Japan, or to be more accurate, Chiba.
It's a peaceful Monday morning and for all off the schools in Chiba city, it is also the day where they will receive a new, fresh batch of students to be this year's sophomore. The sun is up, indicating the sign of an early morning. The clouds share the color of cotton, looking as fluffy and solid as ever whilst in fact they are not. It's a relatively chilly morning in Chiba, the temperature being at a constant 14 degree Celsius, making it for a great start-of-school day for teenagers in Chiba.
The roads are constantly filled with manageable traffic from both vehicles and pedestrians alike. The trains are naturally packed with people off to do their business. Students are off to attend school, employees are off for a grueling day at office and those who are either not working or not attending school; are about to do their daily activities. In other words, it's pretty much like the usual, but busier since it's basically rush hour. The types of people mentioned above are the ones that you'd see any other day, but there are times when you'll see rare sights.
He stands tall at a height of 175 centimeters, has blonde hair and blue eyes. Now these features alone are enough to garner the attention of the people around him because he does not look Japanese, like, at all. But the clothes he's wearing is not doing his sticking-out-like-a-sore-thumb situation any good. Simply put, he's dressed like a soldier.
Or at least someone from the military.
He wears the color of the desert on his skin and if he is standing in the middle of one, he'll definitely have no problem blending into the surroundings. The sleeves of the blouse are rolled up, showing the world his solid arm. A black digital watch is strapped to his right hand for the purpose of telling the time. The blouse lacks the distinctive pattern; it opts to stay a bland tan color. The same goes for the t-shirt worn underneath the blouse, but the trousers however have the distinctive Digital Desert Camo pattern all over it. The pair of combat boots he's wearing however follows the bland tan color like the blouse he's wearing. Those with keen eyes should notice that he lacks the name patch, embroideries or other sort of military uniformed patches that are normally found on standard military attire. He also carries a rugged, leather pack that stores, no doubt, important items.
But it is not only the clothing, blonde hair or blue eyes that make him stick out.
The three whiskers like marks on each side of his cheeks are also unique.
The gaijin – Japanese term for foreigners, usually western – steps out of the train while hefting his bulky leather bag on his shoulder, his stride is long and straight, as expected from someone who marches a lot. As soon as he steps onto the platform, he begins to make his way out of the station. After making sure that he does the correct procedure, like exiting through the proper ticket gate and whatnot, he's finally outside the station.
"Haah…" he exhales, before inhaling air once again. His lips stretch into a small smile. Small, but it's a smile nonetheless.
"Master Kakashi, so this is Japan…" the young man, he is young as he is only sixteen years of age, says out with a hint of nostalgia and melancholy. "It's as you've said… beautiful." He looks around to take in the scenery. His Japanese is fluent, but his accent is noticeable.
Everyone is busy and that amuses him. His old master often exaggerates how busy his homeland could be, the man generalized the populace as being workaholics, even. Seeing the amount of people dressed up for work or business entering and exiting the station seems to have make him believe in his previous master's words. The more he observes his surroundings, the more aware he is of the attention he's receiving. It's not every day that the Japanese gets to see a retired, sixteen year old PMC operative out here spacing off in the middle of the plaza, no?
Chuckling at his own joke, he shakes his head before resuming his walk. He has a place to go to, a destination. But the destination he's supposed to be at is the last place a retired PMC operative like him would find himself in. Don't believe him, then listen to this:
He's supposed to go to and attend a local Japanese high school.
Unbelievable, right? Unexpected, definitely.
So we have a retired, sixteen year old, private military company operative about to attend a normal Japanese high school? Sounds like a very terrible fiction story plot if he ever hears about it… but that is his reality now. Say goodbye to the hot and hellish deserts of the Middle East, say farewell to the cold and unforgiving winter of the Eastern Slavic region … now, he has to say hello to a normal Japanese high school life. It took him a while to accept his current situation but he's, more or less, come to terms with it now. So, you begin questioning, why does a person like him have to attend a Japanese high school in the first place?
Well, that's a very good question.
…but that's a question for another time.
Right now he has to… eh… deal with Japan's social, quote on quote, wariness towards uncommonly dressed gaijins like him.
"Eto… ekusukyuzu mii misutah…"
Our ex-PMC operative sighs mentally. This is the third time today…
Maintaining a smile, albeit a wry one, he tries to handle the two police officers like his initial two encounters. "Ah, I can speak Japanese."
