Chapter 2

Konoha academy was…not quite what you had expected. It was rather open for one. It felt like just about anyone could walk in and take a seat. You'd describe it as very welcoming.

Such a thing brought a frown to your face. Being welcomed and safe was for families and clans. A ninja academy that was to train you into a hardened ninja of destruction shouldn't be described as 'welcoming'.

There were a few more complaints to be had. Mostly about the lazy looking adults around the place. One was even picking his nose and flicking the resulting booger. You had thought you'd escaped such acts by going to the academy instead of staying at the Uzumaki estate. But it would seem Naruko's habits were a deeply ingrained Konoha tradition.

You set your expectations a tad lower due to the appearance only to have them dashed when stepping into the classroom.

It was full of children around your age running around. Laughing at each others jokes while attempting to tell their own. Each one seemed to be rather childish and filled with glee. The few that didn't go into such talks seem to be more because they were shy than taking anything seriously.

It was incredibly disappointing sight to behold. You deeply hoped they were at least somewhat skilled in certain areas. Though upon closer inspection, there wasn't any clan markings or decent looking clothes. Most had come from a civilian style of living then.

You gazed at the classroom in disappointment. It wasn't long before the teacher themselves walked into the class room as well. A man with a distinct cut around his nose. He ushered you forward to the class in order to introduce yourself.

Your eyes narrowed slightly but acquiesced to his demands. A lesson from your mom ringing in the back of your mind to not listen to anyone who wasn't her. You didn't think introductions were necessary due to the obvious fact that the majority of individuals will either drop out or get themselves killed as genin.

The entire class had their attention on you as you opened your mouth.

"My name is Aoki Uzumaki."

They seemed to wait for more but you didn't give them any. What more did you need to say to clanless kids?

You stared placidly at the classroom as they digested your name. Whispers of 'Uzumaki' and 'clan kid' got thrown around. Your teacher seemed lightly surprised but was quick to change his demeanor.

Afterwards you were guided to an empty seat somewhere in the middle row. Then the teacher started to do his job and teach.

…you were lightly disappointed that it was still mostly theory. Stuff that you had already knew with a deep understanding of. You had thought arriving late in the year in terms of learning from the academy would have pushed you on the backfoot in terms of learning. It would seem however that they were still even further behind.

Despite this, you still narrowed your attention on to the teacher to learn. Ignoring the whispered conversations behind you and the occasional giggling.

That was until you felt something wet hit the back of your neck. The giggling behind you rising in octaves.

Your instant reaction was light confusion to the event in question. Then came eventual understanding as you slowly rose out of your seat and looked behind you. Two grinning boys greeted your view. One was distracted by laughing into the table, while the other one met your gaze. In his hands was some sort of straw.

Which was enough evidence for you to come to a conclusion. He smirked in your direction and seemed about to say something before your hand crossed the distance between the two of you. To his credit he at least attempted to back away before you got a grip of his hair.

Unfortunately for him it was much too late.

When you had a full grip of his hair, you slammed the center of his face into the table in front of him. The resulting sound traveling around the classroom in a loud fashion. You then released your grip and sat back down.

Your teacher turned around at the noise and was quick to notice the boy behind you now gripping a bloody nose in pain. He sighed in annoyance.

"Falling asleep again, Satoshi? Go to the bathroom and clean yourself up."

He gave a light sob in response and quickly fled the room. Hmm. At least he seemed intent on holding back his tears in order to not show any weakness. Unfortunately such a tactic did very little when you were full of weaknesses. His mom should have taught him as such.

The lesson continued as usual. The only difference that you noticed was the now silent class. As well as the other boy behind you staring daggers at your back.

It didn't matter though. If he was an actual threat he would have attacked when you hit his friend. He didn't, which meant either he didn't have the strength to do anything, or he was too scared to. Either way he wasn't a threat.

After class the teacher attempted to give you advice to be friendlier to your other classmates. Obviously such a thing was a waste of time but you knew better than to vocalize that thought. So instead you went with a more neutral answer to his advice. He sighed before allowing you to go on your way.

Leaving the academy you noticed both the boy you attacked and his friend that had laughed glaring at you. They went so far as to yell at you but didn't seem keen on narrowing the distance between you and them.

