Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto, because if I did I'd probably stop smoking whatever it is that's making write all this non-sense and unreal plot twists
Hello-Normal Speech
Hello-thought
Hello-Kyuubi Speech
Hello-Kyuubi Thought
After Team seven finished their test Kakashi had them sit in front of the memorial stone after giving them the box lunches he brought. As they were eating he noticed that Naruto still seemed a little pale, "Hey Naruto, are you ok you look a little sick?" He asked as Naruto looked at him with a small smile.
"Heh, I'm fine Kakashi-sensei. Just feeling the drain from the Jutsu I preformed." He answered, but his mind answered differently. 'I can not believe I was consumed by flames, that had to be one of the most painful and frightening thing I've ever experienced.' Naruto thought as he felt the anger rolling off the Kyuubi at his new 'roommate'.
Kyuubi stared venomously at the fire made dragon as it casually floated about in front of his cage. "Hey, was it really necessary to bind me in place when you put the kit through your 'test'?" Kyuubi asked in a barely restrained tone of anger.
"Yes, yes it was. If I didn't you would have just used your power over fire to try and help him, which would have resulted in immediate failure of the test. He would have died regardless of what you can or I could have done." Eshou answered in a bored tone as Kyuubi got a fearful look in his eyes. Naruto, who had stopped eating so he could hear everything paled even more.
"Ahem, I see. Well then I guess I can not fault you…but a little fore warning would have been nice." The Kitsune said as Eshou turned and looked at him with a fiery smile. "Also, are you going to be staying here?" He added with a displeased look.
"Hehe nope, I just came here to clear up anything you didn't understand. Anyways now that that's done I'll be on my way. See you later fire fox." Eshou waved at the Kyuubi as it disappeared in a puff of black smoke. "By the way I forgot to mention this, but my sister and the next Ryuujin you have to collect is Suiryuujin (Water Dragon God). You'll find her where the waves are the strongest." The fire dragon's voice echoed causing both vessel and tenet to hear.
'Where the waves are at their strongest?' Naruto mused as some of the colour returned to his face. 'So I have to go to someplace with a lot of water and has to do with strong waves…hm this maybe a little tricky.'
"No kidding kit. You won't be able to leave the village till your team gets a higher ranked mission, preferably C rank." Kyuubi said as he brought up snippets of the late Yondaime's memory. Naruto nodded before letting out a small sigh.
'Yeah, we'd probably need to do a lot of D-rank missions before being allowed. Then I'd either have to request a mission to a watery country or hope against hope that Jiji-san gives us one.' Naruto thought as he glanced at the stone they were sitting in front of. "Hm, hey Kakashi-sensei why does that stone have writing on it?"
Kakashi, who was eating his bento and sorting out how to report his team's success, had paused as he looked up at his black clad, blond student. When he heard the question his one visible eye soften before he got up and walked over to the stone, putting his hand on it as he reminisced. "This stone is a memorial to the heroes who lost their lives." He began after a few minutes of silence; he then turned around to address his worried looking students. "On this stone are the names of those brave souls who lost their lives defending their village, saving the lives of their comrades at the expense of their own. My best friend's name is on here as well as another of my closes friends, both were my teammates when we were younger." He paused again but only enough to give a sad eye smile as he touched his forehead protector, "Even though I never got to tell him, I valued his friendship in his last moments, and I still thank him up to this day for saving me and aiding me from beyond his grave. Heh, because of him I have become so strong as well as famous, and also because of the gift he gave me as well as the words he told me that day. 'Those who disobey the rules are scum…but those who abandon their comrades are even worse then that.' That is something I follow up to this day." The scarecrow stopped again as he looked into the sky, 'And I mean every word Obito, because of your Sharingan I've been able to grow stronger and protect my teammates when they need it. It's also because of this eye that I'm able to wake up every morning and smile cause I know you'll always have my back.' Kakashi looked back down onto his awed students before he continued, "My other teammate was another important person to me, she once had a crush on me but that had died after the passing of our friend. She had started becoming distant and depressed, locking herself away from others and only talking to our sensei. One day on an important mission she was on, their team had been ambushed and were left to die but somehow she was able to heal and save all their lives before she disappeared. It's been confirmed that she had passed on when her grave was found deep in fire country." He stopped again as he sat back down with a sigh, he then picked up his bento as his thought drifted again. 'Rin, I should have helped you when you needed it…but I didn't nor couldn't help. You missed Obito that you isolated yourself from everyone to grieve and deal with the pain. Heh you came to realize that you loved him so much, that when your grave was found it was marked 'Uchiha Obito Rin' At least you had found your peace.'
As Kakashi was thinking of his teammates, team seven had watched him as their moods darkened. 'Wow, Kakashi-sensei seems to have been trough a lot yet he acts so cheerful.' "Yeah, makes you truly realize that being a ninja can and will be hard." Sakura thought as her eyes started to water.
"He lost those that were precious to him, kind of like I did.' Sasuke thought as he looked at the ground.
"K-Kakashi-sensei…do…do you have anyone left, like your sensei that you were talking about?" Naruto said voicing his thoughts as well as those now mirrored by his teammates.
"Nope, my sensei died as well…He sacrificed his life to defeat the Kyuubi no Kitsune." Kakashi answered as all three got wide eyed. "Yes, my sensei was the Yondaime Hokage Namikaze Minato."
Again all three of his students got wide eyed, but the one who was most surprised had been pulled from his consciousness as he was flung through another memory.
