Shi-Rudo Chapter 4
Kea and Ryoku were worried. On the first Sunday since Naruto had started school, they, along with many other parents, waited at the entrance for him to exit. However, Naruto did not come. Suspicion aroused, the married couple asked one of the Shinobi guarding the entrance if he knew anything. He explained that while students usually returned home on Sundays, they did not have to, and could, by choice, receive tutoring in subjects.
Though unsatisfied with this answer, Kea and Ryoku could take no further action. Parents were not allowed to interfere with the school.
One week, two weeks, three weeks later, still no sign of Naruto. Questions plagued the two Hogosha. Had they been good enough parents? Did Naruto love them? Had he forgotten about them? The day passed normally, but with a gloomy haze sighing over it. Kea had a simple mission to complete, while Ryoku had the day off. He chose to get some rest and recovery, though concern for Naruto glided in and out of the walls of his mind. Dinner for the two ninja was casual, which, for anyone who knew the couple, meant something was off.
Chopsticks clinked against plates and bowls. The two exchanged words of small talk, such as how the day was going. Neither pushed to the topic that was on both of their minds. They both turned at the sound of the door opening. They could not directly see the house, so they both looked across the room, where the kitchen entrance was.
Their highly trained ears picked up the footsteps. They were listening for the soft steps that belonged to their child Naruto, but these were different, more confident. Naruto walked into the room. Both parents stood up almost instantly, though there was an insignificant split second difference between them.
"Naruto!"
Kea grabbed him into a near-bear hug. Ryoku pulled Naruto against his side, ruffling his hair affectionately.
"What are you doing here? It's almost curfew."
"I got special permission to visit since I've been doing all this extra," he paused, "tutoring."
Naruto did not like lying to his parents, but telling the truth would cause them to worry, which he did not want them to do. The whole reason for his visit was to allay their concerns. Naruto continued the conversation, asking them questions about how they had been. They tried asking him about school, but Naruto gave short responses, not wanting to go into details. Kea and Ryoku, being ninja, picked up on his terseness and left that topic alone, happy enough to be able to talk with him.
Meanwhile, Hinote Kigen was banging her fists against Senjin's door.
"What?" he called out.
She entered his school apartment. "Where's Naruto? He never got back to his room."
"I dismissed him, he should have gotten back hours ago."
"Gotten back from?"
"Training. What else?"
"I don't know. But he hasn't returned."
"Are any other students missing?"
"No, why?"
"I thought maybe he along with some other kids decided to go out and do something. I certainly snuck out a few times in my days in the academy. He probably went to visit his parents, he hasn't seen them for a month."
She sat in silence. "Whatever his reasoning, this won't sit well with the administration. I feel sorry for the kid."
"Fuck the administration. They're a bunch of bastards who put people better than them through hell, and expect them to come out ok. If they break the kid, what is he good for?"
Kigen had no response.
Naruto made his way back to the academy. The trees rustled in the cool breeze of the night. The moonlight shimmered on anything that would reflect its glow. It was calm, almost entirely different than the village at day, and even further from the situation at the academy. The academy was strict, with discipline and straight shoulders at every turn. Naruto did not like the way he was being trained, but he put up with it. He understood his importance to Shi-Rudo, and indirectly to the continent of the shinobi.
There were two guards waiting at the entrance. There was a look a look of harshness in their eyes, but, even further behind that, Naruto detected pity. One of them spoke, "Follow."
Naruto found himself in a special room. It was sealed specially so that no sound would enter the room. Surrounding this room was another room that was sealed so no sound would leave it. In other words, it was the perfect place for interrogating people. Not that Naruto needed to be interrogated, it was more that he had a punishment in store for him.
A group of adults stood outside the center room, observing Naruto through the two-way mirror.
"He needs to be disciplined. He can't go thinking that he can break the rules any time he wants."
"Give him a break, all the kid did was go to see his parents. Other kids are allowed to go every Sunday, you have Naruto working every Sunday, plus extra classes with me during the week."
"Senjin, stay out of this. Just because you're a jinchuuriki too doesn't mean that you can tell us what to do for him. You and him are different, not the same person just because of one similarity."
