Disclaimer: Just to note, I do not own Naruto and this fanfiction is made only as a hobby of mine.
Author's Notes: Thank you once again for the support. I am pleased that I have many readers enjoying the past chapters. I am also having fun writing the scenes where the Hulk turn up. It is great way for me to relieve stress when I look back to the comical scenes I have written. I hope to come up with more funny moments and all you readers to enjoy the story too.
Ninjas and Nuke-nins
Since the episode involving the little girl and her father, the civilian population starts to show signs of their acceptance. It also helped after another event that the giant rescued some kids from some vicious bear that came out of no-where. With so many children as witness, news spread fast and almost all Konoha heard the story. Obviously to the ninjas they knew the giant could have handled it easy, but to normal civilians its not as believable. However, with Hulk's huge frame they can probably imagine the scene. With children exaggerating the fight, they all got varies images how the Hulk wrestled with the animal. However, one fact is consistent in all stories - the Hulk beat the crap out of the bear.
Since then, many children starts hanging around the giant. Besides being safe, they also have other benefits.
To the kids, the Hulk is like two for one package deal. On one hand, they have the original Naruto. Aside from talking to him about what it was like turning into a green giant, the blond is fun to have around. Other than on occasions playing with them he also tells them funny stories. The Hulk on the other hand, it usually sleeps around but the kids find him fascinating because of its size. It's normal for children as they always find things extraordinary interesting, they like watching the giant in action and what it would do next.
However, deep in their little minds they would agree that the most amazing thing was the transformation. Hanging around either the Hulk or Naruto, they get to watch one way or the other transformations. It's either the Hunk shrinking back to Naruto or Naruto blowing up to the Hulk, both were fascinating to watch. Unfortunately, due to his lack of control he couldn't show them willingly thus they resort to hanging around him to see it.
Even his own sneeze would suddenly turn him into his alter ego. It was the event most kids had been anticipated because each change is often different from another. The anbus tailing him had seen it many times but even the good doctors were dumbfounded and had no explanation. Just his sudden sneeze would blow him up like a balloon, the Hulk would appear and look around dumbly like he was wondering how he got here. His actions caused rounds of laughter and giggles, and the giant would just scratch his head not knowing why causing another rounds of laughter.
As for Naruto, the lonely boy seems to enjoy hanging around crowds regardless what age they are. Having lived on his own for so long makes him crave for attention and having children laugh at his jokes just makes it more fulfilling. Hence he was quite eccentric when he tells them of his past adventures and pranks thus resulting in many laughter and small giggles from girls. The joys of others seem to have positive effect on him so he is quite happy when some of them calls him boss.
The Hulk though, no-one knows what he is thinking but the giant didn't seem to mind the small creatures (children) hanging around him. In fact, most of the time he was more curious than annoyed as they never or could really harm him. To another watcher, it was like scene from documentary channels where birds sits on top of wild rhinos. Sometimes little girls starts making flower crowns and have him unknowingly wear it the whole day. It caused many amusements within the village as well as ninjas and the Hulk just ignores them. Hence, the Hulk received many more positive views as long as no-one stupid enough irk the giant.
Of course there were still few cases from die-hard kyubi haters as they think it was all a trick. However, as time goes on fewer people would openly show their distaste. Not because they finally accepted him, but because they were being ridiculed by their own fellow villagers. It was like poking your fingers in fire, and complain that you got burnt. The same logic applies to the Hulk, as others would say - you brought it on yourself.
Aside from the lack of success, they also receives punishment. In addition they must also cover the cost of all damages including ones made by the Hulk. Thanks to that rule, fewer and fewer villagers tried anything stupid because of the hefty bill. Anyway as result, Konoha had never looked better because of the new modifications as well as improvements.
It was also a good thing some of the incidents were caused by rich merchants and civilians as the Hokage can lawfully confiscate their assets for the improvements of their village. Since the first rampage and the civilian council having to pay for the damages, they seldom stick their head where it doesn't concern them. Hence the reason why these rich merchants and influential villager received no backing from them.
