...
Chapter 2
-Undergrowth, unknown area-
Naruto and Seth appeared through the door, before it closed behind them. Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura looked at them both. "Well, that was fun." Naruto had a smile on his face.
"Fun?" Sakura asked. "I felt like I got torn in half!"
"22 times." Naruto replied. "22 times I felt like I was split into four pieces."
"And you call that fun?!" Sakura shouted.
"Yup."
"You're crazy." Sasuke commented.
"So are the majority of Shinobi. Your point?" Naruto retorted. "Besides, using Kage Bunshin so much, you get used to the feeling."
Kakashi nodded in agreement. "That would make sense. And the fact you can make over a thousand Kage Bunshin at once is impressive. Most Jounin can't do that."
"It's all in the reserves, sensei." Naruto then looked around. It looked like the underside of a large tree. He then recognized a signature running through the vines. 'This is...!' He then walked to a single point, where there were stairs going down, the others followed him down, though wary. "Yo! Bartleby! Open your fucking mouth or I'll fry some roots!"
All of them heard a groan. "What? Who's there?"
"You have until 3 to open your mouth, or the sparks fly." Naruto said, seriously. "One."
"Two." His hand had small tendrils of electricity flowing between them.
"Three." He launched a few bolts that hit the roots.
"ARGH! That hurt!" A much older and strong voice shouted.
"Want another dose? If not, open up."
There was rumbling, before they found themselves staring at a cobblestone pathway, with several others in the area, ready for an assault. Team 7 and Seth walked out of the tree. Only one person recognized any of them, and he was also recognized by Naruto and Seth. "Professor Balestrom/Storm Frog!" Seth and Naruto shouted.
Everyone was surprised at the outburst, before a small blue frog in a Dark Blue outfit, and top hat jumped down in front of them. "Seth? Naruto?"
They both nodded. "Seth, head to your dorm. As for you, Naruto..." The frog was cut off by Naruto's hand.
"Before you ask, who else would have the balls or guts to use a small lightning bolt on Bartleby's roots?" Naruto stated.
"Oh yes. That's definitely you. So... why are you here?" The frog asked.
"Seth ended up in my world, and we found a Spiral Door there. We got lucky since I had to force activate the thing. First shot, got here." He looked at the tree. "Sorry big guy, but I had to prove a point."
"Naruto... Only you... Only you would do that."
"And that's why." Naruto had a small smile. "Anyway, where's Sylvia? Since I'm here, I might as well say... hi..." He noticed the forlorn looks. "Halston... What happened to her?" His voice was trembling, but only Kakashi and the frog noticed.
"I'm sorry, but... She's gone."
Naruto's eyes went wide, knowing the voice. "No... No. NO!" He jumped off faster than even Kakashi could react.
Kakashi looked at the frog. "Who is this Silvia?"
"One of the only people that actually appreciated Naruto's help while he was here. They were close. She seemed to take to him like a mother to a son. It seemed mutual, too." The frog then stared into Kakashi's visible eye. "And you are?"
"His sensei at his home. Kakashi Hatake." He pat Sasuke and Sakura on their heads. "These are his teammates. Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno."
"You'll want to meet with Headmaster Ambrose. He should be able to officially connect your Realm to the Spiral. Just because a door is there, does not mean it is officially connected." The frog replied, before looking at a bald man in Yellow robes. "Cyrus, could you lead them to Ambrose? Someone has to check on Naruto, and only I would know where he went."
The man sighed. "Follow me, you three." Kakashi gestured for his students to come as well, and they walked through a tunnel to a much more lively area. They went into a much larger office, which had a much older man behind a desk.
"Cyrus? What happened?"
"You're losing your hearing, Ambrose."
"I've still got a few years left on me." The old man replied, with a chuckle. "So, what's up?"
"Naruto Uzumaki has returned. And he brought friends." Cyrus replied.
The old man's eyes widened. "Oh dear... did he find out about Sylvia?" His tone denoted worry, and Kakashi noticed, and Cyrus nodded sadly.
"I should go see him and explain what happened."
"Professor Balestrom has already gone after him." Cyrus pointed out. "It should be enough."
"I do not believe it will be."
"Who is this Silvia?" Kakashi asked.
