Asura's Transmigrant
Author's Notes: To address common misconceptions, Sakura and Ino aren't lesbians, they are just fangirls who treat Sayuri as an idol like a k-pop star and her fans. Being a fangirl does not necessarily require romantic attraction to the idolised subject. Secondly, it has been stated that a Gudō Dama can obliterate anything it touches, but I decided that it would be too OP so I left it out of this one. Enjoy!
Chapter 3: Stealing Bells
Previously:
"Good luck on your shinobi career, and till we meet again! Ja ne."
After Iruka left the room, two jonin entered it, introducing themselves as Kurenai and Asuma. Taking their respective teams, they left.
Naruto was left with the two irate girls in the classroom, which got worst as their sensei was late. By the first hour, Sayuri was already thinking of roasting this "Kakashi" with one of her fireballs.
Sakura looked ready to scream at somebody, and it was going to be Naruto if Kakashi wasn't in sight in the next three minutes.
"Oi, where is Kakashi-sensei?!" Sakura yelled out in frustration. Naruto shrugged. "How would I know, I'm just as irritated as you are."
Sayuri clicked her tongue in impatience. It was a surprising habit, but something Naruto found interesting.
By the second hour, they were pissed off. "Where the hell is this dude?" Naruto wondered in thought. Rarely was he this angry at someone, but to be stood up for two freaking hours?
Sayuri was at her rope's end. "You know what, why don't we go out as a team for lunch. Our sensei made us wait and so we will make him wait," Naruto offered.
Sayuri was quick to accept, willing to get the hell out of that classroom as quickly as possible. Sakura, ever the fangirl, followed her idol's decision.
The trio left the room and to Naruto's favourite ramen stand.
Ichiraku Ramen
"Oji-san, the usual please!" called Naruto cheerfully as he raised the flaps of the curtain and entered the stand.
"Ah, Naruto-kun! One bowl, coming right up!" Teuchi repeated the order, before signalling to his daughter. "What about your two friends?"
"What would you like, Sayuri, Sakura?" Naruto asked. Sayuri blinked, surprised that he didn't address her as "teme".
Glancing at the menu briefly, she replied, "A bowl of miso ramen with a slice of chashu please." Sakura spoke, "I'll have the same as Sayuri-san!"
Naruto was slightly shocked. Unknowingly, the Uchiha had ordered the same as he did. Looks like they did have similar tastes in ramen after all.
After three minutes, Ayame served Team 7. "Itadakimasu!" the three chorused, albeit softly in Sayuri's case, and broke their chopsticks.
They began digging into their food. "This is delicious!" Sakura praised cheerfully in stark contrast to her crappy mood in the classroom.
"I know, right?" Naruto asked rhetorically. "Thank you," Ayame replied to Sakura's complement. "And who's that, your girlfriend Naruto-kun?" Ayame teased in reference to Sayuri, who was silently enjoying her food.
At that moment, the two who were mentioned nearly choked on the strands in their mouths. "No way!" both denied simultaneously, one blushing and the other sputtering.
"See, you're so compatible!" teased Ayame further.
"No seriously, we're not," the two growled out in unison before continuing with their lunch. "Is that how you hide your bashfulness?" Ayame joked, before deciding to stop.
It was easy to see why she thought so, though. Sayuri was a pretty teenager, having inherited her mother's beauty. She had two bangs framing her pale-skinned face and a long ponytail.
The Uchiha was dressed in a short blue Mandarin gown which ran from her shoulders to her lower thighs, as well as a long left sleeve. It hugged her body and accentuated all her curves, which were present even at her current age. There were slits on both sides of the skirt from her hip down to enable mobility, though to preserve modesty, she wore mesh pants which ran to her knees and a black shirt underneath.
