This story was inspired by Mhyrloc's story Naruto and Pokemon: Power of Partnership. For those who have not read it, I'd suggest it; it has a good concept and plot. For those who have read that one already, sorry if a lot of things seem similar at the beginning; I'm using his story as a base skeleton for mine for certain parts, where as others are completely my own idea. Mhyrloc, if you're reading this, you have every right to critisize me.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Digimon in any way. If I did, I'd be rich. Also, when it comes to Digimon, I normally use strict Japanese terms, however there are sometimes where I will use the Non-Japanese, i.e. Calling a female Piccolomon Piximon, as it would seem more fitting for the gender.
Warning: Naruto will be somewhat OOC in this chapter.
Chapter One - Becoming a Ninja
Once more the sun rose, and once more a blond boy silence his alarm before it finished its first set of beeps. Bleary eyes gazed upon the ceiling, the exhaustion from the previous night slowly fading. Despite trying to sleep early on the eve of what he considered the most important day of his life, the rhythmic pounding of rain caused by an unexpected storm against his window had kept him away from slumber until past midnight.
Lethargically, he prepared himself. A quick shower, cold so he could wake himself faster; a painful three minutes for his breakfast to cook itself; and grabbing his jacket, colored orange to match the exercise pants he wore, as he stepped out to head to his Academy for what could be the last time in his life.
Twice he had failed to graduate; the first time was due to poor academic scores, and the previous was due to one of the rare times he had fallen ill. Now, it was his last chance. He had started earlier than most, at five instead of seven or eight. Now, at age twelve, his last chance stood before him; a minimum of five years at the Academy and a maximum of eight was his home Village's policy on becoming a ninja.
Praying to whatever Gods existed, he hoped that the Jutsu test wouldn't be on the Bunshin no Jutsu (Clone Technique), as it was his worst of the Basic Three; his Kawarimi no Jutsu (Replacement Technique) was decent enough, and his Henge no Jutsu (Transformation Technique) was better than anyone else in the last three graduating classes. But no matter what, he has never been successful in creating a single copy of himself without it looking like it was dying of some horrible disease. Unfortunately, while there was only a one-in-three chance of it being picked for his test, he learned long ago to expect the worst and hope for the best.
Faster than he expected, but slower than his usual pace, Naruto Uzumaki, the most hated person in the village of Konoha, arrived at the first training grounds any ninja of his home passed through. Despite arriving earlier than usual, he was the last member of his class to arrive. With semi-confidence, he went to the final row of raised platforms to sit at his assigned seat. From his vantage point, he could see everyone passing the time in their own way as they awaited their Sensei's arrival.
Akimichi Chouji was eating a large breakfast bento, larger than what he considered normal; most likely, it was a good luck gift from his family in the form of something comforting to the larger-than-life Clan. Next to the heavyset boy was his close friend, Nara Shikamaru, who was napping away as usual; more than likely he believed that today would be more 'troublesome' compared to others, and would rather just sleep through it like most of his own Clan would.
Inuzuka Kiba, who was almost as bad as Naruto was when it came to Academics, was chattering away with some random other student, one whose name Naruto couldn't really remember; at least, not until a few small black dots randomly moved across his skin before disappearing once more into the large, grey coat he wore. Aburame Shino was just sitting there, listening to Kiba rant; however, Naruto wasn't sure if he was really awake or not, due to the sunglasses and high collar his Clan was known for hiding his feature.
Hyuuga Hinata was simply studying her notes, preparing herself for the upcoming exams. Naruto didn't know much about her, other than the fact that she came from a high ranking Clan in both the ninja and civilian worlds of Konoha. The few times they were made to work together, she either didn't talk, or stammered a lot, and would even sometimes faint; due to that, Naruto had a small belief that she was slightly scared of him for some reason.
A few feet away from him, Naruto could hear two girls bickering; one was the blond Yamanaka Ino, and the other was the pink haired crush of his, Haruno Sakura. As per usual, the argument between the two former best friends was about the person Naruto considered his biggest rival: Uchiha Sasuke. Who was just sitting there and staring/glaring at the front of the room, ignoring everything around him.
As for the remaining people in the room, who were the children of civilians instead of ninja clans... well Naruto didn't really care for them; especially since he constantly heard their parents tell them to avoid him as much as possible.
Soon, however, the sliding doors opened and the two Chunin teachers walked in. Mizuki, a white haired man who believed in the merits of personal strength and constantly preached about it, sat in a chair near the chalkboard; a round, orange furred creature with a long black horn bounced into his lap, from which its red eyes stared out to the students. Umino Iruka stood in the center of the floor, as well as the middle of a slightly worn area that his pacing had caused throughout the year; while strict, Iruka still wanted all his students to excel at everything they do, and would be willing to help out anyone if they had a problem. Bouncing around his feet was an exact copy of the creature sitting in Mizuki's lap, albeit a lighter shade of orange.