"Oh... I didn't realize Cyrus had brought anyone. I am Merle Ambrose. The Headmaster of Ravenwood Wizardry Academy."
"Kakashi Hatake. Naruto's current teacher. Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno."
"Ah, yes. The lone Brooder and the one he once had an interest in." Ambrose mused. "If I may ask, how was his schooling back in Konohagakure?"
"Well, he was annoying, at best." Sakura said.
"Dead last."
"I actually believe his progress was stunted from the get go." Kakashi replied. "To most, he could never sit still long enough to actually learn anything in the curriculum. Still, his aim had improved when he got back from an unknown location. Not even the Hokage, whom he had considered a Grandfather, knows where he was."
"I see." The old man scratched his beard, before an owl came into the room. "Gamma?"
"Someone has entered the old garden belonging to Sylvia Drake. It also appears as though Professor Balestrom is heading that way as well." The owl replied.
-garden, in the middle of a field-
Naruto was in the middle of the field, surrounded by flowers of all kinds. Some most had never seen in the elemental Nations.
He, on the other hand, was on his knees, crying his eyes out. "Kaa-san... Why did you have to go? You still had years... You could've healed yourself... Why...?"
"It was an unknown poison, Naruto." A squeaky voice caught his attention.
"Hal..."
"I did everything I could to find out who did it." he continued. "I couldn't find out what was, so I don't know who did it."
"What about Malistaire? What happened to him?"
"He went into a massive state of grief. He disappeared a year ago. 3 months after she had..." The frog turned his head slightly. "Well... He couldn't figure out the Poison used. No one knows about the poison but myself, Ambrose, and Cyrus. No one could identify the poison used. Well when he left, the Death School suddenly disappeared from Ravenwood."
Naruto looked down, before he looked at the spirit on his left shoulder. "Why don't you ask Kurama? He knows a thing or two on poisons." He heard.
Naruto nodded slightly. "The poison... do you have the signature of it?"
"It's not on me, but yes, I do have it. Why?"
"Because... I might be able to find out what did the deed." Naruto said, his eyes holding a lot of anger. "When I find out what did it, I should be able to trace it back to the creator, and I will show them what happens when you anger the Storm."
"Do not lose yourself, Naruto." Hal warned. "If you lose control of yourself..."
"I know, Hal. And that is the way of a Pyromancer." Naruto retorted. "No, I won't kill them. I'll torture them, I'll make them wish they were dead, but I won't kill them." he then gained a feral grin. "And believe me when I say, I've got a lot I can do." The grin was downright demonic, and it sent a shiver down the frog's non-existent spine.
"Well, let's get going, shall we? Someone will have to figure it out, and you would have the best chance, I believe."
Naruto rubbed his eyes, and nodded, a determined look in his eyes. "I won't be going into this as just a Storm Student, though."
"You planning on going into another school?"
Naruto nodded. "Who's the current Professor for the Life School?"
"That would be Moolinda Wu. Why?"
"Because they're getting a new student." Naruto replied. "I'm going to learn everything I can through the Life School. In honor of Sylvia. She was the closest thing I had to a mother. I owe her that much."
Halston nodded. "Good. If you want, I can take you to her gravestone. We had given her a proper burial, regardless of the circumstances of her death."
Naruto nodded in agreement. "Thank you."
It took them a few minutes for them to get to a place in Unicorn Way, and they walked up to a random stone, though hidden. "Why is it hidden?" Naruto asked.
"Because while most liked her, others didn't. We didn't want her grave to be marred. Especially if you ended up coming back." He replied. "Some didn't believe it when I told them it was more for you than her, so I just told them it was for her peace."
"Thanks." Naruto put a hand on the stone. "Kaa-san... I know it's been a while, but I'm back. I'm sorry I couldn't help you when you needed it most. I will make up for it. I promise you that. And I don't go back on my word. If there's anything you want me to do, anything at all, I'll do what I can. As long as it'll make you happy. I... I'll be taking up lessons in the Life School."
He then felt a warming presence, before an astral figure appeared in front of him. There was no true form, just a normal ghost. He didn't need to make out the form, however. "Kaa-san..."
"Naruto... You came back." He nodded. "What about your home? Sarutobi? The Ichiraku's?"
