Chapter IV
Hello readers! Yes, it's time for another chapter. I just can't stop this story from flowing out of my head. More of the story finally gets going in this one so that should be fun, I hope. I don't know if I have anything else in particular I need to say so I guess I'll just give my thanks to my coauthor, seeker of true anime fan fic, and move on to reviewer responses.
Jose19: Neither technically. It isn't a redo of Wagtail Shinobi since the Sekirei aren't involved and it's not another point of view for the same reason. Basically it's what wagtail shinobi would be if I didn't involve the Sekirei. A lot of the Naruto-based parts of the story, that is, things that happen in Wagtail Shinobi that are part of the Naruto side of things and not Sekirei, will be the same here as there with some new additions like the harem being entirely made up of characters from Naruto.
bhdragons: If part of my response to Jose19 didn't tell you, yes, this will be a harem story. Really? You don't like NaruAnko? Huh, I find it acceptable, and I obviously love NaruHina. In fact, being able to do the storyline of Wagtail Shinobi with Naruto in love with Hinata, among others, is a big reason I did this to begin with.
Lord Hessen: You mad bro? Anyway, you'll just need to read it to find out. But, I've got some surprises in the story involving both brothers so wait for that.
RandomWriter21: I know that feeling. But, since I'm a writer I don't have that excuse.
Guest: Yes, I particularly enjoyed that part. Hanari definitely has him under her thumb doesn't she? Guess Hiashi isn't actually the one who runs the Hyuga clan, is he? Heh, heh.
coduss: Yes, yes I did. Thank you, thank you. It does make it seem that way, doesn't it? Yes, you will just need to wait.
Well, that's about it for reviewer responses so on to the actual story, hm?
"Have you ever considered how you have a Sharingan? You certainly don't look like any other Uchiha."
Naruto looked down in thought. "You…have a point." He then shook his head. "I actually never gave it any thought before."
"Well, I can tell you Minato had a Sharingan as well, he even reached the next stage."
"Next stage?"
Kurama waved a hand. "Not important now. However, I know the truth behind how you got it, since Minato once revealed it all to Kushina."
Naruto gulped. "W-…what…happened?"
"You've been studying the history of the Leaf Village, right?"
Naruto nodded.
"Do you remember the most major event in its history?"
Naruto put a hand on his chin in thought. He then nodded slowly. "Hmmm…that'd be…the battle between Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, right?"
Kurama nodded.
"Yeah, Madara died in that fight, right?"
Kurama nodded uncommitted. "That's what the books say. But, according to Minato, that's untrue."
Naruto tilted his head confused. "Why would my dad know about that?" His eyes then slowly widened to massive size as realization hit him like a ton of bricks. "T-…t-…th-…that's…i-imposs-…impossible…"
Kurama narrowed its eyes. "I see you've figured it out. Yes, Madara Uchiha is the father of Minato Namikaze…and your grandfather."
Naruto gaped as he looked down in shock.
Kurama looked at Naruto thoughtfully. "So, how's it feel to be related to the Leaf's greatest vil-?"
"Hell yeah! My dad and granddad are the most powerful ninja that ever live! This is awesome!"
Kurama face-faulted and then chuckled amusedly. "Heh, heh, I suppose that's the kind of response I should have expected from you. Most would be worried about having Madara as their grandfather."
Naruto just grinned. "So? Madara was Madara. I'm me. His actions won't determine mine." He pointed a thumb at himself. "My past may have created me, but it won't define me. I'll excel above and beyond Gramps, y'know!"
Kurama blinked curiously. "I see. That's actually a rather mature way to see things. Alright then, Naruto Uzumaki, prove it. Show me and everyone how you're different from Madara Uchiha, yet share his genes."
Naruto just grinned brightly. "You got it! I'll show everyone! You, the village, the world!"
Kurama couldn't help chuckling, then laughing. "You're an enthusiastic one for sure! I could actually enjoy being sealed inside you at this rate!"
Naruto stood up with a nod. "Hey, Kurama."
"Hm?"
"Thanks. For telling me all this."
"Tch, don't get cozy, Kit. You need to wake up soon or that Hyuga woman will start worrying. Plus, you need to make sure your house is intact."
Naruto nodded and faded away from his mindscape.
Kurama's smirk disappeared as he looked off to one side. A small seed was lying on the ground under the water, glowing with a weak purple light. "So…that's where he's storing it."
Naruto groaned as he woke up from searching his mindscape to find a specific person close to him. He sat up swiftly with a shout. "Gah! Hinata!"
The Hyuga heir fell backwards in shock at his shout, and slight embarrassment.
"Oops…sorry. Didn't mean to scare you."
Hinata sat up and shook her head. "N-no…it's okay. It was…my fault for doing that."
Naruto gave a big stretch as he finally awoke. "So…what time is it anyway?"
Hinata pointed to the window.
Naruto turned and took a look. It wasn't bright outside yet but it was getting bright. He sighed and then turned back to Hinata. "Well, I guess I better get heading back and make sure I still have a house."
Hinata nodded with a small smile. "Erm, Naruto."
"Yeah?"
"It was…fun, having you over."
Naruto nodded. "Aside from the insane villagers part I enjoyed it too." With that he disappeared in a burst of smoke.
Naruto appeared in his house in a burst of smoke. He looked around and sighed in relief.
The security seals he used had worked. The area around his house was trashed, holes and dents where people obviously tried to break in, but never did.
After clarifying that he made his way to Training Ground Seven where Itachi was waiting.
Itachi turned to regard Naruto and nodded. "Good. We'll begin training now then. Hinata should be arriving after just an hour or two."
Naruto nodded and stretched.
"I'm interested in your progress with the Rasengan. Show me that and then we'll get started."
Naruto sighed weakly and began his training for the day.
Naruto was fortunate as it only took him a few more weeks to finish the last stage of the Rasengan's training.
Naruto stood with the balloon in his hand, using just that hand and his chakra to concentrate the Rasengan inside the balloon. The balloon shifted some but eventually evened out, only shifting slightly.
Itachi nodded in approval. "Good. Now, there's only one step left."
Naruto sighed as he threw down the balloon. "What's that?"
"Do what you just did without the balloon."
Naruto nodded assuredly.
Hinata and Hanari had decided to take a short break to observe Naruto's first real attempt at the Rasengan.
Naruto let out a held breath and then stuck out his right hand. Small streams of chakra began to swirl into the air above his hand. After a few seconds a small swirling of chakra formed in a loose ball. Soon more and more chakra condensed before forming into a baseball-sized, swirling and glowing, blue sphere of chakra. Naruto grinned proudly before turning to a nearby tree. He smirked and rushed at it, thrusting his hand forward. "Rasengan!" He slammed the jutsu into the tree, causing it to grind away at the bark and some of the tree itself before exploding and sending Naruto crashing. "Oof!"
Itachi smirked as he walked over to Naruto. "So, how was it? Forming the Rasengan for the first time?"
Naruto sighed and then gave a big grin as he lay down. "It was awesome! Dunno why it blew up though."
Itachi nodded then helped Naruto up with a hand. "After a few seconds of being compressed due to a strike the Rasengan will inevitably burst. If you can keep yourself stable it can be used to add extra impact to your attack."
Naruto chuckled proudly and then turned to the three observing women and gave a victory sign.
Hanari and Hinata clapped lightly, Anko just chuckled amusedly.
"Very good Naruto," Hanari praised as she stood. "I'm surprised you were able to master the Rasengan at such a young age."
Naruto grinned happily. "Well Pops invented it, so…" he trailed off as everyone looked at him surprised.
'You idiot.'
'Why, what'd I do?'
'They all know who your parents are and that Minato invented the Rasengan.'
'What? …Uh-oh…'
Itachi narrowed his eyes. "Naruto, who told you about that?"
Naruto laughed weakly. "Eheheh…about…what?"
Itachi narrowed his eyes further, accentuating his point by activating his Sharingan. "You cannot lie to me, Naruto."
Naruto gulped. "Ah…well…you see…"
"Itachi, I think that's enough," Hanari eased the ANBU. "I'm certain Naruto merely made the logical connection. After all, they do look virtually identical."
Itachi deactivated his Sharingan and sighed. "I suppose. Very well."
Hanari nodded at his response and turned to Naruto. "But if you do ever feel like telling us otherwise please do."
Naruto nodded weakly.
"Geez Hanari, you're way too easy on that kid," Anko groaned as she stretched.
