Welcome back everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter of the brand new True Shinobi! I know the synopsis probably sucks, but I tried to capture the same excitement from the original into my story. I also saw that Lightseeker67 made a mistake and said that a DarknessBringer adopted his story. I was scared for a minute, but he corrected it today. Without further ado!
Normal speech: "..."
Thoughts: "…"
Bijuu speech or higher being: "…"
Hand seals: "…"
It had been a week since Apollo had 'officially' arrived in Konohagakure. He kept his word and started teaching the kids how to properly use throwing weapons; blunted of course. He wasn't surprised to find Anbu Black Ops tailing him, but with liberal use of the Kage Bunshin, he managed to shake them before he meet up with the kids. They hadn't made much progress with the weapons, but baring throwing them into the wild and expecting them to survive, they weren't half bad. It would be only a matter of time before he started showing them how to use their chakra in a more 'unique' way.
We find Apollo staring at the gates leading to the Forest of Death. He was mildly impressed with the gated off forest, though he wasn't concerned. This forest had nothing on the forest his aunt had him stay in for four years when he was a kid. That forest was the stuff of nightmares… Next to him were Hagane Kotetsu and Kamizuki Izumo. Kotetsu had long, spiky, black hair and dark eyes. He had a strip of bandage running across the bridge of his nsoe and a light-colored marking on his chin. He wore the standard Konoha shinobi flak jacket and hitai-ate. Izumo had brown hair, and dark eyes. His hair was combed down and covered his right eye. He wore his hitai-ate like a bandanna along with the standard Konoha shinobi outfit, which goes all the way up to his chin.
"Hope you're ready noob, because I'm not picking up any of your slack. It's bad enough, Hokage-sama ordered us to be your pseudo team, man this sucks." Kotetsu groaned. He would prefer to be doing boring guard duty at the gates than have to traverse through the accursed forest.
"Stop complaining Kotetsu! It's an honor that Hokage-sama chose us to test him. He clearly sees how loyal we are to our village and wants us to see how this new guy will fare." Izumo stated. Kotetsu just shrugs and Apollo chuckles quietly to himself. He can tell these two are best friends and work well together, though he knows he won't have any troubles in this test. A bit of a tradition of Konoha's is to test a person's willingness to promote teamwork among its ranks.
The test was simple enough: Guard the scroll until you get to the tower located in the center of the forest. He assumed he would have to make it there with both his 'teammates' alive and that there was opposition out to get the scroll. Before they entered the Forest of Death, Apollo motioned for them to come by him for a moment. The two Chunin shrugged and followed him, "Alright so the goal is to get the scroll to the tower with all of us in one piece. I have a plan to ensure just in case we can't fight our way through, we'll still have the scroll. I suggest I make dummy scrolls, some with stun seals, and some with flash seals and give some to both of you. I'll seal the real scroll in a seal I have on my back. I figure since we're teammates I can trust you with the location of the real scroll just in case." The two Chunin had to give the guy props for his ingenuity. There weren't that many people who could make flash and stun seals, so their opposition wouldn't be expecting it. He also got points for telling them where the real scroll would be. That kind of trust between teammates was what made Konoha the best.
Once Apollo was done making the fake scrolls, the trio made their way into the forest. They dashed through the trees at impressive speeds in the usual triangle formation. Apollo could go faster, but he stayed at their pace. Apollo was just about to land on another tree when he suddenly created a clone and used it to jump towards Kotetsu and Izumo and tackle them to the ground. The clone landed on the tree and was engulfed in an explosion as mud was flung everywhere.
"Man good eye noob. That would have been bad news for us." Kotetsu said now on full alert. He should have known they'd booby trap the forest. The trio looked around them and found more wire traps in the trees with different kinds of explosive tags, so tree hopping was out. Apollo halted the two Chunin and placed a finger on the ground before sending chakra into the ground. His chakra interacted with the natural chakra of the forest and he could feel all the various animals and people hidden in the forest. Taking out a kunai, he threw it at seemingly nothing, but in reality he cut a wire that was tied to a trap. The trap was a sinkhole that would have caught them if Apollo weren't looking for it.
Since running on the ground was out of the question, Apollo suggested they use the middle of the trees as springboards to get to the tower. The two Chunin were impressed with the alien man and agreed as they raced through the forest using the middle of the trees to launch them from tree to tree. They avoided more traps this way, but soon they faced their first opponent. A group of Chunin level shinobi came out of the woodwork and threw kunai and shuriken at them. Apollo got in front of his teammates and went through hand seals.
