Outsider Chronicals: Breaking the Curse
Being reborn can be a pain in the ass as any Outsider can tell you. However, at least most are born as their own person. I wasn't so lucky and now I have to put up with being one of the most hated characters in Anime. Oh, and Fangirls. Help.
And we're back. Nothing to say here, so lets dive straight in. Enjoy!
Chapter 10
Angela is poorly named. Shes no Angel, shes a damned Demon! In the three weeks since we had returned from Wave, she had been teaching me Gramarye and the Ancient Language and she was grinding me into the dirt! Still, I was advancing in the Mystic Arts at an incredible rate, as was my fluency in the Ancient Language. Using Gramarye was very different to Jutsu, and not just because it utilized words instead of signs to focus the energy. Since the energy used was solely Physical, it was much more draining than using Chakra, meaning that it was worthless for a protracted battle. To make matters worse, it seemed that having an active and trained Chakra network served as a level of protection from Gramarye based attacks that worked directly, like the Words of Death, were worthless and Ninja training gave people natural mental shields that kept those who knew how to open their minds out.
Thats not to say that it was completely worthless, just that Jutsu was a better option for battle and Gramarye was better for support since healing Spells were much more effective than Medical Ninjutsu.
Still, at least one good thing came of our trip to the Wave. Our teamwork had improved in leaps and bounds and both Naruto and Sakura were training like they were possessed and tearing apart my Library in search of techniques to get stronger. Sakura seemed to really like Fire Jutsu and Naruto had been obsessed with mastering Wind Jutsu, especially after Kakashi tested our Elemental Affinities to reveal some extremely interesting information.
"Whats this?" asked Naruto, looking at the square of paper in his hand.
"Its called Chakra Paper," said Kakashi, "It's used to discover a Ninja's elemental affinity. Simply channel some Chakra into it and it'll react in different ways depending on your affinity."
He held up his own bit of paper and it crickled.
"This means that my natural Chakra Affinity is Lightning," said Kakashi, "This will help us determine which Elemental Jutsu you can learn easily for your future training."
"So, like this?" asked Naruto, channeling his Chakra.
As I expected, the paper sliced in half.
"What's that mean?" asked Naruto.
"Wind Affinity," said Kakashi, "One of the rarest types, outside the Land of Wind."
"REALLY?" yelled Naruto, his eyes sparkling, "THATS SO COOL!"
"Yes, but its not one that I can teach you," said Kakashi.
"Don't worry, I have scrolls containing the training methods back home," I said, "Its not as good as a real teacher, but it'll do."
"Very well, Sakura, your next," said Kakashi.
Sakura did as she was told and nearly dropped the paper as it burst into flames so intense I could feel them from where I was stood.
"Oh my, thats an incredibly powerful Fire affinity," said Kakashi, looking surprised, "I've never seen a reaction like that."
"Well, we won't have any problem with that," I said, "We Uchiha are major Pyromaniacs."
Sakura grinned and dropped the burning paper.
"Alright, now its your turn," said Kakashi, turning to me.
I took a deep breath and channeled my Chakra into the paper.
"Er, nothing's happening," I said after a minute.
"Hmm, that's interesting," said Kakashi, "This has never happened before."
"What does it mean?" asked Naruto.
"It means that he has no affinity."
We all jumped and spun around to face the voice. Sat on a log at the edge of the clearing knitting what looked like a sweater for something with eight arms, was Angela.
"Angela, you really do have a habit of showing up at the most random times," I said.
"Well, I do like to be where everythings happening," said the Witch.
"You know her Sasuke?" asked Kakashi.
"Yep, thats Angela the Herbalist," I said.
"Shes not a Ninja?" asked Naruto.
"Oh no, I'm no Ninja," said Angela, "But I know a little about Chakra."
"Is that so?" asked Kakashi, "So then, what did you mean when you said Sasuke has no affinity?"
