Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its component characters. trademarks, etc. Nor do I own any of the other works that are crossed or referenced in this story, either explicitly or implicitly stated to be such works. This includes, but is not limited to, Avatar, X-men, and Magic the Gathering. This story is the first part in a three story arc involving a multiverse. The entire three part story is hereby known as "The Phoenix."

Chapter 10: New Jutsus

The last week of training had come and gone. Three days before they were due to receive their assignment Kurenai was informing them that she was changing up their routines…and that she had presents for all three of them.

"Now, do all three of you remember when tested you to determine your elemental affinity?" Kurenai asked. She was sitting with her students in a booth at the Gilded Edge. As usual Naruto was pinned between Ino and Hinata, which earned a small smile from Kurenai.

Those two. It's always the same thing with them. Either trying to out do the other, or hanging off of Naruto as unobtrusively as they can. The genjutsu mistress shook her head ruefully.

"Hai sensei!" All three genin chimed together, identical grins plastered on their faces.

"Well, since we are going to be on a mission soon and thus will be unable to practice our regular routine I figured that it was time to give each of you some new jutsus to learn." Kurenai would have sworn before this day that you couldn't really be blinded by a smile. Today, she was sorely tempted to try to break whatever genjutsu had to have been cast on the faces of her three students.

"Calm down you three. Now, I need to explain a few things first before I give you these. First off, we will not be doing any more missions until the Hokage assigns us the courier mission. This means that this afternoon, tomorrow, and the next day will be split between taijutsu practice and all three of you practicing your jutsus. I will give you tips if you ask for them, but I fully expect all three of you to be able to learn these techniques without additional guidance from me. This is the reason I have had you working so hard on building your chakra as well as chakra control over the past three weeks." Kurenai emphasized this with a smile towards the two kunoichi. They had both mastered the tree climbing exercise in a single day, and had mastered water walking almost as quickly.

"Now, first we'll start with Ino. Because your affinity is water, just as mine is, I was able to select two fairly easy but supremely useful techniques for you to learn." Kurenai said, noting Ino smile when she mentioned her own affinity. Kurenai pulled a pair of scrolls out of her bag and handed them to Ino, who unrolled them both and read the technique names at the top.

"Kirigakure no Jutsu…Sensei, why is this technique named after another village?" Ino asked, looking up with a confused look on her face.

"Because Ino, that is a very old Suiton technique that predates the founding of the hidden villages. It is supposedly one of the oldest Suiton jutsus known. It is also one of the most versatile techniques. While it may only be a D-rank jutsu, the Suiton: Kirigakure no Jutsu is often used as a prelude to far more powerful Suiton jutsus, as it is able to saturate the air around you with water, making it much easier to draw on."

Ino nodded, paying rapt attention. Kurenai noted that both her teammates were grinning and paying close attention as well. Kurenai smiled and continued.

"Your second jutsu is a direct combat jutsu, and can be made much more powerful for much less chakra cost assuming you've cast Kirigakure already. The technique causes you to gather water in your mouth and spit out a large ball of water at your opponents. While this may not stop a kunai, It can stop Katon techniques of equivalent strength, as well as carrying a mighty punch when it impacts with a target." All three genin were silent for a moment before Naruto spoke up, making Kurenai shake her head and sigh.

"So basically it's a giant attack loogie of doom?" He asked, his eyes sparkling mischievously. Naruto was promptly introduced to Mr. Table by the fists of two annoyed kunoichi.

Kurenai ignored Naruto's question and turned to Hinata.

"Now, Hinata, it was harder than I expected to find appropriate jutsus for you to learn. Not only do Raiton techniques require a large chakra capacity, but they also require extremely fine control. And beyond even that, well, there just aren't that many Katon techniques generally known here in Konoha, not compared to Suiton or Katon for example. It's nearly as rare to have someone with a lightning affinity here as it is to find someone with a wind affinity. But, after a little digging in the Konoha archives, and some judicious bribing of a Jounin, I was able to gather two useful Raiton techniques that I believe you should have no trouble mastering. I would not use them too much, as your chakra capacity is still low, but your control is spectacular."

Hinata blushed at the praise, smiling and stealing a glance at the blond boy smiling next to her. Kurenai pulled out two scrolls and handed them to the blushing Hyuuga. As she unrolled the scrolls and the three genin saw the handwriting Naruto looked up at Kurenai, a twinkle in his eye.

"Sensei, was that Jounin who I think it was?" he asked with a grin.

"Yes Naruto, it was indeed Rin." Kurenai replied calmly. Naruto's response was a big grin.

