Chapter 7 is out, I'm sorry if some readers are disappointed that it's nowhere near as long as the last chapter. Oh well, there it's still a long way away from finishing. As for acap88, to answer your questions, once again, I've already got the story ahead mapped out already so you'll just have to wait and see, don't worry there are plenty of better stories out there you can read while your waiting.
For those who are confused about how the Mizuki from my story turned out in the last chapter, hopefully this will clear it up:
The Mizuki from my story is based on the anime version of him, for those who don't know what it means, it's from an anime filler arc, entitled Mizuki Strikes Back where he is shown to be far more powerful then in the manga, (near Jonin level actually).
The "Benefactor" that gave him the blueprints to the Defence Seals would also be revealed in that anime filler, though not completely, you would need to think on it a little but it should be obvious .
You could say that the sole reason Mizuki lost was because of reckless use of chakra. First breaking the seals, then using excessively powerful jutsu would leave him weakened enough that Nariko could easily defeat him with some credibility, Nariko is after all, in my story at least, a Chunin level ninja at this point.
I hope this clears up some confusion, anyways onto the next chapter, incidentally this is also told from Nariko/Naruto's point of view. The chapter after this will be switched back to Kiro.
Disclaimer: I do not profit from this story and the rights to Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto
Naruto: Tale of Yin and Yang
Chapter 7: New Relations. My Name is Konohamaru!
Sarutobi sat at his desk, Nariko sat in a chair directly across the room from him, the awkward silence between them was so thick it was almost palpable. Both knew that the truth about her was out and neither of them had any idea on where to start. Eventually, Nariko broke the silence with one word, "Why?". Although there were several answers she would be looking for, Sarutobi knew what she wanted to know.
Sighing and rubbing the bridge of his nose he answered with his own question. "Where should I start?" he asked, half to himself. Nariko answered immediately, "The beginning", Sarutobi sighed again at the uncharacteristically cold reception he was getting from her. Then again, he couldn't really blame her.
Leaning back into his chair, Sarutobi began, "When the Kyuubi (Nine Tailed Beast) had attacked, it was unstoppable and Konoha would have been obliterated if it actually made it to the village", pausing to take a breath from his pipe he continued talking, "There was only one solution that the Yondaime (Fourth Hokage) was able to formulate; he would have to seal it into a newborn baby to stop it".
Nariko waited, still masking her emotions, but it was obvious, at least to him, that she was starting to lose patience. "So he devised the Shiki Fujin (Dead Demon Consuming Seal) to remove the Kyuubi's (Nine Tailed Beast) soul and seal it away along with its chakra", that got a reaction. Hearing those words Nariko made an involuntary movement. She quickly hid any reaction but she was clearly shaken at the thought that she contained the power of the most powerful of the Biju (Tailed Beasts) within herself.
Sarutobi waited for her to finish composing herself before speaking again, "The Yondaime (Fourth Hokage) sacrificed his life to seal the Kyuubi (Nine Tailed Beast) and his last wish was for everyone in the village to see you as a hero", he abruptly stopped there, waiting for a reaction. Nariko's already impassive face hardened further, and her eyes reflected the bitterness she felt at the injustice of it all.
Coughing Sarutobi moved on, hoping to ease her past that sensitive topic, "The village didn't keep his promise and I made a law that no one was allowed to speak of the Kyuubi (Nine Tailed Beast) and what happened to it". That was what she waiting for, she'll finally know what drove him to make such a law.
"I had hoped that the younger generation, ignorant of the past, would not be so judgmental. But it seems I made an error", although the statement was carefully worded to avoid giving offence, the guilt in his eyes and tone conveyed more then his words ever could.
Nariko, despite herself, inwardly sighed with relief. Hiruzen never intended to hurt her, he was simply unlucky. Forcing the tension from her limbs and the suspicion from her mind, Nariko adopted a much more relaxed posture and finally spoke in response, "Alright then, old man, why couldn't you have told me then?".
Sarutobi started at the familiar tone she was now using and it was more then just the voice. Her posture, manner and expression all suddenly lowered their defences and she had adopted the familiar, and infuriating, slight slouch in her seat with a lazy smirk plastered on her face. It seemed that despite the previous suspicion she had regarded him with, she had wanted to believe that he had no malicious intentions towards her, which was amazing since she usually never forgave a breach of trust. It seemed that she was slowly finding a way to open up.
