Disclaimer: I do not own any of this.
-------------------------------------------Shattered Illusion : Copy Of a Ninja
: Chapter 06
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The boy carefully surveyed this new threat, rabble mostly, relying primarily on sword and halberd techniques. Being in such a large group was not to their advantage either; at the most, only four opponents could attack simultaneously. The only real advantage it provided them was the gradually loss of stamina that any opponent would usually suffer.
He did not have that problem.
Walking toward Kakashi Naruto raised his hand to point at the group, "Don't you have a technique to deal with that group."
Kakashis response was quick, "Normally, but at the moment I don't have enough chakra. I used up most of it dealing with Zabusa."
Figures. Well in this situation he did have a technique that could take the lot out at once, several actually, but he did not want to perform them here, mostly due to the fact that Sasuke had just woken up. No sense in adding to his already formidable arsenal when he did not need to.
His eyes settled on Zabuzas discarded greatsword and an idea formed. Lifting the oversize weapon from where it lay on the bridge Naruto transformed the cumbersome item into a huge boomerang.
It was a weapon that he had yet to be seen used in Leaf village, but one that his former guardians had shown him the use of. It was unlikely that he would ever use such a weapon again, so Naruto was happy to let the Uchiha heir see it this once.
Drawing the weapon back Naruto swept his hands forward at full strength, releasing the weapon. Using the momentum gathered by the powerful throw he drew his katana and sprang after its trail.
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The distance closed. Ten feet. Six. Four. One.
A crossbow bolt slammed into the rocky ground before him. Whipping his head around Naruto saw the grinning face of Inari. The boy had rallied the villagers from the looks of things. Well, that would change things; even so, he could hear the boomerang start to scythe through the mercenaries ranks, the sound of bone shattering unmistakeable. Sheathing his katana, as there was no need for it now, Naruto raised his hand into the air, and caught the returning weapon.
Hmm. An even dozen, not bad for his first throw.
The mercenaries were in a route, fleeing for the lives, the villagers had them outnumbered now by a least three to one. Dismissing the chakra he had used to transform the blade Naruto carried it over to the still forms of Haku and Zabusa, he was sure that the boy would like to keep this memento of his former leader.
They could deal with that later though; it was unlikely that Haku would wake for some hours yet. Placing the sword on the ground near the fallen man, Naruto went over to stand with Kakashi, who was seemingly watching the villages celebrate the victory.
Standing there, Naruto heard the softly muttered words, "We have to talk."
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It took the group two weeks to recover.
They remained with Inari and his family for the duration, which were very happy to host the group. A number of important things happened during this time. The construction of the bridge was completed. Haku woke up, and the group held a small funeral for Zabusa. Kakashi convinced the boy to return to Leaf Village with the group. But perhaps the most important thing to happen, at least for Naruto, was that he and the jounin had a discussion.
Naruto did not know what Kakashi had expected him to say. Probably that the seal had broken, or something of that nature. It certainly was not what Naruto did tell the man, if his expression afterwards was any measure. There was little he could do though, essentially Naruto had never left the village, when he had reabsorbed the clone he had regained all of it's memories.
Some things the boy kept back, that he had the scroll of forbidden seals, that he could converse with nine tails, the techniques that he had learnt. What he did explain were the training methods he had gone through, along with the physical changes, something impossible to miss for one of Kakashis rank.
Kakashi agreed to keep silent on the matter so long as Naruto agreed to explain the full story to the third on their return to the village. Naruto could live with that. He spent the rest of the time with Inari and Haku, the pair of them only to happy for the company, as all three of them had lived very solitary lives.
Naruto for his part told them of life in the hidden leaf village, what was expected, what facilities were available. He did this for two reasons, to tell Haku what he could expect, and to just talk with somebody near his own age that was willing to listen, he had never had the opportunity to do that before.
It was great.
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The time went quickly for the group, and before long it was time to leave. This was the real test; he would once again be living within the confines of the village. Things would not change overnight for the boy, but he could certainly make a start on shifting the Leaf ninjas hearts.
During the journey back to the village, Haku told Naruto of his history. And what a tragic history it was. They were both very similar, hated for some difference that they each had no control over. Haku for a bloodline limit ability, Naruto for a soul-bond with a demon.
When they were not talking the pair trained, each learning from the other. Haku taught Naruto of the medicinal value of different herbs, their applications in battle and out of it, while Naruto worked with Haku to teach him the basic ninja techniques required of a Genin. Something that Kakashi had told the boy was sure to be tested for.
There was an area that both of them had little knowledge in, academics. For that sort of information the pair would spend some days in discussion with Sasuke and Sakura. While insightful for them, neither were really inclined in that area, both being more action-oriented.
The journey back took the group another fortnight. As the gates of Leaf village came into sight Naruto could not help but tense up.
This was the next step.
On the long and winding road to becoming Hokage.
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-------------------------------------------Done. Comments Welcome.
