Two Halves of the Same Sword
Thanks for all the reviews everyone! Just to let you all know, I read all your reviews and all your suggestions were great, I'm going to wait another chapter or so to see who I will pick but my mind is pretty much set on someone. I was lucky to have a few of you that suggested her to me. I'm still taking in suggestion and I'm being very open minded about this!
Two very important flashbacks in this chapter! (Flashbacks will be in Italic)
Enjoy! ^^
Chapter IV: Tosogare, Task Force!
"You did well, Karui, I'm impressed with your strength and speed." Jiraiya praised as Karui exited the training ground.
She bowed formally, "Thank you, Jiraiya-sama." She said gratefully.
"Yo, Momo, you were right!" Bee said, "That little Blondie surprised me with his skill, yo!"
Naruto withdrew his sword before flipping through a series of hand sign, "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!" Naruto cried. Out of the flooded clearing floor, a large dragon made of water rose. It was at least twenty feet tall. After the dragon rose to life, it shot at the Kumo-nins like a bullet.
"Omoi, stand back!" Samui said as she flipped through a few hand signs, "Lightning Release: False Darkness!" She cried. She pointed her tantō at the water dragon. Blue lightning in the shape of a spear emitted from the tip of her short blade. It flew at the dragon like a bullet.
The jutsus collided in a fight between lightning and water. Naruto's jutsu had for more chakra to it, therefore it was far more powerful, but Samui's lightning had the affinity advantage. They collided for a while before they both died in an explosion of lightning and water.
Quite a bit of mist covered the area due to the explosion, "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!" Naruto's voice came from within mist. There was a moment of pin drop silence, before a large gust of rough wind blew against Samui and Omoi. They were also swept off their feet. They would have if it wasn't for the nearby rock that Samui grabbed onto and Omoi's quick reflexes to stab the ground with his sword.
"So much chakra!" Omoi cried, blocking his eyes from the wind with his free arm, "We have to close!"
When the wind started to die, Naruto didn't waste any time as he began to flip through a series of hand signs, "Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!" Once again, a large amount of thick mist engulfed the clearing.
"Shit, not this again!" Omoi grunted as he drew his sword and busted his guard.
There was a long waiting moment of silence. Samui and Omoi eyed their surroundings but all they could see what the thick mist. Suddenly, Omoi felt a shape, cold blade against his neck, "Game over." Omoi heard Naruto say from behind him. In an instant, all the mist vanished. Samui blinked a few times because of the change in her vision. She looked around to see Naruto behind Omoi with his wide katana at his neck.
"I surrender…" Omoi said, dropping his sword and raising his hands in the air. Naruto removed his blade from the other boy's neck and released his hold on him. He walked off the training ground, but not before apologizing to Samui.
On the side lines, Jiraiya congratulated Omoi for a job well done, "You did a great job, Omoi, you showed great strength and tactical skill." Jiraiya said.
Omoi bowed, "Thank you Jiraiya-sama."
"Yo, yo, yo, that Naruto kid, sure has some skill like none I saw for a rapper his age." Bee sang as he flailed his arms around uselessly.
"Keep watching, Bee, I'm sure he'll surprise you some more." Zabuza said, not taking his eyes off the battle ground.
"So, it' just me and you now, Blondie." Naruto teased.
Samui scoffed, "I could say the same to you."
They said no more as they simultaneously rushed towards each other, drawing their weapons in the process. They traded blows, jumping around the clearing as they did so. Each time switching between defense and offense. Sparks continued to fly between their steel weapons as they blurred in and out of sight. Bu those on the side lines were skilled enough to see them, even at the speed they were moving at.
Naruto is faster than this, why is he holding back, Jiraiya thought on the side line.
They both landed about forty feet away from each other on the opposite sides of the clearing. Samui was panting with a few scratches here and there while Naruto stood straight as he barely broke a sweat, "You're pretty fast." He praised with a smug smirk on his face.
"You're not too bad yourself, Blondie." She teased, sending him a wink.
Naruto had a flat look on his face, She still has the energy to flirt, he questioned himself. After the encounter with the girls in the town they went to in the Wave Country she taught him all about the complex female mind and how complicated it was. She taught him all about flirting and things that people did together when they were in 'love'. He had to admit that it was strange, learning to that kind of thing from a girl, but it was better than not knowing it at all.