Focusing on the subject at hand Sarutobi answered, "Because I suppose I was afraid you would react badly to it, by the time I realised my mistake you were only about a few years younger then now". Nariko nodded lightly, if wasn't as if it was important anyway, the past was the past, and she had experience in ignoring things that happened in the past.
A light shuffling noise alerted both Nariko and Sarutobi, simultaneously looking towards the source of the noise they were rewarded with a small boy bursting out from behind the door towards them. "YOUR TIME HAS COME OLD MAN! I SHALL DEFEAT YOU AND BECOME HOKAGE (Fire Shadow)!", the boy declared running towards Sarutobi with a shuriken clutched in his hand… and promptly tripped over a rather cumbersome scarf wrapped his neck, cried out in alarm and fell flat on his face with his declaration gone in the wind.
Nariko stared wordlessly at the odd sight, Sarutobi just placed his hand on his forehead and sighed in annoyance, before either of them could find something to say he leapt up and began shouting, "As expected of the Hokage (Fire Shadow), your traps are as sharp as ever!". As if the current scene wasn't ridiculous enough, a shinobi wearing sunglasses, a bandana style Haiti-ate (Forehead Protector) and the standard ninja body suit sans the flak jacket hastily followed the child into the room, "Honourable grandson! Are you alright and incidentally there are no traps set in here" the shinobi said in frantic tones.
Nariko was busily wondering who the idiot was when he turned his attention to her, "You! You must have been the one who tripped me!", he declared pointing a finger accusingly at her. Pointedly ignoring the accusation she studied his appearance, wondering who he was; he was wearing a simple yellow shirt with a red Konoha symbol printed on the front, grey shorts with a long blue scarf, the thing he tripped on, wrapped around his neck, he also wore a grey helmet with some of his brown hair sticking from the top. She still didn't know who he was.
The kid was getting annoyed with being ignored, "Hey! Don't just sit there like an idiot! I'm talking to you", he yelled at her. Finally tired of the obnoxious kid she reached out and grabbed him by the spike of hair sticking out, standing up and yanking him up by the roots. In response he cried out and tried, unsuccessfully, to loosen her grip.
The shinobi babysitter also cried out, in alarm, at what she was doing and hastily spoke, "Young lady, unhand the honourable grandson immediately. Do you not know who he is? He is the grandson the Third Hokage (Fire Shadow) himself!", that gave her pause. She glanced down at the squirming kid, "Can't see much resemblance", she thought. Either way, grandson of Sarutobi or not, she wouldn't hit some kid just for being annoying, she had just wanted him to sweat a bit.
Nariko was about to let him go when he decided to open his mouth. "What's the matter? Too afraid to hit me now that you know the Hokage's (Fire Shadow) my grandpa!". That did it. Nariko drew her fist back and socked him cleanly in the gut, knocking the breath out of him, and released her hold on his hair causing him to crash to the ground.
Staring down at his crumpled form disdainfully, Nariko calmly stepped over his cringing form and exited through the doorway. The shinobi babysitter cried out even louder and rushed to the child's side, "Honourable Grandson! Honourable Grandson! Are you alright. Do not worry I shall make sure that miscreant is punished", he spouted.
"Don't worry Ebisu, Nariko held back enough that it wouldn't leave any serious damage", Sarutobi said over the combination of groans from his grandson the worrying of Ebisu over him. Ebisu stood up and answered, "That's not the point Sandaime-sama (Lord Third Hokage), by striking the honourable grandson, she has offended not only me as his instructor but you as well", turning back to his student he suddenly noticed that he was gone.
"AAGH, WHERE DID THE HONOURABLE GRANDSON DISAPPEAR TO!", Ebisu cried out in panic, "I believe that he followed Nariko", Sarutobi commented calmly, predictably that did nothing to ease Ebisu's worry. "NO! THAT'S TERRIBLE! WHO KNOWS WHAT SHE'LL DO TO HIM!". he cried out even louder before leaping out of the window. Sarutobi sighed, that was the twentieth attack on him from his grandson today, "Oh well" he thought, "Nariko should be able to teach him what it means to truly become Hokage (Fire Shadow). And this will be good for her as well", reaching under his desk he pulled out a crystal ball.
