Dragon and Sword Master: Now I know some people will hate me for saying that Hinata won't be in the harem, but I do have plans for her as I gave a teaser as to what she'll be
Phoenix and Staff Master: So…what plans do you have brother?
Dragon and Sword Master: You're worse than Ino, I swear. I'm not going to tell you anytime soon.
Phoenix and Staff Master: Brother!
Dragon and Sword Master: As a final thought, FireSamurai owns Ark and what he does with him…well let's just say what stays in Vegas stays in Vegas lol. In addition, Gabrella is still owned by her creator.
Shout Outs
Dragon and Phoenix Sword and Staff Masters: We are most likely doing a one-time thing called shout outs, for people that we cannot reach for some reason or another through lack of time or various other things.
Now then, I would like to thank Unamercat for adding this story to her (assuming her through the multitude of Yaoi stories on her site, a stereotypical assumption so I'm sorry if I'm wrong) Story Alert list. In addition, I would like to thank Rhivan for adding this story to his/her favorite story archive.
Chapter 4: Friends and Rivals, Same Old Same Old
A slap echoed through the room as Gabrella's face went towards the side of where she was hit, the force of it making her grimace in pain before quickly putting a hand to where she was hit just moments before.
"Why must you continue to disgrace the Uchiha name Gabrella? Not only have you failed to gain the Sharingan and now this? You're lucky I'm the brother of the Head Family or else they would have thrown you out long ago. I'm thinking of doing the same myself," the man said before glaring at the Chunin in front of him. "Now leave, your presence is starting to disgust me." He said as Gabrella quickly left the room and headed to her own. It was only there that she allowed herself to cry.
A few hours later, she woke up to someone knocking on her door.
"Leave me alone," was her strangled cry as the voice behind the door sighed. "Gab-chan, I'm sorry for my uncle's behavior. I know he is harsh on you because he doesn't see your potential, especially without the Sharingan…" the voice started to say behind the door as Gabrella just sighed and interrupted him.
"Itachi, I know you're trying to make me feel better, but I don't know what to do anymore…I've tried everything to make my Sharingan awaken, but nothing works.
"Keep pushing your limits Gab-chan. Sooner or later you'll achieve your goals," Itachi said as he walked away from the door, not seeing the look or grin that was on Gabrella's face. That vague amount of information was the first time anyone actually gave her any real advice.
Naruto sighed in happiness as he woke up. After everything that happened last night, Sakura was still willing to be his friend. However, he was a little annoyed at the fact that Hosaki wasn't going to tell him about this until he became a Jounin.
She does have a point though…guess I can't be too mad at her Naruto thought to himself before throwing the blanket off himself and heading towards his dresser where he got some clothes and went to the bathroom. As he went into the shower and turned on the water, he let the drops of controlled rain splatter around him as he thought back to what Hosaki told him before she let him sleep.
Flashback
Were you ever going to tell me about this Hosaki-chan? Naruto asked in a rare form of anger at the fox demoness, a look of sadness on her features.
I was going to tell you once you reached Chunin, maybe Jounin. It's a lot of information that could hurt you…plus there's an old saying that says ignorance is bliss…
You were doing it to protect me…but why?
I did it to protect you, and I did it because I thought it was the right thing to do. I also thought that you could safely protect yourself when you gained those ranks that I mentioned
…I can accept that I guess but…
But what Naru-chan?
Why me? Why attack and kill so many shinobi and kunoichi? He asked as he held back his tears. Being constantly attacked for something he didn't know about or responsible for and then having it told to him made Naruto wonder why everything happened.
I cannot answer the first one since I don't know the answer but…I will tell you about why I attacked on one condition, you must save all your questions until the end, all right?
All right.
Not many people know this, but…I once had a daughter, Kouen (red flame). When I went out to get some food for her and myself, a dog demon thought it wise to attack me. I took care of him soon enough, but he was able to retreat. However, while I was doing this, my daughter was vulnerable. When I got back to our cave, it smelled of snake and Kouen was missing. I was able to track the scent back to Konoha; however, that was where the scent went missing. I was never able to find out who took her, and now I'll probably never see her again since you know what happens when I got to Konohagakure.
You were attacked and assumed the shinobi and kunoichi were aiding him
Exactly, and that is why I took matters into my own hands and sealed into you. I just wish I could see her again…
Knowing my luck, I have a feeling we'll see her eventually.
I suppose…
End Flashback
Turning off the water and drying off, Naruto slipped into his clothes and slipped on the vest. While he didn't like becoming Syaoran, he liked the clothes that came with it. Getting out of the bathroom, he saw Sakura there, still yawning. As he went downstairs to start breakfast, he heard the water start running, assuming that Sakura was starting to wake up, as the warm water turned to cold halfway through. Finishing her shower quickly, she dried off and stomped down the stairs, glaring at the blonde, but she then noticed the toast, eggs and sausage that he made for both of them and she stopped glaring at him.
"Sorry Saku-chan…"
"Just sit down and be quiet. I'm still not fully awake yet…," she said as she yawned. The cold shower helped, but it would still be a little while before she completely woke up. "Remind me what we're doing up so early again."
"It probably has something to do with last night." Naruto said in between bites as Sakura shrugged, the gesture meaning maybe. Silence consumed them once again as the both of them finished their breakfast. Putting the dishes in the sink, they both left, Sakura locking up while Naruto waited for her. Remembering what happened, the duo walked to the Hokage Tower with silence hovering over them.
"Naruto?" Sakura asked as the boy looked in her direction
"Yeah Sakura?"
"Even though Iruka-sensei was kind enough to give you his hitai-ate, why didn't you get it when you had the chance? Why act like dead last?"
Sighing, he looked at Sakura with sad eyes. "It's because I'm the villager's scapegoat. If people knew of my true capabilities, then it wouldn't be long before someone stronger than me is found and uses me as their punching bag or kills me. Either option would be good for the whole of the village, and while I wouldn't mind showing my true strength, being dead last is actually kinda fun, especially when I can surprise someone with my true strength and besides, I like the idea of living in this world."
That makes two of us…
Chuckling at what the thought he heard from Hosaki-chan, he noticed how close they were to the tower. "Come on, we're almost there now, I'll race ya!" he said while grinning, not one of his normal grins, but a true grin, something rarely seen on Naruto's face, and that made Sakura happy as she too grinned and raced after Naruto.