Naruto had become shocked when he heard the fourth's name that he didn't realize that he had become pale again and had fainted. When he opened his eyes he was lying in front of the gate as the paper seal started glowing before bursting into a flash of white as Naruto saw Konoha at night, fires raged all around him with a jacket of white draped over him as he looked down against his will at a mini-him. He then realized that he was sitting on a moving red thing as he was playing with the baby, his mouth then opened as a voice very different then his own came out. "Who's my adorable little son, you are Naruto yes you are. Yes you are. Who's gonna grow up to become a powerful ninja, you are. Who's gonna…carry the burden of sealing the greatest Bijuu and keeping Konoha safe from danger, you are." Naruto spoke in a childish voice, braking a little at the end before stopping as he heard another much louder voice.
"Oy, Minato have you lost it?"
Naruto opened his mouth again as he answered in the foreign voice, "Why yes I have, I am after all dying. Just let me play with my son for a little while before I croak heh." Naruto then realized that he was breathing was getting shorter and that his vision was waning. He then looked back at the mini him and continued to coo and play laughing as the mini him giggled and played. He then laid down as he rested the baby on his chest, a smile adoring his face before a ninja arrived, he looked over at the familiar silver stock of hair as he said with his dying breath, "Protect him Kakashi, no matter what." And with that said Naruto experienced the Yondaime Hokage die in the last memory he ever had as darkness enveloped the blonds.
The next thing Naruto knew he was floating in a sea of darkness his mind numb from the shock of what he had experienced, he looked around after a few seconds as a soft voice floated around him, "Naruto-kun, my precious little one." The voice sounded like it was crying, but despite that it filled him with gentle warmth that slowly pulled him out of shock, "I'm sorry I have to leave you so soon after seeing you, I wished for your father to see you before he fought…Kyuubi." As Naruto recovered he started to hear other sounds, mumbling and people rushing everywhere. "I wish I could stay and protect you, raise you and see you become a wonderful person but because of…of what I had done my life is now draining away, I just hope you can forgive me as well as your father for what he is forced to do. Remember grow up strong and protect those precious to you, be a gentle soul who's kindness will change others for the better, and never forget both your father and I love you very much…Goodbye."
Naruto listened to the voice as the sounds faded away, his eyes watering heavily with tears as he reached up towards a now growing light, one single word escaping his lips, "Kaa-chan"
When Naruto had fainted Kakashi and Sasuke had both jumped up and were checking him over as Sakura started to panic, Kakashi then picked up Naruto as he turned to the worried teens and said, "Don't worry, it seems he's a lot more drained then I first thought I bring him to the hospital to get him checked out, you two are dismissed." He then watched as his two students nodded but the worry on their faces was still very visible, more so on Sasuke surprisingly then Sakura. They both left as Kakashi Shunshin to the Hokage tower, arriving just as Sandaime had put his pen down.
When Sarutobi saw Naruto in Kakashi's arms he had started to worry before Kakashi reassured him that he was fine. The old man watched as Kakashi put Naruto onto the couch in his office before reporting what had happened, after listening for a few moments he grew gravely concerned as he dismissed Kakashi and told him to check up on his other students, at first Kakashi was confused but complied not knowing that the Hokage needed to be alone with Naruto with what he knew was going to be discussed. The old kage watched as Naruto's face twisted into different emotions, complete shock being the most difficult for Sarutobi to handle. He sat back in his chair as tears fell from Naruto's closed eyes as he contemplated on how to go about the inevitable discussion. He sighed as he turned his chair around to see the village, the village that had made a small innocent child it's scapegoat to fulfill it's revenge against the Kyuubi no Kitsune. Sandaime was so engrossed by his thoughts that he didn't see Naruto reach for the air, a single word escape his lips as his azure eyes slowly opened.
The first thing he felt was the familiar couch of the Hokage's office under his back before the smell of said room filtered into his nose. Naruto slowly opened his eyes allowing for light to enter them slowly. When he finally opened them he sat up, feeling Kyuubi keeping silent as he too had gone trough the memory and felt his vessels torrent of emotions. Naruto, sitting fully up sighed heavily catching the elder Hokage's attention. Naruto stood as he watched Sarutobi stare into his eyes, a silent message playing in his eyes making Naruto sigh heavily again as he made his way towards the large oak desk. "Why didn't you tell me that the Yondaime Hokage was my father?" He sat down in the chair and keep eye contact with his Jiji as he waited for him to explain.
Sarutobi closed his eyes before answering in a steady, calm voice. "I felt it would be better this way." He started before looking into his surrogate grandchild's eyes, the burning question in his eyes 'Why'. "I had thought about telling you much earlier but…" He trailed off as he re-gathered his thoughts, "When you were younger, just after Kyuubi had visited me I had thought about telling you. I could tell that Kyuubi would be able to help you handle it and protect you should anyone try and take revenge against the Yondaime though you. Now do not get me wrong Naruto I know you are a very strong person but that information might have been too much for you to handle and with Minato's enemies lurking everywhere I was wary that the information would have been leaked, but when you told me that you had experienced Minato's memories I thought it would be better to find out yourself, that way you'll be able to handle any shock and Kyuubi can guide and help you through it. Also if I had told you sooner then you might have come to hate your father." He paused here as he allowed the information to sink in.
Naruto listened quietly as he thought about what was said, "How sure are you that I would hate my dad, why exactly did you decide to let me see it for myself?" He question as he had gotten inkling into his Jiji's thinking.
Sarutobi gave a small smile as he himself figured that Naruto understood what he meant, "To answer both your questions is simple. I wanted you to experience what Minato-kun felt that day. You did, did you not?" He saw Naruto nod as his smile grew, "Yes, with what you experienced you know how your father felt that day, the pain he must have felt at the duty and the sacrifice he had to perform as the protector of this village." He finished as he watched Naruto's reaction.
Naruto, after hearing that had closed his eyes as he thought about it. He did feel it, the pain, sorrow, and anger of his father coursing through him as he rode into battle. 'Yes I understand perfectly, and it is true I would have resented my father for what he had done…' "What about my mother?"
