A/N A request by an old friend who wishes to remain anonymous. Enjoy the story.

Naruto's POV

A blond haired blue eyed boy stood in the academy with the other children six years old. Today was the day they were going to unlock their spirit essence. This would determine whether or not they had the potential to be martial artist or ninja.

Everyone in their world was born with a spirit essence. At the age of six is when ot was awakened for each person. There were two kinds of spirit essence.

Tool spirit essence was the first. In this classification it's broken into two parts. Useful and junk. They were the most common. They could be anything from a handkerchief to hammers. Plants were also classified as tool spirits. Most of them were junk essences because they couldn't do anything.

Beast spirit essence was the second kind of spirit essence. They were not as common as tool essence. Like tool spirits though they came in both common and junk spirits. The junk beast spirits were less common but they still happened.

He stood in the back of the classroom away from the other children. The parents were all standing by their children and he was all alone. The cold looks they gave him was what made him stand in the back. Why everyone hated him he didn't understand. All he knew was that they did and it was safer for him to be away from them.

A man in an unfamilIar uniform walked into the classroom. Even as young as he was he could see the tension the adults put off. They disliked this guy even more than they hated him. What a surprise that was.

The man had blond hair like his but his eyes were more of a grayish blue. He said," I am the examiner for today. I am a level 26 grandmaster. My profession is spirit master. For those of you who don't know. Instead of there being only the ranks of civilian, genin, chunin, and jounin. In the world of martial artist there are levels. After every ten levels you get a new rank. It takes years of hard work and practice to get to my level though. Most of you won't even reach level one with your spirit essence."

The killing intent in the room rose several notches. The weaker minded children began to cry. It was coming from the adults. Many of which saw it as an insult that someone would just assume that. Naruto on the other hand saw it as a fact.

Ninja and the villages focused on the chakra aspects instead of purely the spirit. That was what made them weaker than these people. They could use ninjutsu but they chose not to. If his village wouldn't accept him maybe they would.

Without batting an eye at the killing intent the man continued," I will be your guide to your spirits. Today you will awaken your essence spirits. You will also have your essence level tested. Those who are worthy will become spirit masters."

That caught some of the other kids attention. Mainly that of Kiba and a few of the class bullies. Naruto didn't like them. They always bullied him especially Kiba. It was like they hated him for simply being alive.

The man gave a smirk as he said," Now i will show you a spirit from a true spirit master. Pay attention!"

A few shouts rang out," Yes! Oh yes."

He could feel the sudden change in atmospere. It wasn't added killing intent. Instead it was pressure of the man's power. It caused even him to flinch back.

A red light entered the grey eyes as he said," Lone Wolf! Transform!"

Startled gasps rang out from student and parent alike. No one was expecting the man to become a human wolf hybrid. That must be the power of the beast essence. He hoped he got one similar. It would amazing to do something like that.

One of the kids started crying and was picked up by his shirt collar by the man. The man said without sympathy," There are two types of spirit essence. Beast and Tool. Obviously Lone Wolf is a beast. Alright now everyone line up."

He stood at the back of line waiting his turn. No doubt everyone expected him to get some junk spirit. They all thought he was a failure. If only they would see the real him. Just a boy who wanted to have a friend and to care about him.

Just a few people ahead of him was Sasuke Uchiha. He was probably the one everyone expected to get a beast spirit. Maybe even have a level.

A few people ahead of him was Kiba Inuzaka. There was no doubt in his mind that that boy would have a beast spirit. His family were connected to their ninja hounds. No doubt Kiba would get his in a few years.

Five minutes later there were only ten of them left. Everyone so far had been tool spirits. Everything from there had been two hammers, A river grass plant, handkerchief, two knives, a comb, and a soup bowl. Not a single one was able to make the crystal react. Essence level zero for all of them.

It was Shikamaru Nara's turn. The dark haired boy lazily stepped forward as the man awakened his spirit. It too was a tool but this time it was something different. The tool spirit was a kunai. For someone like the Naras it would definitely come in handy.

Now it was Kiba's turn. When the man unlocked his spirit there was a deafening howl. In front of the boy was a grey wolf.

"Grey Wolf beast spirit. Now test your spirit essence."

Kiba put his hand what appeared to be a crystal ball. At first it did nothing then it began to glow.

The man said seemingly unimpressed," Level 2 resonance. It seems we will have at least one student this year. Stand off to the side I will speak with you and your parents in private."

The next three were also beast spirits but they weren't very useful. They also didn't even make it to level one essence. They were rabbit, rat, and pigeon. Fairly useless.

The next up was Sasuke Uchiha. He sauntered over like the arrogant ass he was. It made his teeth grind that it could be this guy getting to learn about these techniques. He honestly hoped the other would get some useless tool spirit. That would teach the bastard.

When the man unlocked Sasuke's spirit it was uneventful. There was no loud howl or anything of that nature. In front of the other was a bird. From the markings it was a hawk. Definitely a beast spirit.

The man said holding out the orb," Hawk. Beast spirit. He will serve you well. Now let's see if you have a essence level."

Sasuke put his hands on the orb and focused. One had to put everything they had to get the orb to react to their essence. If one didn't then it wouldn't work and they would fail.

The orb barely lit up. It was even less than Kiba's. The man sneered at the boy and said," Half a level. That means you will never get over the level thirty threshold. Still we will take you and train you."

Before anyone could say anything Sasuke's father pulled him aside. The next four children were tool spirits. Two hammers, a large knife, and another handkerchief.

Finally it was his turn. The adults turned had hatered in their eyes. Only the grey eyes did he find solace. They were tired and bored. He had used a lot of energy to unlock so many students spirits and only had one left.