There were still a few other extreme cases like hiring outside help for the deeds. Unfortunately for both parties, due to missing details of their target turning into a massive green giant they were not prepared to deal with it.
Even when they do believe the stories they will never prepare for the real thing. Seeing the towering giant is one thing, however seeing one that was also unstoppable and you can't do a thing is another. In the end the Anbu had to ply his hands open to release the nins because the Hulk had forgotten he still had a ninja in his hand.
On the other hand, since the Hulk's first appearance both Naruto and the Hulk received many positive responses from ninjas. Most of them came from clans as they were quite impressed by his other half. Lately they discovered an interesting theory, somehow having Naruto on your good side seem to carried over on to the Hulk. At least the giant is no longer glaring at them anymore, instead they were just indifference stares. After-all, Naruto is the Hulk and the big guy seem to consider Konoha ninjas as neutral.
Particularly with the Akimichi clan, they were very impressed with his alter ego. Not only were they not afraid of it, instead they wish for another fight. Often they joked with Naruto when they get their wish hopefully he wouldn't bash them too hard like last time. This seem to earn some bonus points from Naruto as he was often invited to their parties. The Akimichis have always an excuse for a large banquet and celebrate no matter how small the reason was. They were a happy clan and are very generous thus the reason the blond really liked them.
Since most of their professions revolved around food, hence they own many restaurants. From time to time whenever they see Naruto they invite him over for a meal giving the boy even better impression of them. It seems the Hulk also had no problem neither since he appeared a few times in the middle of a few of their parties. Everyone had quieten down just to see what it would do, the Hulk just kept eating and ignore them. One Akimichi didn't realize the situation and patted him in the back, he was rewarded with a punch to the wall. Everyone had a good laugh because of it and continued to party and the Hulk just join them merrily even though it didn't understand why.
Besides, the Akimichis all like a bit of bash once a while and the Hulk seem to get along well with them. Of course there were a few occasional growls at whoever tries to take his meat, he fit in quite well with them as most of them were like that. The clan head's son Choji was a fine example, normally the kid was both gentle and shy but when it came to the last chip he did fight toe and nail for it. Hence for the rest of the Akimichis, they were amused at the fact that someone smaller were not afraid of their bigger size. Not only did the hulk not back down, it also had the guts to face them head-on. Often the Akimichis are viewed as strongest clan in the village and it is a challenge when one can match them in both power and strength.
Other clans like the Hyugas too were changed since their last encounter. since the battle, many cases were brought up to the clan meeting that forces them to deviate from tradition. At first the elders wouldn't budge, but with later reports revealing that the snake sannin were involved they had to reconsider.
Knowing the snake sennin, they wouldn't be surprised if he already had an army of Hulks. Should another battle occur and the Hyugas couldn't do a thing to defend the village they can kiss their noble status good-bye. The clan is only prestigious only if they can deliver, therefore this episode with the Hulk was their changing point.
They have already witnessed what the Hulk can do, even if the snake sennin can't make another Hulk because he had no Jinchurikis. There is no doubt he could make something similar. Orochimaru didn't get on the most wanted list because he was just a sannin, he was also both brilliant and resource. Hence the reason why Konoha had put him on high alert list and Jiraiya's network were to focus on him.
This was also the reason the Hyugas start looking into elemental jutsus and possible elemental Jukens. Thanks to this logic Hiashi found out his elder daughter had water element instead of the usual earth like every other members of the clan. It was later found out that Jukens were designed for Earth alignment.
There were a few cases of Hyugas having problems with their style but the elder thought it was only a matter of talent thus neglected the involvement of element affinity. Unsurprisingly, his daughter Hinata had very high Water affinity thus making her learning their art extremely difficult. Since the death of his brother, Hiashi had neglected many things but thanks to this incident they all got their wake-up call. Hence he was quite glad of the Hulk's rampage which gave them the opportunity to re-think not only their strategies but of their traditions. They may not have a solution yet but it is a start for the Hyugas.
