A/N:
Just writing this to get rid of a writing block and also doing this to improve my writing skills. I might end it if I feel uninspired.
Naruto isn't very OP and he won't be yelling like the main cannon (whom I flipping hate.)
There will be introductions of new powers.
/
This is rated M for a reason and I don't want kids (anyone 16 and under) reading this. If you are, then you're sick.
Obviously I don't own Naruto and I'm not well versed in the Naruto Universe since I'm nowhere near the main cannon. I finished watching Part 1 and I'm halfway through Part 2
/
PS. English is not my first language so apologies for any grammar errors. Will fix them as I spot them.
/
"Talk"
Thoughts/Conversation
Kyubi Talks
(Translation)
CHAPTER 1: Third time's a charm…..right? Not for Naruto.
Fuck. Naruto moaned in his head. Lying on the dried-up dirt ground, his bruised, cut face kept to the blue skies, gazing at the white puffed clouds, which moved at a snail's pace.
He was tired. His body was worn out, covered in dirt, blood, and cuts. His mouth was swollen and stained with dried blood that had oozed out of his bruised gum tissues. The fight had taken everything out of him, leaving him as a dried up sack bathing in the sun.
A wind breezed past his battered face and he enjoyed it. Its coolness felt very refreshing especially under that masking afternoon heat. Drunk from the cool fanning air, his eyes felt drowsy, leading his eyelids to begin moving down. His brain began to shut down. Everything slowed down; his thoughts, pain, and breathing.
Yes, a quick nap would be…His thoughts were left unfinished as sleep took over.
But the distant sound of cheering kept him up. The cheering grew louder and louder, invading his peaceful thoughts. His brain couldn't ignore it anymore. Slowly, he opened his sights, meeting the blue skies once more. The world seemed at peace, covered with this beautiful afternoon heaven. It softened his eyes and he tried to listen to nature's serene sound of birds chirping in the air and trees dancing in the wind, but the roaring cheers drowned his ears. He could hear nothing but cheering.
It then dawned on Naruto; he had lost the match.
/
The village stadium was packed, filled with spectators from many villages across the continent.
Hyped to great expectations, this year's ninja exam attracted many. Kages from many villages were among the attendance; equally important attendees were lords and clan leaders from across the realm. As much as this event provided great spectacle of fighting, it was a chance to scout the respective strength of one's village or one's clan.
In this exam, many genins would be christened as chunins and likewise this was a chance for chunins to become jonins.
But this year was special. A certain Uchiha announced his participation; attracting some of this huge crowd to witness the rare bloodline's fight to become a jonin. To add to the bait, the Hyuga's male prodigy also announced his intention to become a jonin through this contest.
Before the highly expected chunin fights, the genins fights were just warm-ups spectacles to get the crowd riled up. And this fight had certainly done so.
This match between the last of the Uzumaki clan, fighting to become a chunin in his third attempt of this trial, and the blade specialist kunoichi had been very thrilling. Stakes had been high for both. The blonde was one fight away from the quarterfinals; one fight away from becoming a chunin since all finalists to the next round earned the respected title. But his opponent, equally determined and in her second try to become a chunin, fought with her heart and wit to earn the victory she was now celebrating.
The crowd felt for her and thus cheered their lungs out for her.
/
Naruto, lying in the dirt, defeated, glanced at the jubilant victor. She was ecstatic; hopping into the air like the ground was too hot for her slender feet.
"YES YES YES YES!" Tenten screamed in celebration, exposing the child behind that young woman's face. Tears of joy drizzled down on her cheeks, washing away blood and grime. She won the match. She was going to the quarterfinals. She was now a chunin.
Being the only genin on her team felt like a stain. The others had been chunins for almost a year now and Neji was looking ahead to become a jonin.
But now things would be different. She would no more be the blight on their team, but instead stand with them in confidence as a shinobi of the Hidden Leaf.
Tenten blushed just thinking about the future. What awaited her, besides a new set of attire and an increase pay in salary, was the new found of respect she would be showered with from the village and the chance to learn more advanced techniques. The future never looked so bright and she couldn't wait for it.
