Hello there guys! Here is another chapter of my story.
Hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 2: The Hitokiri Battousai
„The Hitokiri Battousai?!" said awestruck Ryuu. While he did not hear of him since wasn't interested in history and tended to sleep during those classes but this guy sounded awesome.
„Yes, he was the leader of the rebellion, now a true Kiri shinobi force. " said Kakashi. "His name itself strikes fear in the hearts of this genertaion of shinobi troughout Elemental Nations."
„Why is that?" asked now intrigued Sasuke who always liked to hear more about powerful shinobi and their deeds. He heard stories of many of them from his brother who always studied history and learned more about them like their ancestor Madara Uchiha of whom he never heard of, Hanzo the Salamander, The Densetsu no Sannin, Shiroi no Kiba Sakumo who was father of their sensei etc...
„It's because of his infamous sword style that allows him to fight an entire army at once. Many times he massacared an entire battalion of Kiri loyalists without using any jutsu, just pure speed and sword play, though recently it's said that he's a powerful fūinjutsu user as well which he had shown during his fight against Yondaime Mizukage Yagura of whom he also defeted."
Now that shocked everyone.' Well, that isn't entirely true since this lowly self had a help from Mei and this lowly self somehow used some kind of chains which this lowly self can't figure out.'
„His sword style?" asked now Tazuna who got interested in this shinobi. But before answering, Kakashi looked at Naruto and asked:"You seem to be pretty informitive seeing that you knew about his moniker and I would like to know how?"
„In order to survive the war, many of us civilians had to do everything to survive and that includes reading Bingo book so that we would know what kind of shinobi will approach us and whether we will ask them for aid or hide from them" said Naruto. That was the truth since many people did that. Shinji himself used a Bingo book that he got from a fellow fisherman during the early days of Civil war.
„A Bingo book, what's that?!" interrupted Ryuu.
„It's a book in which all infamous shinobi are mentioned, their description as well as their backround, skills, and threat level" said Kakashi."But enough of that, we were talking about sword style of The Hitokiri Battousai"
„Tell us about his sword style?!" demanded ancious Sasuke. Naruto immediately recognized the look that Sasuke had. While Ryuu was also interested he didn't have the same look as Sasuke-the power hungry look.
„The name of his sword style is hiten mitsuturugi ryuu. It is used for fighting many enemies at the same time. The mastery of such sword style allows a person to fight an entire battalion enemies and come on top or at least that's what they say, am I right so far Naruto-san? "said Kakashi while lazily observing red haired wanderer. He seemed normal and his explanation about his knowledge was reasonable, but you can never be certain.
„Well that's what I read as well" shrugged Naruto while looking back at kakashi. He saw that Kakashi was analyzing him and trying to see if he was a shinobi or not.
„What happened to him?" asked Sakura who was afraid of hearing about such a shinobi.
„After ending the war, he mysteriously vanished while leaving behind his sword-The Zantetsuken(iron-cutting sword)(from Lupin III), which is said that was forged from a meteorite and that can cut anything" said Kakashi." But recently there has been a rumor about a wandering swordsman who travels troughout Elemental Nations and helping people and some people think it's him. "
„Does Bingo book say how he looks like?" asked very excited Ryuu, after hearing many things about him, he really wanted to know how he looks like in case he ever meets him so he could ask for a good fight or maybe to train him.
„I know what you are thinking and I am telling you not to follow him. His ruthlesness is said to be unparalleled that his second moniker of his is the Shinigami" said Kakashi, but seeing how Ryuu didn't waver, he sighed.
„Why do you wish to meet such a person?" asked Naruto Ryuu. He became intrigued with his guts and was reminded of himself." He is pretty much feared by everyone. "
„Because he is powerful, if stories about him are true and i wish to surpass him so I could achieve my dream. " said Ryuu, his eyes burning with pashion and his spirit is unwavering
„And that is?" asked Naruto while observing Ryuu. The more he listened him, the more was he reminded of himself when he was his age.