The other Anbu members too wanted a rematch but the Hokage forbid them because Naruto was still not able to control the transformations yet. So the most they can do is to talk about it, it is how Naruto get to heard more about his alter ego. In the beginning, Naruto was a little depressed because he got turn into a monster but after talking to other ninjas he thought otherwise. Like they said, a ninja must use every advantage they have and the Hulk is a great asset thus no exception.
Thanks to this, the Hokage allowed his ninjas to talk about the event freely. Besides it was no secret his entire elite forces lost badly battling one single opponent. People bound to talk about it even if his ninja doesn't, he already have past events to prove it and the Kyubi was a good example. On the other hand, talking about it helped Naruto jog his jumbled memory while he was Hulk.
As the doctors that cross examined him had said, they were always the same person therefore it is likely they will eventually remember their alter ego. They also had a theory, Naruto or the Hulk can not remember each other's actions was only because of the transformation. His brain needs to adjust to the transitions and decode the different signals then they can become one again. Based on the Hulk's behavour, it was his primitive instinct without a purpose. It makes sense when attacked it will retaliate and when hungry it will eat.
Besides, with so many Hulk stories floating around it might gives the boy some positive incense to try to reach out to his other half. Of course no-one knows how he can do it, the good doctors believe if anyone can do it only Naruto himself would know. There had never been a case such as he, thus it will be up to the boy to control that power or avoiding it entirely.
As for Naruto, he was in awe of his alter ego as everyone he talks to said it was so powerful that its almost unstoppable. From time to time, he hear only good things from Anbus that fought or seen the Hulk in action and nearly all the ninjas too were happy to tell their own versions of it. Seeing that it was Naruto that transformed into it, they were more eager to tell him about their own encounters.
The more Naruto hears its deeds the more he admires it, especially when each ninjas tells different versions of it. Just as Hayate had predicted, his actions in the incident were always brought up for comedy reasons. Not only was he the reason for the increased casualties, they even had to dig him out from under the tree.
Aside from that, the more time Naruto spent with Konoha ninjas the more the Hulk is seem familiar with them and wouldn't attack on sight. Too bad the missing nins didn't have that pact and were forced to fight or running for their lives. Of course they wouldn't get far from an enraged Hulk and end up like puppets in its hands. Even harden nins could not escape from the shock of the initial transformation nevertheless fight it. The Hulk can have that effect on you, you either transfixed on the shape that slowly grows into a towering giant only realize you should had ran. By the time the Hulk is out it is always too late. Everyone were like dwarves when facing the Hulk, and the problem was they start feeling they don't have enough dwarfs - they need hell a lot more.
By the time the Anbus arrived some begged to be taken away from the monster as they would do anything just to be released. It didn't help matters worse as the Anbus responded that they can't command it so they had to wait until it is bored of them. The ninjas in its hand thought they were joking but sadly it looked that way. Some anbus suggested they play dead, it didn't made the matter any better.
All the Konoha Anbus knew any normal conventional weapons as well as jutsus are useless against the Hulk. In fact there is nothing to date that could stop the Hulk or even to slow it down. The best you can do, is something that could take his attention from you. So they can only sympathize them as they too went through the same boat. In the end, they gave up everything and all information just not to be near the Hulk. If they have to honest, the Hulk is like a ninja version of the Bogeyman only he is the deal.
Konoha's last battle with the Hulk, they were lucky because they had 300 elites and good teamwork. It didn't really stop the giant but their numbers took away a lot of the pressure from each other as well as its attention.
With the exception of Hayate because he brought it on himself for showing off. Another fact was, the Hulk was not really trying to kill them he was just mostly annoyed because of the crowd of ninjas and most of all - angry. They were very lucky as they still haven't seen the real when he is really angry. For anyone who stupid enough to irk the Hulk, they should pray no-one is around to witness it or in its way.