Tora (Tiger), U (Hare), I (Boar), Inu (Dog)! "Doton: Doryuuheki (Earth Release: Earth-style Wall)!" Apollo chanted mentally. From his mouth, an earth wall was spat out catching his foes off guard seeing as he hadn't proclaimed his jutsu a loud. The thrown weapons bounced off the wall harmlessly. The opposing Chunin swiftly leapt over the wall only to find that the trio was missing. They looked all around them, until a pair of hands grabbed them by the ankles and pulled them underground up to their heads.
"Doton: Shinjuu Zanshu no jutsu (Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation technique) buh bye." Apollo said with a wave as the trio took off.
"Man you really are quick with the hand seals Apollo-san. I take it you're a Doton user?" Izumo asked. Apollo just chuckled, "Nah, I just figured those two jutsu were the best for the situation. I actually have a unique release called Meiton (Dark Release). I would explain it further, but we're in hostile environment ya know?" the two Chunin could understand. They hadn't heard of Meiton before, but they couldn't really expect him to just give away all his secrets to them. The trio spent the time getting to know each other as they travelled. Apollo learned that Kotetsu liked pure syrup, oden, and tuna topped with grated nagaimo. He also apparently hated bitter melon. Izumo liked daikon salad and thick fried egg, while he hated stir-fired liver and garlic chives. Apollo joked and asked if he were a vampire, which got him some laughs.
Apollo revealed he liked pizza and reading fantasy novels while he hated the color pink and too spicy foods. Suddenly they were ambushed by another group of Chunin, who had them surrounded. Apollo used sign language to communicate, "I've got your backs if you've got mine." Izumo and Kotetsu nodded and pulled out their large bladed weapons and dashed at their foes. Apollo follows them and the trio work as one against their foes. A trio of Chunin went through hand seals.
Inu (Dog), Ne (Rat) Tora (Tiger)! "Katon: Renkeijutsu: Karura (Fire Release: Co-Operation technique: Garuda)!" From their mouths, long streams of intense flames shot out and formed a flaming dragon. Izumo and Apollo go through the same hand seals.
Tora (Tiger), Mi (Snake), Ne (Rat), Mi (Snake), Tora (Tiger)! "Suiton: Suijinheki (Water Release: Water Formation Wall)!" The duo chanted, unleashing a wall of water from their mouths. The water formed a circle around the trio and extinguished the flaming dragon. Seeing an opening, the trio rushed the three Chunin who did the co-op jutsu. Kotetsu hit the still recovering Chunin in the head with the flat side of his blade, knocking him out. Izumo was engaged in fierce battle with his bladed weapon going up against a simple kunai. Izumo managed to swat the smaller weapon out of its owner's hand and a kick to the solar plexus sent the opposing Chunin crashing into a tree. Izumo threw kunai and pinned him to the tree.
Apollo and the Chunin were engaged in a taijutsu battle. The Chunin tried with all his might to get a hit on Apollo, but the dark skinned man was too agile for him. The Chunin had to hide his smirk when he led Apollo into a sinkhole, only for Apollo to leap over it and throw one of the fake scrolls at the Chunin. The Chunin caught the scroll and in a flash was blinded. Apollo capitalized and ended the Chunin with a chop to the back of the neck.
With their foes dealt with, the trio continued their trek through the Forest of Death. Along the way, they had to kill a few animals and Apollo was vaguely reminded of the forest he trained in; though the animals were much bigger, or was he just smaller? Nah, six to twelve feet animals were big no matter how big ya got. They were just about to reach the tower when a family of fourteen feet spiders blocked their way.
"Aw man, don't tell me we're in the Spider's Nest… I thought they gated that area off!" Kotetsu groaned, summoning his trusty Conch Shell Mace, a monstrosity of a weapon with many sharp protrusions all over its surface and a marking in the center that resembles an eye.
"They only gate it off during the Chunin Exams…" Izumo said with dread, preparing himself for a most unpleasant battle. Apollo just smiles fondly, "Ahhh just like home." Without warning, the spiders attack by spewing out smaller, most definitely poisonous, spiders at them.
Ne (Rat), Tora (Tiger), Inu (Dog), Ushi (Ox), U (Hare), Tora (Tiger)! "Katon: Hoosenka no jutsu (Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique)! Apollo chanted before he unleashed a volley of medium sized fireballs at the incoming wave of spiders. The flames consumed the smaller spiders, but the larger ones managed to dodge into the trees. One bold spider came down and stabbed Apollo with its fangs, before it started to eat him alive. Izumo and Kotetsu watched in horror as the man they were starting to like was eaten. Not even a second later, the spider blew up.
