The 3rd Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, his student Jiraiya of the Sennin, and ANBU commander codenamed Ryu are currently looking upon the final battle ground of the Kyubi no Kitsune. The sight of the 4th Hokage Minato Namikaze, his wife Kushina Uzumaki, and a crying blond child with a glowing red seal on his stomach and their son Naruto. As the trio started to walk towards the boy a purple energy emitted from him with a blinding light; once the light disappeared Naruto now had snow white hair and light blue whisker marks on his cheeks.

Jiraiya said "Was that Kyubi's chakra?"

Hiruzen shook his head and said "Its chakra is red, not purple."

After a few moments Ryu said "Since this boy has white hair and not blond, it seems that the Kyubi was taken to the grave with its container."

Hiruzen smiled and said "Yes it does Ryu; what do you think Jiraiya?"

Jiraiya smirked and said "Who am I to argue with the professor."

Konoha orphanage 6 years later…

A small white haired boy wearing dark blue shorts, white t-shirt, and blue shoes is sitting under a tree and reading a book on beginner fuinjutsu theory when a shadow appeared over him. The boy looked up to see a couple of the older boys from the orphanage standing over him.

The largest boy said "Give me that book pipsqueak; you don't deserve it."

Naruto stood up and said "Go away Koji, I'm in the middle of studying."

Koji said "I don't care, a runt like you has no chance at being at shinobi."

Naruto slid the book into his back pocket and said "I'm not giving you my book Koji."

Koji raised his hand and the bully on his right ran at Naruto; Naruto side stepped him, which caused him to slam face first into the tree and knocked him out. The Bully on Koji's left ran up and went to grab Naruto; Naruto remembering what he read in a book, stepped into the bully's guard grabbed his arm and hip tossed the older boy and caused him to slam down hard on his back.

Koji scowled and said "You'll pay for that."

Koji swung his fist at Naruto; Naruto being the smaller of the two ducked under the fist and swept his legs causing Koji to lose his balance and fall to the ground. Naruto quickly stood up and ran towards the park to finish reading his book. Unknown to him a figure watched the en tire encounter.

1 week later…

Naruto is currently sitting in an empty training ground and reading over a manual on physical conditioning. After several minutes of reading the manual he got up and started with running around the training ground. Due to only being six he managed to make 2 laps before becoming exhausted; after a 30 minute break he started doing 20 pushups, 20 crunches, and using a low branch 20 pull-ups. He managed to finish the exercise in forty minutes due to having to take a couple breaks in between. Once done he looked at a scroll with the basics of the academy style; the reason he is working on the basics is because the academy starts in three weeks and he wants to be prepared. Naruto is about to start his Taijutsu practice when the sound of footsteps get his attention; a few moments later a tall man with a shiny black bowl cut, green jumpsuit, orange leg warmers and a unzipped green Jonin vest stepped into the clearing.

The man said "Hello little one, my name is Maito Gai, what is your name?"

Naruto said "I'm Naruto Uzumaki."

Gai said "What are you doing out here Uzumaki-san?"

Naruto said "I academy starts in three weeks and I'm getting a start by learning the basics of the academy taijutsu as well as work on my physical conditioning."

Gai smiled and said "Such a youthful goal; I shall help you by giving you a set of training weights."

Gai pulled out a small scroll from one of his vest pockets and unsealed arm, leg, and body weights.

Gai said "They are beginner level so each is 10 pounds; I'll come back in a week to see how you are doing and increase the weights if need be. You should take the rest of the day to get used to the extra weight, before starting your exercises."

Once Gai left Naruto put on the weights and started with a light jog around the training ground. Unknown to either of them a dark figure inside Naruto's mind woke up and smirked, before going back to sleep. When Gai returned a week later he was surprised to find out the Naruto got used to the weights in a couple of days. With that information Gai brought several training weights in a sealing scroll and helped Naruto unlock his chakra so he can use the sealing scroll.

2 weeks later start of the academy…

Naruto entered the academy courtyard to see lots of kids with their parents and orphans alike.