Both teachers waited a few minutes, expecting the noise levels to drop; however, most of the students still weren't paying attention. With a nod to their partners, both Tsunomon were shrouded in a pillar of light, which faded quickly. Standing in their place was small, mammal-like Digimon with nine feather-like tails. Iruka's was colored red with blue markings, while Mizuki's was colored purple with yellow markings. The students that had been paying attention quickly plugged their ears and hid beneath their desks.
With a cry of "Sparkling Thunder" coming from Elecmon and "Jamming Thunder" from ViElecmon, bolts of electricity shot from the Digmon's tail's, colliding in midair, and sent a bigger shock to those still above their desks, with a loud popping sound following short after.
"You'd think they'd learn by now." ViElecmon chuckled.
"Now that we have your attention..." Iruka cleared his throat. "As you all know, today is the graduation exam. You will be tested on all of the knowledge and skills you've gained in these past few years, and if you score well enough, you will be assigned to a team. For those who do not, however, you will be permitted to try again next year, after an additional year of tutelage of course." A chorus of groans escaped the throats of those on the lower end of the grade scale. "However, those that don't take their studies seriously will not be allowed to remain here forever. Our council decrees that you are only allowed three attempts at the final exam; I expect everyone to do their best in the future, regardless if it's back here or in your own Gennin teams."
Of course, a dense civilian kid had to bring up the one question Naruto dreaded the answer to. "What happens if we fail three times?" Sadly, this boy was barely above the Uzumaki in terms of scores, and would've been the 'dead-last' if Naruto hadn't been so bad with clones.
Iruka sighed, knowing this was a touchy subject for some of those present. "If a student fails the graduation exam three times, it is assumed that any further training is unlikely to improve them; in that circumstance, the person is removed from the Ninja Academy, and in some cases has a seal applied." Iruka noted that both Naruto and Hinata paled at his answer. He decided not to go into further details, as it could possibly lead to traumatizing several more of them. "Now, if there are no more questions, we will begin the exams..."
The next few hours were spent on exhaustive testing. The first part was a written exam, testing theoretical knowledge and basic understandings of common ninja concepts, as well as a few history questions about the village and Digimon. After that was the Taijutsu test, consisting of sparring against the teachers to gauge their strength and techniques; accuracy tests with kunai, shuriken, and for a select few, senbon, followed soon after that. Finally, after being outside for a good couple hours, the students were allowed to go back to the classroom for the final part of the exam: Ninjutsu.
Mizuki held up a small, clear plastic box that held several slips of paper. Iruka cleared his throat before starting to explain. "In the box Mizuki is holding are slips of paper listing the three basic Academy techniques. You will be called into the testing room one at a time to perform the Jutsu you pull from it. While Mizuki-Sensei and I are testing, the rest of you may do what you want, as long as it's quiet and isn't disruptive to other classes. If you are given a passing grade for all parts overall, then you will recieve your very own headband, symbolizing your pride for your village, as well as your loyalty to it. If there are no questions, then we will proceed." Nobody bothered to ask anything, mainly because they were tired from all the testing. "We will be going in alphabetical order, by last name, so Aburame Shino will be first."
Naruto decided to rest his head, knowing that only one person was after him on the roster.
A couple hours later, he was standing in the test room. Both teachers were staring at him as he glared at the small slip of paper in his hand, reading crystal clear: 'Bunshin no Jutsu, minimum of three'. He crumpled it up and threw it onto the desk his teachers were seated at.
"Alright, fine. You want clones? I'll give you the best group of clones you've ever seen!" Naruto immediately began gathering chakra, enough that a sphere of it became visible to the eye.
Iruka closed his eyes and sighed, hoping the blonde haired boy would be able to pass this time. With a one in three chance of the clone jutsu being picked, Iruka knew that Naruto deserved a lucky break more than anyone right now. His partner Elecmon was sitting next to him, hoping for the best as well. As Iruka and Elecmon were praying for his student and Naruto was concentrating, none saw Mizuki and ViElecmon sharing a crooked smile.
After a few moments of channeling his chakra, Naruto cried out "Bunshin no Jutsu!" He believed his focus was perfect and that his visualization was spot on; he even channeled enough chakra that the room glowed blue with it. He was confident that he had finally managed to create some clones, that he wouldn't fail this time. He opened his eyes, expecting to see Iruka's happy grin; unfortunately, all he saw was sorrow, causing the orange wearing boy to know he failed once more.
Looking to the side, he saw what his clones looked like. One looked like it was dying of some horrible disease, while the other two had somehow merged into one grotesque mutated looking creature with two heads, three legs, and its arms in the place of its outmost ears.
"I'm truely sorry Naruto." Iruka started. "But I cannot simply allow you to pass. One clone looks like its dying, while the other looks like somthing out of a B-Class horror movie."
Mizuki cleared his throat. "I don't know Iruka, something like that could become useful in the right situation. Besides, his scores in the other three areas are of adequate levels that they more than make up for it. Plus, none of us here want to see him get sealed, so why don't we pass him anyways?"