Sarutobi glanced at the Yondaime's picture when he answered, "Truthfully I do not know much about her, I only know that she is from Whirlpool Country and that her name is Uzumaki Kushina. You were given her name as a way to keep you safe because no one knew of any Uzumaki clan." He answered with an apologetic smile.
Naruto nodded to him thankfully as his thoughts wondered again, 'I wonder if she was the voice I heard.'
"I believe she was kit." Kyuubi answered after staying silent so long.
'But how did I remember that, I only had the Yondaime's memory and I doubt I remembered it when I was born.'
"Well young kit it has been said that a mother's love can defy Kami itself. Your mother must of felt so much sorrow and had so much love for you that her voice, her last message to you was sub-consciously imprinted into your mind so that no matter how old you've gotten and the picture of the memory fades you'll always remember her voice." Kyuubi replied with a content and relaxed look and feel on it.
'Heh, I guess that means I'm one very lucky kid to have such wonderful people for parents.' Naruto smiled at this thought. He felt Kyuubi agreeing as he looked back at the Hokage, "Jiji-san, thanks for that. I'm feeling a lot better and am really glad to know who my parents are." He smiled as he said this causing the old man to smile right back.
"I'm glad Naruto-kun, so now that this is out of the way what are you going to do now?"
"Well I think I'm going to grab a bite to eat then finally go and buy a sword, I kept putting it off to until I become a Genin and I've been dying to get one." He answered before standing up, "Thanks again Jiji-san." Naruto said again before turning and leaving.
Just as Naruto left the office three puffs of smoke appeared, when they cleared they revealed the three new Jounin sensei, all three stood at attention as they waited for their Hokage to allow them to report. After a few minutes of shuffling around some paper work Sandaime looked at all three of them, "So how has our new batch of Genin done?"
Kurenai stepped forward to indicating that she was going to report first, "Hokage-sama team eight consisting of Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, and Hyuuga Hinata passed their Genin exam. I used the tracking test to see how well they work together and to see how fast they could use their skills; they had a time limit of one hour." She did a small bow as she stepped back.
Asuma stepped forward next, "Team ten consisting of Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, and Yamanaka Ino passed their test. I had them try and immobilize me using their clan techniques for five seconds giving them a time limit of three hours." He then stepped back as Kakashi stepped forward.
Everyone looked at the lazy Jounin, two of them thinking that he failed his students again while the third knew better. They all got a surprise as Kakashi reported, "Team seven consisting of Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura, and Uzumaki Naruto passed their Genin test and might I add with flying colours. I gave them the bell test with a limit of three hours and they got the bells with time to spare." He gave an eye smile as Asuma looked at him with a grimace.
"Kakashi you don't have to lay it on like that, all our students barely passed and they probably had the best teamwork around. I've read the files of your students and only the Uchiha had any chance of getting a bell, and I know you wouldn't fail them because you are the only one who can train Sasuke." Asuma said not noticing the annoying expression behind Kakashi's mask.
"I have to agree with Asuma, why not take Sasuke as an apprentice and send the other two back to the academy, from what I read they both need more training especially Uzumaki-san." Kurenai added.
Kakashi looked at his fellow Jounin with an irritated expression, "That would be true if what you read is accurate, for one thing Haruno Sakura does need some more training but not enough to go back to the academy, she maybe a fangirl but she has a very admiral goal. Now for Uzumaki Naruto, well those files you read are completely untrue. Hokage-sama can I report the details of my test verbally instead of a written report?" At the Hokage's nod he gave an eye smile. "Very well the test started off with all three Genin going into hiding, or so I thought. It had seem Naruto had decided to challenge me directly-"
He was cut off when Asuma said, "Sounds like he does need more training." He then quieted down when he saw Kakashi's expression.
"Now as I was saying before I was interrupted, I had taken out my book underestimating Naruto." At the mention of book Kurenai scowled before a look of curiosity played on her face, "It started out with Naruto throwing sloppy punches and kicks that were easily blocked, when I had thought I gauged him accurately I decided to end it but it had seemed that Naruto did go hide and left a Kage Bunshin behind to gauge my skills, with the surprise of finding a solid clone he caught me with a powerful kick. It forced me to block and put my book away as the Naruto from before and the Naruto now were completely different, his Taijutsu stance was almost flawless and I became had pressed to actually stop him. After a few minutes I threw him into the near by pond which resulted in six clones attacking me as he went to find Sasuke, it seemed that he had figured out that he nor the other two could get a bell alone. From what I understand after dispatching the clones Naruto planned ahead and was willing to return to the academy so the other two could pass. As they were talking I had trapped Sakura into a Genjutsu that knocked her out, I left her and went to pursue the last member of the team, I think Sasuke fought me as a distraction so Naruto could get Sakura. After I had stopped Sasuke I left to find the others encountering Henged Bunshins along the way. It had seemed that Naruto had gotten Sasuke out of the ground and devised a plan, first Sasuke would rush me again thinking that he was out for revenge and while I was focused on Sasuke Naruto would appear and both would use Katon Jutsus to create a ring of fire around me as Sakura used her abilities in Genjutsu to make the flames look bigger then they already were, I could have dispelled it easily had Naruto not fired off a very powerful Katon Kinjutsu to increase the fires height and help Sakura out. It was then a matter of finding an opening in the flames and taking advantage of my stupefied state to get the bells. Naruto and Sakura both said they would give up their bells for one another and I'm pretty sure Sasuke would have done the same if I hadn't told them they passed. They demonstrated amazing skills and surprising abilities as well as good teamwork passing the bell test with flying colours." When Kakashi finished he eye smiled at the chuckling Hokage and two wide eyed Jounin.
