Naruto: Archer and Loner


Author response and rant (a small one, I think)

First and foremost, I'd like to thank those who have taken the time to read the story. A huge thank you goes out to those of you who have left reviews. Even the negative ones. Now, I won't necessarily respond to every bad review out there. Nor am I doing it to gain attention. Criticism is healthy. It allows us to grow better as a human being. A guest decided to post this review on my latest chapter.

"Another cliche waste of space story. You know if you are too lazy or just plain stupid to write a ORIGINAL story without over use cliches then you should NEVER write again. I bet you if did write a cliche free story then you would receive more postive reviews. Not from morons that cannot tell what originally is, but from those that want to read to cliche free story. If you don't know what a cliche free story is, then it is a story without the over use mobs, sabotage, bashing and council cliches."

Well, first and foremost, the spelling mistakes are not mine. That is copied from the review and then pasted above. Now, onto my opinion and rant. From the beginning, let me start with the first sentence. That my story has clichés in it. Well, it's my story and it is how I'm writing it. The words just flow. Writers will know what I mean by this. At times it's as if the words write themselves. Now, if you want to talk about clichés, every story out there has clichés in it that you can point out quite easily. The original manga for BOTH Naruto and Bleach have clichés all over it. Naruto more so in my opinion. A perfect example is everything that happened to Naruto growing up. The abuse and neglect Naruto suffered. It's been written before. Ever hear of Oliver Twist? A great novel by Charles Dickens. One I read when I was a kid. And as for the fact my story is filled with clichés, guess what, it is my story. I'm writing for my amusement and the amusement of other people. If you don't like it, you don't have to read it. No one is forcing you. And if you can't take the time to correct your spelling, don't be surprised when it gets you ridiculed.

Thank you for bearing through that with me. Now onto the next chapter!


Disclaimer: I own nothing. Neither Naruto nor Bleach belongs to me.


Chapter 9: The woes of Naruto Uzumaki Part 2

Naruto woke up to the sound of his alarm blaring. He shuts the evil thing off and heads for the shower. After getting dressed for the day, he heads down to the kitchen for breakfast. He sees Kiski sitting at the table eating some cereal.

"Good morning, Kiski-sensei," Naruto says tiredly.

"Good morning, Naruto," Kiski replies. "Any plans for today?"

"I got nothing other than the normal afternoon workout," Naruto says.

"Good. We have a council meeting to get to at 10 AM. You need to be ready and on your toes," Kiski tells him.

"Oh, boy. It's going to be a long day," Naruto says as he sits down to eat. After eating and cleaning the dishes, he heads back to his room to put on his "Clan Head regalia," as Kiski calls it. It is a white yukata with dark blue accents and the Uzumaki Clan swirl on the breast above the heart and on the back. Naruto summons a Shadow Clone without hand signs or saying the jutsu. The Shadow Clone proceeds to help Naruto put the yukata on.

"Well, how do I look," Naruto asks his Shadow Clone.

"You look good, boss," the clone replies.

Naruto dismisses the clone and heads downstairs. Kiski is waiting for him in his own yukata. His is a deep, dark red with light blue Uzumaki swirls all over it.

"You ready Naruto," Kiski asks.

"About as ready as I'll ever be," Naruto says. They head out of the Uzumaki compound and head to the Hokage tower.


Council Chambers

Naruto and Kiski walk into the council chambers and see only the other Clan heads there. They both bow respectively to the Clan heads and take their seats.

"Good morning, Nara-san, Akimichi-san, Yamanaka-san, Aburame-san, Inuzuka-san, Hyuga-san," Naruto says to his fellow Clan heads.

"Good morning, Uzumaki-san," Shikaku says. "I heard you graduated from the ninja academy. Let me be the first to welcome you to the ninja ranks, Uzumaki-san. I have a feeling you'll become a great ninja someday."

"Thank you Nara-san," Naruto replies. Before any more conversation could happen, the council chamber doors open and the civilian council, the elder council and the Hokage all walk in. They all walked to their seats and sat down.

"Good morning, everyone. I have called this meeting to talk about a few things and bring other things to this council's attention," the Hokage began. "I have quite a few things to say, so please wait until I am done if you have any questions."

The council looks around at each other and nods at the Hokage to continue.

