Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, all rights go to Kishimoto.

ITALICS – thinking

BOLD – jutsu/demon talk


First Shinobi War Arc

Chapter Two


"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

Naruto performed two hand signs and produced a massive Water Dragon from nothing but the water molecules in the air. Hiruzen stared at the incoming jutsu calmly while doing some hand signs to make an Earth-Style Wall which successfully blocked the technique. Not deterred in the slightest, Naruto and Hiruzen ended their techniques then ran at each other and initiated another taijutsu bout; Hiruzen with the Monkey Fist which he learned from his father and Enma, while Naruto used a mix of the Senju and Uzumaki styles.

The Monkey Fist was a playful form which used acrobatics to confuse the enemy on where the next strike would land; Naruto's style flowed like a river yet was stiff and uniform like that of the earth. It has been two years and during that time, Hiruzen and Naruto progressed very well; each had a grasp on their affinities and would master it by time they turned twelve, their gravity seals were level six of ten, and their taijustu needed some refinement. Naruto and Hiruzen were now eight years of age, Naruto stood at three foot 10 while Hiruzen stood at three foot 8; both were fighting in a version of their fathers' armor.

Hirzuen ducked under a punch then grabbed the offending arm and put Naruto into an arm bar; Naruto countered with a knee to the stomach which loosened the grip enough where Naruto performed a suplex. Hiruzen managed to catch himself and backflip into his ready position while Naruto took a breath and created a small film of water beneath his feet so he could skate towards Hiruzen; surprised at this, Sarutobi tried jumping away to find his feet stuck in place thanks to earthen cuffs. As Naruto went for a haymaker, Hiruzen used the Hiding Like a Mole Technique to go subterranean then pop up behind Naruto and launched a large Great Fireball; feeling the heat, Naruto substituted with a nearby training dummy. As they went to attack again, Hashirama's voice stopped them in their tracks.

"Hold my students; you have been going on for over an hour now, very impressive for your age."

"Thanks Sensei!" Both said.

"Did you take the gravity seals off at all?" Hashirama was impressed when they shook their heads no, "Amazing, even with the heavy armor and the gravity seals, they were moving at impressive speed and showed great stamina in that spar. I think Naruto is ready."

"Tou-san?" Naruto questioned as he saw Hashirama space out.

"Sorry my son, just lost in thought is all, hmm, it seems close to lunch time; go on you two, meet up with your friends at the academy." As Naruto was about to run off, Hashirama stopped him. "Naruto, I believe you are ready to learn the basics of the Wood Release, meet back here after lunch OK."

"Hai, thanks Tou-san!"

Hashirama nodded then shunshined to his office to get more paperwork done and to inform Mito that Naruto was ready for his trip to Uzu.

"Let's go Naruto, maybe we can get Danzo, Homura, and Koharu to join us at the local Dango shop."

"Hai, but shouldn't we wash up first? I smell like an Inuzuka."

Hiruzen laughed but spoke after calming down, "Remember Sensei's lesson about what this armor means?"

"Hai, it's to show our status and that we earned the right to wear our armor due to hard work."

"Not only that, but to show that we each carry the will of fire; enough stalling, let's go!"

Both Shunshin to the Academy grounds which took many off guard but they soon waved and said hello; Naruto and Hiruzen waved back and walked to a group of three individuals underneath a nearby tree. Each was the same age as Naruto and Hiruzen.

Homura Mitokado stood three foot eight and wore a simple black outfit with a grey armor which protected the chest, shoulders and outer thighs, arm guards, a dull green scarf, a pouch strapped to his waist with bandages, a kunai holster on his upper right leg, and shinobi sandals. He had short, slightly spiky, black hair with tan skin and wore glasses.

Koharu Utatane was the same height as Homura and wore a simple black outfit, a grey breastplate, arm guards, fishnet tights with a skirt over it, a pouch strapped to her back with bandages, and regular shinobi sandals. She had fair skin, dark eyes, and black hair which were pulled back in a twin bun locked by a traditional Japanese hair pin with two pearls dangling off the side.

Danzo Shimura stood an inch taller than Homura and Koharu and wore the same armor as the two but had a shuriken holster on his right upper leg and a pouch tied to his waist with bandages. He had shaggy black hair and brown eyes, as well as a cross shaped scar on his chin.