Hanari brought up a hand to her mouth and giggled sweetly, a smile that crinkled her eyes shut forming. "Be that as it may, I suggest you put down your arms. Your lack of decency is showing."
Anko blinked puzzled and then looked down. Stretching her arms had exposed her chest, covered only by the edges of her coat and her mesh suit, to the eyes of Itachi, Naruto and Hinata.
Itachi had simply face-palmed while Hinata turned away. But Naruto's brain seemed to have shut off in confusion.
Anko lowered her arms snickered playfully. "Come on Hanari, the kid's enjoying it."
Hanari then laughed again, much more sweetly. An actual mist then seemed to form around her. "You're not actually thinking of doing anything indecent to Naruto…are you?"
Anko began to sweat heavily. "Ah…I…no…I wouldn't…Hanari."
Hanari's imposing aura seemed to vanish as she lowered her hand and opened her eyes.
Naruto's brain seemed to reboot after a moment and his face turned bright red. He immediately then vanished in a burst of smoke.
Itachi just sighed. "I suppose we're done for the day."
After recovering from that specific incident, Naruto and the others returned to their normal routine of training.
A routine that lasted for a very long time.
Almost an entire year had passed during the time that they had continued training.
In that time, Naruto had started to experiment with the Rasengan, eventually managing to form it in both hands, thought he needed clones to help stabilize them both. He had also learned several genjutsus for his Sharingan, including one that Naruto thoroughly enjoyed, Demonic Illusion: Death Mirage Jutsu. It was one he used often during his pranking runs on the village.
Said pranks had actually started to increase in frequency, his acts becoming bolder and bolder as he performed then.
Ranging from something simple like repainting the sign on the front of bookstore, to using a combination of Shadow Clones and the Transformation Jutsu to send a horde of clones into a grocery store that had refused to sell anything to him disguised as a small flurry of green, imp-like monsters that raided the store of meat and vegetables. And ramen.
Naruto had also started making regular appearances at Ichiraku Ramen.
About once every week he would make his way down to the small ramen shop, buying truckloads of ramen, usually exceeding ten bowls per meal.
Of course Teuchi and his growing daughter Ayame had no problems with that since that kept them paid, and usually kept Naruto broke.
One particular trip had been amusing for the blonde however.
Naruto was on his way to Ichiraku's, since, after mastering the Rasengan and "convincing" Itachi, Naruto's unofficial sensei had started giving him small weekly rewards for his leaps in training, just enough to get a few bowls at Ichiraku.
As he was walking he passed by the small pier near the river and saw Sasuke sitting there, however he noticed the ravenette seemed much more despondent than normal. So Naruto decided to cheer him up in his own way.
"Yo!"
"Gah!" Sasuke shouted, once again getting tossed into the river. Standing up and coughing some of the water out of his throat he glowered at Naruto. "What's wrong with you loser?!"
Naruto just grinned, ignoring the comment. "Just noticed you looked kind of emo, jerk."
Sasuke scoffed. "Don't worry about me, Naruto."
Naruto flopped down onto the pier. "C'mon, now that you're wet you're not sad anymore."
"No, I'm just annoyed and wet!"
Naruto chuckled. "It's better than sad, isn't it."
"Ahh, shut up! Besides…I'm not sad, just angry."
Naruto tilted his head. "Oh? What, somebody pee in your ramen?"
Sasuke looked at him in disbelief. "W-…what does…that even mean? Whatever, it's none of your business, you're not an Uchiha."
Naruto frowned at that remark. He was in fact an Uchiha, he just wasn't supposed to let anyone else know. Shaking his head he looked at the ravenette again. "Wanna get some ramen? It always makes me feel better."
Sasuke just sighed. "Look, I'm not interested in playing ninja with you, loser, or anything like that." Grumbling he turned to walk away.
Naruto wasn't please that he was just brushed off like that. His pranking side then came out as he grinned. Reaching into one pocket, he pulled out a wooden kunai and some ninja wire, tying it around the practice blade's handle. He twirled it around in the air for a few seconds before tossing it at Sasuke.
The young Uchiha had just enough time to notice the wire and kunai before it changed direction and began wrapping around him, tying him up like a doll. "H-hey! What is this!?"
Naruto grinned. "It's ninja wire."
"I know that, loser! Why are you tying me up?!"
"Because, if I can't get you to come to Ichiraku, I'll just have to take you to Ichiraku."
Sasuke writhed and wormed to get free. "Alright! Alright! Untie me and I'll go to this freakin' place!"
Naruto grinned victoriously.
The two arrived at Ichiraku's after only a few minutes of walking.
Naruto and Sasuke sat down on the stools as Teuchi walked out.
"Well hey there Naruto! Oh, you brought a friend."
Sasuke sat turned to the side, his head resting on the butt of his hand with an annoyed expression. "I'm not a friend, I'm a prisoner."
Teuchi laughed good-naturedly. "Well, whatever. As long as you eat ramen I don't care."
Sasuke just huffed and turned to Naruto. "Let's just get this over with."
Naruto nodded. "One Naruto Special!"
"Right!" Teuchi answered and then turned to Sasuke as he perused the menu.
Sasuke closed the little pamphlet and then ordered.
After that the two sat and waited for their ramen to arrive.
Ayame, a girl with long brown hair and matching brown eyes then walked into the main part of the stall. She smiled at Naruto and waved. "Hey, Naruto."
Naruto waved back. "Hey, Ayame. You know Sasuke?"
Ayame turned to the ravenette. "No. Never heard of him."
Sasuke face-faulted. "You could've…tried to be a little less frank."
Naruto just chuckled. "Jealous are we?"
"Of you? Go to hell loser."
Naruto frowned and stuck out his tongue.
Ayame giggled.
Naruto, his tongue still sticking out, turned to her and asked, "What's so funny?"
Ayame waved a hand before catching her breath. "You two fight just like brothers."
"There's no way I'd be his brother!" they both shouted in unison.
Ayame was about to make another comment when her father walked out with two steaming bowls of ramen.
Thanking the man the two began to eat their food.
After a moment Sasuke began to speed up his eating pace.
Naruto flinched as he noticed this and then began to eat faster as well.
In response Sasuke ate even faster, to which Naruto did the same. Over and over until they had finished their bowls rather swiftly.
"Another bowl!" the two shouted.
Teuchi nodded and had two more bowls prepared in just a few minutes.
Again the two boys ate at an unruly pace.
After nearly half an hour the boys had finally finished.
Sasuke chuckled victoriously at his five bowls of ramen and then turned to brag at Naruto and paled when he saw that Naruto had a stack of ten bowls.
Naruto gave a weak victory sign and gloated, "Guess I win this one, eh, Jerk?"
Sasuke hiccupped before turning. "Oh shut up, Loser. I'll win next time."
"Right, right."
The two boys then suddenly fell over, full and unconscious.
Ayame blinked curiously as she held herself over the counter. "Should we wake them?"
Teuchi waved a hand. "Nahh, leave'em. We'll wake them later to pay."
Ayame nodded with a playful smirk before jumping down to help Teuchi clean the dishes.
Both boys walked away despondently after spending an inordinate amount of money at the stall.
As they walked away, Naruto chuckled.
"What's so funny, Loser?" Sasuke asked tiredly.
"I bet you forgot all about whatever had you down this morning, didn't you?"
Sasuke suddenly flinched. He then smirked in annoyance and amusement. "Yeah…I guess I did."
Naruto grinned. "If you don't mind, what was it anyway?"
Sasuke sighed heavily. "It's…I recently went on a hunting trip with my brother."
"You did? What for?"
"A giant wild boar. I was supposed to shoot it with my bow but I missed miserably. If weren't for Big Brother that thing would've flattened me. I felt…so stupid."
Naruto looked up in thought. "Hmm…probably."
"Why the hell did you ask if you were just going to taunt me?!"
"I meant it probably would've flattened you."
Sasuke twitched an eyebrow. "And…that's supposed to make me feel better?"
"Probably not. But…I bet you still had fun, didn't you?"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "How is screwing up like that supposed to be fun?"
Naruto just flashed his now trademark grin, which forced his eyes closed, giving him a very foxlike appearance. "Because you got to go hunting with your big brother. Wish I could do that."
Sasuke looked at Naruto puzzled. "You don't have a big brother?"
Naruto shook his head as he put his hands behind his head. "Nope. I don't have any family actually. I live by myself."
Sasuke widened his eyes. "Oh…I see. Well…I guess it was kind of fun."