For unknown reasons, her right arm was bare, not covered by the gown or the shirt. The only part which was covered was her right forearm, which had a black armband. Wrapped around her waist was a black sash which had the Uchiha symbol. A pair of black boots finished her outfit… boy, did she love black. Must've matched her hair. Naruto, on the other hand, was wearing a black uniform-style jacket with an orange zipper that featured several buttons on the waist and sleeves. This allowed him to fold up the left sleeve and rear coattails, giving him easy access to the pouches on the back of his belt. He wore a red armband with the Uzumaki crest on his left arm.
This outfit was the Sandaime's gift for his previous birthday. As such, he treasured it, refusing to wear anything else - not like he could, considering the villagers' refusal to sell him garments.
If Naruto and Sayuri were to sit together, outsiders would think that they were a couple as their outfits were just very similar in many ways. However once they looked again they would notice that they were poles apart in personality.
While Naruto was friendly and cheery, Sayuri was permanently scowling (and when she didn't she smirked), her attitude cold and uncaring. This would've not been the case five years ago, but the Uchiha clan massacre had changed her in many ways. She was kind before, but now… all she did was glare. It was kind of sad, really, and it was something that Naruto wanted to change.
Flashback
Sayuri was out with her mother at the playground in Konoha's park. She had met a new friend at the park, it was a boy named Naruto.
"Naruto-kun, do you want to build a sandcastle with me?" the girl asked. "Sure!" the boy replied happily, for it was the first time he got to play with a friend.
Usually the parent would pull their child away upon finding out, however Uchiha Mikoto was a compassionate woman and was a friend of Kushina when she was alive. She was sad to see her friend's son all alone and by a stroke of luck, they met him at the park.
Her husband Fugaku would disapprove but she still let her daughter befriend the jinchuuriki anyway as he wasn't present. Naruto began helping Sayuri build the sandcastle, making it a very elaborate sand construct.
When a bit of sand flew away due to a passing wind, the boy pouted as he had to rebuild one of the turrets. The Uchiha girl giggled, finding his expression cute.
"Sayuri-chan, I'll go get you some drinks, be back in five minutes! Don't misbehave!" Mikoto called, getting up from the bench.
Sayuri nodded obediently, busy enjoying her time with her new blond friend. "Yatta, it's finished!" Naruto cried happily, doing a sort of victory dance.
The young Uchiha girl burst out in peals of laughter at his antics. Naruto paused, for that laugh was the most melodious sound he had ever heard. He smiled, happy to see his friend so happy.
That smile would not last long for a group of three boys came into the playground. Seeing the sandcastle, they ran towards the sandpit and kicked it hard, destroying the children's masterpiece.
Sayuri teared up a bit, before crying miserably. The leader of the three boys sneered in contempt. "Crybaby," he taunted.
Naruto stood in front of the Uchiha protectively, intent on shielding his new friend from any threat. "Teme, take that back," he growled furiously.
"What did you say, gaki?" the leader mocked.
"I said. Take. It. Back," Naruto gritted out. By now, Sayuri was crying her heart out, not just for her destroyed work but for their lives which were now under "threat".
"Haha, I can crush with you a single fist. What makes you think you can make me take back my words?" the leader spoke, before swinging a fist at Naruto.
It was a clumsy punch, one that Naruto evaded easily. Weaving under his arm, Naruto slammed his fist into the boy's stomach with all his might.
The boy flew back into the arms of his two followers who caught him. Wincing, he cried out in excruciating pain, sure something inside had broken.
"You… you're that child!" the leader cried out in fear before scrambling away with his two friends.
Once they were gone, he turned around to check on Sayuri. "Sayuri-chan, it's ok… they're gone now. We can always build it again, ne?" Naruto said, hugging her and trying to console the girl.
Nodding, she wiped away her tears and managed a smile. "Uchihas are strong, and that means no crying," she told herself.
But before they could rebuild the sandcastle, Mikoto was back with the drinks and had to bring Sayuri home. Reluctantly, the two friends parted ways.
