(Six Months Later; In Konoha)
At the ninja academy, all of the students were of various age groups were gathered together outside in the training yard. Many Chuunin teachers, the headmaster and even the Sandaime were there. Today everyone was gathered together outside to demonstrate their newly learned jutsu or fighting styles, be it from the academy or their respective clan.
Many of the would-be Genins were all talking and conversing with each other about how they intend to prove their strengths to whoever their opponent was. Sasuke (age 9) was brooding by himself to the side with most of the girls of this age group drooling over him; all but one Hyuuga Hinata (age 9), whose eyes and heart was drawn to the class clown and village pariah, Uzumaki Naruto (age 9). Speaking of Naruto, he was off to the side hiding behind a tree reading a book of some sort, one of a series of books he had to keep from being found. Hinata couldn't help but notice that a blush would frequently appear on Naruto's face with a couple of giggles escaping his mouth when he read those books.
'I wonder what he could be reading in those books,' Hinata wondered, but never grew the courage to ask him personally, 'It must be an interesting book.'
Hinata wasn't the only eyeing Naruto. At another spot, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Sandaime, was looking over at Naruto who distanced himself away from the rest of the class. Not for the same reasons as Sasuke, but because he was up to one of his mischievous antics. It was no secret to Hiruzen what Naruto was reading, even though he wondered what triggered Naruto's complete change in character nine months ago.
"Attention everyone," Iruka said, grabbing everyone's attention, "Please assemble with your class as we're about to commence today's event, the Academy Field Day."
Despite being engrossed in his book, Naruto closed and put his book away before making his way back to his class. As he did so, Sakura (age 9) and Ino (age 9), along with some of the other girls, were competing over who was going to stand next to Sasuke, much to the other boys' and teachers' annoyance.
"All of you please knock it off and give the headmaster and Hokage a professional impression of yourselves," Iruka (age 23) berated, "You all are future ninjas of this village so please play the part professionally!"
That got them to quiet down and a pay attention up front.
"You certainly have a way with words Iruka," Hiruzen remarked with a chuckle. Iruka scratched the back of his head with a small grin.
"Nah," Iruka replied, "I'm just trying to help them become the best ninjas our village can produce."
"Such modesty," the headmaster commented as he made his way over to Iruka and Hiruzen. The headmaster himself was a B-A Class Jounin ninja.
"I'm honored that you chose to be present for today's event despite your very busy schedule Sandaime-sama," the headmaster said.
"Well," Hiruzen said, "Even I need a break from all of my work. Besides I personally wanted to see the progress everyone has made so far while attending the academy."
"I made lots and lots of progress jiisan," Naruto yelled enthusiastically, "Just you wait. After today, you'll be begging to pass down that Hokage hat and robe to me as your successor! Dattebayo!"
"Knock it off Naruto!" Sakura yelled, "This is not a time for one of your jokes! If anything, Sasuke-kun has a better chance at the title Hokage than you do! Ain't that right Sasuke-kun?"
"Hn," Sasuke grunted with his hands in his pants pocket.
"Well Naruto," Hiruzen smiled, "I'm sure with Iruka's help you've made some improvements. So please do your best. And that goes for all of you here."
All of the students nodded their heads. The headmaster stepped forward to address the students.
"The purpose of the Academy Field Day is to gauge the progress not only you as future ninjas have made but also to assess where your strongest and weakest points are and how we can work on strengthening where your weaknesses are."
"Those with weaknesses aren't fit to be ninjas," Sasuke remarked, "They'll just get in my and everyone's way."
"Sakura-chan," Naruto remarked, "What was that comment about Sasuke making Hokage before I do? Because I doubt that jiisan would name someone as cold and arrogant as him as his successor."
"Don't talk about Sasuke-kun like that," another girl said before Sakura could give a retort to Naruto.
"Everyone stop this petty argument and stay focus on the purpose of today's activities," the headmaster stated firmly. He waited until he had everyone's attention.
"Good," the headmaster said, "Now, we'll start with taijutsu. Each of you will be given a spar partner and both you and your sparring partner will demonstrate your taijutsu skills. No weapons, ninjutsu or genjutsu will be allowed during your taijutsu match. Seriously injuring anyone is not permitted. Disobedience to these rules will result in immediate disciplinary actions. After your taijutsu match you'll be tested in the use of weapons. Your third test will be your ninjutsu test. Is there any questions?"
"Are all this troublesome fights between classmates really necessary?" Shikamaru asked boredly.
"At least show some enthusiasm in performing in front of your Hokage, Shikamaru," Mizuki said. Shikamaru simply shrugged. Next to him was Chouji who was eating a bag of potato chips.
"Now we'll divide and pair each of you with your sparring opponents," Iruka said, "First match, Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke."
"Hn," Sasuke grunted.
"Alright!" Naruto cheered excitedly, "I'm first to show jiisan how far I came in my training!"
"The only thing you'll show is how far your training will crash you down into the ground on your face Naruto," Kiba (age 9) mocked causing everyone to start laughing at Naruto.
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