Naruto nodded and then turned to a nearby street. "This is where I split." He then vanished in a burst of smoke.
Sasuke blinked in curiosity before heading back to the Uchiha district.
It was after that when Naruto and Sasuke's supposed rivalry continued.
Sasuke was mostly disinterested in the idea, but Naruto would constantly pester him for challenges.
Most of the time Sasuke got the blonde to settle for something simple, like rock-paper-scissors.
And for the most part Naruto was fine with that. Though he did occasionally want an actual fight. But Sasuke usually worded his way out of it. Or just ignored Naruto entirely.
It was after a few months of this little rivalry that it seemed to catch the eye of someone rather unique.
"No."
"Come on!"
"No."
"Just once!"
"No."
"Grr…c'mon Sasuke! Just one little spar! You don't even know if you'll win."
Sasuke turned to Naruto lazily. "Actually…I do. And I will. So stop bugging me about it."
Naruto stood with a groan for several moments before sighing heavily. He turned around to leave when an overly excited voice began to speak to him.
"Well hello there, little ninja in training!"
Naruto raised an eyebrow and turned around to see a man he assumed was a jonin who had black hair in a bowl-cut, thick eyebrows, and dark eyes who wore a jonin flak jacket that was unzipped, green jumpsuit, orange, striped legwarmers, a red Leaf headband tied around his waist. Naruto looked at the man in disbelief. 'T-this guy's…a freak!'
The man looked at Naruto with a big smile. "Well, good to see you, little ninja."
Naruto twitched an eyebrow. "Would you stop calling me little ninja?!"
The man put a hand on his chin. "Then what should I call you…? Hmm…how about genin-to-be, young me…"
"How about just Naruto," Naruto answered plainly.
Without skipping a beat the man gave an energetic thumbs up, "Naruto it is! So what's your name?"
Naruto face-faulted. "It's Na-ru-to! Naruto! Are stupid?!"
"No. Just so filled with the flames of youth that I have a hard time keeping my thoughts straight. And if you're curious, Naruto, my name is Maito Gai! The Leaf's Great Green Beast."
"I don't care," he deadpanned.
Gai fell over dramatically before standing up and coughing. "Ahem! Anyway, I noticed you were having a little trouble with your eternal rival."
Naruto blinked. "How did you…whatever. Why do you actually care?"
Gai pointed to himself. "I myself have an eternal rival named Kakashi. We are always pitted against each other in eternal conflict to see who's best. I'm currently at thirty-seven wins thirty-six losses, so I am obviously the better rival."
Naruto made a silent "Oh" sound and nodded. "Okay. What's that got to do with me?"
Gai laughed proudly. "Simple. I believe, no, I know the future of our village is you young people. As such, I think it is great that you have found your own eternal rival to struggle against your whole life. If you would like, I can teach you how to beat your eternal rival at everything. Including taijutsu."
Naruto tilted his head in thought. 'This guy's obviously insane. I've never even heard of this Kakashi guy,' Kurama coughed, 'but he's a jonin. So he's got to be strong. I guess it couldn't hurt. If he wants to train me in some taijutsu it could be worth it, I don't really need help against Sasuke though. I'm currently winning with seven wins and six losses.'
Kurama could only sweat-drop at the blatant parallels Naruto was unintentionally drawing between him and the frog-man.
Gai took Naruto to a new training field, Training Ground Ten, and pointed ahead. "Alllright, Naruto. I said I'd show you a little taijutsu and I will. Gotta show me what you got first."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "So…you mean a spar?"
"Exactly," Gai added with a thumbs up and a smirk. One that somehow actually glinted.
Naruto could only look in disbelief. He put his hands together and chanted, "It's for the training, it's for the training, it's for the training."
Gai nodded and then got into a fighting stance Naruto didn't recognize.
Naruto raised an eyebrow but shrugged and assumed his Intercepting Fist stance.
Gai immediately recognized the fighting style but decided to ignore it and gave Naruto the signal to begin.
Naruto dashed to the side in attempt to circle around Gai.
However, the man was too quick to respond and turned around with a punch of his own before Naruto could even strike.
Naruto hissed as he jumped back, narrowly avoiding the hit, but feeling the wind rush by his head from the swing. He skipped back several steps and jumped from side to the other, keeping himself circling around Gai.
Naruto tried several more times to get a hit on Gai but never succeeded, the man simply reacted too swiftly. However, Naruto did get hit once and was amazed at how much power was behind the hit.
After sparring for several minutes, Gai gave the signal to stop. "Right! You're quite good, Naruto. I'm impressed."
Naruto panted as he sat collecting his breath. "H-how…did you hit…that hard?"
Gai chuckled proudly. "Simple. It's my own, custom taijutsu style, the Iron Fist. It focuses on using chakra to enhance one's own strength and putting as much raw power into your blows as possible."
Naruto perked up as he heard that. The Gentle Fist style, which he had partially integrated into the Intercepting Fist, also used chakra in the attacks, but as an additive, not a supplement. He had to admit that using chakra to enhance your attacks made sense considering how enough of it could turn someone into a human rocket. Naruto thought for a moment and then looked at Gai. "Think you could show me? How to do that with chakra?"
Gai looked at Naruto intrigued. "So you want to become my student do you?"
Naruto was about answer to the contrary but Gai babbled on.
"I accept. I've always wanted to be a sensei. And teaching someone like you, who is so much like me, is a dream. Right! I will show you everything I know about the Iron Fist! Which is everything since I invented it."
Naruto just slumped his shoulders in annoyance. 'Geez…this guy really is crazy.'
'But he's strong. So it could be worth it.'
'I hope so.'
Gai decided to test Naruto's full strength, since he could see the remains of the gravity seals, which didn't look like too much beyond just flecks of dirt to most people.
Naruto deactivated his seals and sparred with Gai again.
Gai was honestly surprised at how much strength Naruto had unrestrained.
Naturally it was little compared to the power of a jonin, but compared to even some full-fledged genin it was quite a lot.
That made Gai's job easier since part of learning the Iron Fist was being physically strong enough to handle the strain. So he began immediately, showing Naruto the beginning basics of his own custom taijutsu style.
Itachi watched from the forest curiously. He thought that learning this third taijutsu style might not be a bad idea. As combining a taijutsu focused on anticipating your opponent's moves and countering them, a taijutsu focused on using chakra bursts as a weapon without even touching the enemy and a taijutsu style focused on raw power would result in a truly fearsome taijutsu style all Naruto's own.
As such, he made no move to stop as Naruto began training with Gai one out of every seven days of the week.
Naruto was surprised from the beginning at just how effective the fighting style was. It naturally required a strong body with powerful muscles, much more so than something like the Gentle Fist and in some cases the Intercepting Fist.
A lot of the training for the Iron Fist involved mostly basic punches and kicks, but focused on making those punches and kicks as powerful as possible. One of Naruto's favorite parts of the training was using chakra to enhance the power of his attacks. Despite it being something used his muscles, Naruto was able to utilize his Shadow Clones to learn the method of concentrating chakra in his muscles since it was more about controlling than the chakra than it was the muscles. Which was good since Shadow Clones technically didn't have any muscles.
The fighting style itself was surprisingly simplistic, considering practicing for it was just using basic attacks. But it also involved specialized movements, one of which Naruto learned after only a few training sessions with Gai.
"Well, well, my little pupil. You've grown in your use of the Iron Fist quickly. I think it's time you learned one of its basic moves: the Leaf Whirlwind."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Leaf Whirlwind? That sounds pretty cool."
Gai nodded. He pointed to one of the wooden training dummies nearby and charged at it before jumping in the air.
Naruto, who had learned to subtly activate his Sharingan by placing a hand over his eye, watched as Gai surged chakra from his feet to begin a turning motion.
Gai spun around in the air with a powerful, wide spinning kick that literally made him seem like a whirlwind. The power and rotation in the kick taking the head of the dummy he hit right off.
Naruto gasped. "That's some attack."
"Yyup! It sure is. Now, to learn it is pretty simple. There're a few hanging blocks of wood over there," he pointed to a tall tree with several carved chunks of wood hanging down from the branches, "you can use them to practice. Then, when you do finally get the chance to face your eternal rival in bloody battle you can knock him off his feet. I'm sure you already know tree-walking?"
Naruto nodded.
"Grreat! You simply use the same principle and flow chakra out of your feet in midair to spin around like a giant top of lean green destruction. Err, orange, destruction, I suppose."