"Are you sure it's a good idea to tell them, especially after what happened last night?" Rai asked as he looked across towards his boss, having his fingers crossed and him looking at his colleague from on top of his platform.
"No, but I think Naruto has the right to know, and since Sakura was with him at the time of being told, she also has the right to said knowledge," the Hokage said before hearing Naruto outside and soon after, Sakura.
"No fair, you had a head start!"
"All's fair in love and war Sakura-chan!" Naruto replied quickly before recomposing himself and grinning before he opened the door for Sakura. She glared at him for a second before grinning. It was hard to stay mad at him for long and as the two walked in, the jovial nature that the two youngsters had quickly stopped and replaced with serious faces, especially when they saw Rai there as well.
"Naruto, if you could please close the door," Sarutobi asked as Naruto complied with the request. After he did so Sarutobi did several hand seals before four marks on the walls, door and ceiling appeared, "Now then, I will first say that we have dealt with the traitorous Ikasama for what he has done. That information was classified as a double S-rank secret punishable by treason and death."
"Pardon me, Hokage-sama, but why was Naruto chosen?" Sakura asked as he silently winced, having to tell a white lie.
"The Yondaime found Naruto nearby and seeing that he was out of time, he had no choice but to seal the Kyuubi no into Naruto. Now then, where was I…oh yes, what Ikasama said, which part of is sadly true. You are the jailor of the Kyuubi no Kitsune but Naruto, whatever people say or do to you, please understand that they do not understand."
"Jiji, why do you keep calling her the Kyuubi no Kitsune? Her title is the Kyuubi no Yoko." Naruto said as the Hokage looked at him in surprise.
"Have you been talking to the Kyuubi?!" Sarutobi asked in shock and was in more shock when Naruto nodded. Before he could say anything more about it, Naruto told him everything that happened until then. "So Hosaki has been helping you?" he asked as the boy just nodded. Sighing and reaching for his pipe, he thought about what to do. "Naruto, as long as you and "Hosaki-chan" are on agreeable terms and she isn't using you, then I don't see any harm in her helping you from time to time. Now then, what we discussed here cannot leave this room, so if you say anything about Hosaki without either my or Naruto's permission, you would be charged with treason, am I understood Sakura, Rai?"
"We understand Hokage-sama," Rai said and at that, Sarutobi allowed the two youngsters to go, reminding them that they still needed their pictures taken and about the team placements a week from then. "Rai, for the sake of that boy, I want you to keep an eye on him…and I want you as a second sensei to whatever team Naruto and Sakura make to keep watch over them."
"I understand, but won't the council be angered at this, you helping Naruto as much as you are?" Rai asked as Sarutobi chuckled. "I have a feeling that Naruto and Sakura's final teammate will be an Uchiha…"
"Ah, I see. Well, I'll keep an eye on them, but I'd rather not dull my blade," was all Rai said before vanishing off into the sunny day, remembering that his new sword was suppose to come in today. He was glad that Naruto and Sakura wouldn't become strangers. Sighing on that, he thought of someone else who could help the blonde before a smile came to his face.
Now that that's over with…I have to deal with the council Sarutobi thought to himself before sighing as he went towards the conference room. Knowing that this would be a headache in the making, he told his secretary to have a small saucer of sake ready for him when he returned. Heading to the room, he sighed once again as he stood in front of the doors before opening them and heading in. This is going to be a long day…
He found the clan heads and several other civilian councilmen and women waiting for him. As he made his way to his seat in the center of the room, he noticed that all eyes were on him, waiting for him to speak.
"Now then, I would like to start with the prospering new group of shinobi and kunoichi that will be joining our ranks," Sarutobi said, interrupted by one of the people who hated Naruto.
"Why is that …" the unnamed council member started to say before Sarutobi glared at the man with a low amount of killing intent, but it was enough to shut the man up.
"First off, his name is Uzumaki Naruto, not demon or any variation of that word. Now then, Naruto saved a future kunoichi as well as exposed a traitor amongst our ranks. He was also able to use a B-rank kinjutsu to aid himself in that endeavor." Sarutobi continued after he dealt with the man.
"Rumors says that the gunslinger helped him…" one female on the council whispered to the person next to her before the door blasted off its hinges and a male appeared at the doorframe of where the door once was.
This man was wearing what looked like a blue jacket, flowing into something akin to a cloak behind him. On the back of his jacket was the image of a dragon imprisoned by several branches. A dark blue shirt was worn underneath the jacket and two side arms were hidden by the jacket/cloak. He was also wearing a pair of dark pants with a belt around them with hollow cylinders everywhere on the belt. On his feet were a pair of standard shinobi boots The last thing, which made him the most dangerous, was that his Konoha hitai-ate was acting as a blindfold, covering both eyes, almost like a certain lazy jounin currently in the room as well. "Why hello there Saru-sama, I'm sorry for intruding on something as important as this, but I heard my name spoken so…"
"You thought it wise to check it out, didn't you Ark-kun?" he asked while looking at the person who accidentally called his name before a hidden smirk crossed his lips. One of the females had a look of shock on her face and only thought of one thing…how the hell did he hear that?!
As the two teens were looking for a photographer to take their pictures, most of them either refused to take Naruto's picture, or charged the two twice the price that it would take for Naruto's picture. Annoyed at this continued idiocy, she left each area before finally stopping at the one place she knew would take both of their pictures for little money or no money at all. It helped that the photographer was also a good civilian friend of Sakura's.
Heading to her simple shop, Sakura pushed Naruto through the entrance before sighing. She knew that most people would consider Tomoyo a crazy romantic, but she knew what she was doing when it came to taking photos.
"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo shouted before enveloping her friend in a big hug. Looking at the male that was walking through the shop after Sakura pushed him in, Tomoyo giggled at the awkwardness on his face. "Is he Naruto?" Tomoyo asked before Sakura nodded, blushing as Tomoyo cackled in glee.
"Tomoyo-chan, whatever you're planning, please don't do it," Sakura pleaded with the young girl, knowing that she loved playing matchmaker.