An instructor with a high ponytail and a scar across his nose said into a microphone "Welcome everyone to the start of a new year at the Shinobi Academy. If I can have all the students enter the auditorium for the assembly before we hand out the class schedule."

It's been 3 months since the start of the academy year and thanks to him wearing his weights while doing his workout, which now includes chakra control he is towards the top of his class; it was only because he excels more at the physical aspect, not the book work that he is not in the top 10 of his year. He managed to become friends with a few of the clan heirs; the first friend he made was a lazy boy named Shikamaru Nara, which was quickly followed by the round Choji Akimichi. Shino Aburame was next to come into the circle of friends, because of Naruto's natural curiosity about the Aburame's ability to house insects and his non fear of Shino's bugs.

Naruto's year is currently standing behind the academy where a Taijutsu tournament.

Iruka said "Will all the girls make a line to the right and the boys to the left. We'll have a tournament for the girls first since there are not as many; we'll then follow up with the boys. The winner of each tournament will be given a voucher by the Hokage to get anything they want, within reason of course. The first match is between Ami and Hinata, please enter the ring."

Once in the ring Ami said "Get ready to lose Hyūga, I'll show you who is better."

Iruka raised his hand and said "Begin!"

Before Ami could move Hinata charged forward and struck Ami with a palm strike to the stomach which sent her out of the ring. The remaining matches went pretty quickly with the only stand outs being Ino Yamanaka and Hinata Hyūga; that are in the final match.

Iruka said "This is the final match of the girls tournament between Ino Yamanaka and Hinata Hyūga; you may begin when ready."

Ino charged forward and threw a right straight towards Hinata; Hinata ducked the attack and retaliated with a palm strike to the stomach. Ino just managed to deflect the attack and countered with a round house kick which Hinata ducked. Unfortunately Ino over rotated and ended with her back to Hinata; Hinata stepped forward and landed a palm strike to her back sending her stumbling forward and with a sweep of her legs Ino landed outside of the ring.

Iruka stepped forward and said "Winner, Hinata Hyūga!

Once the girls cleared the field Iruka said "The first match of the boy's tournament will be Daichi vs. Naruto Uzumaki."

Once both boys entered the ring, Iruka brought his hand down and started the match. Daichi ran forward and threw a right haymaker towards Naruto face; Naruto ducked at the last moment and landed a fierce punch to the body that caused the air to leave Daichi's lungs. Naruto then followed up with an uppercut and spinning side kick combo sending Daichi out of the ring.

After a few moments Iruka said "Winner Naruto Uzumaki! Will Sasuke Uchiha and Shino Aburame please enter the ring."

After several matches it was time for a semifinal round.

Iruka looked at his clip board and said "Will Kiba Inuzuka and Naruto Uzumaki please enter the ring."

Once both boys were ready Iruka started the match and Kiba charged forward and started to wildly swing his hands in a claw like manner trying to hit Naruto. Naruto for his part managed to dodge all but two before he found an opening and landed a thrust kick to Kiba's stomach that stopped his momentum. Naruto didn't let the moment slip past him, he stepped forward and using a combo the Gai taught him and land two left jabs, a right hook then an uppercut that sent Kiba slightly up into the air; Naruto then used the same spinning side kick to send Kibgba landing on the ground a few feet away and unconscious. Once Naruto walked off the field the match3es continued until only Naruto and Sasuke were left.

Iruka looked at the two boys and said "Okay, the final match will be Sasuke Uchiha vs. Naruto Uzumaki; you may begin when ready."

After a few moments of looking at each other Sasuke and Naruto charged at the same time; Sasuke threw a straight right, which Naruto deflected and sent a right hook to Sauske's body. Sasuke managed to move his body enough to only receive a glancing blow. Sasuke then threw a jab, right cross, and an ending left hook towards Naruto; Naruto dodged or deflected the attacks then countered with a left jab, right hook, and feinted a left hook which Sasuke ducked to avoid only to receive a rising knee to the face sending him stumbling back a few feet. Not allowing Sasuke anytime to recover, Naruto charged forward and started to land several jabs, straights before finishing with a left hook to the body and a right haymaker that sent Sasuke to the ground and out of the ring.