Naruto grinned as Gai commented on his outfit before thinking about what he had witnessed Gai do and charged at one of the blocks of wood, jumped in the air, and threw out his right leg in a roundhouse kick, surging chakra from his foot to accelerate the spin. Unfortunately he didn't balance it just right and fell to the ground with a thud."
"Hahaha! Don't worry little buddy! You'll do better next time! That was a very good first try! Now, let's see you do it again with more youth!"
Naruto sighed as he looked at Gai lazily. 'Geez, all this guy does is babble on about youth this, youth that. If I were someone else I might start thinking this guy's a pervert.'
He then watched as Gai continued to go on one of his rants.
'Nahhh, this guy's too stupid to be a pervert.' With a sigh he attempted the technique again and again. After only a few minutes of practice he managed to discover an alternative way to make the jutsu work. To flow chakra not just from the feet but from different parts of his body to balance out the surge and result in rotation. He still had little to no control but was getting better quickly.
"Good work, Naruto. Now, I have a youthful mission to complete, so I'll be off. But you…you should take your newfound power and run! Run off into the sunset and challenge your eternal rival!"
Naruto nearly gaped as he was suddenly standing on a rock shore in front of a sunset, waves crashing in front of the two of them. 'T-this is…'
'I…can't explain this. I'm a four thousand year old fox, and I have no clue what this is.'
After that particularly confusing event Naruto continued his training on his own.
And that way it remained for several weeks until Anko became curious as to what Naruto was actually doing during that one day a week he was gone.
As Naruto left his house later in the day, he was unaware of the shadow trailing him curiously.
Naruto ran the way towards Training Ground Ten, since he still wasn't familiar with where its exact location was yet to Teleport confidently.
This unfortunately gave the shadow the perfect opportunity to tail him effectively.
After arriving there Naruto was curious as to where Gai was but the man appearing in a large burst of smoke directly behind the blonde answered that question.
"Well, my star pupil, are you ready for more training?"
Naruto nodded. "Yup."
"Grrreat!"
Naruto just sighed as he and Gai began their training for the day.
"Alllrright! So, show me how far you've come on the developments of the great Leaf Whirlwind."
Naruto nodded. "I've managed to double the force above the regular version."
Gai nodded with folded arms. "Yes, yes. That'd be the Severe Leaf Whirlwind. There's also the Leaf Hurricane and the Severe Leaf Hurricane. If you can triple, then quadruple the power of the Leaf Whirlwind you'll have mastered all four levels of the technique."
Naruto nodded as Gai decided to test Naruto's understanding of the basic taijutsu itself.
Anko watched from the sidelines with a confused expression. 'Huh. So the kid's been getting instruction from frog-man. I guess that explains his sudden increase in taijutsu skill. That weird Iron Fist of his is so basic that it can be combined with just about anything. Guess I'll let Itachi know about this.' Satisfied with her investigation she vanished from the area.
"I see," Itachi said plainly. "So Naruto's been receiving extra instruction besides us."
"You don't think he's feeling unsatisfied, do ya?" Anko asked.
Itachi shook his head. "No. I think he just sees the value in Gai's taijutsu and is exploiting his instruction for what it's worth."
"You make Goldilocks sound so cold. Actually, I think it's because of his rivalry with your brother."
Itachi raised an eyebrow. "Sasuke?"
Anko nodded. "Yup. The two of them have basically turned into this generation's Kakashi and Gai. Of course, Naruto is more like Gai than Kakashi, Sasuke's usually the one to keep Naruto's enthusiasm down."
Itachi couldn't help but smile after hearing that. "I suppose that explains Sasuke's higher spirits."
"Higher spirits? Sorry but your little brother seems just as glum as always."
"Uchiha tend to be that way."
Anko nodded but then became serious. "Oy, Itachi. Who do you think told Naruto about his father?"
Itachi shook his head again. "I can't say. While some of the shinobi are aware of the connection, most would just as soon ignore Naruto than have anything to do with him."
Anko nodded again. She then widened her eyes. "Hey…you don't think it was…the Nine-Tails…do you?"
Itachi put a hand to his chin in thought. And then narrowed his eyes. "It would make sense. I've heard Jinchuriki are known to communicate with their Tailed Beasts inside their mind. However, I doubt that the Nine-Tails would become friendly with Naruto. It would most likely just try to deceive him."
Anko ran a hand through her hair in frustration. "Well…I guess you have a point." She then shrugged. "I suppose the kid will let us in on the secret when he feels like it."
Itachi nodded and then stood up, both vanishing from the field.
After a few more weeks of progressing like that, Anko, and to a lesser degree Itachi, decided it was time to force Naruto out of hiding his training with Gai.
To that end, when they entered Training Ground Seven, Naruto noticed that Anko was already there with Gai. He was slightly confused at that but didn't show his concern.
Gai turned as Itachi and Naruto entered the field. Anko had informed him of most of what had been happening with Naruto's training, but Gai still couldn't believe that Naruto was being trained by a captain ranked ANBU.
As they entered the field, Naruto waved weakly to Gai, who responded in regular Gai fashion.
"This is wonderful Naruto! You should've told me you were receiving such spectacular external training!"
Naruto sweat-dropped.
Anko then looked at him slyly. "So, why exactly were you hiding your training with Gai from us?"
Naruto gulped. "Ah…well…"
Hanari walked up to the group with Hinata beside her and asked, "Did you think we would be mad?"
Naruto rubbed the back of his head and chuckled weakly. "Well…a little."
"Uhuhuhu you needn't be. I think it's always best to get as much experience from as many sources as possible. I'm actually quite pleased that Maito Gai agreed to train you. That means that village isn't entirely filled with fools."
Naruto laughed weakly. 'Geez, she can sure say some biting things with a kind voice.'
"At any rate, I think it might be good for you to continue your training with Gai."
Gai nodded. "Yes! I would agree wholeheartedly! I could also train your daughter to access her flames of youth!"
Hanari subtly pushed Hinata behind her and said in too sweet a tone, "Keep your flames of youth away from my daughter."
Gai curled back some. 'Oww…that actually hurt.'
Itachi sighed. "Now that all of our current interruptions are done, shall we begin training?"
Gai nodded and then had an idea. "Itachi. If you'd like, you could take over training Naruto's clones that focus on ninjutsu. I can handle making him stronger."
Naruto began to sweat. He began to almost cry at Itachi's answer.
"That would be best. My specialty is in ninjutsu rather than physical strength after all."
Naruto almost felt betrayed that Itachi was willing to just leave Naruto with that green beast for several hours. He only had to suffer with his "youthful" personality for an hour or two a week. But now he'd be dealing with it for most days out of the week.
And so Maito Gai joined Naruto's group of friends and trainers.
For a few weeks Naruto would often find himself tired and strained from Gai's unique form of training. It was manageable at a couple hours a week but Naruto discovered quickly that doing it multiple days in a week was downright exhausting. Partly because of the training itself and partly because he added his gravity seals into the mix.
After one rather intensive day Naruto slowly made his way home, mostly hobbling rather than truly walking.
However, as he walked home he heard something that slowly made him feel a little more refreshed and became curious as to what the sound was. Flowing chakra to his ears he discovered the source of the sound, a flute.
Using his now more sensitive ears he attempted to track the sound of the flute and eventually managed to find his way to its source.
In the forest on the edge of the village he found a girl slightly older than him with long red hair and dark eyes. He merely stood silently as she played her flute for several minutes.
The sound of it relaxed him some as he listened. Unfortunately it made him so relaxed that he lost his posture and nearly fell, accidentally stepping on a branch.
The girl immediately stopped and glared, pulling out a kunai and looking around. "Who the fuck's there?!"
Naruto gulped as he sighed, a kunai impacting the tree next to him.
"You can't hide asshole!"
Naruto sighed and poked out from behind the tree, holding up his hands in an unthreatening manner.
The girl was now standing up, a hand on her hip as she scowled at Naruto. She looked him up and down. "What's a little brat like you doing all the way out here?"
Naruto rubbed the back of his head embarrassed. "Sorry…I just…heard the sound of your flute from where I was before and decided to investigate. It's a really pretty sound."
The girl widened her eyes in a light blush before turning. "Screw you! What the hell do you want?! I'm not dumb enough to believe that!"
Naruto tilted his head in confusion. "People don't like to hear it?"