"Me being a jinchuuriki has nothing to do with this asshole. The kid's four years old, if you push him too hard he will break. He'll be useless, and your oh-so-great plans for him will mean nothing."
"And if he's not disciplined he'll be a good-for-nothing rule breaker, so shut the hell up. Instructors don't have any say in this."
"Hmph, so now senseis have no say," Senjin muttered.
"So how far should we go with this? What do we need to do to drive the point home?"
At this time it had been the headmaster Futeki who had been speaking mostly, who was, incidentally, also the head of the research center in Shi-Rudo. This time, however, it was the interrogation instructor's turn to speak up.
"I think whipping should work."
Kigen spoke up, "Isn't that a bit extreme? I think a paddling would suffice."
Futeki replied, "Once again, instructors' opinions are of no consequence. Naruto is an odd case, as Senjin can tell you. Paddling wouldn't do anything, and even whipping won't do that much."
There was little further discussion. Walking into the center room, the interrogation specialist changed his posture from laid back to up-tight. The onlookers watched as the small boy was repeatedly whipped across the back, and as it healed over in a matter of instants. Judging by his winces every time that he was struck and his soft whimpers, it didn't make it hurt any less. Not once did he cry out though, he took the one-hundred lashes bravely. None of the watchers would call him weak.
The interrogator stepped out of the room. "He needs to be put in advanced chakra classes." Judging by the looks of misunderstanding on everyone's faces he continued, "He was pushing chakra to his back, besides the automatic Kyuubi healing; I could sense it. It seemed as though he was trying to lessen the wound or at least the pain. It didn't really work, but it shows he has some skill with chakra."
The group simply nodded, not really sure what to say at a comment like that. Especially after having seen this man just deliver a brutal punishment to a small child.
In a few days, life returned to normal for Naruto, with the exception of being moved into the next level of Chakra Studies. Naruto had no intention of leaving without permission again. It wasn't that he was scared, but that he didn't want to cause his parents trouble. Also, he had already completed his goal of assuring his parents.
The things that he was learning in his new class were incredible to him. Chakra could be used with high functionality in the brain. Reception from the nerves could be cut off, or filtered so that no pain would be felt. Other senses could be eliminated as well, for whatever situation might call for doing so. One of the most fascinating aspects was that trace amounts of chakra could be released into the air to emit emotions. High level ninja usually did this with murderous emotions to elicit fear from their enemies. However it could be used to calm people, confuse them, egg them on, or any number of other things.
Of course Naruto was also taught to reinforce parts of his body with chakra to enhance their performance. Strength and speed could be boosted to unnatural lengths. Tree-climbing and water-walking were only basic training methods that were taught, as they only focused on concentrating chakra to the legs and feet. Other techniques used chakra in the hands and fingers, others at more odd points such as the elbows or the head.
Naruto had learned all of this in only four additional months of academy training, by which time he had been promoted in all his classes. He wasn't surprised by this, as he had already mastered all that was being taught in what he was taking. He was surprised that he changing teams though. The headmaster had promised this, but he thought it would be after a few more advancements, or at least after a few more months.
He was packing what little he had, as he didn't have to move his clothes, the school took care of that. The new room was the same as the last, the only difference was the people in it. They were older for one, and instead of only one girl there were two. One had dark blue hair tied back in pony tails, with bangs coming down, lightly covering her piercing yellow eyes. The other had loose blond hair, which was ruffled and wild looking, going past the shoulders in length. This one had dark green eyes.
The blue-haired one spoke, "Hey Shinzu, looks like we got our new guy." Shinzu, the male in the room, looked up from what he was writing. He had neck length black hair which came down on each side of his face, and blue eyes to match Naruto's own. There was an authoritative air around him, and Naruto almost wondered if he was using the chakra trick that Naruto had recently learned, but Naruto could not sense any surrounding him.
The boy examined him, looking him up and down. "Welcome to the team," he announced.
"What, you're not going to give me shit for being so small?" Naruto asked.
"No, we're smart enough to know that if you're here, you've earned it. Just don't get a hot head about it, remember that we're here as well."
Naruto nodded, "Name's Naruto."
"Shinzu," he replied.