You didn't stop walking until you finally got back to your clan estate.

*~o~*

Thankfully it wasn't long until taijutsu sparring lessons became a regular norm of the class. It was implied by the way the teacher was talking that said lessons had been had before, but that must have been incorrect. Seeing at how absolutely awful most of their forms and techniques were.

Even Naruko had a better form and performance and they had the age advantage. Hell, Naruko could take much more of a beating than all of them put together.

It was a poor showing all around.

You were only involved in a few spars before the teacher turned his attention away from you. The fights having been too one-sided for either side to have actually learned anything of use. He also cautioned you to use less force in spars. A statement that saw your opinion on your classmates lower even further.

A few of the more pathetic showing classmates gathered around you asking for either tips or inquiring into your life were subsequently ignored. A tactic that proved itself effective as they started to stop talking to you.

Unfortunately that still meant you had to watch the physical equivalent of toddlers slap fighting each other for dominance. The teacher would still give them advice and fix their forms, but it obviously didn't seem to stick.

It would seem while clan-less students not only lacked talent, they lacked the ability to even learn at a normal rate. Despite this your teacher didn't even seem so much as phased as he constantly did his job. A level of dedication you grew to respect. Even if it seemed rather pointless.

Well, it wasn't as if you expected that much better from other clans. Your mother made sure you understood that there simply was no clan on the same level as your own.

Much to your surprise it took only half a year for a quarter of your classmates to drop out, or whatever niceties they dressed up their absences as. Some of your classmates seemed demoralized at having a chunk of the class missing. An act that indicated that there would continue to be more dropping off by the end of the academy.

Such things were inevitable, you supposed.

*~o~*

Kushina had asked you to help tend the garden with her. It was a bit surprising to you that she actually liked getting her hands dirty with such menial work, but you couldn't deny the allure of the garden itself.

Kushina responded that it helped take her mind off things. What things she was talking about was left out, but considering Naruko had attempted to shoot the pair of you with her boogers it wasn't too difficult to imagine.

You agreed to help out of obligation. Though as you attended the flower bed you couldn't help but feel a bit of…enjoyment? How peculiar.

You remember playing in the dirt at a few of the villages you and your mother had visited. Was that the reason you enjoyed the work you were doing here as well? You watched as the flower you were toying with becoming slightly wilted in appearance.

"Make sure to get the other half near the front."

Kushina called to you from her location. You glanced over at her as she offered a small smile while wiping a bit of sweat on her forehead. Turning back around to your work, you noticed the flower you had been handling looking rather healthy in appearance. Healthy enough to easily over shadow all the other flowers next to it in size and appearance.

Hmm, you probably had just grabbed a different one when you looked away. You didn't remember one of the flowers being absurdly large, but your mind had been elsewhere at the time. After a few minutes you switched positions with Kushina.

You heard her loudly whistle and admire the massive flower. Besides that the yard work went rather quickly. All in all it was definitely something you were interested in doing. Something Kushina found cute.

Afterwards you both took a bath. Something you were used to your mom doing, but you suppose it was fine if it was another clanmate who'd do it. Also you liked the feeling of someone scrubbing your back.

During which Kushina seemed to be rather talkative. Inquiring about how your academy studies were going. Which involved a lot of complaints from you. She seemed to take a strange sort of enjoyment in your pain.

After starting to rinse off the soap in your hair she asked a question you weren't expecting to hear.

"So, is there any girl that's caught your eye?"

The question stunned you for a few seconds. Did she just not hear you when you spoke of the worthlessness of your classmates? Or perhaps…yes, maybe this was a trick question. Your mother said women talked in riddles and sometimes the most unlikely answer was the correct one.

Perhaps instead of asking about whether or not you 'like' a girl she was asking whether or not you saw potential in a girl. A potential pawn perhaps?

Or maybe she was trying to fish for compliments. As of course she was the most talented person you've seen to this point. Besides your own mother of course.

…Or perhaps the correct answer was saying Naruko? And that Naruko had a bright taijutsu future ahead of her or some other such nonsense.

Hmm…

"You."

You bluntly stated, causing her to pause for a second. Before finally coming around and attempting to squeeze the life out of you with her bare hands.

