Story Title: Technological Ninja Naruto Uzumaki

Crossover: Naruto / Star Ocean game series

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or plot from Naruto anime/manga series and the Star Ocean Video games series. This is a work of fanfiction.

Author's Notes: Some have asked me if Star Ocean Characters will be appearing. I can only say that they will in future, but only after Naruto has turn genin.

Chapter Six: Dusk before Dawn

Sarutobi looked up as the door opened, with Tsume Inuzuka and Shibi Aburame, both clan heads of their respective clans stepping in orderly as they stood to attention in front of him. Sarutobi set down the papers he had been looking over, and pushed them to one side.

"You've arrived." Sarutobi said with a nod. "Please close the door, I've some sensitive matters I need to discuss with the two of you."

"Understood Hokage sama." Shibi said as he moved and closed the door shut. The two jonin level ninjas froze as a wave of chakra pulsed from Sarutobi, sealing the room in a chakra shield.

"Aww… crap." Tsume muttered heavily as she swivelled to look at Sarutobi. "This can't be a good thing. The last time I was in a room with chakra shielding was when I accepted that S-rank mission two years ago."

"Indeed… It's been a while since I was ordered to a meeting that needs to be heavily shielded." Shibi noted calmly as he moved to stand beside Tsume. "What did you call us here today for Hokage sama? Surely if it's an S-rank mission, there should be… more ninjas present then the two of us?"

"This is no ordinary mission, and currently, only the two of you will know. The risk of this information spreading is too great." Sarutobi said grimly. "Listen carefully Tsume and Shibi, what I am to tell you in this room must not be revealed to others, not even of your clan members. The only things you're allowed to tell your clan members are the instructions I need the two of you to pass to them."

"A mission that involves both our clans?" Tsume's face turned grave as she looked at Sautobi. "What is this about? As the clan head of the Inuzuka, I bear the right to reject any mission that would put my clan in danger."

"I am well aware of that Tsume." Sarutobi said with a sigh. "What I need you to do would not cause any danger for both your clans. But it is a matter that needs to be done with the out most secrecy. Shibi, I need you to tighten your guards in the Aburame compound for this week, especially near the rooms of your main house. As for you Tsume, I need you to do the same thing, with one exception. You are to keep a secret lookout with Shibi near your compound for anyone that might be spying on your clan. Once the intruder or intruders are sighted, take no action against them.

Arrange for a way where you can pass a message to the guards on duty. The guards would then need to start a conversation. The conversation needs to involve a fictional lie. You need not copy what I say word for word, but the conversation needs to highlight that your clan had recently detected a presence outside the compound for a few nights and that they are tightening security for the next few weeks. Another misleading fact needs to be added in the conversation, that you Tsume as the clan head had found out that the Aburame clan had also encountered the same problem and that both clan heads of your clans would be meeting tomorrow to discuss about this."

"That… is surprising…" Shibi cut in. "The truth is the sentry bugs did detect several presences outside the clan for the past few nights, though no guards had ever found any one when a search was conducted."

"It is the same with my clan. The fake conversation you wish us to stage is most certainly not a fictional lie." Tsume said giving Sarutobi a hard look. "The guard dogs had scented humans outside the clan compound at odd hours in the night several times for the past few days, but as with Shibi, the guards on duty could never find any trace of whoever is out there when they went out to search. I've actually planned to increase the guards on duty even if you did not call us in. You seem to have an idea what's going on Hokage sama. What's all this about?"

Sarutobi looked at Tsume and Shibi grimly as he shook his head as if lost in thoughts.

"So the information is true…" Sarutobi muttered to himself before giving a heavy sigh. Tsume with her sharp ears heard the sentence as she looked at the Hokage in anticipation.

"Very well, you two should have the right to know." Sarutobi said in a voice loud enough for both of them to hear. "What I tell you now is only for your ears only. The guards you stationed will have to be sworn to secrecy as well, though under no circumstances must they be told of what I am about to tell you. Is this understood?"

"Yes Hokage sama." Tsume and Shibi said in unison as they stood to attention.

"The Uchiha council are planning to revolt and take over the village." Sarutobi said in a strained voice.

"What!" Tsume shouted. If the room had not been shielded, her voice would probably have been heard outside the room.