"Come on guys, I'm a shinobi! All hail the Kawarimi no jutsu! Savior of the Shinobi!" Apollo joked getting a chuckle from the two Chunin. It was clear he substituted with one of his fake scrolls just in time. The two Chunin got into the action; Kotetsu used his mace with great efficiency as he swatted the large spiders one by one. Izumo used his bladed weapon to cut down all the spiders in his way, dodging spider webs as they were shot at him. Apollo used daggers embedded with wind chakra to increase their cutting power to literally buzz saw his way through the legion of spiders. One spider managed to catch Izumo with its webs and anchored his leg to the ground. The Chunin tried to free himself, but a spider was already on him. It aimed to stab him with its pedipalp, but Apollo took the hit for him as mud splattered on his face.
The offending spider was peppered with wind infused shurkien that diced it up. Izumo swiftly freed himself and thanked Apollo for the save. Kotetsu went to check on his best friend, who was startled, but all right. The trio jumped back into the fray and slayed the remaining spiders. Instead of resting, they hightailed it out of there before more spiders came to avenge their brethren. They finally made it to the tower and went inside. Izumo and Kotetsu collapsed once inside and Apollo was winded himself.
"Congratulations on making it to the tower in record times. It took you three hours and twenty-five minutes to reach the tower, mighty impressive. So Izumo-kun, Kotetsu-kun how did he do?" The Sandaime asked. Izumo and Kotetsu stood to attention and addressed their leader.
"Hokage-sama! Based on our in-field assessment, Apollo-san did a wonderful job. Before the test even began he showed his willingness to work as a team by suggesting he make fake scrolls and told us the location of the real scroll. Then inside the forest, he was an essential part of our success, even saving my life when we tangled with the dreaded spiders. I think he'd make a great addition to our ranks." Izumo stated. The Sandaime was pleased to hear that, though it was time to see just what rank to make the foreigner.
"I am pleased to hear that. It seems that you have the right kind of spirit we of Konoha look for in our shinobi. The Will of Fire states that every Konoha shinobi will love, believe, cherish, and fight to protect the village as previous generations have done before them. It's what gives our shinobi the will and strength to fight against the odds." The Sandaime said proudly. Apollo smiles warmly, "Where's the people's Will of Fire for Naruto?" The Sandaime saw a darkness flash in Apollo's eyes, but it was gone a second later and replaced with a warmth. The wizened Hokage found that suspicious, but judging by how chummy the trio was, the man before him was at least friendly enough to win over his two most gifted Chunin. Izumo was a good judge of character and the Sandaime would trust their judgment.
"Well if there are no further delays, we can begin your solo assessment. Joining us will be the entire Konoha Council and the Jonin Commander. Your opponent is waiting." The Sandaime stated as the four of them made their way to the arena. Once at the arena, Apollo could see all of the council waiting on him. There were of course all of the clan heads: Hyuuga Hiashi, Uchiha Fugaku, Aburame Shibi, Inuzuka Tsume, Yamanaka Inoichi, Nara Shikaku, and Akimichi Choza. There was also Mitokado Homura, representative of Non-Clan shinobi and Utatane Koharu, representative of the Non-Clan kunoichi. Shimura Danzo was also in attendance. Apollo got bad vibes from the one held as Shinobi no Yami and made a note to stay away from him.
His opponent was Shirakumo Hayama, a Jonin of Konohagakure. He had long dull dark-gray hair held in a ponytail. He also had a scar running down the right side of his mouth and pronounced tear troughs under his eyes. He wore the standard Konoha shinobi flak jacket, though his had short sleeves and the traditional red swirl pattern only on his left shoulder sleeve. He wore a pair of fingerless gloves and carried a thin katana strapped horizontally to his back.
Standing across from his opponent, Apollo waited for the Hokage to give the signal to begin. Once the signal was made he went through a single Uma (Horse) hand seal and held out his right hand.
"Meiton: Kyuuketsukoo (Dark Release: Inhaling Maw)!" Apollo chanted. Unbeknownst to the audience, Apollo was extracting the chakra from Hayama, who noticed the drop in his chakra reserves. Backing further away from the mysterious man, Hayama pulled out his katana and Apollo pulled out on of his daggers and held it in his left hand. Not one to give his opponent the edge, Hayama disappeared in a swirl of leaves and reappeared next to Apollo with his katana already swung to cut off Apollo's head. Apollo parried the swing with his dagger and shocked everyone with his next move.
