Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Naruto is the property of Masashi Kishimoto
Zabuza's Seven
Chapter 10: Seeking Help From Healers
Hot Spring Country, having demilitarized, only had civilian clothing stores. There used to be military surplus stores that sold shinobi attire, but with a limited stock, they eventually closed down. Nowadays, most clothing stores catered to the local industry, whether it be logging, fishing, or agriculture.
Naruto, not really possessing any fashion sense whatsoever, simply picked out something with a bit of orange that looked good, as well as additional attire based on the aforementioned careers.
Exiting the clothing store, Naruto felt like a new man. Or to be more precise, he felt like he was a twelve year old boy again instead of a girl. Which was odd, as he was dressed similarly to the last girl he met.
As his wig was still bonded to his head to keep it from accidentally coming off, Naruto purchased a black bandana like Amaru's to conceal his long red hair. Once he was able to take the wig off, Naruto planned on keeping the bandana on at all times until his hair grew back.
While searching the store, he found an orange shirt with black sleeves, and matching black pants. A black vest with an orange outline concealed the orange of the shirt.
The store did not sell shinobi sandals, so Naruto instead opted for a pair of boots. Given what he had heard of Water Country's cold and wet climate from Haku, he believed they would be a better choice.
Finally, Naruto purchased some socks and underwear in bulk. You can never have too many of either, and he was growing uncomfortable borrowing Haku's boxers.
Overall, Naruto's new look resembled a colour swapped version of Amaru's outfit. Examining his reflection in the store's window, Naruto thought the same. Thinking of Amaru, which he was trying not to do, made him blush as he remembered their unfortunate revelations of their true genders.
'I should ask Haku for help in controlling my emotions.' Naruto thought to himself, believing it to be a good way to hide his embarrassment. 'Although, he doesn't seem to be that good at it himself.'
Naruto had not been around Haku and Zabuza long enough to know, but he was the first person to elicit an emotional response from Haku since the deaths of his parents. Not even Zabuza had brought out so much joy or sadness from him.
It was also one of the reasons Zabuza sought to have Naruto join their group. He would be the friend for Haku, and soon, Kimimaro that Zabuza could not bring himself to be, and the glue that kept them together. Otherwise, they may lose their humanity and become the demons they were referred to as.
'I really should do something to make up for what I did.' Naruto thought, regarding his situation with Amaru. 'I don't know too much about her though, other then that she's the apprentice of the doctor who examined me, and that she dresses like a boy.'
While he pondered how to get Amaru to forgive him for their unfortunate meeting, Naruto carried out his other purchases of spare clothes and searched for a private location. Finding one, he pulled out a storage scroll and sealed away his remaining new clothes into it, along with his old ones.
'It's a good thing Haku showed me how to use these. Why didn't Kakashi teach us this? It would have been better then carrying around those heavy backpacks.'
In a matter of moments, Naruto's goods were sealed away. Setting the scroll down for a moment, Naruto thought about what to do next.
'I guess I should look for Haku now and join him for some training. Zabuza did say just finding him would be a good tracking exercise. Maybe he can help me with my problem with Amaru too…'
Placing his hands into his the unique hand-seal for the shadow clone technique, Naruto then created half a dozen shadow clones. He handed the scroll with his extra clothes to the nearest shadow clone, who took off to return them to the hotel.
The others, knowing they needed to find Haku, took off to do so. They were a part of Naruto, and knew what he did. As soon as they were formed, they knew what they were needed for. Therefore, they did not require to be ordered around.
As the chakra used to create them would be wasted if they dispelled early, and Naruto gained their memories and experience, Naruto decided to take full advantage of his signature technique, and not let them go to waste.
After the shadow clone with his clothes returned them to Kimimaro's room for safe keeping, it's job was to then study the few textbooks available to their group, whether it wanted to or not. Naruto's intelligence, or lack thereof, was a crippling weakness, and needed to be corrected.