"Tch, 'course not you dumbass." Groaning she decided to show him why. Playing her flute for another few moments, Naruto watched in surprise as three large, grotesque creatures appeared in bursts of smoke around her. One was a massive, mummy-like creature with everything but its mouth bound in bandages, even its hands, that faced backwards and had its neck practically broken. Another was a hulking monster, the largest of the three, with a bald head, bandages over its eyes, and bandages around its forearms that held in place spike-like weapons. The third was another monster with pale skin, had a dark-green, full bodysuit, hair that covered its face and wielded a kanabo.
The girl stopped playing her flute and looked at Naruto angrily, as if expecting him to scream.
Naruto's eyes widened and his mouth gaped, before he shouted, "That's so cool!"
The girl stumbled back in surprise. "Y-you're not…scared?"
Naruto shook his head. "No way, that's so awesome! So you can control these…uhm…what're they called?"
The girl sighed and then gave a faint smile. "They're called Rage Ogres. They're monsters I can summon and control with my flute."
"Really? You control them with your flute?"
She nodded, her smile having grown some as she began to play her flute.
Naruto watched in amazement as the beasts began to move, sluggishly but still moved, at her wordless commands. "Wooww…I wish I could do something like that. That's so cool."
The girl stopped playing and then looked at Naruto with a pained expression. "Well, you're the only person I know that thinks so. My own clan threw me out because of this jutsu."
Naruto shook his head. "I don't know why. If you got into a battle, it'd be really great to have these guys fighting on your side. I know I'd be scared if I had to face them."
She nodded and then looked up at them. "Yeah…by the way, what's your name?"
"Naruto. What's yours?"
"Tayuya."
Naruto nodded. "Nice to meetcha, Tayuya!"
Tayuya nodded back and shook Naruto's hand. "Yeah, you're not too bad, Naruto. Maybe when I destroy the world I won't kill you."
Naruto chuckled weakly. "You're eh…joking…right?"
"Maybe." She then snapped her fingers and the Rage Ogres vanished. "So, want to hear some more?"
Naruto nodded happily as Tayuya began to play more tunes on her flute.
Naruto and Tayuya stayed in that spot as Tayuya played her flute and Naruto told her about some of the different pranks he'd pull around the village from time to time.
The two decided to leave when the sun had gone down.
As Naruto walked away, 'Heh, guess history repeats itself.'
'How's that?'
'Because your mom originally fell for your father when he told her he like something about her that most people hated.'
'Is that so…well whatever. I'm hungry!'
'You're so thick.'
Naruto continued his training after that, and even met with Tayuya several more times as well, listening to more of her music and the two telling each other stories about their homes.
Naruto asked Tayuya where she was from one time but she just told him it was a place that no longer existed. He was rather befuddled but didn't pursue the matter.
One day, Naruto had decided he needed some new clothes. As a combination of his growth and his training making him a little more muscular than before, Naruto was starting to realize he needed bigger clothes. Naturally trying to get clothes the standard way failed miserably.
People either wouldn't sell him the items they had to offer, would sell them at extreme price hikes, or would only sell him the dirtiest, rattiest clothes they had to offer.
Naruto did eventually seem to get lucky though. With a combination of the Transformation Jutsu and good acting, Naruto was able to find a few items he liked at reasonable prices.
Due to how cheap they were, he bought multiples of a singular outfit with a few other items. The outfit he bought multiples of was one he absolutely loved but he quickly discovered the others, did not. It was an orange tracksuit with blue on the upper shoulders and around the waist, a white swirl with a tassel on the left shoulder, a red swirl marking on the back, a large white collar, and orange pants. He had also bought something he personally liked, a pair of green goggles. Itachi thought that the goggles were an odd choice but Naruto had explained that since the lenses were so dark he could pull them over his eyes and activate his Sharingan without having to cover one eye or the other.
Itachi was honestly surprised at how well-planned out that specific choice was.
After managing to get most of the others to stop complaining, minus Gai who found no problem with the outfit, Naruto had resumed regular training.
However, one particular incident had caused a shift in the group.
Naruto was sitting atop the Hokage monument, specifically his father's head, as he was lost in thought.
Another attack had been made on Naruto the night before. It was still several months before his birthday, when the situation became the most severe, but he still had the occasional assault launched at him.
This one had happened late at night after Naruto had accidentally spent too much time with Tayuya.
Ironically, after the man insulted him for hanging around with the "Flute Demon" Naruto had discovered that she was also part of the reason he was attacked. Unfortunately, he felt that her association with him was too dangerous and he had told her he would need to stop coming around for her own safety.
After showing her ire at him for the remark she had stormed off.
So not only was Naruto still recovering from an injury, he hadn't acted quickly enough when the man attacked him and got a powerful strike to the ribs that was still healing, he was also feeling like dirt since he had hurt Tayuya.
After releasing a heavy sigh he looked up when something hit his head softly. Then a water droplet landed in his eye. Wiping the water away he moaned, "Great. So now I'll be wet and hurt. Guess it just adds to the crappy day I've had, eh, Kurama?"
'Perhaps. Or maybe you just suck right now.'
"Yeah, maybe."
'Hey, Kit. Why are you talking out loud right now?'
"There's no one here. Besides, trying to talk to you with my mind gets confusing. And tiring."
'Whatever. So, think you'll really never see that flute girl again?'
Naruto sighed. "I'm not sure. She seemed pretty mad when she ran off. That stupid Ogre with the club hit me hard. And my rib had almost healed too."
'She did give you a whipping, didn't she?'
"Yeah, real funny fur ball. What about you?"
'Me? What about me?'
"Well you're like, what, four thousand years old or something?"
'There abouts. Why?'
"You ever have trouble with people like this?"
'I'm a giant nine-tailed fox with bright orange fur, I usually do, or I suppose did as it were, my best to avoid humans. Although…I did experiment with transforming into human forms a few times.'
"Really? Like what?"
'I don't remember. Happened a long time ago. I remember a couple though. My personal favorite was a man with long red hair and bright red eyes. I only used that form a few times though, it scared people and was just more trouble than it was worth.'
"Well considering someone with red hair and eyes would be terrifying to most, I can imagine."
'Hmph, this coming from the blue-eyed blonde that can turn his eyes red with little markings inside.'
Naruto hung his head in frustration. "You got me there."
"Naruto?"
Naruto froze and turned around to see Hinata behind him. "H-…Hi…nata. What…do you need?"
Hinata, who had also changed her attire in the passing months to a cream-colored, hooded jacket with a fire symbol on the upper right and upper left sleeves, and fur around the cuffs and hem, with navy blue pants, looked at Naruto curiously. "Who are you talking to?"
'See Kit, told you that was a bad idea.'
Naruto gulped and glanced off to the side. 'D-do you think…I should…tell her. You know, about you?'
'Doesn't matter to me either way. You could also just as easily cast a genjutsu on her to make her forget about all this.'
Naruto frowned. 'You know I couldn't do that.' Naruto sighed and then looked at Hinata. "Well…I guess it's time you learned…huh?"
Hinata turned bright red. "L-l-learned…!? A-a-about…what?!"
Naruto tilted his head in confusion and then also turned bright red. Waving his hands wildly he shouted, "Not that! Not that!"
Hinata seemed to calm down just a little. "O-oh…o…kay."
Naruto sighed and patted the spot next to him on the monument. "Not scared of heights are you?"
Hinata shook her head.
Naruto nodded in acceptance. He then sighed and looked out on the village. "Hinata, have you ever wondered why the village hates me so much?"
Hinata tilted her head in thought. "I've…thought about it a little. Why do they?"
Naruto sighed again. "Do you know what happened almost ten years ago?"
Hinata put a hand on her chin. "Do you mean…the Nine-Tails' attack?"
Naruto nodded.
"Yes. The Fourth Hokage fought and killed the Nine-Tails in order to defend the village, right?"
Naruto nodded uncommitted. "Sort of. The Fourth Hokage did fight and die against the Nine-Tails, but he didn't kill it."
"Why?"
"Because, you can't. It's part of a group of monsters called the Tailed Beasts," Kurama growled at the monster comment but knew it got the point across, "and they can't be killed. Not permanently at least."
Hinata tilted her head puzzled. "Then…what did he do with it?"
"He sealed it."
"Sealed it?"
Naruto nodded. "Yup. Most Tailed Beasts can be sealed inside of objects, like special talismans or stones, but not the Nine-Tails. It's too powerful. Only a human body is powerful enough to hold it."