Naruto blushed but shook it off, "Let's end this in a final move, shall we?" Naruto said, getting his a ready stance.
"We shall." Samui replied, readying herself.
There was a moment of pin drop silence before they both started to flash through hand signs simultaneously.
Jiraiya's eyes grew wide in disbelief, "Shit…" He spoke. Everyone look at him in shock.
"What's wrong, Jiraiya?" Zabuza asked, his voice full of worry.
Jiraiya shook his head, "Judging by the hand signs and that look on his face, he's about to use Pressure Damage." The toad sage explained, "Every, let's move, this could get ugly fast!" Jiraiya said as he began to jump deeper into the forest. Everyone else followed, they found a nice tall tree quite the distance from the edge of the clearing.
"Wind Release: Pressure Damage!" Naruto cried when he landed on his final hand sign.
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!" Samui cried in unison with Naruto when she landed on her last hand sign.
A blue spear of lightning bolt shot towards Naruto at an unbelievable speed. Meanwhile, nothing was happening to Naruto.
Why would you use a jutsu he doesn't even know how to you, she questioned herself with smug smirk on her face.
Suddenly, Naruto's rose his hand up. And just like that, an enormous about of rough wind blew around the clearing uncontrollably, immediately stop and cancelling out her lightning jutsu in its tracks. Samui didn't stand a chance against the strong and rough winds as she is quickly swept off her feet.
From the top of a tree, Zabuza is watching with wide eyes and the most amused look on his face, "This jutsu is fuckin' amazing!" He yelled over the wind, "What were you so scared off, ya old geezer?"
"He can't control it," Jiraiya stated as he held on to his tree with a mighty grip, I have to stop it, he thought. He focused chakra to his feet so he would be able to stick to the tree while he would be able to use his hands. It seemed as if Killer Bee got the idea first and was watching the rough wind go on with his arms crossed and serious look drawn on his face. Jiraiya was about to begin his hand signs but he noticed the wind slowing down, is he finally able to control it, he questioned himself.
Soon enough the wind died down and they were able to see that only a few trees were wrecked and the clearing had barely gained in terms of diameter.
He did, Jiraiya thought in disbelief, he was able to control pressure damage, he thought, "He's finally able to control the jutsu." Jiraiya spoke, "He's one step closer to mastering it.
A lifeless Samui began to fall from the sky. She was at least forty feet in the air. A worried Killer Bee began focusing chakra to his feet. That was until of course he noticed the blond blur appear underneath her with open arms. A second later she fell into his arms bridal style. Naruto blushed a little, noticing he caught her but shook it off.
Somehow, the eight of them were able to all squeezed into Samui's apartment bed room. Naruto was perer pressured into having to carry Samui all the way there. It was about a half hour walk of Bee going on about how he incredibly impressed with how fast and powerful he was for such a young age. Naruto careful dropped her on bed, tucking her in tight underneath a light blanket.
"Shouldn't we bring her to the hospital?" Omoi asked, worried about his unconscious teammate.
Naruto shook his head, "Nah, Haku already check her out, and she just needs a goodnight's sleep."
When all what done and taken care of, "Yo, Blondie, you ready to get yo training spirit on?" Bee asked.
Naruto had a determined smirk, "You bet!" He almost yelled, shooting him a peace sign.
Two months later, Naruto's training with Bee had reached a point where he was starting to become a better swordsman than his sensei. Killer Bee trained the blond prodigy in the art of dual wielding, meaning kenjutsu that using two swords. Naruto was truly a natural at it; he learned the basics in the first week. And having one of the best swordsmen in all of the elemental nations also helped his fast learning and adaption to the new style of kenjutsu.
After the first month, Naruto learn and mastered the main and basic cloud style of kenjutsu. He added a quite a few new techniques to his arsenal that involved kenjutsu as well.
In an open, grassy clearing just outside of Kumogakure, Karui and Omoi plummeted to the ground, their swords drawn as they were in the midst of combat. Underneath, them was a two month older Naruto. He as well, had his wide sword drawn. Instead of allow his enemies to fall; he jumped up to meet them.