"Fine, but you did come at a bad time though. I don't have much film left, enough for one more picture, maybe two. I swear I'm not playing matchmaker here," Tomoyo said as Sakura sighed. Knowing that she didn't have any other choice, Sakura walked over to Naruto and told her what was going on. He frowned for a bit before grinning and asked a question that made Sakura groan. Of course he wanted to pose for the camera…
After taking the picture and waiting for the two copies, the original and a copy of the original, both had Naruto and Sakura back to back, Naruto holding up a kunai as if he was going to twirl it, and Sakura held up a card between her forefinger and middle finger, the back towards the camera. "These are good, Tomoyo-chan," Sakura said as Tomoyo blushed in embarrassment and praise. Sakura went to her purse to pay her friend, but Tomoyo said that it was on the house, besides having a picture of her best friend and her crush was enough payment for her. Sakura was glad that the blonde was out of hearing range before turning around and looking at the girl in front of her with a stare on her face and mouthed the words, 'don't you dare tell him.'
Dropping their pictures off at the Tower for the Hokage to look over, the two decided to get some lunch, especially after Sakura's stomach started growling. Naruto wisely decided to keep his mouth shut, a decision that his body would thank him for since it wouldn't have to go through a thorough workout from Sakura when she was using the Fight card.
She relies on them too much…he absently thought as he felt his partner silently agree with him. Letting the thought slide for now, Naruto and Sakura headed towards their second favorite place to eat. Once there, Naruto opened the flap for both himself and the brunette before they sat down at the counter and greeted by Teuchi, jokingly calling them his favorite couple. Both blushed at that before quickly denying it, muttering at the old man while he laughed.
"I heard you were able to graduate from the Academy, Naruto, congratulations! Does that mean I need to find a new helper from now on?" Teuchi asked, referring to Naruto's doppelganger Syaoran, who usually delivered some ramen to customers in exchange for free food.
"Probably, but if I find time in-between future missions and any training as a team, I'll gladly help you Teuchi-oji-san." Naruto said, grinning as the ramen owner scowled at that. Handing them their ramen, Naruto and Sakura ate in peace.
"Sakura?"
"What?"
"Can you take out your deck for a second?" He asked in a serious tone, especially since he knew how much she guarded those cards. As she did so, she turned to see Naruto at the door, a small amount of money for the ramen due to his stubbornness. When asked where they were going, all he replied was, "to make you a better rounded kunoichi…"
"I really wish you would stop doing that Ark. I understand that you hate the council as much as I do, but if you keep barging in there, eventually the council will charge you with some bogus charge, tack on insubordination and treason before exiling you out of Konoha, maybe even Hi no Kuni (Land of Fire)." Pacing around the office as he said this, Ark was waiting for him to sit down.
"True, but my skills are too extraordinary for them to even try something like that, and they can't touch Shimo (Frost) and Nobara (Wild Rose) for examination, unless they want to invoke some of their personal seals," Ark said as the Hokage nodded.
"Anyways, how was your mission?"
"It was surprisingly easy, seeing as they didn't mind getting the 'demon whore' and her 'slut' out of there," he said with venom, almost spitting out the terms that the village used on her and her guardian.
"Wherever they are, they are safe, correct?" Sarutobi asked as Ark just chuckled before starting to laugh. Once he stopped though…
"If nothing else, they are safe. I have a friend keeping an eye on them, someone I trust just as much as I trust my partners," he said, patting his guns as the two continued to talk about the events that occurred after his mission and on his way home.
"If that is the case, I have a personal favor to ask…"
Sighing, Ark took a cigarette from his hip pocket and put it in his mouth before lighting it. "Whenever you say that, that just means more trouble for me…" The young man said before Sarutobi chuckled at his friend's way of saying, "what is it?"
"Well, it goes like this…"
"Come on Naruto, give me a break here." Sakura shouted as she blocked another punch from her sparring partner. After lunch, Naruto took her to a training ground that wasn't being used and asked if she could spar with him. She agreed before reaching into her deck, but she couldn't place any chakra into them as she jumped over a sweeping kick and then ducked under the punch he threw. She knew he was a brawler, but he usually gave her some time to draw one card or made a mistake, but this time he was constantly attacking and not letting her take a break.
"Come on Naruto, let me get a card out," Sakura yelled as she ducked under another punch, before being tapped with a low wheel kick. This went on for a little longer before Naruto stopped, both having sweat on their foreheads, Naruto more so than Sakura.
"Baka, what was that for? You didn't even give me a chance to attack," Sakura accused as Naruto took his vest off and standing, his clothes starting to stick to him like a second skin.
"That's the point Saku-chan, your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness. You rely on your cards for every battle, but if someone ambushed and attacked you like I just did…," Naruto left hanging, Sakura catching on as to what he was saying.
Glaring at the blonde, she then added that she wasn't a one-dimensional kunoichi before she heard his laughter. Growling at him, she pounced, causing the both of them to lose their balance and fall to the ground, Sakura on top of Naruto. Blushing at the closeness, they both parted from their positions and sat on the ground, looking away from each other with the blush still on their faces. The awkward silence continued before Naruto coughed, dispelling it soon after.
"Sorry…" she said before Naruto shook his head, explaining that it was his fault. He figured that showing her rather than telling her would be a better idea, and for once, he was wrong. "What did you mean though?" she asked as Naruto got up, extending his hand for her to grab. Once she did, Naruto pulled her up as if nothing happened.
"Exactly what I said, you rely on your cards way too much. I have an idea to help though…" Naruto said as he shuddered, not exactly liking what he was about to say. Continuing on, he then told her about a Taijutsu expert that even her brother hated, a man that worked himself to the ground, and then sometimes even worked himself through it at times. The Jounin named Maito Gai…
"If he makes us wear those crazy spandex suits of his, I'm asking Fight and see if she can teach us or at least me," Sakura said as Naruto nodded. A few hours later, the two found the man; however, when they asked if he could train them, he said only on the condition of at least trying one of the despised garment, which caused Sakura to growl, and before she could do anything, Naruto dragged the grumbling girl away before she could do any everlasting damage.
"All right, we did things your way, now we're doing things my way. Make some clones," she commanded as Naruto gulped slightly. She only got like this when she was extremely mad. Naruto did as told, creating five clones as Sakura asked as she summoned the fight card in all of her glory. The humanoid card looked on in curiosity as she looked at her master.
Mistress, why did you summon me?
"I…I have a weakness, and only you can help Fight-chan," Sakura said as she looked down at the ground. The card knew what she was feeling, and smiled sadly at her.
I might be able to help Mistress, but I can guarantee nothing.