To this day, the Uchiha had never forgotten what Naruto had done for her. And unbeknownst to him, she harboured feelings for him but couldn't stop pushing him away to sever these bonds in the hope that when the inevitable occurred, she wouldn't hurt Naruto with her leave.
Present
Team 7 finished their lunch and left the stand after paying, then returned to their classroom where they waited for another half hour.
Finally, Kakashi arrived. "Yo, I'm your sensei-"
"KAKASHI-SENSEI, YOU'RE LATE!" Sakura screamed. Luckily, the other two saw this coming and plugged their ears beforehand.
Kakashi sweatdropped. "I got lost on the road of life. Meet me on the roof in two minutes tops." The jonin then disappeared in the classic Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Jutsu).
Academy Rooftop
Naruto was the first to arrive, followed shortly by Sayuri and lastly, Sakura. They all managed to arrive within the time frame, leading to their sensei praising, "Looks like you guys are in decent physical condition. Now let's begin by introducing ourselves." Sakura asked, "Why don't you show us, Kakashi-sensei?" The white-haired man gave an eye smile. That was because the bottom of his face was obscured by a mask, and his headband was slanted to cover his left eye such that only his right eye was visible.
Based on his eyebrow and right eye's expression, they could tell that he was smiling, though in what sense they did not know.
"My name is Hatake Kakashi. I like some things, dislike others, and my hobbies and dreams are none of your business," Team 7's sensei introduced.
"We don't know anything except your name," Naruto deadpanned. Again, the mysterious man that was their sensei eye smiled.
"You go first, pinkie," Kakashi urged. Sakura grumbled and started, "I'm Haruno Sakura. I like Sayuri-chan, dislike Naruto, perverts and late people (insert pointed look at Kakashi). My hobbies are playing trivia games and memorising new material for my studies. My dream is to befriend Sayuri and grow up to be a powerful kunoichi."
"Blondie, you're next."
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto, I like my precious people, ramen and training. I dislike traitors, people who take things for granted and people who judge others for something not in their control. My hobbies are training, learning new jutsu and bonding with precious people. My dream is to be the most powerful shinobi to grace the Elemental Nations and be Hokage."
"Admirable goal," Kakashi remarked, before moving on. "Raven, you're next."
Sayuri scowled. "I'm Uchiha Sayuri. I like nothing and dislike everything, especially my brother. My hobbies are training and my dream is not a dream, but a life goal: to kill Uchiha Itachi and restore the Uchiha clan."
While Sakura and Kakashi sweatdropped, Naruto frowned sadly. Sayuri had a sad past and Naruto felt like he was obliged to help her move past it. Unknown to everyone including himself, Naruto's fists were tightly clenched. He only released them when he realised how much he was stressing over the Uchiha.
"Well… interesting team we have here. Tomorrow, we're going to have a survival test which will determine whether you stay a genin or get sent back to the Academy. Report to Training Ground 7 by 7a.m., and don't eat breakfast or you'll taste it twice," Kakashi announced before disappearing.
Awkwardly, the three genin dispersed.
Training Ground 7, 7a.m.
Sakura and Sayuri arrived and did not eat breakfast as instructed; Naruto on the other hand, was late.
He arrived at nine, much to Sakura's ire. "NARUTO, YOU'RE LATE!" The boy shrugged. "I'm not late when Kakashi-sensei is not here yet."
Opening a bento, he began savouring breakfast. "Kakashi-sensei told us not to eat breakfast, Naruto!" Sakura scolded once again.
"We're having survival training, we'll need energy for this. Trust me," replied Naruto between mouthfuls of rice.
Sayuri and Sakura's stomachs began growling in hunger. The two kunoichi blushed and Sayuri looked away.
Naruto still took notice and offered his bento to Sayuri. "Here. You can have it." Sayuri tried to resist but her stomach was seemingly stronger than her mind in this case.