"Calm down and let me continue Tsume." Sarutobi said with a quelling look. Tsume quickly silenced herself. "This information has come from a trustable source. The problem is we need more time to gather more information before the Uchiha council acts. Increasing the guards at both your clans, and letting out the false information that you Tsume and Shibi are meeting to discuss about perceived intrusion is a delaying tactic for the village. Since both of your clans are considered clans with a sizable ninja force, and your loyalty to Konoha is without question, the Uchihas would not dare to leave both your clans at their backs when they decided to start their coup."

"What the hell are those assholes planning to do to both our clans?" Tsume burst out, unable to hold her question in as her eyes narrowed in anger. "First you told us to increase our guards, then you told us that the Uchiha are planning to revolt. It doesn't take a genius to realise that the Uchihas must be the ones alerting the dogs and the bugs in both our clans. Which means part of their plans involves harm to our clans in some ways, what is it?"

"It is not just your two clans that are affected. All the clans that are loyal to the village are affected." Sarutobi said gravely. "The only reason I call the both of you for this mission is that in the current time, according to my source, the only clans that the Uchihas had not managed to successfully scout are both of your clans."

"Not scouted… that's a diplomatic word to describe what they are doing." Shibi said in a cold voice. "Who then have the Uchiha spies already spied on in their pursuit to achieve what they wanted?"

"The Uchiha are attempting to plot out the patrol timing of several clans, as well as mark out the rooms of the clan heirs. Currently, they had the patrol plans for the Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Tenchi, Asura and Hyuga clans." Sarutobi said with a weary sigh.

"The nerve of those bastards!" Tsume fumed as she thought fiercely. "If they need to know the rooms for the clan heirs, then they must be… oh you've got to be kidding me, those spineless worms intend to use the children as hostages don't they? Apparently they're not even ninjas enough to take over the village with just their men."

Shibi seemed unaffected by Tsume's angry words as he continued looking at Sarutobi in silence. His calm façade was undisturbed by the turbulent storm of emotions that was Tsume.

"Why weren't the rest of the clans informed?" Shibi asked quietly.

"The less who knows about this matter will mean less chance of this secret spreading. If the Uchiha Council were alerted, there's a high chance that they might push forward their plans of a coup when we were least expecting it." Sarutobi revealed. "Secrecy would also ensure the safety of the informant whom I've sent to gather information on the Uchihas. A lot is hanging on the information he would bring to me about their plans. I need you both to act natural as well. That means no extra guards for your clan heirs that might alarm the Uchiha council. Treason from the Uchiha clan is not something we can take lightly… as the village council had stated to me… this is a serious matter, especially with the force they could muster to counter us. We would need the element of surprise if we are to put an end to what they are planning with as little blood shed as possible."

"I understand what you mean Hokage sama. I'll follow your instructions." Shibi said with a cool nod.

"I don't like it, but I will follow your orders. There's one thing though. Shibi, would you mind setting one of your bugs on Hana and Kiba at all times?" Tsume asked through gritted teeth as she turned to look at the Aburame clan head. "Your bugs are inconspicuous, and since I can't suddenly send one of the guard dogs to watch over them, I am hoping you might be willingly to tag my daughter and son so that we can know where they are… in case something happens to them."

"I can do that for you Tsume, especially since I'll be doing the same for my son as well." Shibi said in agreement.

"Good, I've told you the roles both your clans will play in delaying the Uchiha's council's plans. But be prepared. I might need to call upon you both and the rest of the clans next time round when we stage our counter attack." Sarutobi said with a warning note. His hands flashed into the handseals that would release the chakra shields. "You are released."

"Oh I can't wait until that happens." Tsume said grimly as she stalked out of the room, Shibi following up at slower pace behind her.

Sarutobi watched the two of them leave the room, trusting in the fact that they would follow the instructions of the mission that he had given to them.

The song of a twirling bird song woke Naruto as he twisted awake with a groan. Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he looked around the training area that looked more like a thick forest than the clearing it used to be yesterday night. Naruto had slept under one of the recently sprouted tall trees with his things placed neatly near him. He had spent the night in the field training his Wood Release techniques again and had been too tired to return to his little apartment.

