Heya guys, it's The Peytonator with Chapter 3 for UA. Trying to keep up with the chapter every two weeks goal on top of looking for a job and apartment while balancing school and...it's pretty tough. Thanks as always to WesDunne for beta'ing for me. If you guys left a review to tell me what you think, that'd be just swell! Hope you guys like where it's heading so far, see you in a couple weeks!
Chapter 3: Unexpected Burdens
Naruto awoke bright and early the next morning. He hadn't gotten much rest, as his excitement to begin training with the samurai and his son made sleep come slowly. After brushing his teeth and showering quickly, he made his way back to his room. Opening his closet, the blonde threw on a black t-shirt and shorts, with a sleeveless orange hoody over it. Making his breakfast of instant ramen with a cold glass of milk, Naruto wondered what Rei's training would be like. He grinned, heading out of his apartment towards the training ground they had agreed to meet at, unaware – like every day for the past few months – of the eyes watching curiously. Reaching the training ground a few minutes early, Naruto was surprised to find Rei and a very tired Eiji already beginning to stretch. Rei noticed him approaching and waved.
"Ah Naruto-kun, a few minutes early - that's perfect. If you want to stretch with us, we will start our jog once you've warmed up," Rei told him, high-spirited. Naruto looked at him, confused.
"A jog? I thought we were gonna do some training, like with swords?"
"Eventually we will, but a good jog builds stamina and keeps you fit. I find that it also helps me focus in the morning. Five times around the village should be a decent warm-up," Rei explained, still in good spirits. Eiji groaned, obviously not enthusiastic about his father's training methods. After some brief stretching, the trio took off around the village. Starting off at a nice, unfrustrating pace, Rei gradually picked up speed to the point where, on their third lap, Naruto was all but sprinting to keep up. His only consolation was that Eiji looked to be struggling just as much as he was. In fact, he was so tired that when he saw a man in a green jump suit sprint past them-on his hands no less-he was sure he was seeing things.
"Alright you two," Rei told them while the boys struggled to catch their breath, "Let's start the real warm-up." Rei had them doing push-ups, crunches, jumping-jacks, and anything else he could think of. Eiji collapsed long before Naruto did, but even the blonde's seemingly endless energy couldn't keep him going for much longer.
"Hey Rei-sensei, what are we doing? How can we train when we can barely stand?" Naruto asked as he lay on his back, struggling to catch his breath. Rei smiled at the honorific attached to his name.
"That's precisely what I was going for Naruto-kun. A samurai must be patient and precise with his movements, making no unnecessary actions. I tired you out to counter your normal energy. Now then..." Rei said, withdrawing a scroll from the pouch on his side. Upon opening it, two training swords appeared with a puff of smoke. Naruto and Eiji were both excited to see the swords, but the blonde found himself interested in the scroll itself.
"Woah, what was that? How'd you get the swords into that tiny scroll?"
"Hmm? It was a sealing scroll, a type of fuinjutsu. Fuinjutsu isn't normally practical for combat, but it has a great deal many other uses. I know some basics I can show you later if you'd like." Rei explained, a little surprised that the young boy was interested in arguably the most underrated style of ninja art. Eiji nudged Naruto playfully.
"Come on, why are so interested in a scroll when we get to play with swords!" Eiji exclaimed, picking up a sword and taking a few practice swings. Rei fixed him with a stern look.
"Eiji, these are not toys. They might not be as lethal as a real katana, but what I'm teaching you could lead to another person's death at your hands, which is not something to be taken lightly." Eiji and Naruto were both brought down to earth with that.
"Sorry Dad," Eiji sheepishly responded.
"It's fine, as long as you're aware of that fact. Now, we are going to assume the basic stance. I'll correct any mistakes I see, and when I think you two are ready, we can run through some low level katas. Alright?" Rei told the boys, who nodded with determined expressions. While the swordsman demonstrated the basic stance, he glanced in his peripheral vision back towards the edge of the forest, where he had been keeping an eye on their uninvited guest. 'Hmmm. What to do about her?'
