AN: Quick author's note here. This is my first fan fiction. I've been on this site for a while reading story's and I wanted to try my hand at writing one. As far as how the story will go, it is pretty much just going with Cannon story line. I do not want to get to crazy with my first story here. That being said there will be one made up character in this story that will play a big role in the story. He will be the only one though. As far as updating goes, well the chapters will be short and most likely far in-between, but I will try my best at not abandoning this story.

Chapter 1: The Meeting

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or anything else in this story.

It was an ordinary day in Konohagakure. The sun was shining, and everything was peaceful. Most Villagers would say that it was a good day, but not for one blond headed shinobi in training. One Naruto Uzumaki was having a very bad day. He had just failed his third attempt to pass the Shinobi Academy's Genin Graduation Test. Now, Naruto had to go another year to the academy to start his Shinobi career, and if he failed it again he would have to give up his possible Shinobi career. This was the deal that the Hokage had manage to get for Naruto from the council.

Naruto drags himself slowly down the street, ignoring the hatful stares of the villagers. He was not in the mood today. He could not help but worry about not passing next year. He had no idea what he would do if he could not become a Shinobi. As he was walking a voice suddenly called out to him, "Hey Naruto! How is Konoha's residential Prank King?" Naruto turns to the voice to see a man he has never seen before.

"Are you talking to me?" Naruto hesitantly asks knowing how the Villagers usually react when Naruto tried to talk to them before.

"Well you are the only Naruto in the village so yeah I'm talking to you," says the villager. "Come over here," the villager continues.

Naruto walks over not really knowing what else to do. The villager seems to study him for a moment before addressing Naruto, "So kid, what has ya so down?"

Naruto doesn't know how to respond. Villagers never tried to hold conversation with him before so why did this one have such sudden interest? "Nothing's wrong," Naruto decides to reply.

"You have sad eyes kid. Much too sad for a young squirt like you," the villager tells Naruto. Naruto is a little peeved about the 'squirt' part but doesn't comment on it, mainly because he was thinking, hoping that maybe this person could be a friend.

"I failed my graduation test today, again," Naruto tells him quietly.

"That's not so bad kid you can just try again next year," the villager tells Naruto.

Naruto shakes his head slightly. "This was my third attempt. If I fail again then I cannot become a Shinobi." The Villager stares at him for a minute. "Come inside kid, I want to tell you something."

Naruto follows the villager inside his shop they had been talking in front of. Once inside Naruto looks around. All around him is Shinobi gear. Anything a Shinobi could want was in this store. On the wall behind the counter was a tri-pronged kunai that was displayed like a trophy. Naruto ran up to the kunai, to him it was the coolest thing in the world. Naruto had never seen a kunai like this one before.

"Like that one do ya?" the Villager says from behind an exited Naruto. "That there is the Kunai that the Yondaime Hokage used. I had the honor of helping him make it, of course he was not the Hokage then. He was my friend, a great friend." The Villager seems to zone out most likely reminiscing of days long passed.

"You knew the Yondaime?" Naruto asks in disbelief.

"Yes I did, we were childhood friends." Naruto could not believe it, here in front of him was a man who was good friend of the Yondaime, Naruto's idol.

"You remind me a lot of Minato, ya know?"

"Who?" Naruto was confused for a second.

The Villager chuckled lightly, "Minato is Yondaime's real name Naruto." He tells him.

"Oh" Naruto sheepishly replies, embarrassed he did not know his idol's own name.

"Wait how do I remind you of the Yondaime?" Naruto asks.

"Well you look just like him, and I see a similar spark of kindness and caring in your eye as his. Since you remind me of him and I am feeling generous today I am willing to help you become a Shinobi." The Villager replies to him.

"But how can you help me become a Shinobi?" Naruto asks the Villager.

"Easy, I am a retired Shinobi who passed the graduation test after my first year, and I was also on the same Genin team as the Yondaime, so I am confident I can teach ya a little bit." The villager replies brightly.

Naruto could not believe it, this man was a Shinobi that fought and trained alongside the Yondaime himself. 'This Shinobi must be really strong' Naruto thought to himself excitedly. Then Naruto remembered a rule that the Academy teachers' told him on his first day there. "Listen up students. One of the most important rules of this academy is that no active Shinobi not directly related to you, and not part of the academy staff is allowed to teach you the Shinobi arts."

Naruto frowns, "I am sorry but I cannot let you teach me. There is a rule in the academy that states only Shinobi related to you or the academy teachers are allowed to teach academy students." Naruto tells the Villager/Shinobi in front of him.

"The rule does not apply to me because I am retired and technically a civilian right now, and there is no rule saying a civilian cannot teach an academy student the Shinobi Arts." The retired Shinobi explains to Naruto.

Naruto instantly lights up at that. "Now come back here tomorrow morning at 8:00 am. In the month you have off before the new year starts I will get you up to speed on the Shinobi arts, also bring me a report of your test evaluation tomorrow. From that I will know where to start your training." The retired Shinobi tells Naruto.

Naruto agrees and takes off to the door excited for tomorrow when he suddenly stops, "Hey what's your name Retired Shinobi-san?" Naruto asks him.

The retired Shinobi smiles at Naruto before replying, "My name is Katsu Namikaze."

AN: this is about the length the chapters will be. I am making this a NaruIno pairing no exceptions and no add ins. I am not good at writing harems so that's off the table and Ino is my favorite female character. I'll try to update in the next few days.