"Now, the thing to remember about these techniques Hinata is that control is key." Kurenai continued. "If you aren't able to control them properly the lightning will go out of control and strike you instead. Especially given the large amounts of chakra required by these techniques, this can be quite dangerous if it happens. Now, the first of these techniques is the Raiton: Dengeki Haaku. I strongly advise you start with that one, as not only can Naruto assist you if you have difficulty…" Hinata blushed, and Kurenai noticed Ino growl slightly with jealousy, "…but it is much safer for you to practice than the other technique. The other technique, the Raiton: Raitama, I do not want you to even attempt until you have mastered the Dengeki Haaku. It will be easier to control the lightning into a sphere after you have mastered the Dengeki Haaku, and it should also require less chakra to perform. What the technique does that is so dangerous is create a sphere of lightning which the user hurls or thrusts at the target. The ball is made of pure lightning, and is thus attracted to the nearest object, usually the target. The Dengeki Haaku on the other hand simply charges your hand with the power of the Raiton. You can then use it to deliver a possibly disabling blow to the opponent. Some users claim to even be able to use it to strip away the most recent memories of a target, but that claim is currently unsubstantiated."

Kurenai noticed that Naruto looked just a little bit shifty at this last statement.

I wonder…could he have already known that about the Dengeki Haaku? She thought before continuing, turning her focus to the loudest and most exuberant of her students.

"Now Naruto, because you already have a selection of attack jutsus and taijutsu at your disposal, the first of your techniques is a defensive jutsu rather than another attack jutsu." Kurenai said, pushing a scroll towards Naruto, whose face fell at the announcement that he was learning a defensive jutsu. "This technique is Fuuton: Kaze Tate. The technique works by forming a small tornado around the user, deflecting average kunai and shuriken. However, while it is listed as a low C-Rank because of this, its true power relies on the chakra capacity and control of its user. This is why I'm giving it to you to learn Naruto. In anyone else's hands it would simply be a defense against throw weapons. But in your hand, I suspect it may become a much more powerful defense. Once you get the basics down I'll help you practice by throwing kunai for you to deflect."

Naruto looked back up at his sensei smiling, a lock of red-tinted hair loose from his ponytail and dropping over his face. "That's okay sensei. I can use my bunshins to do it."

Kurenai sweatdropped. That's right. I almost forgot that the gaki has a singular mastery of that technique. Kurenai thought to herself.

"Ok Naruto, but your bunshins are still limited to your own capabilities. It's my hope that you will become proficient enough with this technique that it will require my assistance for you to improve it. If you can master its defensive capabilities against a Jounin, you will be able to draw the most out of this one technique." Kurenai paused as she noticed Naruto get a look in his eyes he only ever got when he was contemplating a new prank.

Oh no. Please tell me I did not just give him an idea. I hope this one doesn't get me in trouble with the Hokage again.

"However," Kurenai quickly interjected, drawing Naruto's attention and hopefully diverting him from his train of thought, "To master the technique to that level should take a while. That is why you will also be learning this…" Kurenai pushed a second scroll towards Naruto. When he unrolled it both Hinata and Ino gasped, recognizing the technique.

"Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu?" The three genin said at once; Naruto with simple curiosity, Hinata and Ino with surprise. Before Naruto could ask a question or Kurenai could speak Ino had risen in her seat and was leaning across the table, her hands pressed against the top of it to support herself. "How can you be teaching him that technique? Please don't turn him into a clone of Sasuke-kun Kurenai-sensei!!" She yelled at Kurenai, causing her to blink, and several other patrons to look over at them in annoyance.

"So I take it this is a technique that the Uchiha-teme is known for using?" Naruto whispered to Hinata, turning to face her. As Hinata nodded, turning to face Naruto as well, she noticed that while several patrons were giving Ino dirty looks, several more were glaring at Naruto.

There they go again. Why do they hate him so much? He's the son of the Yondaime, I'd be expecting them to be pleased to see him not disgusted. Hinata thought, vowing to get to the bottom of this mystery as soon as they returned from their mission.

Ino meanwhile had turned bright red as she realized not only what she had just done and said, but what she had just revealed to the object of her desire. Sitting back down at a stern look from Kurenai she mumbled an apology and folded her hands in her lap, eyes downcast. A whispered comment from Naruto had her blushing even deeper. "Well, I guess this means you DON'T want me becoming like the Uchiha-teme then?"

"Ino, please keep your outbursts under control when in situations like this. It will not reflect well upon Konoha if you have such outbursts during our mission." Kurenai said sternly.