Naruto and Hiruzen met them two years earlier when Tobirama introduced them to each of the future clan heads and after they talked to each other, a bond was formed which made each vow to surpass the other.

"Well look who it is, the two boys who are getting trained by Hokage-sama himself; I will surpass you two if it's the last thing I do." Danzo said which earned a punch in the shoulder from Koharu.

"Now, now Danzo, there's no need to be jealous." Koharu turned towards Hiruzen and Naruto and smiled. "So, I take it we're heading to that Dango shop I love?"

"Yep!"

Homura cursed, "Dammit, looks like I owe you another 20 ryo Danzo."

"Told you so, fork it over boy!"

Koharu stood and stretched her back which made popping sounds, "Enough talk, Dango now!"

The group nodded and put their hands on Naruto or Hiruzen's shoulders and left the area in two puffs of smoke.


Daisuke's Dango

The group arrived at the front of the store and headed inside; this made a bell jingle to let Daisuke know that customers have arrived. Danzo found a table where all of them could sit at and waited for Daisuke, or one of the waiters or waitresses, to take their order.

"I gotta ask, how can you walk around and work with all that armor on?" Homura said.

"Hiruzen and I have trained our bodies since age five, us wearing the armor is like a rite of passage in our clans."

Hiruzen continued, "For a clan member to get their armor, one must prove that they are ready by sparring with the current clan head; if we manage to get a hit on them or show that our skills have greatly improved then we are considered full clan members."

"And if you don't pass the test?"

Naruto's eyes grew stern and cold which shocked Danzo, Homura, and Koharu as they never saw this side of him; Hiruzen only did when they sparred.

"We are cast out of the clan and have to live on our own for six months; after that period of time, the trial is taken again. If a person does not pass then they are banished and have to denounce the clan name."

"That's insane! Why would your clans do such a thing?" Koharu said.

Danzo spoke up, "Think back to what era the Sarutobi and Senju clan went through and what the status of the villages are now."

"Only the strongest survive." Homura quietly stated.

Hiruzen and Naruto nodded and were about to start another topic when Daisuke came over to take their orders.

"Ah, Senju-sama, Sarutobi-sama, sorry for the wait; can I take your orders?

"Just Naruto please; I will have two orders of Mitarashi Dango and green tea please."

"Hiruzen will be fine Daisuke; I will have what Naruto is having."

"Koharu, Danzo, Homura, can I get you anything?"

Koharu smiled, "You should know us by now Daisuke; we all get the same thing."

Daisuke chuckled then shook his head, "Right, I keep forgetting in my old age. I will get right on that."

Daisuke was an elderly gentleman; he stood five foot seven and wore gray pants with a black shirt, and an apron to cover his front side. He had gray hair which was balding, tan skin with liver spots, and deep blue eyes. The shop was small and Spartan in design; there were only eight tables which could seat a range of two to six people, a wooden counter on the right end of the shop with a cash register, the kitchen was behind that. The front of the store had a window which people could look inside. As they waited for their food, conversation was brought up on the academy and what they were learning; it was here Naruto and Hiruzen saw how much different their training was.

"Well when we joined two years ago they had us do minor physical exercises and showed us how to unlock our chakra with some basic affinity work. Now we work on taijutsu and work on what we already learned; not to mention the boring history lessons." Homura said.

"That's…really laid back to what we had to do. Tou-san tortured Hiruzen and I with his training."

Danzo scoffed, "It couldn't have been that bad, you're standing here all healthy."

Hiruzen started listing the injuries he had thanks to Hashirama's training.

"Since I started training, I have had my arms broken, pulled muscles, severe chakra exhaustion, internal bleeding, and a cracked skull. Naruto, you're up."

Naruto smirked, "Hmm let's see; chakra exhaustion, compound fracture on my left leg, two broken ribs, major concussion from falling off a tree, I could list more if you want…oh yeah, I almost drowned once doing water walking. That was a good day."

Danzo, Homura, and Koharu looked at the two in shock but Homura got the courage to speak up.

"OK guys, joke's over…ha really funny." Naruto and Hiruzen gave them cold stares which made him look at Danzo and Koharu. "Shit, they ain't lying!"

Danzo clenched his fists underneath the table "I will surpass you Sarutobi, Senju, I will surpass you then beat you into the ground!"

Daisuke interrupted his thoughts, "Here is your food, enjoy and do stop by again."