"Tōmegane no Jutsu (Telescope Technique)"
Walking down the streets Nariko looked around the village, as usual anyone who saw her would openly sneer at her and the more daring ones threw insults at her. Yet for some reason it was easier to bear, now that she knew the truth she realised that their anger wasn't directed at her, at least not completely; the Kyuubi (Nine Tailed Beast) had destroyed many families in the village and they were simply doing what they believed, however misguided, was justified. Though it wasn't much comfort it eased the pain ever so slightly.
Thinking back to the night before Nariko smiled slightly, despite everything that had happened and everything that was revealed to her it only strengthened what few bonds she already established.
Despite Mizuki's attempts to break her, it had only made her resolve that much stronger. It was lucky that Iruka's quick thinking had allowed her to escape, for the most part, punishment for stealing the Scroll of Seals, of course it wouldn't have been possible without the support of Sarutobi…
-Flashback: Last Night-
Nariko ran alongside of Iruka, Mizuki's unconscious form was slung across her back. Despite Iruka's reassurances, she was worried about what would happen to her, many civilians and ninja would want an excuse like this to execute her and years of mistreatment from the village had also caused her to become cynical of happy endings.
Upon reaching the end of the forest she saw that many ninja were still running through the perimeter set up trying to find Nariko, chances were that most of them were still in the forest. At their appearance multiple ninja immediately converged in front of them, several of them wore peeved expressions, presumably because Iruka was the one who found her and Iruka was well reputed to be the "Demon Sympathiser". Still several others shot curious looks at the unconscious Mizuki who was, against the situation, the one that was bound and knocked out.
Before Iruka could say one word, one badly scarred ninja spoke out, "Alright you've apprehended the traitor but why the hell is she still free? And why is Mizuki in this state", the scarred ninja gestured at Nariko who was still carrying Mizuki's prone form.
Iruka spoke up in answer, making sure everyone could hear him, "Nariko was not the traitor, Mizuki was the one who orchestrated everything", several ninja exchanged startled conversations and more then a few of them were disbelieving.
The scarred ninja snorted, "If you honestly believe that then you are either very gullible, in denial or perhaps even a traitor yourself", was his answer. Iruka glared at the accusation, "Are you accusing me of betraying the village?", he asked in a low, dangerous voice. The scarred ninja didn't falter, "It's a possibility, one dubious character witness is hardly enough evidence to prove Mizuki's supposed treason, especially given your affiliation with the demon, coupled with the situation you're in now, we're hardily inclined to trust your word".
Iruka gritted his teeth in anger and stared furiously at the scarred ninja, but couldn't find any fault in his logic. The scarred ninja nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Either way, you'll both be questioned and interrogated on this matter. Because of your claim, Mizuki will have the same treatment", turning to the other ninja gathered around him, "Get these three up to the interrogation room", he ordered.
"That won't be necessary", a voice called out. Everyone turned and saw the Sandaime striding towards them, immediately everyone but Nariko dropped down to their knees in respect. Sarutobi stopped and spoke, "Don't worry, everything Iruka has said is true, this entire fiasco", everyone looked up at this but the scarred ninja replied back, while trying to keep his tone respectful, "How do you know that Hokage-sama (Lord Hokage)", Sarutobi answered, "While everyone was out looking, I was searching with the Tōmegane no Jutsu (Telescope Technique), I didn't find them until near the end of what happened but I saw enough".
Still the scarred ninja persisted, "But what if Nariko, had simply doublecrossed Mizuki?", Sarutobi gave an answer immediately, "Because Nariko only fought back to protect Iruka", this time a different ninja argued back, "Either way, Nariko had committed a grave act against the village, deceived or not. She must be punished for this", Iruka answered back this time, "But if Nariko was tricked by Mizuki then nothing serious can be pinned on her", he said smoothly. Silence fell across the gathered ninja effectively killing all protest, although few probably believed that Nariko was so completely tricked, they had no evidence for this and as a consequence the regulations of the village would go into effect; in the case where a academy student is coerced into committing an unwholesome act, then the one who coerced the student will be punished, no blame can be attached to the student.
Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction, "Now that that's resolved, does anyone have any other protests?" Everyone shook their heads at his answer, even the scarred ninja, though with some difficulty. Sarutobi nodded again, "Alright then. You've all been kept up long enough, everyone back to their posts and their beds and get a good nights sleep, except for Nariko. Iruka, bring Mizuki to the interrogation room ", he ordered, "Yes sir", the assembled ninja answered before disappearing with a collective Shunshin (Body Flicker), even the scarred shinobi left immediately though he shot Nariko a look of seething dislike before going. Iruka lifted Mizuki off from Nariko's back and also disappeared.
Releasing the breath he was holding, Sarutobi looked at Nariko who stared back warily as if he was a stranger. He spoke carefully, aware of the delicate situation he was in, "Nariko, there are things that must be said but not here, come to my office tomorrow, I'll tell you the whole story there".
Nariko nodded and Sarutobi also disappeared. Sighing Nariko also made her way back to her apartment, hopefully tomorrow would be the day revelations are revealed.
-End Flashback-
Finishing reminiscing, Nariko concentrated on walking. Now that she knew about her status as a Jinchuriki (Power of Human Sacrifice) she realised that many of her abilities were probably a direct result of it. Although she was currently a Genin class Kunoichi, her chakra reserves were easily around the level of an upper ranked Jonin, another factor was her healing ability, during situations where she was injured if usually only took a few minutes to recover, sometimes even seconds and she was always completely healed, regardless of the severity of the injury, after a nights sleep. Likewise she seemed to have unusually high levels of stamina and pain tolerance, frequently allowing her to train at peak condition for far longer then all the other Genin.
It was around that time when Nariko noticed a presence following her, that was another thing about her; her senses were a good deal sharper then that of most people. Whatever the presence was it was moving rather surreptitiously, and very clumsily, which of course just drew more attention to it, but either way she knew who it probably was.
Turning around Nariko found her guess correct when she was a badly hidden child against a fence, "Alright kid, you can come out from that Kakuremino no Jutsu (Cloak of Invisibility Technique)", she called out. The piece of cloth was promptly thrown away and the "Honourable Grandson" jumped out, "Incredible! You saw through my clever disguise in an instant! How did you do it?". Nariko decided not to point out that when using the Kakuremino no Jutsu (Cloak of Invisibility Technique) it was generally a good idea to get the pattern blended correctly and went straight to the point.
"What do you want?", she asked brusquely. The kid gave a toothy grin and answered "Your strong, and I know you spend a lot of time with my grandpa so you must know about some of his weaknesses". Nariko raised an eyebrow, "Get to the point" she ordered.
The kid grinned even further, "You're going help train me to defeat my Grandpa! From this day on you're going to be my Boss", he declared loudly. Nariko grimaced, it seemed that when she belted him in the gut, rather then driving him away, she actually caught his interest. She promptly turned and began to walk away from him, hoping the kid would get a hint. Unfortunately it seemed that he wouldn't take no for an answer and followed her. In response she began to walk faster and then began to run when he was still following her
Eventually this escalated into a ridiculous game of tag, no matter where she went he found a way to catch up to her, even leaping from rooftop and rooftop she couldn't shake him and she didn't dare go back to her apartment in case he remembered where she lived.
Finally losing her patience with him she quickly ran into a small grove clearing and waited, predictably he scrambled his way out of the bushed and followed her until they were facing each other. "Are you ready to be my Boss yet?" he yelled out, despite her annoyance with him she had to give it to him; he was tenacious.
She fell into a basic fighting stance and answered back, "Fine, you're about to get a crash course in Taijutsu (Body Techniques)". Oblivious to her actual intentions the child immediately rushed at her with his fists in the air. Nariko readied herself, if she was going to get her point across then she couldn't hold back.
Hiruzen stared out at the village on his balcony, whilst smoking his pipe. He had managed to locate his grandson and Nariko in the middle of their chase and so far it seemed that his grandson hadn't yet pushed Nariko to the breaking point, but he had no doubt he would. If there was one thing that boy didn't lack it was determination.
A sudden presence behind him caught his attention. Turning around he asked, "Is something the matter Iruka?", said shinobi materialized and kneeled before him. "Get up Iruka, you don't have to do that every time you're going to speak to me", Sarutobi said. Iruka dutifully stood up, "I'm worried about Nariko. How did she take it?", he asked.
