Shinobi with a Sword! Naruto Uzumaki!
The sun shined brightly on the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Today was yet another day to many of those who dwelled in the village. To a select group of youngsters though, today was the day that they had been training for since they were children. On this day they would have the chance to become ninja, the pride of the village, and begin their own journeys of greatness. But to one child in particular this day was extremely important. High atop the mountain that overlooked the village four stone faces gazed down upon it. Atop the second stone head sat Naruto Uzumaki, a young boy whose life took a strange turn two years ago. Now twelve years old Naruto, along with his zanpakuto Shirukitsune, were ready to take the test that would make him a true shinobi of Konohagakure.
Naruto was eating his lunch atop the Great Stone Faces of the Hokage. He has a long sleeved chain-mail shirt on with his brown Uzumaki clan vest over it. He wore his usual bright orange track pants and black sandals for this occasion. To his side lay his zanpakuto, a normal sized katana with an orange and blue hilt and a normal rectangular guard. On his other side lay his goggles, which the young boy expected to be replaced by a forehead protector soon. Since attaining his zanpakuto Naruto had spent all his time training his swordsmanship. With the aid of Shirukitsune Naruto had enough skill to fight on equal footing with an expert swordsman. The only way Naruto would advance further was through experience. In addition to training in swordsmanship, Naruto was taught the basics of the other disciplines of combat used by Shinigami. The zanpakuto spirit also helped Naruto with his ninja training, wishing for his master to reach his goals. As Naruto finished eating his lunch he looked at the great stone faces and smiled to himself. Thanks to having the support of Shirukitsune, Naruto did not feel the need to seek attention by pulling pranks. While he had those urges still, Shirukitsune would quickly discipline him with very colorful language. For now Naruto was content with enjoying the day before he had to return to the Academy for the examination.
I wonder what I would be doing if you weren't here Shiru, Naruto thought to himself, probably something crazy like painting the faces.
I am sure whatever you would cook up would be interesting to say the least Naruto, Shirukitsune replied, you should go back to the Academy. Don't want that prick Iruka to fuss.
He's not that bad, Naruto thought in reply as he stood up and stretched his legs. He picked up his goggles and zanpakuto and made his way back to the Academy, leaping from building to building. As Naruto walked into the Academy many of the faces of his fellow students looked at him with contempt. He couldn't blame them really, by Academy standards he was in dead last. When he was not asleep, Naruto was usually mouthing off with one of his peers for various reasons. None of that bothered him though; Naruto knew he was more than his ranking showed. Naruto took a seat and kicked his feet up as he waited to hear what would be the exam this year. His instructor, Iruka, walked in along with another one of the teachers at the Academy whose name Naruto couldn't remember for the life of him. Iruka went on to explain the details of the examination.
Just a few shadow clones… too east, Naruto thought to himself. Within an hour Naruto had passed the exam to make him a Ninja. After a brief celebration Naruto switched out his goggles with the headband that marked that one was a ninja in the Hidden Leaf Village. Naruto made his way through the crowd of family members who were congratulating their children on becoming ninja. He could feel the angry glances of many of them as he walked through, but none dared speak to him with the sword on his back.
Without looking back Naruto made his way to a forest so he could do his daily training before returning to his apartment. It was only a matter of time before he would start his journey to achieve his goal.
Several hours later
Hiruzen Saratobi – Third Hokage
This night had been quite an uproar for the elderly shinobi. To his surprise one of his chunnin, Mizuki, had managed to steal the Forbidden scroll; setting up Naruto in the process. Iruka realized this deception and tried to stop him only to be severely wounded. According to Iruka, Mizuki was then quickly defeated by Naruto. In front of him stood Naruto and Iruka flanked by members of ANBU, all waiting for the Hokage to speak on what he was just told. For the past two years the Hokage has had relatively little dealings with Naruto. The boy who stood before him had begun to carry a katana; whether or not he knew how to use it was another matter all together.