Relief scatters throughout the officers' face as they smile after hearing his fluent Japanese. "Is that so, then excuse me for assuming." The head officer bows, prompting his partner to do the same.
The blonde foreigner waves his hand dismissively. "It's okay, I understand."
"Then, if it is alright with you, may I take a look at your passport and ID card, please?" the senior officer asks with his polite voice and speech.
"Of course." Hefting out his pack, he reaches into it to retrieve two important items – and probably the most important items he should have with him on all occasion – out from the pack. A passport along with an ID card. He hands it to the officer. "Here you go."
"Excuse me." the officer takes his time to check the papers and it takes no more than five minutes. "Naruto… no last name… a student ID? Are you here for educational purposes?"
The ex-PMC nods his head. "Yes. In fact, I'm on my way to the high school that I have to attend today…"
A mixture between apologetic and understanding expressions cross the officer's face. "Ah, then you need to be in school right away. School starts not before six, but depending on the high school you're going to, you won't make it in time."
A look of worry crossed the ex-PMC's face. "Is that so, then I guess I'll have to be late at my first day…"
"No you won't." the senior officer smiles. "We'll give you a ride on the patrol car. I'll talk to the teacher to explain your situation."
Looks like his old master is also right about the Japanese being nice and polite people. Something about the Japanese being the Canadians of Asia or something like that… of course, that's only a joke.
"Thank you."
So the police officers take him to the patrol car. They let him sit on the back while the senior officer and his partner, presumably a junior, sits in front. The senior officer is the one driving. The engine starts and the car moves, driving at an appropriate speed. In the middle of their journey, the junior starts up conversation.
"So, uh, are you a soldier?" the excitement is obvious in his voice, it seems that he's been containing it for a while. Of course, the sudden question only earns him a nasty reprimand from his senior.
"Oi, Kashima, don't be rude!"
"S-Sorry, senpai…"
Naruto laughs. "It's okay officer." He says reassuringly. "And no, I'm not a soldier… technically."
"Technically?" this time, it's the senior officer who speaks. "But you are a soldier, right?"
"I was a soldier." The blonde corrects. "I'm officially retired now."
"Oh, why?"
"Kashima!"
"S-Sorry!"
The senior officer sighs. "Forgive my rude subordinate, this is his first day on the job…" he trails off, hearing the foreigner on the back saying that it's fine. However, he himself cannot help but have his interest piqued in the topic that his junior has brought up. "So, you're retired…"
"Yes." The blonde answers again.
"Where were you stationed?" the junior officer, Kashima, ignores the nasty look his senior is giving him. But the senior officer does not reprimand his subordinate, for he is too curious.
"Iraq." Is the soft spoken answer that the blonde gives to them.
"Iraq… huh?" there's a hint of fascination from the junior officer's voice. "Did you… did you get to shoot people?"
"Kashima!"
"Sorry!"
"Again, forgive this insolent subordinate of mine, he'll get some scolding later on…"
This time, the chuckling is not as hearty as the ones before. But, still, he answers. "Yes. I've shot people before."
Then, the atmosphere and mood inside the car becomes quiet. The junior does not know whether or not he's satisfied with the answer the blonde has given him and the older and more senior officer sighs. "You see Kashima, you shouldn't ask people about these things. When you've shot another human being… it stays with you. The feeling you felt when you squeezed the trigger, the scream that the guy let out when the bullet hits him… it's stuck to you. And if they die-"
"-a part of you dies with them." finished the blonde.
"…right." The older officer sighs. "It's not easy dealing with these kind of things, that's why they made you go through those mental tests that you kept on complaining about." His tone takes a scolding turn. "You never know when you'll have to shoot someone. And in our line of job, it's important to know what to do when that time comes."
"Well said, officer." The blonde says.
There are some truths in the officer's words. The first kill is always the hardest one to forget. You'll remember the face of the person you shot, the moment his body collapses to the ground and the shout he lets out when your bullet hits him. He remembers his first kill. He was only nine when he did it. It took two shots to kill the guy. The first one knocks him down, and the second one was the killing shot. However, there're some things that made his first killing experience different from his fellow mercenaries. Unlike them, he didn't shake or suffer from any breakdowns. He did not feel regret or any other related emotions to it. It was like breathing. He did a necessary action, an action that he's expected to do for the entire duration of his career.
His first kill did not turn him into a shaking mess of PTSD induced victim, unlike the rest of his former buddies.
That is why it was so memorable.
"Say, what school is it that you're attending?" the senior officer asks.
