Naruto was excited. Really excited. After today, he would be able to defend himself from those bastards that wanted to 'kill the demon'.
And the best thing was that if he didn't make it this year, he was finally strong enough to leave and avoid the hunter nins they would send after him, most likely with the order to kill.
It had been really shitty four years for him. He couldn't show his true skill because then he would get executed. He couldn't defend himself because he would get executed. He couldn't voice his opinion because he would get executed.
He pretty much couldn't step on a twig without the threat of execution. Though why he would defile the mighty log was beyond him.
He walked into the classroom and sat down in the back and waited...
"Class." said a voice so quite it was barely heard.
"Class!" said the voice, a little louder.
"DAMN BRATS SHUT UP AND IN SIT AT YOUR DESKS!" yelled the voice, now identified as an irate Iruka with a larger than normal head.
"You all know what today is. Without further ado, here is the written test." he said as he started passing out tests.
"Iruka-sensie, what does 'ado' mean?" asked a snickering Kiba.
Iruka leaned down and whispered in his ear. Kiba turned white as a ghost.
Naruto looked at his test and sighed. There was no point in trying. Questions on his test were far beyond what was taught at the academy.
'Explain the theory behind the fourth Hokage's Haraishin?'
Fuck that.
XxxzxxX
"Ok, that's the last of 'em. Everyone outside for the weapons accuracy and taijustu tests." Iruka said while straightening the papers out.
Everyone was talking about the test on the way outside.
Naruto knew his test was rigged so he just turned it in blank.
All that meant was he didn't have to hold back in the taijutsu spar.
"Sasuke Uchiha"
Sasuke walked up front and threw his weapons. All except one hit the bullseye.
"9/10 good job."
Iruka praised.
Sasuke walked to Naruto.
"So, are you gonna try or what?" he asked nonchalantly.
"Actually yes, since this is gonna be my last year I'm goin' out with a bang." he said while grinning.
"Why do I have a feeling you mean literally?" the last Uchiha asked.
"That, my dear Watson, is the power of deduction." the blonde replied while smirking.
"Your lame."
"Piss off."
"Naruto Uzumaki." called Iruka.
"Luck" grunted Sasuke.
"I don't need luck, I've got my devilishly handsome features." called Naruto over his shoulder.
Sasuke just rolled his eyes.
Naruto walked up and pulled out a kunai.
"Naruto you do know that you need more than one kunai." said the scared teacher, who grew a tick mark.
"Ma ma Iruka-sensie I've got it covered." he said in a condescending tone.
Iruka was about to yell at him but shut up when he threw the kunai and it suddenly turned into 10. Also every target was hit and, thanks to his element, pierced completely.
Everyone except Sasuke had their jaws on the ground.
"Iruka-sensie, did I do something wrong?" asked an innocent looking blonde.
"10/10. Good job." he said, monotone, like his brain was still processing what happened.
Sasuke just snorted.
XxxzxxX
Inside Academy
Mizuki was watching from the classroom fuming. That little brat just messed up his plans. Oh well he could still get the demon brat.
Until then...
XxxzxxX
Inside after taijutsu
Naruto was bored after his match, if you could even call it that. He demolished the poor kid.
Next was ninjutsu and that was easy.
He napped until he heard his name called.
Before his name was called out Sasuke walked over with a leaf headband on. Naruto figured it was time to test out his fluency in the Uchiha language.
"Hn?" he questioned nodding at the head band.
"Hn." Sasuke nodded.
"Hn?" Naruto questioned the difficulty of the exam.
"Hn. Hmm hn." now, this was one of the harder to distinguish. With the help of the shake of the head in negative, also slight slouch indicated that the Uchiha found it too easy and questioned the efficiency of Konoha giving such a weak standard. The Uchiha language was truly majestic.
"Hn." he agreed. He promptly went back to sleep.
"Naruto Uzumaki"
Grumbling because of his awesome dream about ramen that was interrupted he went into the room.
"Ok Naruto I want you to substitute with that chair." Iruka said, pointing at a random chair.
He went to but noticed he couldn't use chakra right.
He tried and the chair only moved a bit.
"Sorry Naruto you fail." Iruka said with a sigh.