Training Ground

After lunch, everybody went their separate ways; Danzo, Homura, and Koharu went back to the academy, Hiruzen went back home to get more training, and Naruto arrived at the training ground he was at this morning. When Naruto arrived, Hashirama was there patiently waiting in a meditative position with silver chakra outlining his body and strange markings on his face. They were around and under his eyes as well as one in the middle of his forehead reminiscent of a third eye.

"Sugoi!"

Hashirama heard this and smiled, letting the chakra and lines dissipate then opened his eyes and motioned for Naruto to sit beside him; Naruto did as told.

"Sage mode, that is what you just saw my son; in due time I will teach you to achieve such a feat but you aren't ready for such a task."

Naruto pouted but remembered what he was here for, "Show me how to grow a tree Tou-san!"

"Well, that's easy, all you have to do is plant a seed, add water and watch it grow!" Hashirama joked.

"Baka Tou-san! I meant Wood Release."

"Someone needs to learn how to take a joke but I digress."

Hashirama reached into his robes and pulled an acorn out of a hidden pouch, this was handed to Naruto who took it; confusion etched onto his face.

"Tell me Naruto, what is that acorn from?

"A tree."

Hashirama face-palmed "I deserved that one. What kind of tree Naruto?"

"Oak?"

"Very good, it seems those readings have done you some good. Now, this acorn can grow into a large tree over many years; you, however, are going to manage to do this in seconds."

"But how? If a tree gets planted in the ground and needs water to…oh."

Hashirama smiled, "I see you figured it out as well as why I focused on your affinities; water and earth needs to be combined in order to do this."

"Wait that means Kenta nii-san should be able to do this, right?"

"Wrong. Combining the elements is extremely difficult, almost impossible without someone helping; think of a collaboration jutsu. The Wood Release bloodline only makes it so we can combine the elements to a finite point to achieve the seemingly impossible."

Hashirama put his hands out with the palm facing up; Naruto watched in awe as in each hand, a separate element appeared. On the right hand, a rock formed whereas on the left, a small ball of water. Hashirama then clenched them together and concentrated which produced a green glow, after a second he parted his hands to show a seedling. Hashirama took this and planted it into the ground in front of him then placed his right hand on the spot and focused; a couple seconds later the ground cracked and a small sapling was born.

"Whoa, so awesome!" Naruto said with glee.

"What I did will only happen with many years of intense training my son, but for now we must focus on the basics. I want you to take that acorn in your hand and try to make it start to bud without saturating it or crushing it; you need to find the right mix of water and earth."

Naruto nodded, "This shouldn't be too hard all I have to do is concentrate."

Naruto held the acorn in his right hand, palm up, and concentrated; nothing happened for the first five minutes but soon a green glow engulfed the acorn. Another minute passed and it blew up with a splash of water which got Naruto wet and made Hashirama laugh.

"I forgot to mention that everyone's mixture is different, try meditation while doing this exercise as it should help you focus."

"Hai!"

Naruto tried again but this time while meditating; in his head Naruto muttered a mantra to help focus his thoughts.

"Balance Earth and Water, make the acorn grow, balance Earth and Water, make the acorn grow."

A silent five minutes passed when a crack is heard, Hashirama smiled and Naruto did as well when he opened his eyes. Near the top of the acorn, a split formed where a small green stalk was sticking out of.

"YATTA!"

Hashirama patted Naruto on the back, "Good job my son, when you can make the acorn fully disappear, only then will you be ready for the next step; planting a seed then growing it."

"But how do you make a forest without seeds Tou-san?"

"Good question Naruto but it has a simple answer which I'm sure you can figure out; what is one thing all living beings use?"

"Chakra…wait, I only thought humans had chakra?"

"Senjutsu, the energy found in Nature itself, is rumored to mix with our own chakra every time we use a jutsu. In small amounts, this chakra is not harmful to us, but in large amounts one can turn to stone."

Naruto quirked an eyebrow, "But how did you not turn to stone Tou-san?"

Hashirama smiled and ruffled Naruto's hair, "That, my son, is for another day; continue with your training, if you need me I will be at the office. I will have Mito check up on you throughout the day."