"Soubu High."
"Ah, that's the same school that my son is in." The senior officer chuckles at the irony. "It's not that far from here, in fact, if we just take this intersection here, we'll arrive in no time."
The police car makes a left turn, entering a road near several housing residences. After driving for several more meters, the car is stopped by a traffic light. The part of the road the patrol car is at is also a part of a four way intersection. From the pedestrian sidewalk opposite of them, a young lady with a very iconic pink hair tied to a bun can be seen chasing her pet dog that's presumably escaped from the leash that was meant to hold it back.
"Uh, senpai, that dog, there's a car coming in from the left!" the urgent voice of the junior officer warns the senior of the incoming danger that's approaching.
"Ah, shit, hold on, I'll-
But he's interrupted by the sound of the backseat door being kicked open. The two officers see a flash of tan leaping from their side of the road to the other side, catching the dog and all the while avoiding the car that's almost hit the both of them. The desert garbed teen, unfortunately, doesn't land without injury, however. His arms, because his sleeves are rolled up, are scraped and are bleeding. The same goes for his forehead since it impacted the curb when he rolled off the road. The dog slips past his cradle, whining as it attempts to relieve its savior by licking the fresh wounds on his arms.
"Ugggh…"
The blonde groans, but the feeling of pain does not linger long. He can feel something soft, moist and warm touching his arm or the bleeding wound to be more accurate. Opening his blue eyes, he comes face to face with a dog. A hot dog dog, you know, those long ones with the short and stubby legs? The dog whines and licks him some more, prompting him to respond.
"I'm alright buddy, I'm fine…" he says this in English, but he does not expect the dog to understand him.
"Hey, are you okay?!"
The sound of running draws closer, looks like they're coming for him. Feeling something warm trickling down his forehead, touching it, he's greeted by a very familiar thick red liquid. "Great… my first day of school begins with me bleeding…" Muttering to himself, he does so in English. Standing up, he wipes the blood that's slowly seeping down to his face with his arms… which are also bleeding, making his face even redder with blood.
"You're bleeding son, do you feel lightheaded?" the senior officer asks. "Should I call for a medic?"
"Ah, no, no." Naruto waves him off. "I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
Several more footsteps can be heard coming towards their position. This time, from two different people.
"I'm so sorry! My dog Sable jus-oh my God… you're bleeding!" the pink haired girl from earlier. Her face twists into shock and horror when she sees the bloodied state the blonde boy is in.
"Officers, this was an accident." An old, fancily dressed man who appears to be in his mid forties enters the conversation. "We did not see the dog and this young man so-"
"It's fine sir," the senior police officer says, stopping the driver of the black limo from speaking, "he said that it's fine, right, Naruto-san?"
The blonde nods. "It's alright, this is nothing really." And he really means it.
Regardless of the reassurances he's receiving, the driver is still worried. "But will you be okay, young man? Surely, you need medical attention?"
But the blonde is strangely persistent. "I'm alright." How many times have he said the word? "I have a first aid kit in my pack inside the patrol car…" he's about to go and retrieve his pack, but the older officer stops him.
"Let Kashima get it for you. Kashima!" he orders his subordinate to retrieve the blonde's bag. The junior officer scrambles to retrieve the pack as per ordered by his senior officer.
"Here you go!" Kashima hands the heavy and bulky bag to Naruto, who's now holding it with more ease than Kashima.
"I-I'm so sorry, Sable, he-"
"It's okay miss, no one got seriously hurt." The senior officer reassures the young teenager. "But it wouldn't hurt to keep your dog on a tighter leash next time."
"Y-Yes officer…"
While the two officers are dealing with the young lady, the chauffeur is assisting Naruto with first aid.
"Do you need any help?" the old man's voice asks with the genuine intention of helping.
Naruto blinks a few times, before nodding. "Sure. Eh… let's see…" he struggles to say what he wants to say in Japanese. Taking out a relatively small pouch with a Red Cross symbol on the front, he opens the content of his first aid kit. "Please tear open these alcohol swabs for me." he points to the square paper packaging with the words 'Alcohol Swabs' written in English.
"Of course." The driver begins to do as he's instructed. Tearing open three of the paper wraps, he hands it over to the blonde teen. "Here."