"Come on Iruka, he managed to move it a bit." Mizuki silently congratulated himself on his great acting performance.
Naruto drooped and walked out.
He knew something was up but it was best to play along.
He had noticed the chakra disruption seal on the bottom of the desk. He also noticed that Mizuki activated it.
He walked out of the exam with no headband. Sasuke looked over at him going wide eyed, but the look of surprise was replaced with one of rage. The black haired boy couldn't believe that they cheated his best friend. Granted his only friend, but that was beside the point.
He gave Naruto a look and a "Hn?"
"Hn" Naruto responded looking at the clock. He meant later.
XxxzxxX
Naruto was watching the kids who passed get congratulated by their parents. To anybody it would have looked like Naruto was disappointed in not passing. Really he was just happy he was leaving.
"Hey Naruto, do you really want to pass." Naruto turned to see Mizuki.
"Yes." he said downcast. He had to keep up appearances.
"There is the other test you could take...
XxxzxxX
At Uchiha compound
Sasuke was training when he felt someone behind him.
"Sasuke." the voice belonged to Naruto.
Sasuke spun around with fire in his eyes.
"They cheated you, didn't they!" Sasuke practically yelled.
"Yep, chakra disruption seal." respond a deflated Naruto.
Noticing this he decided to comment.
"Your leaving huh?" He already knew the answer. He just needed to be sure.
Naruto just nodded.
"Here, these are most of are scrolls over wind manipulation, along with a taijutsu style that uses wind. Look after these and yourself." Sasuke said gesturing to a pile of scrolls. "Whats your plan?" He asked.
"I was planning on spending some time in Nami. Probably three or so months. Then I'll either go to Kiri or possibly Suna. Well Sasuke, see you later. I've got a scroll to steal." Naruto said after sealing the scrolls and saluting.
"Dobe, be careful."
"You to teme."
XxxzxxX
With Naruto
Naruto ran through the forest with the scroll of sealing on his back.
Mizuki must have taken him for an idiot. However, he was thankful, he had the perfect opportunity to take it with minimal consequence.
If he ever wished to return, all he had to do was blame it on Mizuki and he was golden.
As he walked towards the gate planing to sneak past the guards and escaping.
As he was sneaking he caught some of their conversation.
"Izumo, you know that crow that flies over the village?"
"Yes..."
"The other day I heard it call me an idiot while over the village. Why are crows so mean?"
"I don't know. However I first noticed that crow when I was ten. 14 years later and EVERY MORNING I WAKE UP AND HEAR THAT DAMN CROW MOCKING ME!"
"...You want to talk about it?"
"fuck off."
It took all of Naruto's focus not to face palm.
After getting into the forest that surrounds the village he opened the scroll looking for a jutsu that could throw of any Inuzuka.
'let's see, shadow clones huh. Solid clone, like a carbon copy, smells the same. Nice, just what I'm looking for. I've probably got an hour before they find me.'
He thought
XxxzxxX
30 minutes later
"Done" he sighed in relief. Technique was pretty much a normal clone with nearly twenty times more chakra.
He quickly made ten clones.
"Alright, you ten head in different directions. Run for thirty minutes and create five clones and tell them to do the same. Remember to keep the village to your backs. Dismissed."
They saluted and left in blurs.
'Now, time for my scent.' he changed into some clothes he had bought and sealed immediately to keep his scent from them.
He burnt his old clothes with a weak fire jutsu.
'Good riddance.' he thought.
After that he started running.
A good two hours later he set up camp. As he was setting up his tent he suddenly felt something.
XxxzxxX
Running.
"He's over here" called a female voice. He turned and saw a huge black dog baring its fangs.
"Good doggy?"
It pounced at him.
He dropped under it and kicked up with both his feet. He heard the dog hit something, probably one of the many trees that were surrounding the clearing he was in.
"Kuromaru! Bastard." the Inuzuka growled.
"Tunneling fang!"
"Wind Release: Demon Claw!"
A green chakra infused wind took the shape of a three digit claw and stopped the attack dead. Naruto then pushed her and followed with a slash across her chest. Not deep enough to kill but enough to slow her considerably.
