Chapter 3: He's What?
Tsunade snapped her fingers and with a puff of smoke, a figure appeared in the shadows.
"Your opponent will be me, Namikaze-san."
Naruto watched as the figure stepped out of the darkness. Beneath his hood, Naruto's eyes widened in recognition.
"You…"
Hyuuga Hiashi nodded.
"Namikaze-san, I would like to apologize for my role during the events leading to your execution. I also speak on behalf of the Hyuuga Clan when I ask you to forgive us for our transgressions against your person."
Naruto responded by merely tilting his head.
Hiashi then answered the unspoken question, "I was a teammate of your father and counted myself as one of his closest friends. He stressed teamwork and compassion over everything else. I cannot count the number of times he has saved my family and me. When I found out that I had played such a direct role in the murder of my best friends' son, the grief was unbearable."
Tsunade glanced towards Naruto and whispered, "Hiashi-sama tried to take his own life."
The only sign that Naruto had heard was the slight movement as he focused more attention on Hiashi.
Having guessed Tsunade's message, Hiashi continued, "It was at that moment that Neji, of all people, stopped me. He told me that by taking my life, I would be running away from all Minato again. He told me of how his battle with you during his first chuunin exam had changed him, a metamorphosis that continues to this day as he and I work with Hinata on healing the rift between the Main House and the Branch Houses. For that, I thank you."
To Tsunade's surprise, the Hyuuga Clan bowed to Naruto, an action that Naruto reciprocated.
There was a brief silence before Naruto spoke, "Who arranged this fight?"
Hiashi stepped forward, "Namikaze-san, I requested to administer your test when I heard Tsunade-sama mention it in passing. I have seen how you have changed my nephew's life. I wish to see that strength myself and better hopefully understand the meaning behind that strength. Only then may I consider myself worthy of being a friend of Minato."
As Naruto considered Hiashi's words, Tsunade stole nervous glances at the blond by her side. What had happened during his year away from Konoha? How had he changed? Naruto's calm voice broke the lull in the conversation.
"Very well, Hiashi-sama." Naruto turned to Tsunade, "Where and when will the test be held?"
"The test will be held tomorrow at 10 am in the chuunin exam stadium. I trust you do not mind if a few shinobi decide to watch."
Naruto shook his head.
"If that is all, then I will take my leave. Tsunade-sama, Namikaze-san."
Before Hiashi could shushin out of the office, Naruto spoke up, "Naruto is fine, Hyuuga-sama."
For the first time during his visit, a small smile passed over Hiashi's lips.
"Very well Naruto. In return, I ask that you address me as Hiashi. Know that no matter what the rest of Konoha may say, you will always be welcome among the Hyuuga."
With that, Hiashi shushined out of the office, leaving a flabbergasted Tsunade and a bemused Naruto.
Naruto turned back to Tsunade and gave her a quick hug before leaving, calling over his shoulder, "I'll see you at the stadium soon, baachan."
Tsunade watched the blond walk off before heading back to her desk. Maybe there was still some hope left.
'Unfortunately, he's even more distrustful of strangers, especially those responsible for his persecution. But still, it's nice to see that Naruto is still giving people a chance.'
She sighed as she sat down at her desk. The paperwork wasn't going to do itself anytime soon. But first…
Tsunade pulled out a blank scroll and began writing a letter to Gaara, informing him that Naruto had safely returned to Konoha. The possibility of one former Jinchuuriki attacking Konoha with righteous vengeance was bad enough. Tsunade shuddered at the thought of two pissed off former demon containers rampaging throughout Konoha.
As Naruto walked down the street, still wearing his cloak and hood, he couldn't help but feel a tiny bit of hope.
'So the Hyuuga are on my side, huh? Perhaps Konoha can truly change.'
The rumbling of his stomach cut an end to his musings. A trip to Ichiraku's was in store.
"AHH! That was fantastic. Another bowl, old man. Miso this time."
"Haha, you know, you remind me of our favorite customer. He's been… out of town lately, but when he comes back, I'm going to treat him to our newest ramen- the Naruto special."
"Whoa, you named a ramen after me? Sniff… sniff… that's so beautiful."
"IS THATYOU, NARUTO?"
