Naruto: Wolf of the Hidden Leaf

As we got out of the council office, we were greeted by our family members. Well, more like just Fugaku for Itachi's side.

On the other hand, my entire family was here blocking the hallway. My family and my brother's another new girlfriend. He really can't stay single, can he?

I greeted her lightly and joined my family. We went to a restaurant for the celebration. As we were leaving the building, I noticed Fugaku telling Itachi something about not slacking off or something.

That's Uchiha love for you.

Me and my family had a celebratory lunch and after a couple of hours we went off to our respective workplaces. My mother told me to visit her in the hospital after I finished my meeting with the hokage. She's going to teach me some of the intermediary level medical ninjutsu now that I've officially become a genin.

Kaho went away to practice for her chunin exam and Kuro was being gross with his girlfriend. They said they're going to move in together which was honestly way too fast in my opinion. Well, what do I know about dating? My only real relationship was the literal definition of a train wreck.

As I separated from my family, I went towards the academy where the Hokage office was. Finally I decided to use my headband as a normal headband. Due to my unruly hair, a headband can be used to keep it contained in a way. On our way towards the academy, I decided to finally do something that I've stalled for quite some time.

I pulled out the chakra paper — it was time to stop stalling. My chakra passed through the Chakra Paper and almost instantly the paper soaked wet.

Water Nature.

Not bad. Not bad at all. I would've been genuinely pissed off if I had fire nature. Don't get me wrong, fire nature was good. But at the same time, normal fire nature jutsu has way too many ways to counter it.

Plus almost all Uchiha clan members have fire nature and considering most villains were Uchihas, it would've been really annoying if I had the same affinity. Getting the water nature was actually much better for the plans that I had.

Water was easily the most versatile of the five nature transformations. Also, since Tobirama was a water style user, I won't have much of a shortage of ninjutsus.

If I can learn Flying Thunder God Technique, then with that and my water nature, I can become something like Tobirama 2.0.

Ha! Ha! Uchihas stay alert. I'm coming for you!

I giggled to myself hearing my own bad joke.

Umbra just gave me a weird look and asked,

'Who's Tobirama?'

'A super badass shinobi and the second Hokage.'

Umbra was going to ask for a follow up question but got interrupted by one of the staff calling me to the Hokage's office.

As I entered the office, I noticed Hiruzen sitting behind a pile of files. The eternal nemesis of a hokage, paperwork.

He looked towards me, his stern self from the council meeting gone and replaced with a soothing smile.

"It seems that you're more than just a talented genjutsu user." He said as he reviewed my file in front of him. "One of the best taijutsu users that the academy has ever seen, chakra control comparable to an experienced chunin, have knowledge of medical ninjutsu and sensory capabilities even exceptional among the Inuzuka clan. The only section you didn't score full marks is in ninja tools where the Uchiha boy scored the highest score ever recorded in the academy's history."

As Hiruzen listed off my many expertise, I got a sudden sense of accomplishment. I have trained my ass off for almost a year. So much so, that I don't even remember the last time I slept more than three hours in the night. I have sweated blood during this time. And getting the recognition from the Hokage himself gave me a sense of peace that I did not expect.

"Thank you, sir." I said in a polite manner with a bigger smile on my face than I would've expected to have.

"You don't need to thank me. These are all your accomplishments. You have broken the academy record that Minato himself had set before. And also, in such a young age. As per the agreement that Minato had signed, you are free to access any techniques that Konoha has in store. But, after talking to Kurenai I'm pretty sure you want the Flying Thunder God Technique, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"I feel like I should tell you that mastering this jutsu is extremely hard. And even if you learn it, there isn't any surety that you can use it as well as Minato did. Do you still want to learn the jutsu?"

"Absolutely, sir. I won't know if I can use it or not if I don't even try."

Seeing my enthusiasm, Hiruzen smiled. Satisfied with the willpower I had.

"Good. I'll talk to Genma and convince him to instruct you when he has time."