"Thanks, but can you do me a favor? Please, just call me Sakura, or Sakura-chan. Mistress makes me sound old." The Fight Card smirked at that, before nodding. Naruto, feeling left out, asked what he could do and when Fight looked at Sakura, she just shrugged and added that he could use some help as well. The girls started laughing when he started grumbling.
It couldn't hurt, besides, I can always help if you find her style doesn't fit. I'm sure I have something for you…besides that Elurophobia one.
…don't remind me
Sighing as he heard laughter going on in his head, he did not need a reminder of one of his greatest fears and started listening to one of the many cards that made Sakura dangerous as she finished her examination on Sakura.
"I'm sorry, but as you are right now, I cannot train you, nor do I want to waste my time. Don't get me wrong, Mistress, but it would be a waste of my time to train either you or Naruto, I'm sorry…," was all she said as Sakura looked down, saddened at the fact that not even her method would be beneficial. "However, if you two want to start on the path to better yourselves, weights are a good place to start…" the blue-haired female said before disappearing and returning back into her card form. Bending down and picking the card up, Sakura put the card back into her pocket, tears slowly making way to the surface. Blinking them back, she turned to Naruto.
"You know of any good places to get some shinobi supplies?" Sakura asked as Naruto grinned.
"I'm a former street rat, I should know Konoha's maze of streets like the back of my hand. Come on, follow me," he said before leading Sakura to where they were from into the village and after a small walk with many twists and turns, they appeared in front of a small shop. "This isn't the best in Konoha, but the owners treated me fairly when I needed shuriken and kunai, and I'm pretty sure she'll give us a few tips on the uses of weights as well, especially since one of her teammates uses weights as well."
"oh?"
"Tenten Kengeki (weapons), also known as the Weapon Mistress of Konoha, and the co-owner of the store, along with her adopted father," Naruto said as he opened the door, holding it open for Sakura. Once they entered, the girl at the counter became active and watched the duo come closer to the counter.
"Hey Naruto…Sakura," the girl said, envious about how close she was to Naruto and the relationship she had with the boy. The person that she was trying to help open up was still an arrogant prick at best, a bastard at worst, but she hid it well. Sighing quietly to herself, she smothered her feelings for her friends. "What can I help you two with?" She asked as Naruto told her what he wanted.
"I know about Rock Lee's training regime, and we were both wondering if we could start on weights ourselves." Naruto said, knowing that Sakura would still be mad at the card for a while and didn't want to talk.
"You want to start with some weights?" Tenten asked as Naruto nodded in agreement, as Tenten went into the back of the store to get the requested artifacts. Once she returned with a few pairs, she asked the both of them to test each size to feel if they could handle it and that it wouldn't be to tight to pinch the skin. Finding a pair that they both liked, Tenten showed them how they worked before Naruto paid for them all before adding chakra into them, putting it at the minimum setting, two pounds each, equaling a total of eight pounds of deadweight, as Sakura did the same for her own pair of weights.
"Thanks Ten-chan. We'll see you around if we need anything!" Naruto shouted from the doorway as they both left from the shop. When they got outside, Naruto stopped and asked Sakura if she wanted to know of a good training spot. When she answered yes, the two started walking, noticing the difference and that it was a little bit harder to do with the weights on. Soon after though, the two made an agreement to up the weight to five before standing in front of the Hokage Monument.
"You want us to go up that steep path with weights on? Naruto, I'm not a stamina freak like you are, you know that," Sakura said as Naruto stopped.
"I know that Saku-chan, but at least try to go half-way, please? If you have trouble, you can stop the chakra flow to the weights and just walk up normally, but you should at least try, right?" he asked as Sakura nodded, before putting on a stoic face and asking Naruto to lead, which he did so readily.
Tiring halfway through, Sakura made it another few steps up the steep mountain path before taking some of the chakra away, going down to the lower setting once again. Noticing that they were almost at the top, Sakura wondered what type of secret training ground Naruto found. Speaking of which, how did he find this place? Voicing her thoughts aloud to her blonde partner, Naruto only said that it became a hideout for when he was younger. Sighing, not only at the vagueness but also because of why he had to find it and soon after, they reached the top, where she just stood there and stared as her breath was taken away by the scenery. "Wow…," was all that she could say as Naruto chuckled.
"Welcome to my humble abode before I came to live with you. Not much, but it's pretty good, don't you think?" He asked before she sighed. This was where he was when she didn't see the boy for hours at time, or during his birthday.
"Now then, I'm going to practice with the Kage Bunshin. Saki-chan noticed something last night, but doesn't want to tell me, saying I should figure it out for myself…," he said, to which Sakura nodded.
"Besides, if you rely on her all the time, then what about your own skills?"
"I suppose…but she did give me a hint. 'It's not impossible to look both left and right at the same time,' whatever that means," he said as a clone disappeared, not realizing that the information travelled to his brain, before saying something about how the river was lower than usual, and said as such.
Grinning at that, Sakura told her that was what Hosaki was referring about, and when Naruto asked about what she meant, she asked him how he knew about the river when he wasn't looking at it. Thinking about it for a while, Naruto finally understood.
So that's what you meant by saying that cryptic clue.
Of course, besides, I couldn't give you to much of an easy clue, right? She asked as Naruto gave the equivalent of a mental sigh.
Now what?
That is up to you Naruto. Hosaki said as both she, Naruto and Sakura lost track of time on the mountain and the training grounds.
Noticing that Naruto and Sakura were running late, he started growing worried. When the sun started to set, he went to start looking for them. Closing his eyes, he steadied his breathing before becoming invisible to the world, concentrating on the chakra signatures that were in Konoha. Sensing a big source of chakra alongside a smaller and condensed one, he let his breathing return to normal before his body reappeared and he vanished.
What he saw shocked him, and made him glad all in the same motion. He noticed that while Sakura was sleeping, Naruto was kind enough to remove his vest and place it around the girl, as well as lighting a small fire. He also noticed a set of weights by her side and grinned evilly. Naruto bought weights for himself and for Sakura, oh how much fun their senseis would have…
Not bad kid, not bad at all, he thought to himself as he watched Naruto use five clones as fighting practice, while another five were working on chakra exercises, balancing either a stone or a leaf on top of the head and other places along the body as well. He remembered…he thought to himself before looking at the blonde for a few more minutes.