The other clones, after finding Haku, would have whoever found him dispel to alert the others, who would then join them for their training in whatever Haku determined they needed to work on next.
As for the real Naruto, he began the warm-up drills Haku had him perform during his recovery. Whatever his new comrade had in mind for him would not be easy, and Naruto wanted to be prepared for it.
ZzZzZzZ
In a secluded clearing outside of town, Haku gazed at his handiwork. He had just finished practicing his swordplay, and a test of his sword's abilities. Judging by the circle of smoothly cut trees and rocks a distance around him, his sword performed beautifully.
Haku had just put his sword away, when he sensed someone approaching him. His instincts told him that the one approaching him was not a threat, so Haku decided to have some fun. Taking out an acupuncture needle, he deftly threw it behind it himself with a flick of his wrist, causing it to pin a sleeve of his observer to a tree.
The shadow clone of Naruto merely looked at the needle, back to Haku, back to the needle, and wondered how he did it. Settling for asking directly, and completely forgetting to dispel, it pulled the needle out and walked up to Haku, who had not moved an inch the entire time.
"How did you know I was here? I thought I was hiding pretty well." The shadow clone asked Haku, who had turned to face it, believing it to be the real Naruto.
'Well, it's not complete yet, but he might be able to help me with it. His loyalty is not in question, at least not to me.' Haku thought for a moment.
Although Zabuza and Haku wanted Naruto to join them, and made the offer, Zabuza still had a slight concern regarding Naruto's loyalty. Hence why his only training focused on his weak points. Should Naruto betray them and return to the Hidden Leaf Village, he would not have learned anything of too much value.
Such fears were unfounded, as Naruto did not need to prove his loyalty to them. Rather, they proved their intentions were benign with their treatment of him. Naruto's loyalty now lay with whoever needed him the most, and right now, Haku needed a friend, Zabuza needed someone to help regain his humanity, and the Hidden Mist Village needed someone to free it from tyranny.
"Alright, I don't see the harm in explaining it to you." Haku said, making up his mind. "We are brothers in arms now, so we shouldn't have too many secrets between us."
Some might say Haku was taking a risk, and that a ninja should keep all of his secrets, even from those they call their friends. For Haku, something told him that he could trust Naruto.
"It's an elemental technique. Simply put, it allows me to detect changes in air currents and moisture levels in the area. I put of some of my charka into the air, effectively creating a sensor field." Haku explained. "I'm still working on it though. Unfortunately, it requires quite a bit of concentration, so it can't be used in battle. At least, not yet." Haku finished, slightly disappointed he was still having trouble with the technique.
Before Naruto's near-death experience, an explanation like that would have gone over his head completely. Now, he understood that air and moisture referred to the wind and water elements, and instantly thought of ninja techniques.
"So that's how it works? That's really cool!" Naruto said excitedly. "Can you teach me how to do it? I might be able to help you with it."
"I might be able to, depending on your elemental affinity." Haku replied. "It requires you to possess a wind and water affinity, as I have both due to my ice release bloodline-limit. I guess we'll have to test your affinity now."
"Okay, but I'm not very good with tests." Naruto joked.
Haku giggled, perpetually amused by Naruto's antics.
'I'm glad you're with us now. Things are definitely looking up for all of us.'
Haku temporarily pushed his happy thoughts aside, and entered lecture mode. Naruto noticed his change of demeanour, and straightened up accordingly.
"The method of determining one's elemental affinity varies between each hidden village. The Hidden Leaf Village uses chakra paper grown from special trees, while the Hidden Mist Village uses a special type of water. The common factor between all methods is that each one causes your chakra to react in different ways according to your element."
Naruto nodded along, in a somewhat understanding manner. It at least made sense to him that each village tests affinities in different ways, using their most common resource.
"We have none of those testing devices available, so we will have to test you the old fashioned way. I will show you how to perform a ninja technique from each element, and we will determine your affinity based on which one you perform best."