"Naruto, this technique is a basic fire technique. While yes, it is true that Uchiha Sasuke is known for and understandably proud of this technique that is simply because mastering it was considered a rite of passage in the Uchiha clan before their destruction. It is not however some clan secret jutsu, and is actually known by a fair number of shinobi in the village."

Kurenai took a sip of her vodka. Given how much of a hassle her students could be sometimes, what with Ino's constant fluctuating between wanting to smash Naruto into the ground for being an idiot and her bouts of spending more time observing the boy than training, Hinata's drive and obsession with perfecting the Juken, even driving herself into the ground training on more than one occasion, and Naruto's tendency to pull pranks every other day, she needed a drink with meals.

Further discussion between the four shinobi was stalled as their food arrived, and three tired and hungry Genin dove into their food with gusto.

Three Days Later…

Sarutobi and Iruka sat in the Hokage's office, flanked by two ANBU guards and a courier of the Daimyou. They were waiting for two Genin teams to arrive at their assigned time to officially receive their mission to guard the courier. The door to the Hokage's office opened and everyone perked up, but it was just the Hokage's secretary Bukakkou Misa. Her wavy brown hair accented her shining hazel eyes as she happily skipped towards the Hokage's desk with her arms full of paperwork. Halfway to the Hokage's desk she tripped over her own feet and went sprawling with a cry of "Eep!" with the stack of papers she was carrying flying everywhere.

"Itai…" she muttered as she stood up and began trying to pick up all the papers. "Oh no oh no, this isn't good. This isn't good at all. And just when I had finally gotten them all organized too." She pouted as she finished gathering them up. Ignoring the snorts from the two ANBU and the disdainful look from the important looking man with the Daimyou's seal on his clothes she quickly set the papers on the Hokage's desk while bowing and repeating "Gomen nasai" over and over. She continued this behavior as she backed out of the room and closed the doors behind her. Sarutobi continued to smoke his pipe and let a small smile appear on his face. Misa may be klutzy, but she had a real knack for organizing and paper work and she made his job as Hokage infinitely easier.

Sighing, Sarutobi took the first sheet off the stack and began to read it. He promptly groaned, drawing a curious look from Iruka. In answer the Hokage handed the sheet to Iruka, who took it with trepidation at seeing the Hokage's face and began to read.

The paper was an official request from the village council to have Naruto's status as a shinobi of Konoha revoked. Apparently the bigots on the council and in the rest of Konoha felt threatened that the demon's jailor was a shinobi of Konoha, despite the fact that their revered Yondaime Hokage's last wish had been that Naruto be seen as a hero, not as the monster he contained within him. Iruka sighed and set the paper down, rubbing at his temples with one hand.

"They never change." Sarutobi said, drawing Iruka's attention again. "Every few months I receive a request from either the council or a coalition of clan heads, asking for Naruto's execution or exile. I'm just surprised it took them this long to send the latest. I'd assumed I'd have received it right after Naruto passed the exam."

Sarutobi wearily took the paper back and stamped it with one word. Denied. Just as he was putting it in the Outbox there came a knock at his door. Iruka saved him having to remove his pipe. "Come in."

The doors opened and in walked Yuhi Kurenai, leading Team 8. Iruka noticed that Hinata and Ino were both wearing their hitai-ate on their foreheads, unlike the last time he had encountered the duo eating breakfast together and chatting at Ichiraku. He also noticed that Naruto had ditched his usual sunglasses and instead had his hitai-ate strapped to his forehead over a black head wrap, obscuring most of his bright blond hair. Instead he had a fancier pair of sunglasses dangling around his neck, thin enough that they clearly didn't interfere with his hitai-ate when he wore them together. Clearly the three were taking their first C-Rank mission with seriousness.

"How are things, Ojii-san?" Naruto called out, grinning happily.

Ok. Mostly serious.

Sarutobi sighed. He didn't get a chance to respond as someone else knocked at the halfway open doors before parting them to enter. Gekko Hayate entered, his sword strapped firmly to his back and several large scrolls strapped to his lower back. He was followed swiftly by his three genin, who looked decidedly different from the last time Iruka had seen any of them. From what he knew Hayate had been training them intensely for most of the past month, and they had barely done any D-Rank missions.

First into the room was Abarai Renji. His dark red hair was tied up behind his head, and he had apparently gotten a tattoo on his face since his graduation from the Academy. He wore a black outfit seemingly more suited for one of the Daimyou's samurai, but from the line of kunai dangling from his right hip he was properly equipped. He had a pack strapped to his back, a pair of expensive sunglasses that must have cost every penny he'd made from the few missions they'd done, and had a simple katana strapped to his left hip. He wore his hitai-ate strapped to his upper right arm. He grinned arrogantly at the members of Team 8 as he took a position beside his sensei, and Iruka caught him giving Naruto a nod, placing his hands to his own sunglasses as he did so.