"Unbelievable…that was…wow for fresh Genin to be able to go that far is nothing short of amazing." Asuma said as he thought about upping his training for the new Genin.
Kurenai was thinking along the same lines when she saw Kakashi ask something of the Hokage who handed him a folder, "Kakashi, what's with the folder?" She asked catching Asuma's attention.
"This is the real file of Uzumaki Naruto; I just want to see how well he's really done." He said before looking over it, "Well this makes sense; he was trained by Gai so that explains his Taijutsu." He mumbled before getting an impressed look in his eye, "Kenjutsu as well and it says here he's mastered the basics and already taking his lessons to the next level. Hm his Ninjutsu is very good though he needs work with his control, but not as much as he should need. And…" Kakashi trailed off as his single eye widen causing the two eavesdropping Jounin to look at him curiously, "He-he has affinities for all the elements!" He practically shouted.
Sandaime laughed at the looks the Jounin had as he tried to answer their silent question, "Yes he does have all five, it seems to be a side affect of having Kyuubi sealed in him. His affinity for wind and fire are strongest with lightening, water, and earth as secondary affinity types."
"No" Asuma said
"Way" Kurenai finished for him as they looked at a sparkly eyed Kakashi.
"If it wasn't for this mask I'd be drooling at the chance to train such strong Genin, so I'll settle for insane gigging." Kakashi said as he started gigging uncontrollably.
Sarutobi allowed Kakashi to giggle for a little while before silencing him, all three Jounin stood at attention when he spoke in a serious tone, "Now that this has been settled it's time I bring in Konoha's newest plan to help train the Genin and make them more prepared for the real world. Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai all three of you will take missions and train your team but once a week you're gonna get together for group training and help each of the nine students with whatever they are lacking in. Be it Genjutsu, Chakra control or strategy you will help them iron and fortify their strengths and nullify their weaknesses. You will also be allowed to mix up the teams for special missions and training to help promote teamwork among them, understood?" All the Jounin present said a clear 'Hai' as he nodded, "Very good, are there any question?"
Kakashi stepped forward signalling that he had one, when Sandaime nodded he proceeded, "Hokage-sama, this sounds something that Yondaime-sama was telling me about, is it the same thing?"
Sandaime nodded as he replied, "Yes, Minato had come up with this plan to help the growth of our Genin and was going to be used the year after had the Kyuubi not attacked. But because of that terrible incident the plan was put on hold till last year when it was approved" Kakashi nodded before stepping back, "Good, if there isn't anything further then you are all dismissed." He said, turning in his chair to the view of the village as the three Jounin disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Sandaime took out his pipe and lit it as he thought about the new batch of Genin, 'It seems that this year's batch is going to be quiet promising especially one Uzumaki Namikaze Naruto.'
As the Jounin and Hokage went about their meeting Naruto had decided to go to the closes store that wouldn't turn him away, the local Dango shop. When Naruto entered he immediately sat down at the counter and ordered up a few plates and happily dug in. Not to long after he was through his second stick he noticed a familiar head of purple hair, curious he looked over and saw a very interesting sight. A few seats away from him a woman lying against the counter wearing a beige coloured trench coat and matching mini-skirt, he noticed her pupil-less brown eyes had glanced at him before turning her head away and looking straight, he noticed that her hairstyle reminded him of Shikamaru which is where the familiarity hand come from. 'Hm, she looks down.' He thought as he continued eating his Dango, his eyes drifting in her direction every now and then. 'I wonder why.'
"Why not ask then kit?" Kyuubi chirped up after hearing it's vessel's thoughts.
'Hm, I guess that's a good idea.' "Ano, excuse me miss are you feeling ok?" He asked as he looked at the mysterious purple haired woman, said woman looked at him with widen eyes.
"Are you talking to me?" She asked pointing to herself. At his nod she got a confused expression, "Well…Sigh Not really, I was just on a crappy mission that had a lousy pay which is only enough to cover the bare essentials in my life." She sighed out as she turned to Naruto; she smirked at his blush when she showed off her fishnet body suit, "Like what you see gaki?" Her smirk grew at his increased blush as he muttered something inaudible, "Did you say something gaki?"
Naruto looked started and opened his mouth before he could think, "I said 'I would be lying if I said no.' Uh cause you know you look very attractive and um…you have very pretty eyes." He said stumbling and shuttering at the end when he realized what he said. He watched as the purple haired woman got an amused expression as she raised an eyebrow.
"Is that so gaki, well the mere fact that you were brave enough to said that means…" She said trailing off as she stood up and sat down next to him as he started to sweat, "Hehe, it means I'm starting to like you. Mitarashi Anko's the name torture and interrogation's the game." She then gave him a predatory smile.
Naruto had started to get nervous when she spoke with a dangerous tone and very unnerving glint in her eye before relaxing slightly at the rest of what she said, "Uh, my name's Uzumaki Naruto." He said introducing himself. "So uh, Anko-san you got a lousy mission right and now you can't afford what you want?" He asked as she started to pout.
"Aw don't add –san to my name, it makes me feel old. Just call me Anko-chan or 'Wow' tomorrow morning." Anko purred as the implication flew over Naruto's head, till Kyuubi explained it and he turned crimson. "Hehe, just teasing Naru-chan." She said with her tongue sticking out and a playful look on her face.
"O-oh, ok then Anko…uh –chan." Naruto stammered, 'What's up with nickname?' He asked himself as Anko rested her head in her palm.
"So Naru-chan now that we've become friends how about buying your new pal a plate of Dango, hm?" She purred again with a playful smirk.