However he wasn't paying attention, suddenly the every bird in the forest started chirping. A flash of blue and he was dead
XxxzxxX
Back with Naruto
'What the hell' he pulled the scroll of sealing out from a seal on his arm and looks at the shadow clone jutsu again.
'Well, I'll be damned. I get their memories too. To think I almost missed that important detail. It also says that it's can be applied to training, assuming your reserves can handle it. Check. Except physical. Damn. Doing that the old fashion way. I can have these bastards working on my jutsu. The clone was able to use it in battle so I think I see the flaws. Stopping that attack was cool. If I could get it to grab I could incorporate that into a taijutsu style. Sweet. I need to start immediately.'
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Three clones 'poofed' into existence.
"I think I should rest." he promptly passed out.
"Looks like we are guarding the boss man." said clone number one earning a nod from number two.
"Maybe we could have some fun..." said clone number three, pulling out a marker.
They all giggled in unison.
XxxzxxX
Two weeks went with Naruto training and traveling.
He tackled the Uchiha taijutsu style with excitement. The katas were boring, but the finished product would easily be worth it.
He had taken to the wind release techniques of the scroll of seals like a fish to water, sometimes mastering two or more in one day. He had no clue who this Danzo guy was, but he was a genius when it came to the creation of wind jutsu, even to the point of leaving instructions for people who want to make their own wind techniques. Needless to say, it was a god-send for Naruto.
His own string of techniques where coming along nicely. He already had two more offensive versions, as well as one defensive/supplementary.
Danzo's theories and tactics with the wind techniques was also astounding. He talked of his own summon that could suck in large amounts of air. The tactics he used with this where crazy. Naruto had also started on a technique similar. It wasn't as powerful. But with the amount of chakra he put into it, it was definitely effective.
After practicing to near exhaustion again, he started out toward Nami. Had he been traveling like a shinobi, he could have made it in two days. Had he been walking for more than five hours a day, he would have made it in a little over a week. However, he was traveling like a civilian to avoid suspicion. He only walked for two hours before collapsing after training.
Hell, just walking was a bitch with the training seals he had on. They were the patented resistance seals of the Fourth Hokage. He currently had two on and he felt like he was wearing a parachute with an industrial fan in front of him.
He was almost through with his day. He set up camp and quickly fell asleep.
He woke to the sound of snickering. He looked up and saw four figures crouched over his backpack. They must be either stupid or confident to rob someone in daylight.
"This kid is some kinda ninja wannabe, right Zabuza." snickered one of the two shorter figures.
"Yeah. Let's just get his money and leave." the tallest figure with some sort of sword on his back.
"You assholes having fun going through my shit." he said getting up. He quickly decided that he wanted to be underestimated in this scenario. "I'm gonna be the strongest ninja ever, so kicking your asses will be no problem!" donning his loud mouth persona, he continued with insulting their mothers.
During all this he released his resistance seals to prepare.
"Zabuza, let us take care of this kid."
"Hn" the one identified as Zabuza nodded.
"Here I come!" Naruto yelled while running painfully slow swing both his arms wildly.
Once he was about two yards away he got serious.
He quickly grabbed two kunai and threw them at the two brothers feet. The said brothers started laughing at his aim until they noticed the explosive tags. They jumped into the air to dodge. Just what he wanted.
He quickly made a clone.
"Wind Release: Stream"
"Wind Release: Slash"
They called in unison. The slash was powered up by the stream and cut the demon brothers in half.
He turned and pulled out a kunai and charged Zabuza.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Blade."
The kunai started glowing and a yellowish green aura surrounded it and took the shape of a scimitar.
He suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. He barely even heard the senbon being thrown, but he could definitely feel them sticking out of his neck.
Suddenly, black.
XxxzxxX
With Zabuza
"Damn, that kid killed the demon brothers. I think we have are selves a new partner. Whatcha say Haku?" asked Zabuza.
"I agree. I was getting tired of the demon brothers anyway. They wouldn't stop hitting on me." said a figure with a hunter nin mask on.
"What should we do with their bodies?" Zabuza asked.
"Who cares?" The figure identified as Haku said.
"That's cold...no pun intended." commented the masked man.