"Thank you." Naruto utters his thanks before rubbing the swabs on the wounds on his arms first. The isopropyl soaked swabs feel cold to the skin, it stings a little when applied to the wounds, but it is a necessary process. The alcohol helps prevent bacteria from entering his bloodstream and causing an infection. After wasting two of the swabs on the wounds on his arms, he uses the final one for the scrape on his forehead. After disposing off the used swabs and paper packaging into a small plastic bag he stores inside the same pouch, he reaches for the bandages and tapes next.
"Let me help you with that, young man." The driver insists.
"Ah, thank you." With the help of the driver, Naruto gets his wound dressed. The wounds on his arms and forehead are dressed properly. His arms are wrapped with a thin layer of bandages and the same goes for his forehead. Of course, there are blood stains on his uniform due to the blood that dripped off from his forehead. All in all, he looks like a soldier who's just returned from a bloody battle.
Wouldn't be the first time for him.
After finishing lecturing the young lady about road safety and hazards and all that, the two police officers dismisses her, but she remains. Turning their attention back the injured blonde, they ask him one last time. "You're okay right?" asks the senior officer.
Naruto is slightly annoyed by how many times the question has been asked to him. "For the last time, I'm fine officer. No one's seriously hurt."
Sighing in relief, the driver suddenly speaks up, "Please excuse me, I'll have to consult what has happened to my passenger."
"Oh, you have a passenger with you?" the officer asks. The senior one.
"Ah, yes."
"Hm… since the situation is not serious and everything's dealt with, I won't have to make a case out of this." relief spreads through everyone's chest, including Naruto's. He doesn't want to get in trouble on his first day in Japan, this is also his first day of school, what will his old master think about him now? "You're free to go, sir."
"Of course. Thank you officer and my deepest apologies to you too, young man." The driver gives Naruto a very low bow.
Naruto gives the driver a quick nod. The group watches as the driver returns to the car. The car then soon drives away in the direction it was heading towards to before. Naruto watches the car leave, but as he is about to turn around and speak to the police officers, a female voice prevents him from doing just that.
"A-Ano… um… soldier-san… sorry about earlier, my Sable he… ran off…" Naruto has to look down in order to meet the girl face to face. Based on her look, she does not appear to be older than him, but his Western genes may make him look older with the taller height, tanner skin and more defined cheekbones. She's carrying her puppy dog with her and her expression is obviously showing how sorry and guilty she is.
Sighing, Naruto gives her a flat look. "I said it like a thousand time already but I'll say it again: I'm fine. There's nothing to be worried about." His expression falls, turning a little bit downcast. "And I'm not a soldier."
"O-Oh, if you say so…"
"So, kid, what's it now? Do you want us to take you from here or will you walk?"
Looking at the senior officer, Naruto gives him nod. "I'll walk from here. It's nearby, right?"
"Yeah. Just follow the road that the car from earlier took and you should arrive at the school."
"School…?" the young girl mutters, unheard by the three men.
"I had Kashima write out a permission slip earlier stating the reason for your lateness. All that's left from that point is for you to explain your side of the story." The officer shrugs. "And, uh, aren't you supposed to be in your school uniform if you're attending school?"
Naruto snorts humorlessly. "Haven't got it yet. I plan on getting mine today."
Shrugging one last time, the senior officer tells his subordinate to hand Naruto the permission slip he had him write before. Muttering his thanks for the slip, Naruto says his goodbyes to the two kind officers before seeing them drive off to the distance. He's about to turn and leave the area, but the owner of the dog that nearly cost him a trip to the hospital prevents him. Again.
"A-Ano, are you going to Soubu High?" she asks him with curious excitement.
Nodding his head, Naruto confirms her question. "Yes I am."
"Then may I know your name? I'll be transferring tomorrow so…" her face turns red, realizing what she's doing is actually embarrassing. "Hauuu…"
Sighing, Naruto shakes his head. "Name's Naruto. What about you?"
"Yui. Yuigahama Yui."
"Hmm… it seems that I understand your circumstances, Naruto…san." The head counselor of the school mutters as he reads the permission slip. He gives Naruto a look, his eyes glancing off the paper. "As for your uniform… I'm afraid that we won't be able to give you one right now. The transfer papers are received but we're not able to requisition you with a full uniform just yet, delivery will not arrive until one this afternoon."
Currently, he's inside the counselor's office talking to the head councilor himself. As it turns out, the school he'll be attending is actually one of the most prestigious schools in the city. They have a variety of facilities for sports, education and even a medical wing or an infirmary.
Nodding his head in understanding, Naruto speaks, "Do you know when I will get my uniform?" he has no problem with attending school with his current state of clothing. But you see, including the ones he's currently wearing, two more spare shirts, pants and socks are all the clothing he has with him! He can't change into anything else until he's inside of his new residence.
