This chapter have been edited by Frouade! All the credits of the better grammar and spelling were given to him!
Chapter 7. New Team or Old Team?
Hiruzen Sarutobi let out sigh while straightening his Hokage hat. The talk with Naruto went better than he expected.
When he revealed it to Naruto the blond was practically frozen in shock before he became angry, angry to the point his chakra shimmered around him.
And he gave Naruto time to calm down, but he was not leaving from their place. After a moment Naruto took to calm down, he asked: "Why? Why was it him?"
The broken face of his successor's son hurts Hiruzen heart when he saw it. But he is Hokage and he was strong enough to not show the pain.
He told Naruto that there was no other child born that day –which was technically true, no baby was born that night other than Naruto- and it must be newborn baby since adult or growing baby already have their chakra growth.
He told Naruto how it was painful for him to seal the fox into him and how he is sorry for doing that. He gave Naruto a hug and the blond cried for the first time after so long.
After calming down, the blond became quite nervous about what if his friends will find out, however Hiruzen assured he didn't have to tell them, although he said that if they are really his friends, then they will understand.
Naruto seemed satisfied afterwards and then they began to talk to each other for a moment before Naruto decided to go back to Uchiha compound, apparently, it was already late and he didn't want to miss Haru's cooking. The Hokage agreed since he often ate Haru's food -the boy send it for him every week ever since he started cooking- and he admits it is delicious.
Suddenly, there was a knock on his door and he blinked, then he turned to see the clock and it was already night. Who would visit him?
"Come in..." He called.
And the door opened to reveal it was his secretary, however Hiruzen immediately sensed something was wrong with her and his eyes sharpened as he stared with steel eyes on the woman.
The secretary seemed to be unfazed before she dropped to the ground like lifeless doll and behind her emerged a figure wearing ANBU outfit. He had blank ANBU mask, pale white skin, short black hair and appeared to be young.
The Hokage also noticed that this man smelled... Bad... It was mix of... Pepper, garlic and... Ughh, it clearly gave quite bad impression to his nose and it only thanks to his hardened battle experience in war that he was able to hold himself.
"She is not dead, but in genjutsu." The fake ANBU said, "Well, I must say that meeting second Kami no Shinobi directly after Hashirama is something." He stated with humour in his tone.
"Who are you?" Hokage demanded sternly as he was already standing 'He is under Henge...' He thought because he could sense the Chakra which covered the whole ANBU body.
"Me? I'm just a Ghost, you can call me Rei..." 'Rei' stated with amusement in his tone, "I came here to drop one of the people who work for a certain snake in Konoha."
At the mention of the 'snake' Hiruzen immediately stiffened, the image of his former student flashed in his mind and his face turned grim.
"Interested, aren't you?" Rei asked and gave a slight chuckle "Well, do you want to find this man? I already captured him and tied him near Memorial Stone, on his shoulder you will find Cursed Seal of Orochimaru. That is more than a good proof and a permission to check his memory." He explained while making gestures with his hand.
"And how can I trust you? It could be trap after all..." Hiruzen coldly replied.
"That's not my problem as far I know." Rei said almost in pure tone as if he was enjoying Hiruzen cold demeanour instead of fearing it, "However, if you want to know, this is not the first time I am doing Konoha a favour...", He said and Hiruzen furrowed his eyebrows "Four years ago, Taki Kunoichi tried to infiltrate Konoha and stole the patrol schedule of the village."
"You are the ANBU who captured those kunoichi..." Hiruzen muttered with slightly widened eyes after realization. He had to interrogate Danzo afterwards and found nothing about the mysterious ninja, Danzo himself stated that it wasn't his work this time and appeared to be upset when some ninja managed to sneak into their place that easily.
"Correct, Sarutobi Hiruzen, if you want to say thanks, then can I get forbidden scroll as a present?" Rei asked in humorous tone, "All jokes aside, I have no motive to harm Konoha. Like I said I'm only a Ghost..." Rei stated in a slightly stern tone, "And don't bother to knock me because I'm only a clone, if you do so I will disappear." He added.
