Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. It belongs to Kishimoto-sensei.
Response to Reviws:
PrototypeSaber15: let's leave the matter for later when SI is a bit older (physically).
Chase Network: Sorry for the misunderstanding bro. Anyway, the SI is aware of Naruto canon-verse from ch 02. And I think the kind of SI story you are looking for would be hard to find. These kind of SI would be hard to write because lack of plot. On the other hand the writer has free reign to make up plot. You can try Sanitize by Sage Thrasher.
On the matter of orange clothe, yes almost 90% fics that mentions this issue goes with shopkeeper conspiracy. But why only orange? I mean there are other eyesore colors as bad as neon orange. Child Naruto used wear clothes of different colors in flashback. So I don't think it was a matter with shopkeepers and Canon never clarified why he chose to wear it.
Xiu: Thanks for your encouragement. I hope this chapter was to your liking.
adislt: It will take A WHILE. So hold on tight.
Pouyan: I am sorry you felt that way. But I assure you this story's potential wouldn't be wasted.
YamiSlade: Thanks for the complement man.
Dark and Chaotic: My Naruto SI is a jumbled mess and will that way for a little bit longer. Even then his issues wouldn't be solved completely. I plan on revealing more about his past in the future stories. For now, he is just keeping himself distracted anyway he can.
Anyway, I didn't really get the White Fang- Geralt of Rivia(Witcher) hint.
Slime Slayer: I intend to do that whole-heartedly.
Hitoshi075:
[6] good for Hiruzen, the SI is honest. And now Hiruzen knows how to keep him loyal. He just have to keep an eye out so that no one (*cough*Danzo* cough *) fucks things up.
[7] Oh god! How do you know me so well?
[8] Hope you liked this chapter.
senjumenma:
[6] Absolutely! As for the asshole's just read the story of Alexander.
[7] I know man. But to be fair not most(if not all) other girls are busy to catch sasuke's attention.
[8] Rijuan's bluntness will make him clash with Danzo sooner or later. As for Kurama's friendliness, Rijuan did spent a lot of time talking to/with Kurama in his comatose state. So there.
lovleydragonfly: Hope you liked it.
Argilac the Arrogant:
[1] Well there is Dracula's impalement but I don't have the stomach to write it.
[2] I am not going to say anything on the matter.
[3] Of course, it's going to be a part of SI's backstory that will come to light in bits and pieces.
[4] The SI is a closet perv who doesn't deny his flaw. So I am sure not many girls are going to be interested in him.
[5] I thought about using CRA but this concept has been used too many times and there are more than one ways to torment Sasuke. And Sakura may or may not do that. Depends on the storyline.
[6] He accepted his role as Naruto but that doesn't exempt him from having his baggage. And I didn't really thought about writing that side story. I will think on it in the future. Problem is most readers on ff are western. So they are going miss a lot of reference.
[7] Thanks. I will find more creative ways to use ninjutsus.
[8] Yes it will be very satisfying if it comes up in the plot.
Notice: If anyone wants to see the special poncho from last chapter then the link below-
www. deviantart [dara-shiko] / [art] / [Special-Poncho-772829786]
Remove extra spaces and third brackets.
OxoxO
"So you are leaving tomorrow, then." Jiraiya looked from the menu in his hand. Naruto was looking over his menu. He was leaving the village tomorrow and he wouldn't return for several months. So he decided to take the blond to dinner.
"Yeah, I am leaving tomorrow." He replied. "Are you gonna miss me?"
"I miss many things." An ambiguous answer but it made Jiraiya feel a warm sensation in his chest even though Naruto didn't look up from his menu and he said that in his usual dry tone.
One of the things Jiraiya learnt observing Naruto from spending last weeks of constant training with the boy, to put it bluntly, he would make an ideal soldier for Danzo if the old war-hawk could, by some miracle, manage to indoctrinate him. He knew about emotions even though most of the time his eyes convey only apathy. Jiraiya is sure that it's not a mask. The boy is too honest to wear one. Like any other kid, he wears his emotions on his sleeves. It's just that, it's hard not to doubt if he is showing genuine emotion when his smile gives off happy vibe but his eyes don't. The classic saying about eye being the window to a person's soul wasn't completely true in this case. One time, he wanted to ask the question but refrained himself. He wasn't sure if he really wanted to know the answer. Knowing Naruto, it would be something unexpected.