In theory he had access to unlimited chakra now, due to being able to access the Kyuubi's chakra anytime. This was not counting in his own chakra reserves which were growing at a very fast pace. Naruto had found out shortly after he had gotten the Wood Release bloodline, that he could effortlessly pull out the Kyuubi's chakra and convert it to Wood element chakra without harm. If his own chakra reserves were used up in training, he could always pull more chakra from the Kyuubi.

The thing stopping him from doing that constantly was a limitation of his own body, which he had discovered at the beginning of his intense training. Even though he had near limitless power by relying on chakra from the Kyuubi, there was only so much exertion his chakra coils could take before they become damaged from long hours of training. Naruto thought wryly back to the first time he had over worked his chakra coils. It had been shortly after he had gained the Wood Release bloodline and had attempted to go on a training spree. It had at first seemed to him that there had been no danger of him running out of chakra for all the techniques he wanted to try and learn… or so he had thought.

However, shortly during the long training session, he discovered one sad fact about the human body. After three hours of chakra intensive ninjutsu exercises, Naruto had collapsed onto the ground as severe pain coursed through his body. He had laid there for a pain filled two hours before it subsided, and ended up resting the whole day, unable to use any technique. He would instantly collapse in pain if he tried to manipulate even the smallest amount of chakra.

Sica had later revealed after much analysis and scanning of Naruto's body, that his chakra coils had been damaged from manipulating too much chakra for long hours. He had been lucky that the damage had not been permanent and that his chakra coils would heal with a day's rest. This little incident, according to Sica, was something that no Konoha ninjas had ever suffered before. This fact was made true, most probably because no ninjas could have enough chakra to run so many chakra intensive techniques for a few hours straight. Naruto had later thought it ironic that while other ninjas would die from chakra exhaustion, he would instead die from chakra coil damage because he had the potential to burn out his chakra coils from using his limitless chakra reserves.

"The sentry clones reports that no one had been near this area while you rested." Sica noted within Naruto's head as it sensed its host coming awake. "The clone stationed at your apartment sends a word of caution that he would dispel within another hour, and asked for you to return as soon as possible. On that note, all of your night clones would dispel within the hour as well. It is almost time to create your day clones."

"Argh what a pain." Naruto said as he took out a water bottle and drank from it to quench his thirst. "It's not as if I don't have enough chakra to spare. It's just that sometimes I wish they could last longer, like a few days, without me constantly renewing them. It could certainly spare me the every twelve hour headaches when their memories are dumped into me… though now that I think about it, I would probably get a more terrible headache if they last longer."

"I could compute ways to make your shadow clones last longer if that's your wish." Sica spoke up. "But I would advise against creating more clones for extra assignments. From my scans of your body, you are just barely holding up against the mental pressure of having the memories and mental stress of a hundred over clones dispelling every night and day. More clones might cause your body to collapse from too much mental stress. The subsequent damage which you might suffer is out of my calculations."

"Great." Naruto said rolling his eyes. "I seemed to end up with weird conditions that no ninjas would ever suffer from."

"According to my calculations and survey of the people of this world, it is possible that there is only a 5.89% chance of ninjas who can create a hundred over clones lasting for half a day. This calculation takes into account that they will also be able to survive the mental stress and exhaustion when the clones dispel at once." Sica noted helpfully. "You are in theory not alone in your affliction."

"Thank you Sica, that information just makes me feel a lot better about myself." Naruto said dryly, even though he knew that sarcasm was lost on Sica. "In short, we'll just have to stick to the hundred over clones that I am creating every day and night for patrol, training and computation duties. Now that we are talking about computation duties, what research projects do we currently have on hand?"

"I will list out the project line ups as well as the computation costs they will take up every night." Sica said as a holographic image of a word list appeared in front of Naruto even as Sica continued his narration.

"Creating Ninjutsu Seal Arrays for:

1) Shadow Clone technique – 50% computation – 70% estimated complete

Creating Basic Symbology Seal Arrays for:

1) Heal – 10% computation – 2% estimated complete

2) Fire Bolt – 10% computation – 3% estimated complete

3) Antidote – 10% computation – 2% estimated complete

4) Ice Needle – 10% computation – 3% estimated complete

5) Silence – 10% computation – 2% estimated complete"

"Wow, I didn't realised you were doing so much every night." Naruto said scratching his head in embarrassment.