"Exactly that," said Angela, "Its rare, only one in 100000, but those who don't have an affinity do exist. Unlike those who do have an affinity, all elements are equal to them in how well they can master them. However, these rare individuals have the ability to use ANY element with training, including those that would normally be Kekkei Genkai."
I blinked.
"Really?"
"Oh, it won't be easy," said Angela, "But with your Sharingan, you should be able to learn them if you see them like any other Jutsu."
"Hmm…"
I closed my eyes and brought my hands into a seal.
"Lets see if thats right," I said, "Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors!"
Immediately, the air temperature around me dropped like a stone and water began to condense, freezing and slowly forming into a mirror. However, after less than a minute, I was forced to release it and fell to my knees, panting for breath.
"Man, thats draining," I muttered, "But I did it."
"I told you, you need to train if you want to master it," said Angela, "Start by mastering the basic Elements, that'll make your Elemental Jutsu more efficient."
Since then, we'd stepped up our training. Naruto and Sakura went to work mastering the basic exercises of their Elements and I did the same. However, it quickly became obvious that, while being 'Affinityless' granted me a ton of potential power through secondary elements I could learn, having an Affinity made learning Elemental Jutsu a LOT easier as Naruto and Sakura mastered the exercises within a couple of weeks while I was still working on the basics. Then again, I did have five to do, unlike there one. Fortunately, they allowed me to watch them with my Sharingan which cut down on the time needed to master Fire and Wind.
Another interesting thing we learnt is that Naruto had a supernaturally good talent with swords. It didn't matter what type he tried, he used it like a master with decades of experience. However, every single time he tried one, he quickly rejected it, saying that it felt wrong in his hands. He couldn't explain why he felt that way, but he point blank refused to use any sword that felt wrong to him for more than a few minutes. The only one he'd use was my Rider Sword and even then, he prefered to fight with Taijutsu over the 'awkward' sword.
This was all on top of our missions of course and in the time between our return from the Wave, we managed to do 20 D ranks and another 5 C ranks, although fortunately they were actually C ranks. They weren't really anything to write home about, just basic missions to escort caravans and a couple to clear out troublesome wildlife (which didn't seem like a Ninja mission, but whatever), so I won't go into any detail.
We were returning from one of said missions, with me supporting Naruto who had pushed himself too far (again) when a birdcall drew Kakashi's attention.
"Alright guys, you can go home early today," said the Scarecrow, "It seems something's come up."
He vanished in a puff of smoke.
"So, what do we do?" asked Naruto, "More training?"
"If that you want," I said, "I however am going to have a well earned break. See ya!"
I walked away from my teammates, heading towards the Uchiha Clan compound.
"So, the Chunin Exams are coming up," I thought, "I wonder what'll happen. Naruto and Sakura are so much stronger than they would have been. But...I admit, I'm almost tempted not to take part, if only to avoid Orochimaru. I really don't feel like being marked by that damn pedo…"
I sighed and stopped in the middle of the street, looking up at the sky.
"Then again, if I don't take part Snakey will probably still find a way to get that Curse Mark on me. Eh, I might as well let the chips fall."
I smiled and went to continue on my way, but before I could, a scream reached my ears.
"Oh crap, I'd forgotten about that," I muttered, taking off across the rooftops in the direction of the scream.
It didn't take long to reach the place the scream had came from and, sure enough, there I found Konohamaru being held by the scarf by Kankuro. Sakura and Naruto both looked like they were about to snap and tare the Puppetmaster apart, so I decided to step in before they did. I pulled out a Senbon and tossed it at him, piercing him through the wrist and forcing him to drop Konohamaru.
"What? Who did that?" growled Kankuro, looking up towards me.
"Nice timing Sasuke," called Naruto.
"Well, I had to step in before you tore apart our guests, right?"
"Whats that supposed to mean?" growled Kankuro.
"Well, you guys are guests in our Village, probably for the Chunin exams, but that doesn't give you the right to run around beating up the residence of Konoha," I said, "And that kid especially is someone you really shouldn't be hurting, not when hes the Third's grandson."
