Better or Worse
I do not own Naruto
"talking"
"thoughts"
"Demon or Split personalities"
"Well from what I gathered from the bell test they seem to be better than what the academy records said." Kakashi spoke
"How so?" Hiruzen asked
"Naruto seems to be more tactical than I thought especially with his clones. Sakura has a pretty good grasp of her ice release; she's able to create weapons on the spot from the water vapor. And Sasuke has a fully matured sharingan as well as being able to perform the shunshin, he also has Shisui's tanto which he knows his jutsu as well." Kakashi finished and took a deep breath
"Well this is interesting to say the least. I want detailed descriptions of their abilities every month." Lord Third said
"Yes sir."
"You three are dismissed now."
When Hiruzen said it was time to go the three Jounin walked out graciously. Asuma and Kureni started to think about their teams. They thought Kakashi's team sounded good REALLY good and they didn't like the way that their teams maybe lacking in skill compared to them right now. As Kakashi walked ahead of them he suggested they go out to a bar and discuss their day which they happily accepted.
***LATER THAT DAY UHCIHA COMPUND***
I was in the middle of the Uchiha training grounds meditating. I'm practicing accessing the yin part of my chakra. I figured that if I channeled my spiritual side of my chakra to my eyes, my mind, and certain techniques I can enhance the power of them several times over. But it was difficult to do, during the bell test I had strained my chakra and it was painful, but I was able to successfully copy the jutsu and process Kakashi's movements better than usual. If I was able to master this technique I'll be able to learn faster than any other Uchiha in history.
"That is true Sasuke, but you won't be able to use this technique to its full potential for a while." Indra spoke sagely
"Yea, yea, yea, I know but I have faith in my abilities, I'll have this down in no time." I spoke with confidence
"How about a little test then?" Indra spoke with a smirk
"What exactly is it?" I asked curiously
"Go to the Uchiha library, I'll explain on the way there."
"Alright"
***NARUTO'S APARTMENT***
Naruto was in his apartment eating ramen while looking at a book of seals he got from the library. He was trying to figure out how to make storage seals. He had found out that seals are tricky and complex. You mess up one single stroke and you could turn a storage seal into an explosive tag.
There were papers scattered all around his apartment floor with notes about the different types of seals and how they work. He was determined to pay homage to his old clan and the people of Uzushiogakure.
"So that's how a storage seal works." He said to himself as he started to take notes on seal design and storage capacity. As he continued to take notes he started to think more and more about the Uzumaki clan and its history.
He thought back to what the librarian told him about the Uzushiogakure. Their history is almost a complete mystery ever since their demise during the war. They were a feared village with immense power and knowledge. Someone had to know about it and there was only one person who he could think of.
"Jiji…."
***HOT SPRINGS***
Sakura was soaking in the water enjoying the water after a long day with team and that mentally tasking test.
"I just know Kakashi is gonna be a pain to deal with for a while." Sakura said to herself
"We'll just beat his ass when he gets out of hand!" inner Sakura said with a raised fist
Sakura lightly giggled and said "Cha" with a light tone
"Talking to yourself again forehead?"
Sakura looked up to see Ino step into the water and settle down in front of her. Sakura snorted and looked away with a tick mark.
"No pig, I wasn't."
"HAHAHA calm down Sakura I'm just kidding." Ino said with a laugh
"Whatever Ino" Sakura said as she went further into the water, only her eyes are visible now.
"So we passed our test easily, all we had to do was get through some obstacle course. The only hard thing was getting Shikamaru to stop being lazy." Ino and Sakura shared a laugh at that.
"Same old Shikamaru." Sakura said
"Some things never change. But enough about me, what about you and your team?" Ino asked
Sakura couldn't help but smile and started telling Ino everything in minute detail.
***UCHIHA COMPOUND***
It was 10 p.m. and I had just finished reading up on my clan's history. Indra had me go through every book with my new technique. Due to my new technique enhancing my sharingan I can process information at an even quicker rate than usual and achieve other things. But it's still far from perfect.
I went to my room to get some rest for what tomorrow holds. After today's bell test and the training of my new technique I've become quite exhausted. Tomorrow is the first step to catching Itachi and getting the answers I need.
