clipboard down, "Now I officially end the day's examination, congratulations everyone!" Iruka exclaimed happily.

The classroom full of new gennin cheered and began talking animatedly once the news was shared, but Naruto and Shino shared a glance before looking at the door, unfortunately not seeing Hinata. She was too late.

"Now, since you're all just graduating, you get scaled based on the overall score of your final tests," Iruka began as he lifted up his clipboard, taking off the first sheet as he began passing them out alphabetically, "Shino, you got pretty good, above average." Iruka congratulated before moving on from Aburame to Akimichi.

Mizuki stood as well as he held up his own clip board and began clapping for attention, "Alright settle down! Our last acts as your Sensei is to inform you about Ninja registration, from three onwards the registry will be open and all you have to do is go and get your photo taken and fill out a few forms. The registry will be open for the next few days so it's no rush," Mizuki said with a shrug, "But the most important thing is to come back to the academy and meet in your original class-room at nine tomorrow morning for team assignments." Mizuki explained.

They class nodded as Iruka stood next to Mizuki, "Alright, that's it then! Off you go!" Iruka said loudly.

In an instant most had vacated the room, then the remaining girls basically chased Sasuke out as they screamed for his approval.

Naruto sighed as he stood up from his chair, glancing over to the sleeping Shikamaru as Choji tried to wake him up before hearing loud footsteps.

Naruto turned and looked at the entryway from the back of the room as did Shino who was moments from walking out.

*SLAM*

"Sensei," Hinata gasped out weakly, "I-I'm here!"

Iruka looked up from his gathering of paperwork as Mizuki picked up the box with the sealing equipment, "Hinata?" Iruka asked in shock as Shikamaru woke from the loud noise.

Hinata walked up to Naruto and paused in front of him as she gripped his hand for a moment, "Thankyou," she said with a soft smile before moving a few steps closer to Iruka, "Iruka-sensei, I'm here for the gennin examination." Hinata said politely, trying to ignore the cool temperature of the classroom through her thin clothes.

Iruka sighed, "Hinata... I'm sorry but this year's tests are over, you'll have to wait until next time." Iruka said apologetically.

"Next time?!" Naruto shouted as he stood, "Screw that! Hinata is a better ninja than most of the kids you just let pass, she already IS gennin level so can't you just pretend that you haven't closed the exams yet?" Naruto pleaded.

Iruka shook his head with a sigh, "It's not that simple..." Iruka began.

"Iruka," Mizuki began as he placed down the sealing equipment, "Maybe we could just this once y'know? I mean we've both trained Hinata here for a few years now, I think you know as well as I do that she's more then capable." Mizuki said, hoping to get on Hinata's good side as he began to formulate a back-up plan.

Iruka shook his head, "No Mizuki, you know we can't do that." Iruka said softly before leaving the room.

There was a thick silence as Choji and Shikamaru tried to sneakily leave, Shino following after them as he thought it best that Hinata be left alone. If she was pissed she could hurt someone, and unlike Naruto, Shino doesn't have healing abilities.

Naruto watched Hinata from behind as her shoulders began to shake, she fell to her knees in defeat as she began to cry again, "No...No..." she said sadly between loud sobs.

Naruto was by her side in a moment, moving to hug her for comfort, but she recoiled from his touch before he lightly placed a hand on hers, letting her grip it as her tears began to really pour forth.

"Y'know... there is always other ways to qualify."

Naruto and Hinata looked up at Mizuki as the Chunnin looked around as if to check there was no one but the three of them nearby, "Sensei?" Naruto asked hopefully.

Mizuki sighed as he mentally finalised his own plans, 'Perfect!' he thought as he schooled his emotions, "There are a few other ways to become gennin, like the way I did back in the day was taking one of the Hokage's special scrolls. The law still is in effect so you could do it too Hinata." Mizuki explained.

Naruto's brow furrowed, not having heard of anything like it before, 'Then again, I haven't been in a village like this for years.' Naruto thought as Hinata straightened up, though her tears didn't pause.

Seeing he had her attention, Mizuki continued with his explanation, "Y'know, I can set that test up for you if you'd like?" Mizuki asked with a kind smile.

Hinata nodded immediately, "Y-yes please Sensei, if I don't come back to the clan successfully, then I... I don't think my father will be too happy." Hinata said as she pushed herself into a standing position.

Naruto's brow furrowed at her words while Mizuki thought nothing of it, "Very good, well I'll set up the mission for you in the same room I once used. The aim is to get the specified scroll and learn a ninjutsu from it before the examiner can find you, in this case, me."