Amidst the clattering of pots and pans, Teuchi leapt over the counter followed closely by Ayame. The Ichiraku duo enveloped their favorite customer in a group hug. Naruto felt a rogue hand slip southward and jumped back quickly.
"Ayame-neechan!"
The buxom ramen waitress winked at the blushing blond before heading back to her station to place another bowl of ramen in front of Naruto.
With a sigh, Naruto turned to the steaming bowl of ramen placed in front of him. Out of the corner of his eye, an orange sign caught his eye.
'The Naruto Superstore- the best place for all things Naruto'
"EHH? What the hell is that?"
Teuchi laughed, "So it looks like you finally noticed. It seems that you've got yourself quite a following amongst the younger shinobi."
"Yea, but it looks like a piece of crap."
Indeed, the grand Naruto Superstore was nothing more than a rundown shack next to Ichiraku's ramen store.
Ayame giggled and ruffled Naruto's hair, "Why don't you go check it out after you're done. But first, why don't you tell us about what you've been up to. I don't want to be insensitive or anything, but we're pretty curious as to how you… well… came back to life."
Teuchi turned down the stove to listen better, trying to hide his own burning curiosity.
As Naruto began to explain the events following his execution, Teuchi had trouble believing that the boy, no, man in front of him had come back at the behest of Kami herself. But there he was, sitting there and telling his story with flailing arms and exaggerated facial expressions. Just maybe Kami was real. Teuchi paled as he realized that he hadn't prayed in quite some time.
As Naruto continued to retell his tale to a captivated Ayame, a certain chuunin instructor happened to pass by and notice the blond.
"Naruto? Is that you?"
Naruto turned and saw Iruka standing in the middle of the street staring at him.
"Iruka-sensei!"
Seeing his former academy teacher for the first time in a year, Naruto ran towards Iruka and tackled the academy instructor in a bone-crushing hug.
Iruka pried Naruto off and stared at him.
"Naruto, you look more grown up than when I last saw you. And you have your eyes again, after what they did to you."
"Yeah, Kami gave them to me, so now they're back."
"Ahh, Tsunade-sama mentioned that to me just now. Took me a while to believe it, bet you certainly are Konoha's number one surprising ninja. In fact, there's something she wanted me to give you. Close your eyes for one moment, will you Naruto?"
Naruto complied, and soon felt a familiar weight being tied around his forehead. He opened his eyes to see a smiling Iruka. Raising one hand, he slowly traced his hand over the worn metal of his old hitai-ate, remembering all the memories contained within the symbol of Konoha.
'That's right. Now that I am once again wearing the symbol of the leaf, I must once again protect those that I hold dear to me. If the village is willing to accept me this time, then it'll be even better.'
"Just like last time, right Iruka-sensei?"
"Yeah Naruto, but you have to agree that the circumstances were different last time. So what do you plan to do now?"
"Well I finished eating, so I figured I'd take a look inside that store over there."
Iruka smirked, "Getting cocky, are you Naruto? Just because you have your own store doesn't mean that you should go stomping around inside for kicks."
Naruto pouted, "Jeez, Iruka-sensei, I just wanted to know why a store named after me looks like a piece of shit."
"Ahh, so you haven't been inside yet, have you? Tell you what. I'll go in with you and we'll have a look together. But first, put on your hood. You don't want to attract too much attention, trust me."
Naruto nodded and raised his hood. After paying for his meal and leaving a generous tip for Ayame, Naruto followed Iruka to the store.
Whatever Naruto was expecting to see inside the store, it certainly was not an empty room, save fore the lone staircase at the back of the room. He turned to Iruka.
"What's the staircase for?"
"So you've seen through the genjutsu already? Impressive, seeing how genjutsu was your worst subject at school. The genjutsu, as well as the store itself, was Tsunade-sama's idea. Before, when your, err, fan club built the store, it was open to everybody. Unfortunately, there are still some people, civilian and shinobi alike, who still cannot see you for who you really are."
Naruto nodded, as this was expected. After all, for every person that able to own up to a mistake and is willing to change, there will be another who stubbornly sticks to his or her own beliefs.