Blushing, she accepted the offer. "Thank you," she muttered. "What was that?" Naruto replied, not hearing what she said. "I said thank you!" she yelled out in embarrassment, blushing even more heavily as she cursed herself.
"Goddammit why is Naruto so nice to me? I've tried to push him away from me with my attitude but he just keeps coming back… Naruto you are the sweetest boy I've met but I'm afraid your kindness was wasted on me. I'm sorry I'll be gone in due time," Sayuri thought as she ate his bento with his chopsticks, she realised.
"Sakura I'm sorry I didn't have extra, I'll go and get one for you alright?" Naruto said. Sakura sighed. "Thank you, Naruto."
The blond disappeared in a burst of speed to the nearest shop. Transforming into someone else, he bought breakfast for Sakura and came back within two minutes.
"Wow that was fast," Sakura commented.
After finishing breakfast, they waited until 10 before Kakashi arrived.
With Kakashi
The white-haired jonin stood up from the Memorial Stone, where he had been for the past three hours. "I will honour your legacy, Obito. Who knows, this team might even pass."
He disappeared in a Leaf Shunshin to where Team 7 was waiting.
Training Ground 7
"KAKASHI-SENSEI, YOU'RE LATE AGAIN!" Sakura screeched. Said sensei winced before replying, "On the road I saw a black cat and had to take the long way around it just to get here."
"Well anyways, I have here with me two bells. You have two hours to get them from me. If you don't have a bell, you will be disqualified and sent back to the Academy. Additionally, you will be tied to those posts and watch as the other two eat their lunches."
"So that's why he didn't want us to eat breakfast," all three genin thought simultaneously.
"Questions? No? Hajime!" Kakashi yelled.
At once, the genin scattered into the forests. Naruto was analysing Kakashi's instructions, as was Sayuri. Quickly, both came to the same conclusion.
"The aim of this test is teamwork."
Soon, the two found each other. "Sayuri-" "Naruto-" both started simultaneously, before pausing. "You start first," they followed up at the same time.
Naruto sighed. "We need to work together to beat Kakashi-sensei." "Agreed," Sayuri replied.
"Ma, what's this, my cute little genin?" Kakashi said suddenly, beside them on the tree. Shocked, both leapt out of the tree while tossing a kunai attached to an explosive tag.
Kakashi jumped away to safety, avoiding the explosion which wrecked the tree they were previously on.
The jonin chuckled. It appeared that there was a spark between the two, and it was up to him to ignite the flames of love. "Oh Kami why do I sound like Gai now?" Kakashi thought, amused but then shivered at the thought of his "eternal rival".
Sayuri and Naruto tumbled onto the grass floor and quickly recovered. "We have to find Sakura, now," Sayuri said.
"I got this," Naruto assured and closed his eyes. He felt a small chakra presence; it was the chakra signature of Sakura.
"That way, let's go," Naruto led her to find their other teammate.
Kakashi eye smiled. "Interesting… so Naruto's a sensor," he thought, "My shadow clone got her already, so let's see what they'll come up with."
They found her on collasped on the floor and Naruto turned her over, checking her pulse. "She's alive… no sign of any physical damage so it must've been genjutsu."
Naruto uttered "Kai (Release)", snapping her out it. Sayuri took the chance and spoke up, "Sakura, we need to work together as team to defeat Kakashi."
She agreed with her idol and came up with a plan.
With Kakashi
"What now?" Kakashi thought as he saw Naruto approaching him at genin level speed. Just as he neared, the blond suddenly sped up to low jonin speed, shocking the jonin as he blitzed him with a punch.
Kakashi clutched his stomach in pain as that blow had been strong, and coupled with the momentum of his speed, he was sure something inside had been damaged.
He was never underestimating him again. Naruto swung his next fist, however this time Kakashi was on guard and knocked his arm away.
Next, he executed a leg sweep which Naruto flipped over. The blond then approached from behind and sent a punch to his back.