After Naruto finished and dismissed the clones one by one, Rai noticed that Naruto's large chakra started to grow a little denser, if only just. He would still have trouble doing some low ranked jutsus…
"Naruto, why didn't you send a message or something? You had me worried," Rai said, noticing that the young fox container jumped in surprise at that.
I tried telling you, but you wouldn't listen, Hosaki said as Naruto grumbled on about how Rai was able to sneak up on him like that, before looking at the surroundings and saw that his guardian killed the fire and was holding his sister in his hands carefully.
"I hate to say this, but when we get home, you can use your stupid jutsu and undress her," Rai said before tuning out the blonde's rant about how the Oiruke no jutsu was not a stupid technique before they both vanished into the night.
Yawning, Sakura woke up nice and warm, confused as to how she got into her bed, and changed. Growling, she got up and picked out a few articles of clothing before stomping to the shower. After getting in, she locked the door before turning on the water and letting her thoughts start to wander. A few seconds later, a knock entered her savannah and Sakura sighed before stopping her shower. "Who is it?" she asked as Rai told her that the Hokage wanted to see her and Naruto as soon as possible. "Fine," was all she said before quickly finishing.
Heading downstairs, Sakura saw Naruto already dressed and ready to go, waiting for her. This somewhat seemed ironic, since it was always her waiting on him to wake up. Wondering what was going on, Sakura looked at Naruto, who shrugged, also not knowing what else was going on. As all three members left the house, Naruto and Sakura went towards the Hokage Tower yet again.
"Why do I have a feeling we won't like the outcome of this?" She asked as Naruto shrugged. Seeing the door in the distance, Sakura let an ungraceful smirk adorn her features before running off, leaving a stunned Naruto looking at her for a few moments before yelling and running after her. Soon after, they reached the door to the Hokage's office, and were let in by the elderly man.
"Oji-san, you wanted to see us?" Naruto asked as they saw the Hokage with two profiles, one in each hand. Both of them had one picture on them, theirs.
"These are great pictures you two; retake them."
"What?!" both Naruto and Sakura shouted in confusion.
"Even though these stay in the village, these are important documents, and should be taken seriously," The Hokage said as the door silently slid open as a young boy slipped in. Before anyone else in the room could say anything, the boy yelled, "You old geezer, fight me! The title of Godaime Hokage belongs to me, Sarutobi Konohamaru!" However, as bold as the statement was, Konohamaru tripped over his scarf and face planted soon after.
Problems just keep showing up today…the old man thought to himself before sighing as he saw the scene unravel before his eyes. Somewhere across Konoha, a blinded gunslinger sneezed as the thought crossed the old man's mind.
Picking himself up from the floor, the young boy looked around before setting his eyes on the blonde and brunette in the room. Narrowing his eyes, the young boy accused Naruto of tripping him, which Naruto profusely denied, adding that he tripped over his own feet. A low growl came from Konohamaru, and the boy glared at Naruto, Naruto returning it with one of his own. Starting another attack, Konohamaru went towards Naruto, but the young boy didn't get a chance to do anything because Naruto quickly grabbed him by his shirt, picking him up in the process. When he did that, he also noticed a man dressed in black appeared in the door, panic running across his face, the glasses lowered. The man noticed what was going on and quickly yelled at Naruto to let him go or pay the consequences for harming the Honorable Grandson of the Third Hokage.
"Naruto, you shouldn't…," Sakura tried to warn him as Naruto looked towards the boy with his fist raised, cocked and ready to hit the boy that tried attacking him.
It's just as I thought. This person isn't bold enough to hit me after hearing that fact…the young boy thought to himself, right before Naruto brought his fist down, making a lump on the boy's head, while shouting that he didn't care if he was the Hokage's son.
"Honorable Grandson!" the male with the glasses said, before glaring at Naruto. Stupid demon brat, harming the Honorable Grandson…he thought to himself as he pushed his glasses up.
Sighing quietly at the scene, Sarutobi said that Naruto and Sakura could leave and as they did so, Sakura bowed in apology for Naruto's actions but Sarutobi waved it off. For once, someone wasn't afraid to give Konohamaru what he deserved.
As the duo left, each received a glare from the glasses-wearing man, ignoring it as they always did. Before long, they were walking out of the tower, both now bored out of their minds. However, the bored look turn into a glare as both Genin looked behind them, noticing a square rock.
Whispering to Naruto, Sakura asked if he wanted to take care of it or her. Saying that he would take care of it, Naruto then suggested Sakura to do some training at 3 lbs to which Sakura said she would. Heading off, Sakura activated the weights, carefully setting them to the weight that she wanted.
After the two of them left, Ebisu ranted, saying that even though he was the Grandson of the Hokage, the Honorable Grandson shouldn't involve himself with people like them and teach him how to become a great Hokage. However, as the teacher looked away for a few seconds, the boy was gone. "Where did the young master go?"
"Konohamaru is probably following Naruto and Sakura by now, Ebisu. I would be surprised if he wasn't." He said as Ebisu started panicking and ran out of the room, searching for Sakura, Naruto and his student.
Why would he want to head after those riff-raffs? he thought to himself before heading out, his personal mission, finding the young master.
Walking back to where the square rock was, he gave it a small kick. When nothing happened, Naruto got annoyed before saying, "you're not fooling anyone you know, and besides, rocks don't have perfect lines." The box went up in smoke as Konohamaru appeared from it, coughing a little at the fact that he used a little too much smoke.
"You were the one who beat my grandfather with one technique, right? Teach it to me, please?"
"Why?"
"I want to become Hokage, just like you."
"That's not what I meant. Why do you want to know the technique?"
"It's because I want to defeat my teacher and show him that I can become Hokage without his help…," Konohamaru stated as Naruto pondered on what to do.
I say you do it.
Why? He was ready to attack me earlier for something I didn't do, just like everyone else.
Unlike everyone else though, it wasn't because of me; he was just looking for someone to blame instead of placing the blame on himself.
If you say so…he thought before ending the conversation with Hosaki, only to see a pleading boy looking at him. Sighing, he agreed to help him, which got a grin and an expression of great from his new apprentice, also starting to refer to Naruto as "boss."
This is going to take a while…Naruto thought to himself before he heard a giggle from Hosaki. Silencing her by cutting off the mental link, he didn't see the pout that the fox queen was giving her jailor.
"So, what do you know?" Naruto asked as the two walked on, getting a curious look from the boy.
"Why do you want to know that?"
"So I know where to start. It would be boring if I told you something that you already knew, no?"
