Naruto: Lost Arts
Chapter 10: A New Teacher
AN: Hello all, it's been a while hasn't it. For those of you who care this story isn't dead yet I've just had a lack of motivation. Anyway thanks to those who reviewed last chapter, who realize that reviews actually inspire more writing. Oh I've also gone back and corrected the name for the Sandaime for those who care. That said here's the chapter.
Start Now:
It hadn't taken long for the room to empty as those within sought to escape the forest most notably being the gennin. In the end the only one left in the makeshift arena was the Sandaime Hokage himself. He couldn't help but smile in the fact that of all of the combatants for the third portion seven were from the leaf and five of them were rookies. It was actually unheard of for rookie gennin to make it through to the third round.
"So that was him, he's gotten strong." Came a baritone voice breaking him from his thoughts.
Turning towards the voice the old man was greeted to the sight of a large man about 6'3". He had long spiky white hair with two bangs that framed each side of his face. Red lines ran down his face from under his eyes and he wore a horned forehead protector with the kanji for 'oil' upon it. He wore a pair of green pants with a matching short shirt kimono under which he wore mesh armor which could be seen from both the sleeves and legs of his outfit along with the portion of his exposed chest. He wore a red haori with two yellow circles seen one before each of his shoulders. He wore geta upon his feet and a large scroll could be seen on his back.
"It's good to see you again Jiraiya-kun."
The newly named Jiraiya was a bit surprised to hear the sincerity in the old mans words but smiled at the man nonetheless. In truth Sarutobi was pleased to see his old student once again even if the two hadn't parted in good ways a fact that he regretted.
"He looks just like him at that age." Said Jiraiya.
"That he does, sometimes I look at him and think he is him." Said the old man wistfully.
"Come we have much to discuss." Said the old man after a few moments before the two disappeared in twin swirls of leaves.
Naruto was happy when he was released from the hospital finding his teammates already waiting for him at the check out. Despite being the strongest on his team he was still the only one injured, and while most injuries he could ignore until they healed naturally he couldn't hear shit out his left ear after that first attack. Apparently one of his eardrums had been ruptured but it had been simple enough for the medics to heal thanks to his own ability and it would only be easier if it ever happened again.
While most people thought he healed all injuries naturally that was actually wrong. His body could only repair the injuries he'd sustained before and despite having been in the same class as Ino and Sakura at their worst his eardrums had never been ruptured. After he signed out the trio wasted no time in moving to the next destination, Ichiraku's. Unfortunately their trip was stopped at the hospital doors as an ANBU member appeared before them.
Uchiha Sasuke had wasted no time leaving the forest and had took off as soon as they were let out. His fist clenched as he made his way through the deserted Uchiha district towards his old home. He had long since left this place behind him and moved in to one of the more upper class apartments in the village. Still he navigated the place with the ease that only someone who'd lived there for a while could do. It didn't take him long to reach his old home and throw open the door that had been unlocked.
Moving through the threshold and the house double tomoe'd scarlet red eyes scanned the building from what he could see before he moved further inside. It didn't take long for him to find the person as he was sitting back on the couch as if all was right with the world infuriating the teen.
"You have a lot of nerve coming back here after what you did." Snarled the young Uchiha.
Uchiha Itachi regarded the boy for but a moment his own triple tomoe'd scarlet eyes boring into the younger boys.
"Sit down Sasuke; you will not like what you hear."
Sasuke scoffed at the monotone voice and continued to stand aiming his best glare at his unfazed elder brother. As it was it was taking everything he had to not lunge at the person who'd been the bane of his existence for so long now that he was just in front of him but he was managing as best he could. Finally he moved and took a seat seeing the elder Uchiha was just staring at him until he would do as told.
"As I told you in the forest the events of that night were not what they seemed. Contrary to my words I did not kill off the clan so that I could 'measure my abilities', you who knew me best should have seen that." Started Itachi calmly without even the blink of an eye.
"In reality the events of that night started several years previous on the night of the Kyuubi attack. While many believe the attack was a fluke the truth is that the Kyuubi was purposefully released and summoned to attack and destroy us. What many also don't know is that before that time the Kyuubi had been safely sealed away within the village. Someone however found out about it, that someone was named Uchiha Madara. Using his Sharingan eyes he released the Kyuubi and forced it to attack.