He wasn't a jonin for nothing, however, and spun around rapidly, snapping his leg out in a roundhouse kick.
His foot sent Naruto crashing into the floor. That is, until "Naruto" dispelled in a burst of smoke. "Kage Bunshin?!" Kakashi thought in suppressed shock. How was he able to perform the Shadow Clone Jutsu?
The ground erupted, giving way to Naruto who emerged from it with an outstretched arm. Kakashi managed to avoid it in time by flipping away.
"Great tactics, but still not enough to beat me, Naruto," Kakashi commented. "Who said I was doing it alone?" Naruto asked with a smirk.
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu (Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu)!" Sayuri called from behind Kakashi. A huge orb of flames rolled out of her mouth and flew towards the jonin.
Turning round and seeing the hurtling fireball, Kakashi jumped out of the way, exploiting the jutsu's weakness - linear path of movement.
However, his eyes widened when he realised Naruto was still in the path of the fireball. The flames seemingly engulfed the blond, incinerating the boy.
Kakashi's eyes widened and he quickly went to check on his student. Where Naruto once stood, was a charred body.
He bent down to check on the corpse. Without warning, he was punched in the head by Sakura. He glared at her. "This is not a game, Sakura! Your teammate is dead, could you at least show concern?"
"Sakura" laughed and somersaulted into the air, before a burst of smoke revealed her to actually be Naruto. "Nice to know you care, but did you think I was actually that easy to kill?"
The corpse dispersed in a plume of smoke as well, revealing itself to be a transformed shadow clone. So, Naruto had outmanoeuvred the fireball with pure speed and left behind a transformed shadow clone while transforming himself?
Kakashi scowled. If he wasn't so pissed off, he would've been impressed. Though he did it to pass the test, Naruto may have crossed the line in playing dirty for this one. After losing a teammate, Kakashi wasn't keen on losing a genin under his charge.
Naruto watched as Kakashi disappeared in a Shunshin, reappearing behind the startled Sayuri. He drew a kunai and placed it to her neck.
"How would like it if your own teammate's life was in danger?" Kakashi asked coldly, "How would you like it if they die?"
With the last word, he pulled the kunai along Sayuri's jugular. Naruto's eyes widened in shock. "Sayuri-chan!" the Uzumaki screamed.
Blood sprayed across the floor as his Uchiha teammate dropped to the floor, dead before she even hit it.
"Snap out of it, Naruto! It's a genjutsu!" Kurama roared from within the mindscape, before deciding to take it into his own hands by flaring his chakra to disrupt Naruto's chakra flow.
The genjutsu was released, causing Naruto to see the reality before him: Kakashi was dashing towards him and Sayuri was in front of him, protecting him from any possible attack.
He couldn't tell that Sayuri was flushing badly as he had screamed out her name so passionately with the "-chan" suffix, which in itself was something he had not done since childhood.
She could tell though, that Kakashi had cast some form of genjutsu and by Naruto's reaction, it probably involved her.
In a flash of yellow, however, Kakashi was knocked out of the way by… was that a shakujo (ringed staff)? Interestingly enough, it was indeed a shakujo and wielded by Naruto, whose body was covered in what appeared to be a chakra cloak.
Naruto growled. "I'm sorry for faking my death, Kakashi-sensei… but you really shouldn't have done that. Be it genjutsu or reality, NO ONE touches my precious people and gets away with it."
Sayuri fought the urge to blush again. Dammit, what was wrong with her? Just because Naruto considered her as one of his precious people… No. She had a task to fulfil and she would not allow Naruto to be caught up in it.
Kakashi had the wind knocked out of him by that weird weapon. It was an ancient and traditional monk's staff - a shakujo. But Naruto had used it in combat successfully, so it did have some merit.
He watched in slight surprise as the shakujo split into two black orbs which returned to Naruto's back, rejoining the other two which were orbiting.