"Amai," said the blond with a wave.
Nodding her head, the blue-haired girl introduced herself, "Taira."
Winter passed quickly. The season almost seemed non-existent when he was in the school because he was locked inside the majority of the day. Spring went by just as fast, with Naruto having no time to examine its beauty. And Summer was only distinguishable by the incredible heat of training. Naruto quickly found himself back in fall, with only a few more weeks before having attended for a full year.
Senjin stood in front of him, a whole training ground around them. The land was a mix of an open field, a reasonably sized forest, and a river, which ran right at the bottom of a cliff that was across from the field. It was the ideal place for sparring, and Naruto figured that's what Senjin had in mind.
"Alright kid, your end of the year exam is coming up. You're team will be tested as a whole, though I'm sure they will find some way to challenge each individual as well. There won't be any room for teammates who can't pull their own weight.
"Of course you have advantages over the other students; if you haven't learned that by now then I don't know what you've been doing this whole year. But back to the test. You've had team missions and strategizing and whatnot, but nothing that you've had will compare to this. As well as a test, this is also a lesson. They want you to learn from this, as these will be more like the types of missions you will receive in Shi-Rudo as a full-fledged ninja.
"Due to the fact that you have no experience, I decided that we'd spend this Sunday getting you some. We're going to spar, because you need to learn to fight. You may have participated in some bullshit kiddy fights that they make you do in class, but you have no preparation for an all-out no limits fight. Sure I won't be going all out, but this will be harder than any fight that you've had before."
Naruto didn't doubt Senjin's words. The man didn't like to lose, not even for training. He was a firm believer that victory causes overconfidence, which is never good in the life of a ninja. Already Naruto could feel the artificial emotion in the air; it screamed danger. The textbook response would have been to reply with strictly confidence or simply ignore it altogether. However, that response was made for a typical ninja, which Senjin definitely was not. Naruto changed the emotion of his chakra to fear, just wanting to see the effect of his action. Senjin had a puzzled look on his face, but Naruto doubted the sincerity of it.
Naruto put his hands together to form a seal. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" (Shadow Clone Technique). Four replicas appeared around Naruto. Senjin had taught Naruto this technique as soon as he was able, as he knew that with Naruto's chakra reserves it would be the one technique that would help him the most. Naruto was going to use them properly, for gathering information.
The two, now six, fighters took stance. Senjin yelled out, "Begin!"
The Naruto clones sent flying kicks at Senjin, trying to make up for their lack of size. Senjin gracefully bowed and sidestepped the attack, taking his arm and sending a heavy punch at one of the Narutos. The doppleganger popped out of existence. He continued his spinning motion throwing a roundhouse kick at another clone. It too was destroyed in an instant.
The two remaining clones were starting to realize that using Taijutsu wasn't working for them. The jumped back, creating distance. Senjin reacted in an instant, throwing a kunai behind each clone. Carefully timed chakra triggered, changing the direction of the kunai back toward the clones. Each clone sent forth a burst of chakra from its hand, deflecting the kunai.
Each Naruto clone began making seals. "Fuuton: Daitoppa no Jutsu!" (Wind Release: Great Breakthrough Technique). "Katon: Endan no Jutsu!" (Fire Release: Fireball Technique). The two jutsu collided, sending a powerful fire and wind attacking hurtling at Senjin.
Without hesitation Senjin cried out, "Suiton: Suijinheki!" (Water Release: Water Encampment Wall).
The clones stood watching the destruction that ensued. While the wall put up a defense, it eventually crashed in a wave under the pressure. They looked expectantly, wanting to see what happened to Senjin. A kunai appeared in one clone's neck, with Senjin's hand holding it. "Always keep your focus on the enemy!"
The remaining clone knew that its life would be short lived. Naruto had figured, and therefore the clone had figured, that Senjin would at least go to a level slightly more compete-able. From the looks of it, he didn't.
The clone drew several kunai. Imbuing each with chakra, he flung them at Senjin. At first Senjin merely dodged, but, like with his own kunai, they swerved mid-flight. Senjin released chakra from his outstretched hand, creating a primitive shield in front of him. The kunai dug themselves into it, but failed to penetrate. Senjin tossed the shield away along with the kunai.