Naruto looked a little uneasy as he called over the cook, "Hi I'd like to order another plate of Dango…and a bowl of sweet bean soup please." He then gave a nervous smile to Anko as he added, "I hope you like sweet bean soup, cause something's telling me you do." His response was a very bright smile with a vigorous nod that made the purple haired woman look childish. "Hehe, good."
After a few moments of waiting the order was placed in front of Anko as she said a quick Ittadakimasu before digging in. As Anko ate her meal Naruto was struck with a sense of déjà vu as he watched her, though he quickly dismissed the thought as he wondered where he would be able to find a store that sold weapons but would not try and kick him out. As his mind wondered Kyuubi had been listening to his thoughts before giving his opinion, "You know kit you could always ask the women next to you if she knows anyplace."
Naruto blinked when he heard as he wondered why he didn't think of it sooner, he then turned to look at the purple haired ninja before tapping her shoulder to get her attention, "Uh, do you happen to know any good shops that sell weapons?"
Anko had stop eating when she felt a tap on her shoulder and listened to his questioned as she pondered, "Hm, well you could try the Metal Claw weapons shop at the edge of the village." She replied.
Naruto nodded as he tried to remember if he had ever been in that shop, when he figured that he didn't he gave Anko a very heart warming smile, "Thanks Anko-chan, you've been a real help. Anyways thanks for keeping me company but I've got to go bye." He then hopped off his stool before leaving completely missing the smile and slight blush on the older women's face.
"Well, well looks like he's made you blush again and in a similar way as he did six years ago I might add." The person behind the counter said as he turned around.
"yeah, except it was in your ramen stand Teuchi." Anko replied with a deadpan expression from the old man's attempt to tease her.
Flashback six years ago
It was a cool summer evening as Anko, a Chuunin at the time, had just entered Ichiraku Ramen. She sat down with her head lying straight down on the counter as her thoughts wondered, 'Oh this sucks, why am I, a Chuunin doing Genin ranked missions. They're chores for Kami's sake and not something a ninja of my skill should be doing…Sigh I guess I have no choice seeing as we're slow on missions right now. Though I wish the pay was better, even with all of the ones I did I still only have enough left over after paying bills and other essentials to afford ramen for the next few days.' As Anko was thinking the aura around her started getting darker as she started brooding more. She was so deep in thought she didn't notice the big bowl of freshly made ramen in front of her face till the smell hit her. "Wha-what the, where did this come from?" She sent a questioning glace at the owner who shook his head and pointed beside her. Curious she looked down to see a small kid with bright blonde hair and six whisker like marks on his cheeks. "Uh, did you give this to me kiddo?" She questioned as he gave her a nod and big smile that caused her previously bad mood to lighten.
"Yep nee-chan." The little boy gave his answer in a light, happy tone.
"Why?"
"Because nee-chan," He stated switching into a very cute scolding tone, "Pretty girls shouldn't frown or look so sad, they should smile." He answered happily before jumping off his seat and waving bye to everyone, completely missing the small blush that appeared Anko's face.
When Teuchi saw her face he gave a small chuckle as he started washing the few dirty dishes he had, "Already catching girls attention, I must say he's good for a six year old."
"Who was that kid?"
"That was Uzumaki Naruto, one of my most brightest and caring costumer." Teuchi answered as he finished his task.
"You mean the Jinchuuriki?" Teuchi gave a nodded as he gauged the young women's reaction, "Wow…he's a lot cuter then I thought Hehe." Anko giggled a bit before finishing her ramen gift from the blonde boy and leaving intending to follow him around and see why he seemed so cheerful.
Flashback End
It was after following the boy for a few days that she saw how he was ill-treated but never gave up and continued to smile at the world. It was then she started to admire the blond boy, accepting a mission for checking on him every few weeks, her admiration for him grew as she watched how his life was and would always grind her teeth at how the village treated their hero. She always hated not being able to do anything for him and sometimes wondered if it was worth the heartache to continue but regardless she continued to watch him from a far pushing her feelings down until he turned eight when her mission ended. She then started taking higher class missions, but her thoughts always drifting to the young bundle of sunshine, she was at first a little wary of not keeping an eye on him but when she heard that the two Jounin, Hayate and Gai were watching and training him she felt better. As she finished off the last of her dango she wondered how the boy was doing with his training, "I wonder how strong he is, though judging by the fact he was trained by two of our top ninja and if the rumours are true is on the first team Kakashi's ever passed…Hehe well now looks like I owe the brat a congratulations present and something to pay him back for the dango and ramen." She mused out loud as Teuchi looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
'Hm, even if I was teasing earlier I can tell she does care for Naruto a lot, more then most could claim. When I remember watching and talking to her either during or after looking over Naruto she'd sound excited if he did something interesting, sad and angry when she talked about his daily life in the village, and the one that surprised me the most, very deep affection and pride when she explained how he over came any obstacles in his way. During those times I swear she looked like she was talking about someone very precious to her, and even now I can tell that feeling has deepened. The question is does she realize it or does she still think Naruto is simply a person to her. Teuchi thought as he watched Anko's musing, never missing the small smiles that would tug at her when she mentioned his name, or the soft glint in her eyes that would accompany it.
"You know what I'll help him with his training by teaching him a jutsu…but it has to be a good one. Hm looks like I'll be thinking a bit for this one which means drinking at Kurenai's, whoot." Teuchi's smile grew as she pumped her fist in the air and jumped up and left, but not before giving a Naruto-like wave and smile to Teuchi who couldn't help but chuckle.