At the mention of learning five ninja techniques, even if he might only be able to perform one of them, Naruto's excitement levels skyrocketed.
ZzZzZzZ
On the outskirts of the village, in a cabin near a makeshift quarantine tent, Amaru paced furiously.
'That idiot, that pervert, who the hell does he think he is? Tricking me into going into the hot springs with him. For that matter, why the hell are they mixed bathing only? Don't they know that's just asking for perverts to come out of the woodworks?'
For quite some time now, Amaru had been pacing, while mentally ranting, unable to forget the incident, for reasons she did not know, or did not want to admit.
Needing her assistance, Shinno entered the cabin to check on her. Amaru returned from her break in a bad mood, and Shinno sent her to their cabin to cool down. It would hurt her bedside manner if she maintained her unpleasant attitude, which the dying patients would not appreciate.
"Are you feeling any better?" Shinno asked, although he felt he already knew the answer.
"No." Amaru responded with a shrug.
Amaru stopped her pacing, and sat down on a nearby couch. Shinno took seat on an adjacent couch. Both were silent for a moment, lost in their own thoughts.
"Why don't you tell me what's wrong?" Shinno asked, speaking up first. "It may make you feel better."
Amaru sighed, and began her tale.
"It all started earlier today, when I ran into someone…"
ZzZzZzZ
'Well, that was interesting.' Haku thought to himself.
He had just finished showing Naruto five ninja techniques, one from each element. Haku expected that Naruto may be able to show an inkling of success with one technique. He would then show Naruto the basic elemental manipulation exercise for it, which would keep him busy for some time, until they were ready to resume his normal training.
To Haku's surprise, not only did Naruto perform the wind release: great breakthrough adequately, displaying a powerful wind affinity to compensate for his lack of elemental manipulation, Naruto almost succeeded with the water and earth clone techniques. On the other hand, he failed miserable with the fire release: grand fireball, and lightning release: shadow clone.
'It's obvious that wind is Naruto's primary affinity. That is very good. He may even have a secondary water and earth affinity as well, in equal power with each other. How is that possible? Does he possess a bloodline-limit as I do? Then again, water and earth manipulation are similar. He might just have one as a secondary. Still… '
In the end, Haku decided put the possibility of Naruto having a bloodline-limit aside, adding to the growing mystery that was his new comrade. Naruto could very well have an innate talent with elemental manipulation to explain his skill. Haku was just about to show Naruto the leaf cutting exercise, but Naruto disappeared, leaving only a cloud of smoke.
'He was a shadow clone all along? I guess he ran out of chakra. Oh well, the real Naruto will find out now and find me as well soon enough.'
With that, Haku went back to his exercises. Now that he had his sword back, he would need to maintain the strength necessary to wield it.
ZzZzZzZ
"And that's everything that happened." Amaru said, finishing her tale of adolescent woe.
Shinno kept up a concerned look for Amaru's well being, but he was inwardly groaning at having to deal with his apprentice's boy troubles. This was definitely something he did not enjoy.
"I can see how that would be quite embarrassing," Shinno began, "and how you would think it was a cruel trick. However, from an outside point of view, it sounds like a rather unfortunate, and slightly humorous, accident."
Amaru, having calmed down slightly from telling her story, and possibly from just being in the comforting presence of her master, let out a "hmph", not seeing any humour in the situation at all.
"I'm sure that boy feels just as embarrassed as you do, and wishes to make up for it. If you see him again, you should give him that chance. Right now though, I need my assistant's, well, assistance, and I also need her to be in a bright, smiling mood to give some comfort for those who are suffering and do not have much time left to live. Can I count on you to be that bright assistant?"
Breathing deeply to let out her anger, and knowing she was needed, Amaru finally settled down, and slowly went back to her usual self.
"Alright, I can put aside my anger for now, considering there's people who need me." Amaru said.
"Very good." Was Shinno's simple reply.