"Cloud Style: Crescent Moon Beheading!" The blond Genin cried. In an instant he slashed his sword upwards towards his two enemies. His sword cut through the empty air in the shape of a crescent moon. Meanwhile, Karui and Omoi were able to dodge the vital strike and arrive on the ground. Naruto landed between as they stood on opposite sides of him.
"Cloud Style: Reverse Beheading!" Naruto cried before slashing his blade horizontally at Karui who stood in front of him. She brought her sword up, vertically, to block but the strike never came. Luckily, Omoi read what he was about to do and blocked the strike that came to him instead, even though he was behind Naruto.
Damn he's gotten a lot stronger, Omoi thought as he blocked the invisible strike, he's shown great use that the reverse beheading, too,
Omoi then jumped back to avoid behind thrown back by the force of Naruto's attack. Karui took this opportunity to send a horizontal strike at Naruto. She felt her sword to through him but she was slightly taken aback when a log was sliced his in place, "Cloud Style: Deception Beheading!" Naruto's voice came from behind her. He dashed forward to strike from behind but Omoi blurred into existence between them, block Naruto's strike head on.
How did he get behind me so fast, Karui questioned herself in disbelief, he's so much faster than he was the day we met him,
"Time to get things started!" Naruto said as he clashed with Omoi. He quickly drew a second similar blade from the other side of his waist, the only difference was that this blade had a green handle instead of red, like the its counterpart, "Time to dual wield!" As he drew it, Karui rushed around Naruto to strike him from the opposite side.
"Cloud Style: Front Beheading!" She cried, rushing at him at full speed, ready to slash him with her blade.
Naruto smirked when he realized the little scuffle he was in, "Cloud Style: Full Moon Beheading!" He cried before slashing both blades simultaneously in a crescent moon shape. Since he had two blades, he created two crescent moons, which added up to be in the shape of a full moon. It was a 360 degree attack.
Both Kumo-nins knew the power of the certain technique they were up against so they didn't even try to block it. Instead, they jumped back to avoid it very narrowly because of the speed the blade were swung at. When the duo landed they withdrew their swords and bowed in respect, "You've really improved, Naruto-kun, thanks for the spar." Karui said.
Omoi nodded his head in agreement, "She right, Naruto, you've really improved you're speed, strengths, taijutsu and especially your kenjutsu." Omoi praised.
Naruto withdrew both his swords, before bowing in the same manner as them. He scratched the back of his head in embarrassment because of all the praise he was receiving, "Awh man, you guys are really making me blush here." He said, causing them all to break out into laughter. But in reality he was actually blushing because of the suffix Karui added to his name. She had been calling him that for the past month and he still hasn't gotten used to it.
While Naruto's training with Team Samui and Killer Bee went on, Jiraiya, Haku and Zabuza went onward to Iwagakure to collect their bounty on the missing-nin they capture and all to investigate about the hidden slave trade that was apparently occurring there.
From the shadows of the trees that made up the clearing the three were sparring in, two figures stood with crossed arms, watching them closely, "Bee-sama, what do you think of Naruto's progress over the last two months?" The blond woman as the man next to her.
"He's definitely a kenjutsu prodigy, yo," The brown man replied, "He'll be a force to be reckoned with in da future is ya'll no what I mean, yo." He sang.
"How did he becoming so adapted to dual wielding after such a short amount of time?" Samui asked, "Even with you as a sensei, it took me six months to get the basics and he did it in two months, plus I wasn't anywhere near as good as he is."
"Blondie replies well to dem metaphors, you get?" Bee sang.
Samui had a confused look on her face, "What?"
Flashback…
It was the first day of training and Killer Bee was able to get the best blacksmith in all of Kumo to make a duplicate of Naruto's infamous wide katana. But instead of a red handle, this one was green. It was a hot day in Kumogakure. Team Samui sat against tree, underneath their shadows, watching lazily until it was their turn to teach. Jiraiya was reading away in a notepad, probably about his perverted books that every knew about. And Haku was using her Hyouton; much to everyone's licking to cool everyone off as much as possible.
