Chapter Ten: An Era Of Changes
(The Next Day; In Tsunade's Office)
"Sai," Naruto exclaimed, "It's you again!"
"It's nice to see you again Naruto-kun," Sai replied. Tsunade, Kakashi and Sakura looked at the two boys questionably.
"You both know each other already," Kakashi asked.
"We had a ninja's introduction you can say," Sai remarked, "Naruto-kun's skills were more than I expected. I'll keep in mind to not to underestimate him again."
Naruto turned back to Tsunade and asked, "Why is he here?"
"I told you already," Sai said, "I'm the official new member of Team 7."
Sakura couldn't believe what she heard. She and Naruto looked back at Kakashi and Tsunade for confirmation.
"Yes," Tsunade confirmed, "Effective immediately Sai is now part of Team 7 and Uchiha Sasuke…"
(Flashback; Several Hours Earlier)
Jiraiya stirred and moved slightly before his eyes slowly opened and adjusted to the lighting coming from the window. The morning sun was radiating its golden rays over the village, signaling the start of a new day with its new beginning. The Toad Sage stretched and yawned groggily as he sat up from his futon.
"I better get cleaned up and prepare Naruto for the day," Jiraiya said to himself as he rose up and headed to the bathroom. Reaching the room, he stepped in and spent the next ten minutes cleaning himself up. He then returned to his room and dressed himself in his custom ninja clothes. Leaving the room again, he headed to Naruto's room and opened the door expecting to find the blonde sleeping. To Jiraiya's surprise, Naruto was gone and from the look of things, it was clear that Naruto wasn't in his room for quite a while, perhaps for an hour or two.
The old pervert stepped into the room and found a note on the futon. Picking the note up, he read the message:
Gone to train. Don't worry about breakfast Ero-daifu. I helped myself to whatever you had in your refrigerator.
PS:
You still owe me my money you spent on those broads while we were searching for Tsunade-no-baachan.
"That gaki," Jiraiya muttered under his breath. Clearly Naruto intentionally neglected to tell him where he was training and when he'd return.
(At One Of The Training Grounds)
Naruto was breathing hard and on his knee using his naginata for support while being surrounding by kage bushins. After spending the first half hour mediating and performing chakra exercises to help build up his chakra control, she spent the next two hours putting himself through intense training and spar exercise with his naginata. Though he had the in-depth knowledge of the use of the naginata, his body was from far used to it. He had a long way to go to train his body to be fluid and swift with the use of his weapon of choice. Like him, his clones also had naginatas and earlier they were all coming at him.
So far, Naruto sustained a number of cuts and slashes on his body, staining his blue and orange training clothes with his blood.
"Ready for more," one of the kage bushins asked pointing his naginata at him. Naruto stood back up with a smirk on his face.
"Let's dance!," Naruto challenged as he and his kage bushins charged at each other.
(Meanwhile)
Konohamaru was reading one of the scrolls talking about the stamina and exercises needed for training in the art of the naginata. He had some time left before he had to make his way to the academy with his two friends. He was still wary about some of the teachers at the academy and his relationship with his uncle and Ebisu have been strained ever since he learned the truth about Naruto. In fact, Konohamaru hadn't spoken with Ebisu in days and the young boy barely spoke with Asuma either. Rather than pushing the matter, Asuma decided to give his nephew his space.
"I hope niichan won't take too long before he starts training me," Konohamaru said to himself, "I know he told me that it would be some time before he's physically fit to teach and train me in using the nagjnata, but it almost feels like it'll be forever."
A minute later, a knock came at the door.
"Konohamaru-kun," a maid said behind the door, "It's time for school. Your friends Udon and Moegi are at the front door waiting for you."
"I'll be there in a minute," Konohamaru responded as he marked where he was leaving off at in the scroll before rolling the scroll close and putting it away in his backpack to read later. Getting his things together, the young Sarutobi hurried out of his room and made his way to the front entrance of the house where his sandals were. After putting them on, he stepped out of the house to find Moegi and Udon waiting from his just outside.
"Konohamaru-chan," Moegi smiled and greeted.
"Ready to go," Udon asked. Konohamaru nodded and started on his way with his friends following close by beside him at his left and right. While walking, Konohamaru was trying his hardest to memorize the portion of the scroll he read earlier. So far he managed to call to mind some of the things he studied about but still not the amount he wanted to remember.
"Konohamaru-chan," Moegi said, only not to be given a response. She repeated, "Konohamaru-chan?"
Konohamaru snapped out of his trance and looked to his right at the young girl.
"Is something the matter," Moegi asked with worry, "You looked like you were thinking hard about something."
"Sorry if I worried you," Konohamaru replied, "I was just trying to remember something I read."
"Do you remember what it was about," Udon asked.
"It was something I was looking into in order to strengthen my ninja training," Konohamaru said, "But it's not too big a deal. I'll just go back to reading that scroll again later."
"Was it given to you by Ebisu-san," Udon inquired.