"You know we can't do that." Elecmon stated. "Even if his other scores could cover it, he still needs a passing grade in all areas to pass. Those are the rules you know; we don't send any unprepared ninja out to die."
"Nor will we lie to the Hokage about the test results; we can't make any exceptions for anyone. I have no doubt that if you had pulled one of the other two jutsu, then you would've passed with flying colors."
"I understand, Iruka-Sensei." Naruto's voice sounded so void of emotion, Iruka nearly winced.
Naruto sat sideways on a swing hanging from a tree on the school grounds. Many of the other students from his year were gathered around, celebrating with their families. He could hear the whispers of the adults, mocking him, glad he had failed.
"He's not hard on you because he hates you." ViElecmon's voice caught Naruto's attention. "I think he considers you like the little brother he never had; he wants to protect you and keep you safe."
Mizuki walked up next to him, staring up through the branches at the sun crawling its way slowly towards the west. They stood that way for a while before Mizuki spoke, his voice somber. "I never really understood the whole 'protecting everyone' thing. It's always been my belief that the best way for someone to be safe is for them to get strong. Teach them to stand on their own and protect themselves, you know? Like that old saying about fishing. I mean, except with fighting, because fishing is boring," Mizuki chuckled. "But it's hard to get strong as a civilian, And it's not like the jerks in this village will lift a finger to help you, eh?"
Naruto scowled towards the tree in response.
"Tell me, Naruto... How much do you want to be strong? How far will you go to protect yourself?"
Naruto responded, still scowling "I will get strong. I will protect not only me, but all the people I care about too! I don't care if I'm sealed, and I don't care if I'm a civilian. I will become Hokage someday! And there's no one in this village that's gonna stop me!" Naruto was barely whispering the words, but the intensity in his words made them seem all the louder.
Mizuki hummed to himself, as if considering something. "Well kid, I guess I got no choice but to tell you then." He smirked at Naruto's puzzled look. "There's a secret test for those who fail the exam for their third time, but it can only be issued by one of the student's instructors in private."
"Wait, if that's true then why didn't Iruka-sensei tell me about it?" Naruto responded in a surprising show of logic.
"Well, to be honest, I don't know," Mizuki shrugged. "But there's a fair chance he just doesn't know about it. After all, it is pretty rare for someone to flunk out all three times... No offense of course."
"I guess that makes sense..." Naruto conceded. "So, what do I have to do to pass this super secret test Sensei?" he asked, eyes sparking with hope once again.
Mizuki knelt next to Naruto, so their faces were inches apart, and his voice dropped to a whisper. "That's just it, this is right up your alley kid. If anyone in the entire school can pull it off, you can. What you need to do is sneak into the Hokage's tower and 'borrow' the Scroll of Seals. I gotta warn you though, you can't tell anyone why you're doing this or the test is void. You gotta get in, and get out, on your own without getting caught."
At Naruto's wide eyed stare he clarified. "This is a chunin rank mission, kid. It's purpose is to test your infiltration and information acquisition skills. Genin aren't expected to have any ability in those areas you know, that's more espionage oriented chunin and special jounin stuff. These secret tests are designed to be tough, their purpose is to make sure that we don't accidentally lose a ninja with valuable skills because of a little quirk like your clone issues."
Naruto nodded his understanding and Mizuki continued, "Now, once you have the scroll you gotta get to the rendezvous point written here." He handed Naruto a folded piece of paper. "Make sure you destroy that once you know where to go, ninja never leave evidence behind. When you reach the drop off point wait for me to come get you. I'll score you based on speed, stealth, time it takes for an alert to sound, and how long it takes them to figure out who took the scroll. All of these are important concerns for an espionage operation." He looked straight into Naruto's eyes, "if you can score high enough on this to bring your total score to passing, you will be issued a headband and will be assigned to a team with everyone else."
"But... What if I can't get enough points to make up for my Ninjutsu score?" Naruto asked.
Mizuki rocked back on his heels a moment to think. "Tell you what, just 'cause Iruka likes you, and I wanna see him cheer you on at the ceremony, I'll make you a deal. If you can learn a jutsu from the scroll and demonstrate it for me when I arrive to grade you, I'll change your Ninjutsu score to match whatever you earn demonstrating the new one. How's that sound?" Mizuki leaned forward again and offered his hand to the small boy.
Naruto stared at his sensei, awed at the generosity of the offer. "I say you got a deal!" He shouted, grasping the offered hand and shaking it vigorously. "I'll ace this test! I'll do so good they'll have to invent a new letter above 'A', dattebayo!"
"Good to hear it," Mizuki replied with a grin. He gestured to the piece of paper in Naruto's hand, "I'll meet you there at... Let's say midnight, that'll give you some time to earn that extra credit. Plus, if you can get the scroll and they don't even realize it's gone until then, I think that would qualify you for that perfect score you want." He stood and brushed off his pants briskly. "Well, if you're all set and don't have any more questions, I have a date with a hot lil lady I call sake!" That said, Mizuki vanished in a swirl of leaves, with ViElecmon sitting on his shoulders.