"Leave us," the Hokage said to the two members of ANBU. Once the two elite-ninja left his office the Hokage set his gaze on Naruto.
"What Old Man! Iruka said it himself I didn't steal that scroll," Naruto said as he pointed his finger straight at the Hokage. Naruto looked as if has going to say more but restrained himself, which he would not have done otherwise.
"I am not accusing you Naruto, but you defeated a chunnin, that is no small feat. Would you mind telling me how you did it," Hiruzen asked the boy.
"He wasn't that strong! Didn't even have to draw my friend here," Naruto said with a smile as he patted the hilt of his sword. "A few good punches knocked him out cold." Hiruzen was still slightly surprised; even he was hard pressed to believe that Naruto had simply 'knocked out' Mizuki. Whatever technique he used he would learn from the traitorous shinobi, for Naruto was not going to be cooperative.
"Naruto don't be modest, you hit him once and knocked him out cold," Iruka commented. Hiruzen looked at the chunnin and then back to Naruto who was now smiling ear-to-ear. Why would Naruto diminish himself if he had so easily defeated a higher ranking ninja.
"Well, they way of the ninja is deception ya know," Naruto said with a smile as he rested his head between his hands. "Well I think I should get going now, by Old Man! Better watch out cuz I'm coming for you job. NARUTOOOOO OUT!" In an explosion of white smoke Naruto vanished from the Hokage's office, leaving both he and Iruka puzzled.
It was the Hokage's understanding that Naruto was a slacker, and showed no talent within the Academy. He was constantly sleeping in class, and when not sleeping he would get into an argument with someone. Many wrote him off as a failure, whose fate was cursed due to his wretched birthright. But now the experienced shinobi could see far more promise than what was previously thought. Hiruzen looked to Iruka and motioned for him to leave his office. Once the young chunnin left the Third Hokage sat down and began the process of assigning the gennin teams.
Naruto Uzumaki – Hokage's Manor
Naruto walked with a smug look on his face, congratulating himself on surprising Iruka-sensei and Lord Third with his awesome exit. He was slightly annoyed that the Third has a bead on his power level, but it was not like he would have to face him so Naruto dismissed the thought.
Idiot, the voice of Shirukitsune said to him, your childish antics were unnecessary.
"You shut-up! I wasn't asking you now was I baka!," Naruto shouted aloud in frustration.
Now you are screaming at nothing. You could easily have just thought that… Idiot, Shirukitsune replied in a mocking tone.
Naruto grabbed his sword and put it in front of his face, "You wanna go baka! I'll come whoop your ass again!"
Oh yes keep yelling at a sword! Better quite down before someone sees you Naruto, Shirukitsune said to Naruto.
"Yeah yeah you're right Shiru, let's get outta here we got things to do in the morning," Naruto said placing his zanpakuto onto his back once again. Naruto left the manor and quickly made his way to his apartment. After a quick shower Naruto began to polish his zanpakuto. He made it a habit to do this before going to bed. Whenever Naruto did this he felt a stronger connection with his zanpakuto, his mind calmed and the stresses of the day were washed away. Shirukitsune simply enjoyed being kept clean; he knew Naruto did not think of him as simply a sword, but as a partner. Simple acts such as this have helped the two forge an incredibly strong bond. Before Naruto realized it he had closed his eyes, not realizing how tired he actually was. To enhance his strength Naruto focused some of his spiritual power into his fist to enhance the blow. It takes a lot of stamina for Naruto to control his spiritual energy; while he has a great amount of it his control over it is laughable at best. To compensate for this Naruto made it a habit to use his equally vast amount of chakra to control the release of his spiritual pressure. It is for this reason that Naruto had seemed lazy at the academy. He constantly had to control the amount of power coming from his body; this action weakens him severely, making Naruto extremely tired. Naruto's consistent training in the forest has been to help him control his power, but nothing he or Shirukitsune has done helps him.