Hinata raised an eyebrow curiously before her eyes started to widen.
Naruto noticed this out of the corner of his eye. He tightened his fists as he continued. "I see you've already figured it out. Yeah, it's me. I'm the one the Nine-Tails is sealed inside of." He then turned to Hinata, expecting to see fear, disgust, betrayal or a combination of the three on her face. Instead, and puzzlingly, he saw thought and confusion. "Uhm, Hinata?"
"Naruto…"
"Y-yes…?"
"You said it's sealed inside of you, right?"
"Ah…yeah…"
"So…you're its cage?"
"Uhm…yyes…"
"Which means…" she paused as she smiled lightly, "you're protecting the village from it."
Naruto's eyes shot wide. He was frankly floored by that response. He had expected many responses. Many different answers. But not that. Not that one. Naruto looked at Hinata in shock.
Hinata looked at Naruto in confusion and worry. "N-…Naruto?"
"Y-you…"
"'I'…what?"
"You don't think…I'm a monster?"
Hinata gasped. "W-w-why would I think that?!"
Naruto sat back and then looked out at the village. "They all think I'm do. They think that because the Nine-Tails is inside me, that it is me."
Hinata shook her head. "I don't think so. You're too nice Naruto. You're too warm and kind. You're always so upbeat. I see how the village looks at you and treats you. And yet…you're always smiling. I don't know how, but you do. Someone like that can't be a monster."
Naruto's eyes widened and then began to fill with tears. "H-Hinata…you…"
Hinata then reached over and hugged Naruto.
Naruto flinched at the contact, not expecting it, and hugged her back.
After a few seconds they pulled apart, Hinata's face bright, almost molten, red. "Uhm…Mommy always says that when someone's sad or crying, that a hug makes them feel better. So…"
Naruto just grinned brightly, tears still falling silently from his eyes. "You bet, Hinata! I feel great, y'know!"
Hinata nodded as well. "I'm glad. But…do you think…we could not tell Mommy?"
Naruto just grinned. "Don't worry, I won't."
Hinata nodded slowly.
Naruto sighed and then looked up. "It's starting to rain pretty hard. Think we should get back?"
Hinata nodded as Naruto stood up. She did as well.
Naruto put his hand on her shoulder and grinned. "I've got a quick way home." Both then disappeared in a burst of smoke.
Neither of them ever became aware of the mischievous lavender eyes that had observed them the whole time.
To Naruto's further surprise, Hinata and he had actually become closer friends after he revealed Kurama's existence to her.
Hinata had also started inviting Naruto over to the Hyuga compound for meals every once in a while as well.
Since the food was so good and he didn't have to struggle himself to make such less than average food he agreed.
Though he also found being around Hanari also made him happier. He didn't understand why though.
Naruto continued to train with the others, getting much stronger at a faster rate thanks to Gai's, or as he called him Bushy-Brow-sensei's, special training regimen. Although he never did see Tayuya again.
He continued his weekly trips to Ichiraku and noticed Ayame began to join in cooking the food with Teuchi and thought hers tasted really good as well.
Something that seemed to nearly cause the girl to faint to his confusion.
He found himself in a tough situation, however, when his birthday came around again. To his surprise, Hinata and Hanari yet again offered him solace at the Hyuga compound. Naturally he took them up on their offer, locking his apartment up with seals again to ensure no break-ins before taking up his momentary residence at the Hyuga clan's compound.
Like before Naruto stayed holed up in his given room, attempting to drown out the shouts and bellows from the outside.
And like before, Hanari had come to comfort him during that period of time.
Just her mere presence made Naruto feel safer, enough that he passed out into sleep almost instantly after she arrived.
Unlike before, Naruto had actually spent a few more days in the Hyuga compound after that, but left after that point, mostly of his own volition since he was beginning to feel like a freeloader.
He entered another few months of regularity after that, training most days out of the week, taking a day or two out to rest, near-constant competitions with Sasuke, the two somehow keeping an even score with one win each time, neither getting more than one win ahead of the other.
He did end up having a rather unusual encounter that, while it had little effect on him at that time, would have repercussions later.
In the early spring months, the citizenry of the Leaf Village were busily going about their usual routines.
In amidst this hustle and bustle, was a specific person that was snaking her way through the streets as she looked around the village curiously.
She was a fairly tall woman with long, maroon, wavy hair that reached down to her waist, blue eyes with a ring in the middle, fair skin, and a beauty-mark under the left side of her lip. She wore a shoulder-less, dark-pink, gi-like shirt with several stripes going down the middle, loose arm warmers that reached her upper arms, two simple earrings, and light-purple spandex shorts.
The woman wandered around the village, looking around at the different shops and restaurants, gaining the attention of many men, and the ire of many women, as she wandered the streets. There were many slaps delivered that day in the Leaf Village.
As she continued wandering the village she made her way to the training grounds.
It was a place civilians were technically not allowed to enter but most of the shinobi didn't seem to have an issue letting her by, for various reasons.
As she wandered around that area she eventually stumbled upon Training Ground Seven.
Her eyes widened slightly when she noticed the severe amount of devastation in the area.
Namely spots and areas on the ground and trees where areas almost a foot wide had been seemingly ground out.
She soon seemed to discover the source of the devastation, an unconscious and exhausted Naruto lying on the ground in the center of the field.
She wandered over to him and smirked slyly. 'My…to cause this much devastation he must have some large chakra reserves. I wonder what they would taste like…' She then knelt down next to Naruto leaned in, lightly sliding her tongue along his cheek. She sat back and flushed as she was filled with the sensation of Naruto's chakra. 'So…much chakra. And wind chakra as well. The sensation, the taste…it's almost…intoxicating. Huhu, I can't imagine what it would be like to suck every last drop from his body.'
Naruto had immediately snapped awake, somebody randomly licking you would do that, and he scooted against a tree swiftly.
The woman seemed to be brought out of her delusions by his actions and looked at him with a confused then sly expression as she stood up. "My, you certainly caused quite a bit of damage, didn't you?"
Naruto sat holding a hand against his cheek while shivering. "Nevermind that! Why the hell did you lick me lady?!"
Wiping a finger along her lips playfully, she answered. "Oh? I can taste someone's chakra that way. Yours is quite enticing."
Naruto looked at her puzzled. "You just keep away from my chakra lady."
She laughed playfully. "Don't worry, you're not quite old enough yet. By the way, I do have a name. It's Fuka."
"F-Fuka? Uhm…okay."
"And yours?"
Naruto stood up abashedly. "Oh, right, Naruto. Naruto Uzumaki."
"I see, I'll be sure to remember your name."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "What for?"
"No particular reason." Fuka then paused and looked around. "Mind telling me where all this damage came from?"
Naruto blinked but then answered, liking to brag. "I've actually been trying to get the hang of a new jutsu."
"Is that so? Mind if I see it?"
Naruto shrugged and stuck out his right hand, stabilizing it with his left as chakra condensed into it. It turned into the Rasengan but the n kept getting bigger until it doubled in size. Naruto grunted as he felt it already destabilizing and turned to slam it into a tree. "Giant Rasengan!"
The jutsu exploded and sent him flying, right into Fuka, knocking them both down.
Naruto apologized as he stood up, Fuka waving it off as she stood. "No, I'm not injured. That's quite a jutsu you have there, Rasengan was it?"
Naruto nodded with a grin. "Yeah, the Giant Rasengan actually."
"I see. That's impressive."
Naruto nodded again. "Yeah! Uhm…miss Fuka?"
"Please, Fuka is fine."
"Er, right. Why are you here anyway?"
Fuka responded swiftly despite not expecting him to actually ask that. "I merely got lost and then found my way to this spot."
Naruto shrugged. "I could show you the way back to the village if you want."
"That would be great actually."
Naruto nodded and led Fuka to the village proper, not entering himself though.
"Aren't you going to escort me?"
Naruto laughed weakly. "I would, but most of the villagers hate me. But don't worry, I'll become Hokage and prove'em wrong!"
Fuka had to think for a moment before chuckling. "Ah, I see. Well, good luck with that, Naruto." She waved casually as she walked away.
As she neared the edge of the village, she looked back over the village with a smirk. 'So, it seems there might be one thing worth saving in this doomed village.'
Naruto had elected not to tell the others about his unusual encounter, for various reasons but mainly because he figured they wouldn't believe him.
He never did see the woman again after that and merely continued his training with Itachi and the others.