"First things first, would Mibuki Haruno and Hiashi Hyuga step forward," the Hokage says sternly. The Hyuga clan head glances at Mibuki before calmly walking forward. Mibuki joins Hiashi in front of the Hokage and elder council.

"It has come to our attention that over the last 6 years you both have used ninja in an attempt to gain access to the Uzumaki Clan grounds," Homura Mitokado says. "This has caused over 80 ninja to either die or be permanently injured. The elder council and the Hokage have come to an agreement. Mibuki Haruno, you will no longer have the authority to use ninja without the express permission of this council in its entirety. Hiashi Hyuga, we may not be able to stop you from sending any family to attempt to gain access the Uzumaki Clan grounds, however we can stop you from using this village's ninja to do it. You also can not use ninja without the approval of this council. And you both will pay the Uzumaki Clan $14 million Ryo."

The two council member's eyes widen in shock.

"This is outrageous. The Hyuga Clan will not stand for this," Hiashi Hyuga shouts.

"You will pay it, Hyuga-san. We have plenty of evidence to present to your Hyuga elder council that shows you hired these ninja in an attempt to steal a Clan's secrets," the Hokage shouts. "If you pulled this stunt with any of the other Clans, you'd be facing the same outcome."

Everyone sits there in shock and silence at the revelation of the dirty deeds. Naruto raises his hand wanting to talk.

"Yes, Uzumaki-san," the Hokage asks.

Naruto stands up and smooths out his yukata. "Honored council, Hokage-sama," Naruto begins. "As the aggrieved party, I understand the punishment. However, I do have something to say. You can expect a Clan like the Hyuga's to pay that amount with no problem. But, you can't expect Haruno-san to be able to pay that amount all at once. I ask for some leniency in Haruno-san's case. Allow her to pay the money back at a monthly amount that would not hinder her or her families living situation."

Mibuki Haruno can only stare at the young man in shock. 'What is he planning,' she thinks to herself. The rest of the council is nodding their heads in agreement to what Naruto has said.

"Uzumaki-san, you are both kind and wise for your young age," Koharu Utatane says. "It shows great maturity to do something like that to someone who has wronged you. Hokage-sama, I think Uzumaki-san does make a valid point. By taking a monthly stipend from Haruno-san, we can be sure she pays back Uzumaki-san and still has enough to support her family."

The Hokage nods in agreement. "Very well. Haruno-san will have a monthly stipend taken from her account to pay back the Uzumaki Clan."

Hiashi Hyuga and Mibuki Haruno both walk back to their seats. The other Clan heads glare at Hiashi as he walks by.

"Onto our next order of business," the Hokage says. "Councilman Danzo Shimura and Mibuki Haruno have a proposal for this council. I open the floor to Shimura-san."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Danzo says calmly. "The proposal is to have Kiski Uzumaki teach Uchiha-sama. To train him the way he trained young Uzumaki-san."

Naruto starts to rise in protest, but is stopped by both Kiski and Shikaku.

"Wait, Naruto. Allow Kiski to handle this," Shikaku whispers.

Kiski stands up and smooths out his yukata. "Honorable council, Hokage-sama," Kiski begins. "I have trained Uzumaki-sama for the last 6 years. I have trained him in everything he needed to prepare to become a ninja. Everything I have trained him in is not for anyone else other than members of the Uzumaki Clan. Uchiha-san would not be able to learn any of it. It is out of his reach because he is not of Uzumaki blood. The boy is arrogant and spoiled. All because of whom his family was. Every ninja in the village knows of the history of the Uzumaki Clan. However, young Uzumaki-sama was not accorded the respect he deserved. He was shunned, abused and had multiple assassination attempts on his life. When I started training him, I had to take the time to teach him how to read and write. He was 6 years old at the time. He should've been going to the civilian school to learn the basics, but wasn't allowed. I will not train Uchiha-san. I will not train anyone who is not of Uzumaki blood."

"You must train Uchiha-sama," Mibuki shouts. "Uzumaki-san doesn't need those techniques. Uchiha-sama does!"