"Oh, you're so cute, you know!"

You could barely breath as she crushed your body against hers. You could feel her body rub against your back as you struggled for even the smallest gasp of air. You felt a distortion at the edges of your vision as Kushina pulled you once more back into the bath.

…It was an…experience.

It only ended when you offered up Naruko as tribute. Something that seemed to greatly please her. It took awhile to convince Naruko not to run, and then a bit more in order to drag her into the bath towards her mom.

From there Kushina's chains did the rest.

It took awhile for things to calm down afterwards. Of which she informed both you and Naruko to suit up in your nicest clothes. Which…wasn't much, if you were being honest. Something Kushina was quick to notice.

Kushina had provided you clothes of course. But in terms of more…flashy or prestigious clothes you had none. So she decided to throw away her plans in order to go to get you better clothes. Naruko on the other hand had no shortage of clothes. The main problem with her being that she liked to wear the more…less fashionable choices.

Something that caused Kushina no end of suffering.

Kushina brought you to a tailor she liked and from there you were instructed to strip and try on clothes. Revealing said outfits always got a certain 'ooh' or 'ahh'. Especially from the tailor herself. You were certain she was playing it up.

After a few outfits they asked you to decide which one you like the most. After a few moments of attempting to decide, you finally went with one. Kushina asked why you chose that one in particular.

"I thought it was the most attractive one."

Kushina slowly had a smile spread across her face. Her hand outstretched to poke you in the face without actually making contact.

"I thought you said you didn't like any of the girls in your class."

You gave her a slow blink.

"I don't, but i should still be attractive. I need to be in order to seduce women of high standing and remake the clan."

Kushina blinked as you quoted your mom. The tailor momentarily dropped your clothes before picking them back up. Kushina's cheeks seemed to glow slightly at your words.

"Where uh, where did you get such ideas from?"

She inquired.

"My mom."

You answered. Something that seemed to confuse Kushina more before she waved it off. For some reason the atmosphere seemed a bit more tenser. The situation at hand implied it was your words that had caused it but you were unsure as to how. Kushina coughed into her hand.

"Is that what's most important to you? Remaking the clan?"

…No.

While it was definitely on the list of high importance, it wasn't the number one priority. The very reason you lived, the thing you would put above everything. Nothing even really came close.

"The most important thing to me is finding mom."

You stated with determination. Your hand closed in a fist as you glared upward to the sky. Of course since you were in a building that just meant you were looking at the ceiling. Which ruined the moment a bit.

Kushina closed her eyes a bit before placing her hand on your shoulder. She didn't say much else afterwards. Simply gathering the clothes that had been bought before leaving.

Well, it was certainly nice to have some dress up clothes now. For what exactly you didn't know, but at least you'd look good doing it.

While you were walking home with your mind elsewhere your attention snapped into the distance. Your eyes locking on to something you couldn't actually see through several buildings. It took Kushina shaking your shoulders in order to snap you out of it.

You weren't really sure what got your attention. Maybe you had simply just dozed off. It definitely wasn't your mom, that much was for sure. Yet still you had the feeling that something demanded your attention for a few seconds longer before disappearing.

How strange.

…did you have to go pee?

*~o~*

It had recently come to your attention that the academy required three jutsu's to be mastered in order to advance to genin rank. A light overview was given of each of the three and a more detailed dissection was to be given at a later date.

But who needed such things when they were…well, you?

You clasped your hands and focused on the nearby logs that you had quickly gathered for your exercises. Kushina had been kind enough to gather them for you. Though the resulting small earthquake that you had to endure while she demolished a few trees wasn't very welcomed.

Kushina had something to do afterwards but Naruko had decided to watch you practice the substitution jutsu. At first you had thought she was simply interested in ninjutsu, but then you began to realize the truth.

She was just bored.

You shifted your hand seals just as your teacher taught you. Naruko watched as you controlled your chakra with the hand seals and soon enough you had moved. Traded places with a nearby log.

You grinned as Naruko cheered at your success. Your overwhelming victory.

Well, such things should be expected from you.

"Do it again!"

What could it hurt?