"You've previously given me instructions to create seal arrays for the Shadow Clone technique as well as research ways to creating Symbology seal arrays. Since your instructions into creating Symbology seal arrays were vague, I've taken initiative and started research on five of the basic Symbology techniques." Sica revealed.

"I see you've listed Heal, Fire Bolt and Antidote as one of the research items." Naruto said as he gave a self conscious look towards his shoulder and arm where he had imprinted the three Symbology symbols onto his body. "I've already got the three of them on my body, though I seldom have to use them. The fire bolt I create when I channel chakra through the Fire Bolt symbol always end up less impressive then a simple Wood Release technique, most probably due to my lack of fire affinity. I never had the chance to heal any flesh wounds or detoxify any poison either, seeing that I could regenerate on my own."

"It is regrettable that you are able to access only these three basic symbols through the imprint process on your body." Sica replied. "But unfortunately, Federation Symbology was originally created for humanoids with certain genetic structures. Only 9% of total Federation Symbology users are able to access the full Symbology techniques in Federation library by imprinting them onto their bodies. The remaining 91% were only able to access certain Symbology symbols through the imprinting process. There's no need to be discourage by this fact Naruto."

"Well I don't really regret it since my Wood Release bloodline is currently way cooler than the Symbology techniques." Naruto said with a grin. "But I am interested to find you researching the Ice Needle and Silence Symbology techniques. These two are part of the basic Symbology techniques I am not compatible with. Does that mean if you are able to create a seal array for them, I might be able to use them simply through the seal array?"

"Yes Naruto." Sica replied. "You've now seen the current research log. Would you like to suggest any adjustments to make room for research into creating longer lasting shadow clones and reducing the mental stress when they dispel?"

"Oh okay… Well how about reducing the computation power for Shadow Clone seal array to 20%, since it is almost complete." Naruto suggested. "The two new research topics can have 15% of the freed up computation powers each."

"It shall be done." Sica replied.

"Now I just have to create the new clones for the day shift." Naruto said as he formed his hands into a familiar handseal. "Inform the clones on duty to dispel once their replacement reach them will you?"

There was a short pause before Sica replied. "I've informed the cloned Sicas, they will be passing the message to the Naruto clones."

"Good." Naruto said as a hundred over clones appeared around him. Some of the clones were standing on what little space there was on the ground. But the bulk of the clones were gathered on the branches of the many trees in the training area. "Alright get moving guys before you break the branches."

"Yes Boss!" The clones called out in unison, deafening Naruto with the loud noise.

"Cheeky bastards." Naruto muttered good-naturedly as they shimmered from view. Their cloned Sica having overlaid the holographic invisiblity cloak over their bodies. There was a large gust of wind which signalled their departure, causing Naruto to have to channel his chakra to his feet just to remain standing on the ground. "Okay, a note for next time. A hundred over clones using the Body Flicker technique at once is not a good thing for those staying behind."

"It has been noted." Sica replied.

"I don't mean you Sica." Naruto said in exasperation. "I was just talking to my… never mind."

Naruto gave a sigh, there are times Sica was just too literal for its own good. He leapt through the trees as he moved at a fast pace, making his way back to Konoha. There were still a lot of things he needed to do today.

Hinata massaged her sore muscles as she watched the rest of the boys spar with each other. In the three days that had passed since she joined the group, they had been doing practice spar everyday, besides the additional training Naruto had assigned to them. Apparently with her arrival, the small group now has even members for everyone to be paired with each other.

Her current partner had been Choji, who was now rummaging in his school bag for some food. The two of them were waiting for the group spar to end, after which the boys would train the Repeating Fist Technique together while Naruto coached Hinata in the advanced taijutsu style she was supposed to show the whole class soon. Hinata had been surprised at the rate she was picking up this new taijutsu technique, and the detailed pointers Naruto had been giving her. She had also been more and more comfortable with sparring against the guys in the group by practicing the visualising technique Naruto had been teaching her.

