A small bit of advice from Kakashi before the start of the semi-finals of the Chunin Exams leads Naruto down a path he would have never have followed in canon. A path that will lead Naruto to new places, and new discoveries about him and his family's past. Who knew? AU, Strong Naruto, Pairings to be announced.

Starved for attention, respect, strength, and convinced becoming a ninja is the only way to achieve his goals, Naruto Uzumaki is a person who wants to become a shinobi at all cost. Willing to give his whole loyalty to someone who's willing to give him that chance to become strong. That only attracts vultures, vultures like Root.