Hinata nodded as she did her best to memorise the information, but Naruto tilted his head in thought, "Excuse me Mizuki-sensei, but what scroll is it?" Naruto asked.

Mizuki glanced at Naruto with the slightest twitch of annoyance, "Naruto, why don't you wait outside for a moment? I'll explain the test to Hinata some more." Mizuki said.

Naruto frowned before sharing a look with Hinata, who simply nodded to him as she held his letter up to her chest with her free hand. Naruto sighed but nodded, "I'll be outside Hinata." Naruto said before walking away.

Naruto opened the door as Mizuki began talking, "Now, the room is adjoined to the Hokage's office, that's the..."

Naruto sighed as the door closed behind him, 'Something feels wrong about this...' Naruto mumbled to himself.

"It would seem that Mizuki is planning on stealing the Forbidden Scroll of Sealing."

Naruto turned to Shino as the now gennin calmly communicated with the small beetle on his nose, "Shino?" Naruto asked.

Shino lowered his hand as he turned to Naruto, showing the new forehead protector he wore proudly on his forehead, "Yes, me. My bugs are currently listening and relaying everything that he's saying to her. I know for a fact this information is a lie as my bugs can feel his hidden emotions and no such test exists in the confines of this village." Shino explained.

Naruto's face turned into a full scowl as he put his hand on the classroom door, 'Okay, we need to stop Mizuki...but more importantly, we need to make sure Hinata's safe on this mission of his.' Naruto thought before looking down at his headband and smirking.

Pulling the headband up and tying it around his own forehead, Naruto turned to Shino with a grin, "Hey Shino, want to help me catch a criminal?"

##########

Hinata landed with a roll as she made it to the clearing, she breathed heavily as she opened the Forbidden Scroll, 'Just one jutsu, I just need one.' She thought as she came to a technique that required only one hand seal, "The Shadow Clone Jutsu?" She muttered out loud.

"Fun technique, it helps when you want your mom to think you're home but really you're following a friend in danger."

Hinata turned with wide eyes to see Naruto and Shino step out from behind the cabin, Naruto smirking as Shino readjusted his glasses, "Naruto? Shino?" she asked in confusion.

Ignoring her shock, Naruto came to a stop by her side as he read the scroll over her shoulder, "What else we got here...?" he mumbled to himself as he looked at the next three jutsu that he could see.

Hinata stared at the side of Naruto's head for a moment of silent shock when Shino spoke up, "Hinata, you should get started on that Ninjutsu, it's the only way for you to become a gennin is it not?" Shino said.

Hinata smiled brightly as she realised the two were there to support her, she began to tear up again before putting on a serious expression and turning back to the scroll, placing it down on the ground and pushing it so that it unrolled some of the way.

Naruto and Shino stepped back as she began reading everything she could find about the Shadow Clone Jutsu. They looked up and down the long scroll before Naruto turned to Shino, "Hey, do you reckon it would be so bad if we learned something here too?" Naruto asked.

Shino was still for a moment before shaking his head, "It would only be logical for us to take this opportunity to grow as ninja." Shino said before walking down the length of the scroll, presumably reading the Ninjutsu titles from behind his shades.

Naruto smirked at Shino before beginning to look for a Ninjutsu he could learn, making it down the line rather quickly before he paused at a section with Sealing Arts, 'Reaper Death Seal, Dowsed Flame Seal, Sealing art: Gedo Mark, Sealing art: Bloodline Inheritance...' Naruto thought as his eyes came to a stop and he dropped to his knees to begin reading for himself.

Title: Sealing Art: Bloodline Inheritance

Type: Seal

Classification: Permitted War Seal

Rank: A+

Bloodline Inheritance is a seal that ventures into the coding of the user's chakra and finds their latent bloodline (if they or a recent ancestor had one) and integrates it into the current user's natural chakra, forcing potential Kekkei Genkai to activate.

Warnings: When used on a person without a latent Kekkei Genkai, physical mutations WILL occur in place of chakra mutations, DO NOT ATTEMPT unless under qualified supervision.

Naruto smirked as he finished reading, 'With this I'll unlock one of the Uzumaki clan's Chakra Mutations! I really hope I get the Chakra Chains.' Naruto thought as he pulled out his sealing scroll and moved to the third seal in it.

*POOF*

With his sealing utensils in hand, Naruto set to work copying the seal step by step onto some chakra laced paper, causing the seal to slowly settle with each stroke.

About two minutes later, Naruto paused and looked up to see Shino and Hinata standing up in the clearing and taking their first shot at the Ninjutsu they decided to learn.

"SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!" Hinata shouted as her chakra pushed harder then she'd ever had to before.