For the past three days when she had been partnered with Naruto, Shikamaru, Shino or Choji, Hinata had tried to focus on the mental image that she was fighting against a dummy instead of a living being. Of course, when she was up against Choji, she had to tweak the plumpness of the dummy in her mind a bit just to make it realistic, but other than that, it was getting easier and easier for her to spar against other people. Naruto had called this method Visualization Desensitizing. Something about using her own imagination to distract herself from her own fears and worries, and forcing her to become gradually insensitive to the thought of fighting another person.

Hinata could not help but admire the blond boy whom she had thought was just another average student in class. She had seen the persecution he had faced from some of the classmates' parents and other adults, and some part of her could relate to him being the underdog or being considered less than what he really is in other people's eyes. After all she had encountered the same type of negative sentiments from the Hyuga Elders in the clan house.

"Alright, we're done." Naruto said as his sparring partner, Shino, picked himself off the ground for the tenth time since the past fifteen minutes. "Remember what I said to you Shino, you're slower to guard your left from attack, you need to remedy that or your opponents could blindside you."

"I think the fact was drummed into my body after the tenth time you dropped me onto the ground." Shino commented a bit dryly. "I'll work on it later."

"Good." Naruto said with a good natured grin as he looked at everyone. "Let's rest for a few minutes before we carry our own individual training together. Hinata, you seemed to have rested enough. Are you ready to start the next round? I'll like to see how much improvements you've made to your advanced taijutsu stance over the night."

"Y…Yes, I'm ready." Hinata said with a slight flush as she made her way towards him. Somehow sparring with the boys did not seem like a chore, instead she actually felt like she was having fun. Hinata followed Naruto with a gentle smile on her face as she promised herself silently that she would do Naruto and the boys proud, by showing her class a flawless execution of the new taijutsu technique Iruka sensei wanted her to learn.

Suddenly it occurred to her that her life did not seem so bad after all.

Dusk was nearing as two figures settled silently on the branches near training ground 7, one of the training grounds for genins. Their attention was not at the training ground itself but on the neighbouring plot of land which until two days ago belonged to the village.

"That's certainly something you don't see every day." The Anbu with a hawk mask noted. "There's only the framework for the small house when I came through this area in the morning, and now they've already gotten the half the walls built."

"I was on patrol duty last night and half the framework hadn't been set yet." The Bear mask Anbu said dryly. "I've never seen civilian builders construct something so fast before without any ninjutsu techniques. Who was the one that bought the land anyway?"

"If I recall correctly, I think the reports states a Mizuru Inikawa had bought the land. Apparently he's a master builder of some sort, and only recently settled down in Konoha. I remembered skimming through the reports which says he had registered to set up a building company. I guess those are his men working below. It's quite a feat to gather such a large number of workers within a few days of his business registration." Hawk replied.

"And all of them are not just simple brick layers if the speed and skills they are building the house with is a guide." Bear said with suspicion. "It's strange why a builder of a building company would buy a land so far away from the village."

"Perhaps he likes nature?" Hawk suggested. "Or it could be because the land in the outbound areas of Konoha are cheaper then the ones within the village itself. Not a lot of people like to live in the wild, not to mention land prices near training grounds are notoriously cheap. Though there's also the fact that few people actually bough said land and live on it… well other than crazy Oronu who lives near training ground 41."

"Ah that old grouch." Bear grumbled. "Well, I think we've better leave a note after our patrol, just to inform the other patrol squads to keep a look out for this Mizuru and what he planned to do on his new land."

"That's fine with me, a little cautiousness never hurt." Hawk said as they vanished, moving on towards their next patrol point.

Seconds after the Anbu's departure, the group of workers setting up the building looked up in unison at where the two Anbu used to be standing.

"Ahh… crap, I did tell Boss to let things run more slowly, but he gave me such a tight schedule." The one currently named Mizuru, a seemingly middle aged man with a rugged beard and red hair complained to his men. "Well no use crying over spilt milk now. Alright men, Anbu guys are gone, let's do the real building!"

The clones gave a chorus of agreement as they made several handseals, casting various ninjutsu techniques at once. A trench was sunk into the earth to set up another side of the walls, smooth wooden planks formed at a rapid rate from a few of the clones while others began carrying them to the framework of the house and started hammering them in, forming the walls.