However, he began to notice something strange.
Itachi was starting to be more and more absent from their training. He was beginning to be there less than four days a week. Naruto attempted to get an explanation from Itachi but he had no luck with the situation.
It was when he asked Hanari that he began to understand matters a little more.
Hanari sighed as she signaled Naruto to sit next to her, he was staying at the Hyuga compound since it was his eleventh birthday. He did and Hanari ran a hand down his back as she spoke. "You must excuse Itachi. He is not trying to neglect or push you away. There is simply tension between his clan and the Hokage. So until that matter is resolved he will be away from our training sessions for a while."
Naruto nodded with a heavy sigh. "Alright."
Hanari smiled warmly as she hugged the boy to her. "It will be alright Naruto. Regardless of what happens you will always have a warm place to stay here. I will make sure Itachi gets back to his proper training soon."
Naruto nodded with a smile and snuggled himself closer to the woman.
Unfortunately, as the weeks passed Itachi became even less involved with the training.
Naruto sighed again as Itachi, or more specifically a clone, offered his apologies before disappearing.
"It's alright Naruto," Hanari consoled.
Naruto sighed as he flopped down on a nearby rock.
"Itachi has his reasons as I said before."
"I know…but it just stinks that he's gone so much now."
"Are you saying you'd rather spend time with him than me?"
Naruto paled. He wasn't very advanced in the idea of talking to women, or people in general, but he'd been around Hanari long enough to know her dangerous tone of voice. Hoping to stave off the crippling KI that she levels at Hiashi on a daily basis, he shook his head furiously.
"Good," Hanari said snappily. She then changed the subject. "Naruto, you'll be joining the academy soon, won't you?"
Naruto looked up in thought. "Oh yeah…I will. Heh, heh, I can't wait to show up everyone."
Hanari narrowed her eyes. "Naruto."
"Yeah?" he responded. Though he tensed up some when he saw the distant, almost cold look in her eyes. "W-…what is it?"
"This is going to sound cruel, but you need to present yourself as less than you're actually worth in the academy."
Naruto stood up and almost glared at her. "Why?!"
"Because," she said shortly, "you know how foolish this village is, and that extends to the teachers in the academy as well. I imagine they will try and sabotage you and your progression. Fortunately you've already moved beyond most of what you would learn in the academy, but you can't show them that. I feel if they knew how skilled you truly are, even Itachi and myself would have a hard time protecting. And…that goes double for your Sharingan. Aside from those who are most important and most trusted to you, nobody in the entire world can know you have it."
Naruto began to wilt at her words. He didn't see much point in having all these powerful abilities if he wouldn't use them.
Hanari was able to read that plainly on his face and sighed as she sat down next to him. "Naruto, can you answer something for me?"
Naruto nodded weakly.
"Why do you think people become ninjas?"
Naruto looked at her puzzled. "Well…to fight and use powerful jutsu against enemies."
Hanari sighed in minor frustration. "Of all the things he's taught you, I'd assumed he'd teach you that."
"Teach me…what?"
Hanari looked at him warmly. "Naruto, what I'm about to tell you is important, alright?"
He nodded, listening to her intently, going so far as to activate his Sharingan so he wouldn't miss any of what she said.
Hanari had to chuckle at his enthusiasm. "A shinobi's purpose isn't to show off, or to fight necessarily. It's to protect. It's to protect people, places, ideals. To protect those things from people who want to hurt or break those things. A shinobi fights, not for the sake of fighting itself, or for the sake of fame or glory, but because fighting is the only way to protect what's precious. In fact, until you have something that's precious to you, you can't unlock your full potential; since a shinobi's, no, a person's true strength is unlocked when they have something ultimately precious to them that they want to protect, to the point that they'd be willing to stare death in the face to protect it, sometimes even from itself."
Naruto just drank in her words. He then grinned. "So…you mean like you?"
Hanari tilted her head. "Pardon?"
"Well, you said a person is only really strong when they have something to protect. Well, I want to protect you."
Hanari couldn't help the light flush that hit her cheeks. She then laughed warmly.
Naruto puffed his cheeks, unsure of why she was laughing and feeling mildly insulted.
After calming down she looked at him with a serene smile. "Yes. I suppose…that is true."
Naruto ignored his previous feeling of insult and just grinned happily.
Hanari then pulled Naruto into a warm hug.
Naruto was slightly confused at the act but hugged her in return.
"You are so warm and caring Naruto. You have a light within you I'm sure will guide many." She pulled back to look him in the eyes as she said, "I'm certain it will be hard, but try, no matter what the world tries to do you or throws at you, try not to let that light die out. I can see it will be very important to many people, and it is also important to you as well. So try not to let the darkness of this world extinguish that light, okay?"
Naruto looked at her puzzled, not entirely certain what she meant, but he raised a hand in the air and cheered, "You got it, Hanari!"
"Good boy," Hanari said softly, before leaning in and kissing Naruto on the forehead.
Naruto just blinked in confusion before his face was overcome with possibly the dumbest smile Hanari had ever seen.
She couldn't suppress the rather loud and almost boisterous laughter that escape her lungs as the boy seemed to just sway in the wind in front of her. As she laughed, a thought came into her mind. 'I've never had so much fun with anyone.'
Naruto wasn't certain exactly why she was laughing, and he honestly didn't care in that moment.
Another few weeks passed and Naruto did end up joining the academy, in the same class as several people he already knew including Hinata, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Choji and those two girls who were part of the massive horde trying to mow Sasuke down a while back. He found them quite noisy.
Just as Hanari had predicted, the teachers there actively tried to sabotage Naruto's development. Those specializing in taijutsu taught him improper stances and movements, sometimes just making up complete and random crap Naruto was certain he'd notice even without his already existent training, just because it was so different than everyone else. And to top it all off, when he did sometimes purposefully screw up badly to test their limits, they praised him.
Though Naruto was surprised that one teacher who, while not necessarily seeming to like Naruto, didn't outright hate him like the others. So that was something.
Naruto continued his training, at this point Gai had also left due to constraints with the village, and Itachi was almost entirely absent now, and the few times he was there, even Naruto noticed the mild distraction Itachi exhibited.
Anko and Hanari remained actively training him though. However the blonde wasn't sure if that was a blessing or a curse since Anko's unique methods just scared the hell out of him and Hanari made certain Naruto wanted to get things just right, otherwise her nasty KI made an unwanted appearance.
Naruto also began to notice Sasuke was no longer performing their rivalries anymore. He had just assumed it was due to Sasuke being busy with the academy, after all he hadn't received the same kind of special instruction Naruto had.
However, what little happiness and stability Naruto had left in his life was coldly snatched away from him one night.
Itachi had managed to show up for his daily training that day, and Naruto noticed Itachi had a smile on the entire time, one that seemed all too forced.
Naruto was obviously thrilled that Itachi had made it to their training, but what he had told Naruto afterward severely puzzled and worried the young blonde.
After finishing up training for the day, Itachi pulled Naruto aside and knelt down in front of him. "Naruto, I need you to listen carefully."
Naruto nodded slowly.
"You need to keep up with your solo training, as well as your strength training and jutsu training, though it will be much harder doing it on your own," Naruto's placid expression turned to confusion, "you should also start using higher placid levels on your gravity seals, so that you're not forced to consciously reduce your strength while at the academy. Also, don't let anyone know about how skilled you are, or how powerful I've become," Naruto's confusion turned to worry, "don't let anyone know about your training or your Sharingan, but most of all," Naruto's worry had turned into near crying sadness, "dissociate yourself from me as much as possible."
Naruto finally burst out, crying somewhat as he shouted, "Why?! Why're you telling me all this?! Won't you still be here to train me?! To help me?! Why will I need to worry about solo training if you're here?!"
Itachi smiled at Naruto and raised a hand, extended two fingers, and then lightly poked Naruto's forehead. "Because, I'm going to be gone for a while, and I don't know when I'll be coming back."
Naruto just stood in front of his teacher sobbing.
"So, keep up with your studies, even while I'm not here. And try to pay more attention to what the teachers tell the other students, rather than what they tell you. But keep your involvement with me completely hidden for as long as possible."
Naruto reached to grill Itachi for more answers but Itachi suddenly vanished with a Teleportation Jutsu. Naruto just stumbled around dumbly before realizing Itachi had gone somewhere else. With as late as it was getting and with little else to do, Naruto merely returned home, dragging his feet behind him from sadness and confusion.
