Chapter Text
"NARUTO!" Iruka yelled, using his Big-Head no Jutsu, startling Naruto awake.
"H-Huh? Gomen (Sorry), did you say something?" Naruto rubbed his eye with his fist. Iruka developed a tick mark as the boy reminded him of a certain silver-haired ninja, and demanded, "Can you repeat what I've just said?"
"Repeat after me: Konoha values teamwork above all. That's why, when we graduate, we're always a three-man cell."
Naruto sighed, thinking of Kurama’s words. 'I already know that. It's obvious from all the observations I've had of the other Genin teams after school.' “Uh... Something about teamwork?”
Iruka gave him an exasperated sigh. "Can someone tell him what I've just said?"
Sakura raised her hand, and with a nod from Iruka, she said, “Konoha always values teamwork, so when we graduate, it’ll be as a three-man cell.”
“Good,” Iruka smiled at her in approval, then turned to Naruto with a stern expression. “Listen next time. If you don’t pay attention and do the required work, you won’t be able to graduate. Don’t forget to do the history homework I gave you a few hours ago. The class is dismissed for today!”
Naruto sighed as he watched everyone descending, as always... he was alone. He thought about hitting the library to finish the homework early. 'Depends on which librarian is there... though the books might help me finish my homework.'
He leisurely walked to the library, ignoring the stares and whispers that seemed to follow him. He felt two pairs of eyes on the back of his neck. With Kurama's help, he knew the old man had sent some ANBU to keep an eye on him. He had noticed them for a while now. He entered the library, relieved to find the nice librarian on duty. Naruto went to the History section and, after a brief search, found the book he needed. He settled at a table to start his homework.
An hour later, he finished his homework, making sure to alter several of his answers to make it wrong. Even if Iruka is his History teacher, he isn't the one who checks their exams and homework usually, he's a teacher of several subjects, so to reduce his work they give it to the other teachers. He sighed as he only used the book for a line or two- he wasn’t sure how to phrase a certain sentence, he felt like coming to the library was a waste of time. As he was about to leave, he noticed a thick book on a higher shelf with a funny title:
"How to Ninja: The No-Nonsense Guide to Jutsu and Avoiding Paperwork?"
Curious, he struggled to pull the heavy book down and checked the author. 'By Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki??'
Naruto mumbled to himself, “Namikaze? Isn’t he the Yondaime Hokage? And Uzumaki… is she related to me somehow?”
“Yes, Minato is the Yondaime Hokage, fool. You just wrote about him in your homework,” Kurama commented.
‘I don’t need to hear that from you! You baka furball!’ Naruto grumbled in his head.
When the librarian didn't notice he took the book and walked home, the two ANBU meanwhile, were confused as to why Naruto borrowed a thick History book from the library.
"Tadaima (I'm home)..." Naruto greeted his empty apartment. "Okaeri (Welcome home), Naruto-kun" The corners of Naruto's mouth switched in a small smile.
Naruto sat on his bed, opened the book, and started to read the first page's contents;
Dear Esteemed Descendant,
Hey there! If you’re reading this, then congratulations—you’re one of the lucky few to share the blood of the Uzumaki and Namikaze clans. This book is our little gift to you, filled with everything you need to know to survive and thrive as a ninja. We’ve placed a special seal on this book so only you, our beloved descendant, can access it. Anyone else who tries? Let’s just say they’ll be greeted with a dull history lesson or a Genjutsu, that's designed to draw their interests away from the book. However, if they persist, a fiery surprise that’ll make them think twice! Dattebane!
'She wrote her own verbal tick in the book? And descendant? Does it mean... that these people are my parents or something close to it?! I saw the portrait of the Yondaime.. and Kushina's verbal tick now...' he continued to read.
We’ve hidden the only copy of the guide in this library, hoping that our descendants would be clever and curious enough to find it. Minato wanted to hide more copies! So It's a good thing I hit his head... can't risk a lot of copies... anyway! We've hidden this book near the less advanced History books because the curriculum usually goes over it during the first year in the Ninja Academy. This isn’t just a book; It’s a treasure trove of knowledge on Chakra, Ninjutsu, and Fuinjutsu—the real stuff, not the flashy nonsense you see others doing. So many ninjas waste their time on complicated techniques when they could be using simple, powerful strategies to get the job done. And don’t even get us started on how underrated Fuinjutsu is!
This guide is designed to help you cut through the noise and focus on what really matters. We’ve left out extensive Taijutsu (We did include several forms of our own and other styles) among a few other things because, frankly, those areas aren’t as neglected as the ones we’ve covered here. Our goal is to give you the tools to become not just a ninja, but a true master of your craft—a protector of the innocent and a force to be reckoned with in the shadows.
So dive in, have fun, and remember: you’re not just any ninja—you’re an Uzumaki and a Namikaze. Make us proud! Or else!
With love and a little mischief,
Kushina Uzumaki & Minato Namikaze
Naruto rubbed the tears from the corner of his eyes as he smiled shakily 'They're my parents! I've wondered about them for so long... Jiji- No. Hokage-sama didn't tell me about it... he must've known! He's always lying!'Naruto clenched his fists. 'Kurama... did you know who my parents were?'he heard the fox sighing in his head "Yes, I did. But trust is a two-way street! I couldn't trust you at first just as you couldn't trust me! And when I did, I couldn't just randomly tell you 'Hey Brat! Did you know that your parents are the Yondaime and his wife!?' I'm sorry though..."
'I-I forgive you... You didn't even lie to me, you just didn't tell me about it...'Naruto's eyes turned cold and distrusting, his mask dropping as he turned his back to the window.'I won't forgive him! I asked him specifically and he lied!'He took a deep breath as he turned the page and read the first chapter's title Chapter 1: Mastering the Mask: Skills, Secrets, and Skipping Paperwork