In the aftermath while many tried to push thoughts of the cause away there were some that didn't they being the Sandaime, the three heads of the elder council, and Jiraiya of the Sannin who had been the Yondaime's teacher. Jiraiya left the village hoping to track down anyone who might have been a key to the foxes attack. The elders however had different ideas, as they were old enough to remember some things about the Uchiha, things most had forgotten including the Uchiha, chiefly being that the Sharingan can influence the Kyuubi.
Needless to say this sparked a lot of conflict one that lasted for years. Over the years certain members of the clan began to resent the council, and the Hokage for what was in their minds their blatant disrespect for our clan when it was us who helped to found the village. With that in mind they began to plot a coup. Sensing the growing hostilities between the clan and the village the Sandaime approached me and tasked me with acting as a mediator of sorts or a go between.
Peace talks were futile as father refused all avenues the Hokage set up already intent on taking complete power. Finally I was tasked with putting a stop to it by the three elders, without the Sandaime's notice. My goal was to kill anyone who was going to act with this coup. What I didn't know was that Madara was in the village once again and while I was off dealing with those responsible he was taking out the rest of the clan. You arrived just in time to see him finishing the Uchiha which had been his goal from the start. When I arrived hearing your screams Tsukuyomi was already in place so I ran damage control as best I could. With my own Mangekyo I was able to alter what you were seeing a bit and left hoping in time you would be able to see the flaws and clues I purposely placed and determine that what you saw wasn't what happened.
While Madara fled I chose instead to report to the Sandaime and inform him of what happened. Needless to say he was displeased but tasked me with an S-class undercover assignment. I was to track down the person responsible and find out all I could as such I was classed an S-class missing nin taking full credit for the massacre and receiving a flee on sight order as Sandaime's way of protecting me while I was assured that you would be protected as well. Eventually a came across a man named Pein who ran an organization called Akatsuki which I joined.
I first joined due to learning they intended to track down and capture all of the bijuu to use as a weapon. I would later discover that Madara was hiding within the shadows of the organization is its true leader and had entirely different plans, plans we could not allow to come to fruition. Finally a task force was set up to eliminate the Akatsuki comprised of myself Jiraiya, and Tsunade of the Sannin and even Pein and his second who ironically enough Jiraiya initially trained. Unfortunately Madara managed to escape but by that point enough had been done and I was allowed to return." Finished the elder Uchiha.
Sasuke was silent as he absorbed all the information he was given. He had never thought about what he had seen that night, he only focused on what he knew. He knew his clan was massacred, he knew Itachi took credit and that's all he had needed to focus on. This new information however was forcing him to actually think about everything he saw that night and even before that. As the young Uchiha lost himself in his thoughts the elder simply sat back and waited for the boy to finish.
It hadn't taken the members of team eight long to reach the tower. Once they did they were immediately led into the Hokage's office while the doors shut behind them. Once inside Naruto took a moment to look over everyone. For starters besides the Hokage he noticed his sensei Kurenei was in the room as were Gai and Lee along with one more massive male figure.
"Ah good you've arrived." Said Hizuren breaking Naruto from his observations.
"Now then team eight I'd like to personally thank you for the information you gave to Iruka after you arrived at the tower. Due to this information we have learned that the entire cell containing Yakushi Kabuto were spies. After interrogating Akado Yoroi as well as Tsurugi Misumi we have been able to learn of an impending invasion that will begin during the tournament in two months time."
As the old man said this wide eyes covered the room yet the old man held his hand up silencing them before anyone could even open their mouths.
"This invasion will be lead by Orochimaru's Oto village backed by the shinobi of Suna. Now then Gai, Kurenei for right now I'm going to have to reassign you so that you can help in the preparations for the counter. Hyuga Neji will be receiving further training from his clan, for the moment Gai. Shino your father will also be stepping up your training to prepare you for the invasion. As for you three, Naruto, Hinata, Lee the three of you will be out of the village with Jiraiya for the next two months."
As he said this he motioned to the large man beside his desk. Naruto blinked at this before going wide eyed in shock his mouth dropping open.