Naruto nodded and got to work when he realized he didn't have any acorns; a small burlap sack suddenly hit him in the face. Naruto caught the bag as it fell and looked toward Hashirama with a smirk. It would take Naruto six months to complete the first step but in this time, he, Hiruzen, Danzo, Koharu, and Homura did some training together; the three academy students got a taste of how harsh Naruto and Hiruzen's training was during those months. Once the six months passed, it was time for Naruto and Mito to head off to Uzu so that Naruto could get training on his kenjutsu, fuinjutsu, and Uzumaki jutsu. The trip would be a year long ordeal but also a time for mother and son bonding.


Uzukage Office

The Uzukage office was like that of Konoha's, it had pictures of the past Kage's on the wall, a desk in the middle of the room with paperwork strewn about, and a massive window where one could look down upon the village of Uzu. The room had a couch and multiple chairs for people to sit in. A knock was heard on the door and the Uzukage tells whomever to enter, she smiled when Mito and Naruto came in.

"Karin, so good to see you!" Mito said and both hugged each other which confused Naruto.

"Kaa-san, how do you know the Uzukage?"

"Silly Naruto, she is my mother."

Naruto smiled and bowed, "A pleasure to meet you Uzukage-sama."

Karin was fifty years of age and had the same eyes and hairstyle as Mito but in a high pony tail, she stood at five foot 10 and was dressed in Kage attire; a white kimono with blue waves and whirlpools on it with a simple black suit underneath as well as sandals.

"It seems Hashirama instilled modesty into the boy; come, I will take you on a tour of the village."

"Excuse me Uzukage-sama, is Kenta nii-san around anywhere?"

Karin nods, "Yes, he should be at home with Naomi; those two have become quite the couple."

Mito smiled, "I remember the letters, my eldest son is growing up so fast…I cannot wait for the grandkids!"

"Kaa-san, I didn't need to hear that…can we go now Uzukage-sama?"

"Just call me Karin for now on Naruto, it's a lot easier" She ruffled Naruto's hair, "plus, we're family."

Naruto nodded and Karin soon started the tour of Uzu, the first stop being where Kenta and Naomi lived. As they walked to their destination, Naruto took in the sights; buildings were like that in Konoha but had an Uzumaki spiral on each of them to show their allegiance, rivers ran through the island with bridges to let people traverse over, and there were trees which were dotted across the land. All in all, it was almost an exact replica of Konoha, as if the village itself was modeled after Uzu.

"Karin, why does Uzu and Konoha look so similar?"

"I'm sure your father told you about the Uzumaki helping to found Konoha, yes?" Naruto nodded. "Well, at that time, the village was in its infancy stage and the way to set up the village was hard to agree on. Eventually, we all came to a decision and chose Uzu as a template for which to work on."

Mito smiled at this then paused as she saw Naruto grew tense, "Naruto, son, what's the matter?"

Naruto hissed and grasped his head in pain then dropped to his knees; Karin and Mito noticed that Naruto's eyes were darting around, looking at certain places in the village. As they were about to render aid, Kenta showed up and gasped seeing Naruto's condition.

"Shit, Kaa-san, Karin-sama, Naruto managed to awake his sensor abilities and they seem strong at that, possibly Tobirama's level. My home isn't far, help me get Naruto inside.

Both nodded and grabbed Naruto whom was shuttering and mumbled incoherently then followed Kenta to his home. Kenta was age 16 and stood six foot tall and wore a light blue kimono with a simple white suit underneath; the Uzu spiral and Senju symbol was emblazoned on the back. As he burst through the door, Naomi wanted to ask what was wrong and gasped at Naruto's state.

"So, he awakened them too?"

Kenta nodded, "Quickly, put Naruto on the couch; Naomi, can you put my brother in a medically induced coma for now."

"Hai."

Naomi was a cute woman who had a petite face, shoulder length red hair, brown eyes, fair skin, and wore the same as Kenta did; she was 17 years of age and stood at five foot seven. Doing as Kenta told, Naruto was placed on the couch in the family room where Naomi put a green glowing hand over Naruto's forehead; after a couple seconds, Naruto stopped shivering and fell into a peaceful slumber.

"Is Naruto going to be alright?" Mito worriedly asked.

"Hai Kaa-san, he will; I awoke my sensor abilities a year after you left but my symptoms were not as severe. I'm guessing Naruto suffered from information overload, am I correct Naomi-chan?"

"Hai, and if I didn't put him in a coma then Naruto would have likely gone brain dead. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news Mito-sama, Karin-sama."

Mito simply nodded and walked over to Naruto to give comfort, there was still a pained expression on his face.