"I guess…anyways, I know about chakra and how to form it, but that's about it. I also know about your technique and how it defeated my grandfather in one attack," Konohamaru said as Naruto listened on.
"Alright, since you already know about chakra and how to use it, as well as the technique, then the next best thing to do is just test it out." Naruto said as Konohamaru looked on in interest.
"What should I do?" Konohamaru asked, before Naruto told him to wait, wanting to get confirmation from someone. A few minutes later, Naruto had a grin on his face, especially since he used the Yoko's own words against her. After doing that, Naruto saw a pretty girl near the end of the street.
Finding a young female civilian with light brown hair in a ponytail and a blue kimono, Naruto pointed towards her, telling Konohamaru to transform into that woman there. Seeing on whom Naruto was pointing at, Konohamaru used the seal for Henge no jutsu and when the smoke cleared, there was a woman; however, the body was extremely fat and her hair was in disarray and even the face was fatty.
"So, what do you think?" he asked as Naruto cringed, saying that she looked similar to the female and that the clothes were perfect, but before he could say anything else, he felt a small amount of killer intent behind him. Turning around, he received a punch straight to his head. After she did that, she went to Konohamaru, who undid the jutsu before anything else happened; cringed as he was expecting a blow for himself as well, but all the female said was to do a cuter transformation of herself next time. Saying that she was scary, Naruto could only agree to the boy's judgment.
"Alright then, now that you know what not to do, I'm going to get something that will help you with the technique. Let's go," Naruto said as the two of them went off to the bookstore. Using a henge, Naruto went into the bookstore before quickly coming back out, a few books in his hand, and a grin on his face, especially since he was able to prank the old man who always gave him grief when it came to buying something.
Sakura was walking through the village with the thought of what would happen in the near future, team placements. I hope I'm placed with someone I like… she thought to herself as she waved hello to Hinata before stopping as the girl called her name, intrigued, Sakura made her way over to the shy laden girl. "Hey Hinata," she said as Hinata smiled.
"Are you free Sakura-chan?"
"Sure, why do you ask?"
"I was wondering if you wanted to go to the hot springs…," Hinata said, poking her fingers together in nervousness. While she lost her stutter years ago after being saved by Naruto, she still reverted to that habit whenever she was nervous.
"Sure thing," she said as the two walked towards the hot springs, talking about everything and nothing, just happy to be in the other's company, something they wouldn't be able to have for much longer.
When they got there, they noticed things in disarray, nothing showing what happened, but the two kunoichi could assume that they just missed a pervert and while annoyed at the fact the pervert wasn't found, at least the two girls were not looked upon with perverted eyes.
"Guess we're lucky, huh Hinata?" Sakura asked as the blue-haired girl nodded.
This is what you meant when you said you weren't going to hurt me…the kunoichi are doing it for you…
That isn't true. What I would do is much worse than what these humans can do; trust me.
Fine… he finished in a disbelieving tone before seeing Konohamaru wave his hand in front of his face. Swatting it away, Naruto asked the kid if he was okay.
"I'm alright…I'm sorry for the trouble…," he started saying before Naruto interrupted him.
"Why are you sorry? I'm the one teaching you and so both the teacher's and student's problem lie on the teacher's." Naruto said as it only fell on deaf ears.
"It's because I'm the grandson of a Hokage that people treat me like this…,"
"It doesn't matter. Either the prince of the village or a lowly street rat like me…it doesn't matter, at least in my eyes. Now then, we need to go to a training field and work on some small details…," He said as the child looked onwards.
"Such as?"
"Right now, you're on step two of three. You just need a little practice before perfecting it and getting to that third and final step. Now then, follow me," Naruto said before heading off at a brisk pace, Konohamaru trying hard to keep up with him.
Once the duo got there, Naruto noticed that his apprentice was showing signs of fatigue, but in order to make new limits, he would have to break through the ones he had now. After Konohamaru looked over the book, he looked back at Naruto with a confused look in his eyes, "You wanted me to study porn?"
"Not exactly, and as you saw in that porn, there were four things that made the female look attractive: the face, the chest, the waist, and the butt. Now that you know this, go ahead and try the Oiruke no jutsu again, keeping all four traits in mind." Naruto said as Konohamaru did as Naruto said before a poof went off.
"Well?"
"Not bad, try again." Naruto said, before growing quiet once again as Konohamaru did the ram seal, turning into a much better female than before. "Good. I say you got it down now kiddo," to which Konohamaru grinned at this.
Naruto, that teacher of his is coming here. I think he felt your chakra…
No problem, it would be a great test for my young apprentice and in case he fails, I've been working on a jutsu that I wouldn't mind trying out on his teacher as well…
Oh?
You'll see. I just ask one thing…whatever happens; you don't hold me responsible and after a few seconds of silence, Naruto got an all right from Hosaki.
Ebisu was searching for his student, as well as for the person who brainwashed him into leaving. Looking both high and low, Ebisu hoped that the demon didn't convert him or something else dreadful.
Where are you? He thought to himself as he pondered over what he was doing, and how a twelve-year old Genin hopeful was undermining him, and as he was thinking of what to do, he felt a small pulse of chakra. Waiting a little longer, he felt it again, this time bigger and longer than the first. Grinning at what he found, Ebisu was happy that the monster didn't kill the Honorable Grandson, but other things came to his mind.
Grinning before he did a shushin to the nearby forest, he suddenly lost the source of the chakra signature and he started to panic, not knowing what the demon would do to an innocent child like his student. Young Master should be here somewhere, I just don't know where… Ebisu thought to himself as he shrugged before jumping to a branch. He was an elite teacher and didn't mind searching for his student the old-fashioned way, and as he jumped from branch to branch, he extended his senses, wondering where his student and that bug known as Naruto were.
"All right, let's take a break. You seem to be getting the hang of the Oiruke no jutsu." Naruto said as he produced a bottle of juice and tossed it to his apprentice. The young boy grabbed it and opened the container, taking a long swig from it.
"Thanks."
"No problem," he said as he then opened his container of juice and took a small sip from it. "I got a question for you, if you don't want to answer I'll understand but… why are you so obsessed with the old man Hokage?"