"NINJA ART: DRAGONFLY!" Shino announced as he formed two separate one handed seals and his chakra travelled up and down his back.

Naruto smirked before turning back to his seal, 'Now Hinata did the mission and we'll be here to help her against Mizuki-teme.' Naruto thought before looking off to the edge of the clearing and making eye contact with one of his own hidden Shadow Clones. The clone nodded at the look and dispelled in a plume of smoke.

##########

The Naruto clone back in the Senju household looked up in realisation from it's scroll on the Fireball Jutsu, "Time to get Kaa-san." It muttered as it rolled the scroll back up, practising the hand seals to try and memorise them as he moved to go get Tsunade.

##########

""I did it!"" Hinata and her clone exclaimed happily before they hugged each other, laughing in success as Hinata's eyes began to water up again, 'Now that I'm a gennin father will have to let me out of the compound to see my team and do missions.' Hinata thought happily as she leaned against her clone.

The two Hinatas sat down and leant against each other as they looked at opposite sides of the clearing.

Shino was on his knees panting heavily before he took a deep breath and put his hands by his sides, his left being a one handed Dragon seal and his right a one handed Bird seal, "DRAGONFLY!" Shino exclaimed before jumping up with a push of chakra.

As Shino passed a meter into the air, four wings materialised using the skin and materials on his back in an understandably painful manoeuvre. But the wings flapped quickly with a low hum, allowing Shino to level out in the air before he flew forward, having difficulty turning, but still learning to fly.

The Hinata clone watched as Naruto finally stood from his seal writing and moved the sheet over to a flat piece of dirt. Naruto looked at it for a moment as he sent chakra into it, causing the seal to glow an eerie blue before Naruto took off his shirt. Naruto turned his back to the seal and accidentally made eye contact with the Hinata clone.

The clone blushed and Naruto shared a smile before Naruto raised his arms in a cross and began to fall back, aiming to land back-first on the glowing seal.

A cocoon of chakra wrapped around Naruto before it began to shrink down, now both Hinatas were staring at the bright glow as Shino watched from a distance.

##########

'Shit! Is she sending off a flare or something? What's with that light?' Mizuki thought as he saw a white light flash from a position off to his left.

##########

"AAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

Shino and Hinata stared with wide eyes as the seal Naruto was using suddenly began to cause him pain. The cocoon began to form the shape of Naruto's body as it continued to shrink down to the size of him and encompass him, showing the two of them that Naruto was holding his hands to his eyes in pain, "Naruto!" Shino shouted from his place above the trees.

The cocoon compacted and sent out a burst of chakra that hit Hinata's clone, causing it to dispel and ruffle the real Hinata's clothes, but luckily protect her. But a moment later, the cocoon compacted again.

Shino dove in quick as the next burst of chakra was about to hit Hinata. Shino landed with a slide, skidding on his knees to grab her around the torso before he jumped again, his wings beating fast to carry them up and out of the range of the chakra shell's pulses.

The two watched as Naruto's scream came to a sudden halt after three more pulses of chakra, but they didn't dare move since someone had just entered the clearing.

Mizuki looked around with wide eyes at the disturbance Naruto's chakra caused, which made him raise a brow, "The Senju boy? Where's Hinata?" Mizuki asked himself as he walked past the unconscious boy and over to the forbidden scroll.

Hinata's eyes widened as she saw her teacher ignore Naruto's obvious pain, "Why isn't-"

"Shhh, Mizuki isn't who you think he is. He was using you to steal the scroll for some reason." Shino whispered between deep breaths as the two of them circled the clearing to land on the top branch of a tree that looked over Naruto.

Hinata's eyes widened at the words, "B-but... what about the test?" she asked.

Mizuki's loud laughter distracted the two of them for a moment, "Finally! Now I can return to Orochimaru-sama's side with praise!" Mizuki announced as he lifted the forbidden scroll into his arms.

"Orochimaru?!"

Mizuki turned to see Iruka step from the cover of the treeline, moving around and spotting Naruto as he moved completely into view, "Mizuki, what have you done with Hinata and what is you plan with that scroll?" Iruka demanded.

Mizuki smirked as he held the scroll under his arm, "I've done nothing to the girl, don't know where that disgrace has gone off to. But I guess it doesn't matter after all right?" Mizuki asked mockingly.

Iruka's brow furrowed, "What do you mean?" Iruka asked.