He stepped forward and the man said tiredly," Last one. Concentrate. Make out an image inside your heart. Materialise it in your hand."

He focused on the image that resided inside him. Having tried this a few times before it wasn't hard to find. What surprised him was when it moved. As if his spirit essence wanted free and was alive.

Angry feelings filled him as his thoughts darkened. He heard a voice say," Well well well. I never expected you to find me so young child. What do you want with me brat?"

He said in a whisper," Your my spirit essence. Aren't you? If you aren't my my spirit essence then what are you?"

A grumbling noise and a growled out," No I am not your spirit essence brat. Look elsewhere. If you want to know what I am ask you Hokage."

Witth that whatever it was went silent. So he began to focus in his heart again. He would ask the old man when this was over. First he had to get his spirit essence.

A dark grey almost smokey like light filled his hands. In it was a grey fox. A name entered his mind. Línghún. His name was Línghún. While he was small now there was no doubt he would grow with Naruto.

The man held out the orb obviously ready for this to be over. He put his hands on the orb and focused all of his energy into it. The man was already turning away expecting another level zero. Whatever Naruto was expecting to happen what did wasn't it.

The orb didn't just glow faintly. It shone ocean blue almost the exact color of his eyes. The man spun around to face him. Shock was written all over his face. The surprises weren't over as he couldn't control the power he was putting into the orb.

The man went to take it from his but before he could touch it, it shattered. He asked fearfully," What just happened?"

The man said staring at the shards," You had a full harmonization. It is very rare for even people from our villages to get that. You are a special child. What is your name?"

"Naruto Uzumaki, sir." He said stiffly. Special was just another word for freak.

The man dismissed everyone after that. To his surprise the blond boy was alone. There weren't any parents for him in the room. The man looked towards the other adults who he noticed were glaring at the child. Something more was going on here. It was more than just petty jealously that the boy had done better than both of others.

Ignoring it for the moment the man said," Tomorrow all three children will return with me to one of the primary schools. This will teach them the basics of using their essence. They will also be learning techniques that go with their essence. They will be allowed to return during the summer for a month. Should they choose to they can return to the village at the age of ten to finish their ninja training. Or..."

That pause caught his attention and he asked excitedly," Or what, sir?"

The glares he received made him flinch back. Such cold and hatred radiated off the adults. All except for the the grey eyed blond.

He replied with a gentle smile," If you wish to continue you can go to one of the advanced schools. The most popular is Shrek. The minimum essence level is 15 and you can't be older than twelve. Know this though Shrek only accepts the best. The classes were built to create monsters."

This time it was the adults turn to flinch. That would be his goal then. He would become one of the best and join Shrek's academy.

Hayate's POV

He had just returned from a mission. It was that time of year again. Children were being tested for their spirit essence. Most of the time he was away on a mission. It was unusual for him to be back. Then again the mission did end early. He had to wonder if any passed the essence test this year.

When he had taken the test he was the only one in his year that passed. His spirit was that of the wind wolf. It enhanced his speed. This allowed him to master the Dance of the Crescent moon when he returned to the village. He didn't actually return to the village until he was thirteen. Almost ten years ago to the day.

Hayate shook himself from the thoughts of the past as he entered the Hokage's office. A young man with blond hair and grey eyes stood talking to the older man.

When the Hokage saw him he was waved forward. Sarutobi said kindly," Welcome back, Hayate."

He bowed slightly as he said," Thank you Lord Hokage. If you need me to come back later I can go."

Behind his mask of indifference he hoped the man would grant him it. It had been a long mission and he would love for a hot shower. Some clean clothes wouldn't hurt either. Sadly it wasn't in his cards.

"No Hayate you should be here for this. Now finish telling me about the examinations this morning." The Hokage said in a commanding tone.

The man may have been old but frail he was not. Many ninja underestimated him. If they were to face him in combat though they would not live to regret it.

The exact opposite was true for him. He contracted the disease his clan was notorious for. Any hope for a cure had been destroyed when the Nine tailed fox attacked the village. Now he was the last of his clan and was slowly dying.

Startling him from his thoughts the blond said," We have three passes this year. One Kiba Inuzaka. He shows promise with his grey wolf. Whether he chooses to stay with us or return to the ninja side remains to be seen. Sasuke Uchiha was the next to pass. Out of the three I have to say he was the most disappointing. I have heard many good things about the Uchiha and expected better than half a level."

Hayate had to force himself not to react. Half levels were fairly common occurrence in the villages. It meant the users would never reach past break level 30. That was fine 29 was respectable. That begged the question of who the last one was.

"The final one is ready to get his first spirit ring. As you know when ones essence is first tested it will come out between levels 1 and 10. The boy came out a very high ten. He is the most promising student outside the martial artist clans I have seen in a long time." He said excitedly.

Now even the Hokage looked intruiged. Who was this protege? Normally his thoughts would have gone to the Nara clan. Something told him that wasn't right though. So who could it be?

His unspoken question was answered a second later," Naruto Uzumaki was the final pass."

The child who held the demon inside him? That did make sense though. He would have more chakra and spirit than anyone else his age.

The Hokage must have been thinking along the same lines. His face went several shades paler.

He asked trying to stay calm," Was there anything off when you tested the boy?"

When the man shook his head Hayate let out the breath he was holding. That was good at least. The danger now was of the other villages finding out their jinchuriki was gone. That could invite an attack on their village. The treaty stated though any child with an essence level must go to school for at least 4 years. Unless they were expelled. So Naruto had to go with this blond.