After leaving the shop Naruto headed towards the edge of the business district before stopping in front of a decent looking shop with a sign saying Metal Claw Weapons` Shop and Smith. He noticed that the shopped had a verity of different ninja tools in the front and a smoke stack with black smoke pouring out, figuring that the owner was probably in the forgery Naruto entered and was about to call out when he noticed a bun haired girl about his age sitting behind a counter, she had her eyes closed and was looking quite bored. Naruto walked towards her as he took noticed of all the different weapons ranging from regular kunai to foreign weapons Naruto had never seen before, awed a bit by the display he didn't notice the bun haired girl had opened her eyes and spotted him.
Tenten was feeling a bit bored as the sales today had been slow, though she really shouldn't complain seeing as she had finished her training with her sensei Gai and teammates, Gai's clone Rock Lee and Hyuuga Neji just a few hours previously. As she was wondering if anyone would be coming and maybe ask her boss if it would be ok to take a short snack break she felt the presence of a person close by, snapping her brown eyes open she saw a boy around her age with untamed blond hair and black clothing reminiscent of her pale eyed teammate just a few feet from her, 'What the, how did he get so close without me noticing…Hm he looks sort of familiar but I don't know where. Oh well he's a customer right now so I'd better help him.' The bun haired girl got up and went around the counter revealing her to be wearing a pink Chinese armless shirt and green pants. When she reached the boy she tapped his shoulder causing him to yelp and spin around in surprise. "Hello my name's Tenten, how may I help you?"
Naruto just stared at the girl for a moment before gaining a look of understanding, "Oh, Uh do you have any good katanas I can see?" He watched the girl nod before showing him where they keep them, 'Hm, you know she looks kinda cute with her hair like that, looks sorta like a panda.'
"Hm, you're right though I'd doubt she'd like to hear that."
'Hm, maybe you're righ…Do you feel that Kyuubi?' Naruto silently asked as something bombarded his senses towards the area where they were heading. When they stopped in front of a large display of katanas of different shapes and sizes Naruto looked around for the source of the feeling, he immediately found the reason when he looked at an ordinary Katana in a glass box. The strange thing about the sword was that it had a thin black chain wrapped around it, going around the whole sheath before wrapping around the guard and handle. Naruto stared at it while wondering where the feeling was coming from before Tenten got his attention again.
Tenten had lead the, in her secret opinion very cute, boy towards the Katanas and was about to ask him if he had any specific details in mind when she saw him looking at a katana in a glass case, she immediately realised what he was looking at and said, "You know, that sword is said to be cursed. So far everyone who's owned it has never unsheathe it and has always died shortly after touching it in a weird way."
Naruto looked confused as he asked the obvious question, "What do you mean by died in a weird way?"
"Well after getting the sword one person was crushed by falling boulders after walking under a cliff, the thing was there wasn't any report of the cliff being unstable and after it happened the sword was sitting in front of the rubble without a scratch. Another instance a completely healthy person died of a heart attack and the sword was found lying across his chest. Then there was the group of bandits that had stolen the sword and ended up falling down into a chasm after the ground underneath them collapsed when they were being chased and you guessed it, the sword was perfectly fine, it was sticking out of the dirt right in front of the hole." As Tenten told the tale behind the cursed sword Naruto could not help the feeling of fear that started creeping into him, but with another glance at the sword it disappeared to be replaced with the urge to buy it.
Naruto looked back at Tenten with a determined fire in his eyes as he said, "Regardless of the tale I still feel this sword is for me." His gaze returning to the sword mid-sentence.
"Uh, well I don't think it's a good idea…" Tenten started to say when a voice interrupted her.
"Nonsense, this young lad looks the type to handle this sword well." The voice belonged to a older looking man with greyish brown hair, he had a normal build with a bit of extra muscle on his arms from the smith and if the soot and ash was any indication he was the owner of the shop. "This boy looks like someone who could wield and tame this katana's wild spirit." He continued as Tenten got a concerned look on her face.
"But Aizen-sama I seriously doubt a newly promoted Genin could handle this sword, I mean actual swordsmen have tried and failed and they've also died because of it." Naruto became a little irked when she doubted his skills with a sword.
"You know," He started with a bit of his irritation bleeding through, "I do believe I can handle it, after all I have trained with swords before and I-"
He was immediately cut off as Tenten gave him a look like a mother lecturing a small child, "Look just because you've 'trained' with swords doesn't mean you have any ability, besides from your build I highly doubt you can wield a sword properly." She then turned back to Aizen who had an amused look on his face as he saw Naruto's go a bit dark. "Now Aizen-sama I think we should probably put the sword in the back so no more kids who've probably trained for a short while and never held a sword thinks of buying it."
"You know I'm still here." Tenten gave Naruto a 'so-what' glance causing Naruto to become further annoyed, "Ok then, Aizen-san I'm buying this sword no matter the cost."
Aizen looked at Naruto as his grin grew, "No matter the cost?" At the young boy's nod he gave a small chuckle before picking up the case and handing it to Tenten, "Ok, if you can unsheathe this sword in front of Tenten I'll give you it for free plus a years supply of high quality kunai and shuriken."
Naruto looked perplexed as Tenten gave him an inconceivable stare before looking down at the sword, "Aizen are you mad he'll kill himself!"
"No more mad then you, I believe he'll do it. Also Tenten before you criticize someone's skills you'd have to know what they are, like you always say never judge a book by it's cover seeing as you hate people thinking your weak just because you're a girl."
Tenten's eyes widen when she heard this as she realized that she was being a hypocrite, "Damn I guess you're right but I will hold my same judgement until I'm proven otherwise." Tenten said as she looked over Naruto.
"That's fine, I'll prove that I know very well how to use a sword and change your opinion on me. Heck I'm so sure I can bet on it." Naruto claimed.
Tenten smirked as she answered his challenge, "Very well I bet that you have almost no skill in kenjutsu, when I win you'll be my servant for a week."
Naruto's eyebrow rose as he nodded, "Ok, and if I win?" he questioned with his arms folded.