Feelings from anticipation and excitement were bubbling over. Trembling with joy, she screamed once more….. "YESSSSS" earning a deafening roar from the stadium packed crowd.
Their respond startled her. She now realized the crowd's cheers and blushed even more. Her sudden embarrassment elicited more cheers from the stadium. They loved her, it seemed, and her innocent nature. They chanted her name like it was a musical fest and she was the star musician.
/
Naruto watched the blushing girl gingerly respond to the crowd's outpouring of love by waving her hands.
His existence seemed lost in the sea of the cheers and chants.
"Huh…." he sighed, feeling deflated. What now? He pondered, glazing back at the sky with disinterested in his eyes.
You should have used my powers. A hoarse male voice interrupted his thoughts.
Naruto, not rattled by this entity in his head, didn't reply.
You knew how important this match was, but yet you threw it away. The deep voice said. Did you think you could win without my powers? You're weak, powerless on your own. The voice berated Naruto, trying to rile him up.
But Naruto just sighed again. We have no trust between us so of course I wasn't going to use your powers. He calmly replied to the entity in his thoughts.
You fool! The entity shot back; his voice brimming with anger. Many lust for my powers but here you are, talking about trust. What does it have to do with anything?
The last time you offered me your chakra; a proctor had to subdue me from starting a killing spree. Naruto chided the voice. His statement resurfaced some recent memories from the forest of death and how after reluctantly accepting the red chakra to fend off some sound genins, he almost lost it. He couldn't control himself and the urge to kill.
Never again, Kyubi! Naruto's coldly said."Thank Kami-sama that Anko-senpai was nearby." He muttered to himself.
Hm…The beastly voiced huffed back. You're weak. That's why you lost control.
Lies! Naruto quickly shot back. You tried to take over me back there. Naruto accusingly pointed out, replaying the moment the molten red chakra slowly crawled over him in that dark lake water inside his mind. It encased his body and mind, rendering Naruto powerless.
You're powers are very toxic. Naruto uttered to the beast. His chakra came with his anger and in using it clouded his judgment with one single thought; killing. Naruto struggled to control such impulse, leaving both his enemies and allies in danger.
Your weak pathetic body craved for more. The voice said with a hint of disrespect. Don't blame me for offering what it wanted.
Oh stop it! I know you were going for my mind. You've always said how you wished you were in charge.
Well do you blame me for thinking like that? I'm stuck in a pitiful body with a moron as its host. What do you expect? The voice spat with such hate that it saddened the blonde.
Naruto closed his eyes, listening to the dying cheers. That's really hurtful man. He said, but the nine tails didn't retort.
/
On his feet, Naruto was. With the crowd's energy dissipating, he deemed it wise to leave. Exiting now when all the eyes were on the victor was preferred since he would avoid the scrutiny that came with losing his third exam.
Medics came scurrying from the tunnel. Not needing their assistance, he waved his hand to decline them. They heeded his gesture and instead offered their attention to the victor.
/
Interrupting her moment, the medics inquired Tenten for any injuries. Her injuries were minor; ones that would heal on their own with little care.
"No thank you" she said, causing the two to head back.
With her attention broken from the crowd, Tenten caught a glimpse of the orange figure. She turned to her defeated opponent and watched him as he brushed the dirt of his orange pants and black sleeves. Her eyes widened in realization. What's going to happen to him?
Naruto was in a similar situation as her, if not much worse than her. This was his third attempt, meaning possibly his last chance to become a chunin. Any future attempts would require the Hokage's permission. But would she allow him?
Her eyes softened as she gazed at him. His fate rested with the legendary sannin and her very impatient and brash altitude. How will she view Naruto with this latest defeat? Being the only remaining genin from their class won't bode well for him; especially when the remaining members of his team were progressing forward. Sakura already got promoted to a jonin due to her medical prowess and Sasuke would be fighting to become one.
What will happen to their team? She pondered as the blonde made his way towards the tunnel. His situation had dampened her mood and her victory.
Don't blame yourself Tenten! She thought, looking away from his receding figure. It's not your fault. She reminded herself of the hard work she had endured for this year's tournament; all the embarrassing youth training she did with Lee; all the advice and time Neji spent on her. Her emotions began to swirl within. She painted her fierce gaze to the ground in front. What was she supposed to do; throw away the match and her future? That would have been an insult to the people who helped her get here.