"Calm down Haruno-san," the Hokage says. "Kiski has been a loyal shinobi of this village for quite some time. He came here with Uzumaki-san's mother. In all the years he's served this village, he has never taught anyone any of the Uzumaki techniques. And he will continue to hold true to that. Haruno-san, Shimura-san this is my ruling. Kiski Uzumaki will continue to do what he's been doing in training young Uzumaki-san. He will not be forced to train anyone, is that understood?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama," Danzo says with a blank face. Inside he is seething in anger. 'I will get the Uzumaki Clan techniques. What little information I have gathered on what the Uzumaki brat knows is the techniques are powerful,' he thinks to himself.

"Shimura-san," Kiski says to gain his attention. "Please stop this route to try and gain the Uzumaki Clan techniques. Otherwise the roots of the tree might wither and die."

Danzo's lone eye widens slightly. 'He knows! How does he know,' Danzo asks himself. He gives a slight nod to Kiski.

"Well, the next piece of business is brought to us by young Uzumaki-san," the Hokage says. "I turn the floor over to you, Uzumaki-san."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Naruto says. "What I have to say will shock some of you and anger others. I may be young and I may have just become a ninja, but I do care for this village. Our ninja academy sucks."

"What do you mean, Uzumaki-san," Shikaku Nara asks.

"I mean that out of the possible 15 teams of ninjas there will only be 3 teams that pass. There are problems with the school. It needs an overhaul in how things are taught. I have here a list of things that I think should change," Naruto says. He hands a stack of copies to the Hokage who takes one and starts passing the rest out. Hiruzen takes a look at the list

Proposed changes to the Ninja Academy

Allow history to be home taught. Too much time in the classroom is taken by studying history.

Demand more physical training. Too many students do not take physical training seriously. Taijutsu has at times devolved into cat-fights or straight out brawls.

Teach more than the standard 3 jutsu in order to graduate. More variety.

Get a nutritionist to monitor the female population. Too many of the female students go on "diets" to make themselves pretty.

Add more specialist classes. For example Kenjutsu or Bojutsu.

In the last year of class, blood the students. Give them their first kill in a controlled environment for their safety. This will weed out those who are prepared for the life of a ninja.

Place Iruka Umino as the head of the school. He is a good, unbiased teacher that could improve the school as a whole from that position.

The rest of the council looks at the list and slowly mulls it over.

"Uzumaki-san, this is quite thought out and logical," Shibi Aburame says. "Your changes do have merit."

"They do have merit, Uzumaki-san. However, this would put more strain on the civilian students. Civilian students tend to have less chakra than Clan students," Tsume Inuzuka says.

"That is true, Inuzuka-san. However, if training is taken seriously and more chakra intensive training is added, the chakra capacity of the all the students would be increased," Naruto replies.

"Do you require a vote on this today, Uzumaki-san," the Hokage asks.

"No. I brought this up so it could be talked over and any changes that needed to occur could happen slowly instead of all at once," Naruto says.

"Very well, Uzumaki-san. You have given this council much to think and talk about. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Since there is nothing else on the agenda, I call this meeting to a close," the Hokage says. The councilors get up and exit the room.


Classroom 128 a week later (I'm mean, aren't I? lol)

Naruto is sitting in the back of the classroom beside Shino and Shikamaru. Naruto is wearing black boots, dark blue ninja pants taped at the ankles with black tape and a sky blue long-sleeved shirt with the Uzumaki crest on the back. He has his Hite-ate tied onto his right upper arm with a red cloth. The past week has been busy for young Naruto. Kiski pushed his training in preparation of becoming a ninja.

"Hello, class," Iruka Umino says from the front of the room. "Congratulations on graduating and becoming ninja of Kohona. I will now separate you into your teams."

Teams 1-6 are made up of civilian cannon fodder.

"Team 7 will be Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha," Iruka says. "Your Jonin sensei will be Kakashi Hatake."

Naruto bangs his head on the desk as Sakura lets out a shout of glee. Naruto hands Shino a $10 Ryo note.

"Thank you, Naruto-san. We'll see if I'm correct about the other teams shortly," Shino says.

"Team 8 will be Shino Aburame, Kiba Inuzuka and Hinata Hyuga," Iruka says. "Your Jonin sensei will be Kurenai Yuhi."

This time Naruto hands Shino a $50 Ryo note.

"Well, you were 100% correct, Shino. It'll be interesting in seeing how the teams actually work in the field," Naruto says.