"Then I'll give you my most precious possession, I'll give you my first kiss. Heh that's how confident I am tat I'll win." She answered in an arrogant tone.
Naruto looked a little flustered but shook it off in an instant, "You're on, meet me in training ground 15. There I'll not only unsheathe the sword but beat you using Kenjutsu only." When he finished they both ran out of the store as they headed to said training ground.
As he watched them leave he wondered if he was right, regardless of his words he wasn't all that confident about the boy. When he first came into possession of the blade it was after watching it's curse kill the bandit group when he was a tad younger, when he held it he could feel the aura surrounding it and the power it contained waiting to be unleashed. Because he never had any desire to use the sword the curse never hit him but it would always give out a small pulse whenever someone came in and would always give off a small weak feeling to him telling him that it was looking for something. When the young Uzumaki entered the store he was down in the forgery, it was then he felt the strongest pulse from the sword ever and knew that someone was finally here to claim the sword. But when he reached the top he realized that it was a child, a Genin by the looks and his hope were dashed until he noticed the blond hair and whisker-like marks, that's when his lost hope returned, 'If the sword was looking for someone maybe it was someone of great strength…but then why such a strong pulse for him when others with a lot more power were passed over.' These were his thoughts as he talked to the two, it was as he observed Naruto that he realized that maybe the sword wasn't looking for strength but spirit. Aizen gave a small sigh before returning to the forgery his mind hoping that the young container was the one to unsheathe the sword and pass the test cause if he wasn't then yet another life will be claimed by the sword.
When the two reached the clearing of training ground 15 Tenten set the sword down before removing the glass and moving back, "Here you go, lets see you try and unsheathe it. Though I doubt you'll even be able to lift it." She goaded him with a smirk.
Naruto glared at her as he tsked before walking up to and kneeling in front of the sword. He closed his eyes as he had a silent conversation with his inner demon, 'Kyuubi, you're feeling this too correct?" At Kyuubi's mental nod Naruto's face scrunched in concentration, 'Why are we feeling this, it feels so warm yet sinister at the same time. I feel like taking this sword and using it will make me a god but at the same time I feel that I will die under it's watch…It's both terrifying and…exciting, so much so that words can hardly describe it.'
"Yes I know, this aura reminds me of some of the more…supernatural being I've encountered in my long life. Naruto I believe this sword is something that will be difficult to handle, if you take up this sword it will be a very dangerous and burdensome path are you truly sure and ready to take on such a destiny?" Kyuubi's voice held wisdom as it spoke before awaiting his vessel's decision.
Naruto meditated and thought about what Kyuubi said, his mind drifting to the burning question. Was he, Namikaze Uzumaki Naruto going to take up the challenge of the cursed sword. His eyes snapped open as a large grin appeared on his face, "Hehe of course I am, if I wasn't then I wouldn't be who I am today." He then reached for the sword as he felt Kyuubi's calming and supportive presence surround him, just as he was about to reach the swords' handle he thought, 'You know this is the first time I've referred to myself with my father's name since that night with the contract.' When his hand clasped the handle a pulse ripped through him and the air around him before everything went dark, Naruto started to panic before he realised he was standing and the area around him had started to reappear. He looked around and found himself in what appeared to be a stadium like setting, curious as to where the training field as well as Kohona went he didn't notice the other person in the large arena until he heard the sound of metal against the floor. When he looked for the source his eyes widen as he saw what appeared to be a slender person walking towards him, the thing about said person that surprised him was that it was covered in armour as black as night with a helmet covering their face from view, in their right hand a O-katana was held, Naruto watched the figure as they got closer the air around him starting to heat up a bit and making him uncomfortable. When the figure stood a few feet away he looked towards the area of the eyes to see that covered by a strange tinted glass. He waited a moment before realizing that the figure wasn't about too speak, "Um, where are we?" He asked with no response, "Ok, who are you?" He waited a few minutes with no response befor asking one last question, "Hm, why am I here?"
"Naruto duck now!" Was shouted in his head by the Kyuubi as he obeyed without question when he felt the wind being sliced in front of him, when he landed he saw that the figure had drawn their sword and had almost cut him in half.
"Holy crap, what the hell was that!" He shouted before jumping up and avoiding another strike, he then moved as far away from the figure as possible before watching the knight slowly remove their blade from the ground and went back to watching him. 'Ok, that scared the living hell out of me, what the hell was that Kyuubi?"
"I do not know Naruto, but something tells me this is all because of that sword you touched. I knew I felt something strange about it, if only I can figure out what happened." Kyuubi's voice sounded a bit frazzled and panicky as the old, wise fox tried to figure out what was happening.
"Don't stress yet Kyuubi," Naruto muttered as he waited for the figure to move, "Stay calm, I know well get out of this." 'But how is the question.'
As Naruto and the Kyuubi were racking their brains the figure moved their arm before pointing at the young blond with a blood coloured talon.
Naruto tensed when he was the movement but relaxed a bit when he saw it only point, it was then he heard a light, almost musical whisper caress his ears 'To continue your journey you must show strength, strength of spirit and strength of will.' Naruto looked around in bewilderment when he heard that. "What the, this is way too weird. Kyuubi did you hear that?" He asked his tenet but when he got no answer he started to worry a bit, when he reached into his sub-conscious he could not feel his constant companion. That's when his eyes widen and terror stuck his being, "This can't be happening, Kyuubi…Kyuubi!" Naruto's head snapped back to the figure when they started walking towards him again, in a slow manner that made him even more terrified. Naruto started to back up as the figure came closer but froze when the sword in the knight's hand lit up in black flames. 'I'm doing to die…and there's nothing I can do about it, I'm weak. I'm far too weak to do anything, why…' As Naruto's thoughts started getting darker his spirit started getting weaker, and his will to live started fading.