Besides I didn't even know him that well. She thought selfishly to console her emotions and squash any lingering guilt.
"HEY TENTEN!" A loud call startled her. Trusting her ears, she raised her sights to the tunnel. Her eyes and mouth widened from the sight of Naruto waving at her with a smile that spoke of a man content with the world; his grin was wide enough that it masked his bruise lips.
"CONGRATULATIONS TENTEN!" He yelled, silencing most in the crowd and leaving many baffled.
"Didn't he just lose?" Many uttered. "Why is he smiling so hard?" "Maybe his head took too much beating."
Tenten remained speechless. Her face stupefied with disbelief. Why was Naruto praising her…like he was the victor. Naruto was someone she rarely knew, much less converse with. Yet, here he was; praising her with such energy that it cloaked any hidden motives he had.
Why? She thought.
"GO WIN IT FOR OUR CLASS TENTEN!" He yelled once more, shaking Tenten out of her stupor. Naruto grinned at her, gaining humor from her effort to wave back. She seemed petrified, her hand barely over her head, as she tried to wave.
Hehe, she's looks like she has seen a ghost. Naruto giggled.
Stop messing with her and leave already. The nine-tails chimed in. You're drawing too many eyes.
Alright, alright.
Heeding his words, Naruto continued towards the dark tunnel; his back-hand waving at the frozen figure. The bright daylights of the arena receded behind him as he became engulf in darkness from the tunnel. He left, leaving doubts in the minds of many among the crowd as they wondered about his future.
"So that's the last of the great Uzumaki clan." The red hair Mizukage uttered with a hint of jest; a hand-fan veiling part of her face as her eyes trained on the young man leaving the fighting pit.
Her words aroused the blonde Hokage next to her. The Hokage's strong glance at the Mizukage didn't go unnoticed by the said person.
Is she upset? Mei wondered; well aware of the legendary sannin's short fuse.
Tsunade returned her strong gaze back to the arena. Her expression remained stoic with a frown as she stared at the boy now entering the dark tunnel.
"I hear this was his third exam." Mei coyly revealed. With Naruto gone and nothing interesting to gaze at, she glanced at the blonde woman seated beside her, egging her to respond.
Tsunade glanced back; her fierce eyes screaming that she was not in the mood. But Mei just smiled innocently; the smile hidden by her hand-fan but her closed eyes were drawn with warmness that spawned from the smile.
Unconvinced by her insincere smile, Tsunade face scrunched up with irritation. Her murderous glares had always scared many off but this red hair kept to her wits. Mei didn't budge. Her amused expression remained in place.
Tired from trying to frighten her, Tsunade broke lock and glared at the dirt arena; the female victor still there, receiving showering praises from the crowd. Tenten seemed to regain composure as she began trudging towards the opposite exit, waving at the crowd while on the move.
"He has no motivation." Tsunade said in a low voice.
No motivation? Mei glanced into the arena. One would think that the prospect of never becoming a shinobi would be a great source of motivation. The Mizukage thought, regarding the young kunoichi who was now leaving the pit.
"She certainly was motivated." Mei said, referencing to Tenten. Tsunade agreed with a hum.
/
Mizukage senses prickled up; someone was approaching their seating box from behind. She glanced to the side and saw a masked shinobi hunching down near the Hokage's seat.
An anbu? Mei wondered why one of the shadowy corps of shinobi was here.
The ninja seemed to be whispering something to the Hokage. Mei and her personal assistance, Ao, watched as the legendary sannin's face slowly morphed into a monstrous glare.
Mei and Ao gawked. Her one eye enlarged to wide proportions. Never had she seen such unbridled anger from anyone.
The anbu shinobi, finished mouthing his secrets to the Hokage, peddled backwards and kneed to the ground behind her seat.
"Danzzzzzzooo….." Tsunade hissed aloud with her teeth bared and gnashing against themselves. Her hands griped the edge of her chair arm, clenching them with such strength that cracks could be heard. The air in the box seating area dropped as everyone glanced around; worried about the Hokage and their safety.
