Let's see here. At press time, this story has: 5 reviews, 2 C2, 16 favorites, and 29 alerts. In one word, wow. Now in other news you have questions, so I'll have to answer them.
To: Tachi Kagahara.
Fu actually isn't a filler character. In fact, considering her status, she could have played a very large role in the canon. Instead, the only time she was even mentioned was by a gender confused terrorist/artist who put the three into… yeah. That's Fu for you.
Also thank you to the following reviewers, including Tachi Kagahara: Lost in the night, Twilight- The Moon Spirit, kikauzu, and Cloud303.
Alright, now that's out of the way, here is the second chapter. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: if anyone else owned Naruto, perhaps there wouldn't have to be so many senseless character deaths.
Ten years later…
There was not a cloud in sight, allowing the rising sun to shine down brightly, illuminating the forest lightly. Birds chirped over head as the wind blew between the blades of grass. A grey rabbit popped out of his hole and hopped out a few feet away. His nose twitched as he began to search for food. Suddenly, the nose stopped twitching as the rabbit lifted its head, as if sensing something.
It dropped to the floor, an arrow lodged in his side. The body twitched one last time before it went still. The bushes rustled before a hunter crept out of it. Walking in front of the rabbit, he casually plucked the arrow out of the body. Picking up the carcass, he placed it into a basket that already had several other rabbits. Closing the basket, he then looked at the arrow he had just plucked from the rabbit.
Deciding that the arrow was still usable, he slipped it into his quiver and disappeared back into the foliage.
The sun was now in its midday position and shined down fully. The hunter wiped some sweat off his brow as he sat in the shade of a tree. Checking his basket, he felt satisfied at the fruits of his labor. Feeling a dry feeling in his throat, he shouldered his bow, picked up the basket, and began to walk in one direction.
Finally the man came across a river. Smiling as the dry feeling became even dryer in anticipation; the hunter dropped all of his things, fell to his knees, and began to drink the water greedily. Feeling satisfied, he sat down in the shade and was getting ready to fall asleep.
That was until out of the corner of his eye, he saw something. Turning his head in the direction and letting his eyes fully take in the sight, his eyes widened as he stood up. His hibernating brain now working on full capacity, he ran over to the object and began to recall every bit of medical information he could.
The object was a male human body that looked 15 – 16 years old. He laid on his stomach, nearly face down. Checking over the body, the hunter was relieved to see a pulse. He put a hand to the shoulder and with a grunt, rolled the body over.
The teenager wore a simple black t-shirt with sleeves that reached to the middle of his bicep. Two belts looped themselves around each shoulder, making an X that held the shirt tightly around the middle. His pant legs reached around the knees, and other than the two side pockets, didn't leave any room for a snag. He also had what the hunter recognized as a kunai holster, wrapped around his right thigh. Finally, his black sandals looked worn in, but not yet at the stage of falling apart.
What was on the teenager's face really caught the hunter's attention. Covering the lower part of the face was a mask. The mask seemed to be made of black spandex and obscured any features that the teenager had. It also had a zipper located where the hunter assumed where the mouth was. Over his eyes were goggles in which one of the lens was cracked. Also the teenager's blond hair was nearly cut to the roots, showing parts of scalp.
Sighing, the hunter slowly reached toward the zipper, when the teenager's hand grabbed his wrist. Jumping back, the hunter watched as the teenager opened his eyelids, revealing cerulean blue eyes. He groaned as he sat up, absentmindedly rubbing his head. Then looking down and seeing shadow, he disappeared.
The next moment, the hunter's hands were bound behind him as a kunai was held to his throat. Whoever the teenager was, seeing the way he had disappeared and restrained him, he was not one to be trifled with. Everything practically stopped for the hunter as he began to plead to the teenager
"Wait! Please, I beg of you! I am just a simple villager, a hunter of game. Please, I pose no threat, especially to one of your caliber."
His breath hitched as the stranger took some time to digest the words. Finally, there was an absence of kunai against his throat and the hunter breathed in deeply as he fell to his knees. Looking up he saw the stranger bend down pick something from off the ground. As the stranger dusted it off, the hunter realized that the object was a khaki colored bucket hat. The stranger sighed, before placing it on his head.