Hiruzen turned back to the village, "Surprisingly well. She seems to have found a way to cope with hostility from every corner that she is willing to simply trust my word", Iruka nodded in relief. Despite everything they've been through he was worried about how she would react to everything. Just as he was turning to leave Hiruzen spoke out, "Iruka, before you go…", Iruka paused and waited expectantly.
"Don't let your guard down just because of this. Nariko is still young and while she remains loyal to the village she does not love it", Hiruzen finished. Iruka's face became solemn at those words, "What do you mean, Hokage-sama (Lord Hokage)?", he asked, trying to get a better idea on what he was saying. Hiruzen answered without turning, "When you've lived your life without, love or acknowledgement from anyone, the damage can be catastrophic and difficult to repair. Although Nariko has a few people who care about her, including you and me, I don't believe it's enough".
Iruka tried to refute this, "I don't mean any disrespect, but aren't you being a little too anxious about this", Hiruzen still didn't turn around but his next answer conveying all his feelings that weren't expressed, "Nariko has suffered more then any one person should. When a person's very existence is ignored and persecuted then eventually their eyes will become colder then the harshest blizzard and they will know nothing but the bitterness of an unwanted existence".
Iruka gave a shudder at those solemn words. "You have also had some doubts of your own have you not?", Hiruzen asked. Iruka's hesitation gave him the answer and he took an opportunity to nurse his own bitterness on the mistake he made so many years ago, "I will not allow it to happen again", he thought grimly.
Hiruzen put on a lighter air in an attempt to raise their darkened spirits, "Do not feel guilty Iruka, there is still an entire life ahead for her and both us can help her along the entire way", Iruka nodded with some relief at those words. Hiruzen turned, "Alright then, you may go". "Yes sir", Iruka saluted before disappearing. Hiruzen leaned against the railing of the balcony, "Lets just hope she makes the right decisions", he thought grimly.
Nariko was relaxed and drinking iced water whilst sitting on a log, beside her the "Honourable Grandson" was lying in a bruised and battered heap, groaning from his injuries. Nariko glanced down at the kid, despite the bone-headed idiocy he displayed his tenacity was nothing short of astounding, no matter how much she thrashed him around he had just kept coming at her until she finally knocked him out cold with a well aimed kick to his head.
Normally she would have left someone she had beaten unconscious on the ground but the sheer determination he had shown had intrigued her; there was no doubt about it, something had happened in his past.
A particularly loud groan alerted Nariko to the kid's return to awareness. Turning her head she saw he had managed to pull himself up and was sitting on the log as well, wincing occasionally. Nariko offered him the water bottle which he accepted with a grunt of thanks. Gulping down the water, he wiped his mouth and turned to her, his grin back on his face, "You really are strong! With your help I'll become Hokage in no time! What else are you going to teach Boss?".
Nariko just turned a baleful eye at him, it seemed that as well as being stupid, loud and insufferable he was also so dim-witted that he hadn't even figured out she was beating him up rather then giving him a lesson. She was still incredulous at the fact that the kid and Sarutobi were related.
"Why?", Nariko asked in a low voice, the child gave her a confused look, "Why what", he asked curiously. Nariko turned completely and looked at him fully, "Why do you insist on becoming Hokage (Fire Shadow)? Why must you aim at such a goal? What possible significance could it hold for you?", Nariko questioned, listing off each point one by one.
The child looked at her in surprise before looking down at the ground, and his expression became surprisingly morose. Nariko waited patiently, knowing that she had reached a sore point. At last he answered, "My name is Konohamaru. My grandpa named me after the village, but nobody calls me that even though they all know my name. Everywhere I go it's always "Honourable Grandson", they don't actually see me, just my grandpa".
Nariko remained silent. Konohamaru briefly looked up at her and looked back, believing that she didn't understand what he was saying. In reality Nariko was hiding her surprise and disbelief at the answer, whatever answer she had been expecting it hadn't been anything along the lines of what he said, moreover it was startlingly similar to her own situation and her own bitterness she had been secretly nursing all those years.