Originally, the plan was for him to unpack his stuffs in his new residence. But his old master gave him a last minute message saying that he had to go to school directly as soon as he reached Chiba. This threw the plans he had for the day into shambles, but like the good merc he was, he had to endure with his current situation.
Humming, the head counselor then says, "I should be able to get you a uniform by the end of school today." That's reassuring. "For now, you will have to make do with your current clothing, I'll make sure to inform the rest of the faculty members about you."
"Thank you."
Smiling, the aged counselor nods in return. "No problem. Now, if you would follow me, we will introduce you to your new classmates and teacher. Homeroom is currently in session and I'm sure that they're done on role call by now."
Standing up from their seats, the head counselor leads Naruto through the school's halls. Naruto follows the older man in silence, letting him lead him to his classroom. He takes in his new environment with slight uneasiness. This is his first time in a real school institution. Whatever form of education he's received earlier in his life are mostly from his former master and the people he met when he was younger. Even so, he couldn't really recall getting a proper form of education. It was all about shooting people, military tactics and all sorts of stuffs that involves warfare.
This is to be expected, after all, he was raised in a military base after all.
Being a war orphan in a cruel country somewhere in the Middle East with the appearance of a Westerner was hard. He was the prime target for abuse and subjugated to beatings and all sorts of violence. He grew up in a rebel occupied military base, forced to become a child soldier at the early age of six. Fortunately, he was too pathetic to hold a gun, so they made him do other tasks like mess hall duty, cleaning duty, inventory sorting and all sorts of menial labor. He'd grown up with other war orphans whom he was on pretty good terms with. They'd grow up under the constant abuse of the older and tougher men. Bullied, abused and beaten in the daily. Those who were labeled useless by the rebels were treated lower than dirt.
They'd feed you with less food than the ones who had to fight.
They'd beat you up more.
And they'd use you to do things like disarming mines or target practice.
It was hell.
But one day, something happened.
The base he grew up on was raided by what they thought was the Coalition Forces. But no, as it turns out, it was all the doings of one man. One man managed to face an entire troop of rebel soldier, killing everyone. It came to the point where the rebels had to use the orphans, including him, as meat shields. He remembers that day as clear as if it has just happened yesterday.
His friends were killed by the rebels as an attempt to prevent the man from attacking them. Despite his cries, despite his warning that it was useless to do that, they continued to kill his friends. Until it came to the point where he was the last orphan left out of all that was killed.
Only then that man acted.
That man killed everyone. Every single rebel soldiers in that base were dead from his weapons. It was only him and the invader that night.
'Why?' was all he asked.
And the answer he received was, 'Sorry.'
Sorry.
Something inside of him snapped that day. He tried to kill that man, but failed. That man took him into his organization, a private military company that goes by the name of Leafcorp to be an operator.
That day, that man gave him the name 'Naruto'. That day, 'Naruto' was born. That day, that man became his master.
…and that day…
His new life began.
"We've arrived, Naruto-san."
The counselor's voice snaps him out of his trance. He's just recalled a very important memory. It's not the type of memory that he'd like to recall every now and then, yet it's the only memory that he can easily recall without having to feel angry. The counselor tells for him to wait while he steps inside to explain things to the teacher in charge inside. He waits outside, leaning against the wall, with his bag on the floor next to him.
"Naruto-san, come in." the head of the head counselor peeks out as he motions for him to come inside.
Breathing in and out, Naruto cannot help but get slightly nervous.
As expected, the moment he enters the room, whispers erupted. He ignores them, opting to stand in front with his back straight and expression stoic. He has the class's undivided attention, that's for sure.
"Class, I'd like to introduce you to a new foreign transferee." The head counselor says. "Hiratsuka-sensei, I'll leave Naruto-san in your care." He whispers to the female homeroom teacher who nods.
The female teacher, a lab coat wearing beauty, coughs. "Please, if you would introduce yourself."
Naruto gives her a firm nod. His form relaxes as he opens his mouth to introduce himself. "My name is capt-" he clicks his tongue at the blunder. "-Naruto. No last name."
"Kepu… Captain…? Is he trying to say that he's a captain?"
"Yeah and it's in English too… is he from the military or something?"