"No," Konohamaru said, "Knowing him, he would stick to giving me some useless short cut. I got that scroll from out of the library several days ago. I don't have to return it until sometime next week."
For the next twenty minutes the trio conversed with each until they reached the academy ground where all the other students were entering from. They made their way to Iruka's class and took their respective seating in the classroom. Ten minutes later Iruka entered the class and closed the door behind him.
"Good morning class," Iruka greeted. Everyone just gave Iruka a silent nod.
At least they don't give me as much of a cold shoulder like the other teachers have to deal with, Iruka thought, knowing that the students were still having trust issues with the teachers of the academy.
(Two Hours Later)
Naruto was sore and exhausted. His body was in pain all over with cuts, bruises and slash marks around his body. He was still a very long way from reaching N. Naruto's physical level and he knew he wouldn't be reaching N. Naruto's level anytime soon.
I hope I don't collapse and die trying to attain niichan's level, Naruto thought while making his way back to the house. While on his way, a figure was following him from the shadows among the trees. Jumping to the trees stealthily, the figure sat on one of the branches and pulled out his drawing board, paint brush and ink bottle. After preparing himself, he sketched several animal paintings on his drawing canvas.
Naruto continued on his way when he was suddenly attacked and pounced on by what appeared to be a large black and while tiger. The tiger roared and fiercely pinned Naruto to the ground from behind, digging its claws into his back. Naruto puffed into smoke, revealing itself to be a kage bushin.
The real Naruto emerged from the ground with a Rasengan in had, destroying the tiger instantly. More tigers paintings came at Naruto, but Naruto performed a wind force manipulation jutsu that shredded and splattered all of the tigers that came at him. Naruto then looked up to see a pale skinned boy his age looking back at him with his trademark fake smile.
So Sai has arrived, 'N. Naruto' said.
So he's Sai, Naruto inquired.
Yes, but don't let on that you already know of him.
Naruto mentally nodded in understanding.
"Who are you," Naruto asked as he took a ready to fight stance, "You wear the Konoha insignia yet you attack me. Is it because I'm the container of that stupid fox?"
Still holding onto his fake smile, Sai replied, "I'm Sai. And my reason for attacking you has nothing to do with you being the Jinchuuriki of Kyuubi. I just wanted to make sure that you weren't as dick-less as I once thought you to be."
Naruto gagged at Sai's remark to him.
"I'm pleased to see that you got balls and that you're not a pussy," Sai added.
"What was that!," Naruto shouted, "Teme!"
Yeah, I should have warned you about Sai's potty mouth demeanor. And if I'm correct, he have less than flattering opinions about Sakura and Sasuke too. Best not to underestimate him though, remember he's under Danzo working for the Root ANBU.
"We're going to be working together for now on Naruto," Sai said, "I'm the new member of Team 7."
"Huh!," Naruto said, "I wasn't told about this."
"Tsunade-sama will fill you in on all the details," Sai said, "It has been arranged and made official by the Hokage herself: I'm Uchiha Sasuke's replacement."
"Replacement," Naruto replied, "I don't believe you!"
"Understandable considering what transpired earlier," Sai said, "If you like, we can find Sakura and Kakashi-sensei together and meet with Tsunade-sama."
"I don't even know you and you expect me to trust you like that," Naruto remarked, "What's to say that you won't just lure me into an awaiting ambush?"
"And you got brains too besides a dick," Sai remarked cynically, "You came a long way from being the academy's dick-less dead last and that she-male's personal punching bag."
Naruto's right eye was twitching as he held himself from lunging at Sai.
I'm sure that was Sakura he was describing, 'N. Naruto' clarified.
"If we're to be on the same team as you're trying to get me into believing," Naruto said, "You're getting off to a very bad start with me."
Sai analyzed Naruto carefully. Based on what he read about Naruto from his records, he expected the blond Genin to go into a rage and want to rush in and fight him in blind anger after provoking him enough.
This Naruto before me is different, Sai contemplated, He's more than I expected from him.
"I'll be at the Hokage Tower later this morning," Sai said as he stood up on the branch, "I'll be looking forward to our second meeting with you then."
Sai performed an ink Shunshin and left the scene.
I don't like him, Naruto remarked.
He'll take getting used to, 'N. Naruto' said.
I won't accept him as Sasuke's replacement, Naruto retorted.
Deal with it, 'N. Naruto' remarked sternly.
Naruto was taken aback by 'N. Naruto's' changed demeanor.
Like it or not, 'N. Naruto' continued, Sai is part of your team now and despite whatever differences surface between you, him and Sakura, you're going to have to learn to work with him, especially since there will be missions that will require trust and confidence in each other from all three of you when faced off against deadly enemies. If you let something as foolish as holding a traitor who tried to kill you in higher regards hold you back from accepting Sai, you're placing yourself in a very steep disadvantage and bad light!