„To become the strongest shinobi in a world so i could protect everyone i hold close" exclaimed Ryuu while leaving Naruto shocked. Those words reminded him of his own words.
-Flashback-
Naruto and Shinji were eating together in their kitchen. Shinji was looking at Naruto who was thinking about something while eating which made him look cute.
„You know, if you continue thinking like that, your food is gonna end up cold." Said an amused Shinji though worried. They were living together for a year now and he saw that Naruto was happy child even if he was fighting to survive in the streets. But he never lost his smile.
„I'm afraid" muttered Naruto trying not to be heard, but Shinji heard him.
„You're afraid of what Naruto?" asked Shinji softly. Naruto was always brave and never shown fear even in the incident when he was once lost in the mist. It was hard to find him but Naruto was able to find a way out of the mist and wasn't even scared, so hearing him that he was afraid means that something really scared him.
„I don't want to lose you. I was afraid that a Kiri loyalist would kill you for not giving him a fish that you caught." Said Naruto
'So that's what scares him, he doesn't want to be alone' thought Shinji while looking at saddened Naruto. But before he could say anything, he saw Naruto's face change into determined one.
„That's why I will train. I will train and become the most powerful Shinobi ever. And then no one will dare to touch my precious people. I won't allow anyone to hurt you or anyone else for that matter" said Naruto.
These words shocked Shinji. Never before had he seen so much determination in a person. This little boy was willing to do anything to protect him because he thinks of him as a precious person.
'Maybe he is the one who will complete it ' thought Shinji.
Naruto didn't know what happened but he was engulfed into a big warm hug by Shinji who had tears in his eyes.
„Thank you Naruto. You're like a son that i never had" said Shinji. These words struck Naruto and made him cry the tears of joy. Both of them didn't want to seperate from one another, so they stayed that way for quite some time.
When they seperated, Shinji became serious and said:"If you want, I'll help you in your quest to become the most powerful shinobi."
These words surprised Naruto but seeeing Shinji serious means that he could help him and that there was more to him than meets the eye.
-Flashback end-
Naruto smiled at Ryuu. It seems they had a lot more in common than just whiskers.
„I'm not sure what it means to be a shinobi but i do belive when a person has something precious, that's when he becomes truly strong."said Naruto, smiling at a promising little shinobi. Ryuu himself smiled, he started to like this traveler.
„Thanks, but still what does he look like"
„Nobody knows since he never left anyone alive for shinobi to describe him" said Naruto, but Kakashi decided to enter.
„But there was one who before he died said that he had three scars on both his cheeks like whiskers. Just like you Ryuu" which shocked people. Kakashi than thought:'And it's because of that information, did Minato sensei send Jiraya sama to find him, because he could be your long lost brother, Ryuu.'
When that happened, Kakashi was confused and Minato told him the truth. To say he was shocked was an understatemant. Meeting this Naruto brings him hope but he doesn't have whiskers(A.N. yeah I admit it's a bit conveniant that he used genjutsu just when he needed but I hope you accept my apology and roll with it)
Naruto didn't know about his whisker marks being recognized and was happy that he hid it trough a genjutsu.
„Well I'm off to find a place to stay" said Naruto, but before he could leave Tsunami stood up
„Now, now there is no need to. This house is large enough for all of you to stay" said Tsunami with a small smile.
„Are you sure? Because I wouldn't want to intrude " said Naruto but Tsunami immediately said:"It wouldn't be ok to leave an innocent bystander in need and I still owe you an apology."
„Thank you" team 7/Naruto said at the same time.
-Line break-
Naruto was standing in his room, thinking what to do. He won't abandon these people since he had sworn to protect those that are in need but Konoha shinobi team complicated things. He also needed to find Zabuza and make peaceful resolution with him.
But before he could continue to ponder, he heard someone crying. He opened a door and heard someone crying in a room next to him. Door was a little open and there he saw Inari crying and holding a family picture.
-Tomorrow morning-
In a kitchen room, we can see Naruto cooking, and that's because he felt obliged to do after being given a place to stay. He decided to cook simple rice with omlet(took that from PERSONA 4) because it was simple but delicious meal with proteins.