Looking at him with shock at asking such a question, the boy slouched a little before telling Naruto. "When I was born, Grandpa gave me the name Konohamaru. He took it from the name of this village, but even though it's a name, everyone hears many times, no one actually calls me by that name. Whenever anyone sees or calls me, they only see the grandson of a Hokage and no one recognizes me as an individual. I hate that so…I want the title of Hokage right now."
After hearing his story, Naruto thought about it before coming to a conclusion. Knowing that he would sound harsh, it needed to be said. "You're an idiot. No one would recognize a kid like you as the Hokage,"
"What?"
"You keep shouting 'Hokage, Hokage,' but if you really want that title so badly…," he said before turning to his student and smirking, "you need to defeat me first! All right, break time is over, one more time with the Oiruke before I show you something practical."
"Something practical?"
"What could someone like you teach someone as the Honorable Grandson?" Ebisu asked as he appeared out of the forestry, hearing the last moments of conversation between the two. Glaring at the blonde, Ebisu was wondering what he taught the young master.
Why do people always stare at me with those types of eyes?!
Naruto…the only reason that they do this is because they cannot let go of the past. They still hate me, and you, because of what happened. When a person hates another and does not recognize that person, the eyes become terribly cold when looking at the person they hate. This person…he thinks you are lower than scum.
Figures…Naruto thought to himself as he kept his guard up, just in case Ebisu decided to attack. However, he didn't go after Naruto, but Konohamaru. "Young master, it's time to go home."
"I don't want to. Besides, after today I won't need your help anymore."
"You don't have a choice young master; I am your teacher and you need to obey me, and what thinks anything that he teaches you would help?" Ebisu asked him in his lecturing voice, before pulling on the boy's scarf.
"He taught me much more than what you did!" Konohamaru shouted as he took his scarf off, the cloth coming to Ebisu's hands quickly.
"Forgive me young master, but it is impossible to just become Hokage like that. Hokage is a title that you receive when you understand the principles of morality, knowledge, loyalty, getting along with your family and can use more than a thousand techniques…" He started saying, but was interrupted as Konohamaru put his training to the test, yelling "Henge!" Konohamaru transformed into a perfect female with brunette hair reaching to the bottom of "her" back and asking in a soft and seductress voice, "What do you think…teacher?" All Ebisu did however, was look in disgust at the technique. As the boy cancelled the technique, Konohamaru ended in a loose taijutsu stance, complaining that it didn't work.
"How…How could you use such an indecent technique like that?! I am a gentleman; did you actually think that a technique like that would work on someone like me? Young master, you're only going to get dumber and dumber if you hang around the likes of him. Besides, how many times have I told you that the quickest path to become a Hokage is to listen to me! Now let's go home before he corrupts your mind even further young master…"
Saki-chan, remember when I told you to just watch?
Yeah
You're about to see why I asked…
Intrigued at this, Hosaki just stood there waiting for what was going to happen. Sitting down on the desk created for her, she watched on.
"Kage Bunshin no jutsu!" Naruto shouted, angry with the teacher who said there were things such as shortcuts to become the Hokage. As several clones appeared, Ebisu smirked before walking to where the group appeared.
"This is silly. I am an elite teacher, even if I don't look the part and different from Mizuki. Your clones cannot hide the real you," he said before getting into an attack position. However, before he could fight through his clones, they all put their hands in the ram sign before using the Henge no jutsu. When the massive smoke cloud cleared, several redheads were present; however, these weren't your average girls. These girls were any guys' sex dream come true, and like most males, Ebisu gawked at them. That moment was all Naruto needed as his clones moved in on him, rubbing their bodies against the male and before long, Ebisu was knocked out by extreme blood loss as Naruto returned to his regular form, and the clones disappeared.
"You like? I call it my Harem no Jutsu," Naruto said as the smoke disappeared, a foxy grin on his face. He was glad that he told Hosaki not to comment on that, otherwise, he would be getting an earful from the vixen about that. Starting to leave the bastard lying on the ground, Naruto stopped as he heard Konohamaru's voice. "Why? Why am I still unable to defeat glasses-teacher?"
"It's not that easy. You're trying to take the title of Hokage, something that everyone in the village recognizes. I'm sure there will be many unpleasant things but eventually, you will find at least one person that recognizes you. It took me some time and a lot of hard work, but it will happen. You need to be prepared to take the title of Hokage and have to do two things later on in life to become Hokage," Naruto told him.
"What's that?"
"One is don't depend on the closet pervert for everything and learn that there are no shortcuts to becoming Hokage…and the second, you should already know," he said as he walked away.
"If that's the case, then from now, you and I are rivals, got that?!" Konohamaru yelled before turning away from Naruto.
"That's fine. I wouldn't have time to train you anyways since I'm becoming a ninja tomorrow anyways. Sorry, but you're already behind…rival, I will fight you for that title one day. Until then, look forward to it…Konohamaru" Naruto said before turning away.
He said my name! Did I already earn Naruto-sensei's respect? Konohamaru thought to himself, the grin on his face getting wider. Konohamaru didn't see it since he was lost in his thoughts, but Naruto raised his hand and waved, signifying a good-bye to the young boy.
That was sweet of you Naru-chan.
Thanks. I'm curious though about your thoughts on the Harem no jutsu…
It was…effective, but maybe too effective. Let this be a warning to you, if you ever try to repeat today's events without my consent, let's just say that perverts have earned a special place in hell that's directly under my jurisdiction…
…I understand.
Good.
Reaching the front door of his home, he let himself in, noticing that Sakura wasn't there, and probably went to sleep. Heading up to the stairs, Naruto took off his white shirt and blue shorts before getting under the covers. As he entered dream world, the kitsune queen thought that she'd allow him to sleep peacefully just this once, seeing as how early he had to get up and everything that happened already. Sighing quietly to herself, she wondered if she would ever see Kouen again, and if so, would she recognize her in her sealed state. Maybe…nah, I couldn't ask Naruto to do that. She thought to herself as sleep also claimed her.
At six o'clock, the sound of two alarms started blaring as both Naruto and Sakura hit the snooze button before turning the device off. Naruto got up and grabbed the first shirt and pants that he saw in the drawers before grabbing a pair of boxers and heading to the shower. Seeing that it was free, he slipped in and locked the door. Fifteen minutes later and his mangy-tried combed hair still the usual mess that it was, so he decided just to let it be. Wrapping the towel around his waist and drying himself off, he cleaned the rest of his body off before putting on a black shirt, which still had his spiraling crest on it, but it was tunneling, making it look like a cave. Inside the cave was something that looked like a gigantic red eye, with nothing on the back of the shirt. The pants were dark crimson in color and had a few wolf and fox tails entwined, but more of the wolves than foxes.