"Have you decided what you want to eat?" Jiraiya asked after making his choice on the menu.
Naruto handed him a pencil and his menu. "Can you mark the dishes that have pork in them?"
"You are gonna eat all those dishes?" Jiraiya couldn't help but ask. In one of the letters sensei sent him, he wrote that Naruto liked to eat ramen with extra large pork. Did this one like pork more than Naruto did?
"I never ate pork and I am not gonna change that." Huh. That makes sense. He wants to know names of dishes that have pork in them if he wants to avoid it.
"You were allergic to pork?" he asked as took the menu and marked the pork dishes.
"No." Naruto took a sip from his water.
"Then why won't you eat pork?"
"There are few reasons." He held one finger. "One, pork wasn't a part of our culture. The only people who ate pork in our country are the aboriginals and they made up less than five percent of our whole population. Secondly, I don't consider them to be healthy meat. They have the shortest digestive system. Which means whatever they eat- and they eat anything- isn't digested properly. In animal body, toxins leave through sweat. Pigs don't sweat which means toxins accumulated in their body stays in their body. And third, my religion forbids its follower to eat pork."
"Your religion forbade its follower to eat pork? What kind of religion forbids people to eat that food?" Pork wasn't anywhere near Jiraiya's most favorite but he hardly met someone who didn't like pork.
"Every religion has something that others find weird." Naruto said as he took his menu from Jiraiya's hand.
"I can attest to that." Jiraiya looked at his old sensei as he approached their table. "Even though I never met any follower of other religion, I did read about a few cults and their ways once."
"Good evening, sensei."
"Good evening, Lord Hokage."
"Good evening my boys. May I join you for dinner?"
"No problem old man. We were just about to order. Why don't you take a look at the menu?"
It took them few more minutes to choose and order their food. After few advices from Hiruzen Naruto ordered gyoden and mushroom soup. Hiruzen ordered his favorite Hijiki and sardine fishballs and Jiraiya ordered katsudon.
"So Naruto boy," Hiruzen started, "would you mind telling us about your faith?"
Jiraiya knew why the old leader was asking Naruto about his religion. Like family, culture and environment; religion is a big factor in a child's upbringing. Even though all the religions and cults he knew of or heard of put an emphasis on living peacefully, there are other thing that they demands from their followers. There is also the fact that how a person interprets a command and what they teach the next generation. If they can get an idea of Naruto's faith, they can have a better understanding of his character and reasoning. After all, religions are sets of rules that a person is indoctrinated to follow from the moment they start understanding everything around them and they keep following it until they die.
"It's a monotheistic faith and there is no aspect of life that hasn't been discussed in it." Naruto said as he picked up a strip of beef.
"Even marriage life?" it wasn't exact wording of what Jiraiya wanted to tease the boy with when he said 'there is no aspect of life that hasn't been discussed in it', but he chose to hold his tongue. Religion is a very sensitive topic and making fun of it can get him on the boy's bad side at best. This wasn't what he intends at the moment.
"There is no foundation that has been built in our faith more loved by God Almighty than marriage." Jiraiya felt embarrassed at the answer. "I know what you really wanted to ask." Naruto said looking at him. Thankfully there is no irritation or disproval in his tone. "There is a prayer that spouse are advised to say before procreating so that any child born from that union would have good qualities."
Say what! What kind religion has specific prayer for that!? He looked over at his mentor who was also equally dumbfounded if unmoving chopsticks in Hiruzen's hand indicated anything.
"Your religion is really weird." He had to say it out loud.
"Males are also required to cut off their foreskin." Jiraiya blanched at the casual statement. Thank the gods, he wasn't drinking anything. He would've spewed them out no doubt.
"Did you…" Hiruzen couldn't finish his question but Jiraiya knew what he wanted to ask.