***HOKAGE'S OFFICE***
Hiruzen heard a knock at the door and looked up "Come in."
Naruto stepped through the door with a blank look on his face and walked to stand directly in front of the Hokage's desk. Hiruzen looked at Naruto with a smile until he had seen the look on his face.
"What is it my boy?" he said with a somber look
"Could you tell me about my family, the Uzumaki clan?"
Hiruzen was taken aback by Naruto's question and smiled sadly. "Sure my boy, but first a gift."
Naruto looked questioningly at him as he walked over to a picture of the Fourth Hokage and moved it aside. Behind the picture was a safe which he unlocked using his chakra. He grabbed what was inside the safe and closed it back putting the picture back in place. Hiruzen stepped in front of Naruto and kneeled down in front of him presenting him a box.
Naruto looked at him with a look of apprehension and confusion as he seen the somber smile of Hiruzen. He placed the box in his hands and said "I think it's time you know about your clan and more importantly your parents."
Naruto's eyes bulged as he listened to the words that flowed out of his mouth making sure to catch and digest everything he was being told.
***TRAINING GROUND SEVEN 6 A.M. ***
I was the first one to arrive at the training grounds this time so I decided to do some speed training. Indra made me go to through the armory to find some adjustable chakra weights to put around my wrists and ankles. It's really bothering me because I feel so restricted, but it's something I have to do in order to get stronger.
"I really hate your training methods sometimes Indra?" I said with irritation as I was running laps around the training grounds
"Hahaha it's okay Sasuke you and I both know your training will pay off in the end."
"Yea yea yea." I continued to run laps around the training grounds for about thirty minutes. After my little warm up I started to work on my sword skills.
Naruto and Sakura walked up to the training grounds and started to do their own thing like last time. Naruto was doing one handed push-ups and Sakura was standing on the water again going through her kata stances. We continued to do our workouts for about an hour until Kakashi finally showed up reading his orange book.
He looked away from his book and caught our attention when he spoke. "Well this is nice, I like how you guys are training while waiting for me." He smiled at us with his eyes.
"You're late again!" Yelled Sakura and Naruto, I just sighed as I knew this was going to be an everyday thing.
He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly as he said "Sorry I was helping an old lady cross the street."
Naruto was about to say something, but he was sent flying into the tree by a pissed off Sakura. "CHHHAAAAAA, I hate Kakashi sensei's tardiness!"
I stood there as I felt the air around us drop significantly. Shivering I slowly walked up to Sakura and placed my hand on her shoulder. "Sakura it's happening again."
She instantly calmed down and the temperature went back to normal. She squeaked out a light "sorry" as I walked over to Naruto to help him up.
He started rubbing his head and had tears in his eyes "Ouch Sakura-chan that hurt even worse than usual."
Kakashi looked at us with amusement in his eyes and something else I couldn't quite figure out. He lightly chuckled "Okay you three calm down and listen to what we're going to be doing for a little while."
We gathered in front of him again this time standing at attention to what he was going to tell us. "Well we won't start doing missions until next month or depending on when I deem fit."
"What!? We're supposed to be out saving princesses, taking down bad guys, defending those who can't protect themselves." Naruto yelled
"I want to gauge your abilities as well as train you three to be the best you can be. The world can be a terrible place outside the walls of Konoha and I want you all to be prepared for what might come your way." Kakashi said seriously
I digested everything he said and knew this what he said was true. After everything that happened that night I knew what had to be done, the dedication, the work, and possibly the sacrifice. Hopefully it never comes to that.
Kakashi made a handsign and two clones appeared at his side. He handed them each a scroll and the clones walked up to Naruto and Sakura and took them to different parts of the training grounds. The clones took them someplace out of site. The real Kakashi stood in front of me and walked towards me to place both hands on my shoulders. What happened next shocked me to the point of almost falling on the ground, but thanks to Kakashi's grip I was able to stand. He looked at me with a pair of sharingan.
"How? Why?" I asked with glazed over eyes, tears welling up in them.