Hiruzen only narrowed his eyes at him. This man… He was able to sneak in to Konoha and also knows a way to erase his tracks and the way to avoid being chased by them. This man either knows much about Konoha or he is a very strong Shinobi.
"You really don't have intention to harm Konoha?" He asked again.
"Yes... At least not now, this generation proved to be bright enough for the future." Rei replied "Wouldn't you agree?" He asked in strange soft tone.
Hiruzen mind flashed to the whole Konoha Genin and couldn't help but put slight smile at his bright face. Indeed, this generation was bright.
"I see you agree... I only will become enemy of Konoha if the village will turn out to be corrupt..." Rei stated, "After all, I can't have Hashirama's and Madara's legacy turned into something they never wished in the first place..." He smirked slightly under his mask, "Very well, I will take my leave. We will meet again and hopefully not soon, Sandaime."
Before Hiruzen could reply, the man exploded into poof of white smoke. The Hokage gritted his teeth and clicked his tongue in annoyance.
'Whoever was that man... He is dangerous... And there is no guarantee he is actually friend of Konoha... But still... He spoke about Hashirama-sama and Madara as if he knew them personally... Who is he?' Hiruzen deeply thought as he knew this mysterious person is dangerous just by the way he speaks.
The tone he used ever since they began talking is the tone that said 'I know everything about your secret', he also was not tensed or nervous when Hiruzen sent killing intent to him and that was something.
'Rei... I better call Jiraiya about this...' He thought, as Jiraya spy network could be useful in times like this.
I blinked as memory of my Kage Bunshin (Shadow Clone) entered my brain and I couldn't help but to slighly smirk.
The meeting with Hokage went just as I planned.
Rei is the name for my second identity I created. The purpose of that identity is so I can manipulate the Hokage and everyone openly, without revealing the side that I never show to anyone.
While it is true that I'm not completely bad guy and will save innocence, however I am only going to do that if I am sure there won't be anything that would bite me back in ass.
I won't call myself good and it is true I'm evil, but at least I still have my moral intact and know limits that I shouldn't cross while I'm still Human at least.
Of course, the moment I will get Rinnegan on my eyes I will ascend into Gods. Unlike Nagato who can't use full power of Rinnegan and limited from his Uzumaki body.
Mine is Uchiha and I know how to use those eyes, when I will get those eyes and Gedo Mazo on my side there won't be anyone who could stand against me.
"H-Haru-kun?"
I blinked again and turned to Hinata, who was on my side. The woman's outfit is also like in cannon, I can tell she almost squeaked or something like that when I did this. Damn, this girl has it bad, eh? I never thought she will fall to me, and I was trying my best to push her to Naruto early.
"Y-You dazed off..."
"Eh? Sorry, I just have something to think about...' I said with a slight sheepish grin.
Right now I was walking her to her home. After we all passed graduation exam, I invited Hinata and Shino to come to Uchiha compound to celebrate with us.
At first, I invited the whole Rookie 9, but each of them had their own celebration. Shikamaru, Ino and Choji had party along with the older InoShikaChou. Same goes for Kiba, Sakura and Shino.
Meanwhile, Hinata is different. Apparently, Hiashi is a quite strict parent and he only said few words of congratulations, though there was a little lecture due to her loss to Sasuke. Couldn't be helped, Hyuuga and Uchiha rivalry is quite complicated. Not as complicated as Senju and Uchiha, though.
So she came to celebrate with us until this hour and that's how you found me walking her home now.
"T-Thinking a-about what, Haru-kun?" Hinata asked me while tilting her head.
"Team replacement in the next two days..." I said. "I wonder in which one I will be placed..." I mused aloud.
"O-Oh..." Hinata said, "I-I think whoever placed with you they will be fine." She spoke softly with slight smile and when I furrowed my eyebrows at her, her face adorned by pink hue "I-I mean, you are very strong and smart. S-So I think y-you will be able to work with everyone. Actually, I-I often wonder w-why Hokage-sama did not make you graduated early, y-you are already v-very strong, after all."
Well, it is because he doesn't want to create second Orochimaru. He is afraid I will become rogue Shinobi one day like his former student, though if I do graduate early I would already become Elite Jonin. However I don't want to because I can play my games much better if I will graduate with current generation.