"As such, the original store was constantly vandalized. One night, a bunch of shinobi and civilian gathered and tried to burn the store down. Tsunade-sama herself broke up the crowd herself. While she couldn't punish the civilians for their actions, she made sure that Ibiki personally saw to the shinobi involved. Lots of gruesome rumors have floated out of the Torture and Interrogation Department regarding their fate.
"That's why she decided to put up this genjutsu around the store. The shinobi who still fear you don't dare to interfere, thanks to Tsunade-sama's stern warnings, and the civilians can't see through the genjutsu either so it works out. Well, that was mostly during the early days when people were still starting to change their minds regarding you and the Kyuubi.
"Naruto, there are a lot of people who are ashamed of how you were treated and now see you differently than they did before your execution. However, there are still people who fear and hate you out of ignorance and stubbornness. Even though they aren't out in the open anymore, you still need to remember that not everybody has accepted you."
Naruto bowed his head slightly at this. Iruka noticed and placed a comforting hand on Naruto's shoulder.
"Don't worry about it, Naruto. Just give it some time and they'll eventually come around. You have a special knack for that. For now, why don't we head downstairs and check out what's inside. It's been a while since I've looked around."
Naruto nodded and the pair headed down the flight of stairs.
When the two reached the bottom of the stairwell, Naruto stared at the sight before him, mouth wide open. Everything was so… orange.
Iruka half-expected the blond to run from stand to stand in a hyperactive frenzy, trying on the merchandise and chatting happily with the other customers milling about.
Instead, Naruto slowly walked among the merchants, occasionally fingering an outfit or picking up and examining an action figure.
Iruka sadly watched Naruto knowing that despite his sunny disposition, there was a deeper emotion that surfaced on occasion, the desire to fit in and find unconditional love.
'Naruto, there are so many times that I wish that I could have been there for you when you were younger. Back at the academy, I treated you much like the others did. If it wasn't for the Sandaime, I wouldn't have been able to see this side of you today; I would be like the rest. You are a much better man than I will ever be, Naruto.'
Iruka was roused from his musings when he heard Naruto's voice.
"Hey, Iruka-sensei, I was wondering. Why exactly are the people here doing what they're doing? What do they see in me?"
"Naruto, it may seem a bit… excessive but believe me, all these people here that are buying and selling your stuff truly have been able to look within themselves and realize that they have made a mistake. Like I said earlier, you'll find that many people, especially the younger generation, look up to you. You're a hero to them."
Naruto shifted uneasily, and Iruka instantly picked up on the cause.
"Naruto, this is nothing like the rabid obsession that the girls had for Sasuke back in the academy. The girls then were caught up in their fantasies over a silly crush. These are people who look up to you for who you are and what you have done for Konoha your whole life. You deserve this recognition. It's something you've worked for."
"Yeah, but aren't they just doing this because of who my father was?"
"Naruto…"
"I know, but still, aren't they doing this not because of me, but out of obligation to my father?"
Iruka walked up to Naruto and grabbed his cloak. Pulling his face in close, Iruka stared into Naruto's hooded eyes.
"Naruto, I beg of you, please have some more faith in Konoha. You've been ignored for much of your life, and now that people are giving you attention, you're turning them away? You're just running away from your past."
Naruto's eyes flared dangerously. He threw Iruka's hands off his cloak and stared into Iruka's now fearful eyes.
"Iruka, do not remind me of the hell that I went through as a child. You claim to know the pain of isolation, but do you know the joy of finally being accepted, and then having that all taken away?"
Naruto backed away and whispered softly, "It hurts so much, Iruka-sensei. To fight so hard for a place that despises your very existence in hopes that one day things would turn around."
"Naruto… I…"
Naruto's smile was visible underneath his hood, "I think I can put my hopes in Konoha one last time. Never give up; that's my nindo."
Naruto walked through the bookshelf aisles, scanning the titles of novels featuring Naruto as the protagonist.
Naruto pulled out a small black-covered book and looked at the cover.
"Hey, Iruka-sensei, look, there's a book about us!"
"Really, what's it called?"
"Let's see, The Dolphin and the Fox: complete with lemony goodness. Let's see what it's about…"
Iruka sweat dropped, "Uhh, Naruto… I don't think that's such a great idea…"
Ignoring the words of the scarred chuunin, Naruto opened the book and began to read. His look of eager anticipation quickly shifted into one of absolute horror and disgust.