"Now this is what I call real building in process." Mizuru said in satisfaction. "Sica, pass a message to Boss will you? Let him know that the Anbu may be on to us and its most certainly not my fault… Oh yeah add in the words 'I tell you so!' with the exclamation marks."

"It shall be done." Sica said humourlessly as it transmits the somewhat juvenile message to their Boss.

"… observations at the Hokage Tower reveals nothing of relevance." One of the Uchiha ninjas reported. "There does not seem to be any high alert as would be the case if the Hokage was on to us."

"Good, good, one can only hope that things would stay that way until our plans are executed." Elder Taizu said in a satisfied voice. "Shisui, what have you to report?"

One of the masked ninjas stepped forward and gave a bow to the gathered Uchiha council members.

"Surveillance of Itachi for the past few days revealed that Itachi seemed to remain loyal to the clan. Apart from official Anbu business, Itachi never seek out the Hokage outside of duties." Shisui reported. "However a more worrying issue has arise. The Aburame and the Inuzuka clans seemed to be aware of the fact that someone is spying on them. They had tightened security around their compounds and apparently the clan heads are going to meet each other to discuss the matter."

"I see." Elder Idano said grimly. "The Aburame and the Inuzuka clans have too large a ninja force to just ignore in our plans. I would suggest we stop surveillance on both clans for the current moment and resume again after a few days, to let them lower their guards. What are your opinions?"

"I am agreeable to it." Mozu replied as Elder Idano looked at the gathered council members. "Especially since it seems we have time and Itachi did not betrayed us."

"So am I." A few others of the council members nodded in agreement.

"Then Shisui, have your men lay low for the current moment." Elder Idano instructed as he handed a scroll to Shisui. "We have another task for you. In the scrolls are the names of the council members who currently opposed us. We are aware of the persuasive effect of your Sharingan. Try to make them see the light of day by agreeing with our plans. It would certainly make a stronger statement if the Uchiha council members were united in our decision when we reveal our course of action to the whole clan. If however you do not manage to persuade them, give Yashito their names, he will take care of them."

Shisui shivered a little at the cold voice of Elder Idano before clutching the scroll and gave a quick nod.

"It shall be done." Shisui replied, his face a blank emotionless mask.

Sarutobi froze as one of the Anbu on duty stepped in with a familiar looking scroll. Almost a week had passed since he had sent The Eye the new mission parameters and he had been spending time fretting if this mysterious ninja would be able to accomplish what he had requested. Apparently the reply would be contained within the scroll that had arrived.

"Cat just passed me the scroll. A new delivery boy just dropped this off at your home." The Bear masked Anbu remarked.

"Good." Sarutobi said accepting the scroll with equal parts relief and also dread at what he would find.

Quickly breaking the seal and opening the scroll, Sarutobi felt his breathe caught in shock at the detailed listing of all the Uchiha council members, ninja force and civilian members, he even recognised the names of a few Uchiha children that were only recently born. The words "Innocent!" were listed next to their names. Sarutobi gave a snort, apparently The Eye had a sense of humor.

The names were all grouped under three categories, "Members that are with the Uchiha's plan", "Members that do not know about the plan" and "Members that are against the Uchiha's plan". Surprisingly the category of those that were against the plans or does not know of the plans at all were much longer than of those that were with the plan.

Detailed outlines of what some of the Elders or council members had plotted as well as the orders they had issued were also included into the scroll. For a brief moment, Sarutobi allowed relief to sweep over him. With the scroll and its details, he knew what to do now.

"Bear. Get the rest of the Konoha council members. Alert the Anbu after that, tell them the emergency plan is set into motion. We're striking tomorrow night." Sarutobi said grimly, with the weight of his office on his shoulders.

Ending Note: Here's the next chapter. Thank you all of you for the reviews! :) Unknowingly for me, through the months that passed since my last update, this story actually hit 200+ reviews! I am happy to see so many readers enjoying this story. Please do let me know if you found some discrepancies or plot holes in my story and I'll do my best to repair them.

And since it is nearing the x'mas season, allow me to wish all of you a very heart felt "Happy Chirstmas! And may you all enjoy the coming holidays! ^_^ Let's be thankful for all the good things we have encountered this year."