"I came on a mission. A Storm Student dropped into my home. Had to help him get back." Naruto admitted, sheepishly.
The figure chuckled. "That is just like the Storm. Pulling off some unpredictable and crazy event."
Naruto returned the chuckle. "Yeah. I still hear from the Tritons. On the way back, I was told he ended up there for a reason. There was something I needed to know. Something I needed to do."
"Do you what it is?"
"Not a clue."
"I see. So, will the Storm Fox return?" She asked.
"Actually... I plan on learning from the Life School. Once I found out what happened to you... I thought I should learn it in your honor."
"Life never seemed your style."
"I know. But... If it's for you, I'll do it. I don't want to disrespect what you left behind. If I will learn anything, it would be from Life. Unless you want me to learn something else?"
"No, Life is fine. I'm just surprised, is all. I didn't think you'd get this upset over losing me."
Naruto nodded. "You were always like a mother to me. I figured I should at least learn a bit last time around. This time... I want to learn everything I can."
"Well then, I think I can help. You remember when I taught you to meditate?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Because I will give you my memories of how to be a Theurgist. Take the class as well. Consider it my last gift for you." Naruto nodded, and sat in a lotus style. His eyes were closed, and his breathing evened out. "This may sting a little. Please bear with it."
Naruto didn't respond vocally. A lot of information flooded his head, and he stayed in that position for a good 2 minutes. Then he opened his eyes. "I only have one request. My husband has strayed from his path in Life. If I were to ask anything of you, please, help him. Set him straight. Even if it means kicking his butt."
Naruto nodded. "Alright. I'll make sure he gets set straight. Count on it."
"Before I go, I have one question. You don't seem the slightest bit dizzy after I gave you the information. Why is that?"
Naruto chuckled. "After I got back, I learned something known as the Kage Bunshin. With it, I can use them for extreme training. Everything a Kage Bunshin learns, I learn when they dispel. I'm used to making upwards of 900 for training, and another 50 for reading in the library in one day. Everything you gave me is nothing compared to that. 9 hours of training multiplied by 900 and another 6 hours of reading different subjects multiplied by 50 every day. After a while, I got used to it."
The figure nodded, and faded quite a bit. "Don't regret my death. It was unavoidable. As a Necromancer would say, Death comes for all. Most times when they want it least." The presence faded until it was gone.
'Kaa-san... Sylvia. I will make you proud. Malistaire... prepare to have your ass kicked into shape.' Naruto thought.
Naruto then noticed that Professor Balestrom had left. He then made a single handseal and vanished into the wind.
-Golem tower-
Headmaster Ambrose, Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura were standing at the base of a tower. "Alright, everyone. Being as you have Chosen your School, I should give you a bit of a test run to see how you fair." Before he could continue, there was an electrified whirlwind, which Naruto appeared in.
"Naruto... was that a Shunshin?" Kakashi asked.
Naruto looked at Kakashi, who was still in his Jounin Uniform. "Yeah. It also has to deal with the fact I've learned to use Storm Spells with Chakra. I'd suggest learning a spell with Mana first, though. It'll make it easier."
"So... by learning to use Spells with Chakra..."
"You increase your manipulation of the elements most relevant to the Spell." Naruto finished for him.
Ambrose looked at Naruto. "Naruto... Did you go to her garden?" Naruto nodded at Ambrose. "Then why weren't you there when I looked?"
"Probably because I had left with Hal to see her grave." Naruto had a small smile. "And I actually came here to ask something of you. Is it possible for me to Transfer to the Life School?"
"With your experience in Storm?"
"The Storm Fox will return, but... I'm doing this for her sake." Naruto admitted.
Ambrose scratched his beard. "Yes, I believe it can be done. You'll have to go see Moolinda Wu, however." It didn't take long for a storm to enter the area.
"Naruto..."
"Not me." Naruto looked around, before his eyes settled at the top of the nearby tower. 'Can it be?'
"Something is going on in the tower." Ambrose said. "Come quickly. I will lead you there."
Naruto didn't bother waiting, before rushing through the front door, and nearly flying up to the top. He made it there first, followed shortly by Kakashi, Sasuke, and then Ambrose. Sakura's arrival went unnoticed.
The man there sneered at the Headmaster. "Ambrose..."