"When I was 7." How is the brat saying this without cringing? "My grandpa held a moderate ceremony for that occasion. All my relatives were invited. The person doing the job was an expert. He used local anesthetic before proceeding. It took only 3 minutes for cutting and bandaging and I didn't feel a thing. I had to stay in bed for next week though. Got lots of gift from that ceremony too. I remember one of my uncles gave me a set of children science book." The brat let out a long sigh with a happy smile. "Ahh, good old days!" And with the last comment Jiraiya lost his appetite. "Hmm, why did you guys stop eating? Your foods are getting cold."
"Naruto are you planning on preaching your religion in this world?" Hiruzen asked professionally.
'Hearing the brat describe his genital mutilation ritual is disturbing enough. There is no need to see one in person, thank you very much.' Then a horrifying thought dawned on Jiraiya. 'Oh no, I am going to be invited when this brat have his brat cut!'
"Not really. I mean I can't go around preaching my faith when there are so many things I myself don't follow." That's good to know.
"For example?"
"To not look at women who aren't my wife with indecent intent." Jiraiya couldn't refrain from giving a shit-eating grin. Anymore, and his face would be split in half. Knowing the boy has no issue with perversion is one thing and hearing him admit to being a pervert is another.
"And you don't see anything wrong with it?"
"Oh, I know it is not right and I am going to be burned in hellfire for it. But there are times when I can't stop the urge to look even after trying not to. It would sound extremely cheesy, but I know I am going to stop when I find a woman who can keep my gaze on her without dropping a single inch of clothing. When I find her, I will do my absolute best to win her heart and her hand in marriage. Then shower her with love and adoration until I take my last breath."
That.. that's a damn good line! As if on autopilot, Jiraiya unsealed his notepad and pencil and scribbled his pseudo-godson's quote for later use.
Hmm, this quote gives me an idea. A lonely hero looking for a woman to love and cherish with all his heart. But his quest fails when the hero sacrifices himself to save his country and continues his quest in his next life. Jiraiya grin widened even more, if that was even possible. This brat is a goldmine for my inspiration.
"Jiraiya, are you going to use his speech in your book?"
"You bet I would." Ideas were already popping in his head. His hand scribbled them furiously on paper before he forgets.
"Speaking of novels," Naruto brought out a storage scroll from his pouch that Jiraiya gave him few days after he started training the boy. He unsealed a bundle of paper and handed it to him. "Do you think you can show this to some publishers?"
Jiraiya took bundle. On front page, the words 'Upside Down' were written in kanji. "You wrote a novel?"
"It was a good movie." The brat ate another strip of beef as he said it like there is nothing wrong with shamelessly admitting plagiarism. "There is no one here to sue me for stealing his idea."
Jiraiya flipped to the first page and started reading.
The universe...
So full of wonders...
I could spend hours and hours looking up at the sky. So many stars, so many mysteries...
And there's one very special star that makes me think of one very special person. Now let me tell you my story. At the dawn of time, from the chaos, came an exception. One of the most mysterious secrets of the universe.
You see, I come from that very mysterious and unique place. We are the only known solar system with double gravity. Two twin planets whirling together around one sun but each with its own and opposite gravity. Now, in our world it's possible to fall up and to rise down. But... my story, it's about love.
Some people say that true lovers are one soul that is separated when it's born. And those two halves will always yearn to find their way back together.
So far, Jiraiya liked what he read. It would give him some entertainment on the road at least. He is going to meet his publisher after he finished writing next installment of Make Out series. He will put good words for his pseudo-godson.
"I like what you wrote so far. I think my publisher might like your story too. So don't worry about it."
"Do you think you can write an extra-romantic scene? I marked the point where that scene might be needed." Jiraiya's chest bubbled with pride at Naruto's question. "Granted this story is complete even without that kind of scene; but it would be too much to hope for that you wouldn't slip a scene like that on your own accord." His pride deflated as he heard how much the boy trusted him. Naruto looked at him with his usual apathetic eyes and without changing his flat tone he said, "If this book get published and I see more than one extra-romantic scene in it, I will make sure that you have the worst case of erectile dysfunction for the rest of your life." Giving him a narrow-eyed look for a full 5 seconds, he turned his attention back to his gyuden. "Not that you will suffer for long. I bet you will die from gonorrhea or some other STD."