'I guess if I saw something like that happen to someone else, it might be kind of funny,' Amaru thought, 'and now that I'm not so angry at him, that boy was kind of cute…'
Having let go of her anger, Amaru's emotions and thoughts shifted accordingly.
"Still, that doesn't mean I'm forgiving him, even if it wasn't; entirely his fault. He has to do something to earn it first." Amaru stated. "What I really want to know is why the hot springs are mixed only? Isn't that just asking for trouble?" Amaru asked Shinno.
"Yes, that's the idea." Shinno replied, taking some pleasure in Amaru's stupefied look. "Due to the recent outbreak of diseases, the population of the country is declining. Changing their hot springs to mixed bathing was one of many methods of increasing the birth rate. Unfortunately, this has had an effect on their tourism industry, which was already quite large. Most of the people getting together as a result are not native to Hot Spring Country. I doubt the policy will be in effect for much longer."
Having heard much stranger tales in her life, as the elemental nations were known as "the place where anything can happen", Amaru accepted Shinno's explanation.
'That's not nearly as bad as the legend of the time a village enacted a clan restoration act. There's a good reason why polygamy is illegal. I wonder if the townsfolk ever found that guy's head?'
Feeling a bit better now, Amaru left for the decontamination showers to prepare for treating their patients again, unaware of Shinno's wicked grin.
ZzZzZzZ
As he continued his exercises, Haku sensed what must be the real Naruto approaching him, not even trying to conceal his approach. He was alone, as his other shadow clones, except for one, were already dispelled.
"You're not even going to try and sneak up on me?" Haku called out to him, pouting slightly, apparently wanting to test Naruto's reflexes again.
"Nah." Naruto responded, waving it off, "you knew I'd be here soon, and with that technique of yours, even is it's incomplete, you'd sense me soon enough." He finished with a shrug.
Looking around, Naruto finally noticed the circular swath of destruction, while Haku took the time to judge Naruto's new suit, something they were too distracted to do before.
"How did you do all this?" Naruto asked, examining some of the smoothly cut rocks and fallen trees in the area.
"It's simple really. I used my sword." Haku replied.
Naruto looked back at Haku incredulously.
"No way, you're not even close to anything, and I don't see a sword anywhere!"
Haku smirked, and raised his right wrist, which had a handkerchief tied around It, to Naruto's point of view. Haku pulled the handkerchief off, revealing an intricate snowflake tattoo.
"You can't see my sword because it's sealed away. I acquired this sealing tattoo only recently, while Kimimaro took my sword to Snow Country for maintenance. I just applied it earlier." Haku said, tying the handkerchief back around his wrist. "As for the range issue, that's due to one of the special properties of my sword, which you'll learn all about when you're ready to challenge me."
Naruto was slightly upset that Haku was keeping his sword's capabilities a secret, but guessed it was so Haku could surprise him with it later. Although Haku had been forthcoming with some of his skills, it was clear that his best ones would be saved for when Naruto was ready to challenge him in a serious spar. That would only occur when Naruto's skills were sufficiently advanced.
"That's pretty cool, but why do you keep it covered up?" Naruto asked, tilting his head like a confused puppy.
"Someday we'll be registered Mist ninja, not tools of a missing-ninja." Haku began with a slightly sad look on his face, and ignoring the look on Naruto's face at the mention of being someone's tool, "this seal will identify me as Haku of the Yuki clan, future member of the Seven Shinobi Swordsman of the Mist. Right now, I'd like to enjoy being Chisato, an ordinary civilian while I still can."
'I guess that makes sense.' Naruto thought to himself. 'It explains why he acts differently, and wears a mask when acting as a ninja. Still, that must cause problems for him…'
Naruto's thoughts were cut short when Haku started speaking again.
"So this is the outfit you picked out? I see you couldn't resist getting something with a little orange."
Naruto's vest was open, exposing the orange parts of his shirt.
"You're not still having any nightmares, or bad visions, are you?" Haku asked in a concerned manner.
Naruto shook his head.