"Yes Naruto-kun this man is the same one who trained the Yondaime. Now I haven't interfered in your training since you took the scroll from the library all those years ago but now I have no choice." Said the Sandaime.
"You knew?" questioned the blond in shock.
"Of course I knew, I put it there remember. I also know that you gave Hinata and Lee a set of styles to learn as well. While you have progressed greatly the final levels of those styles can only be learned when you have another set of knowledge. As such like he did the Yondaime before you Jiraiya will be taking the three of you to the Temple of Fire for the next stage of your training. I will tell you ahead of time that the nature of what you will be learning will be labeled as an S-rank mission and secret. Meaning the things that you learn must never be taught outside of that ground or without their permission. Not everyone can learn what you'll be learning as the skill can literally kill those trying to learn it without the ability that the three of you have."
"I don't understand; what ability?" questioned Hinata.
"The ability he is talking about is the ability to manipulate a very rare type of chakra. Each of you has been reported capable of using this chakra as well. Hinata-chan you were discovered capable during your meditation when a patrolling ANBU member spotted the chakra around you. Lee you were much the same except instead of meditating it was discovered while you were exhausted and trying to push yourself to continue training. Finally Naruto you showed the ability on the bridge in Nami no Kuni during your battle with Zabuza and his men. This chakra is called Hado, unfortunately I don't know more than that as I am not a practitioner of the skill."
"The three of you will learn more at the temple. Pack enough clothing to last the entire two month period; we will leave at 0700 tomorrow." Said Jiraiya almost as soon as the Sandaime finished speaking.
Konoha's information system was without doubt the most efficient in all of the Elemental Nations. If there was news or gossip needed to be spread there were procedures set up to allow the information to spread quickly. One such example would be the news of a preliminary tournament to be held for the chuunin exams. While this may seem like nothing serious the fact remained that Konoha hadn't had a preliminary in the last five times the exams came to them and considering they were held twice a year and always in a different one of the five great villages that was saying something.
As such it was no surprise that within an hour the results of the preliminaries and the match ups for the finals had spread throughout the village reaching even the various clan heads, Hyuga Hiashi was one such clan head. Hiashi was quite pleased that out of all the active clans in Konoha he was one of the three with clan members competing in the finals and the only one with two members competing. Even further however he was extremely pleased with his daughters victory over the Yondaime Kazekage's second born. While his nephew Neji had won due to forfeit he was still proud that the boy was advancing.
That pride however was barred as the two would be pitted against each other for the finals very first matchup. Despite all the negative comments and actions he had directed at the girl over the years he was still her father at the thought of her facing Neji of all people was nearly enough to force his stoic visage to break. While Hinata had proven herself skilled in the last few months Neji was a certified genius in their clans arts, the most gifted seen in the last century. Even more the boy had a profound and from his view righteous hatred of the Main family, Hinata being the heiress took the brunt of that hatred. It was for this reason that he had decided he would dedicate his next two months two her training so that even if she lost she'd survive.
His thoughts on the matter however were cut off and the man quickly composed himself as the door to his study opened. He had left explicit instructions that Hinata be led to him immediately upon her return and had already prepared for her arrival. Such preparations however quickly went void as the person that entered was not his daughter, but a man who's very presence forced his stoic visage to shatter like glass and forced the horror he felt to the surface. Standing in front of him was the Sannin Jiraiya, and he looked pissed.
"I'm going to talk. You will listen, you will not interrupt and then you will answer."
"Of course Gakufu-sama." Said Hiashi shortly not even bothering to try and hid his fear.
Not many knew it but Jiraiya was indeed the father-in-law of Hyuga Hiashi. In his youth the man had proven himself to be quite the ladies man and had fathered a daughter of his own he'd named Hikari. To the few who knew the secret of the girls identity had always remarked that if Jiraiya was anything, he was a good father. The man had forbidden the girl from taking on the shinobi life style however which had apparently suited her just fine.
Despite this however she was still the best friend of Jiraiya's prized student who would grow up to become the Yondaime Hokage. It was through this friendship that she and Hiashi met, where she proceeded to gently remove the stick from the at the time spoiled clan heir's ass. When Hiashi was pressured to find himself a wife or have one chosen he'd asked Hikari who had accepted.