Naruto grinned in anticipation as he set off like a shot for his apartment, he had gear to collect for this ultimate test. This time he swore to himself: he would pass no matter what it took. Nothing would stop him. Nothing would delay him...
Later that night, Iruka was just finishing up the last of his end of the year paperwork. As he stacked the forms in his arm, planning to haul them down to the school's administration office for proper filing, he spotted the wadded up piece of paper Naruto hurled at the desk earlier. Sighing to himself for what seemed like the hundredth time that day he gathered the offending scrap, glaring at it with what anger he could hold for such an object.
"Why did you have to be Bushin?" He demanded. "Is it to much to ask for one little thing to go Naruto's way for once?" Unsurprisingly he received no response. Resisting an immature urge to just burn the thing, he decided to return it to the box for use in the future.
He sent a bit of chakra into the slip of paper, using a teacher's jutsu he'd learned over the years to repair paperwork damaged by anything from stray jutsu and kunai to being partially consumed by wild animals.
Ninja-to-be were surprisingly innovative when it came to avoiding homework, and most of the academy's teachers had no pity for unimaginative excuses. There was actually a top ten list in the teacher's lounge of best excuses ever used. Jiraiya, Iruka, and Naruto were tied for first place on it.
Iruka frowned when the paper in his hands resisted for a few seconds, before releasing a tiny burst of chakra and unfolding itself properly. His eyes went wide as he stared. The words 'Henge no Jutsu' emblazoned across it.
As he stared at the words, trying to figure out how Naruto could have confused one technique for the other, he heard a loud slam and pounding footsteps. Turning to the doorway he watched it fly open to reveal a haggard looking Kurenai Yuuhi. Kurenai had been a fellow teacher in the academy, teaching the fourth grade students until just a year ago. After teaching the prior year's class, she declared her intention to leave the academy and attain her jouninship to become a genin team sensei.
Iruka knew from personal experience that the young Hyuuga heiress had factored into the decision, both because of Kurenai's previous involvement with the girl, and because she had consulted him in regards to the best manner to request the Hokage give her the girl as a student. Personally, he hoped she got the team she chose. he believed it would be good both for the Genin involved and Kurenai herself.
"Ah... Yes, Kurenai-san? Was there something you need?" He asked absently, mind still tangling with the puzzle in his hand.
"Iruka-san," Kurenai began, almost out of breath from her swift arrival. "The Hokage summoned all active ninja to the tower..."
"Damn. I'll head right there," Iruka interrupted, dropping the stack of files on the desk.
"Don't bother," Kurenai continued, stopping Iruka mid stride. "He made his announcement already, I got here as fast as I could. It was about Naruto... He... He stole the Scroll of Seals. Every ninja in the village is out looking for him."
Iruka's eyes shot wide for a moment, before, as if by magic the pieces to his puzzle clicked into place. A glare of anger so intense settled onto the kind chunin's face that Kurenai unconsciously stepped away. "Mizuki..." he growled, his hand spasming closed and crushing the paper once again.
He looked into Kurenai's eyes a moment, lost in thought. "Go to the Hokage," he ordered, "tell him Naruto's being used. Mizuki must have planned to make Naruto fail, then use him to get the scroll."
Kurenai nodded, ignoring the fact that she outranked the teacher. "What are you going to do?" she inquired.
"Mizuki's a man of habit. There are only so many places he would choose to meet Naruto, and there's no way he would have left himself having to search for him beside the rest of the village. Naruto's too good at evading capture to leave something like this up to chance."
"And when you find him?"
"I plan to beat him into the dirt, then bring him back for Ibiki... Or maybe Anko." He grinned maliciously at the jounin when he mentioned her friend. "No one hurts my students," Iruka swore before vanishing in a shunshin.
Kurenai stared at the place he stood a moment more before turning and rushing from the room as fast as she could. On her way back to the Hokage's tower she wondered if Iruka could handle Mizuki on his own... And if he could, how much of the possible traitor would be left afterward.
Naruto sat in a clearing in a training ground just outside of Konoha proper. Apparently it was used for some kind of bandit rescue or other form of forced entry training, judging from the much battered cabin that stood nearby. He was exhausted but deliriously happy. He had managed to learn one jutsu from the scroll, and it was a bushin type to boot. No way would anyone be able to deny his graduation now! All he had to do was wait for Mizuki-sensei to get here and he'd be a genin in no time.
The rapid pounding of footsteps brought Naruto to his feet in a rush. The boy was literally bouncing in place with eagerness to see Mizuki and pass his test. His disappointment was sharp when instead Iruka slid to a stop in front of him.
"Does this mean I fail the test?" Naruto asked sadly.
"Naruto! Do you know where Mizuki is?" Iruka demanded, "I don't know what he told you, but that scroll should never have been removed from the Hokage's office. This is no test, this is treason!" Iruka swept his eyes around franticly, trying to watch everywhere at once.