Kankuro blanched at that.
"Also, those two aren't as weak as they look."
"HEY!"
"Grr, why you…"growled the Puppetmaster, pulling his puppet off his back.
"Kankuro…"
I nearly jumped out of my skin as a voice came from the branch right next to me. Sure I was expecting Gaara to show up, but I'm not used to people sneaking up on me. I spun to face the One Tailed Jinchuriki, only to freeze and stare at the sight before me. That...wasn't what I was expecting. It was Gaara alright, but the last time I checked, Gaara wasn't a cute girl! She still had dark red hair, although hers reached her shoulders and was clipped back with black hairclips in her bangs, light green eyes with thick rings around them and the Kanji for Love carved into her forehead, although it was slightly hidden behind her long bangs. She wore a dark red battle skirt, light grey armour that bared her stomach and Shinobi sandals, as well as the large gourd on her back. Oh, and she also had a pink desert rose in her hair.
"Aww crap, why do I get the feeling that this is going to end badly," I thought as I shoved down the urge to go strangle Angela.
"Your a disgrace to our village," continued the female Gaara.
Her voice was flat and held a husky undertone.
"I-Ilia," stuttered Kankuro, "H-how long have you been there?"
"Long enough," said Ilia, "Have you forgotten what we came here for?"
"But Ilia, they started it!" protested Kankuro.
"Shut up...or I'll kill you."
"Y-your right, I was out of line," stuttered Kankuro, not that I blame him.
That girl may be adorable, but her glare could probably scare a damned Basilisk to death. Ilia vanshed from her perch and appeared between the other two Sand Nin.
"We didn't come here to play around," she said, "Lets go."
I hopped down from the tree.
"Hold up, before you go, I'd like to see some ID," I said, "I assume you're here for the Chunin Exams, but stlll."
"Very well," said Ilia as the three Sand-nin dug out their passports.
I looked them over and found nothing out of the ordinary, before handing them back. As I did, Ilia narrowed her eyes and stepped forwards, getting right up in my face and studying me closely.
"Can I help you?" I asked, not backing down and meeting her gaze.
I noticed that Kankuro and Temari had both stiffened.
"You intrigue me," she said, "Who are you?"
"Sasuke Uchiha," I said, "And you are..?"
"Ilia of the Desert," she replied, stepping back to rejoin her siblings, "I look forwards to seeing you in the exams. Lets go."
They walked away, with Tamari giving me one last look that looked like she was trying to decided what flowers would go best at my funeral. Then again, considering what Gaara was like at this point in the story, I don't blame her. I highly doubt a genderbending will help her psychoses.
"So, you think we'll be taking part in the Exams?" asked Naruto once they were out of sight.
"Probably," I said, "Kakashi will want to show us off and probably knows that you two will be on his ass for weeks if he didn't."
"Heh, I can't wait," said Sakura, "This is gonna be fun!"
I had my doubts about that, but I'll enjoy it while I can.
And I'm done here. A bit shorter than normal, but awe well, this is as good a place as any to break.
I hope my explanation of Sasuke's unique Chakra made sense. Basically, he can use any Elemental based Release, including Kekkei Genkei, although it requires a ton of training to be able to use them efficiently. He can't learn anything that requires a physical change like the Dead Bone Pulse or Ocular based Jutsu, nor can he use the Dark or Swift Releases since, although they do use Nature Transformation, aren't Elemental based.
Gaara's a girl. You can probably guess who the rose is now since I was laying it on pretty thick. I know that most people would call a femGaara Geia, but I decided I wanted to be a tad more original.
While I already have a plan for Naruto's pairing, I'd like to hear what you lot want for our favorite blonde knucklehead and Sakura. However, I don't want to pare them together because Naruto's pairing is going have additional abilities that go with Naruto's own.
With that, I'm done. Please leave me a review!