"He has got to be. I mean, look at his uniform, and not to mention the bandages and bloodstain on him…"
Their obvious whispering has gone too far and fortunately, the homeroom teacher is there to diffuse the situation. "Alright, settle down!" with the authority matching that of a squad leader, Hiratsuka-sensei has managed to reintroduce silence into the class.
She turns her attention to the transferee who is still standing in front of the class. "Naruto-san, the head counselor has informed me of your situation. You will sit at one of the empty seats available of your own choosing and you will meet me at my office later today for further discussion about your situation."
"Yes ma'am." The blonde salutes his homeroom teacher.
The homeroom teacher lets a smile form on her face. "Looks like your behavior is accurate to the way you're dressed."
'I can't help it!' is what Naruto's thinking. Despite people's subjective view of PMCs all over the world as an organization of trigger happy, cocky and hot headed people; Leafcorp actually instills discipline into their program. So you can't blame him for saluting his homeroom teacher!
Now that he's cleared from the floor, he makes his way to his seat. On his way there, he's re-gathering all of the attention that were on him earlier before. He chooses a place that's located on the last two rows from the back, the second line from the right. It's the next place closest to the window. He takes his seat, his posture rather stiff, probably due to all the stares that are still on him.
"Alright everyone, open your book to pages five and eight." The homeroom teacher, Hiratsuka-sensei, then continues, "Naruto, since you haven't gotten your books yet, share Hayama's book first."
Looking to his left, he's met face to face with a charming young man with dyed orange hair. The boy smiles at him, saying, "Nice to meet you, Naruto-san. I'm Hayama Hayato, let's get along from now on, shall we?"
Naruto blinks a few times. "Affirmative."
"Ahaha, drag your table close to mine, it's easier to share that way."
"Sure."
Thus begin his first day at school.
"Ne, ne, Naruto-san, where are you from?"
"Why are you covered in bandages?"
"Are you some sort of soldier?"
He understands and tolerates the first two questions, but the last one is getting quite repetitive. He'll be honest here: he has no idea on how to handle folks his age, especially regular civilians. What makes them and him different is that they were raised to live normal lives, get normal jobs, have a normal family and hopefully live a life that ensures happiness for generations to come.
But him? No. He cannot afford to have that kind of luxury. Those things are beyond him, the chances of him getting a pinch of that kind of life is very small…
…at least that's what he's used to think, until now. On the first day of school in Japan, they'll only make you attend homeroom period and then students will have to go to the auditorium for an assembly. The assembly is your typical start-of-the-year speech with the school's principal delivering most of the speeches, a few words of honor from the student with the most exceptional score from all of his or her entrance exams combined – it was a girl if he remembers correctly – and the closing speech to conclude everything. Then, you're free to leave. That is it, really.
So that's why they
Noticing that their newest edition is being pressured, Hayama steps in to intervene. "Maa, maa, guys I think that you should let Naruto-san easy. This is probably his first time in Japan and maybe he's tired after dealing with the immigration."
Naruto notices that the moment this Hayama boy speaks, everybody quiets down. That goes to show just how much charisma he has, but something doesn't feel right to him. But he gives the other boy a nod as a sign of thanks. He has most of his classmates surrounding his table; both girls and boys are crowding him as if he's a victim of an IED explosion.
Shifting uncomfortably on his seat, the blonde finally speaks to answer the questions that have been laid upon him in a chronological order. But before answering, he needs to get a few things clear. While they didn't really give him any order to not reveal his mercenary backgrounds, telling these kids about it doesn't seem to be the smartest of moves. Obviously, he cannot say that he just happens to dress like a military operative because people from the other side of the pond do that, he's pretty sure that these kids are smart enough to not buy that reason, so he'll have to stick with the military background archetype and blur out some lines.
"I am originally from the United States but I have spent most of my childhood in the Middle East." He says, bending the truth to his advantage. "And yes, I do sort of have a military background."
Awed mutterings can be heard from the crowd.
Naruto realizes that, if he wants to get used to his new life, he really needs to brush up on his Japanese and personal social skills. He spent most of his childhood fighting men twice or even thrice his age, not socializing with normal civilian teenagers like these kids. Even though his Japanese is fluent and well, he still has more to learn when it comes to reading. He's fluent in five main languages: English, some Arabic influenced languages, Russian, Japanese and the language of guns. The order does not necessarily imply his mastery over them, for your information.
"That's so cool… but what about the bandages? Did something happen to you?" this question is brought up by one male student who is of no great importance.