Lying down on his bed he hoped his answers would be given in the morning. He couldn't have been more wrong.
Naruto awoke groggily as he looked around lazily. "Geez…really overdid it last night."
'The fact that I had to spend the whole night repairing your left leg is proof enough to that you fool.'
'Aah shaddup.' He wandered over to the door and saw something he had come to expect, the newspaper stuck under the door. He never quite figured why he was able to regularly get it each day, but he did, so he didn't mind.
Mindlessly he picked it up and tossed it on the table, preparing to read it later as he readied his breakfast. He glanced outside as he did and noticed it was bizarrely quiet and still. Usually the area was bustling with people running back and forth and shouting out to hawk their stuff. But today he just felt was different. The entire village almost felt somber.
He disregarded it though, the village always felt that way to him.
After preparing his breakfast, Naruto sat down at the table and decided to glance the paper, as a child he found little interesting beyond the cartoons but occasionally got to read reports on things like ninja missions or things like that. However, his heart stopped when he saw the front page, dropping it in shock.
Kurama could sense the emotion coursing through Naruto's mindscape. Narrowing its eyes, Kurama scanned the last couple seconds of Naruto's memories, and then snarled in frustration.
The front page read, "Uchiha clan slaughtered in the night. Only one survived. Itachi Uchiha suspected."
Naruto could only sit and tremble in shock and horror. "N-…no…it…can't…be…"
Kurama sighed. 'Shit. So…he killed his clan, eh?'
"This isn't something to take so lightly dammit!"
Naruto appeared in his mindscape, just hoping to get some solace. Sadly the emotions and physical effects transferred.
Kurama narrowed its eyes again. "So, do you believe it?"
Naruto just looked at his reflection in the water. "I…don't know. Wait!" He thought back to last night. He shot up and looked at Kurama. "You don't think…he was…"
Kurama sighed and looked at Naruto pointedly. "He probably was."
Naruto stumbled and then fell backwards. "So…that's…what he meant. He was…planning this…?" Naruto curled up on himself as he felt many emotions colliding. Confusion. Hurt. Betrayal. Loss.
Kurama sighed and then looked to the side. Kurama hadn't noticed it until recently but that glowing seed had grown. It was now a glowing, purple sphere roughly the size of a basketball. And it was pulsing now. Slow, steady pulses like a heartbeat. Kurama narrowed its eyes as it examined the sphere and then turned back to Naruto, who had seemingly become numb. "Oy." No response. "Oy." Nothing. "Oy, Kit!"
"…What…?" Naruto responded weakly.
"It won't do you any good to just sit here."
Naruto glared at the fox. "Then what do you suggest I do?" he asked in a near growl. "My sensei, who was practically a brother to me, just slaughtered his own clan and turned into a rogue ninja!"
"Who's the survivor?"
Naruto paused in thought.
"Perhaps that one lone survivor knows what happened. If you find them maybe you can find some of the answers."
Naruto stood up determined. "Yeah. You're right." Naruto nodded and disappeared from the mindscape.
He reappeared in his apartment, still physically weak. He stood up slowly as feeling returned to his limbs. Teleporting away immediately he made his way to the Uchiha clan district.
What he found there was not very inviting.
Two ANBU stood at the gate, yellow caution tape draped over the entrance. Naruto couldn't see far past them but he could see far enough to see several ANBU and general cleanup specialists moving heavy black bags. Body bags.
One of the ANBU, who Naruto recognized as Cat, looked at him puzzled. She titled her head and then looked over at her comrade.
He just shrugged and she walked over to Naruto and wordlessly ordered him to leave, though not rudely.
Naruto frowned and turned to leave.
After ducking behind an alleyway he decided to try getting into the district from above.
No go. There were ANBU stationed at every corner of the gates. They would spot him instantly even if he Teleported, since his Teleport speed was only about the same as an ANBU's running speed, making him a sore thumb to the ninja, most of whom looked ready to kill at a moment's notice.
Naruto sighed in resignation.
"You're looking for Sasuke, aren't you?"
Naruto turned in surprise, Cat behind him. He looked at her puzzled and noted her voice sounded oddly familiar, but disregarded it and focused in on her words. "So…Sasuke's the survivor?"
She nodded. "For now he's been transported to the Leaf hospital for observation. You can't visit him yet. In a few days though."
Naruto dropped his shoulders, he didn't want to wait that long.
Cat, who was actually Yugao, narrowed her eyes under her mask and saw the evident confusion on Naruto's face. Though she herself was confused as to why he was so concerned. So she decided to feed him what little she could. "It's true, you know."
Naruto looked at her weakly, though puzzled.
"It was Itachi who did this." She then looked over the edge of the roof into the parts of the district she could see from that position. "No one knows why though." She then turned to Naruto with a posture that denoted the stern look she had under her mask. "Now, I've already told you probably more than I should have. Go back home and wait until you can visit Sasuke in the hospital. Although I can't guarantee he'll want to do any talking."
Naruto nodded slowly and vanished in a burst of smoke.
Yugao tilted her head. "The Teleportation Jutsu? Most aren't taught that until they reach genin. Though he seemed far too skilled when we sparred. I suppose I'll find out eventually." With practiced ease she jumped from the roof to the ground.
Naruto for once did as he was told, returning to his house and waiting until Sasuke would be released for visitation. That was his original plan anyway. However, after three days, he eventually just crumbled into his own sadness and just never left his house at all.
After four days, he heard a knock at the door that night. He glanced weakly at the door and walked over mindlessly to it and opened the door.
Hanari was standing there with a worried expression. An expression that soon turned into pain as she looked at Naruto.
He looked tired. His skin had considerably paled due to four days of remaining in his house, presumably getting little sunlight, and even under his baggy tracksuit she could see that he was thinning. 'Has he even eaten?' She looked around and began to worry even more. Her worry turned into full-blown fear when she saw his face. He looked removed and almost broken, his eyes seeming dull. She dropped to her knees and wrapped the boy in a hug. "Oh, Naruto…I'm so sorry."
Naruto looked at her puzzled and too confused to do much of anything beyond just weakly hug her back.
Hanari and Naruto sat like that for several minutes before Hanari gently stood up. She looked at Naruto with a forced smile. "Alright, you go sit down, I'll prepare you a meal."
Naruto nodded weakly and shuffled over to his bed and sat down, still looking down in a mostly disengaged look.
Hanari sighed and looked through the items he had and attempted to prepare him a fitting meal, one that wouldn't be too hard on his stomach at that time. She knew that what Naruto was feeling wasn't as bad as the death of a loved one, like she had experienced with others, but to Naruto, his whole world literally revolved around Itachi for several years. While it was true others like herself and Hinata had found their way into it, it was all through Itachi. So while she knew the pain he felt wasn't the same level of pain as someone important dying, Naruto was feeling what was most certainly betrayal among other things.
After preparing the easily digested meal, a simple vegetable soup with a glass of water, she handed it to Naruto.
The blonde looked at her as though he had no idea what to do with the odd, steaming bowl of food in front of him. After a moment it seemed to click and he took it from her slowly and began to eat just as slowly.
Hanari also ate a bowl of the same soup, as she had cooked enough for two, and finished hers in a reasonable amount of time. She looked over at Naruto and frowned, he had barely eaten two thirds. That was definitely strange since in a normal meal Naruto would have easily downed ten bowls of the food.
She sighed and took it from him, resting it on the nearby table. She then turned to look at him with a sad smile. "I apologize Naruto, but I must be going, I do still have duties with the Hyuga clan." As she turned to leave she felt something lightly tugging on her kimono. She turned back around and saw Naruto standing behind her, looking at the floor and loosely holding a tuft of her clothing.
"Please…" he eked out, "…don't go…"
Hanari gave a pained expression but then morphed into a sympathetic smile. "Alright Naruto. I will stay." She turned and ushered him to his bed where she sat down beside him. She lightly wrapped her arms around him and held him in a warm embrace. "It will be alright, my sweet Naru."
Well, that ends this chapter. So the clan massacre's happened and I think a few readers who are here from Wagtail Shinobi and have good inferring abilities can probably guess what's coming next. Or you won't, no clue. Anyway, the next chapter will be a little delayed for a variety of real world reasons, and reasons related to other stories, so wait for it if you can. And, don't forget, if you have any burning questions you can't wait to get answered you can always PM me. I'm more than happy to answer any questions about the story there that I can't answer here as long as you're willing to accept the spoilers that come with those answers.