"Wh... what? What do you mean there's no test? Mizuki-sensei told me..." Naruto trailed off realization dawning on him. "He's like everyone else, isn't he?" He asked quietly, not really expecting an answer.
"I'm hurt that you would think so little of me, Naruto." called out a sinister voice from the shadowed woods. "I did ask what you were willing to do to become strong didn't I? And then I gave you a way to do it... You can't honestly tell me those pathetic villagers would even consider doing something like that."
"Mizuki!" Iruka yelled, still glaring around. "Show yourself! What's this all about? Why would you do something like this?"
"Why? Isn't it obvious, Iruka? This is about power. I'm tired of being on the low end of the strength scale in this village. I'm tired of teaching stupid brats who have less potential in their whole bodies than I do in a single finger. I'm tired of waiting for this damn village to recognize my greatness! I'll force them to see my power, and Orochimaru-sama has promised to help me."
"All I need is that scroll to pay my tuition, so to say, and he'll teach me everything I need to know. He even offered to let me stand with him when he comes back to burn this place to the ground." Malevolent laughter filled the woods around them for a moment.
"Naruto," the voice continued when it's mirth had faded. "Give me the scroll, and I'll bring you with me. We can both serve Orochimaru-sama. Think about it: no more villagers to harass you, no more living in that dump you call a home, no more of this sick, disgusting, village. I'm willing to keep my promise of power... if you're willing to complete your mission. Remember, the test only ends with you a ninja when you give the scroll to me."
"Don't listen to him, Naruto," Iruka commanded. "He's just trying to manipulate you. He'll kill you the second he doesn't need you anymore."
Naruto looked from Iruka to the woods, worry and fear clearly evident in his posture and expression.
Dark chuckles came from the woods around them again. "If that were true, I'd just kill him now. Even I can see how exhausted he must be from all that training. It'd hardly be difficult right now. I certainly doubt a soft desk-ninja like you would be able to stop me, Iruka. In fact, I bet I could kill you both before you even know where I am..."
"But I'm a generous person, so I think I'll sweeten the deal for you, Naruto. If you want, I'll tell you why the village hates you so much. Why they all want to keep you weak. The secret so big no one is allowed to even whisper it in Konoha. Well? Do you want to hear it kid?"
"No! Mizuki you wouldn't dare!" Iruka cried out in surprise. "If you say it you'll be executed!"
Naruto stared at his visible teacher in shock. Iruka knew? He knew all this time? All the pain Naruto had suffered and the answer was as close to him as his own teacher... And Iruka never told him?
"Hmmm, You're right Iruka. I wouldn't want to get executed twice. On top of the treason and all I mean... I guess that just means I can't get caught!" The hidden man laughed again "You want to know the secret, Naruto? Fine! The secret is: You are the Kyuubi no Youko! All the evil that beast committed stains your very soul! Your claws, your teeth, you killed all those people who were lost that day you were born! Yondaime died trying to destroy you! But you still exist, and the village... Wants. You. Dead!"
Naruto felt his heart stop at those words... suddenly a thousand barely heard insults made sense: Fox brat, Demon, Monster. He fell to his knees in a daze, the forest seemed to be spinning around him, as if the world itself was trying to reject him.
"No!" Iruka rebutted. "Naruto's got that thing locked inside him. That much is true. But he's no more the Kyuubi than I am!" Distantly Naruto heard Iruka's denial, but everything seemed to be coming from so far away... like it didn't matter anymore.
"Oh? Well, in that case I'll just have to kill you both!" Mizuki screamed, charging forward from behind Naruto's unresponsive form, an already flying windmill shuriken leading the way.
The next sensation Naruto felt wasn't a burning pain, nor the slicing of steel through flesh. Naruto felt like he was flying. He was puzzled by the experience until he hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the air from his lungs. Iruka had grabbed Naruto by the back of his jumpsuit and launched him to safety while staying himself and bashing the giant throwing star out of the air with the other arm. Unfortunately for Iruka, the razor sharp edge of the weapon ripped a long gash along his upper arm.
Iruka grabbed the wound, wincing in pain before being forced to dodge from the rapidly approaching Mizuki. The traitorous nin was wielding his second shuriken as if it were a buzz saw. Slashing and swiping with it almost recklessly.
"Why would you help that damned demon!" The treacherous ninja exclaimed. "Why the hell would you save the monster that killed your parents! The Yondaime! Everyone!"
Iruka darted forward when his opponent's wild swing left him overbalanced momentarily and delivered a bruising kick to the gut, knocking him away. "Because, it's like I said." Iruka replied. "Naruto is not the demon fox. He's one of my precious students. And anyone who wants to hurt my students, will do so over my dead body!" Iruka drew a pair of kunai and charged at Mizuki, with a cry of "Now, Elecmon!"
"Elecmon, evolve!" A bright light shined in the distance, signalling the metamorphasis.