"Yes, something happened." Naruto says in a tone that hints out his unwillingness to talk. Checking at his wrist watch to make his acting even more convincing, he's more than eager to exit the classroom. "If you would excuse me, I'll need to see Hiratsuka-sensei now." It's after school, after all, so it's logical to leave now.
"Do you know the way to the faculty office, Naruto-san?" Hayama, whose face and name Naruto has etched into his memories, asks him with the obvious intention of assisting him.
"Yes, I was there before earlier today." The foreign student says, reassuring the shorter boy with a short but firm nod. "I will make my way there with no problem."
"O-Oh, okay."
The entire class watches as the tall foreigner exits the classroom while hefting the bulky leather bag on his shoulder with relative ease and once they're sure that he's outside form an ear shot, they explode into chattering once again.
"Did you see how blue his eyes are?"
"I know right? Gosh foreigners are just so dreamy."
"Can't believe that he's from the military. Which country do you think he's from?"
"I dunno, the US maybe? He said that he was from the US… but that still doesn't explain his age, though."
"I know right…"
Hayama's eyes linger at the door of the classroom.
He does not know why, but something tells him that his high school year will be something short of ordinary now that they have a foreign transfer student as unique as Naruto. His conscious demands him to try and approach the transferee and establish a friendly relationship, but he gets the feeling that it will not be as simple as that. Ignoring how different his life is with the average Japanese teenager due to his family background, when compared to Naruto, their background is probably as different as oil and water.
Regardless, that does not mean that he cannot try and be sociable to the other boy.
He'd rather make friends than enemies, after all.
"Please take a seat, Naruto."
Naruto is used to the sight of cigar and the smell of smoke, so when his homeroom teacher lit up a stick of cigarette that she retrieved from the pack which she keeps inside the pocket compartment of her lab coat, he is not too bothered by the sight. But the thought of a teacher smoking in front of her student still raises some questions in him, aren't they supposed to abstain from doing such things in front of a student?
Regardless, it seems that he will have to get that question answered another time. He takes his seat on the couch with the blue, synthetic cushioning. He sits up straight and his pack is on the floor next to his right foot. There are documents spread on the coffee table placed in the middle of the, no doubt pertaining to him.
"The head counselor explained your situation briefly to me, but I would rather hear it from you yourself." She exhales a cloud of carbon monoxide into the air.
Nodding, Naruto then asks, "What would you like to hear?"
But his homeroom teacher replies with a question instead, "Before you answer, let me ask you first, will you answer every question I ask you?"
Taken back by the question, Naruto is suddenly wary. Looks like his teacher is sharper than he thought. Shaking his head, he gives her answer to her second question. "I'm afraid that there are restrictions on how much information you can get out of me, sensei." His tries to make his voice sound apologetic. "But I will, however, tell you as much as I could."
Satisfied after hearing his reason, Shizuka nods. "Then you can start telling me about why you chose this school as your choice."
He has a cover story to stick and though it's been formulated, reviewed and tested many times; it all depends on how he makes it sound like. He needs to make sure that his story is convincing, even if there are truths in his story; it does not necessarily mean that Shizuka will believe him.
"Originally, any school would do, but my legal guardian is native of Chiba and he has a home here somewhere in the city for me to occupy whilst he is away on his business trip." Naruto explains. He's made sure to prepare answers just in case something like this happens to him. No, he knows that he'll get asked a lot when he's in Japan, that's why he prepared these answers. "But as for the reason why this school specifically, I do not know. My guardian probably cherry picked from a list he had with him.
"So your guardian is Japanese?" Shizuka asks, the cigar poking out from the corner of her lips.
"Yes, he is native to Japan." Naruto answers.
"May I ask why he's not here in Japan?"
Naruto chuckles, but the smile quickly disappears just as soon as he answers her question. "I'm sorry but all I can say is that he's away on a business trip. He's made sure to leave me with all the necessary papers and documents in order for me to live in Japan."
"I see…" Shizuka nods. "And you say that you'll have lodgings?"
"Yes. Initially, my guardian wanted me to move into his house located somewhere in the city, but it's too far from this school so he had to scout for a closer living residence. I have the address written in the papers, have I not?"
"Yes… you did." Shizuka sighs, but still managing to keep the cigarette in between her lips. "Forgive me if I sound like I'm interrogating you, Naruto, but as one of the school's counseling teachers, it's a part of my job to be nosy like this." she explains her reasoning. "And your documents are all checked and everything's fine. You're set for three years of a Japanese high school life."