Then turning to the hunter, the stranger lifted his sleeve revealing a seal on his tricep. Pressing it, the seal shined, before blanketing the area in smoke. When the smoke disappeared, in his hands were a notebook and a pencil. Flipping to an empty page, he took out the pencil and began to write. Once the stranger finished, he turned the notebook so the hunter could read.
"Where am I?" It read.
The hunter scratched his head before answering. Why didn't the stranger just talk?
"You're right now in the midst of fire country."
Seeing the stranger nod and mutter to himself, the hunter was prepared to make a break for it, no matter that the teenager could easily teleport to him and slash his neck. Instead, the blond began to write in his notebook again.
"What and where is the closest town here?"
The hunter pointed behind him with his thumb.
"The closest town would be at least ten minutes from here in that direction."
Seeing the stranger shoot what he could presume to be a smile at him, the hunter smiled back only to see him walking away. Bristling, the hunter moved back to his game, when he then looked down. Right where the stranger was, there lied a stack of bills. Picking them up and counting through them, only one thought cycled through his head.
Whoever that person was, he was also loaded.
In Konohakagure, there were two ways into the village. Through the air, and through the wall. Despite reassurance that gate guarding was one of the most important jobs one could be assigned, those people obviously left out how boring it was.
This fact practically had its nose touching with the two current gate guards, Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane.
"I spy with my little eye…something that is green." Kotetsu said, putting a hand to his eyes.
Izumo rolled his eyes. Sure, Kotetsu was his friend, but sometimes Kotetsu's ways of passing the time just grated on his nerves.
"Let me guess… moss on a rock?"
Kotetsu whistled.
"Really, how did you know?"
"I traced your eyes. Okay? Now it's my turn."
The brown haired chunin sighed before quickly scanning his eye over the environment.
"I spy with my little eye… something black and khaki."
Kotetsu looked around and settled his eye on the approaching figure.
"Would it be that guy?"
"…Yep."
Once the figure reached the gates, the two chunin raised an eyebrow at the mask, but retained their composure.
"Halt, show us your papers."
The figure dug around in one pocket and produced some papers. Handing Izumo the papers, he patiently waited as the two chunins looked through. Finally, the papers were handed back to the figure.
"Well, we're sorry but we have to send you to the hokage. Please forgive us."
With that, out of thin air, two masked figures appeared and laid their hands on the figure's shoulder. Nodding to both ANBU, they began to walk. Slightly bowing before the two, the figure passed through the gates. A little while after, Kotetsu turned to Izumo.
"Izumo?"
"Yes, Kotetsu?"
"That mask freaked me out."
"I'll be seeing that mask in my dreams too, Kotetsu."
"Does that mean I can sleep over at your house for a while?"
"No."
"Rats."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed as he set down his pen and began to stretch his spine. He was at the age where he should have been enjoying retirement, not being the head of what was widely considered the strongest shinobi village in the five elemental countries. But circumstances played their hand, and here he was, struggling to serve despite his regrets and failures.
His biggest one practically sat outside his window. As Hiruzen stared at the faces impassively watching over the village, he couldn't help but to stare at the fourth face. It had been ten years since he had last seen Naruto, and though it felt heavy on his heart, it at least lifted his spirits that somewhere out there Naruto was able to find a place he would be loved and appreciated.
Feeling a glow in his heart, the old hokage picked up his pen and began to work on the paperwork again when the intercom blinked.
"Lord Hokage, there seems to be someone from the gates that has to see you."
Hiruzen sighed as he once again set down his pen.
"Very well, send him in."
Sit up straight, fold the hands, stare at the door…
The door opened as the strange individual walked in. The Hokage gestured to a seat.
"Welcome to Konoha, stranger. What business do you have?"
The stranger tilted his head, and then took off his bucket hat. At first, Hiruzen thought that he was a monk, albeit a strangely dressed one. Then the stranger pulled down his mask. He watched as the pipe fell from the Hokage's mouth. He watched as the Hokage tried to dispel any genjutsus. Finally, the hokage resorted to pinching himself on the arm as hard as he could.