"Your lame, Zabuza-sama." Said Haku, sweat dropping.
"Anyway, I like this kid. Played those idiots like a violin. Kinda like you on seduction missions. One minute cute, insecure girl. Next minute cold blooded bitch." Said Zabuza nodding his head.
"I'm not that bad!"
"You froze the last guy's balls off, literally."
"...let's go." She said.
"That's what I thought." he grumbled.
XxxzxxX
At base
He woke up and took inventory. His neck hurt and his limbs were sore. He had no weapons on him. His hands were tied. He tried cutting his bonds with wind chakra but didn't succeed. Clearly a chakra suppression seal. He could feel it on the base of his wrist. Probably a store bought one. He could get rid of it if it wasn't self made. He decided to open his eyes and glance at it.
He looked around the room, not seeing anything beside the dark brown walls that showed signs of fatigue, he quickly looked at the seal on his wrist. He sighed in relief. It was fairly simple. He bit his lip until it started bleeding. He then sat up and started bleeding on the seal, hopping to disrupt it.
After throughly fucking up the seal, he was able to release it. Quickly cutting his bonds with chakra, he then got up to leave. The door was locked but he easily cut it open.
He walked out and the sun burnt his eyes. Before his eyes could adjust, he heard clapping.
"Good job, ya little shit. I thought I was gonna be waiting at least three minutes. I knew you were decent, but one minute and thirty seconds is probably the fastest anyones passed my little test." said Zabuza while sitting in a tree.
"I don't want to fight you, and you clearly don't want me dead, so why not just go are separate ways." Naruto said. He was never one for the diplomatic approach, but he didn't think he could take this guy without the element of surprise.
"I've got a better deal, kiddo. How 'bout you join me since you killed two of my associates?" The swordsmen asked.
"Sure, why not." He answered after thinking it over. What did he have to lose.
"Okay, hears your gear." Zabuza tossed him his backpack. "What village you from?" he added.
"Konoha." he answered while looking through his backpack.
"Really? Never would have pegged you for a tree hugger." Said a surprised Zabuza. He jumped from his tree and started walking down a trail.
"And you are..." Naruto asked, following.
"Zabuza Momochi, former member of the Seven Swordsman of Mist and ANBU. You?" He replied, hefting his sword.
"Naruto Uzumaki, former academy student." the blonde replied, giving Zabuza the 'thumbs up'.
"Really? Kid, your full of surprises." he chuckled.
"So about this mission..."
XxxzxxX
With Sasuke
He looked at his complaining teammates. Both Sakura and Kiba were complaining, rather loudly much to his annoyance, about the lack of excitement in their missions.
"I suppose we could give you a C-Rank mission." said the Hokage. "Send him in."
In stumbled an old man, clearly intoxicated.
"This is my protection? These snot nosed brats couldn't kill a fly." he snorted.
Sasuke had been very temperamental lately. Besides the fact that his best friend had left him all alone, he had to put up with the loud mouth Kiba and near useless Sakura, and his Jonin sensie hadn't looked up from his porn book yet. This would explain why Sasuke whipped out a kunai and threw it at his employer, cutting him on the cheek.
"Just did." was all he said. He had indeed killed a fly that was just to the drunks left.
"Never mind, they'll be perfect." the old man said smirking."My name is Tazuna, your gonna escort me to Nami."
An emotion flickered across Sasuke's face for a second. So fast Kakashi almost missed the expression of happiness. Almost.
"We will rendezvous at the east gate in four hours. Pack for a two week trip."
"Yahoo!" exclaimed Kiba as He raced towards his clan compound.
Sasuke just hned before jumping towards his compound. He was planing to pack everything in a scroll and leave for good and live with his surrogate brother. Secretly he was excited. He couldn't wait to see Naruto again. He finally understood that life without Naruto was boring compared to life with Naruto. He would follow Naruto anywhere now. Plus, he felt his place was at Naruto's side.
After sealing all his family scrolls and money, he left for the gate.