Mizuki scoffed, "Come on! We both know that now she's been popped and ran away Hiashi won't want her, he's always believed women of the clan are best used for treaties and inter-clan marriage contracts, her state and attitude says that's not gonna happen. She's useless to him now, especially since he can replace her with Hanabi, the gifted one." Mizuki said calmly with a shrug, "And since she's already run once, she's a threat to the clan."

Iruka's rage was obvious on his face, "Popped?" he asked rhetorically, knowing full well what had happened to Hinata, "How DARE you?! Hinata had something precious to her taken by force! The first Hyuuga to not be an absolute dickhead and she was mistreated and abused!" Iruka shouted, pure angry rolling off of him in waves, "And you USED her for THIS?!" Iruka nearly roared as he bared his teeth, ready to kill Mizuki, regardless of the consequences.

Mizuki shrugged, "This is the ninja world jack-ass, other people have done much worse." He said with a dark smirk. Iruka went to charge at Mizuki when the Chunnin dropped to a knee, his fingers wrapping around Naruto's throat, "Not today Iruka, back off or the kid gets it!" Mizuki shouted.

Iruka shook his head with a dark chuckle, "Y'know, I'm glad you threatened Naruto's life like that, know why?" Iruka asked mockingly as he continued marching towards Mizuki.

The Chunnin's grip tightened, "Why?" Mizuki asked.

"Cause I'm a medic idiot, the Medical Chakra in my system wakes me up when I'm unnaturally unconscious." Naruto said casually as Mizuki looked down at him with wide eyes.

Naruto slashed upwards with his right hand, but Mizuki pushed himself off of Naruto, thinking he had successfully dodged before he fell to a knee, his other leg not responding properly, "What?!" Mizuki asked in shock.

Naruto vaulted himself back as his blue glowing eyes shone with a new Sharingan, a blue version of the original that sat in both of his eyes instead of just the one. Naruto smirked as his new eyes worked with little effort on his part, as if he was a natural Uchiha.

Mizuki glared at Naruto as Iruka charged at him from behind, jumping up to land a solid double kick, one to the back of Mizuki's head and one to his shoulder, throwing the Chunnin onto his hands and knees while forcing him to let go of the scroll with a scream of pain as his shoulder was dislocated.

Mizuki shouted angrily as Iruka grabbed the scroll and leapt back to land just in front of Naruto, "Stupid fucking..." Mizuki grumbled under his voice as he forced himself to stand on shaky legs, pulling out a Battle Shuriken into his working hand, "Stop fighting me!" Mizuki shouted as he threw himself forward.

"SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!"

The three men on the ground paused and looked up as two Hinatas fell toward Mizuki. The first Hinata was thrown ahead at the last moment, forcing Mizuki on the defensive as she struck low before jumping up, the second Hinata did the same landing a second later as Mizuki's attention focussed on the airborne Hinata kicking at his head. Mizuki blocked as the second Hinata dove through his legs to come up behind Mizuki and slam a gentle fist strike into his back.

Mizuki gasped as the strike threw him off, allowing the first Hinata to aim a kick at Mizuki's face.

Mizuki barely leaned out of the way of the kick and slashed through the air with his Shuriken, destroying the clone as the real Hinata leapt back.

"INSECT BALL!"

Mizuki had turned and missed a slash at the real Hinata before hearing the shout from above, Mizuki looked up, seeing Shino had formed his bugs into a large ball of chakra eating bugs. Usually the attack was a slow one as the bugs had to fly across a distance, but with Shino carrying the bugs, it was a stronger and faster attack.

The bug ball exploded on Mizuki, throwing the Chunnin at Naruto and Iruka. Iruka moved so that his downward kick slammed into the back of Mizuki's head, ploughing him into the ground face-first. Mizuki rolled painfully across the ground, coming to a stop against Naruto's foot.

Mizuki weakly looked up into Naruto's Blue Sharingan eyes as the gennin made a fist, "You're going straight to gaol, no trial, no hurting any of my friends, and no Orochimaru!" Naruto announced as his hand glowed green and he swung his punch.

##########

Chapter End

Yo welcome to the Demonic Medic, I probably should've done this earlier, but here's my disclaimer; I don't own Naruto or anything affiliated to other potential material referenced in this story. The story is my own and I hope you enjoy it :)

Also just a heads up; I've been asked a lot not to make this a NaruHina story and honestly this story is NOT going down any romantic paths any time soon. Hinata won't be looking at anyone romantically for a long time and Naruto just wants to help everyone. So NOT A NARUHINA story and most likely going to be no romantic relationships in the story.

This is rated M for the upcoming brutality that Naruto will be dealing with as a Medical Ninja as well as the many other things that has made this story different to my others. There will be no sex scenes.

Alky out, hope ya'll R&R