Meanwhile, Zabuza was assisting Bee with Naruto's training until they had to leave in a few days to Iwagakure. The training began with Bee explaining to Naruto how to use two blades at the same time, instead of only one. Naruto started swinging them around, trying to understand the basics at the same time. It looked right, but it was terribly wrong,
Killer Bee frowned, "You're doing it wrong, Blondie." He said. Zabuza nodded.
Bee was about to say more until Zabuza stepped in. He took the two swords from Naruto before the blond stepped back. Zabuza started to swing them around gracefully, while keeping his legs slightly bent, "Don't think as they to be separate," He explained. He swung them around some more, while keeping his strange kenjutsu stance, "Think of it as…two halves of the same sword." He said. And just like that it clicked.
Naruto's eyes widened in surprised, "Can I try?" He asked. Zabuza nodded before handing him the dual blades by the handles. And as if he was a completely new person, he swung the swords around even more gracefully than Zabuza did. Everyone watched in disbelief at how quickly he got it.
"Now you're dual wielding, Blondie!" Bee exclaimed.
"It's all thanks to you, Zabuza-sensei." Naruto said, while making sure to not break his new kenjutsu stance, as he continued to swing the dual swords.
…End Flashback
"I see," Samui said as Killer Bee finished telling her the story, "I always knew that Zabuza was the cool type."
"Yeah that's why Momo and I are friends, yo." He sang.
Samui had a curious expression that was temporally replacing her usual cool and calm one, "What did he do to make you owe him such a favor?" She asked.
"That's something ya'll such as him yo-self," He sang.
"Jiraiya gave us four months to train him, two months are already done," Samui said, "What else do you plan to teach him? He greatly improved his speed, strength, taijutsu and especially kenjutsu in the short time span." She said.
"More kenjutsu." Bee said simply, "He's gotta master it in two more months." He sang.
"Aren't you going to teach him how to control the Kyuubi?" Samui asked.
Bee shook his head, "He's barely fourteen, yo, Imma wait a few years."
Two more months came and gone and Bee was proud to say that Naruto was truly a prodigy. He was probably the best dual wielder in all of the elemental nations. During the last two months Naruto barely slept, all he did was tire himself with training and hitting the books late at night. He concentrated mostly in the books, learning about history and also about kenjutsu stances. He had a side goal of finding the perfect kenjutsu stance, with no weaknesses. So far, he didn't have anything.
Said blond was currently at 'The Dango Hut' the best dango in Kumogakure could be found there. It was a fairly well sized restaurant and one of the top hangout places for Naruto and Team Samui who he was always seen with. Naruto had become quite addicted to dango over the past few months but he also had the healthy, fat free ones, so not to break his sensei's rule of breaking his well-balanced diet. They mostly just went there to hangout and talk since Omoi knew the owner fairly well.
Today, the gang was lucky to obtain the infamous window seat that Omoi loved so much. No one complained, it was their favorite seat as well since it was the only table with a good few out the window in the entire restaurant. Karui enjoyed looking out the window, spotting attractive guy. While Omoi like spotting cute girls, but then he ended up overthinking things and end up sleeping with his face in the pillow because of a large pump from Karui's fist.
But it wasn't the same for the two blonds of the group. As every girl in Kumogakure would kill an entire army of S-ranked ninja to be able to go on a date with Naruto. Many were jealous of Team Samui, being able to befriend the blond first. They were all envious at the time that the three spend with the said blond Jinchuriki. Omoi used this to his advantage, staying close to Naruto so girl would come rushing to them. Naruto had to admit that he love the attention, but all the screaming girls had him wearing earplugs must of the time when they went out. Naruto's popular status in the village would lead to training ground four being stalked by many girls, looking to get a good glimpse of Naruto topless.
Samui couldn't say that she wasn't getting the same treatment. But it seemed that she began attracting a lot of attention from the other males of the village when Naruto arrived. They were probably acting that way because they were envious at how the handsome blond was spending so much time with the busty kunoichi. Omoi never seemed to be any of their enemy. It was hard to not notice all their eyes glued to her chest as the group wandered around the village when they weren't training.
A few days after the four months were over, Naruto requested an audience with the Raikage along with Team Samui. Jiraiya, Zabuza and Haku were scheduled to arrive in Kumo any day now and Naruto needed to get something off his chest that had being laying there for over four months now.