When the knight reached the boy sinking in despair it shook it's head in pity before lifting the burning O-katana and striking down intending to kill the boy but was stopped by a bright red aura of anger and malice before the aura slammed into it and threw it across the arena making the dark knight crash into the wall.
As Naruto watched the blade descend upon him he looked up onto it with no strength left, that's when a deep and powerful roar rang in his mind as a shield of red charka stopped the sword from killing him and threw the attacker away. "Naruto you baka, how could you have allowed that to happened!"
The familiar voice of Kyuubi snapped the boy out of his trance before tears started flowing down his cheeks, "K-Kyuubi?" Was all he could say in his shock.
"Yea, it's me. Something repressed me somehow, it took a lot to break through that barrier separating me from you. Now why did you freeze up like that and why did your spirit start wavering, it looked like you were ready to die?" After Kyuubi asked it's question the kitsune could feel Naruto starting to get embarrassed, and with a quick scan of his mind figured out what happened, "Naruto I am not leaving anytime soon so you do not have to worry, I will always be here and I will always guide you. Now Naruto there will be times when I will not be able to speak with you." Kyuubi started to feel Naruto's panic so he rushed out the rest, "Regardless I'll still be here, right here and whether or not you can hear me I will always surround you with my presence, for nothing can stop that." He felt Naruto calm down with a breath of relief, "Good, now that you're feeling calmer lets figure out how to beat our opponent."
Naruto nodded his agreement as he studied the dark knight, then the burning sword. 'Yeah, you're right. But something's bothering me why isn't he attacking, I mean we've just stood here for the past few minutes staring at each other, after getting up he hasn't even moved from his spot, I thought he'd be mad or at least attack…Kyuubi did you hear that odd whisper before I started to lose it.' Naruto thought, still a little embarrassed about it as he dismissed the kinght's odd behaviour.
"Yes I heard, though I am unsure what it means exactly." Kyuubi admitted.
Naruto nodded as he thought about the words, To continue your journey you must show strength, strength of spirit and strength of will. 'How do I do that, how does someone show their strength of spirit and will…well let's think, how does one show spirit, what is spirit. Hm spirit is the ability to feel motivated and be positive…Something I had almost lost, ok so I show spirit by never giving up, by preserving and striving to become better.' Naruto's eyes widen when he finally figured out one half of the whisper, 'Ok, now for the next half. Strength of will, well it worked before so let's try it again, what is will? Hm, will is something. Arg ok Kyuubi mentioned something about my will, it was fading but why, well what was I feeling when Kyuubi was cut off. I was feeling scared, alone, I was feeling…no I was losing my will to live.' "That's it, my spirit and will is intertwined. My ability to continue regardless of the obstacles in the way, and my resolve to live that is what I have to show." When he finished speaking his eyes gained a determined looks with a fire ignited in them.
When Naruto made his observation the motionless knight nodded it's head once before taking a stance the sword's flaming burning brighter before it charged the boy.
Naruto watched as the knight took a stance before grabbing a kunai and reinforcing it with chakra, then charged the knight right as it charged him. When they met Naruto swung his blade along with the knight as both weapons rebounded but unlike the knight who held it's sword tightly Naruto had let go of his weapon before using a quick burst of speed to cut around the knight's left side and spin his leg in a round house kick, the knight quickly tuned and fell back with the kick taking little damage before regaining it's balance and struck at Naruto again who just flipped over the sword and dropped on the ground to try and sweep the knight's armoured legs. The knight fell forward in surprise but used it's shoulder to roll on the ground and get into a kneeling position before quickly rising and turning using the momentum to nearly slice Naruto in half again, the blade cut trough the air in front of him as he pulled back from his charge in an attempt to catch the knight off guard.
Naruto jumped back several feet as he tried to catch his breath, "Damn this guy's tough, I have the disadvantage of having no weapon to combat that sword. The only reason I haven't been killed is because I'm a lot faster." He stretched as he watched the knight carefully.
"Naruto I thinks it's time to test 'it' out, it's almost perfected and it should help with this enemy."
Naruto blinked before gaining a thoughtful look, "Hm, maybe though I might kill myself if I'm not careful." He then gave a small smile as he looked towards the knight, "Heh you should count yourself lucky, looks like you'll be the first to see my Taijutsu style. Now I haven't gotten all the kinks out but it should do against you." He then moved his body into a loose fighting stance, his right side facing his opponent with his right fist at eye level with the left a bit lower, he bent his knees as he moved both feet to shoulders width, "Get ready for Kyuubutsu ryuu(Nine Strikes of the Dragon style)!"
Well hello to anyone and everyone who's been waitig for this chapter, all I can say is sorry about not posting eariler but I was having serious trouble figuring out how to include everything I want in the fic, also I was actually branching off into other genres of fics so I kinda lost my edge for Naruto (My mind is filled with Naruto crossovers and Bleach and Harry Potter Time travel fics) So up until a few days ago I had upto when Naruto first met Anko just before they started eating. Though after a year and three months I give you another chapter, I hope you enjoyed it and I can't wait to read your reviews. Oh I've also opened up a fourm to post my ideas for new fics incase anyone is interested. Well this is all I've got to say and expect to see another chapter soon (Cause I actually cut this one off just now when I went over 10k words.) So prepare yourself for Naruto finishing his 'journey' to him versing tenten to the rookies first team training meeting to probably the start of the wave mission arc. Ja ne. Oh I also forgot to mention this but in my deviantart profile (Located on the homepage button on profile) in my favs I put a few pics of what I think some of the chars would look like, for instance the knight's armour is a blend of the three pics I have in there.