Senjin rushed at the Naruto clone, kunai in hand for finishing it. The clone rushed through hand seals, and disappeared in a swirl of air. A tree began growing out of the ground, wrapping its branches around Senjin. He instantly recognized the genjutsu: "Magen: Jubaku Satsu." (Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death).
He could not move his arms to make a seal, but that wasn't necessary. He sent a quick blip of chakra to his brain, canceling it out. The tree disappeared, but instantly an arm grabbed his foot through the below. The clone yelled, "Doton: Shinjuu Zanshu no Jutsu!" (Earth Style: Inner Decapitation Technique). The clone pulled him neck deep into the ground, appearing in front of him.
"Not bad." Senjin then released a burst of chakra, enough to rush him up from the hold of the ground. The clone was dissipated with a quick and powerful hit to the chest, but the real Naruto was already on Senjin, with a blue ball of swirling chakra in his hand.
"Rasengan!"
Senjin had to move quickly, already forming reverse-rotating chakra in his hand. Their hands collided, emitting a blindingly bright light. When it cleared, both Naruto and Senjin stood facing each other, with no damage to either. Naruto leapt back, landing in a crouch halfway up the side of the cliff.
Senjin faced him, "So you finally mastered that jutsu?"
"When you have shadow clones it makes it a lot easier."
"Nonetheless, to have mastered such a difficult A-rank jutsu at four-years-old is impressive. Not many people can vouch such a claim. In fact, as of now, only one can."
"Neh, I'm almost five," Naruto said.
Senjin smirked at his student's humor. "Nice combo by the way, but lets get back to the spar."
"Hn," Naruto nodded.
Senjin ran towards the river, standing across from it. He reached for his kunai, the ones that had explosive tags attached. He launched them at Naruto. Naruto dropped off the cliff wall, falling into the water. He appeared on the surface a few instants later, after the effects of the explosion, with a clone on each side. They each had a seal formed with their hands. In a row they said their jutsu.
"Suiton: Suikoudan no Justu!" (Water Release: Water Shark Projectile Technique).
"Suiton: Suiryuudan no Jutsu!" (Water Release: Water Dragon Projectile Technique).
"Suiton: Daibakufu no Justu!" (Water Release: Grand Waterfall Technique).
From the first jutsu two columns of water shot out at Senjin. The second technique formed a water dragon with screaming yellow eyes, which steered itself toward Senjin with dangerous speed. And the third was the most powerful, creating a ring of water, followed by a huge blast at Senjin.
Senjin moved through hand positions with near desperation. "Doton: Duryuu Heki!" (Earth Release: Earth Style Wall). Out of his mouth shot out mud to defend against the destructive water attacks. He then quickly followed saying, "Doton no Jutsu!" (Earth Release Technique). His energy changed into the earth element, allowing him to disappear into the ground.
Naruto stood his ground on the water, constantly looking for Senjin to appear. He decided to act. He first dispelled his two clones. He was already low on his own chakra, and was being forced to use what little he could draw from the demon fox. This battle would end soon, and he knew that he wouldn't be the victor.
He jumped onto the ground, performing seals in the air. The instant he touched the ground he slammed his palm against it. "Doton: Retsudo Tenshou!" (Earth Release: Splitting Earth Force). The ground began cracking and breaking apart. If Senjin stayed in it, he would get injured by the now violent earth.
Senjin leapt up from within the ground, with a jutsu already prepared. "Katon: Housenka no Jutsu!" (Fire Release: Mythical Fire Phoenix Technique). Flames with kunai embedded in them rushed at Naruto, who managed to dodge three of the four. His speed was diminished because his chakra was out. The flame burst against his body, and the kunai pierced his clothing and skin, entering his abdomen.
"Gyyyyaaah!" The pain overcame his body in a wave, with piercingly sharp clarity of it. Naruto gritted his teeth, trying to push chakra into his brain to cut off his sense of touch, but his concentration was too low for the amount of chakra he had left. With his left hand he ripped the kunai from the burnt skin. He lied there, panting heavily, with blood pouring out.
Senjin had only one thing to say, "Shit."