And manipulating that old man's fear is easy given that Orochimaru went rogue when we were still children after all, so he is much more paranoid than his normal self for the moment.
"Thank you, Hinata." I smiled and she blushed "Oh we are here..." I said as I notice as we already arrived at Hyuuga Compound.
Hinata also tilted her head and saw her home, she seemed to appear to be quite down. I have no doubt she wanted to spend time alone with me, really, romance feeling is a troublesome thing.
But I don't have time for such thing, I will think about it after I will ascend to my Godhood after receiving Rinnegan.
"Well, I guess, this is it..." I said, "See you next time, Hinata..." I smiled and she blushed again.
"H-Hai! S-See you soon, H-Haru-kun!" She replied while looking down and poking her index fingers together.
I nodded before I turned around and left. As soon as I got out from her sight, I immediately performed Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique) and gone in a blur of black.
I already practiced Shunshin no Jutsu for a long time after I witnessed Shisui performing it. Do you want to know what makes Shisui's Shunshin special?
He performs it fast, very fast. His chakra control is very high to the point he is able to utilize large amount of chakra to all his body to perform super-fast Shunshin.
That guy was talented I told you, he and Itachi could become Godaime Hokage if the Uchiha Massacre never happened.
I tried to copy his Shunshin, after all time I spent for chakra control I tried to perform the same way like him. However, much to my dismay, a copy will be a copy I guess. My Shunshin compared to him is only second rate.
But that still makes me fast enough, faster than most Jonin. And I am actually not the only one who possesses such speed. Rock Lee without his weight could be on par with Jonin.
I may be able to take that guy if I also remove my weights, but if he performs Eight Gate, I may have to use Sharingan to be able to win. And since I often fight without Sharingan, because I am hiding it, which is a high feat in my list.
Itachi became ANBU Captain at age of 13 and he was able to go toe on toe with Shisui, who was very fast. I at age of 12 probably could challenge him or beat him if he was at my age, although the chance I would lose is big seeing I have no battle experience.
And this far all enemies I faced were only Chunin... Mizuki? Heck, he is only low-Chunin level! The only reason why Iruka lost against him is because he already got giant shuriken stuck to his back!
Sparring against Sasuke, Naruto and Hinata is actually challenging. They could take down low or mid Jonin if they worked together and I am still able to beat them without Sharingan.
And because my enemy is not balanced, I became dull... Despite having too much power, I have almost no experience or chance to use it.
Oh well, I have learned Kage Bunshin by copying it from Naruto. While I can only create 20 clones -my chakra reserves reached Jonin level- but 20 is a still quite number and damn, you are right, I immediately abused it!
However, there is a problem, turned out Kage Bunshin is not as easy as film said. The Jutsu also does not give people brain damage like everyone thinks however the side effects are still dangerous.
It will not give you brain damage, but it will give all the experience and skill that clone do.
Imagine it like this: you used 20 Kage Bunshin to work for a one hour, and when you dispelled the result would be 20 hours of work.
And added your Chakra exhaustion after performing the jutsu, let's just say, it is death that waits for you.
I only used eight clones, told them to work for chakra control and I trained my taijutsu. After I was done with my training season, I immediately collapsed and woke up next day, at noon... And I collapsed when it was afternoon... I was unconscious for more than 16 hours, damnit!
Only Naruto could perform Kage Bunshin training because that boy is Jinchuuriki of motherfucking Kyuubi! The Bijuu that possesses half power of Juubi in its incomplete form! Added with his Uzumaki strong stamina it allows him to endure the training.
Why couldn't I be reborn as Naruto then? If I was, I would become strong faster! Ughh! Damnit!
As I enter the Uchiha Compound while grumbling under my breath about not being Jinchuuriki I noticed there was someone at the backyard.
I blinked before focused and caught glimpse of blonde hair in the night.
"Naruto?" I called and he seemed to be freaked out by my voice as he slightly jumped.
"Haru!" Naruto almost yelled to me "Don't surprise me like that!"
"I'm just calling you!" I retorted while rolling my eyes, "Why are you not asleep? Sasuke is already sleeping, right?" I asked.