"What the hell is this? Who the hell would write about… about…"
Naruto fainted.
Back at Ichiraku's ramen stand, Ayame let loose a violent sneeze. Somebody was probably talking about her.
'I hope it was Naruto-kun…'
Naruto awoke to find himself in an unfamiliar bed. He rolled out of bed and checked his surroundings. It was a relatively nondescript room, with a single bed, nightstand, dresser and desk, but nothing personal to give a hint as to his location.
He noticed a folded piece of paper on the desk, so he went over to it, picked it up and read its contents.
'Naruto, after you fainted, I took you home with me and put you in my guest bedroom. You were out cold, and I didn't want to leave you in the store. In any case, it was nice seeing you once again. I'm sorry I can't watch your match today, since we are in the middle of the academy exams, but you will do fine, I'm sure. You can tell me all about it tonight at Ichiraku's, my treat of course.
Signed, Iruka'
With a sigh, Naruto folded the note back up and placed it in his pouch. That was when he noticed that the clock on the nightstand read 9:55 am.
'Shit, 5 minutes until the test. Got to hurry'
Naruto left Iruka's house in a blur and took off in the direction of the Chuunin Exam Stadium.
Inside the stadium, everybody was waiting in silence.
"GAI-SENSEI, IT SEEMS AS IF NARUTO-KUN'S FLAMES OF YOUTH HAVE NOT BEEN LIT TODAY!"
"LEE, AS PROTECTORS OF THE SPRINGTIME OF YOUTH, IT IS OUR DUTY TO REKINDLE NARUTO'S FLAMES OF YOUTH!"
"YOSH! IF I FAIL TO DO THAT, I WILL CLIMB THE HOKAGE MONUMENT WITH ONLY MY THUMBS!"
"AND I WILL GO WITH YOU AS WELL! IF I CANNOT DO THAT, I SHALL WALK TO SUNA ON MY HANDS BACKWARDS!"
"GAI-SENSEI!"
"LEE!"
"GAI-SENSEI!"
"LEE!"
"GAI-SENSEI!"
"LEE!"
"GAI-SENSEI!"
"LEE!"
"GAI-SENSEI!"
"WILL YOU TWO JUST SHUT UP ALREADY? Every day it's the same damn speech and flamboyant stupidity. GROW UP FOR FUCK'S SAKE!"
Everybody stared in shock and fear at the fuming Tenten, who had just displayed the power to stop the combined might of Lee and Gai. Lee and Gai started to cry.
"LEE, IT APPEARS OUR DEAR TENTEN'S YOUTHFULNESS HAS FADED AWAY!"
A tick developed in Tenten's forehead.
"YES, GAI-SENSEI, WE MUST HELP TENTEN REDISCOVER HER FLAMES OF YOUTH!"
The tick grew larger.
"LEE!"
Neji nervously started to edge away.
"GAI-SENSEI!"
Tenten exploded.
"OKAY, THAT'S IT! I'M GOING TO REMOVE YOUR FLAMES OF YOUTH MYSELF IF YOU DON'T SHUT THE FUCK UP RIGHT NOW, YOU UNDERSTAND ME?"
She summoned a pair of katana out of nowhere and pointed them towards Lee and Gai's flames of youth to emphasize her point.
Gai and Lee paled and sat down, crossing their legs and using their hands to protect their precious flames of youth.
Tenten looked around and saw that everybody was staring at her. She flushed red in embarrassment but managed shouted out, "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU ALL STARING AT?"
It was silent in the stadium as everybody continued to wait.
"SORRY I'M LATE, EVERYBODY!"
The crowd turned as one to meet the new arrival, who cast aside his hood and cloak to reveal himself to the observers.
"NARUTO!"
"IS THAT REALLY YOU?"
"His eyes are back…"
"GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, DUDE!"
"My, he's pretty hot."
Tsunade's voice cut through the shouts and cries.
"QUIET! Okay, now that both opponents are here, I'd like to announce the return of Namikaze-Uzumaki Naruto. Today, we will be assessing Naruto's skill level. His opponent will be the head of the Hyuuga Clan, Hyuuga Hiashi."
Hiashi stepped down onto the field to the shock of the spectators and stared at Naruto.