Swinging his dagger, Apollo proclaims "Shinkuuken (Vacuum Sword)!" and an arc of wind chakra flung from his dagger at Hayama. Not being able to dodge the incoming blade of wind, Hayama unleashed his own Shinkuuken to cancel out Apollo's. Seeing an opening, Apollo rushed the Jonin and the two began a fierce kenjutsu battle. Even though Hayama had reach on him, Apollo skillfully parried any blows that got too close for comfort and managed to cut Hayama a few times. The seasoned Jonin was hard pressed to defend against the swift man's blade, so he added wind chakra to his katana to increase its range and cutting power. Apollo received his first cut across the face when he was dodging the enhanced blade. Apollo further shocked everyone by embedding his dagger with fire chakra. As the two blades clashed, Apollo's was only getting stronger as Hayama was not only getting more cuts, but was also being burned by the flaming daggers. Hayama leaped away from Apollo to give himself time to think.
Out of the ground came two Apollos who positioned their daggers at Hayama's neck effectively ending the match. The Hokage named Apollo the winner and the clones crumbled into dust. Everyone was rather impressed with the mysterious man, but Fugaku was the only one weary of the man. With his Sharingan active, he saw him extract Hayama's chakra and how it seemed to enable him to use Hayama's original jutsu. It was like watching a Sharingan user copy a jutsu, though Hayama hadn't even used the jutsu and Apollo still managed to copy it.
"Thanks for a great match, Hayama-san and don't worry. I won't be using your jutsu without your permission." Apollo said shaking the Jonin's hand.
"It's alright, Apollo-san. Just tell me where you got your daggers from and we'll call it even. It's not everyday you find weapons that can handle embedding nature chakra into them." Hayama said in good spirits. Apollo chuckled, "Sorry but you can't buy these at a shop. I make them out of pure chakra you see." He demonstrated by channeling chakra into his hands and condensed it into a dagger. Hayama, along with everyone else, was awestruck by the display. He couldn't tell when in the heat of the battle, but looking at it up close it was clear the blade was nothing but chakra. It was an indigo blade with a lighter blue handle. The chakra needed to create and maintain that had to be immense! Just how much chakra did the man have?
"I think it's clear to everyone here you are more than qualified to be a Jonin for Konoha. Return to my office tomorrow and I'll have the proper paperwork for you to fill out along with your hitai-ate. Welcome to Konohagakure, Apollo-san." The Sandaime said with a warm smile. Apollo bowed to the leader of the leaf and left in a swirl of darkness. The council was abuzz with talk after the display. Many wanted to see more of what the man was capable of, even Danzo was curious as to the mysterious man before him. Jonin were rare in Yugakure and to remain unknown with such skill was either a testament to said skills or bullshit. He didn't like not knowing elements in his own village and unfortunately, all records of shinobi from Yugakure were destroyed to certain incidents secret. Danzo would just have to keep an eye out for this Apollo…
Apollo appeared at the Hokage Monument, where the four children were waiting. Once he arrived he smiled at the eager faces of the kids, "Guess who becomes an official shinobi tomorrow?" The faces of the kids' lit up with that news and they all glomp him as he manages to not fall down.
"That's so awesome Tousan! My Tousan is the best shinobi ever!" Naruto declared not realizing just how true those words were. Apollo laughed and grabbed a hold of all four kids, three under his arms and one on his back. He raced through the forests behind the monument at high speeds. The children cheered at the ride as they zoomed through the trees. They stopped once they reached a cluster of buildings made of wood. It wasn't as big as the village itself, but one could tell it was used for refuge back in the day.
"This must be Old Konoha! I read stories about the Shodai Hokage making a small village when he practiced his Mokuton, but I always figured it was a legend." Tatsumi said in awe of the place. The small village could probably house one hundred people max, so it wasn't ideal for a large village, but it was perfect for Apollo to set up shop. He'd talk to the Hokage about letting him stay here later. For the moment, he let the kids play and explore the wooden village. Once they had their fun, it was time for them to start their training. Apollo tested them to see who had the most chakra and it came as no surprise when Naruto won by a landslide. In second came Dante, third was Reisei, and last was Tatsumi. He started them on leaf balancing and after an hour, Tatsumi cold stick a leaf to her forehead for a minute before she had to rest. The boys were having difficulties, but he knew they'd get it. Soon it was time for them to return to the Orphanage, but before they left Naruto walked over to Apollo.
"When will you adopt me, Tousan?" Naruto asked. He loved his friends to death, but he longed to live with Apollo and experience the love and attention he was promised. Apollo sighed, not liking what he had to say.
"I'm sorry Naruto, but I have to be a resident of Konoha for at least a year before I can adopt you. The Hokage won't just let some stranger who just got here adopt his surrogate grandson now would he?" Apollo asked and Naruto knew he was right. He just hated staying at the Orphanage with all those mean people. He didn't like feeling all the hatred directed at him and wanted to be around the love Apollo seemed to radiate. With a sigh, Naruto returned to with his friends and Apollo went to go stay at a motel or something.