"Raikage-sama," Naruto said as he and Team Samui walked into the large brown man's office. A, the Raikage was a tall dark-skinned man with a large muscular build, with his white hair that was combed back, and a small moustache and beard. He wasn't wearing a shirt, showing off his hulky physical body and the two Fuma Shuriken tattoos on both his shoulders. He also wore a gold belt around his waist with a boar's face engraved in the centre and he also sported gold bangle bracelets on each wrist.
He sat behind his desk at the end of the office. Beside him as usual was his assistant. She carried the clipboard and held against her chest. She had while hair that was held up in a bun as usual and she wore a long green dress and black heels.
"Naruto-kun…" Raikage started, "Screw the formality, and come give this lonely Raikage a hug!" He said, opening his arms to the blond who happily walked over and gave the larger man a big huge. The Raikage gave Naruto a bone crushing hug. Naruto had a big smile on his face even though he broke half the bones in his body just now. A had truly become a fatherly character for Naruto, along with Jiraiya and Zabuza. Bee was also like a brother to Naruto, while Team Samui just remained as very good and close friends.
"It's good to see you to, Raikage-sama," Naruto said weakly under the large man's grip.
"That's uncle A for you, Naruto-kun," A stated, releasing him from his mighty grip.
Naruto shook his head back into reality, "Whatever you say Rai—uncle A." He said, causing A to smile in approval.
"Raikage-sama…" Karui and Omoi said un unison, having to wipe a stream of tears that were falling from their eyes,
"You know what, Naruto-kun, my cousin, who was once the jinchuriki of Gyūki, like Bee is now, once told me once a person becomes a Jinchuriki, their life would be full of darkness, fear and overwhelming loneliness." A said with a serious look on his face, "But I can see you changing that, Naruto."
Naruto smile brightly, "Thanks, Uncle A, I'll try my best."
"Enough of that, what is this audience with me all about?" The large man asked.
Naruto paused, reflecting with himself if he really wanted to go through with it, "I want to take Team Samui out of the village." He blurted out, surprised everyone in the room.
"W-What do you mean, Naruto-kun?" Raikage asked in confusion.
Flashback…
Zabuza and Jiraiya sat on one side of the booth while Naruto sat opposite to them. They were currently in The Dango Hut. Zabuza had quickly taken a liking to the restaurant, ordering dango none stop. But to Jiraiya, whatever Naruto called them here for, was serious. It was the day before Zabuza, Jiraiya and Haku were scheduled to leave for Iwa. They were to retrieve the money for the bounties they caught and investigate Iwagakure about the rumored slave trade for the remaining time while Naruto trained in Kumogakure.
"So what did you call us here for, Gaki?" Jiraiya asked, curious about the reason why they were here.
Naruto took a moment to think about how he was going to say it, "Zabuza-sensei, remember when we were in that town in the Wave Country?" Zabuza nodded with a mouthful of dango, "Remember how great it felt when he helped them all out and they were all cheering us on and how greatful and happy they were even though they witness me killing someone right before their eyes?" He said.
Jiraiya was a little shocked, "Where are you going with this, Gaki?" The toad sage asked.
"I want to form a group, like the Akatsuki you told me about. But we're good and we help people in need, like-like a task force." Naruto said.
Both older men were look at the blond in disbelief, "That's pretty insane, Gaki, do you know how much planning that would take? We don't have anyone for the job."
Naruto pointed at the him, "You."
"ME!?" Jiraiya asked in shock.
"Yeah, you can lead us, get us missions. You have your spy network, don't you? You have all the connections to Konoha and even some to Suna." Naruto explained, "And I have powerful connection to Kumo as well."
Jiraiya had to think about it for a moment, Naruto's intentions were good, at least he wasn't doing it all for the praise and fame, "Alright, Gaki, I'll make you a deal. Seeing how it's just me, you, Zabuza and Haku, if you can find a few more members just to get us started then I'll do it." The gray haired man spoke, a smirk grew on Naruto's face, "I'll even get the planning started while we're away in Iwagakure." He added.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, just a second." Zabuza said, finally swallowing his mouthful of dango, "Who said Haku and I are in?"