"Naruto, are you threatening my shinobi?" Hiruzen asked in an amused voice.
"He wouldn't need that part of his body to be functional to remain a shinobi." With that he finished his gyuden and moved on to mushroom soup. "By the way, I made a copy for you too. I didn't know you would come to have dinner with us. Otherwise I would've brought your copy with me."
"Why don't you bring that copy to my home tomorrow before 8 in the morning? We could have breakfast together before I go to my office.
"Fine by me. I would never turn down an invitation."
"Also I have something to show you."
"You do?" there was no surprise in his voice but his question implied that. "Can you tell me about it now or is it a surprise?"
"Let's go with surprise." Hiruzen replied. "I can tell you now but I think it would be better if I showed you." Naruto looked at him with what seemed to be an unasked question. "All I am saying, it is an opportunity for you and I believe you would be happy to take it." Naruto gave him a nod and returned to his soup.
Rest of the dinner passed in a comfortable silence with Jiraiya and Hiruzen speaking occasionally. After finishing their dinner, they ordered tea for their drink. Elder males asked for green tea while Naruto asked for mint tea. While they were drinking, a thought crossed Jiraiya's mind.
"Naruto, did the priests of your faith know how to make tags to repel or trap spirits?"
"Yep. That and a whole lot of talismans for various purposes from saving crops from bad harvest to put curse on your enemy."
"By any chance, do you know the method they used to write those?"
"I have an idea about their methods." Naruto replied with a nod. "Why?"
"I think they might help you in learning sealing jutsu." Jiraiya was going to continue more but he stopped as Naruto shook his head side-to-side.
"That's not going to help me in any way." The waiter brought their tea at that moment. Naruto started stirring his tea without any further explanation. And so he isn't going to tell anything else.
"Can you tell us why?" Hiruzen asked the pseudo-child.
"Language barrier and writing system." Naruto took a sip of his tea as he started what two elder males could tell an elaborate explanation. "First of all, the priests of our faith wrote talisman or charms using verses from our holy scripture and it was written in a foreign language. Most of them had the whole scripture memorized. That's the language barrier for me. As for the writing system, although it is similar to writing kanas, problem starts with calligraphy styles. I don't know much about nihongo calligraphy style. So far only impression I got is that, as long as you can write a symbol perfectly and cleanly you are doing great. This is also the case with calligraphy from that language. However often time, calligraphy artists would try to make an image with the word or sentence they are working. Here let me show you." He brought out a notebook and pencil from his back pouch and started writing on it. "This word mean vortex." Naruto poked his pencil at the word after he wrote the word. "With a good script, precise brushstrokes and outlining, this word could be a good piece of art. But what if, I want the word to scream its meaning for anyone who looks at it? I lengthen the edges and keep wounding them as long as any letters can't be mistaken for another letter." Underneath the word, Naruto wrote it for a second time and stretched tips and edges of every letters until the word became a simple image of a vortex.
"That's an interesting concept for calligraphy." Jiraiya's eyes, Hiruzen noted, were contained excitement and eagerness. If this way of calligraphy could be incorporated with sealing, then it would be possible to hide a seal's purpose and confuse anyone trying to decipher as one word can be turned into several images. "You aren't a master of this art by any chance though, are you?"
"Not even a run-off-the-mill calligraphy artist." The young blonde replied as he put away his notebook and pencil. "I only liked to watch calligraphies from time to time."
"But still, to think a word can be turned into image?" Jiraiya was impressed with what Naruto showed him. "Alright, we will go over this concept after you have good enough grasp on kanji. Now, what about the methods to writing talismans?"
"Depending on the purpose of a talisman, a priest would have to write one or number of verses on paper in a specific design and not a single letter can be miswritten. That's the first method. For the second method, you have to know numerical value of all the letters of that alphabet. Then add the values of the letters present in the verses necessary. Then write the totals in grids on paper. Finally to make sure it doesn't clash with any other verse of the holy text, they would add a hint, most likely the first verse they used in for writing that talisman."