I guess they must have bought the glasses from the same place then. Iruka thought.

Abarai was followed by the extremely short Kuchiki Rukia, who was dragging a complaining Kurosaki Ichigo behind him. Rukia's brown hair was loose, bound only by the Hitai-ate around her forehead, and she had a sword strapped to her left hip, and a smaller pack on her back. As Kurosaki stood Iruka noticed that despite his complaining, something had changed in the boy. He had had the lowest scores at the Academy, but now as he stood before the Hokage he seemed to instantly turn serious. He had a red knotted cord wrapped from his right shoulder down past his left hip, and instead had a much larger sword strapped to his back. He was wearing the same outfit as his teammates, but he also had his hands and forearms wrapped in bandages. Like Renji he had his hitai-ate wrapped around an arm, but in his case it was his left arm.

The Daimyou's courier made a coughing sound, effectively ending Iruka and Sarutobi's musings and analysis.

"Very well, now that you are all here I can explain your mission. You have all been told that you are being assigned a C-Rank mission escorting a courier of the Daimyou. What you haven't been told is that this is not a normal communiqué run." Sarutobi began, his hands crossed in front of him on his desk.

"What the courier is carrying is a formal request by the Daimyou for the Water Country's Daimyou daughter's hand in marriage for his son. There are many parties who would not like to see such a marriage occur, as it would form ties between the Water and Fire Countries, and by extension between Konohagakure and Kirigakure."

Hinata took a step forward surprising both her teammates and her sensei.

"Hokage-sama." She said, bowing. "Pardon my impertinence, but if this is such a sensitive matter, why are two genin squads being sent when this clearly should call for multiple Jounin squads to guard?"

Sarutobi chuckled. Leave it to the Hyuuga girl to see the 'underneath the underneath.'

"That is a very astute assessment Hinata-san. However, it is our hope that by bundling the formal request with the usual monthly communiqué and by not increasing it's defense, that you will avoid any incidents. We do not know how much the possible opponents of this plan really know, so we hope to sneak in under their radar. However, due to this matter, I have selected the two teams that I most think will be able to accomplish this mission. Kurenai-san, Hayate-san. Both of you have been stressing chakra control, particularly water walking and tree climbing, in your training. You are the only ones of the newest genin squads to do so, and all the older squads are currently assigned to other duties or would be too conspicuous to reassign to this duty."

The Hokage took a puff on his pipe.

"Also, the specific abilities of your two teams make you ideally suited to deal with a possible ambush." Sarutobi paused as he noticed the two teams looking at each other, trying to figure out what the other's abilities were just from looking at them. He noticed that Kurenai and Hayate both smirked, knowing precisely which abilities of their respective teams were being referred to.

Sarutobi took a puff on his pipe as Iruka spoke up, continuing the explanation. "Kurenai-san is an expert with genjutsu, both recognizing, using, and breaking it. Her team consists of a Hyuuga, capable of both seeing through genjutsu and providing accurate warning of where an ambush is coming from as well as being able to use her Juken to disable attackers for interrogation, a Yamanaka who I hear is becoming quite skilled with some of her family's techniques, which will be of much aid both in disabling an opponent, as well as interrogating them if they are captured alive, and the Yondaime's heir, who appears to have received his mother's expertise with ninjutsu, and who I am lead to believe has mastered Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu as well as five different forms of taijutsu."

Iruka paused for a moment. He noticed Renji sizing Naruto up. He is probably debating whether he is worth having a spar with or not. Better be careful Renji. Naruto did take Mizuki down on his own after all.

"And Hayate-san is a prodigy, and an expert swordsman. In the event that any attackers turn out to be members of the Kiri no Shinobigatana Nananin Shū, the Seven Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist. As they are all powerful swordsmen, as their name implies, Hayate and his pupils will be best prepared to handle them. Also, Abari Renji has shown a penchant for Ninjutsu similar to Naruto's, and I have been informed that despite his low scores, that Ichigo's skills with his sword have improved with leaps and bounds since he first started learning to use it. On top of that, he has above-average taijutsu. Given what we know of Mizuki's actions during the exam, and discrepancies between his scores and the skills he has shown when push comes to shove during training, we suspect that Mizuki may have been interfering with Ichigo's exam as well, perhaps in an attempt to create a pawn to steal the Forbidden Scroll."

The courier coughed again, clearly annoyed with being held up any longer than he had to be. He was clearly an ex-ninja, probably one who had never made it beyond genin rank Kurenai figured, judging by what she could sense of his chakra flow, but still enough of one that they wouldn't have to walk slowly to allow a civilian to keep up.