"Since team 9 is still in the field, team 10 will be Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi and Ino Yamanaka. Your Jonin sensei will be Asuma Sarutobi," Iruka says.

The classroom door opens and 2 Jonin walk in. One is a woman with red eyes and black hair. Her outfit seems to be made up of bandages. The other is a male with a beard and a cigar hanging out of his mouth. He's wearing the standard Jonin outfit. Dark colors and a tan vest.

"Team 8, meet me at training ground 54 in 30 minutes," the female Jonin states. She then vanishes in a plume of smoke.

"Team 10 meet me at training ground 23 in 30 minutes," the male Jonin lazily says as he also vanishes in a plume of smoke.

"Well, class, I bid you farewell and good luck," Iruka says as he leaves the classroom.

Over time, various Jonin come and take the other students. Soon, it is just Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura in the classroom. Sasuke walks over to Naruto and sits down.

"Hey, dobe," Sasuke starts.

"I'm out of here. I'll be on the roof if you need me," Naruto says and walks out of the classroom leaving behind a seething Sasuke and an excited Sakura.

'I'm alone with Sasuke-kun. Now is my chance,' Sakura thinks to herself. She walks over to Sasuke and sits down beside him.

"Sasuke-kun, do you want to go on a date later," Sakura asks hopeful he'll say yes.

"Hn," is the only response she gets.

'He is soooo cool,' Sakura thinks to herself with hearts in her eyes.


3 hours later

For over 3 hours, Sasuke sat staring out the window. Sakura spent that time staring at Sasuke and thinking thoughts no one should hear.

"Where are our sensei and the dobe," Sasuke asks angrily.

"Who cares about Naruto-baka, Sasuke? We don't need him," Sakura replies. Just then, the door to the classroom opens. They both turn to the door and see a man with silver, gravity defying hair with his Hite-ate covering one eye and a face mask on peek into the room.

"You two are late. Naruto and I have been waiting for you on the roof for over 3 hours. Get up there in 5 minutes or else," the man says lazily and vanishes in a plume of smoke. Sasuke seethes and runs out of the classroom with Sakura following.


Academy roof 5 minutes later

Sasuke and Sakura arrive on the roof and see Naruto and the man sitting on the railing. Sasuke sits down and does his normal brooding. Sakura flops to the ground next to Sasuke huffing and puffing.

"Well, you both barley made it in time. I am Kakashi Hatake. I will be your Jonin sensei. I want you to introduce yourselves," Kakashi says.

"What do you mean, sensei," Sakura asks.

"Really, Sakura? You don't know how to introduce yourself to someone," Naruto asks. "I'll go first. My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I like training, Kiski-sensei, ramen and learning new things. I don't like people who judge others without knowing who they truly are and the 3 minutes you have to wait for ramen to cook. My hobbies are training in my Clan's techniques and reading. My dream for the future is to see a revival of the Uzumaki Clan and to be Hokage someday."

"Very good, Naruto. You're next, pinky," Kakashi says pointing at Sakura.

"I'm Sakura Haruno. I like- I mean the person I like is," she says looking at Sasuke. "My hobbies are," again looking at Sasuke. "My dreams for the future," you guessed it, looking at Sasuke while saying this.

"And the things you hate," Kakashi asks.

"Naruto-baka and Ino-pig," Sakura says hatefully.

"Ok. Moving on, you're up broody," Kakashi says pointing at Sasuke.

"I don't have many likes and I hate a lot of things. I don't have a dream, more of an ambition. It is to kill a certain man and revive the Uchiha clan," Sasuke says in a monotone voice.

"Well, I learned a lot. Meet me at training ground 7 at 5 AM for your test. My suggestion is you don't eat breakfast or you'll throw it up. Later," Kakashi says and vanishes in a plume of smoke.

"See you all tomorrow," Naruto says and leaves.

"Do you want to go and get something to eat, Sasuke-kun," Sakura asks.

"Hn," Sasuke replies and walks off.


Yay! Got where I wanted to and explained a fair bit of things. Next chapter I should breeze through the test and hopefully start the dreaded Wave mission. Thank you for all the reviews, follows and favorites. I've got an idea on where I want to go and hopefully I'll get there. I just hope I'm able to do the fight scenes justice. Never wrote one before, so it will be a learning experience.