"Eh? Umm yeah, Teme is already asleep." Naruto answered "I just... Well, I just wanted to take some fresh air before sleeping, ya know." He said it with a grin, but I could tell he was really nervous.
During the dinner today Naruto also appeared to be rather troubled. Only I noticed it because I spent a long time with him and I know him well, either from watching him in my World or being close to him in this World.
He was called by Hokage if I recall... So why is he...
Ah...
"So you found out..." I said it aloud making Naruto look at me in surprise, confused and slightly panicked.
"H-Huh?"
"About the fox." I continued and he became paler, fear and panic were shown very clear on his face now and I couldn't help but to put a sad look. To see that kind of face and emotion in Naruto, who was always cheerful is a sad thing.
"Y-You know? A-About the fox?" Naruto stammered out, then his face turned to sad expression and he looked almost crying "Then... If... If you don't want to be my friend anymore it's-"
"Ever since we were 10..." I cut him and his eyes widened as he snapped his gaze to me "I found it when we were 10... I accidentally read about the Kyuubi Attack once again in library and noted the date is the same as your birthday. At first I ignored it, but when I saw the seal on your stomach when you were channelling Chakra, I put two and two together…" I said in solemn tone before I put nonchalant look "It's been two years since I found about it and I am still here, right? What does that mean?"
As I asked that, I walked to Naruto, his eyes were wide open and there were slight tears wetting them. His face showed surprise, shock and disbelief, but I could tell there was hope and relief on his face.
"That means I don't care." I said softly as I stood in front of him and smiled, staring at him, then I placed my hand on top of his head "To me, you are Naruto Uzumaki. King of Pranksters of Konoha, the Number One Hyperactive and Knucklehead Ninja in Konoha." I began to pat his head and grinned "And lastly, my little brother..." I finished.
It was too much for Naruto as his tears trailed down from his eyes and his face scrunched to reveal crying expression before he jumped at me and gave me a hug.
"Haru-nii!" He wailed as he hugged me and I let out soft omphf due to the impact that came from him.
I only smiled before hugging him back and started to rub his back softly like parent comforting his child. Let it out, Naruto, you do not need to bury your emotions, just let it out. Like I always said, letting your emotion out is better than burying it.
That night, in years I finally saw Naruto cry again.
Two days later.
I really don't know what is going on.
Today is the day when team replacement is announced and all new Genin now gathering in academy and are probably enthusiastic waiting for their new day as a ninja.
Well, all Genin save for me...
Right now, instead sitting with Naruto or Sasuke, I found myself standing in front of Hokage office, waiting to be called by Hokage himself.
How did it happen?
It was this morning when I, Naruto and Sasuke reach Ninja Academy gate. In there, I found one ANBU waiting for me and he said the Hokage wants to meet me.
Of course, Naruto protested openly and was about to attack the ANBU had Sasuke not step in. Seriously, that guy started being protective to me, who is the one older anyway?!
And that's how now I am standing in the front of Hokage office.
It wasn't too long for me to wait as the door opened, revealing the familiar secretary face that I put under Genjutsu two days ago.
"The Hokage will see you, you can go in." She said with a smile and I nodded before I entered the office.
As soon I entered the office I was greeted by face of the familiar old man who sat behind his desk and he smiled at me, however what caught my attention were another two figures which stood in the corners of the office.
The first one was a girl around my age. She had a long brown straight hair on one side while the other side it was in a braid, she also wore clips on the braid side and there was Konoha forehead protector on her head -I wear mine also on forehead-. Her skin was pale, not as pale as Sai, but it was paler than me or Sasuke and she had light brown eyes.
She was wearing a purple kimono-like shirts that had long right sleeve and short on the left that were held close by a wide pink sash with red mesh armor underneath it. She also wore short black pants that reached few cm above her knee and black shinobi sandals.
The second was a man, he had brown shoulder length hair which hangs about his face and brown eyes. He wore forehead protector of Konoha like bandana and standard Jonin outfit. He also had senbon in his mouth.