Shizune, Tsunade's aid, apprehensively edged close to her boss.
"Lady….." Her voice quaked with fear. "….Please calm down." She pleaded and moved in to touch Tsunade's reddish hand which gripped the wooden arm with such fierce that blood had filled her once pale hand.
Sensing the approaching hand, Tsunade flinched immediately. Her head yanked towards the young woman; her monstrous glower in full bare towards Shizune.
"Eeep" Shizune yelped like a kitten as she felt her heart yanked from within. Fear had stricken her; cementing her to the spot and freezing her muscles.
Hearing the sound of a girlish kitty, Tsunade woke up. She blinked few times before easing her grips and calming her breathing.
Now washed free from her deathly anger, she noticed Shizune besides her, fear drawn on her face. Tsunade then glanced around, noticing the terrified and paled individuals in the box area. Even the coy, playful Mizukage looked frightened; an image which pleased Tsunade in the back of her mind.
"Uh, I'm…sorry." Tsunade muttered.
Shaking from her stupor by Tsunade's uncharacteristic humble admission, Mei composed herself.
"It's okay." She said, leaving her words short. Her counterpart wasn't a very talkative person so resisted the urge to pry any further, but the cause of her irate peaked her interest.
Who is Danzo? She wondered.
"You can leave now." Tsunade said offhandedly and like that the anbu silently kneeling behind whisked away.
/
Huh, what now, nine-tails? Naruto bemoaned to his inner tenant.
Damare! (Shutup!). The beast scolded him.
What's your problem? Naruto asked but ceased further inquiries when silence was all he heard. He sighed.
/
Further down the tunnel, he heightened his senses when a lone figure slanted to the wall crossed his sights; the darkness inside the tunnel cloaking his features.
What the…..Naruto felt alarmed but kept his pace. Squinting, he saw a familiar book the figure was holding; reading actually.
"Kakashi..." He called out to be sure.
"Naruto" Kakashi closed his book.
"Sensei!" Naruto greeted him with a slight head bow.
"You're okay?" He asked with a hint of worry. His facial demeanor screened by the dim darkness.
"Yeah, absolutely!" Naruto grinned, baring his white teeth in the murky darkness.
"Naruto…." Kakashi muttered under his breath with such warmth that it felt like he was praising him. He smiled behind his mask; admiring his pupil's optimism. But looking ahead, Naruto's future seemed bleak.
Uncertainty clouded Kakashi's thoughts, eviscerating his tiny smile. How will Lady Tsunade react? Will she grant him another chance or worse…
"Um sensei….." Naruto interrupted his thoughts.
"Yes?" He replied.
"Is there anything else, cause…..if not then can I….." Naruto stretched his voice, signaling to the light trailing from the end of the tunnel.
"Oh yeah yeah….." Kakashi sounded startled. "Just wanted to make sure you were alright but it looks like I worried too much." He scratched the back of his neck, conjuring up ways to keep this small talk going. Naruto needed some advice; he felt it but how?
"Ahhh don't worry yourself too much, sensei." He uttered, waving his hands dismissively. "I'll be fine." He chuckled casually, getting Kakashi to chuckle along; his mask muffling his mirth.
"Well, if you ever want to talk about something, you know where to find me."
"Thank you sensei." Naruto bowed respectfully. "I will be going now."
"Sure." Kakashi said.
/
"Wait….." Kakashi words halted the genin in his steps. "You're gonna watch the other matches?" He asked in general, but secretly meant the Uchiha's matchup.
"Nah, kinda tired." Naruto said, keenly aware he would be missing his teammate's match. "I'm just gonna go home and take a little nap."
"Okay then, if you're not feeling well…." Kakashi said, unable to finish his sentence.
"I guess I will see you later sensei." Naruto waved a goodbye before leaving.
/
He probably doesn't want to be around them after the lost. Kakashi thought while gazing at his diminishing figure.
/
You? Tired? The Kyubi suddenly said; a hint of disbelief in his beastly voice. It sensed its warden's downcast mood.
I just wanna be alone right now. Naruto revealed; his emotions very dejected.
A/N:
Thanks for reading. Leave some reviews and your thoughts.