"Malistaire. I should've known you'd return." The old man nearly hissed.
"Major Death!" Naruto shouted, causing the man to give pause, and look at him.
"Who are you?"
"Did you really forget the one that looked up to your wife?!" Naruto shouted at him. "She wouldn't want you doing this!"
"Who are you to talk about my wife?!"
"Naruto Uzumaki, that's who!"
Malistaire hesitated, before replying. "I know... no such person." Kakashi noticed the hesitation, but didn't comment on it. "Take them out!" 4 Dark brown dragons charged, causing Sakura to stiffen.
"There's four of us, and four of them. We'll be doing this arena style. I hope you guys have a proper deck." They all nodded. "Arena Engage!"
The floor glowed, and each of them were in the required circles. Naruto was in the circle bearing a Sun Mark, Sakura bearing the Eye Mark, Sasuke Bearing the Star Mark, and Kakashi bearing the Moon Mark. "Alright, Arena Style negates all Offensive Jutsu, but not Defensive or enhancement Jutsu, nor does it stop one from using Chakra. Draw a card from your decks, and draw on your Mana. The glowing orbs on the ground in front of you are Power Points, or Pips for short. The cards have a number in the top left corner. It tells you how many Pips you need to use it. A lot of places around here require you to use Pips, and it also takes a certain amount of Mana, as well. Sakura, you have more Mana than you do chakra. Try to use it more often. Kakashi, you have more Chakra than Mana. Channel your Chakra through the Card you draw, and think on the target. Sasuke, you've got more Chakra than Mana, as well. Make use of it, and I'll help you draw on Mana if you can't during this battle."
"What about you?" Kakashi questioned.
"I can use either. If I had to give off Mana in a point system, Sasuke would have 102. Sakura would have 181. Sensei, you'd have 201. I have 498 Max Mana. Since I can also use Chakra, by converting Chakra into Mana, I would have well over 2 Million Mana and Chakra total to use in spells. 498 of those points is straight Mana. The rest is Chakra." Naruto said, before calling on a Wall of electricity to block a Thunder Snake. "Let's do this!"
Naruto pulled out his staff, and swung it a few times, having 3 normal pips and 2 Golden Pips. Whereas the rest of them only had 2 normal. Naruto pulled out a Treasure Card. It was a Rank 4 Storm. 'Kraken... Alright.' Naruto cast the spell, and an island appeared in the middle of the arena floor, and Dark Blue scaled being on top of it, before a Yellow Lightning bolt appeared in its hand, before striking a single Draconian. Only the 2 Power Pips left his board, and a normal one was added.
"You... You just killed it in one hit?" Sakura was shocked.
"Be glad I didn't go for a more powerful one, much less my own original spell. I don't use it in Arena Rule fights." Naruto said.
"Original Spell?" Kakashi asked.
"I'll explain it later. Cast a fucking spell!"
Sakura drew a card and found a level 3 Myth Spell. She noticed that she had the right Pips. She cast the spell, and severely damaged her target, but didn't kill it.
"No surprise the Cyclops didn't kill it." Naruto admitted. "Sasuke."
A Banshee entered the center and struck the one next to Sakura's target. "Hn."
Kakashi noticed he also had 6 Pips, only one of which was a golden Pip. "Naruto, what's the Golden Pip?"
Naruto looked at his board, and his eyes widened. "The Golden Pip is a Power Pip. It counts as 2 normal Pips when using a Spell in your School of focus. For Me, that is, and always has been, Storm."
Kakashi pulled out a Treasure Card, and let loose a High level Spell. A glacier appeared and a Wyvern came out. Kakashi eye-smiled as he took out the one he was targeting.
"One shot the idiot." Naruto commented.
"You fools!" Malistaire shouted. Naruto then found another, unexpected Card in his Deck Case as he pulled it out, and the Remaining two cast a pair of High level attack all spells. One used Blizzard, and dealt a lot of damage to them all, though Naruto was barely affected. The Other summoned a Giant Frog, which surprised Kakashi, remembering Jiraiya at that instant. It barfed on all of them, dealing even more damage.
