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To be honest, Itachi wanted to take Naruto as his apprentice. He had seen the boy's potential—raw, untamed, but undeniable. Naruto had managed to outmaneuver him briefly, even when he was using his Sharingan. That kind of instinct and ability was rare.
And then there was the academy—Naruto had graduated after attending just a single day. While Itachi had graduated early himself, he had also entered the academy early. Naruto's case was... extraordinary.
Kakashi finally spoke up. "Sensei, I don't want to take the kid as an apprentice," he said plainly. "From what I've seen and heard, he's just book-smart and not much else. I even spoke to Jiraiya-sensei about him—he told me the kid passed mainly because of his theoretical knowledge. I don't think he has any real talent."
Minato blinked, staring at Kakashi as if the man had suddenly grown a second head.
"Kakashi… are you out of your mind?"
Kakashi blinked back, confused. "What are you talking about, sensei? Sure, the kid scored perfect marks on the written exam—but that just proves he's a bookworm. I doubt he has the physical ability or intuition for fieldwork. I don't see the potential."
Minato narrowed his eyes. "Have you even read his file?"
"I spoke to your sensei. What's in the file that I need to read?" Kakashi replied dismissively. "Like I said, I'm not interested. In fact, I was going to ask if I could be assigned to the team with Menma and Mito when the time comes. I know you're training them, but I think I can develop them more quickly than you're managing. Naruto just isn't worth the effort."
Minato stared at Kakashi in disbelief, unable to hide his disappointment. But before he could say anything, Itachi finally spoke.
"Hokage-sama," Itachi said calmly, "I've read Naruto's report—and to be honest, I'm impressed. Since Kakashi-senpai has already rejected him, I would like to take Naruto as my apprentice."
Kakashi turned to glare at Itachi. "What are you talking about? What is there to be impressed about? Jiraiya-sama said himself the boy barely passed."
Minato let out a heavy sigh, clearly irritated now. "Kakashi, read the report before you pass judgment. I expected better from you."
Kakashi opened his mouth to speak, but Itachi seized the moment.
"Well then," he said calmly, "since Kakashi-senpai has rejected the offer, I would like to take Naruto as my apprentice. Shall we finalize it, Hokage-sama?"
Minato looked at his student, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Just like his sensei, he thought. It seems Kakashi's obsession with those romance novels has dulled his judgment lately. He might need a lesson in perspective. In contrast, Itachi was a prodigy—the first son of the Uchiha clan head, gifted in a way the village had never seen before, even before the age of ten. It would be good for Naruto to learn under someone like him—someone he could look up to, and maybe even relate to.
Minato gave a firm nod. "All right. It's decided. Itachi, Naruto is hereby assigned to you as your apprentice. Do you accept?"
Itachi gave a rare smile and bowed slightly. "I accept, Hokage-sama."
Kakashi, however, still looked confused, unsure of what he had done wrong. After all, his own sensei, Jiraiya, had told him not to bother with Naruto. Surely, Minato would have said something if Naruto was truly worth it… right?
Still puzzled, Kakashi grabbed Naruto's file and began flipping through it. Let's see…
First entry:
Written Exam — Score: 100%.
Next:
Shuriken and Kunai Accuracy — 10/10.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
He turned to the next page:
Shadow Clone Jutsu — Performed without hand seals.
Substitution Jutsu — No hand seals.
Transformation Jutsu — Performed flawlessly, earning extra credit.
Elemental Ninjutsu — Performed a B-rank Fire Stream Jutsu without hand seals.
Kakashi kept reading, eyes widening:
Taijutsu Evaluation: A+
Genjutsu Resistance and Execution: A+
He blinked. "W-What...?"
"But... but Sensei," he stammered, looking up at Minato. "You were training him this whole time and didn't tell me?"
Minato shook his head. "No, Kakashi. I wasn't training Naruto. He's been training himself. From what I've heard, Guy has helped him a bit with his taijutsu, but even that was limited. Most of what Naruto's learned has come from studying on his own."
Minato folded his arms. "He's been sneaking into the clan's private library—only the unlocked sections, of course—and since he's a legitimate member of my family and the Namikaze clan, he has the right. And I must say, he's been remarkably responsible. Not only that, he's developed a real knack for fuinjutsu—already at level five."
Kakashi stared blankly at the file in his hands. Jiraiya-sensei lied to me... but why? he thought, confusion twisting in his chest. He knew he had to speak with his sensei. Jiraiya had clearly been giving him false information—misleading him in a way that could have seriously damaged Naruto's future. He's starting to mess things up badly, Kakashi thought. And I won't allow him to mess with my Hokage's family—especially not Minato's son.
Minato's expression remained calm, but his tone held a sharp edge. "Well, Kakashi… you've already lost the apprenticeship offer. And honestly, I expected better from you. I thought you were wiser than that."
He continued, "You should really take the time to see things for yourself instead of passing judgment based on someone else's words."
Kakashi nodded silently, shame washing over him. He realized now how many opportunities he'd missed. Still, part of him couldn't help but feel bitter. Mito... and Manma... when the time comes, I'll be their jonin sensei, he told himself. But that didn't erase the sting of being humiliated in front of his kouhai(Team or junior)—and worse, in front of his own sensei—just because he hadn't bothered to read a file. Because of Jiraiya's careless remarks, he'd made a serious misjudgment. I need to have a serious talk with him, Kakashi resolved.
The Next Day
Naruto stood in the Hokage's office, his posture straight and respectful. Minato looked at his son, a thoughtful smile on his face.
"So," Minato began, "are you ready, Naruto? Today marks your first day as a recognized shinobi. To be honest, I wasn't expecting this. I thought all of you would graduate at the same time and be placed on a team together. But it seems you've graduated early."
Naruto gave a confident nod. "If I manage to reach the level of a jonin before them, I'd be happy to take Mito and Manma under my wing as their jonin-sensei someday."
Minato blinked in surprise, then chuckled. "Do you really believe you can reach jonin level—and become a jonin-sensei—in just five years? After all, they'll likely graduate around age 13. Maybe even earlier, considering the example you're setting."[He did not know]
Naruto gave a small smile. "If they're thirteen and I've reached that level by then, I'll be ready."[Not understanding his deep power]
Minato nodded approvingly. "I've reviewed your request. You were right—your class had an odd number of graduates. I've decided to place you under the apprenticeship of Itachi Uchiha."
Naruto tilted his head slightly. "Itachi Uchiha… I've heard the name before. I think Sensei mentioned him once. I was kind of hoping to train under Master Guy or even you, Dad, but… I don't mind a change."
Minato smiled gently. "Guy-sensei is needed elsewhere right now, Naruto. He can't take an apprentice at the moment. As for Itachi… you'll be meeting him shortly."
Just then, the door opened and Itachi Uchiha entered the office. Calm and composed, he knelt respectfully before the Hokage.
Minato gestured between them. "Itachi, this is my son, Naruto. From this day forward, he will be your apprentice."