"Leppamon! Vacuum Kamaitachi!" was called out in quick succession as the light faded, with a blade of wind severing the top of many trees in the area.
"Shit!" Mizuki cursed. "ViElecmon, go find that annoyance and delete it!"
"ViElecmon, evolve! Bakemon!" Mizuki's partner became it's own Adult form before heading off into the the brush in search of the hidden Digimon, whom kept repeating its attack in hopes of distracting the traitor.
"It's over Mizuki! ANBU will be here in minutes to find out what's going on." Iruka proclaimed, unfazed by the falling treetops. "Your only options are peaceful surrender or painful capture."
Naruto was transfixed as the battle between the two ninja continued, twin kunai against giant shuriken. He was confused as to why Iruka would go so far for him. Sure, he was a damn good teacher, but how many teachers would get in a fight to the death for their students?
Meanwhile Iruka was taking full advantage of the disorienting effect Leppamon's attack was having on Mizuki, pushing the traitor ninja onto his heels time and again. Iruka seemed to have every advantage for a short while... right until Leppamon's attacks stopped being shot off from their constant pace.
"Looks like my partner found yours," Mizuki gloated with a cruel expression. "I wonder how long it'll be before Bakemon shreds it to pieces?"
Iruka unconsciously darted his eyes towards where he knew Reppamon would be fighting against his Viral adversary.
Such distraction would be dangerous in any battle between ninja, but against an opponent who knows it's coming, even a moment's inattention can prove deadly. Unfortunately for Iruka, Mizuki knew him well enough to be such an opponent.
The instant his eyes moved, Mizuki stopped the spinning blades of his shuriken, bringing both hands to the central ring he grabbed and twisted. With an almost silent click the blades came apart in two sections forming a pair of large knives with a blade pointing forward and back from the grip.
Bringing his extended arm back to position in a slash across his body, he managed to score a deep wound across Iruka's chest, only the loyal teacher's quick reflexes prevented the swing from removing his head. Mizuki anticipated this reaction however, and was already charging forward punching with the opposite blade. Iruka spun away and instead of being disemboweled, merely felt the blade slice through his vest and scratch a thin line across his abdomen.
He jumped away, but was again anticipated as the first dagger sliced towards his extended leg, so that the force of Iruka's own leap aided in the strike, dragging him up along the blade and cutting a shallow but freely bleeding wound from his knee nearly to his ankle.
Iruka landed hard, and collapsed, grabbing his wounded leg and trying to staunch the blood flowing out.
Iruka felt his partners energy was waning as well, and he knew both of them would be in for it. He dicided that if they were going to go out, it would be with all their might. A symbol that looked similar to a pair of glasses appeared briefly in front of him, before shooting of into the distance.
"Leppamon, Super-Evolve!" Iruka's partner cryed out as the symbol of Monsho (Knowledge) entered his body. "Qilinmon!"
"Don't forget, Iruka, almost every Chunnin can reach Perfection with ease!" Mizuki called out, black energy shooting out in the form of lighting towards his partner.
"Bakemon, Dark Evolve! Phantomon!" Mizuki's own Digimon partner called out, before the sounds of battle continued from their direction.
"I gotta admit. You gave me a lot better a workout than I expected, Iruka." Mizuki stated. "But I'm afraid I gotta cut this little party short. I sure didn't bring near enough sake for me, you, the brat, and all the Anbu that are likely to find us before too long... In fact, I'm not sure I brought enough for just me. And since it's rude for the host to hog all the drinks, I guess I just gotta end this little get together. Oh well." He smiled his twisted grin again, " Oh, and don't worry about your precious student, I'll be sure to kill him just like you want. Right over your dead body."
Just as Mizuki was about to stab into Iruka, a large and unwieldy object plowed into him from the side, sending him tumbling end over end. After a moment's panicky repositioning so as to not kill himself with his own blades, he rolled to his feet, settling into a ready stance.
"Aww, getting impatient Naruto? I was just about to get to you. Or did you finally decide to accept my offer?"
"You're a fool if you think I'll go anywhere with you," the boy stated boldly. "You already told me you were going to kill me. Why should I trust you?"
"Hmph!" the traitor grunted in return. "As if this village has any better plan for you. At least I'd kill you clean. Better than leaving you to waste away in some dumpster for the rest of your miserable life."
"Maybe," Naruto conceded. "But I don't plan on wasting away anywhere! I trust Iruka-sensei when he says I'm precious to him. I trust Iruka-sensei when he says I'm not Kyuubi. I trust Sarutobi-jiji when he promised to help me become a ninja however he can. And If I have to go through this village one person at a time and prove I'm not a monster, prove I'm not a demon, prove I'm not Kyuubi. Then that's what I'll do! I'll prove to all of them! I will protect this village, and all of it's people, from traitors like you! And by the time I'm done, they'll be begging me to be Hokage! Dattebayo!"