XxxzxxX
With Naruto
"First thing we need to fix is your clothes and your hair. Then we need a mask." Haku counted of, using her fingers. Naruto had met her immediately after Zabuza's test. She was nice to him, which was refreshing, since no one had ever been nice to him. He found out that, like him, had been an orphan and that Zabuza took her in. He learned of her bloodline and he helped her with wind release, since Zabuza didn't know any.
They walked into a clothing store and he made a beeline for a shirt that caught his eye.
"Haku-chan, is this jacket acceptable?" he asked with caution. He had been shot down at least four different times. This was the only jacket that didn't have orange on it. It was a light green hoodie with two thin black stripes going down from shoulder two opposite sides of his hips, forming a black 'X'.
She sighed."Sure, at least it's not orange."
"Low blow." he said looking down.
"Since it has a hood, we won't need to color your hair." she said deep in thought."You can keep those grey cargo shorts. All we need is a mask. Let's pay and leave." she said.
Zabuza suddenly appeared before them as they walked out of the store.
He tossed him a black face mask and a Kiri headband with a slash through the symbol."Here kid, their own the move. You'll intercept first, using a shadow clone. See who they are and what their abilities are. Weigh your options and engage if odds are favorable. If not, just report back. I actually like you and I don't want you killed. Dismissed." they both disappeared in a shunshin.
Naruto quickly arrived we they would be coming through.
XxxzxxX
With Sasuke
He was extremely bored. He had asked questions about Nami, but after a while of no answers from Kakashi or Tazuna, he gave up. They had been walking for about five days so far and he was bored.
The only fun he had was putting Kiba under a genjutsu every time he fell asleep that made him dream of thousands of cats mauling him.
Needless to say, Kiba was on edge. He figured all those dreams about cats were an omen. Every couple of seconds, his hand would flinch towards his kunai. On the inside, every time he saw Kiba flinch he would howl in laughter. However, it was getting old fast.
Soon he heard someone whistling a song that Naruto use to whistle all the time. He looked in a tree ahead of them and saw a figure on a limb hanging over the trail. The person was wearing a forest green hoodie with the hood up. The figure turned and looked at them. He had on a slashed Kiri headband, signifying him as a rogue ninja. He also had on a mask that was like Kakashi's.
The figure looked him in the eye and winked.
It was Naruto.
XxxzxxX
With Naruto
He winked at Sasuke real quick before looking at Kakashi. He fell down from his tree and Kakashi spoke.
"Hello, stranger-kun, what are you doing here." he asked being friendly.
"I'm sorry Kakashi-san, but I'm here to kill him." Naruto said pointing at Kiba."Inuzuka killed my mother and uncle. I would be a disgrace to my family if I didn't try to kill him." Naruto finished. He then rushed Kiba as fast as he could. He almost killed him but Kakashi was able to intercept.
"Sorry, I can't let you kill him. Too much paperwork."
"Of course, Hatake-san. Oh, by the way. BOOM!" he said before violently exploding.
Kakashi was thrown back by the force and his kunai also exploded. Parts had lodged themselves in his shoulder. He mentally cursed himself for underestimating his opponent.
"Did I get him?" asked Naruto, feigning exhaustion.
"Sorry, it'll take more than that." Kakashi replied from behind him before stabbing him in the heart.
BOOM
This time Kakashi flew and hit a tree from the force.
The scarecrow looked up in horror as Naruto was about to stab Kiba.
Before Naruto could stab him he was tackled by a hunter nin, who then used a fire jutsu to kill him. Then shunshined away as if nothing happened.
"What the hell?!" exclaimed Kiba after a long silence.
"Apparently, Kiba, you just got lucky as shit. Had that hunter nin not stopped him, you would be dead. However, we need to set up camp. He did a number on me." Kakashi said rubbing his back.
XxxzxxX
With Naruto
After Naruto henged into a hunter nin and burned his clone, the group set up camp and went to sleep, leaving Sasuke to guard first. As soon as everyone was asleep, Naruto walked out of the forest.
"Naruto I-"
"Yeah, yeah, I know. You want to come with me because we're brothers and all that crap. Grab the bridge builder and lets go." Naruto said, shutting up Sasuke.
Sasuke looked like he was going to argue, but instead just shook his head and complied.
"This way." Naruto started running towards the town Haku, Zabuza, and he where staying.