Looking at the new Card, he managed a smile. "Sylvia, this is for you." he channeled just enough Mana to make it work, and lost 3 Pips. A Unicorn appeared and healed all on his side. Sakura nodded, expecting that. Sasuke Smirked. Kakashi just sent a grateful look at Naruto. He simply held up a thumb.
"You idiots. You let the whelps heal."
The Draconians didn't have much choice, since they only had one pip at the time. He then pulled another card, but it was a normal blue. "Heh. Thank you Footgear of Malediction." He cast the spell, not worried about the Mana involved, being a Rank 0 spell. A spiked Shield floated around Sakura's target. "Sakura, cast a spell on your previous target. I placed Hex on him."
"Right!"
"Dodge it you fools!"
"Did you forget Arena rules, Malistaire?" Naruto raised an eyebrow. "They can't dodge a spell. If they leave the circle they are in, they go into a coma, and then get hit anyway."
Malistaire simply growled at that, knowing he was right. Sakura summoned a Troll and it attacked the Draconian, effectively killing it.
"Sasuke..."
He used 3 pips and a Power Pip to bring out what seemed to be a tropical island with a Skeleton Pirate on it. Naruto noticed the Pip usage, and knew the Rank of the spell. "Sasuke went Death. No surprise."
The final Draconian went down, and Naruto charged Malistaire as the field faded. Before he could reach him, he vanished. "I Already have what I came for, Old man. Farewell." his body then vanished Completely, using a teleport spell. Naruto growled. "I'm coming for you, Malistaire. On my honor and pride... I WILL get you back to normal."
The others looked at him, and his lengthened fingernails. Kakashi noticed usage of the Kyuubi's chakra at that point. He visibly calmed down, and his fingernails shrunk back to normal size. He looked at Ambrose. "He will be back. Count on it."
"Naruto, did you..."
"No. It wasn't that Chakra." Naruto told him. "I know the name of my true mother thanks to him. Just know that he didn't want to attack at first, and leave it at that."
Kakashi was still worried, and Ambrose nodded. "How is Kurama, anyway?" The old man asked.
"Pretty good, actually." Naruto replied. "He's also pissed at Malistaire for going insane after... she died." Naruto's face went downcast. "I got a message from her. Bring Malistaire back to his true path. I gave her my word, and I'll do just that. It's also why I plan to transfer to Life. For her, and for him." He tilted his head up, feeling the Storm lifting. "The storm is letting up. We should head back outside."
Ambrose nodded in agreement. "So, I believe you all have a good idea on how to use Mana, now?"
Sasuke and Kakashi nodded. Sakura sighed. "I didn't use Chakra at all in that fight." Naruto's eyes widened.
"Seriously?"
"What? Is that a problem?"
"Sakura... what school are you going into?"
"Myth. Professor Cyrus managed to explain Mana to me before this happened. Once I found it, I used it with ease. It's like I'm more suited for Mana than Chakra."
"As a Kunoichi, you'll need Chakra and a good control of it. While you're working on Spells, I'd suggest training yourself Physically. After you've mastered a Spell, trying using it with Chakra using the same ease as you would Mana. That's what I did with Storm, and it's what I intend to do with Life, as well."
"Well, If time permits, I'd go into Life second. It was almost as high as Myth for me."
Naruto nodded at that. "Sasuke?"
"Death Primary. I find it comforting."
"If you could go for a Second School?"
"Fire. No contest."
"I'm Balance primary, oddly enough. I was half expecting Ice, but that came in Second." Kakashi pointed out. "Death was third best, but I have potential in all of them."
Naruto hummed, but nodded. "Headmaster, is my old Castle still around?"
"It hasn't been touched, why?" Ambrose replied.
"Then you'll only have to provide a room for Sakura. Kakashi and Sasuke will be able to stay at my castle. Seriously, though. I've got a lot of space to use, sadly enough."
Ambrose thought for a moment and nodded. "I'll have to work on getting a Dorm Room for her, then. Are you sure you have enough space for the three of you?"
"I've actually got two Castles ready, but I think the Second one would be better for me. I mean, I bought a Castle when I was in Marleybone and even bought a Property from Zeke last time around. Storm House, I think it was. I kinda liked that one, and even used it for Private Training. Couldn't access the Spiral from there, though. So, I'll stick with the Villa, and show them around. That one I know can access the Spiral." Naruto explained. "We're set."