The second method was also something new. Maybe he should try to see if he can do anything with this bit of knowledge. But then again, there thousands of kanjis. It would be a drag to equate them to a certain value, so maybe just kanas. There was nothing else the boy can draw inspiration from regarding sealing. He would have to wait for him to learn enough kanjis to start teaching him basics. After he was done with his tea, Naruto bid them goodbye.
"So sensei; we all learn something new every day, eh?"
"That we do." Hiruzen replied as he nursed the second cup of tea lazily. "Did you notice he only gives enough information to get us off his back?"
"I did. But he answers when asked. Problem is, we don't have any source to verify his answers. What really worries me is that he always answers looking straight into your eyes. That coupled with his usual flat tone makes it somewhat harder to figure out if he is lying or not. So far, he had been honest with me." he let out a long sigh. "I think I might need to have a talk with the toad elders about all this." He finished his tea with a long sip.
"You are second guessing your decision?"
"He is a wild card and he can reject us any moment. Can you blame me?" he took a sip from his cup of tea. "So what do you think of his religion?"
"Kind of authoritarian if it had set up prayer for matters of bedroom. From what we know about his view on death, I have a feeling he worships some kind of entity relating to death."
"So what is it that you have for him?" Jiraiya asked his leader and mentor as he drained his cup.
"For a new comer, unknowingly he made a big contribution for our education system. Big enough to consider rewarding him handsomely."
"What did he do?" Jiraiya's interest was piqued.
"He shared his water clone strategy with his academy instructor, who registered the strategy in village archive under Naruto's name. He used the strategy for teaching few days ago. The result was satisfying and he reported this to the headmaster. He saw the merit of this method and presented a formal request to make it a part of our education system. The clan heads have been informed about this. They will convene in a meeting regarding this bill in few days. I have little doubt that anyone is going to oppose. If this bill passes, less of our academy graduates will be cannon fodders."
The ramification of this single change is huge. The result may not be immediate, but this will produce more highly skilled and knowledgeable genins in few years.
OxoxO
"I think I heard you have a grandson." I said as I followed Hiruzen into his study. As he told me last night, I came to his house this morning half an hour before designated time. We had breakfast his daughter-in-law, who I was sure was Konohamaru's mom, cooked. Her cooking was delicious and I enjoyed every bit of it. Not that I would never praise free food. "Is he sick? Cause I thought I would see him in breakfast table."
"He is still a toddler, only four years old." Hiruzen said as he took his seat behind his desk. "I believe you know how much sleep they need, right?"
"At least ten hours if I am not wrong." I looked around his study. It was like any other study seen in movies. The room was neatly furnished with an open window on the wall right to the desk. There was a canvas stand beside the window. Canvas on it had an unfinished calligraphy drawn on it. I took my seat on the chair in front of the desk as my eyes glanced over the collection of books and scrolls organized in the racks. When I faced Hiruzen, I took in the traditional Japanese painting of wave crashing in sea.
"And they are hard to put to sleep if they don't want to."
"Yeah, I feel for new parents." I knew the feeling really well. Both of my cousins were born with strong lungs. When they were born they kept their parents up most of the nights. I was lucky that our rooms had another room between them. Aunty had it somewhat easy with her maternity leave but uncle were ready to fall asleep on dining table in the morning. One time I suggested him to ask paternity leave from his university.
"Did you bring my copy of your novel?"
"Yeah." I retrieved his copy from my back pouch. "I hope my writing is to your liking." He took the book from my hand and opened the first page. He read first few pages before looking at me.
"It's obvious that you are new in writing novels." He said as he put aside the book. "But considering you are still learning our language, I would say it was good."
"Yeah. Even though I retained his understanding of the language; he wasn't a big fan of reading. So I am handicapped in this for some time." It was a good thing that I was tried learning Japanese previously and had a basic understanding because of it. Naruto's understanding of it suffered because barely anyone talked to him. It was a blessing when among the piles of information I looted from Fu, I also got his knowledge of language and writing system. That was good enough head-start to practice reading with help of dictionary. "Fortunately for me, shadow clones are also useful in digesting dictionary."