Allowing himself to smile softly at his homeroom teacher's attempt at humor, Naruto nods. "Thank you, sensei."
"You can go now. I'm sure that you have a lot of things to do." She then says, "Oh, and make sure you get your uniform from the head counselor."
With that said, Naruto excuses himself from the faculty room.
After getting his uniform from the head counselor, he exits the office and finds himself in an empty hallway. It should be expected, most of the students are probably already on their way home now. Using his memory as guide, he makes his way to the school's entrance. There are still some students and they look like they're about to leave. He soon finds himself to be at the receiving end of some more staring, something that has been annoying him for the whole day.
Walking outside the school's compound, he takes out a slip of paper from the front chest pocket compartment. It has an address written on it and unfortunately for him, he does not know where it is. In fact, he might as well consider himself lost if he's walking further away from the school.
"I should've asked the teacher about the address…" he mutters as he curses himself for his own stupidity. "Oh well, I guess I'll just have to ask around."
Asking around turns out to be harder than he thought. Most of the people he tries to get their attention from either ignored him or pretended that he doesn't exist entirely. Some were even putting on their earphones to make it look like they're listening to music while in fact they were not. They just didn't want to deal with him. So this is what his master meant about Japanese people being reserved… regardless, found a police box located on the corner of a street and managed to get directions from them. The directions the officers gave him are clear enough for him to follow and in fact, he's almost there.
"A house. A grey house with green gates… hm…" that's the only detailed description of the house written on the paper, but the address should be clear.
After what has seemed to be an hour of walking, he finally stumbles upon a white house with green gates and the same address as the one written on the paper.
"Well… this is it?"
Do not mistake his tone for disappointment, because it isn't. He expects to get something like a low cost apartment or something like that for him to live in, not a legitimate house. The exterior is clean; its walls are painted white and the gate doors green. After unlocking the gates with the one of the many keys that were given to him prior his arrival in Japan, he enters the front yard before making his way inside the house. The interior is… surprisingly furnished. There are lights, furniture, and it's in a state that one could consider clean. The first floor is where the living room, kitchen and dining room as well as the veranda to the backyard.
Going up the stairs, there are not one but three bedrooms in this house. And that's surprises him. Did his master prepare this house for him only or what? He knows that Leafcorp pays a lot of money to their employees, especially if you're a combatant operative, but a fully furnished family house just for him? This is too much. He enters one of the rooms, the biggest one out of the three, and decides that it will be his. Placing the bag down on the large queen sized bed, Naruto is startled when he feels buzzing on his chest.
It's his phone. Looking at the caller's ID, he immediately answers the call.
"Master Kakashi, you're one kind bastard."
"Hahaha, you're welcome kid. How's the house? You like it?"
"Yeah, it's nice. Too nice… in fact, I think you might have some ulterior motives…"
"Maa, maa, can't I just be a responsible guardian and master for his precious pupil just once?"
"…don't speak like that, master Kakashi, that's disgusting."
"Mean as ever, Naruto. But anyway, how's your first day in Japan? Good?"
"If you mean getting question more than two times by the police, nearly getting into an accident, and being treated like you're some sort of alien by the masses are good then; yeah, I guess my first day in Japan is good."
"Haha, don't be like that kid, you'll get used to life there. But, I take it that you've settled everything with the school?"
"Yes. And you shouldn't worry about anything, I'll do my best to not stick out from my future peers."
"You know that's impossible, Naruto."
They share a laugh over the phone.
"Anyway, you have your savings with you so you'll have to live off that. I can't really provide you with anything else since I'll be busy for the year."
"You're still not done in Chechnya?"
"Nope, we're never done here."
"Alright then, good luck and stay safe master Kakashi."
"Well aren't you a considerate one. I should be the one saying that, kid. Anyway, talk to you later, Naruto."
The line ends and he places his phone on the nightstand next to the bed. It's still early, around two in the afternoon, and he should have enough time to take a quick bath, change into fresh clothing and grab some food from town.
But first… a quick nap won't hurt.
As he closes his eyes, he cannot help but think how things would transpire from here onwards. Obviously, he'll have to get used to the culture here and learn more about the Japanese language if he wants to live in Japan.
"Japan, huh?" he utters. "Let's see if it's as peaceful as they say it is."
Then, he drifts off to sleep.
Just a one shot idea that struck me after watching both seasons of the anime Jormungand and The K-2 Korean drama. You can see some similarities between this and the two aforementioned series.
For now, this is just a one shot.
Unless you guys want otherwise.