XxxzxxX
With Zabuza
"Soooo... see any good movies lately." Zabuza asked, attempting to increase his skills in casual conversation that didn't involve killing people.
"..."
"How's the weather?" again, his pathetic attempt to break the silence was instead greeted with more silence. Haku fidgeted.
"He is gonna be fine, Haku. I'm sure he's on his way as we, er, I speak."
"I-"She started saying something but was cut of when Naruto walked into the small safe house.
"Yo."
"Naruto!" they both said in unison.
"Hey, I sorta brought some friends." he said while scratching the back of his head nervously. In walked Sasuke Uchiha, carrying a knocked out Tazuna.
"Hello. I hope you don't mind. Is there anywhere we can rest. Not everyone has insane stamina like blondie." huffed the Uchiha.
Zabuza nodded down a hallway. Sasuke walked and disappeared into one of the rooms.
"Why did an Uchiha with a leaf hitea ate just walk in here with our target draped on his shoulder?" asked a slightly pissed Zabuza.
"Hear me out. All of us know that Gato is gonna betray us, right?"
They both nodded.
"So, I say we trick him into thinking we killed the bridge builder, and when he tries to kill us, we take control of his entire operation."
Haku and Zabuza remained stoic.
"Why not just kill the bridge builder?" Zabuza asked.
"We let him finish the bridge, then start are own village here."
"..."
"Are you retarded?! Why would I want to be tied down to a village? A specially in this crappy place!" Zabuza started yelling and cursing at Naruto, who just waited patiently.
"Zabuza-sama, I don't think Naruto is done." piped in Haku in a soft voice.
That made Zabuza's extensive cursing regress into just angry mumblings.
"We could help the bloodline side of the revolution from Kiri. If we help, it would be beneficial to both of us. We use the hundreds of thugs from Gato's gang and make it look like our numbers are huge. The leader of the revolution will have no choice but to sign a decent treaty with us. With you being strongest swordsmen left, people will flock to the city, looking to train under you." the blonde concluded.
Zabuza was nodding the whole time, but suddenly stopped.
"That's could really work. However, your forgetting what would happen if our side lost. You've never fought a Kage, or a jinchuriki for that matter. The only thing that can kill one-"
"Is another." Naruto finished looking down."That's exactly why we have such a big role."
"We don't have a jinchuriki...do we?" asked Zabuza.
"Oh, we do. Foxy already told me that if I have to fight another container that he would lend me some help." Naruto said solemnly.
"'Foxy', Zabuza what is he talking about?" asked a confused Haku.
"We, have just made an extremely powerful ally. This kid is the container of ol nine tails, strongest of the biju." Zabuza finished with a smirk.
"I'm gonna go train. I'm gonna need to be in top condition to kill a Kage." Naruto said with a smirk, walking out of the door.
XxxzxxX
One week later.
"D-D-Don't kill me! I'll give you anything you want, women, money, and weapons. All you have to do is allow me to live." an extremely scared Gato groveled at Naruto's feet.
They were currently in Gato's base, with dead guards behind Naruto. Gato just in front of his desk, practically kissing Naruto's feet.
"Nope." Naruto voice rang out in the silence. Gato hardly had enough time to piss his pants before his head rolled.
"Yo, Zabuza, you find his account number?"
"Yep, right here. I also found some scrolls. Want me to bring them to?" called out Zabuza from another room.
"Yeah. Hurry up, we need to leave for Kiri immediately."
"Really?" Complained Zabuza.
"Yes, my clones are almost back from Uzushiogakure, and the have surprises for everyone." Naruto started laughing evilly.
"Oooooookay. Let's go then. Wouldn't want to keep Haku waiting. You know how much she worries 'bout 'little Naru-nii'. He said with a snicker. About two days after he had brought the bridge builder and Sasuke to that safe house, she had officially claimed him and Sasuke as her little brothers. It seemed appropriate seeing as how she fussed over them like a real older sister.
"You do realize that makes you the father of this disfunctional little family, right, Zabuza-tousan." he replied with a smirk.
Zabuza just grunted.
"Best not to keep them waiting." Naruto added.
Another grunt.
"Well, fuck you too