"Sasuke, trust me when I say this, I wanted to be there by your side to let you know you were not alone, but….."
My sharingan inadvertently activated as I stared deep into his eyes "Why weren't you there to help save them, why weren't you there to look after me, why did you let me think I was the last one left!?" I yelled with tears threatened to fall.
"As you know I was part of the anbu for a long time and I had my duties. Regardless of my duties I was always there looking over you, I kept an eye on you seeing how you were doing throughout the years. Naruto and Sakura came into your life making you someone I'd never thought would come to exist, a caring person not motivated by revenge. When you told me your goals in life I knew who you were and who you have become." Kakashi said with sadness
I looked at him staring into his eyes harder and harder until I couldn't take it anymore and I wrapped my arms around him. A few tears finally fell as I was happy to know I still had family left. After a few minutes of hugging he finally let go and lightly pushed me away.
He smiled with his eyes and said "Now that that's out the way it's time we get down to what you really want to do, train. And by telling from the chakra weights and your proficiency with fire style and the shunshin you've been taking it seriously. Here."
He gave me a piece of paper and I just stared at him with a questioning look "What is this?" I asked as I held up the paper.
"It's chakra paper, pour chakra into it and we'll find out what you chakra nature is."
"But I already know it's fire just like every other Uchiha."
"Not necessarily Sasuke, my affinity is lightning; there are people who could have more than one also. Besides lightning I have three other affinities for fire, water, and earth."
I was in disbelief, but I quickly got over it and channeled some chakra to the paper and what happened next was incredible. Half the paper crumbled up then turned to dirt as the other half burst into flames.
Kakashi's eyes widened slightly and then he smiled "Well from what just happened it seems you have lightning, fire, and earth as elements. That's rare to see in a fresh genin, but I guess you're different considering your training regimens."
I shook away my disbelief and asked him "Since you checked to see what my affinity is I'm guessing you're going to me some elemental jutsu?"
Kakashi shook his head yes "Also I would like to help you improve upon your sharingan's copy ability"
I smirked and cracked my knuckles as my sharingan started to spin rapidly "Let's get started then."
Kakashi smiled and started to explain to me that he would teach me all about lightning first.
***WITH NARUTO***
Kakashi was surprised to say the least, Naruto has the rare affinity for wind, but what surprised him even more was when he said 'just like mom'.
"Naruto what're you talking about?" Kakashi asked
Naruto looked at him and spoke with a smile "Jiji told me about my parents last night. He also told me about my father's team."
Kakashi looked at him with sad eyes, but before he could speak Naruto hugged him and said "Don't worry about Kakashi sensei it's alright."
Kakashi hugged him back and slightly laughed "Well since you know about your parents and I really can't help you all that much with your wind affinity how about I teach you your father's jutsu?"
Naruto immediately let go and started jumping up in the air with happiness "YES YES YES"
***WITH SAKURA***
"Before we get started with your training I would like to know what happened back there Sakura." Kakashi said
Sakura started rubbing her arm and looked down. Kakashi walked towards her and placed his hand on her shoulder, she looked up only to see his trademark eye smile. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and spoke.
"Well….you see I seem to have another side of myself."
"Like a split personality?"
"I wouldn't exactly call it a split personality, I can talk to her and vice versa, she seems to amplify….well….me as whole when she comes to the surface."
Sakura didn't know what say or do when Kakashi just looked at her with a blank expression. She started fidgeting in place wondering if she shouldn't have said what she said or not.
"That might actually be a good thing." He said with a smile
Sakura looked flabbergasted "….what?"
"Let me explain…."
And cliffhanger jutsu activate. Sorry for the wait peeps, but I just haven't been in the mood to write at all, I had no inspiration, but it's starting to come back. I've actually had a couple of ideas for two new stories, but whether or not I actually commit and work on them remains a mystery even to me. Anyway I felt like I owed those of you who love the idea of this story a new chapter. I would also like to know if you guys like short or long chapters. Feel free to leave me a review of my story as it progresses, I've never been the best at writing so I would also like to consider this a writing exercise as well as a passionate project that I hope I see through till the very end. Thank you all and have a blessed day.