You started to practice the substitution jutsu repeatedly for about the next half hour. After a while you started to really get a feel for immediately understanding just exactly where you would be afterwards. Making your reactions when substituting to a new spot near instantaneous.

…or at least you liked to think so.

After a solid half hour had passed you decided to finally give up after the next few jutsus. During which you had started to become lazy with your hand seals. As well as your chakra control, which resulted in a rather bizarre accident.

You had traveled successfully, the main problem was where exactly you were. As well as the fact that you couldn't feel your foot all that well.

"It ate your foot!"

You looked down at Naruko's shocked tone and realized that she was correct. For some reason your entire foot was inside the log. You had never heard of such a thing happening even when your teacher was giving examples on incorrect substituting accidents.

So…why was your foot in a log!?

"Ahhh!"

Naruko cried out in alarm. Something that was quick to infect you.

"Ah! Help! Get it off me! Help!"

You attempted to stumble towards Naruko who quickly sat up and went to run away. Something you didn't take too kindly to and started to chase after her. After a while the screams of terror turned into fits of laughter. Which turned your own panic into something more calm.

Then suddenly Naruko turned back around and pointed out the log was gone. Looking down thinking it was a trick, you were surprised that she had actually told the truth. After a while of back tracking you both found the pristine log in a nearby hallway.

As neither of you wanted to risk going towards the unharmed log it was decided that you'd both simply wait for Kushina to deal with it. And if she decided to punish either of you for it being in the house that was simply a sacrifice you were willing to make.

Which is how you avoided the voracious monster log.

*~o~*

During your constant visits to the academy a part of you has gotten used to it. Which caused you to fall into a monotonous routine. You'd go to the academy, you'd learn maybe one tip if you were lucky, train a bit, and then go home.

There was little in the way of changes in your schedule. Things would line up as they were suppose to and the day would go on as usual. The only changes being when you got home.

So when the routine you were used to changes, it was glaringly noticeable. When you went to sit in your normal seating area, you couldn't help but notice there was now three instead of two clanless students now behind you.

In truth this didn't bother you. If need be you had no doubt you'd be able to take all three on. It didn't matter whether or not the teacher saw you, if you were wronged you'd make sure to get at bare minimum even.

They glared at you. Something that wasn't uncommon in the slightest, but there was definitely more of an edge than usual. A certain maliciousness that hadn't been there before.

Regardless, you took your seat calmly and turned your attention to the front. What they intended to do mattered much less than accidently missing a slight fragment of information you didn't previously possess in class.

To your surprise they did absolutely nothing. Not during class, nor during the sparring session. Which of course your class mates had to be coerced into fighting you.

Which again wasn't exactly abnormal.

You had assumed things to be rather normal up until your exit of the academy. There were a few older boys sitting out. They had their headbands which signified that they were at genin rank. The one on the left seemed more interested in talking to the one on the right, While the one on the right immediately locked eyes with you. A small grin finding it's way onto his face before facing away.

…how curious.

You continued on the winding path back home. Of which you were quick to note three individuals chasing after you. Recognizing them as your peers that sat behind you, you did nothing in the way of preparing for their eventual arrival.

About a fourth of the way back home, the road forward was blocked off by the three classmates. They smiled towards you, but you had the feeling it had a malicious meaning behind it. None the less you didn't stop your pace.

That was of course until you felt someone start running behind you. Turning around you were met with the same genin boy from the academy entrance.

"And where do you think you're going?"

He asked, his hand slowly going into his pouch by his side.

"Home."

You answered. A genin was undoubtedly stronger than you. That mere thought of the difference in ranks put a bit of unease through you. Until you realized he had no clan markings. Which meant he was clanless.

Which meant he was likely pathetic.

"Heard you've been giving my brother and his friends a rough time. I'm gonna make sure you learn why that isn't such a smart thing to do."

A slight smirk found it's way to your lips.

"I'd certainly like to see you try."

The clanless genin obviously didn't take kindly to your remark. His own smile falling to a light frown before steadily approaching you.


The genin quickly ran towards you, his fist outstretched. A battle cry already being let loose before even his fist. You changed your stance in order to better take his blow head on. He reached your location rather quickly.