He opened the door and stared straight into Sakura's emerald-like eyes. Blushing out of embarrassment for a second, Naruto moved aside so the girl could get into the bathroom and take her shower as he went back to his room in order to get the rest of his weapons. After putting the last kunai in its holster by his legs, he yawned once again and put on his new hitai-ate. Asking his tenet about something with the Kage Bunshin and not getting a response, he assumed that she was still asleep and that trying to wake her up would be like waking up the Sannin Tsunade and he didn't want to deal with what the consequences would be like. A few minutes later, he headed downstairs.
A few minutes later, Naruto saw Sakura come down in similar attire, although while his had the details on them, Sakura's outfit was plain. The family crest of the Kinomotos was on the top back of the shirt. She had medical tape over her hands and feet, fingerless gloves over the tape for added protection. After eating breakfast and cleaning up after themselves, the crimson duo headed off to the Academy for the last time. Both were quiet on the trip there, nervous as hell and both hoped that they would be within the same Genin Squad. Sakura didn't care who it was, while Naruto hoped Hinata or Kiba was with him.
As they headed inside the doors and into their classroom, they both took a seat where they normally did, and waited for everyone else to come in. Sakura noticed Sasuke was the next one there and sat beside them so that he could be away from his fan club. Now annoyed, Sakura's thoughts and mood changed as Sasuke's aura was starting to affect her.
I'd be happy to be with Naru-kun and anyone else…except maybe Sasuke. I don't see what Ino sees in that baka…Sakura thought to herself before looking at Naruto and the happy look that was on his face, and why shouldn't he be happy? He was going to graduate with his friends.
Come on karma, just once be on my side. I mean, I've had enough bad karma to at least rack up some good, right? Sighing at the thought, he continued his mental monologue. I just hope I'm teamed with Saku-chan and anyone else. He thought to himself as Iruka appeared at the front of the classroom from the door, still having a few bandages here and there, but for the most part, looked completely healthy.
Looking at the team placements scribbled down on his chart, Iruka had a feeling that neither Sakura nor Naruto were going to like the fact of dealing with Uchiha Sasuke, but the Hokage had a good argument for that. Knowing that Iruka could be trusted, Sarutobi told the teacher about what was going to happen in a few months time--the massacre of the Uchiha. While Iruka was appalled, once Sarutobi explained everything that Itachi gave him, Iruka understood that it would eventually have to happen. He also had the feeling that if Sasuke learned about this, he would go after Itachi and want revenge. Therefore, sticking him with his rival and a girl that didn't like him, would force Sasuke to become better and not coddled by his teammates…or their new senseis.
Coming back to the present, Iruka clapped his hands together as the room became quiet. …why couldn't they do that before? He thought to himself in mock pity before going on. "Before I rattle off the names of your Genin cells, let me first congratulate you on taking your first steps on becoming kunoichi and shinobi. However…you are still only Genin and your journey will only begin from here." He said as he let the new Genin process the information. "Alright, now then, you will now be placed into your Genin cell. This will be considered your family up until you head into the next rank, but that probably won't happen anytime soon. As that is settled, Team One will be…," he said as Naruto didn't completely tune him out, but he wasn't completely listening either, that is until he came to Team Seven. "Team Seven will consist of the following people: Uzumaki Naruto, Kinomoto Sakura, and the final person will be Uchiha Sasuke. I repeat: Uzumaki Naruto, Kinomoto Sakura, and Uchiha Sasuke make up Team Seven."
Both Sakura and Naruto grinned at one another, and Sakura felt a cold chill in the air after the other teams called out. When she turned around, every girl that was in the Sasuke fan-girl club were glaring daggers at her, almost wishing that she died right then and there. Unfortunately, the girls didn't have too long to stare before Sakura closed her eyes, ignoring everything around her. As Iruka let the class out for a one-hour lunch break, he sighed to himself as to the political bloodbath that was to come, and to make sure that no one went down other than who should; the shinobi family of Uchiha. Shifting through his thoughts, he let himself get lost in memories gone by as the kids…no, young adults now, had a few last moments to talk to friends that they would have little to no time seeing after their shinobi careers started.
After the break, several Jounins came to pick up their team and soon, Naruto noticed that they were still waiting for their sensei. Quietly meditating, he felt himself get closer to his core of chakra before coming to Hosaki's classroom.
Grr…where's our sensei? He or she is already late enough as it is! He thought aloud as Hosaki giggled at Naruto's antics before Naruto turned his gaze onto her. When asked what, Naruto just sighed before thinking up some plans, still ranting about the lateness of his sensei
I just wonder who our sensei will be. He or she is late enough as it is.
You have wire, kunai and other shinobi utensils. Find a way to use them and prank your sensei for when he or she comes inside as punishment for being late. I'll even help, just this once…
Grinning as he got up from his chair, he headed over to the doorway and started to make some adjustments, waiting for his new sensei to come. Whoever came through that door was going to be in for a rude awakening when either he or she came to collect his or her new team.
End of Chapter
Dragon and Sword Master: I'm sorry for the lengthy time it took to write this, but unfortunately, many things are happening in my life so I cannot write as freely as I once could. I hope that no one minds the details for the things that Naruto and Sakura wear, as well as the small scene between Naruto and Sakura.
Phoenix and Staff Master: My brother wants to know what you think of Areku so far. If you are reading this, please take a few seconds to review…
Notes
1)
I haven't forgotten the massacre, I'm just placing it a little differently, and you'll see shortly where it will come up as well as Gabrella's role…
2)
Gai and the Fight Card were something that just came to me, and then FireSamurai told me something that I forgot about the Fight Card's personality: she only likes fighting strong opponents, and even though she doesn't want to train her now, she still gave advice so that if she wanted to later…the Fight could teach her later on. Now then, with that said, the weights will be used for a while, but Sakura has to be careful (unlike Naruto), because ankle weights, such as Lee's and implied Gai's, are very risky to use and sometimes hurt more so than help.
3)
The dog demon that Hosaki fought could be Ino no Taishou or one of his sons, or he could not. I will let you fans decide on that, but in the end, it doesn't matter all that much since I probably won't bring that dog demon up again until Kouen comes in…maybe.