Kenta sighed and put a reassuring hand on his mother's back, "Come, I will discuss things in the kitchen over some tea."

Mito nodded and kissed Naruto's forehead before heading to the kitchen and sitting down, the others followed; as Kenta was getting the tea ready Mito thought back on Tobirama's sensor ability and her eyes widened at why Naruto responded in such a way.

"Tobirama could sense other people's chakra and managed to distinguish others that way, no wonder my son had such a traumatic experience."

"Let us not forget that he might have your sensor abilities as well, my daughter, if that's the case then emotions mixed in with the information on chakra type would be a lot to overcome." Karin said.

Naomi added onto that, "Kenta can only sense people from a short distance, but I suspect that Naruto might have been able to sense the entire island."

"WHAT!" Kenta yelled, almost dropping the tea cup in his hand, "Such a feat should be impossible, to hone a sensor ability like that would take years, a lifetime maybe. Heh, if that's the case then my brother's got a lot of work to do."

"Indeed." Mito whispered and looked back to Naruto and sighed. "Get well soon Naruto."


A couple minutes later, Kenta served the tea and the four began to discuss Naruto's training over the next year; six months would be dedicated to kenjutsu, Uzumaki jutsu, and fuinjutsu; each section getting two months. The last six months would be politics, controlling that sensor ability, and culminating everything together in a final test of strength. The four knew that by the end of the year, Naruto would be a force to be reckoned with and a great asset in the war that was threatening to approach. The conversation lasted over two hours and would have been longer if footsteps didn't interrupt them followed by a groan.

"Damn, my head feels like it went through a blender." Naruto looked sheepishly at the people in front of him, "OK, what's with the confused stares?"

"Naruto, I put you in a medically induced coma; you shouldn't have waked for another two days at least." Said a baffled Naomi. "I did so to calm the information overload from your sensor abilities unlocking."

"Guess that explains the emotions I felt, not to mention about half the damn island…please tell me we're going to work on that area."

Kenta choked on his tea, "Half the island! Well brother, you never cease to amaze me; what's next, you going to tell me you got father's bloodline?"

Naruto chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his head which made Mito laugh and the others eyes widen in shock.

"Dammit, that's it Naruto, no more surprises for your older brother…got it!"

"Ah, you're just jealous; it took me six months just to get the first step down, I suspect another six months for the second step. As for the final step and mastering the Wood Release…unsure on that one really."

Mito choked on her tea this time, "Son, it took your father a year just to get the first step from the stories I'm told. Didn't he tell you this?"

"Oh, so that's why he looked all glum when I got that step done…hah, I can't wait to rub that in his face."

Karin palmed her face, "Unbelievable."


And so the year long ordeal began. Like planned, the first six months were split into two month sections; Naruto's first sensei was an elderly woman who used a cane to get around. Her name was Yuzuki and she stood at five foot four, had gray hair which was tied in a single bun, and her eyes were an emerald green. This was Naruto's fuinjutsu sensei, although old, he would soon come to realize that Yuzuki was a caring old woman who wasn't afraid to put her foot down. One such time was two weeks into the training when Naruto complained about not advancing to seal making.

"Ne, Yuzuki-sensei, can we go onto making seals now; I've been improving my calligraphy for two weeks now."

"Now sonny, what did I tell you about the dangers of seals?"

"One wrong stroke can produce a dead bloke…yah, I got your lesson Sensei." Naruto said in a tone which Yuzuki did not approve of so she took her cane and wacked it across Naruto's face.

"OW! What was that for?"

"Don't take that tone with me youngling unless you want to see just how feared us Uzumaki are in fuinjutsu. I can put you in a coma or I can make your body turn to ash, what will be your pick?"

Naruto gulped, "I think I'll continue working on my lesson sensei."

"Good student, oh and one more thing!" Yuzuki smacked Naruto upside the head again, "One more outburst youngling and I'll tell your mother why you were barred from my teachings."

Naruto nodded and quickly got back to work, "Crazy old coot…glad she can't hear my thoughts."

"Seals youngling, you can't hide from me you whippersnapper!"

Naruto cursed as he got smacked with the cane again; it would be a long two months but by time it was over, Yuzuki congratulated Naruto on becoming a beginner level in sealing. For Uzumaki standards there were four levels; beginner, expert, master, and grand master.


