Naruto: The Realism

2 Years Later- Shanks aged 11

Inhale

Shanks stood on the highest point of the tree's trunk. He checked the positions of the targets he could see one last time. Six on the trees around him and two on the tree behind. He closed his eyes and bent his knees.

Exhale

Shanks exhaled slowly and sprung into the air. He rolled forward in the air until his feet were facing the sky as eight kunai appeared in his hand, held between his fingers. He threw all the ones in his right hand and two in his left during the first rotation.

Shanks tossed one of the last two kunai to his right hand as he rotated once more, drew both his arms back, and threw them at ones thrown by his left hand, just as they were past the tree he had leaped off of. He heard the sound of metal hitting metal followed by a thunk of wood as he landed in a crouch.

The six targets visible to him had a kunai lodged in the middle. He got up and circled the tree. A smile appeared onto his face when he saw that his kunai hit the bullseye on the targets behind it as well.

Finally.

Shanks walked on the tree trunks, removed the kunai's from the targets, and returned them to the holster on his thigh.

Shanks then opened his backpack, took out a black hoodie and wore it over his white shirt. He checked his blue shorts for any dust, put his backpack on, and started walking to the academy. Afterall today is the day of graduation and he was excited.

From afar, a figure manifested from a crow. He just stood there motionless for a while. But if anyone would have seen the face behind the mask, they would have realized that this figure was somewhat astonished. For what reason, no one knows. After standing for a while he vanished in a blur.

Shanks stepped forward after Iruka called his name. There were only two people left in the class. Uchiha Sasuke stepped in with his head held high and a round of cheers erupted in the crowd.

"Show him who's the best! Sasuke-kun!" yelled a fangirl.

"You are gonna do it, Sasuke-kun!"

Shanks chuckled inwardly.

"Silence!", Mizuki yelled.

"Begin".

A soon as the word fell, Sasuke rushed forward. He sidestepped Sasuke's kick, but it was just a distraction as the Uchiha executed a double roundhouse kick. All those life threatening training sessions with his sensei were if he couldn't anticipate it. He blocked the second kick with ease. He then pulled him forward and gave a vicious punch on his mouth. Sasuke winced at the pain.

Boring.

Shanks took the initiative now as he was getting bored. He fainted a punch with his left, Sasuke bent back to avoid the jab. He fainted again, with his right this time. Sasuke growled. Shanks evaded Sasuke's punch by leaning to the left and rammed his fist into Sasuke's body.

Shanks fist was almost like a blur for the rest of the students.

Shanks didn't gave him the opportunity to comeback as he tackled Sasuke to the ground and was over him with a hand on his chest and a fist drawn back when Iruka called the match.

"Winner! Shanks."

Both prodigies came forward and made the "Seal of Reconciliation" before going back to their respective seats.

Yes, Shanks was the topper of his class. Erina was second, but amongst the Kunoichi she was the top. Shanks sat on his chair before his partner spoke,

"Wow, you make it look so easy. I for sure know Sasuke is not an easy opponent. You practice a lot don't you, Shanks-kun?"

Shanks chuckled." Well it's the only way you can get stronger. Don't you think so, Sakura? His eye looking intently at her."

Sakura blushed before saying "H-Hai."

Shanks sighed inwardly. She was a good girl. Extremely good in theories but sucks at practical. So he started giving her some pointers. He felt bad for her. She was from a civilian family and she didn't have the resources to train hard. So he was willing to help her. And as expected she took it well and improved a lot. But the thing is that she became a little clingy over time. But he didn't wanted to sound rude so he kept quiet. Besides she was a good company.

Iruka suddenly yelled" QUIET ALL OF YOU".

Everyone tensed and stopped whatever they were doing. Iruka smirked and thought inwardly, Always works. 

"Alright. Now I will announce the names of the students who passed. So please one by one come forward and collect your headband.

"Kiba Inazuka"

"Hinata Hyuga"

"Shino Aburame"...

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"Naruto Uzumaki"

"Hai Iruka sensei.". He was delighted. Finally he will be able to show others how awesome he is.

"Sasuke Uchiha"

"Hai". He was disappointed. His clan was looking forward to it. But he thought he failed them. That red haired guy came out at top. He took a glance at him. He could be see how care free he was, as he was talking with that pink haired loser. He gritted his teeth in frustration. Just you wait. The moment I awaken the sharingan I will humiliate you in front of everyone. He took the headband and went back to his seat.

"Now I will announce the name of the Rookie of the Year and the kunoichi of the year."

"Shanks and Erina Uzumaki come forward", Iruka said proudly.

"Congratulations, Shanks-kun", Sakura said with delight. 

Shanks smiled and said " Thank You Sakura". He stood up and went to collect his headband. Everyone was clapping. 

"Congratulations Shanks. You have been one of the best students that I have ever taught and I have taught a few. So I am hoping for even more great things from you in the future." Iruka said with a smile. 

" Thanks Iruka sensei, and I hope to live up to your expectations."

"Good. Now go".

Shanks nodded before turning and leaving. But suddenly a hand caught his shoulder. He turned back to see who it was and found Erina who was looking at him with cold eyes.

'U-Um is there any problem, Erina?"

"Don't you ever think that you are gonna be the best forever. Academy and outside are totally different thing. Remember we never had an official spar yet and don't think I am Sasuke. I am much more lethal."

Shanks was amused. Hmph, lethal? you have no idea what that word entails. He remembered what he went thorugh all these years. Well let her talk, who cares! 

Erina seem to get impatient when no words were coming out. Shanks sighed and replied " I am sure you are and I am looking forward to it."

Erina nodded, "Good".

Shanks turned around and left. Erina went towards Iruka to collect her headband.

Sakura was observing the situation with a lot of intent. She didn't like Erina. She didn't like her at all. She clenched her fist and suddenly Shanks came,"Yo! Is everything all right? You seem to space out."

Sakura quickly relaxed and replied."A-ah It's nothing. I just had less sleep last night that's all"

Shanks nodded.

Sakura sighed in relief. She should really compose herself. She need to do meditation a lot as Shanks suggested.

"Alright. Listen up" Iruka demanded attention.

"Today the class is concluded. Come early tomoroow because you will be assigned a three men team along with a Jonin Sensei. So go home and rest because from tomorrow onwards you are no longer in the protection of the academy. You have to rely on yourself and your comrades. And last but not the least...", Iruka paused for a little. He then smiled and said" I am Proud of you all". Everyone clapped happily.

"Just you wait sensei I will make you even more prouder.", a boy yelled with excitement.

Iruka laughed and said" I am sure you will Naruto. I am sure."

Shanks smiled. He was not a bad teacher at all. He never favored anyone and treated everyone equally. And that's the hallmark of a great teacher. He may not be the strongest but he was a guide and a honest one at that.

Everyone started leaving. Shanks stood up." Shall we?"

Sakura nodded happily and then they left as well. Tomorrow a new journey begins. And as usual he can't wait to see what it has storedn for him.