Naruto wakes up the next day to the sound of his alarm. Naruto cursed himself for passing out while cleaning his zanpakuto, like always; he knew he was going to be sore from sleeping like that. After a breakfast of instant ramen Naruto went to take his picture for his Ninja Registration Book. Shirukitsune had managed to dissuade Naruto from taking a silly picture, so Naruto settled on posing with a thumb up, just to be unique. Afterwards he made his way back to the Hokage's Manor, he always felt like he was going to get in trouble when he goes there.
"Slightly unique but all things considered, a good picture Naruto," Lord Third commented upon seeing the picture.
"Yeah yeah, can I go now?" Naruto asked with slight frustration.
"Yes you may leave, have a good day Naruto," the Hokage said to him.
"You two Third…" Naruto said as he motioned to leave the office. It was then that a young boy burst through the door wielding a shuriken. Moving on instinct Naruto darted to the kid and pinned him to the wall, he slowly drew his sword and placed it at the child's throat.
"NARUTO STOP!" The Third Hokage shouted. Immediately after another shinobi came running into the office. The new shinobi had creepy glasses and a black jumpsuit on. He paused as he looked at what was going on and drew a kunai. Without pause Naruto let the child go still holding his zanpakuto at the kid's throat.
"That is my grandson Naruto, sheathe your sword," the Hokage said to Naruto. He looked down at the kid whose eyes were still filled with terror at having a sword close to his throat.
"Hokage-sama I will gladly eliminate this boy for threatening your grandson, just give the order," the shinobi with the glasses said.
"No Ebisu, that will not be necessary," the Hokage said, "Will it Naruto."
"Nah… no problem gramps," Naruto said, sheathing his sword in its holster.
"Naruto this is my grandson…" Third started before being interrupted.
"Konohamaru! Sarutobi Konohamaru! And I would have had the Old Man if you didn't stop me!" Konohamaru shouted at Naruto and pointing his finger at the ninja.
"What did you say," Naruto said as he began to get annoyed with the kid.
"You heard me! I would have easily had him if you didn't get in the way baka!" Konohamaru finished.
"First off that pathetic ambush would not have done anything you little shit! Second off watch who you're talking to midget!" Naruto shouted in retort.
"Wadaya gonna do eh' BAKA! You're just some LOOOSER gennin with a sword." Konohamaru shouted at Naruto. No Naruto NO!, shouted Shirukitsune but Naruto was not listening to the sword spirit. Naruto got extremely close to Konohamaru and stopped holding back is reiatsu. Konohamaru was brought to his knees by the intangible force, but was still breathing. Naruto's eyes began to glow slightly as he pressed his power onto the boy.
"You should be more respectful," Naruto said, "To the guy who almost killed you." Konohamaru's eyes looked in awe at Naruto. Naruto decided to restrain himself as he turned to see the shinobi named Ebisu sweating, probably from feeling his power. Lord Third simply starred at Naruto, as if he had seen a ghost or something. Naruto turned on his heels and walked out the office, still slightly annoyed with the argument he had with Konohamaru. Seeing as he had time to kill Naruto decided to train in the forest.
Third Hokage
The Third Hokage stood in shock as to what he just witnessed. First off Naruto had reacted in an instant to protect him from the "attack" from Konohamaru. With impressive speed for a gennin, he had pinned the Hokage's grandson to the wall. While his actions were unnecessary, the fact that Naruto had reacted with such speed a discipline spoke scores of how much power he was hiding.
Most importantly to the Hokage was what had happened next. It had been twelve years since he had felt that same type of force coming from someone. While the amount of power Naruto possessed is a fraction of what the Hokage had experienced it was the fact that he HAD that power. From what he had seen, some of the power that was given off by the Shinigami that had helped the village had influenced the sealing of the Kyuubi. The Third Hokage then decided to get in contact with Naruto's next instructor.