The third and fourth month was spent on Uzumaki ninjutsu which was a breeze thanks to him having Tobirama's water affinity; he was trained by a middle aged man called Daisuke. He stood six foot tall, had short red hair, black pupiless eyes, and wore an almost similar outfit of what Danzo wore. When Daisuke learned about Naruto having Tobirama's affinity to water he couldn't be more pleased and knew that a lot would get done in the two months. In all, Naruto learned six new jutsu but the one he loved the most was the first one he mastered in which he only needed to use one hand seal.

"Alright Naruto, our two months are almost up, I heard you were working on one of the jutsu I taught you and was wondering how you were coming along with it?"

Naruto grinned "Prepared to be amazed Daisuke-sensei!"

Naruto does one hand sign and proclaimed "Uzumaki Secret Technique: Maelstrom of Destruction!"

Naruto threw his hands out towards the small outcropping of trees near the training ground he has used for the last two months. Soon, a whirlpool formed around the trees, spinning so fast that the wind produced makes said trees sway violently side to side; Naruto clasped his hands together and yelled then watched as the whirlpool enclosed on the trees turning them into toothpicks. Naruto doesn't end there as he threw his hands outward again which made the whirlpool destabilize, launching the wooden shrapnel in many directions. After the display was done he looked over and laughed at Daisuke's amazed face.

"I…I don't believe it, one hand sign to do a jutsu that was only meant to be a C rank but the way you used it could classify it as a B maybe A rank."

Naruto nodded "I know the jutsu was only meant to hold a person in place or use it for defense but I realized that it could become so much more hence why I worked tirelessly on this one; I wonder how it would work on groups of people?"

Daisuke shivered "I don't want to know and you definitely are a Senju alright as that had to take a lot of chakra, and an Uzumaki as you made your own variant of the jutsu; how do you feel, are you tired at all?"

Naruto shakes his head "I still feel like I am at full tank, why, is that a problem?"

Daisuke's mouth hung open "I know the Uzumaki is known for its large chakra pools but I guess being part Senju skyrocketed that to the point where you can crank out high level jutsu with minimal effect."

Naruto rubbed his nose "I'm awesome; mom is going to be so proud!"

News soon went around Uzu about Naruto creating a new variant of the Uzumaki Malestrom jutsu and even added it to their repertoire classifying it as an A rank after seeing it demonstrated; Mito, Karen, Kenta, and Naomi could not be happier for Naruto.


The last two months was spent with a middle aged man called Kenshin where he taught Naruto about the Uzumaki stances of kenjutsu as well as some attacks that sent out a wave of chakra to decimate opponents that were caught off guard. Kenshin stood six foot three and wore a variant of samurai armor used in Iron Country; he had long black hair which was tied in a high pony tail, and black eyes. Rumor was that Kenshin was a retired samurai from Iron Country but there was no evidence to prove such a claim.

This training was the most brutal as Kenshin was very strict in his training and every day Naruto came back bruised, cut up, and looking disheveled which Mito joked on him about; Naruto was too tired to even care. It was the first week into training when he found out how strict Kenshin could be.

Naruto stood in front of Kenshin, both wielded bokken as Naruto's sensei deemed him not ready for actual swordplay yet.

"Watch closely Naruto as I show you one of the stances of the Raging Tide." Naruto nodded and watched intently. "First spread your feet about two feet apart with your left foot forward while your right foot stays behind. Next, bend your knees a little and then place your hands near your crotch area to where you are holding your blade slightly to the right."

Kenshin got into the stance to show Naruto how it would look like.

"With this stance you have a wide range of motion; you can block blows from overhead, to both your sides, below the belt while attacking in a wide range of areas. This stance is meant to flow like that of the river but be fierce and fast moving like the tide. Now, can you show me the stance please?"

Naruto nodded and does as Kenshin said but he got hit in the right knee with Sensei's bokken which made Naruto grunt in pain.

"Your feet are not properly spaced apart and you are crouching to low; again." Kenshin disciplined.

Naruto attempted again but this time gets hit on his right forearm which earned another hiss of pain.

"Your sword angle is to wide, bring it in a little and you are crouched to low; again."

Naruto repeated this over and over again and for every mistake, Kenshin hit him with his bokken but after 45 minutes he eventually got the stance and smiled.

"Now what Sensei?" Naruto said which garnered a hit to the left side of his ribs. "Ouch! What was that for?"