Jiraiya however had not been pleased. Of course it was no secret to Hiashi the reason why as not only did the man not approve of him for his daughter, but he felt that his clan was barbaric to force slavery on itself and then arrogantly strut around Konoha claiming nobility.
"I had an interesting talk with young Hinata not long ago. Now imagine my surprise that when I mentioned her mother, my daughter that she informed me died seven years ago. Even more the girl has no clue of her relation to me. She and I talked for quite a bit; imagine my shock to learn of the abuse you and this clan has put her through over the years both mental and physical. Now first question, why did you not contact me about my daughter's death?"
"There was no way. I was aware of the messenger scroll you left with her, when I went to use it I found it gone and assumed she had already used it to send you a message." Explained Hiashi.
Jiraiya frowned at that, he had indeed set up a system to keep in contact with his daughter. The system was a scroll which was used to write messages between them to keep in touch. Once used the scroll would be sent to the Mount Myobuku where one of the younger toads would deliver it to its receiver. However he had never received it after sending his last message which means someone else knew of it and took it.
"What was the cause of her death?" asked Jiraiya with narrowed eyes.
"She died during childbirth." Said Hiashi causing Jiraiya to grit his teeth as he resisted the urge to smack the man.
"So you didn't check for anything that might have caused it, like say poison." Said Jiraiya.
"There was no need; the only ones near her during her pregnancy were Hyuga clan members as she stayed within the compound."
"Then it is obvious that someone in the clan was responsible for her death." Said Jiraiya causing Hiashi's eyes to narrow.
"Oh don't tell me you never thought of it! Baka-gaki Hikari was not well liked by your elders and there are several members of the village council that disliked her as well. After all it was through her efforts that Naruto remained safe and untouched by the council for seven years and she had nearly had the usage and application of that cage bird seal forbidden. I am taking Hinata for training at the Fire temple for the next two months you have until I return to find out who killed my daughter. If you don't by that time the only members of the main family left will be Hinata and Hanabi by the time I'm done."
With that said Abura Jiraiya the man known as the strongest and scariest of the Sannin, teacher of the Yondaime Hokage left the room and the compound leaving a pale Hyuga head in his wake.
They had left the village with zero fanfare the three gennin all carrying packs before Jiraiya sealed each away into scrolls which he gave them to carry. They had stopped to eat at around ten and were now preparing to began moving again when Jiraiya spoke up.
"Alright I have something for each of you to work on along our way to the temple. At our current travel rate it will take us about a week to get there and each of you can do this while we travel. Lee your going to work on relaxing yourself. According to Gai you don't take days off which can be detrimental to your abilities. So for today all you will do is relax and enjoy the walk, you will also remove your weights to do so."
Lee frowned at this but complied figuring that the Sannin would obviously know what he was talking about. With that he removed the weights from his vest as well as those that he had strapped to his ankles beneath his pants. Immediately he felt light as a feather and had to resist the immediate urge to begin running.
"Hinata I want you to read this. It is a beginner's guide to the world of medicine which you seem to have a knack to." Said Jiraiya presenting the girl with a book.
"Naruto you'll begin working on a new technique. Kurenei has informed me of the lack of ninjutsu in your arsenal this will help fix it. This is an A-rank jutsu that must be learned in stages developed by the Yondaime. It is one of the list of things he left for you to learn." Explained Jiraiya.
"He left things for me?" said Naruto in a confused tone.
"Hai it was his form of compensation for using you as he did. He left you a lot which the council has been trying to keep from you. It's really moot at the moment because most of it you couldn't claim until you reach chuunin in rank or turn sixteen." Explained Jiraiya.
"Is this about the Kyuubi?" questioned Lee curiously causing Jiraiya to blink before he shrugged.
"That's part of the reason, yes." Said Jiraiya.
With that said Jiraiya removed to balloons which he quickly filled with water before tying one of which he tossed to Naruto who caught it with a confused look on his face.
"The first step is popping the balloon." Said Jiraiya before holding his own balloon up which he proceeded to pop rather quickly.
"The key in this stage is rotation. What you want to do is focus your chakra to rotate within the balloon as quickly as possible. At the same time you need to focus multiple streams of chakra to do so to make the balloon pop. This will in affect double as a chakra control exercise for you."