X.X.X.X.X
Jiraiya was many things. He was the famed toad sage of the three Sannin, the author of the incredibly popular adult series Icha Icha, and self-proclaimed super pervert. He wasn't, however, very superstitious, but that didn't stop him from sending a quick prayer to Kami that whatever his old sensei had recalled him for wasn't bad news. After being found conducting his 'research,' he had quickly made his way back to Konoha. Landing lightly on the roof of the Hokage tower, Jiraiya entered through the window to see his teacher relaxing in his chair, eyes closed.
'It's been awhile since I've seen the old man so laid back. It's kind of...disturbing.'
"Sarutobi-sensei, you wanted to see me?" the sage asked. Hiruzen cracked open one eye to regard his former student.
"Yes, but first why don't you have a seat and tell me what you've dug up on Orochimaru," Hiruzen said, noting the scowl that appeared with the mention of Jiraiyas old teammate.
"Tch, I don't have much to tell you about the snake that you don't already know from my reports. He joined some mercenary group called Akatsuki. As for the group itself, I hardly know anything. I don't know its movements, goals, or even its leader. What I do know is that is has some pretty dangerous characters in it," Jiraiya explained.
"Perfect, you can write up reports on the shinobi you know of to be handed off to your replacement," Hiruzen explained casually. Jiraiya nodded, crossing his arms.
"Yes, it would useful info for m-my...WHAT?! You're replacing me? With who?! And why?!" the toad summoner exploded at his teacher, who weathered the outburst calmly.
"To answer you in order, I'm replacing you with Uchiha Shisui, one of our finest shinobi and excellent with information gathering and almost unsurpassed in stealth and espionage. As for why, I'm reassigning you, effective immediately." Jiraiya stared at his mentor with a look of horror.
'I knew he was getting old, but I never thought Sensei was someone who would go senile…'
Jiraiya pinched the bridge of his nose, thinking rapidly. "Alright, I get why you think Shisui would be a good fit for the job, but no one can track Orochimaru better than I can. I've also already turned down the position once, remember? I told you Minato was the better choice." Sarutobi nodded, remembering.
"True, but things are different now. If my old student is part of a group, his movements will change to fit in, meaning your usual methods of tracking him won't be as effective. Last time, Minato was a good choice for Hokage when you turned down the position. Now, you're all I have. I briefly considered Hatake Kakashi, but he hasn't even led a Genin team yet due to failing them all. I need a replacement, Jiraiya, I'm too old several times over now. I'm slipping, losing focus, and unable to think of solutions for simple problems."
"Fine, if you need a replacement then give Tsunade the job. She'd be better at it than I would,"Jiraiya pleaded desperately. Sarutobi shook his head.
"You know that Konoha only brings up phantoms of her past. Forcing her to come back to take the job that Dan and Nawaki dreamt of would only exacerbate things."
"Sensei..." Jiraiya had to concede that point to him. The Third gestured towards the crystal ball he used to survey the town.
"I'll even show you how to use the crystal ball, so you won't have to stop writing your books," he said, trying to sell the job. That actually gave the sage pause, but again he shook his head.
"Sorry sensei, I'm not interested," he explained, turning towards the door to leave. The old man had hoped to convince his student without resorting to his trump card, but his hand had been forced. Just as Jiraiya reached for the handle, the Hokage's voice rang out, stopping him cold.
"Do you even know how old he is now? Do you know what he looks like?" His voice tinged with sadness. Not bothering to look back, the toad sage responded, his voice thick with emotion.
"Don't...Don't do this."
"I'm sorry. I'll do whatever I feel is best for this village, and right now that's you becoming the Fifth Hokage. Besides, don't you owe it to your godson to see him grow-up, to train him when he comes of age?" Jiraiya scowled.