His speed was decent, but the force of his punch wasn't. Despite have a few years on you in age he didn't seem to have the full weight behind it. Whether or not this was due to genuine skill or him holding back you didn't know.

He seemed surprise at his first blow being blocked, but quickly followed up with another jab. A jab that was diverted with your hands as you went for your own blow. You had been holding yourself back mostly in academy spars as your opponents would complain about the bruising. Something you found rather pathetic as even Naruko could take your full strength and easily stay standing.

You expected a similar level of endurance from the genin, only to be disappointed. His face filled with shock as his head moved with the force of your blow. Despite the shock he still attempted to swing on you once again. The blow connected to your chest and while it hurt, it wasn't exactly going to knock you over.

He attempted to use his full height to his advantage and kick you in the chest. You narrowly avoided the blow in order to follow with kicking the back of his other leg. Causing him to fall to the floor.

You quickly found yourself on top of him and throwing punch after punch towards his body. All you really knew about mounting someone on the ground was that it was a beneficial position to be in. Actual moves to take advantage of said position were still unknown to you. So you just continued to punch him.

Thankfully they seemed unknown to your opponent as well, as he mostly attempted to block the incoming beatdown he was receiving. Despite blocking mostly his face you were still able to cause his nose to bleed, as well as leave a black eye.

Your continued assault was halted by him pushing you off and quickly getting to his feet. You got back up to continue the fight only to see him run the other way.

"I'll let you off with just this, but next time i won't be so kind!"

Hmm? What? But you were winning?

You turned around to face your three classmates that had barred the way only to see that two had started to flee as well. Running the opposite way. You'd have been able to catch up with them if it wasn't for the boy remaining. He had rather long hair tied in a ponytail that caught your eye for a second before ignoring it.

You were about to tell them to beat it as you wanted to go home, but they suddenly charged towards you. He didn't seem to have a battlecry before reaching you, which probably meant they weren't related to the earlier genin.

You dodged their first jab, caught their second, and promptly slammed your fist against the side of their face. They went down with an oomph.

You were about to continue walking back home until he grabbed your leg.

"Not…done…"

He seemed pretty done though. Despite your better judgement you simply waited as he found the strength to stand once more. This time he seemed to wait for you to attack first. So you did.

He caught your kick with both hands, blowing him back a few inches. He grimaced and started to wave his hands in pain which meant he wasn't actually in a stance to receive your next attack. So you simply threw a punch as he hastily tried to correct his form.

The blow connected to his collarbone, but he stayed up this time. He threw a punch that was easily blocked. The next few ones were much the same, but he mixed in a kick that you recognized recently from the academy.

Despite recognizing the kick, it still proved to be a bit effective in hurting your left thigh. He smirked as you backed up slightly to lessen the blow.

He threw another punch which you dodged and this time put your back into answering them. Your blow connected into their sternum, leaving him suddenly out of air. Gripping his clothes in order to lift him up saw a surprising tactic of your opponent slipping out of them in order to get away from you.

The tactic left them red faced, embarrassed and…oh. You hadn't realized he was actually a she. Not that it particularly mattered. She charged back in to fight, but she was hesitating heavily due to being disrobed. Which meant she was quickly knocked onto her back with your next kick.

She panted heavily as she stared up above into the sky. There wasn't much to see as trees were pretty heavy in the area, providing a lot of shade.

While this had been an absolute waste of your time and skills, you did have to begrudgingly admit that was a better display than usual. Or at least you assumed it was a better display, as you never paid attention to any of the other spars in your class. Though you'd have noticed if someone was able to actually last more than a few seconds against you.

So for that effort, you thought to be a bit kind and impart some wisdom onto her.

"You know, you wouldn't be so absolutely worthless in a fight if you put even a fraction of as much effort into training."

She didn't say anything, just continuing to trying to breath. You tapped your chin as you thought over your words.

"Though even if you did you still wouldn't be able to beat me. Maybe if your parents weren't weak and poor?"

At that she started to glare at you. Eh, well it was time to go anyway. You had a passing thought while walking home as to whether or not you'd throw her clothes to her before realizing you didn't actually care.

More importantly, you believe Kushina was to arrive tonight to cook. Perhaps you should bring groceries back?