"Let's put an end to this! Sakura!" Naruto called. From a nearby tree, four kunai were thrown and landed in a square formation around Kakashi, who was attempting to recover and get away.
"Isshi Tōjin (String Light Formation)!" Naruto called. Lines of fuinjutsu script wrapped around all four kunai, creating a barrier which prevented Kakashi from escaping.
"Fubaku Hōjin (Sealed Bomb Square Release)!" Naruto activated further, causing fuinjutsu script to run in the corners, the same as those on explosive tags. "Kakashi-sensei, I wouldn't suggest moving unless you want your head and body to be in separate places."
Said jonin sighed, giving up. He was bested by three genin, and who knew Naruto had so much in him? He was really pushing it with that genjutsu.
Meanwhile in Naruto's thoughts, he was wondering: did Sayuri really mean that much to him? After all, she kept on insulting and looking down on him. Perhaps, even that had grown on him. Or was it something else, something in the past?
Kakashi gave up the bells, having no way to escape the trap without being blown up. Once Naruto released the technique, he stood up and dusted himself off. "Dainanahan (Team 7)… you pass," he said with an eye smile.
The freshly graduated genin were in no mood to cheer and simply responded with an unenthusiastic "yay".
"You know, you guys should be proud to be in Team 7. You're only the fifth Team 7 since Konoha's founding, you know?" said Kakashi.
"Really now? Who were the previous teams then?" Sakura asked.
"Only the best ever made it to Team 7, for all its senseis had very high standards. The first Team 7 ever was led by Senju Tobirama, the Nidaime, who then had three genin under his charge: Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Sandaime, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, both of whom are currently elders in the Council."
"The second Team 7 was led by the Sandaime, and he had three genin under his charge then; they are currently the Legendary Sannin of Konoha: Jiraiya, the Gama Sennin (Toad Sage), Tsunade, the Namekuji Hime (Slug Princess) and Orochimaru, who is now a nukenin (missing-nin)."
"The third Team 7 was led by Jiraiya and there was only one famous student in this case: Namikaze Minato, the Yondaime."
"The Yondaime went on to lead Team 7, and under him were Nohara Rin, Uchiha Obito and myself, Hatake Kakashi of the Sharingan."
Sayuri's eyes widened. "How do you possess the Sharingan?" Kakashi sighed. "It's a long and tragic story, but in the end my teammate gifted me with his Sharingan just before he died."
"So that's what's under his headband," thought Naruto.
"And so, you're all now the fifth Team 7, and who knows? Maybe one day you'll grow up to be powerful shinobi," Kakashi said, "But as with all powerful shinobi, they start small. Tomorrow is your first mission, report directly to the Ninmu Uketsuke (Mission Assignment Desk) in the Academy at six-"
"-you mean nine," Naruto deadpanned.
Kakashi sweatdropped in response. "-at six in the morning. Well, ja ne."
"He means nine."
Hokage's Office
Kakashi arrived along with the two other jonin senseis, Asuma and Kurenai. "So, what are the results of test?" Hiruzen asked while smoking a pipe.
Asuma replied, "Team 10 - pass."
Kurenai spoke, "Team 8 passed my test."
Kakashi eye smiled and declared, "Team 7… pass."
The other two jonin gasped in surprise, for Kakashi had never passed a team in all his years as a jonin. "Kakashi, could you explain why they passed?" the Sandaime inquired.
"Well, the moment it begun, Naruto and Sayuri figured out the test's objective and found each other. After I ambushed them, they blew up the tree we were on with an explosive tag and ran away. Naruto, with his sensory skills, located Sakura who I had already placed a genjutsu on with my shadow clone. They came together after releasing the illusion and presumably came up with a plan."
"Naruto approached me at - get this - low jonin speed. We had a brief taijutsu scuffle before he burst into smoke, revealing himself to be a shadow clone. The original shot from the ground and attempted a punch but I evaded it. Suddenly, Sayuri launched a fireball at me from behind and I leapt out of the way but Naruto was caught in it."