Naruto Uzumaki – Streets of Konoha
Naruto continued his stroll through the streets, not feeling the need to rush towards the forest training grounds. Naruto pondered all the things he could work on while he was there when he began to hear the shuffling of feet behind him. He stopped to listen closer and the sound of feet hastened to a stop as well. Immediately Naruto knew he was being followed, and whoever was following him was horrible at it. Naruto began to think of all the ways he could handle the situation, and Shirukitsune offered a fairly good idea. Naruto turned casually turned a corner then leaped off the road and onto the roof tops. When he looked down he saw Lord Third's grandson looking around trying to find him.
"HEY KID," Naruto shouted from the rooftops, "GO HOME AND LEAVE ME ALONE! I GOT TRAINING TO DO"
"When did you…," Konohamaru began to say but Naruto didn't catch the rest for he leaped off again.
Within a few minutes Naruto arrived at his destination, his favorite clearing in the forest, the same clearing what he had attained his zanpakuto in. For about an hour Naruto trained with his sword, practicing his footwork which he knew was barley average. Per usual Shirukitsune offered advice and pointers to help him, but they both knew Naruto was a slow learner. After that hour was over with Naruto began training his least favorite training, reiryoku control. Luckily for him his training was interrupted by Konohamaru. From high in a tree the Hokage's grandson attacked Naruto wielding a wakazashi. Naruto leaned out the way to dodge the sloppy attack and pushed Konohamaru to the ground.
"What the hell is your problem?" Naruto shouted, "You could've killed me you idiot!"
"I knew you were going to dodge it," Konohamaru said as he brushed himself off.
"Are you crazy! You don't just go attacking people with swords!" Naruto continued.
"Stop talking and defend yourself! I Konohamaru Saratobi will defeat you!" Konohamaru yelled as he attacked again. Konohamaru attacked again, swinging his sword wildly trying to hit Naruto. Naruto effortlessly dodged all of Konohamaru's attacks. "You're not going to take me seriously either will you," Konohamaru panted once he finished his flurry of attacks. "You are just like everyone else! Once they hear I'm the Third's grandson they treat me differently," Konohamaru said as he lowered his weapon.
"Oh quit feeling sorry for yourself," Naruto said, "If you want people to acknowledge you, you gotta make a name for yourself."
"I will!" Konohamaru shouted in reply, "I will take down gramps and become the next Hokage!"
"Do you think it will be that easy?" Naruto said.
"Of course! It's the quickest way to achieve my dream! Once I'm Hokage everyone will have to acknowledge me." Konohamaru replied.
"You dumbass…" Naruto sighed.
"What…" Konohamaru gasped.
"Ain't nobody going to acknowledge you by taking the easy way!" Naruto said to Konohamaru, "Plus… I am going to be the next Hokage! You can get in line." Konohamaru looked at Naruto and tightened the grip on his blade.
"Fight me! I want to get strong like you Naruto." Konohamaru said. Naruto looked at him and for a second he could see himself in Konohamaru's shoes. Naruto drew his sword and pointed it at Konohamaru and smiled.
"Then bring it on! Show me how strong your dream is," Naruto said. With that Konohamaru charged Naruto, swinging just as wildly as before. Naruto easily evaded the attacks and pushed Konohamaru to the ground once again. Again Konohamaru turned and attacked Naruto. Naruto felt a bit of nostalgia come over him, remembering his fight with Shirukitsune. Naruto took time to help Konohamaru tighten his form on occasion, aside from that he choose not to speak. The two continued in this manner for close to an hour before Naruto was almost cut on his face. Naruto was prepared to attack before another intruder came into his usual clearing.
"Stop right there ruffian! You will not harm the Third's son!" Ebisu shouted as he landed at Konohamaru's side.
"Seriously…" Naruto sighed. A shinobi of his caliber should have been able to tell that Naruto had no intention of truly hurting Konohamaru. He must have something against me for being the carrier of the Nine-Tails, Naruto thought.
"Once the Hokage hears of this he will have your head boy," Ebisu said to Naruto in a venomous tongue.
"No Ebisu-sensei… I started this fight," Konohamaru said to his instructor, "Naruto is helping me become stronger."