"Of course I want to see him grow up, to see him receive his headband. Of course I want to teach him like I taught his father, to tell him stories of Minato's greatness. But...I don't know if I can," Jiraiya turned towards his teacher. "I've made too many mistakes, lost too many of my precious people." His thoughts turned towards his students of the Hidden Rain village, then to Minato, and to his friend-turned-traitor as well as his estranged teammate he still loved with his entire being.
"So have I," The Third mused, leaning back in his chair to stare at the ceiling, as if looking for the answer to a question he didn't even know. Jiraiya looked at him in surprise, before being a little ashamed of his selfishness. Eventually he looked up, and met his teachers gaze.
"So...How is Naruto?" he asked, shifting about, mildly uncomfortable.
"Fine, the villagers prejudice notwithstanding. He finally seems to have made a friend, quite an interesting one in fact. The son of the ambassador from the Land of Iron is his age, and as neither of them knows of the Kyuubi, they made friends like boys his age should." That filled Jiraiya with a few different emotions. Happiness that his godson had found a friend was tempered by the anger he felt towards the villagers for their willful ignorance. Mostly though, he felt shock that the Land of Iron had sent an ambassador to Konoha...and he hadn't heard about it!
"An ambassador? When did this happen? Do we have a treaty with the Samurai?" he asked incredulously.
"It happened just yesterday, and it was all very sudden. The treaty hasn't been approved yet; it will come to a vote before the council tonight. I would like you to come and show your support, as it might help to convince anyone who has doubts. I would also announce my intent to appoint you my successor."
"I still haven't taken the job..." Jiraiya grumbled to his teachers knowing smile. The sage sighed. He did want to see Naruto grow and help him become a fine ninja. He owed Minato that much at least. He knew if he accepted the job as Hokage, he could try and make things easier for the boy as well. He hated to admit it, but sometimes Sarutobi was too soft and too easily pushed around by the council.
"Oh? It seems you have come to your final decision," Hiruzen noted smoothly. Jiraiya stared at his teacher.
"Alright, I'll take the job on two conditions," the white-haired man said firmly, to which his teacher nodded. "I want to show Shisui around, introduce him to my contacts and give him a good foundation. It should only take me a few years." Sarutobi grimaced, but it was a reasonable request-a beneficial one actually. It would take that long to meet all the contacts in Jiraiya's vast spy network, which spread over the entire Fire Country, and even beyond. "And second...Were you serious about the crystal ball?"
X.X.X.X.X.
Hyuga Hinata was a strange girl, as almost anyone would tell you. To most, she even looked strange. As part of the prestigious Hyuga clan, she was blessed with their powerful Kekkai Genkai, the all-seeing eye known as the Byakugan. A side effect of this gift was that her eyes were white, though tinged with lavender, and lacked any discernible pupils. Her pale skin contrasted sharply against her raven black hair, cut in a level hime style. Even in her clan she was considered odd, not for how she looked, but for how she acted. As eldest child to the clan leader, Hyuga Hiashi, she was expected to be strong willed and proud of her heritage. Instead, she was meek and soft-spoken, always seeking to please everyone she could.
She also thought herself strange as she watched a certain blonde going slowly through the basic motions of swordplay with his friend, a boy Hinata had never seen before. Hidden in the tree line, she was using her gift to watch him closely. In fact, she was watching him so intently that she didn't notice their teacher slip away, something she was about to regret.
"Can I help you miss?" a voice said from behind her. Hinata spun quickly with a little 'eep', shocked that the man had snuck up on her without a sound. The man had a small smirk on his face as he watched her turn a bright shade of red.
"U-um, I'm v-very sorry! I wasn't t-trying to spy on you!" she stammered out, staring at the ground and pressing her fingertips together.
"Oh? Then might I ask what you were doing? I noticed you've been watching us for quite some time. Are you a friend of Naruto-kun's?" He asked, noting when she glanced backwards to where the blonde was still going through the motions.