"My Lord..." I immediately fell to one knee, placing one fist to ground and bowed my head like a Knight facing his King. I can tell Hiruzen eyes twitched, the man smirked while the girl blinked at me, "For what reason you call this humble Genin?"
"Please stand Haru-kun..."
"I'm not worthy to stand, let me kneel for more few seconds."
"... ... ... There! It was three seconds now stand up!"
I immediately did, and the annoyance face on Hokage is priceless.
"You are enjoying this, aren't you?" He stated flatly and I only put fake horrified look.
"Of course not, my Lord! How could I do that to you?" I asked with mocking gasp and he glared to me "Okay, okay. All joke aside, my Lord, I take it the reason you call me here is about my replacement in team?"
Sandaime took inhale of his pipe and gave slight nod to me before he exhaled the smoke "Yes, sharp as always, Haru-kun... And, before I begin, please get known with these two who will be your team if you pass."
I narrowed my eyes at that but nodded nonetheless before turned to them, I already knew who are they, but the girl, I never thought I will see her this fast.
"I'm Haru, it is nice to meet you Shiranui-san and... Ojou-san..." I said with a slight pause since I didn't know how to address her.
The girl blinked at the tittle and flushed slightly while Genma smirked.
"Name's Genma Shiranui, boy. You know about me, eh?" Genma asked.
"Genma Shiranui, one of Elite Guard of Yondaime. You are quite famous, despite not being full Jonin. So it shouldn't be a surprise for someone who reads a lot like me." I answered with a smile "And may I have your name, Ojou-san?" I asked Yakumo.
"Yakumo Kurama..." Yakumo replied, she seemed noticeable nervous. If I recall this girl's ability is sealed and she lived in isolation, right? What was her problem again? Something called Idi or Odo?
"Well it is nice to meet you then, Kurama-san." I said with nod and she nodded back.
"Seeing you all now know each other, I think I can go to direct topic..." Hiruzen stated and got our attention back "Haru-kun, normal squad of Genin usually consists of three Genin and one Jonin or Senior Shinobi sometimes. However, your case is slightly different, seeing you hide your skill pretty much and if I allow you to join into one of teams it will disrupt the balance of the academy..."
Ah I see, so it was like that, I understand what he means. Hiruzen seemed to notice my understanding face and continued.
"So instead normal squad, I will reactive the team that was never used since the end of the Shinobi War..." He smiled while puffed out his pipe "That team called Backup Team..."
There we have it, Haru team finally decide
Quite short, yeah I know but I thought this was good part to end this chapter, not to mention we will have fight scene next chapter and maybe will be quite long due to introduction with Yakumo
Many of you want Haru to be placed in team 7 with Naruto or Sasuke or team 8 with Hinata and Shino but I must say that was impossible
Hiruzen knew Haru is strong, and while he don't know how strong Haru is but he knew Haru actually could be considered as Chunin already
If he enter one team it will disrupt the balance and I try my best to make team replacement as logical as possible
Decision of Sakura or Hinata in team 7 still not decided, and you all can give opinion which one of them should enter team 7 or team 8
Whichever you pick, I have logical explanation so you not need to think much and afraid it will affect the plot I plan, it was free choice
And I glad there someone who compared Haru to Keima Katsuragi. Yes you right about that, I based Haru character from Aizen from Bleach who manipulative and Keima Katsuragi from World God Only Know who able to shift his personality to conquest the girl
Like Keima who treat real girl like a game he play, Haru also like that. Haru come from different dimension where Naruto and everyone is 2D after all, so he treat them like one and make his personality could make the people he want to get/use comfortable with him
Yakumo Kurama, I think her problem actually not that big. With Kurenai she able to overcome Ido, and this is Hiruzen Sarutobi we talking about. Did you think Ido will able to act much? Even in his old age if Hiruzen still could beat Densetsu Sannin if they fight him one on one I guess
That man practically awesome! To be called Kami no Shinobi is not small feat ya know! Only Hashirama that have that tittle after Hagoromo and we all know damn well how strong Hashirama is! He made Pain looks like cute puppy duh!
The next chapter will be test for Haru and Yakumo and explanation about Backup Team
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Ja Ne! XD