Iruka shuffled a few papers and handed them to Kurenai who had stepped forward. Sarutobi took over from Iruka after Kurenai had the papers.

"So, Teams 8 and 11. You are officially assigned as escorts to the Daimyou's regular messenger to the Daimyou of the Water Country. You will escort him there to deliver the regular communiqué, and you will escort him back with the Daimyou's response. You are to deal with any interference with any force necessary. While capturing and interrogating any who interfere with your duty is considered best, do not hesitate to kill your enemy if they cannot quickly be brought down."

The Hokage took a puff on his pipe as both Kurenai and Hayate acknowledged their official assignment. The courier smirked and stepped away from the wall where he had been leaning to lead the way out of the room.

"Come on then. The sooner we leave the sooner we can get this job done and I can be out of the presence of-"

The idiot didn't get a chance to finish his comment as he suddenly found himself choking on a piece of dango. As Hinata rushed to clear his throat Sarutobi, who had watched the dango fly out and bounce off the edge of his door before slamming into the courier's mouth, noticed Naruto carefully slipping a package of dango back inside his jacket. Sarutobi had no illusions that the boy had merely been being nice, trying to save the courier from making a fatal mistake.A surprisingly frank discussion with the young Namikaze heir a few months back had revealed that when the time came, he fully intended to inform the entire village of what he carried inside him, despite the old man's advice against it. Since he interfered with someone almost revealing the fact to his teammate's meant that Naruto wasn't ready for them to know.

At least, not yet.

AN: New chapter is finally done. Well, first off, I didn't name the courier as he won't be around long enough to justify giving him one. If you must, just call him Seirai no Baka. (Congenital Idiot) This section of the story is building both to begin showcasing their skills, as well as get the action moving along. Needless to say, there are going to be some fierce battles coming up, revelations of secrets kept from teammates, and the reveal of a new jutsu. I hope you all liked this chapter, and I apologize if it was kind of slow. I swear the next chapter will be faster. And that everyone's favorite blond prankster will get to bash face on some Kiri-nin. Next time on "Phoenix Rising," Chapter 11: The Journey to Kiri Begins. Please remember to read and review.

Team 11 stand behind him, hands dangerously near their hilts.

Cuz if you don't, these guys will know. winks

Translation

Kiri no Shinobigatana Nananin Shū - Seven Shinobi Swordsmen of the Mist

Seirai no Baka – Congenital Idiot

Techniques - This is a partial list both of new techniques and techniques I feel needed to have explanations enclosed.

Fuuton: Kaze Tate--Wind Release: Wind Shield/ This jutsu creates a small tornado like wind around the user. In general this jutsu is only able to deflect the average kunai and shuriken and has several other minor uses. But the true power of this defensive jutsu lies in the amount of chakra used in it, the more chakra used means the stronger the shielding action will become. There is no real definite answer as to just how powerful this jutsu could become, but it could most definitely blow away an entire army if used correctly. (low C-Class Ninjutsu) (Created by Tellemicus Sundance)

Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu--Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique/ Utilizing a high amount of chakra, the user creates a large ball of flame and spits it out of their mouth. When performed incorrectly it can burn a shinobi from the inside out if they are not careful. (C-Rank)

Raiton: Dengeki Haaku--Lightning Release: Shocking Grasp/ The user channels their chakra into their right hand, building up an electric charge. This charge is then released upon contact with an opponent. As demonstrated by Uzumaki Naruto, releasing the charge through five specific pressure points on the forehead can knock a target unconscious. (C-Class Ninjutsu)

Raiton: Raitama--­Lightning Release: Lightning Ball/ This technique causes the user to gather a sphere of lightning energy in their hand. This sphere can be tossed towards an enemy, and will be drawn towards, making it difficult to dodge. The technique will however go for the nearest object, so a thrown kunai or dodging behind an object can distract the ball of lightning away from the intended target. (C-Class Ninjutsu)

Suiton: Kirigakure no Jutsu--Water Release: Hidden in the Mist Technique/ This technique causes the air around the user to become extremely saturated with water, forming a thick fog. This technique is a simple D-rank jutsu that is often used in preparation of much higher level Suiton jutsus. On top of making it harder for an enemy to see them, the saturation of the air makes it easier to perform Suiton jutsus, particularly if the user is not near a body of water. (D-Class)

Suiton: Teppoudama --Water Release: Gunshot/ A large ball of water is fired from the user's mouth. The strength of this technique is scaled relative to the user's size and chakra capacity. (C-Class Ninjutsu)