Back at the Training Grounds

"IS THAT ME?!" If anyone looked at him now, they'd think this was his first time pulling off a Clone Jutsu. Except, this was no Clone Jutsu. A copy of the blonde menace was standing before him but completely blue and opaque.

Naruto walked up to the unknown clone and poked it. His finger went through the clone before quickly returning his finger. Naruto cocked his head to the side in confusion.

"Just what is this?" When he said this, a prompt appeared before him.

[Training Clone]

Leading by Example! When prompted, a clone of the user can appear to properly perform the technique or task correctly.

"Huh...that's pretty neat." As Naruto was scratching his head, the clone finally moved. Shocked, Naruto stumbles back before glaring at the clone in caution. The clone punched. Then again. And again.

This process was repeated over and over before Naruto caught on.

"So that's how you suppose to punch? It looks so different from what I was taught." Naruto began questioning this before giving up and starting to copy the clone. However, the count still did not rise. Groaning in frustration, the blonde child began circling the clone taking everything into account.

After taking a moment to collect his thoughts, Naruto began his punching this time. This time it began to count. Naruto's face beamed with joy as he began exclaiming in awe.

"I got it! I wasn't paying attention to my lower body. That's what it meant in the book!"

After coming down from the excitement, he started again. It wasn't long before he began to get used to the new stance after making a few mistakes out of habit. After ten minutes, the blonde ninja-to-be finished his punches, and the clone disappeared.

"Ugh, I already feel like dying." Despite his complaints, he was still determined to keep going. He read the prompt for the legs.

"The legs are known to be more powerful than your arms, and it is no different in combat. The main components of proper kicks are posture, balance, and momentum. Without these components, the combatant is prone to losing power and balance, leaving them open to the enemy." After reading the prompt, the field darkened again, and the clone reappeared.

Naruto grinned before straightening up and speaking with strength in his voice.

"Bring it!"

2 Hours Later

A small blonde kid could be sprawled out on the field, gasping for air.

"Kami! I've never felt so tired in my life. And I've run from those masked weirdoes all the time." After getting his breath, he began going over the prompts that appeared when he finished.

[Daily Training Quest]

Complete Daily Training Quota {Complete}

Completion Reward:

+2 STR and DEX

Naruto began to feel his muscles tighten before a slight pain erupted around his body. He grunted, going through the pain. "Ack! Why does it feel like my muscles are ripping apart?" After a few seconds, the pain began to subside. He realized the changes relatively quickly. As he flexed his fingers, Naruto could tell control over his movements had improved along with his strength.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Wow, I could get used to this. Now, should I head to the Old Man?" Before going to the Hokage's Office, Naruto thought about it and went to Ichiraku for some ramen.

He didn't notice the pair of eyes watching him return.

At the Hokage's Office

The Third Hokage sat in his chair, giggling into a particular book. Suddenly, a knock sounded from the door, and in practiced precision, the old man stuffed the book in a drawer and regained composer.

"Ahem...what is it?" His secretary's voice sounds out.

"Naruto is here for you." Hiruzen thought it was weird since the young blonde plains usually skip the wait and burst in. And right on cue.

*Bang* "HEY, OLD MAN!" The old Hokage could only sigh.

'I knew it.' He smiles at the pseudo grandson. "Hello, Naruto. What brings you here?"

Naruto makes a face in mock offense. "Can't I just visit cause I miss you? Am I a selfish person to you?" He received a blank stare in return. Naruto begins awkwardly laughing. "Well...since you asked, I was wondering if I could ask about this place I heard about. It's the training grounds by the monument. I heard it had some crazy legends around it. You're really old, so you have to know!"

Naruto bounced in his seat in glee, ignoring the Hokage's flinch and now twitching eyes. Hiruzen collected himself.

'Well, I could tell him about it. It's a nice excuse to tell him some things about his father. Or... I could use this as a chance to push him in the right direction.'

Naruto felt a shiver run up his spine.

'I have a bad feeling.' He looked up at the Hokage to see the mischievous glare in his eyes.

"I do know about that particular training grounds and the legends it pertains to. However, I've noticed someone hasn't been doing so great in his studies." Naruto flinched before retorting loudly.

"Hey! It's not my fault it's so dull. Did Iruka snitch? I swear he has it out for me! Don't listen to " As Naruto began ranting, Hiruzen quickly cut him off.

"I get bi-weekly reports on the affairs of the Academy. Included in those reports is the list of students in need of improvement. As you can guess, your name was on that list." Hearing this, Naruto turned as his face turned indignant. Seeing this, Hiruzen hummed before closing his eyes and taking a puff from his pipe.

He gave his ultimatum. "If you can increase your grade from dead last and into the middle of the class by mid-terms, I will tell you all about those Training Grounds. I'll tack on some other rewards if you do well enough." This prompted a groan of misery.

"But all that stuff is so boring and useless. I'm trying to be a ninja, not a bookworm! Besides, it's not like I'm welcomed there." Naruto replied with the last part under his breath.

Hiruzen sighed before rubbing the space in between his brows. Honestly, he too was miffed about this, and getting him any extra help was met with accusations from the Council.

Seriously, when has a tutor been so hard to get? Still, after the report given by Iruka, Hiruzen has had enough. Before he had Iruka on his side, there was no proof of discrimination. But now, it's a different story from what he has collected over the past two years with Iruka's help.

It was time for reform.

"Naruto, I know it's been rough. No amount of apologies can wipe the years of neglect, but I promise to the right at least some of the wrongs. However, I will need to see effort on your part as well. Can you put your faith in this old man one more time?" Hiruzen began with the tone and aura of a leader. One that could only be gained from years of service, his words took a softer tone as he asked for the young blonde's trust.

Naruto looked down in trepidation; after all, there were many times he complained and could only compromise without any resolution. He would be lying to himself if he said he didn't have any resentment because of this. But...

Naruto sighed.

"Fine, but I also want two weeks' worth of Ichiraku ramen!" A notification binged.

Hiruzen chuckled.

"Sure thing." They both engaged in small talk before Naruto began to head out.

"Oh, Naruto. Before you go, here is another library card just in case you lost yours." Naruto looked confused before accepting the card and left after his goodbyes.

Hiruzen stared at the closed doors for a small while before turning to the window overlooking the village.

'I won't let you and your parents down. Not again.'

A fire began to burn once more.

With Naruto

While walking away, Naruto checked on the notification from earlier.

[Main Quest]

Meet the Third Hokage's expectations and reach the middle of the class rankings {In Progress}

Side Objective: Reach the top 10

Hidden Objectives Found: 2

Completion Reward:

+5 INT and WIS

2500 RYO

1600 EXP

Side Completion Reward:

Free Outfit and Equipment from Iron Wolf Shop

Hidden Completion Reward:

?

Since Naruto was in the area, he decided to head to the library. Unknowing of the small gift he has already received.