Everyone in the room was glued to his next few words. "He secretly outmanoeuvred it with pure speed and replaced himself with a transformed shadow clone as a burned corpse. When I went to check on him, Sakura ambushed me and later revealed that she was a transformed Naruto. I cast a genjutsu on him-" Kakashi said and at this point left out the details of what illusion he actually cast.
"-and dashed towards him, however Sayuri came to his defence. Apparently, he snapped out of it in time and knocked me away with a shakujo. It caused so much pain that the real Sakura was able to throw four kunais around me in a square. With this, Naruto activated a barrier and layered it with an explosive trap. As such, I had to give up or risk getting blown up."
"Interesting," the elder Sarutobi thought. The other two jonins in the room were shocked to the core. How did Naruto possess such speed and power, as well as fuinjutsu? That was an art completely out of a genin's league. Then again, he was an Uzumaki, whose clan was renown for its fuinjutsu prowess. Still, it did not explain the speed or power.
"Well, I expect that tomorrow, you all will be assigning D-ranks for your respective teams?"
The three senseis smirked. It would be fun to see their reaction.
With Naruto
When he returned home, Kurama spoke up from the mindscape, "Since you're Asura-san's transmigrant, I'll try to be nice to you. Try."
Naruto replied awkwardly, "Uh… thanks, I guess?"
"I'll always be on standby so if you get caught in a genjutsu like just now, I'll break it for you. Also, if you ever run out of chakra, I'll refill it with my own. Thirdly, I'll gift you with one of my sensory skills: the ability to detect negative emotions," Kurama explained with reluctance. He rarely felt nice enough to do this for his jinchuuriki but this was a special case, as Naruto was his brother's incarnate.
Yes, the Rikudo Sennin had used onmyōton to split up the original tailed beast, the Jubi (Ten Tails) which was also known as the Shinju (Divine Tree), into the current nine tailed beasts of today. As such, they considered him to be a father, so being his son, Asura was treated as a brother.
"Last thing: if one day, we have enough mutual trust, and you free me from the seal, I will allow you to use Bijuu Modo (Tailed Beast Mode) and summon me as an avatar," the Kyuubi finished.
"Deal!" Naruto agreed happily, and with sheer willpower, changed the entire waterlogged basement into a huge grassland where a mountain lay in the middle of lush forests.
The cage was transformed into a huge cave within the mountain and the bars morphed into a curtain of water cascading from the summit as a waterfall down to a huge lake where Naruto was currently standing on.
Kurama grinned, though with his teeth, it may have looked malicious. He was already liking this kid.
Mission Assignment Desk, 9a.m.
The three genin arrived at the desk, just as their sensei walked up to the door. "Ah… ohayo," Kakashi called sheepishly.
Naruto said, "See, I told you he meant nine."
The jonin cleared his throat to save himself from further embarrassment. "Right. Team 7, here for a D-rank."
The chunin at the desk rifled through a cabinet and found a scroll labelled "D-rank". Opening it, he announced in monotone, "Madam Shijimi, the Fire Daimyo's wife, has lost her cat Tora YET again. Your mission is to find it and return it by twelve today."
All three genin sweatdropped, having expected a mission of higher intensity befitting their skill set. "Well, now, there's no time to waste. Ikuzo!" Kakashi ordered.
The three genin set off to begin this crazy enterprise of D-ranks.
Author's Notes:
So, how's this chapter? I'm afraid the story may be moving a bit too fast, but there was not much to write about Naruto's past as it was similar to canon. For that, I apologise. But do look out for the next chapter: Riding The Waves. The chapter title is inspired by DarkMasterStarr's Stop The Future. Do check it out, it's a great fic. Stay tuned for chapter 4, and please review!
Until tomorrow,
Ja Ne
P.S. Happy Halloween!