"N-no, I don't think so. At least I don't…I don't know if he remembers me…" she said, fidgeting under the man's curious gaze.
"Ah but you have met him before? Come with me, I'm sure he remembers you," he said, gently placing a hand on her shoulder to lead her into the field.
"B-but wait, I…" she tried to protest, but stopped when the two boys looked their direction. The boy she didn't recognize called out.
"Hey Dad, who's that girl? And what's wrong with her eyes?" he asked, shrugging his sore shoulders.
"Eiji, manners!" he replied sternly. "I don't know her name, but I think she is here to see Naruto-kun. Isn't that right?"
"W-well, I…I…" she stumbled over her words, not taking her eyes off of Naruto who was looking at her curiously, but she thought she saw a spark of recognition in his cerulean eyes. She bowed to him, surprising everyone present. "I wanted to th-thank you for stopping those bullies a few months ago." That appeared to bring up a memory in Naruto.
"Aha! Yeah I remember now. Those guys were picking on you near the park, and I punched that big guy…" Naruto purposefully left out the fact that he had tried – and failed – to make a basic bunshin and had to pretend he had planned it as a distraction. If she wouldn't bring it up, he sure as heck wouldn't.
"U-um yes…I'm sorry I didn't help you that day, but my caretaker dragged me away…" she said, nervous that he would be upset upon remembering that she had left him there.
"Ah don't worry about it, I'm used to that sort of thing anyway," Naruto replied, rubbing the back of his neck, embarrassed. Hinata shuffled uncomfortably for a few moments before bowing again.
"W-well I suppose I should be going…" she told them.
"Wait, um, could I get your name?" Naruto asked. This girl didn't seem to be afraid of him, just shy. Anyone who wasn't trying to avoid him was friendship material as far as he was concerned.
"O-oh! Of course, how rude of me. My name is Hyuga Hinata. P-pleased to meet you all," she replied, unable to believe she had forgotten the basic etiquette that had been drilled into her since she had been born. Naruto gave her a thumbs-up and flashed a wide grin that made her stomach feel…funny. That's the only way she could describe it. It wasn't a bad feeling though…
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto, future Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village!" Rei noted Naruto's ambition, and made a mental note to talk to him about it later. He bowed to the Hyuga heir, with Eiji hurriedly emulating his father.
"Nice to meet you too, Hinata-san, though perhaps Hinata-sama is more correct? I am Takamatsu Rei, and this is my son Eiji," Rei told her. He had gone through information on all of the clan heads and their immediate families after realizing he knew so little about the village's clans.
"Nice to meet you Rei-san, Eiji-san, N-Naruto-kun," she said in turn. Rei smiled when he noticed which honorific she had attached to the Naruto's name.
'I doubt she even realizes she added it.' He smirked internally.
"Not to impose on you Hinata-sama, but as part of the main branch, you probably have begun your ninja training already, correct?" Naruto and Eiji both looked at her in awe when she nodded. "Perfect! I've just begun to train these two in swordplay; would you mind lightly sparring against them, perhaps? A real opponent would be much more useful than just going through the motions." Hinata rubbed her left arm, embarrassed at the looks the two boys were giving her, but couldn't find it in her to refuse.
"W-well alright, I should let you know that I'm not very good…"
"Nonsense. I'm sure you'll be just fine!" Rei smiled at her warmly.
"Yatah! I wanna spar Hinata first!" the blonde yelled excitedly, as Hinata nervously sank into her stance. Rei observed her closely.
'Hmm, stance is firm, well grounded. She looks like she knows what she's doing, but I can tell she's nervous. I don't know if it's because of her opponent or something else…'
"Alright Hinata, I want you to give it everything you've got ok?" Naruto told her seriously. She stared at him in surprise.
"A-are you sure? I've been training for a while, and you've only just s-started," she told him.
"Of course I'm sure! Don't give me anything less than your best!" he said confidently.
He really, really needed to start thinking before he spoke.