"What could you possibly learn from a loser like him Konohamaru-kun," Ebisu said, "I am the village's best instructor of shinobi, now please put that barbaric weapon down and come with me." Naruto looked at Ebisu with disdain.
"Whatever… this fight was going nowhere," Naruto said as he sheathed his sword. Ebisu and Konohamaru looked at him, Ebisu with disgust and Konohamaru with confusion.
"I thought you were going to take me seriously Naruto! You afraid of hurting me or something!" Konohamaru yelled at Naruto. Naruto looked at Konohamaru and his face became serious and stoic.
"It is not that…" Naruto said, "Your blade will never reach me."
"What do you mean," Konohamaru said.
"Your resolve… it is weak. You obviously don't really want to be Hokage." Naruto said.
"How dare you say that. Konohamaru is a gifted child who could easily become the next Hokage!" Ebisu said, insulted as to what Naruto had told the Third's grandson.
"No he won't… I will be the next Hokage! That way people like you will stop treating me like the village outcast," Naruto barked at Ebisu. Ebisu and Konohamaru looked in shock at Naruto, both now knowing what to say. I'm outta here… way to crowded for my taste, Naruto thought to himself. "Oh yeah… Konohamaru!" Naruto said to get Konohamaru's attention, "Fight me again sometime… find your resolve and then we can throw down and see who will be the Hokage." Naruto gave Konohamaru a thumbs up before leaving the forest clearing. Konohamaru sheathed his sword and made a promise that he would one day fight Naruto again, and that time he will cut him.
Konoha – Ninja Academy
Naruto sat in waiting alongside his fellow academy graduates. Today was the day that they would be assigned to their three man teams, each one led by a Jonin instructor. Naruto had his head down, feigning to be asleep as to avoid being disturbed, per usual. From the doorway he heard two girls arguing about seating. It did not take him long to figure out it was Sakura and Ino bickering about who would sit next to Sasuke Uchiha. Nearly every girl in his class had a crush on Sasuke. He was the top in their class, and had this cool guy act going on. Naruto didn't really care, he felt as if Sasuke was compensating for something, maybe his...
Before he could finish his thought he felt a finger tapping his shoulder. It was none other than Sakura, the smartest female in the academy.
"I was asleep…" Naruto said to her, still keeping the "lazy bum" charade going.
"I don't care Naruto! Move your ass!" Sakura shouted at him, "I want the seat beside you!" When Naruto looked over he noticed that Sasuke was sitting next to him. Naruto had heard or felt every person come into the room, except him. Naruto turned to reply when Sakura shoved him out the way and forcing her way to the seat she wanted. Bitch, Naruto thought to himself glaring at Sakura.
"Uchiha keep your groupies under control," Naruto quipped at Sasuke.
"What you say loser?" Sasuke replied, now looking at Naruto.
"I said… keep… your… group-ies… under… con-trol!" Naruto said as he pointed a finger straight as Sasuke.
"Watch who you're talking to Uzumaki, don't want to get your butt handed to you again," Sasuke said, keeping his voice even.
Naruto raised an eyebrow as his temper flared, "What you say! You wanna go pal! I'll wipe the floor with ya! Ill shove my foot so far up your…"
"QUITE DOWN!" Iruka shouted before Naruto could finish his sentence. After clearing his throat Iruka went on to explain the basics of what they were going to be doing. After that he began to read off the Teams. Naruto hoped with all his heart that he would not get on the same team as Sakura and Sasuke. It is going to happen you know that right, Shirukitsune told Naruto. Oh shut-up you're a sword you don't know anything, Naruto snapped at his zanpakuto.
"Next, Team Seven," Iruka said, "Haruno Sakura, Uzumaki Naruto, and Uchiha Sasuke!"
Naruto slammed his head on his deck in frustration and cursed himself silently. Naruto could feel Shirukitsune laughing at him and telling him, I told you so. "Why do I have to get those two!" Naruto shouted and looking at Iruka, knowing that Iruka knew how strong Naruto really was.