"No, the medication you gave me works great. I haven't had any bad dreams, or any for that matter."
Concerned about Naruto's mental health, Haku used his limited medical knowledge to concoct a potion to keep Naruto from dreaming, and cut off one of the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon's methods of driving him to insanity. Unfortunately, it was only a temporary solution, as not dreaming would eventually have the same effect. At some point, Naruto would have to gain the strength to resist the fox's dark influence on his own.
Uncomfortable with the current topics of his clothes and mental health, Naruto changed it to one he was still somewhat uncomfortable with, but wanted to deal with.
"Say, can help me with something? I met a girl earlier today, and it didn't go too well." Naruto asked Haku, still slightly embarrassed from the experience, or possibly from asking for help with it.
"Sure, I'd be glad to help." Haku replied with a smile, in an almost foreboding manner. It was as if helping Naruto with girl troubles was something he would take a sick pleasure in. "You can tell me all about it while we do our work-out routine. First, make some shadow clones, and I'll direct them into groups to work on strengthening your remaining weaknesses. If you do well enough, you might be able to start elemental manipulation soon."
Excited as ever over the prospect of learning how to be a better ninja, Naruto did as Haku asked. After the shadow clones were divided into teams, Naruto and Haku settled into their work-out routine, and Naruto explained to Haku his unfortunate first meeting with Amaru.
ZzZzZzZ
Having cheered up Amaru, and finished tending to their patients, Shinno retired to his quarters for the night, and began readjusting his plans.
'Today has been most fortuitous for me. Not only have I discovered a boy with a large amount of dark chakra within him, Amaru met him as well. Now, to use this to my advantage.'
Sitting at a desk by the window, Shinno gazed out it at the night sky, his hands intertwined before him in a strangely familiar manner.
'Dealing with teenage anguish was not something I looked forward to when I made Amaru my assistant. Perhaps it's time I cut her loose. Her mood swings will only hurt my goals in the long run.'
Sighing, Shinno lamented the parts of his plan that were unfortunately required, like raising a teenage girl.
'I should be more strict with her. However, I needed to insure her loyalty to me for some time longer. While her present attitude is beneficial to my ultimate plan, for now, I require her to act as my cheerful young assistant.'
Getting up from the desk, as he felt thirsty, Shinno went to the nearby kitchen to pour himself a glass of water.
'While I need Amaru to gather dark chakra, which can easily by done by having her act in a harsh manner with others, causing them to act harshly towards her, I am a doctor first and foremost. A good bedside manner is important. It helps with repeat business, and my reputation.'
Filling the glass, Shinno returned to the desk by the window.
'A grumpy assistant will not help me gain any more business, as people would be more inclined to deny our assistance. Treating unhealthy patients is a good source of dark chakra, and in the long run, a steady source of dark chakra is worth playing the part of the gentle teacher. Now though, I have found a veritable goldmine of dark chakra within that boy.'
As he admired the night sky while quenching his thirst, Shinno continued to formulate his dastardly plans.
'Amaru's attitude problem needs to be solved for now, that is, if I plan on keeping her by my side. She would absorb a much greater amount of dark chakra from prolonged exposure to that boy. That is, if she stays by his side instead of mine. How to get them together though?'
Finished his glass of water, Shinno placed it into the kitchen's sink, and returned to his quarters.
'Yes, I think I know just the way to deal with them, as well as another thorn in my side. I only need one item, just for safety's sake.'
Shinno searched through his notebooks, looking for something specific.
'Ah, here it is.'
Staring at the design for a tracking seal in his notebook, Shinno grinned maliciously.
'Things are beginning to go my way. I may even be able to enact my plans ahead of schedule. If only there was some sort of disaster in the Hidden Leaf Village that would weaken their security, and provide need for a talented doctor…'
Putting his musings an the notebook to the side, Shinno climbed into bed.
'That's enough for tonight. I have much work to do tomorrow. People to heal, old enemies to be alerted of my whereabouts, young lives to be manipulated. All in a days work.'