"Lovely speech Naruto," Mizuki yawned, covering his mouth with one hand (and almost stabbing himself on the unusual weapon in the process). "But it takes more than pretty words to make things like that happen you know."
Naruto nodded in response. "I know, and I still have a test to pass. Don't I Mizuki-sensei" The traitor cocked an eyebrow at that comment. "I delivered the scroll as ordered. So, what would you score me for that?" Naruto asked, challenge ringing clearly in his words.
Mizuki glanced at the object that struck him, identifying it as the Scroll of Forbidden Seals and chuckled a bit, "Well kid, based on the criteria I named... I'd have given you a B+... but taking out a Kage in the process? That bumps you to an A+ easily. Not that it'll do you any good when you're dead... But at least you'll know you did something right before you go, you know?"
Iruka was staring at Naruto in shock. Taking out a Kage? What the hell did he miss today?
Naruto nodded again. "Then I guess that just leaves one thing to do. I'm ready for my ninjutsu evaluation. What do you say we make it a combat test? That sound appropriate Sensei?"
"Anytime you're ready fox brat."
Naruto's hands came up in a cross shaped sign. "Try not to die before you give me my grade, I'd hate to lose my chance to become a genin because you got weak on me." Naruto commented to Mizuki's ire. "Kage Bushin no Jutsu!"
A cloud of chakra smoke filled the area blinding all three for a long second before revealing... a veritable army of identical figures.
"How's this?" the group roared. "Is this a passing grade or what?"
Mizuki looked around at the impossible event unfolding before his eyes. He swallowed heavily, he had always excelled at one on one combat, but against a horde this size?
He knew it was a bad day to leave the bar.
"Well then, If you aren't gonna say anything... Then here we come!" In a rush of orange and yellow, the grand melee beat down of the traitor Mizuki began in earnest. The Naruto's were just sad that he didn't give them their extra credit before he passed out from the pain.
Minutes later Naruto and Iruka were the only conscious beings in the clearing. Iruka had bound his wounds to the best of his ability; then tied Mizuki up, with no regard to the man's comfort, should he awake.
"So..." Naruto began, "I really have the Kyuubi stuck inside me, huh?"
"I'm afraid so Naruto," his teacher replied. "You always have though, so don't think it changes anything about you. You... well, you just know about it now."
"Why was it such a secret anyway? And not even a good one. Was I the only person who didn't know?"
"I don't know. That's probably something you'll have to talk over with Hokage-sama. He's the one who made the law forbidding it's discussion after all."
"Aw, man." Naruto groaned, "And after all that effort, the stupid test was a total lie..."
"Mizuki did lie to you, Naruto, but that's doesn't mean..."
Iruka was interuppted by an odd crackling sound coming from the woods nearby, Elecmon staggering out. "Bastard almost got me, but he's been reformatted." Elecmon wheezed out, before reverting to Tsunomon and passing out. The injuries were already starting to heal, due to a digimon's advanced healing factor.
"I'm surprised you didn't Download his data, given that Mizuki's no longer going to be a ninja." Iruka said mostly to himself as he stumbled over to pick up his partner. Despite being injured himself, Iruka knew that with the break from school coming up, he'd have enough time to heal on his own before going back to active duty. "As I was saying, Naruto. Mizuki may have lied to you, but it doesn't mean that you won't become a ninja. Given the fact that you've pretty much already mastered a Jounin level Jutsu and are able to use it to the extent that you just did, I'm sure the Hokage will allow it. In fact, I'm going to talk to him about it when I go give my report of the events that happened here."
"You should go a head and do that now, Iruka-Sensei." Naruto said. "I'll just wait here with traitor, that way I can explain myself when the ANBU get here. After all, if I'm gonna be considered an adult if I do get to be a ninja, then I'd best start by taking responsibility of my own actions."
When the Anbu arrived, Naruto was sitting near Mizuki looking dejected and poking the unconscious man with a stick. Nearby was a light blue Digi-Egg with dark blue triangles forming a pattern on it. The ANBU squad had passed Iruka on their way to the location and had been given a brief overview of what went down.
"Uzumaki-san?" one of the Anbu inquired in a feminine like voice voice. The porcelain mask of this one was in the shape of a cat's head.
The boy nodded without looking up.
"Very well. My comrades will take the traitor to the T&I division holding cells. My orders are to bring you and the scroll to the Hokage at once."
Naruto stood without saying a word, and passed the scroll over to the woman. She meanwhile was feeling decidedly unsettled. Naruto Uzumaki was never quiet, and never this still. A glance at her team and their tense postures revealed their own apprehension. One had even tried to dispel, in case of a genjutsu. Her own Digimon, a light purple furred cat with wings called TobuCatmon was looking at him in shock.
"I'm ready to go now, Anbu-san," he said in a subdued voice.
The person swallowed their concern, there was something wrong with the boy, that much was certain. But if anyone could set the boy to rights, it would be the venerable Sandaime.
"Very well then, Let us be off." They replied, before taking them both away in a swirl of leaves.