"It was done based on grades Naruto, the fact is that your grades have you set at last. Sasuke is the top of the class, he is there to balance you out." Iruka said. "Anyways… This afternoon you will be meeting your Jonin instructors. You are released until then." Naruto left the academy with an attitude, still fuming about his fellow teammates. Maybe if you would listen to me and apply yourself this wouldn't have happened, Shirukitsune told Naruto.
Oh c'mon, Naruto thought to his zanpakuto, the hero doesn't reveal his true power until he has to.
Like always I fail to understand this 'being the hero' business Naruto, Shiru replied.
You wouldn't get it, Naruto thought to his zanpakuto. Naruto found a tree to relax in while he waited to meet his Jonin instructor. He climbed to the top and lay there, waiting until it was time to return to the Academy. His zanpakuto asked him how he was going to handle this team, which Naruto had no answer. Shirukitsune was always trying to get Naruto to think ahead, to maintain his composure. It was because of his zanpakuto that he wasn't as much of a prankster. While he had made progress since attaining Shirukitsune, he knew that he had a lot farther to go. If it were not for Mizuki underestimating him Naruto could have gotten into an actual fight with the chunnin. It was that element of surprise that Naruto wanted to maintain as long as possible. The longer people thought of him as a loser, the easier things would be in the long run, or at least that is what he thought.
"Where is Naruto," Sasuke said from below Naruto.
"I don't know…" Sakura said rather timidly, "You didn't answer my question either Sasuke."
"Stop being annoying…" Sasuke said to Sakura which made her pause before speaking again.
"Why won't you answer! Yeah he is our teammate but we both know he is going to hold us back. Plus I doubt he knows how to use that stupid sword of his," Sakura said. Sasuke turned to look at her with a deadpan look on his face, "Admit it. He hasn't grown up right because he has no parents. Having no one to yell at you will cause a kid to act like that."
Naruto decided to jump from his perch right between the two. Sakura covered her mouth upon realizing that Naruto had heard all what she said. Naruto started to walk off and Sasuke turned with him. Naruto looked over his shoulder and smiled, "you coming Sakura-chan."
Sakura followed after the two boys, not knowing how to talk now that she had lost face with both of them.
Kakashi Hatake – Ninja Academy
Kakashi stood outside the door that his new team was waiting in to listen to what they were saying, and heard nothing. A part of the jonin hoped that they were just being quiet for the sake of it, but he had a strong feeling that the three already did not like one another. Once he opened the door he was hardly surprised. Walking around was Haruno Sakura, the highest scoring kunoichi of the graduating class. Physically she left much to be desired, but her academic scores rivaled Kakashi's easily. Next was Uchiha Sasuke, the last member of the Uchiha clan. He sat quietly in the front row, analyzing Kakashi trying to figure out something about the Jonin. Sasuke was the academy's number one student, excelling in all fields and all observers deemed him a child prodigy. Looking at Sasuke made Kakashi's left eye itch, bringing back memories of his long dead teammate Obito. Kakashi saw a bit of himself in Sasuke, and he knew that Sasuke was one to watch out for. And then there was Uzumaki Naruto, from the infamous Uzumaki clan. Of his clan Kakashi knew fairly little, knowing that they had very close ties to the village. He also knew that ninja from the Uzumaki clan had a strong vitality along with an enormous reserves of chakra. Kakashi did not know which parent Naruto carried the name from, but being the dead last in the Academy brought no honor to the name. The Hokage had placed Naruto on Kakashi's team originally only because he was the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tailed Fox. His task was to simply ensure that Naruto did not fall into foreign hands. It was only recently that Kakashi was told that there is more to Naruto then what they believed. From what Lord Third had told him, Naruto had some skill in using that Katana of his. While Kakashi had doubt as to whether this was true or not, he decided to observe for now. After looking at his team Kakashi began his usual game, the same game that has caused him to have no gennin teams prior to this.
"Hmm… How can I say this…?" Kakashi said, "I don't like you guys."