Prodigy.

Itachi raised an eyebrow at the question but shrugged and nodded indicating that it was not a problem. Naruto thanked him and the two got to their training. While Itachi went back to practicing his shuriken jutsu, Naruto began looking over the water scroll with a new burst of life and energy.

Now that he knew he had water element, it made him want to tackle this jutsu and get it down even more so then before. Minato stood on the small platform as he over looked the academy ground as well as the new academy students stood in front of them all with looks of concentration on their faces. At the back the parents stood as they watched this proud moment that a lot of them had been waiting a long time to see.

"Today you make your first steps into becoming a shinobi and your first step to becoming a protector of the Leaf Village. You all start your journey on the road to becoming ninja to protect Konoha and all of the land of fire; but what does it mean to protect? Why should you protect this village and country?

"That is a question you will eventually have to answer yourself; however being a ninja is a serious job so not do so lightly. Your comrades and this village depend on you; so do your loved ones. One only becomes strong when they have something that they are willing to protect to the death. Step forward to day and makes us all proud."

The new academy students clapped loudly as did the parents as the Fourth Hokage gave them all a wave of embarrassment from all the cheering they were giving him before suddenly he disappeared in a yellow flash.

As he disappeared a similar head of blonde hair looking down at the ground and just gave a tiny sigh as he watched his father disappear.

"You okay Naruto?" his friend Itachi who was standing beside him asked as he had seen him sigh when his father had flashed away. Naruto just nodded.

"Yeah I am fine. I was hoping he would stay to wish we good luck, but I guess that was just wishful thinking."

As the instructors began to call out names signaling for what person would be in whose class Naruto stared behind him to see a lot of the parents conversing with each other and happily talking with one another.

His nee-chan and his jiji were there and gave him a small wave when they saw him look in their direction. Naruto gave them a half smile and waved back.

He looked over a little ways to the right of them and saw Itachi's parents standing there. Fugaku had his usual emotionless face on just staring at the sky while Mikoto was next to him with Sasuke gripped onto the hem of her dress while in her arms she held a small bundle that was wrapped in light pink blankets.

Mikoto was carrying her daughter Ria Uchiha who was born three months ago and had taken the Uchiha clan by surprise especially Itachi who never thought he would get another sibling other than Sasuke. Though when she was born, Naruto had never seen his best friend smile as big as he had when he had told her about little Ria. As he scanned the mass of parents he had noted that a certain red head was not at the ceremony which was one of the reason he felt so down right now.

His mother had decided it was best not to go to his gennin induction. Though this time it was not the twins or work duties that kept her away this time.

Just like Mikoto, Kushina had been given the biggest surprise when she discovered she too was expecting another child. It made her extremely happy, especially when she and Minato discovered they were expecting another girl.

While Naruto was genuinely happy that he would get another younger sibling, it also meant that he would be saying goodbye once again to any quality time with his parents.

Nine months later little Mina Uzumaki had been born, this time in the leaf hospital and with no crazy giant foxes trying to destroy the village. One look at her and everyone knew she would grow up to be the carbon copy of Kushina. Little tuffs of red hair lay on top of her head with the same skin tone and even the same violet eyes that Kushina and Naruto had.

Though he was weary of the fact at first, when he held his youngest and newest sister in his arms for the first time, just like Itachi had with Ria, Naruto quickly loved his baby sister and silent promised her that he would protect her and would get strong to protect her and the rest of their family.

His and Itachi's drive to train and get stronger hit a new intensity when their baby sisters were born.

"Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze," Naruto heard as the noise went silent and all watched as Naruto walked over to the man who just called him. He was a man in his early thirties with brown and hair and eyes wearing the standard chunin uniform.

"Namikaze-sama I will be your instructor for the next four years. I am Itamo Oba." "It is nice to meet you Oba sensei. Please look after me." Naruto said bowing a little and in a polite tone.

Naruto got in line with some of the others kids that were in his class. He smiled when Itachi was called by their sensei which meant they would be in the same class together. He was happy to have one friend with him.