"Naruto, I trust that you will prove a formidable opponent for me."
Naruto's eyes hardened, the warm blue shifting into frigid ice.
"I ask the same of you, Hiashi."
Hiashi nearly took a step backwards. This was the very look that Minato wore before facing his enemies. Hiashi could easily perceive the determination underscoring the cold, calculating glare.
"There are no limits on jutsu, although killing blows are forbidden. The match will end once one side forfeits or is unable to continue. Ready… Begin!"
Hiashi flashed through some hand seals.
"Test number one, genjutsu- Hyuuga Secret Technique: Death Viewing Jutsu"
Naruto raised an eyebrow. Weren't the Hyuuga supposed to specialize in the Jyuuken?
Meanwhile, the audience was having similar thoughts. Finally, Neji spoke up.
"So this is Hiashi-sama's true strength… incredible."
The nearby shinobi turned to Neji for clarification.
"The Hyuuga are best known for taijutsu. However, there are several techniques that are said to be so powerful and difficult to master that they have passed into legend. To think that Hiashi-sama has learned and mastered one is incredible; Unfortunately, I do not know what this particular Jutsu does."
Hinata, seated nearby interjected.
"Father told me about this technique once. He said it was comparable to the final stage of the Sharingan. It forces the victim into an illusion in which his or her loved ones torture and maim the victim. What is father doing?"
The nervous crowd turned its attention back to the battle and was surprised to see Naruto standing, seemingly unaffected. Naruto smirked at a wide-eyed Hiashi.
"Too bad, Hiashi. Genjutsu doesn't affect me anymore."
"Impressive, your father was the only other person who could break free of my illusion. Nevertheless, it's over." Hiashi slid into a familiar stance, activating his Byakugan. "You are within the range of my Divination"
He sprang forwards, striking Naruto in the chest.
"2 hits"
"4 hits"
"8 hits"
"16 hits"
"32 hits"
"64 hits"
"128 hits"
Naruto flew back into the wall, coughing up blood due to the 254 consecutive strikes.
Hiashi bowed, deactivated his Byakugan and turned to Tsunade.
"The fight is over. I have sealed off all of his tenketsu."
Tsunade did not say anything and instead stared at the spot that Naruto had flown with wide eyes. Hiashi turned around and saw Naruto standing in a battle stance, ready to fight and holding two blades. In his right hand, Naruto wielded a pure-white zanbato. At the handle there was a black and white chain that was attached to a jet black wakizashi that Naruto held in his left.
Hiashi reactivated his Byakugan and stared at Naruto before gasping in surprise.
"Your-"
He was cut off as Naruto threw the wakizashi at Hiashi, who quickly activated his Kaiten, deflecting the projectile. The chain retracted, returning the wakizashi to Naruto's hand.
Naruto smirked as Hiashi gulped nervously. Naruto slashed upwards with the zanbato and a burst of white light shot forth from the zanbato.
Angel Technique: Judgment
Hiashi instinctively activated his Kaiten, praying that his absolute defense could hold up to this mysterious attack.
The resultant explosion rocked the stadium, and as the smoke started to dissipate, the crowd eagerly scanned the stadium for any activity. Finally the field came into sight, revealing a panting Naruto leaning on his zanbato and an unconscious Hiashi on the ground. Roars of approval coursed throughout the stadium. Tsunade walked up to the center of the stadium and proudly gave the verdict.
"Winner- Namikaze-Uzumaki Naruto."
Up in the stadium, Hinata had her Byakugan activated and wore a look of absolute shock. Kiba noticed this.
"Hey! Hinata, what's the matter?"
"N-n-naruto-kun… he's…"
"Yeah, yeah he's awesome, we all know already."
"That's not it, Kiba-kun…"
Hanabi snorted and activated her own Byakugan to see what the problem was. Her eyes fell on Naruto and she gasped in surprise.
"Impossible…"
Now all the attention focused on the younger daughter of the Hyuuga Clan.
"Namikaze has massive chakra coils, but… no, it's impossible…"
Ino was running out of patience. "But what? Spit it out already, not all of us have those precious eyes!"
Neji's next words sent chills through all that were listening.
"Naruto-sama does not have any chakra."