"Thank you, Lord Third."

"Okay. If that's all..." Before Hiruzen could dismiss me, I spoke up.

"Lord third, take me as your student."

Hiruzen was surprise by my sudden proposal. He was not at all prepared to hear those words. Before he could rebuke me, I continued.

"You have already seen that I am quite capable on my own. But I know in my heart that I have much more to offer than what I have shown. I know that I can do good to the village. And while my clan is quite capable in their own regard, I don't want to be confined in just that. I want to be stronger, much stronger than anyone my clan has ever seen, stronger than any shinobi that Konoha has ever seen. But to do that I need to learn from the best. And you are clearly the best teacher in the village. The Professor himself. The teacher of the three legendary sannin. I think that if you can teach me, then I can become the best version of myself that I can ever be."

Hiruzen had stopped smiling midway through my speech. His eyes turned from the eyes of a jolly old man to the eyes of a master shinobi. I could feel the pressure as he spoke. I was scared he'd say no. That I'd come off arrogant instead of determined. But I couldn't back down now.

"You have certainly given some really great points. But why should I take you as my student? There are many talented young shinobis in the village, if the Hokage taught every one of them personally, then he wouldn't have any time to do any actual work. Besides, why do you even desire such power in the first place? You're just a kid and this is peace time. You don't need to be the strongest to survive. Why do you even want to be strong?"

Hearing his question, I felt irritation bubble up inside of me. He was so annoying. Something snapped inside me as a cold voice answered in my place. A voice I could hardly recognize.

"Do I really need a reason to become strong? Is it only during war that a shinobi needs to become strong? Can't a shinobi want to become strong just for the sake of it?" I continued, "Isn't strength just a natural process for gaining true freedom? Isn't that exactly why shinobis exist? Yes, of course, the main purpose of shinobi is to protect and serve the village. But how can you do either of those things if you're weak. If I had the opportunity to become stronger, why would I ever not try? Being stronger is just means to an end. Some become strong to protect, some become strong to destroy. Don't count my words as disrespect, but I honestly don't see the correlation between being strong and being in peace time. And regarding why you should take me as your apprentice, I am certainly capable as you have mentioned."

I paused for a moment to arrange my thoughts and then continued,

"But even beside that, I believe that I have the highest potential to offer among all your students. And I'm counting the three legendary sannins here as well. Don't get me wrong, the three legendary sannin are extra extraordinary. But how much do they really offer to the village? Jiraya is writing smut books and traveling god knows where. Tsunade is drinking herself to death and I don't think I really need to mention Orochimaru here. While they are each exceptional in their own way, you and I both know that they are not offering their best to the village right now."

I could visibly see Hiruzen being irritated by the slander towards his students. I needed to turn this around otherwise my plan would backfire on me. I clenched my fists, tightened my jaw and spoke.

"Don't you want your legacy to be even greater than that? Don't you want a student who will actually stick with the village through thick and thin? Don't you want somebody who'll take care of the village even after decades have passed? Don't you want to pass on the 'Will of Fire' that Tobirama Senju, the second hokage passed onto you?"

Hiruzen seemed to be moved by speech.

"And you think you can carry on that legacy?"

"I don't just think, I know that I can do it, that is only if you can give me the chance. Take me as your apprentice and you will not regret it."

Hearing my conviction Hiruzen closed his eyes and looked towards the ceiling. He was thinking. After a minute or so, he suddenly started laughing loudly. Loud enough for me to consider that the old man has gone senile.

"You really do have a way with words," he continued. 

"6 in the morning. Northern training ground. Bring your preferred weapon."

"Thank you, master," I said, beaming.

"Agh! Don't call me that— I didn't think I'd hear it again at my age. Now get out of here before I change my mind."

I grinned with pleasure as I showed him proper respect.

"As you wish master!"

I heard Hiruzen groan with displeasure as we left the room.

Will of fire for the win!