Naruto frowned as he held onto the newly made water balloon. While most would consider the exercise easy he new better. While channeling chakra in streams was easy doing so from multiple release points in multiple directions was actually incredibly hard. He had actually sat down with the Sandaime and talked to him about the subject for a good two hours after getting the idea of a jutsu a few years back.
"This reminds me of an idea I had once." Said Naruto catching everyone's attention.
"Oh, tell me." Said Jiraiya with curiosity evident.
"I had done some research on the bijuu a few years back when I came across an attack commonly used by the bijuu known as the Imari. The attack was essentially a giant ball of chakra that they swallowed before releasing in a giant blast of power. My idea was to recreate it but instead of swallowing the attack it would launch from the hand. Jiji however told me it was impossible not only would it take a phenomenal level of control but an insane amount of chakra as well."
For a moment Jiraiya was silent as he looked at Naruto with an unreadable expression before he burst out laughing much to the shock of the three gennin. Jiraiya laughed so hard he had folded over on the ground as tears leaked from his eyes before he finally managed to bring it to a halt and compose himself.
"You two are way too similar gaki." Said Jiraiya as he wiped the tear streaks from his face and stood up.
"This technique the Rasengan that the Yondaime created was actually based on the Imari. In fact the process for forming it is essentially the same. Yondaime actually realized the same thing Sarutobi-sensei told you and thus came up with rotating the chakra within to control it. He also realized that a blast would take to much chakra and instead decided to add his elemental chakra to it. Unfortunately he never got to that stage as the Kyuubi attacked, so the Rasengan is actually an incomplete jutsu yet still powerful enough to be classified as an A-rank technique."
At this news all three were shocked, Hinata and Lee at the power behind the technique even incomplete and Naruto over the fact that he thought on the same wavelength as the Yondaime, he was also mentally smacking himself for not thinking of rotating the chakra. Sure it wouldn't fire off as a blast and would have to be a close range technique to be usable at first. The addition of an element to it would actually bring out a whole new level of power and would actually bring it to a high S-rank level.
"Now when we get to the temple I actually have a few things for you both to read over Naruto, Hinata. You were both supposed to receive them a few years ago but your two councils felt they could hold them from you. I took yours from your father yesterday Hinata and yours from sensei Naruto." Explained Jiraiya getting nods from the two teens.
"Now I won't be focusing much on any of you as that would be unfair. Instead your training will be handled by the temple monks for the most part." Explained Jiraiya getting nods from the three teens before they all went on their way.
The rest of the journey to the temple had proven uneventful. It had taken three days for Naruto to burst the first balloon and by the end of the third day he was able to do it in seconds. Following this he'd been introduced to the second step which focused on power. He was presented with a rubber ball which he was supposed to use the air within to burst. Hinata spent her time pouring over medical text and working on her chakra control, she had noticed significant improvements in both her control and the size of her reserves. Lee however spent the time getting used to his movement without the weights and sparring with Jiraiya.
In that time Jiraiya had also allowed Naruto to sign the Toad Summoning Contract explaining that the Yondaime had wished him to be the one to sign for his generation. Naruto had happily obliged and taken the time to get to know the younger summons. His favorite was a small orange toad named Gamakichi who he had managed to summon on his first try. Jiraiya had wanted him to work on controlling the foxes chakra but he had declined explaining that drawing too much of the foxes chakra actually hurts him and shortens his life span according to his doctors.
Finally however they arrived at the entrance to the Fire Temple. The temple itself was massive and surrounded by nature in all its glory. On the north, east, and west sides one could see mountains in the distance while the south had a large field. There were a pair of large bronze statues one on each side of the entrance portraying the Tengu and Yamabushi that stood at least twenty feet tall much like the doors.
No one spoke as they reached the doors; instead each of them took on a meditative position almost immediately. On the first day Jiraiya had told them of the rules of the temple and that they wouldn't let just anyone in. Instead one had to show patience and respect and wait for them to allow entrance which could take anywhere from one to five hours. As Naruto settled down himself he only hoped that it didn't take forever.
AN: Well that's it for this chapter. It was originally going to be longer but I changed my mind and decided to save it for the next chapter. That said thanks for reading and leave me reviews. Till next time; LATER.