It took her a while to realise Konohamaru had started talking again, "So that's why I plan on becoming Hokage (Fire Shadow), that way people will start to see me for me, and once I find my grandpa's weakness I'll become the Hokage (Fire Shadow) in no time", he finished with a flourish. "And he's back to normal", Nariko thought with a sigh, but nevertheless that brief change gave her all the information she needed and more. Like her, he was yearning for attention, to be seen, not based on the reputation of others, but to be seen for who he truly was.
"Honourable Grandson!", a voice called out from above, they both looked up. The shinobi that was supposed to instruct Konohamaru was standing on a branch several feet above them. "Oh no! He found us!", Konohamaru screeched out, Nariko just stared up at him, rather surprised he found them so quickly.
Ebisu surveyed the scene before him. It seemed that though the demon brat hadn't caused any serious injuries to his student, though it was obvious she roughed him up a bit judging from his bruised appearance. Leaping down onto the ground a few metres away from them, working his voice into a civilised tone he spoke, "Come now Honourable Grandson, it is time you returned and we finish your training", he said diplomatically.
Konohamaru shook his head, "No way! You never teach me anything useful! I'll never become Hokage (Fire Shadow) learning from you!", Ebisu smiled soothingly at him, "Do not be so impatient Honourable Grandson, you cannot expect to learn everything you need to become Hokage (Fire Shadow) in one night". Konohamaru crossed his arms and put on a stubborn expression.
Ebisu continued trying to coax Konohamaru into agreeing but he still refused. Finally losing his patience he grabbed him by the scarf and tried to pull him away by force, "That girl has obviously contaminated you!", he shouted, ignoring the fact that Nariko was well within hearing distance, "The quickest way for you to become Hokage (Fire Shadow) is through my careful guidance, you must come with me and finish your training". Konohamaru, in response, just resisted further trying to escape.
"Let go!", Konohamaru shouted against Ebisu's incessant pulling. "Rokukeijō tenrai-fū - Saisho Keijō: Tenkū (Six forms of Heavenly-Wind - First Form: Air)", Nariko's voice rang out attracting the attention of both teacher and student. Turning they saw that Nariko was engulfed in a nimbus of green tinted chakra and she was obviously prepared for a battle. "I'll say it once. Let the kid go", Nariko warned.
"Amazing!", Konohamaru cried out in awe of the sudden display of chakra, Ebisu on the other hand didn't seem impressed. "Is that the technique you used to defeat Mizuki? How quaint", Ebisu commented walking towards her with a confident air, "However, I on the other hand am not some lowly Chunin. I am a Jonin, an elite ninja, and will not be defeated with such fanciful tricks", he finished, taking a battle position across from her, "Ready", he declared.
In response Nariko gathered wind natured chakra into her hands. As an added bonus to the technique, she didn't need to mold hand seals to facilitate her wind jutsu, the wind chakra around her served that purpose and she intended to take full advantage of that. "Fūton: Daitoppa (Wind Release: Great Breakthrough)!", she shouted out sending a large stream of concentrated wind at Ebisu.
Caught by surprise at both the force and ferocity of her attack. Ebisu managed to keep his footing for a few seconds but was ultimately flung into the air and sent careening away somewhere a fair distance away. A flicker of satisfaction crossed Nariko's face; as well as disabling the need for hand seals, the first style greatly enhanced the power of her wind jutsu, hence being labelled as air.
"THAT WAS AWESOME!", Konohamaru exclaimed, jumping up and down. Nariko just shrugged and cancelled the jutsu. Glancing at the direction she had sent the Jonin Nariko frowned slightly, perhaps she was being paranoid but it seemed a little too easy to win that battle, as if he wasn't actually trying to counter and defeat her, it was almost as if he didn't even bother dodging her attack.
"YOUR GREAT BOSS!", Konohamaru continued rambling, Nariko barely paid any attention until something he said caught her notice. "With your help I'll become Hokage (Fire Shadow) in no time!", he happily exclaimed. Nariko frowned at that, it seemed that Konohamaru was still stuck on that idea, it seemed that she would have to set the kid straight once and for all.
"Idiot". Konohamaru immediately ceased his rambling and gave Nariko a shocked look, hardly believing that she said that, his reaction after that was to get irate. Turning around and facing her he pointed a finger at her accusingly, "What do you mean idiot?", he exclaimed indignantly. Nariko stared calmly back, "You're an idiot for believing you can become Hokage (Fire Shadow) so easily", she clarified. The offended expression on his face was replaced by a baffled one.