"That, it certainly is. I am glad that you found a way to get around the drawback from keeping shadow clones active for so long." He opened a drawer and brought out an envelope and a scroll. "Read the letter." He said after placing them on the table. "I am very much sure you will be happy after reading it."
The envelope was already opened. I am sure the letter wasn't addressed to me. all the people I knew are here in the village or in another part of the universe. First group didn't have a reason to send me a letter and the other group didn't have any way to do that. I unfolded the letter.
Lord Hiruzen,
I hope my letter finds you in good health.
I received your recommendation regarding Hidden Leaf shinobis who intends to pursue higher education. All 14 of them have been accepted in distance learning program of various schools of Kin-en University. They will receive their curriculum and booklists from their respective schools very soon.
However, your request to enroll Naruto Uzumaki in engineering school as a regular student has been a bit tricky because of his age. Although, Kin-en University often accepts shinobi students at the age of 14; Naruto Uzumaki being an 8 years old, the authority has been lukewarm about extending the same generosity toward him. But after having a lengthy conversation with the director of engineering school, he agreed to accept him as a regular student on the condition that Naruto Uzumaki has to pass an evaluation test. The arrangement has been made. I will escort an overseer of director's choosing to Hidden Leaf village in 2 weeks' time. He will conduct the test and evaluate the answer. Keep in mind, if he passes the test, he will have move to Kin-en to start attending his classes in September. Since there isn't any housing facility for any shinobi and shinobi-in-training provided by university; Naruto Uzumaki will be responsible for finding his lodging.
With this letter, I have attached the list of resources that would be helpful for the young man. I wish him success in his upcoming test.
Yours truly
Akimitsu Sarutobi
A great sense of gratitude washed over me when I finished the letter. The last time I was this much happy was when our whole gang got accepted into engineering school. All of us were so happy because we were together since elementary and we didn't have to go separate ways for college.
"I have already made arrangement for your stay in the capital." I looked over at Hiruzen in a happy daze. "My son Asuma is in the Twelve Ninja Guardian. For the duration of your stay in Kin-en, you will stay with him in Royal Army barrack. He will take over your shinobi training there and Jiraiya will visit you from time to time."
"I am, I am really grateful for you did." No matter how much I tried, there was no way I could suppress my happiness at the moment. "But would you tell me why? This ought to be more than just fulfilling a boy's wish."
"If we are talking about practicality, I want a capable engineer in-charge of this village's infrastructure depending on your choice of program." Hiruzen said with a kind smile. "Although, it was Inoichi who suggested it. He said it would be better if you get this out of your system."
"And if possible, then prepare a shinobi for industrial espionage." Hiruzen was surprised. I don't know if he thought about it or not, I am willing to take any assignment like this. If I am lucky, I will get my hands on something that will make me rich. I am not being greedy in any way. I am just looking out for any chance to make my life more comfortable. "Don't be surprised. It isn't a new concept to me."
The first time I learned about industrial espionage was from a book named 'I Was A KGB Agent'. According to the writer, who was a fugitive from Soviet Union and rogue KGB agent, one such mission to Japan brought enough fund for KGB to be run for a decade. This became such nuisance that around 2009 or 2010 I am not really sure, I German chemical manufacturing company banned people from bringing cellphone to any kind of meeting.
But back to the present, this was a chance for me to enjoy a life I was going to get. By doing this for me, Hiruzen has earned my trust and I am going to show it to him.
"Could you please come and stand here for a moment." Hiruzen was confused as to why I was requesting such of him. If I was a child, both physically and mentally, then he would've expected me to hug him. But I wasn't.
When he came around the desk and stood in front of me; I stood up from my seat. Then I knelt to him. I touched both of his feet with my right palm. After that I retracted my hand and I placed the palm over my chest first, then I kissed my palm and caressed my. All the while I kept my head lowered.
"It's the highest sign of honor and gratitude anyone can show to his elderly in my past culture." I told him after I stood up. In our language, it is called Kadam-busi, roughly translated in English as 'feet-touching'. "I will have fingers left if I count the number of people who got this from me."
"I am honored to be among those few people."
OxoxO
Hope you like the rewrite. Leave a review or PM and let me know what you think.