And that is the end of the first chapter folks. To those who enjoy, feel free to review. I'll even take flames, since they make nice tasty marshmellows.
If anyone has any questions about how things will work in this story, feel free to ask. I will try to explain anything, provided it doesn't contain spoilers, in either a PM or an Author's Note at the end of the next chapter. Keeping that in mind, I'm going to answer some questions right now that might come up later.
1. Will anyone be partnered to any majorly powerful Digimon, such as the Sovereigns?
Answer: No one will be partnered to the Soverigns. Nor will they be paired with one of THE Devas (though someone might end up with one of their 'desendants'), any of the Ten Legendary Warriors (with one minor exception being the two rookie forms of Flamon and Strabimon) nor anyone else that would be seen as a god. Since they are essentially Kami with their power level, having someone partnered with one is just... NO. Besides, each has a special role in the world, which will be revealed later.
2. Will Character A be partnered with Digimon B?
Answer: I've pretty much got a list of who is partnerd with who, at least for the characters up throught the end of the Chunnin Exams. I've even got a full evolutionary chain for them up through Ultimate (Mega). Each is picked based on the ninja who their partnered with, traits and personality wise. Which means if you're expecting Naruto to be partnered to Renamon: tough luck, it's not happening. Why? To cliche, and too much of a 'DERP, imma be completely unoriginal with this' thing. If anyone wants to take a guess as to who gets who, go ahead and speculate away; if you're right, I'll let you know. If you want the full list, you gotta make it worthwhile to me.
3. How does the evolution process work?
Answer: First by levels. Gennin can reach up to Adult (Champion for you American viewers) level with ease, and under dire circumstances Perfection (Ultimate). Chunnin are much the same, but about half can reach Perfection with ease, and Ultimate (Mega...) with the right conditions; also the same half that can reach Perfection easier may have their Digimon constantly in their Adult form. Jonnin can reach Perfection easily to the point where their Digimon would be in the Adult form constantly, and only revert to a lower form when willed to or when their energy is totally spent. They can also reach 'Mega' in some cases. Kage level would be constantly in Perfection form and can reach Mega or higher with ease.
As for how they would evolve to higher levels that normally would require Crests or Digimentals, certain people can tap into the aspects of certain elements, such as Iruka tapping into the trait of Knowledge. I'm still in the process of assigning traits to everyone, but will eventually have them by the time we get to a point of needing them.
4. Will the ability to download other digimons data or taking their Fractal Code be present?
Answer: Yes, a Digimon can download an other's data; however, this will only be in the case if the victim Digimon's partner is no longer around. As for the Fractal Code's... I know very little about that subject so I'm not going to use it.
5. Will human characters from any installment of the Digimon series pop up?
Answer: Possibly. I've got the basis for a history chapter set, and I might post if I can get it worked out right.
6. Will there be any Human/Digimon Crossbreeding lemony goodness?
Answer: I suck at writing lemons. Most people can do it from having experienced it before; I've only experienced it once before, and ended up getting dumped the next day (sad, I know...). However, there will be hints to some romance between a human and a Digimon. Yaoi and Yuri may appear, but only in rare cases.
Note: For those who have seen Adventures 02, you know Miyako (Yolei, bleh!) was partnered with Hawkmon, who is a male; and it is speculated in most fanfiction that a Chosen partnered with a Digimon of opposite gender tends to be bi. For any who would argue Hawkmon's gender because of what was said in the show... go look up the differences between the original Japanese audio and the bastardized American versions.
Now then, I believe this Author's Note is getting too long; therefore, I'm closing it here. May have the next chapter soon, might not. But first...
Digital Analyzer Time!
In this segment, I will give a brief description of a Digimon, usually one that played a prominent role in the chapter. For this chapter, it will be..
Elecmon. Child (Rookie) Level. Attribute: Data
A Mammal Digimon who Digivolved from Tsunomon, but kept the latter's mammalian elements. It is as every bit as naughty as Tsunomon, and is also very curious. Elecmon has nine tails, and when it fights, it intimidates the enemy by spreading them out like the tail feathers of a peacock. Its special attack is "Sparkling Thunder".
Attacks (Note: Japanese name of the attack will be in parentheses, mainly for my sanities sake):
Super Thunder Strike (Sparkling Thunder): Shoots electric bolts from its tails.
Body Attack (Nine Tails): Smacks foe with its electrically-charged tails.
Lightning Knife (Thunder Knife): Stealthily releases three knives of electricity
As an added bonus:
ViElecmon Child Level. Attribute: Virus
This Elecmon evolved into the Virus attribute. It has acquired an ill-mannered personality and uses the electricity in its tail to annoy people by interfering with their communication links.
Attacks:
Jamming Thunder: Shoots electric bolts from its tails.
Dark Tail (Tail's Tusk): Smacks foe with its electrically-charged tails.
Assassin Bolt (Assassin's Bolt): Stealthily releases three darts of electricity.
That ends this chapter.
Until Next Time...
DCM