"Then why not just give her one, and you males take the other?"
"Because I don't think she'll be good in the Storm House, and the other place is too big for her alone." Naruto pointed out. "Besides, I'm not sure if she'd like the damage of the Storm House, or the fact that she probably wouldn't be able to sleep due to the constant storms."
"Then how could you sleep?" Sasuke questioned.
Naruto shook his head. "Better than I do in the village. A lot better. Besides, the last four years I hid on October 10th. You wanna know where I went?"
Kakashi's visible eye widened in realization. "That's why we couldn't find you..."
"Exactly. It's my yearly day of rest, though I also try to train while I'm there. I can really let loose in my training there, to be honest." Naruto admitted.
Kakashi nodded. "Well, that explains your unexplained disappearances. The Hokage would like to know about that."
"Let's see...that property is in my name, and registered to me in Wizard City and Marleybone, so they can't take it from me without having 2 powerful forces that could probably take out Konohagakure before they can do much about it on their tails for theft... Why the hell not?" Naruto shrugged.
Kakashi drew blood from his thumb, performed a few handsigns, before a Puff of smoke appeared.
"Was that supposed to do something?" Ambrose asked.
Kakashi thought for a moment. 'Could it be...' "Naruto, is it possible to use spells in Konohagakure?"
"Of course, though for me it's because I can draw on Mana a lot easier than I can Chakra. Then again, I have a lot more Chakra than Mana. Why?"
"Because the Summoning Jutsu doesn't work here." Kakashi pointed out.
Naruto thought for a moment. "It's a Space-Time Jutsu, right?" A nod. "Hmm... It could be that it's only aligned with our world, so until it connects to the Spiral..."
Kakashi caught on. "Summoning Jutsu won't work until the connection is made and stabilized."
Naruto shrugged. "That's my theory, anyway." He then shook his head. "Anyway, I'll head over to Ravenwood. I've got classes to start. I'm going to give 990% for these classes."
"990%?" Sakura asked.
"I think he means what others would call 110%." Sasuke pointed out.
"No, I mean 9 Kage Bunshin at 110% for normal people." Naruto said before Teleporting out with the Storm Symbol encasing the area he was at.
The others just stared at him. "Kakashi, I believe you would know of why that Kage Bunshin can do anything for his classes. Care to explain?"
Kakashi nodded. "He means he's going to take the classes 9 or 10 times each, at the same time."
"I am sorry, but I do not know why that would be."
"A Kage bunshin is a solid clone. It's original purpose for for Scouting and Information gathering. The memories pass on to the user when they dispel... and the fact that he can create over 1,000 of them..."
"He could learn any spell in a day."
"He could make a spell in a week." Kakashi stated. "I know for a fact that he could probably make a Jutsu in a Week if he knew what he needed. Most times it would take at least 3 years to Create a New Jutsu. It's rare for a Jutsu to be created that quickly, though."
"He created a Rank 10 Storm Spell in 3 days last time around." Ambrose pointed out. "Even my own original spells took me months to finish. He's still the only one able to use that spell."
"What is it called?" Kakashi asked.
"It's how he got his Reputation around here. He's called the Storm Fox. Now, I myself have never seen it, as he hasn't used it in Wizard City, nor has he used it in an Arena battle to my knowledge. Some say he can just use it and start talking to the essence of the spell, as if..."
"As if it wasn't just a normal spell." Kakashi continued. "Maybe it's how he uses it, and it's not like other spells."
"Another Method?"
"Could be why."
Sasuke and Sakura looked at each other, and then the older men in confusion.
Ambrose then looked at them. "Well, since you are all registered, I believe I should direct you to Ravenwood, and have you met with your teachers." he then explained the way as they left the tower. "Sasuke, I would search out Malorn Ashthorn. He has been helping teach new Death Students, but ever since the Death School had been torn from Ravenwood, most have been Self-taught, for the most part."
00000x00000
Chapter complete.
Magic Schools:
Sasuke: Death, Secondary Fire.
Sakura: Myth, Secondary Life
Kakashi: Balance, Secondary Ice
Naruto: Storm, will work more on Life than Storm since nearly mastering Storm
ALL HAIL INSANITY! ALL HAIL THE LOG!