During interrogation if one can call it that, their prisoner didn't even want to leave their cell. After some heavy convincing and threat of bringing the giant back they told their interrogators everything only to shove them out and closing the steel door on them. Little did they know that the steel door would have been worthless if the Hulk really want to get in. For the sake of their peace of heart and their prison the interrogator didn't tell them that truth. Looks like the Hulk is giving them some lasting impressions. Maybe he could learn a thing or two from the Hulk, thinks Ibiki.
Not only did they willing to give their village information as well as their employer. Whom infact is one of the councilors and he was also selling information outside of the village. Overall, the Hokage is quite pleased at the outcome. Seems like the Hulk is already gaining a reputation. It will only be a rumor for now, but who knows what happens later.
There had been a few other cases of nuke-nin involvements but they were all taken care of before they begun. As Hulk, Naruto can go anywhere as it wants but with a few Anbu trailing him from a distance. The big guy may be quite invincible so far but it seems to like to spend time on its own. May be it was just as Naruto had explained, he transforms when he was angry thus maybe its a way for it to calm down.
While ninjas inside the village knew him well but unfortunately foreign and nuke-nins weren't. One time when the giant returning through the gate, the guard was quite surprised when they thought they saw a ninga under one of his foot. As it seems that the poor ninja had tried to ambush the blond only be stepped on as he transforms into the Hulk. He had to be hospitalize before taken to interrogation. No one thought he was lucky as literary all his bones were broken as well as his face rearranged, they didn't even know who he was until he gave them his name.
Since then, the gate guards had to scan the big guy's foot from each of his return trips. It is good thing now that the Hulk recognizes them and do as they say, but there is still some miscommunications as it still have a hard time understanding the words. Like the good doctor had said, both Naruto's body and brain had undergone a transformation thus needs time to adjust. However, if they ask nicely and showing him what they want the Hulk would follow through.
Anyway, there have been a few bets to see if they would ever catch anymore nukenins that way. Just for the record, they did find another but he was stuck on the giant's back. It seems he was crushed as he was trying to ambush the guy. The Hulk must be either flatten him by taking a nap or leaning on something.
Since then, there had been a few more bets going what the Hulk brought back next. Even the Hokage was in the bet while the ninjas sweat-dropped. Of course the Anbus were the ones to report what happened and found more ninjas where the Hulk had been.
From what they saw, both Naruto and the Hulk worked quite well in both bodies. As Hulk he was near invincible, however the Hokage was more worry for his young grandson figure. Anyway even as Naruto the shock of ninjas attack would just turn him straight to his other half so he was never in danger. One time they tried to ambush the kid and jumped him only to be caught by the giant's fists. The nuke-nin freaked as he saw his target between the fingers of the green giant. Of course his scream were fairly inaudible since the Hulk's hand were covering his entire face. Then what followed was relatively short, the nin panicked and the Hulk got irritated and tossed him into the tree knocking him out.
There were few more cases as ninjas just pop out of no-where and start attacking the giant. Reasonable assumption was they were spooked and tried to take him down first only to fail miserably. Many managed to get through the giant's defenses but could not overcome the shock that it did nothing. A few acted like the Konoha team and throw jutsus from a distance but they too were taken out by the Hulk's charge. Even a handful managed to dodge out of its way but the clothesline finished them off. Seeing most of its enemies unresponsive, the Hulk just went his merry way. As for these ninjas they were already rounded up and in hospital, the guards can only sympathize - poor bastards. In the list, there was also Iwa nins as they tried to defend themselves with Earth after Earth jutsus only to be pulverized by the giant. The poor guy was in mental hospital as he hole himself up in the room begged not to be released.
Of course this does not stop Anko, she took her job a little too serious for other's taste. They can still remember the first victim of the Hulk and her first question was how does it feel to be treated like dirt. She also mentioned that the big guy did not even know he was under his foot. Whether it was true or not, the nukenin already felt like laughing stock and Anko didn't seem to be stopping there. It seems there will be a new form of interrogation as they find new ways to ask questions that was more humiliating - and Anko is leading.