„Naruto-san! What are you doing here cooking?" asked Ryuu who was standing behind him. After waking up early in the morning so he could train, he saw Kakashi and rest of his teammates resting so he decided to explore house and maybe go outside. But the smell of something deliciosus cooking led him to the kitchen.
„Well, I decided to cook as a sign of apretiation for allowing thi-me to stay in this lovely house " said Naruto while kindly smiling at Ryuu.
„really, what are you cooking?" asked intrigued Ryuu.
„Just an omlet with rice. Simple but delicious dish, full of proteins." said Naruto while putting food in each and every dish.
„Wow, I'm sure it's deliciosus but not as deliciosus as Ramen" stated Ryuu. That proclamation surprised Naruto since it was his favourite food.
„After all, Ramen is a ..."
„FOOD OF THE GODS" both Naruto and Ryuu said at the same time. They were shocked that they had the same thought about Ramen. But they immediatly started laughing together.
„Man, I thought that only my mom, my youngest sister and myself loved Ramen like that, but it's great to know that there are others as well. I wouldn't be surprised if you were my long lost brother"said Ryuu.
„I agree" said a mysterious voice. Ryuu was shocked but Naruto wasn't even though he acted. When they both turned around they saw Kakashi standing there, reading his little book.
-Line break-
After breakfast, Naruto decided to walk around a small village, after which he decided to go to the forest.
There he saw person walking around with a basket. Naruto was able to deduce that this person was a male with an androgynous appearance. He wore his long hair loosely, and wore a pink, sleeveless kimono, with pale red edges and decorated with small plum-coloured swirls, that went to his ankles. Around his waist was a simple white obi tied in a bow, and he wore a pair of light brown sandals with dark straps. He also wore a dark-coloured choker around his neck.
„Hello there" said Naruto, trying to be friendly and not hostile. Man turned around, looking surprised but Naruto could see weariness in his eyes. His body,while in the eyes of a civilian looked normal, was prepared for an attack.
'Seems he's the hunter nin that saved Zabuza ' thought Naruto while outside looking pleasently at young man.
„Ah! you've surprised me " said a young man.
„My apologize but i couldn't help but to ask you what're you doing here? "
„Well I am looking for herbs that could help my friend who is very hurt" said young man.
„Well that's nice, if you want I could help you. By the way what's your name miss? My name is Himura Naruto" said Naruto acting naively though he started to get doubts with his deduction.
„I'm Haku, and no I found all I need" said Haku pleasently. He was nervous around this guy but it seems this person is just a normal civilian.
But so was he in the eyes of many.
„Ah, in that case farewell and I hope your friend gets better" said Naruto and started leaving
„Farewell, but I am a boy" and with this Haku went to other direction leaving stupefied Naruto(who is acting though relived that his deduction skills didn't get rusty).
-Line break-
Haku finally returned to the hideout while being careful of not being followed. It is a small hut with only one room hidden in the thick growth of a forest in the Nami no Kuni. It only has one room with a bead and a rather interestingly shaped branch outside in the shape of a snake.
In bed laid Zabuza who woke up just recently.
„Where were you? Were you being followed?" asked Zabuza grumpily which brought smile to Haku. Hearing Zabuza grumpy means he is better and that he will soon be back on his feet.
„I was collecting herbs for your treatment and no I was not followed. Though hearing you like this means you are getting better and..." but before she could say anything else, she felt another presence inside the hut and immediately went into battle stance.
„I thought you weren't followed Haku" grunted Zabuza
„Don't be so hard on him Zabuza, even you couldn't feel This lowly self's presence back in Kiri " said a voice and both Zabuza and Haku a person whose face they couldn't see but saw him wearing a dark blue coat with a red scarf,black pants and bootlike sandals.
When he approached them his face was shown and both of them were shocked. Haku because it was a civilian from before while Zabuza because it was a legendery Battousai who once spared his life in turn of never reveling his appearance to anyone.