Iruka raised his hand and said "Winner of the tournament Naruto Uzumaki. Naruto take this note to the Hokage to receive your voucher for your prize. Class is dismissed and I'll see you all tomorrow."

20 minutes later Hokage Tower…

Naruto entered the Hokage's office to see the 3rd Hokage speaking with a tall white haired man, wearing a horned forehead protector with the kanji for 'Oil', a green short shirt kimono and matching pants; under which he wore mesh armor that showed out of the sleeves and legs of his outfit. His outfit was completed with hand guards, a simple black belt, traditional Japanese geta (wooden sandals), a red haori with two simple yellow circles on each side, and a scroll on his back.

The Hokage looked up and said "How may I help you Naruto-kun?"

Naruto placed the note on his desk and said "Iruka-sensei gave me this note to give to you, so I may get the voucher for winning the Taijutsu tournament."

The Hokage read the note and said "Okay, unfortunately I have a lot of work to do, but my student Jiraiya here can take you to get what you want."

Naruto looked at the man to his left and said "Hello sir."

Jiraiya smiled and said "Hey gaki!"

Naruto scowled and said "I'm not a gaki."

Jiraiya chuckled, turned to the Hokage and said "I'll talk to you tonight sensei."

Market district 20 minutes later…

Jiraiya and Naruto have been walking for about 5 minutes when Naruto stopped in front of a large 2 story store with a sign that had Urahara Shinobi Emporium written on it. After a few moments of looking at the store Naruto entered to see dozens of rack filled with cloths and weapons.

A cheerful voice said "Welcome to my humble shop Jiraiya."

Naruto turned to the voice to see a tall lean-built man with light skin and gray eyes. His hair is messy and light-blond (almost pale), with strands framing the sides of the face and hanging between his eyes, and he has chin stubble. He wore a brown coat, which sports a white diamond pattern along its bottom half, with a dark green shirt and pants underneath. He carried a fan, wore traditional Japanese geta (wooden sandals) and a striped dark green and white bucket hat.

Jiraiya smiled and said "How's it going Kisuke?"

Kisuke smiled and said "Everything is going fine; now who might this young boy be?"

Naruto bowed slightly and said "My name is Naruto Uzumaki sir."

Kisuke nodded and said "What can I do for you two today?"

Jiraiya handed the voucher to Kisuke and said "Sensei gave him this voucher for whatever he wants, for wining a taijutsu tournament at the Academy."

Kisuke smirked and said "Well lets go find something for you."

After 10 minutes of looking at the various items in the shop, Naruto stopped in front of a glass case that held a sword and a scroll. The sword was 4½ feet long, with a gold five point start tsuba, a handle in the shape of a roaring Chinese dragon with sapphire eyes; black sheath with twin sapphire blue dragons on sides.

After a few moments Naruto looked at the two men pointed at the case and said "I want that."

After a few moments Kisuke chuckled and said "Well the voucher does say anything he wants; as a freebie I'll throw in a sword cleaning kit and a book on how to properly take care of the sword."

Jiraiya smirked and said "You wouldn't happen to know of anyone who could teach him to use the sword?"

Kisuke's smile widened and said "It just so happens I have a lot of free time on my hands; so if it's okay with Hokage-sama I'll gladly teach young Naruto how to wield a Katana."

Jiraiya said "I'm sure he won't mind since it's you; you'll just have to work out a schedule that will allow for his academy studies."

Kisuke said "Well, I'll let him take the scroll home so he can read about the blade and what it can do; while I keep the sword here to make sure it stays safe."

Jiraiya nodded and said "Hey Naruto, why don't you go find a book or two while Kisuke and I catch up."

Once Naruto was out of hearing range Jiraiya's faced turned serious.

Jiraiya said "You know who that sword belonged to don't you and how dangerous it can be?"

Kisuke smirked and said "Of course I know; he made it after all. I can see the Will of Fire in that boys soul stronger than any I've seen; if that boy isn't gifted for the shinobi arts, I'll eat my hat."

Jiraiya sighed and said "Well lets go find out what books he picked."

Unknown to both men this was the very moment that would change the course of the shinobi world forever.