"You are not focused on your opponent, keep all senses open and look for where your opponent is going to strike."

Naruto hardened his glare at Kenshin as he looked for where he would attack; Naruto saw him twitch his hand to the left a little and thought that is where he would hit. Wrong. As Naruto went to block left he was hit in the right side of the ribs making him hiss in pain.

"The enemy will always try to fool you with his body language, look into his eyes and feel where he will strike next."

Naruto got in his stance again and looked at both Kenshin's body language and eyes; he saw an image in his head and brought his sword up to block and smiled as he heard wood on wood then is found flying across the dojo courtesy of a kick to the stomach. Naruto groaned as he stood and rubbed his stomach.

"Kenjutsu is not only an art of the sword but a mix of taijustu as well, remember that; an enemy will always take an opening for its full worth; get in your stance and try again."

Naruto bowed, "Hai Sensei!"

This went on for two months but Naruto was happy for his training as it made him pay attention to his surroundings and to always stay on guard even though he wandered around Uzu; Kenshin said to always expect the unexpected. After the two months Kenshin was happy to say that Naruto had a good grasp on the Raging Tide and would become a master of it if he practices it for years to come. Kenshin was so impressed that he decided to give Naruto a present.

"Our two months are at an end and am impressed with your skill thus far."

"Thank you Sensei." Naruto said.

Kenshin smiled as he lead Naruto to the back of the dojo and down a flight of stairs into a room that has light shining on one object which was on a pedestal. It was a katana whose 3 foot sheath is adorned with silver waves of the ocean while the color of it is bluish-white; the handle was wrapped in a blue and white strap with a red gem on the butt of said handle.

Naruto looked at the katana with adoration which Kenshin noticed, "This is the Raging Whirlpool, a katana that chooses its wielder; the last one being my sensei but alas it does not call to me and I have tried to find a person ever since."

Naruto pointed to himself, "And you think that person is me?"

Kenshin nodded, "Open your heart and mind Naruto, let it call out to you."

Naruto closed his eyes and steadied his breathing and soon he heard a whisper.

"Come to me child, hold me in your hands, I have been dormant for far too long."

Naruto's eyes snapped open and, in a trance like manner, walked up to the katana and grabbed its hilt. As soon as he did, a blue aura came out from the sword and wrapped around Naruto; Kenshin smiled knowing that a wielder was found at last but wondered what was happening between the two.


Naruto found himself in a sea of white and called out, "Is anybody here?"

The same voice that he heard moments ago reverberated in the space, "Come to me child, let me see who I chose to wield my blade."

Naruto walked to the voice to find a five foot eight tall woman in a blue and white kimono with the patterns of waves on it; she is barefoot and has middle back length silver hair. Her eyes are blue like the ocean and have a smile like that of an angel. Naruto gasped at the sheer beauty of the person in front of him.

"Ah, a young lad wishes to wield me I see; what is your name child?"

Naruto bowed, "My name is Naruto Senju m'lady and I am honored that you chose me."

"My name is Anya, the spirit of the Ocean and of this katana you are currently holding; before you go I must know what you wish to do with this blade. Choose carefully; choose the wrong answer and I will kill you then send your body out to sea."

Naruto gulped and thought deeply, "I wish to wield this blade in the hopes of protecting all that I hold dear and will use this blade to strike down any foe that dares harm them. I wish to carry on my father's will of fire and protect Konoha until my dying breath."

Anya smiled "You choose wisely young Naruto. Use me well and let your enemies feel the rage that which the ocean delivers."

The area flashed white and Naruto found himself still holding the hilt of the katana; he took it off the pedestal and unsheathed it to find that the blade is a silver-white and is two and a half feet long. Naruto took a few test swings and found that it was perfectly balanced; his movements flowed like that of an ocean or river current. Naruto sheathed it and affixed it to his back then smiled at Kenshin.

"It seems that it spoke to you and accepted you as its next holder." Kenshin said but was not expecting what would come out of Naruto's mouth.

"Vanya is her name Sensei, the spirit of the Ocean. I will use this blade to slay any enemy that harms the Will of Fire and Konoha and show them how much rage the ocean can make."

Kenshin just chuckled and ruffled Naruto's hair "C'mon my boy, we need to tell you mother about your new toy."


AN: I am working on chapter three and it should be up later today; hope you've enjoyed the rewrite thus far.