"Once we're done in Iwa, we'll go help out bloodline war in Kiri." Naruto said, smirking, knowing that Zabuza's reason to get stronger was to end the war.
"Alright, I'm in." Zabuza said in unison with a mysterious voice. They all turned to see Haku standing at the end of the table.
"Alright!" Naruto said, punching his fist in the air, "We're finally getting started, Tosogare!" Naruto yelled, grabbing the attention of everyone in the restaurant for a moment before they all got back to what they were doing.
"Tosogare?" Zabuza asked.
"It's our group's name." Naruto explained.
"I see, Tosogare…sounds good!" Zabuza said with a determined nod.
"Agreed." Jiraiya said as Haku nodded.
…End Flashback
"I see…" The Raikage said as he stroked his beard, deep in thought, "So did you ask Team Samui if they would join?"
Naruto sweat dropped, "Uh, no, you see, Uncle A, I was actually a little scared to ask them." He stated, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone in embarrassment.
Suddenly he was grabbed in a head lock, "The great Naruto is scared?" Omoi asked before he started to rub his fist against the top the blond's head, "I never thought I see the day! Count me in for sure, Raikage-sama!" Omoi said with a determined face that he must have gotten from Naruto.
"I'd like to join as well." Samui stated.
Everyone turned to Karui, awaiting her answer, "I—I can't…" She stated sadly, the floor becoming her greatest interest now.
"Why not, Karui?" Samui asked.
"My mom and little sister are here, I need to take care of them." She explained, "My mother is ill and she can't work so I have to make the money and look after her and my sister." She said sadly.
Naruto was about to tell her that by joining Tosogare, she would be able to gain three times the amount of money that she earn by being a Kumo-nin but he let it go, knowing that she really wanted to stay here and watch over the family, he made his way over the her and placed his hand on her shoulder, "It's okay, I understand, Karui." He said, flashing her, his trademark smile that would make any girl melt.
She was on the verge of tears, but managed to keep them hidden, "Thank you for understanding, Naruto-kun." She said, placing her hand on his that remained on her shoulder, "But, Omoi, Samui, I want you two to go with Naruto, join him and help him in my place." She added.
"Are you sure?" Samui asked before Omoi could.
Karui nodded, "I'm certain." She insisted.
Later on that night, Karui sat on the top of the building complex that as her home. Suddenly she felt a suddenly chakra signature appear beside her. Her hand flew to her sword but she relaxed when she saw the familiar long and messy blond hair, "Naruto..!" She said, relaxing her hand.
"I didn't scare you, did I?" He asked before taking a seat next to her. His legs dangled over the edge of the building.
"No, never… "She replied, "I'll just never get over fast you are." She said.
Naruto laughed at her comment, "You know, I'm not mad at you for not being able to come." He said.
"Thanks for insuring that, I wouldn't want you to be mad at me." She replied, "Don't think I won't help, I'll try assisting you guys from the outside and passing on information when I can. And maybe someday, who knows, I might be able to join you guys."
"Thanks, Karui that means a lot" He said.
Karui nodded happily, "I know how much this means to Omoi and Samui. I saw how their eyes lit up to your request, they are really eager to go with you, Naruto-kun." She stated, "But do me a favor, okay?"
"And what's that?" He asked.
"Take care of them, okay?"
Naruto smiled, "I will…with my life." He replied. She smiled at his reply before slowly leaning in towards him, planting a small kiss on his cheek. He blush lightly and his eyes widened in surprised. But that wasn't enough for her as she leaned in again but this time their lips met. She wrapped her arms around his neck while his went around her waist. They continued that embrace for about a minute before Naruto broke it off.
She opened her eyes to find that Naruto had disappeared.
Wow, that was tough! I hope you all enjoy this fast updated chapter! Tell me what you think in a REVIEW! I really worked hard on this one. Keep up the REVIEWS and I'll keep up the updates
Also, just so there's no confusing, this will NOT be a NarutoxKarui pairings. I just wanted them to have their little moment since I gave a few signs that Karui had a crush on him. I didn't really emphasize it since it won't be the main pairing of the story. Which by the way, I'm still trying to decide, and it would be great if I could get all your input on that!
So once again, REVIEW and the updates will just keep rolling in!