„It's been a very long time Zabuza-san"
„3 years in fact" said Zabuza."Though you have grown quite well... Hitokiri Battousai "
This shocked Haku down to the core.'This...this person is the one who fought Zabuza-sama and rest of the legendery swordsmen and single-handedly defeated them'.
Naruto smiled kindly at them and said:"This lowly self has abandond that name and lifestyle. Now This lowly self is just a simple wanderer helping out those in need. But it seems to me that you didn't get the news which is surprising."
Zabusa's eyebrows raised a bit. He was shocked that he abandoned Kiri but maybe the news would clarify things."And what news might that be?"
„The war has ended. Yagura's reign of terror has finally come to an end" said Naruto.
More and more surprises came to Zabuza and Haku. Finally the war was over and they were quite happy, especially Haku.
„I guess you had something to do with it" sarcastically said Zabuza
„This lowly self did it with the help of his comrades and Mei supported This lowly self in a fight against Yagura." Said Naruto while Zabuza got irritated with this lowly self talk
„Ok will you please shut up with This lowly self crap, it's quite irritating" and Naruto smiled at him, but a weak smile. Zabuza immediately caught the meaning so he relented.
„Why did you come here..."
„Naruto"
„Yes, why did you come here Naruto if you aren't going to kill me? " asked Zabuza
„This lowly self is here to peacefully negotiate with you and find a way to stop unnecessary violence" declared Naruto seriously.
Everything became quite after that declaration. Suddenly Zabuza barked out loud
„HAHAHAHA, I can't belive that you of all people would say that kind of nonsense. You must be joking right?" asked Zabuza thinking that he was joking but looking at his eyes he could see how serious he was.
„This lowly self is serious Zabuza. These people have gone trough too much pain and misery. This has to end and This lowly self knows that there is good in you and would like to ask you about Gato's base of operations"
Zabuza looked at him. He looked at the man who was once known for his ruthlesness, whose eyes were once red and demonic, like watching a devil himself or better yet a shinigami taking away your soul.
But here stood a man full of regret, trying to walk a path of redemption. But there is something else-optimisim, something he hadn't seen before. His eyes weren't cold and bloodthirsty as they once were, but full of hope.
'He has changed. Maybe...maybe I could do that as well... no who am I kidding. But... but Haku could. Unlike me he did not kill anyone and never took enjoyment in this and always wanted to help those in need. Haku should follow someone like him.'
„Listen Naruto,this isn't personal but a buisness and I was promised to get paid" said Zabuza. Naruto wanted to react but there was something different in Zabuza, especially the way he talked. It wasn't sarcastic or insulting, but calm and neutral. Zabuza than continued.
„But there is still a possibility that he won't pay me and also try to find a way to get me killed. So if you could uncover wether or not he will pay me or just trow me away after I'm no longer in need. If he wishes to kill me, than the contract will be broken... oh and the base is south from here, not too far."said Zabuza.
When Naruto heard this, he was shocked, Haku as well since she never thought Zabuza would do such a noble thing though he did do it a few times when Zabuza thought he wasn't looking but not on this scale.
Naruto smiled after shock and said:"Thank you Zabuza. Your sensei was right about you. There is still kindness in our heart." After which Naruto dissapeard, leaving shocked Haku and Zabuza who was smiling a little.
-End-
A.N. Damn! I can't belive it took me this long to write this chapter. I wrote half of this chapter back in september but school, where all of our professors went Rambo on us, plus computer crashing that I had during this month and dilemma over Gato stopped me on my tracks. Originally I wanted to be this a large chapter like yugixtian knows to make and end wawe arc here but I couldn't do it.
Still I do apologize for taking so damn long and i do hope you guys who follow me forgive me.
16 follows and 5 of you favored my story. When I saw this I was happy and while it is nothing compare to others, it's large number for me and I'm so grateful for it. I thank you all for this. Knowing there are people reading this story that is written by a newbie like myself is incredible and I am so happy. Once again THANK YOU .
Bye bye