When Hiruzen finished making sure that it wasn't an illusion or a dream, he rushed up and hugged the stranger. Then he shot a stern look.
"Naruto? What are you doing back in Konoha?"
Naruto grinned sheepishly as he took out his notebook out of the seal, earning a look from Hiruzen.
"I beginning to wonder what Kakashi has taught you."
Finishing writing, Naruto showed Hiruzen his writing. From what the Hokage have seen, it was a bit childish, but readable. Done with his impromptu critique, he examined the words.
'Needed to settle down. So figured I come back."
At this, Hiruzen raised an eyebrow.
"Settle down? What do you mean by that?"
At that point, Naruto could only sigh as he took out a book. Handing it over, Hiruzen's jaw dropped as he looked at the cover. Despite its worn and ratty appearance, the old man could still tell it was a bingo book. Now leafing through it, his jaw extended lower and lower. Most of the bounties that seemed to be claimed were at least at the C rank level. However, there was the occasional B rank level. Closing the book, he handed it back to Naruto, who reached over and closed Hiruzen's mouth.
"You…have been chasing after missing nins alone, Naruto?"
Naruto shook his head, then held up two fingers.
"Not alone, you say? Well, what happened?"
Naruto set two fingers of each hand on the Hokage's desk. He then made a show of the two pairs of fingers moving walking in opposite directions. Seeing the frown on the old man's face, Naruto shook his hands and raised two thumbs, all while flashing a smile. Hiruzen could only assume that whoever Naruto worked with, they had left on good terms.
Leaning back into his seat, the Hokage nodded at Naruto.
"Well, Naruto, if this is truly what you wish, then I think I could sneak you into the Genin test, tomorrow. Normally, I would make you work your butt off. But seeing you managed to learn sealing, I have reason to be confident in your success. You can go now."
Smiling, Naruto bowed before donning his bucket hat and pulling the mask over his face. Before he completely walked away, Hiruzen stopped him.
"Naruto…"
The teenager turned to the old Hokage.
"Try and stop by Ichiraku's. They will be quite surprised to see their number one customer back."
Shooting the Hokage an eye smile and thumbs up, Naruto left the room. Breathing in, Hiruzen began to work on the paperwork. However, before his mind completely shut before the monotony, a thought crossed his head.
Wherever Naruto Uzumaki went, it was sure going to be interesting.
Walking through the village, it practically ignited nostalgia in Naruto as he passed through. In fact, it probably took five minutes for Naruto to walk a block. However, eventually all the reminiscing was brought to an end when a sweet aroma entered his nose. Sniffing and closing his eyes, he slowly closed his eyes and subconsciously began to follow the smell.
After a decade of cup ramen, all his brand loyalty was going to pay off in spades.
Ayame sighed as she tapped the counter with her finger. It was in the middle of the two rushes, and nothing but boredom came about when you ran a food stall and barely any customers came. Ayame looked at her father, who had also given in the boredom and was currently reading a newspaper. She glanced down before turning towards Teuchi to ask for a break.
Before the words could leap out of her mouth, the sound of knuckles tapping against counter filled the stall. Both Ichirakus turned to see a nearly bald teenager with a creepy mask holding up a menu. Teuchi put down his newspaper and straightened out his apron and hat. He then looked at the stranger.
"So what can I get you?"
The stranger swiveled his head in all directions, even ducked his head under the curtains. Satisfied that no one was around, he sat up straight and folded his hands. Then he held up five fingers, pointed to the counter in front of him, then jabbed the finger at himself.
Teuchi blinked and turned to Ayame, who was also stunned. Then they turned to the stranger, who by now had pulled off his mask, and waved them. With a shout and a grin, they both latched onto the stranger.
"NARUTO! You're back!"
Naruto smiled as the two Ichirakus began to hug and question him about his adventures.
Author's note:
Thank you for reading this chapter.
I guess you could call this a powerful Naruto story. Naruto, however, won't have a hundred jutsus under his belt. But he will try to use his jutsus in a more creative manner than just point and shoot…hopefully. Other than that, sighing off.