With that, a man who was planning on someday taking over the world, or destroying it in the process, slept peacefully through the night.
ZzZzZzZ
Making their way back to the inn after a long day of training, as well as coming up with a possible solution for Naruto's situation with Amaru, he and Haku were looking forward to getting some rest. At first, they walked with an arm around each other's shoulder for support, since they were both very tired, but broke apart after a passer-by said they made a cute couple.
"So, how much better do you think I've gotten" Naruto asked Haku.
Glancing around to make sure no one was listening in on them, Haku answered.
"It would be nice to improve your chakra control further, but you've made quite a lot of progress in that area. It's the amount of chakra you possess that's the problem. Most shinobi don't gain the amount you have until they're adults. Since they're gradually increasing their reserves, their control gradually increases as well, making it easier for them to maintain good chakra control. Your large reserves are a double-edged sword, so we'll have to redesign some chakra control exercises to fit your needs."
Naruto nodded along, understanding the emphasis on his chakra control. Due to his large chakra reserves, Naruto would be a powerhouse with ninja techniques. His advantage with his reserves would not be one if he was wasting a large amount of chakra with each technique, hence the need for increasing his control.
"Other then that, you're coming along fine in all other areas, except for illusions. I can't help you there though. It shouldn't matter as the fighting style we developed for you should work quite well, especially with your recent improvements."
Naruto began grinning, both from Haku's praise and the thought of trying out his new style.
'I can't wait to try it out! Zabuza's going to be in for a surprise!'
Since Haku helped him design the tactics for Naruto's new fighting style, it would not be a fair test to spar against him using it. Therefore, Naruto's first serious test with it would be against Zabuza, when he was ready to judge Naruto's skill level. Should he prove sufficiently advanced, Naruto would be ready to begin learning swordplay and the art of silent killing, while continuing learning elemental manipulation and ninja techniques with Haku.
Soon enough, the pair reached their destination. After checking in with Zabuza to inform him of the day's events, and seeing if Kimimaro's condition had improved, Haku claimed the washroom. Too tired to fight for it, in his exhaustion, only now remembering that Haku would be there for some time, Naruto settled for going right to bed.
Passing by the shadow clone that was sent to drop his extra clothes off, and spend it's remaining lifespan studying, Naruto dispelled it. Flooded by a wave of memories and, in his opinion, boring facts, Naruto's mental exhaustion caught up with his physical exhaustion, and he passed out onto his futon, and into a dreamless sleep.
ZzZzZzZ
Author's Notes: I think I've figured out the focus for the story. It'll be centered around the Seven Swordsman, and focus on their bonds with each other and the people in their lives. That doesn't mean there won't be any action, there'll be a bit of everything.
I still didn't explain what Haku's sword does, did I? I'll give you a hint. I came up with it, along with Naruto, Kimimaro, and another person's sword before the canon swords were revealed. Except for Kimimaro's, all of them stay with the fish theme of the swords revealed in the manga. I don't know if, or how, the Thunder Pikes, Helmet Splitter, Splash and Sewing Needle fit the fish theme.
I liked how Shinno's plotting how to make Amaru suffer while going about his mundane nightly routine. I thought it would be better to have his plan explained through his thoughts rather through the narration, which would just explain his actions.
I did once read it's better to keep the villain's plans a secret, so I'm not sure if this was good or not. If I hadn't already explained some of his intentions, anyone who hadn't seen NSTM2:Bonds wouldn't even know he's a villain.
Finally, and most importantly, I'd like to plug another story that deserves some notice. It's "Drabbles and One-Shots" By Garm88. He has some good views on how things in a military village should happen, which is a nice change of pace.
One mini-series within it, "The Demon-Shark and the Fishcake" is worthy of it's own full length fic, if someone with enough skill, talent and experience can come along to make it great. Garm88 is considering doing it himself, so send him some support. It's easily a contender for one of the better "Naruto as a Mist ninja" stories.