Nariko sighed and fixed Konohamaru with a stern look. "The Hokage (Fire Shadow) title is only bestowed upon the most accomplished shinobi or kunoichi in the village, it's a title that only four people have ever held in Konoha's history and it is not something to take so lightly", Konohamaru opened his mouth to retort but Nariko cut him off, "You believe that by defeating Sarutobi you will be granted the title immediately. Even if, by some impossible chance, you somehow overcome Sarutobi you will not be given the title, not by a long shot".
Konohamaru stared blankly at her, Nariko sighed again in annoyance, it seemed that she would need to go further. "Nothing in life has an easy way to achieve it, there are no short-cuts and no secrets to achieving life's goals", she continued, "If you do plan on becoming Hokage (Fire Shadow) then you must learn patience and discipline, especially if you truly intend to achieve such a goal", Nariko paused to let her words sink in before going on, "Becoming Hokage (Fire Shadow) is no easy task, you won't achieve it in a day in a month or even in years to come. It's a long and hard road and you will have to sacrifice a lot to accomplish it. I won't ask but if I had to guess, you weren't taking you're training very seriously before", by now Konohamaru was gaping at her with stupefied surprise.
Nariko turned away, "But if you have the conviction to achieve it then there is no obstacle you can't overcome. Until then, work hard", she finished with a flourish. Konohamaru had become rather contrite during her lecture but was suddenly roused into words at her final words, "Who are you to tell me what I should do?", he exclaimed angrily, Nariko turned and gave him a steady look.
"If that's how you're going to act then fine! I won't be your disciple anymore!". "Looks like he got the wrong message", Nariko thought in some disappointment. "From this day forth you and I are rivals!", Konohamaru declared, Nariko face became unreadable for a second before she turned away again, if only to hide the amused expression on her face. It seemed that he realized everything after all, he was just embarrassed at admitting it and was simply thanking her in his own unique way.
"Do what you want", Nariko answered carelessly, beginning to walk away. "I'll see you later… Konohamaru", Konohamaru started in surprise at the sudden goodbye and how she called him by his name, the first since his grandfather. Recovering he gave a respectful salute for all she had done for him, it seemed that in going after her he was given his answer after all.
Unknown to both of them they were both being watched by a shinobi hidden upon the treetops. "Indeed, there are no shortcuts… in anything", Ebisu thought as he watched the scene unfold. It had only been a split second decision but it seemed he made the right one in deliberately allowing himself to be blown away.
He had long worried over his inability to teach Konohamaru, despite all the claims and boasts that he was the easiest way for him to become Hokage (Fire Shadow), if anything that made everything worse for him. But it seemed that Nariko Uzumaki had gotten through to him in a way he never even considered. Rather then coddling him or soothing him she was direct and brutally blunt, it seemed that she had broken the stubborn shell around him.
Pushing his sunglasses up Ebisu mentally revised his previous assessment on Nariko, it seemed that despite the Kyuubi no Yoko (Nine Tailed Demon Fox) sealed into her, she truly was an ultimately positive force for the village. Of course he still had some suspicions directed at her, old hatreds die hard. But the prejudice from before was gone at least, for the first time he could see what the Sandaime (Third Fire Shadow) and Iruka meant when they praised her.
Performing a quick Shunshin (Body Flicker) he began to travel back to the Hokage's Residence, the only thing left was for him to see whether Nariko's influence would help him.
Having observed everything through his crystal ball, Hiruzen leaned back in his chair with a contented sigh, despite all of Nariko's attempt to avoid his grandson it seemed that at the end of the day she had helped him realize how to achieve his goal, "Konohamaru's finally learned his lesson", he thought.
Focusing his thoughts on Nariko a smile came to his face. In helping Konohamaru it seemed that Nariko had created another bond to the village, it still wasn't a lot but it was a start. The only thing left was to see where everything would lead.
To Be Continued
Authors Notes: Well it's a relief to finally finish this chapter, I think the story might have gotten a bit ropey near the end but overall I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out, and at around six thousand words it's one of my longest chapters yet.
Anyways, as I said the next chapter will switch back to my OC character and it may be a bit longer then what I've written here so it might also take a bit longer to come out. Hope any readers enjoy, constructive criticism is welcome.