Now wait just a minute, Naruto argued, You can't just-
You may not like the idea of Sasuke being replaced or talked bad about regardless of how true it is, but if you ever wish to be acknowledged as a true clan leader and gain a seat on the shinobi council, then you're going to have to shape up and learn to accept and embrace cold hard truths that you won't always like, let alone be able to change!
I won't repeat Rurouni No Daisuke's words to you but many of what he said of Sasuke's action held truths to them! You may not like or want to hear this, even from me, but you're going to have to grow up and become a man in accepting reality for what it is! Even though you've been infused with experiences from your counterpart, you're going have to grow and mature the rest of the way from it. And holding onto the past isn't an act of maturity. It's depressing, self-defeating and dangerous goddamn it!
Just look at what it did to the morale of the villagers. They held onto stupid grudges for what Kyuubi did and cowardly used you as their scapegoat. In short, nothing good came out of their holding onto the past. Holding onto memories of things that once were will only hold you back from advancing into the great ninja you desire to become.
Naruto never liked when he heard negative things said about Sasuke to his face. But hearing it coming from within his own self gave him a feeling he couldn't describe in words. What added more to this was that it was his own subconscious and will giving him this verbal lashing.
Your counterpart didn't become who he is by holding onto the past and the things that used to be. No, he held onto the present and the people who were always with him, people who he trusted as he family and closest friends and they in turn trusted him with their lives and other things of value to them. That was one of the many factors that made him a strong minded and willed man and shinobi. He knew what mattered most and cherished it, doing everything in his power to protect it.
I swore a promise of a lifetime to Sakura that I'd get Sasuke back for her, Naruto argued, I'm a man who values the promises I make and I'm not someone who goes back on the promises I make.
A commendable trait, only when used wisely.
What do you mean, Naruto asked.
What I mean is that this promise to get Sasuke back for Sakura's sake will only lead you to stab yourself all over with a great deal of sorrow and pain. Sakura's begging you to bring Sasuke back to her knowingly disregarding Sasuke's actions, was selfish and it nearly got you, Shikamaru and the others killed, and in your case more than once. You think of Sasuke as your closest friend yet he not once hesitated to try to kill you, once by breaking your neck and the other time by plunging a Chidori through your chest. On both occasions you'd have been dead had it not been for Kyuubi's reviving your body.
But Sasuke didn't kill me, Naruto replied, He spared me.
On a whim I'm sure. Knowing his reasons, it was anything but out of friendship. He left you and Konoha for power, seeking it from a traitorous Sannin responsible for Sandaime-jiisan's death and the deaths of other innocent people of the village you seek to protect. What were Kakashi's words to you about those who betray their comrades? He did not say that they were lower than trash? So why do you seek to bring Sakura something lower than trash?
Naruto cringed at 'N. Naruto's' harsh logic, especially after hearing his last statement.
Niichan did this!, Naruto figured, He put his thoughts into my mind in his effort to-
Your counterpart did no such thing, 'N. Naruto' calmly rebuked, You should be ashamed of yourself for even thinking that he'd force his will on you after saying to you personally he didn't come to force you to change your mind about Sasuke.
You honestly think that your counterpart went through so much trouble and consideration on your behalf to impart his gifts to you in the effort to change your mind about Sasuke? How do you suppose he'd feel if he were here to hear you say that to his face, after he went through so much trouble trying to protect you and restore what rightfully belongs to you? Do you honestly value the past and a traitorous comrade over someone who loved and cherished you as his beloved little brother, and gone through great lengths to ensure a better future for you, something no one else has done for you?
Naruto wasn't able to hide his shame as several tears spilled from down his eyes. He was expecting to hear more of 'N. Naruto's' words to him, but they never came. Naruto wiped his eyes and took a few minutes to compose himself before resuming his trek back to the house. 'N. Naruto's' never left his mind as he contemplated his words.
(Meanwhile At The Hokage Tower)
Tsunade was walking through the deep archives of the Hokage vault looking through heavily classified records that only the Hokages were allowed to see. Scrolls written by her grandfather Hashirama, and her granduncle Tobirama were among them. Many of which were personal journals documenting accounts of their exploits. As she was about to leave the vault, her eyes came across a peculiar diary. Letting curiously get the better of her, she went over to the diary and unsealed it. Reading through it, she found that it was a fully detailed journal written by Sarutobi Hiruzen. It wasn't the only journal the late Sandaime written but something about the journal Tsunade was holding stood out to her. It possessed they seals of both the Senju and Uchiha clan.
"Why would Sarutobi-sensei have a journal about my clan and the Uchihas," Tsunade asked her herself as she started reading into it. Upon reading deeper into the diary, what she discovered within its writings shocked and froze her in place. After making sure no one else was around, she continued reading the journal further. She read every letter of it, making sure she didn't miss anything. It took her about forty-eight minutes to finish reading the journal. When she was done, she found Hiruzen's personal signature and seal written and stamped in it, irrefutably solidifying its authenticity.
"You were such an old fool Sarutobi-sensei," Tsunade sighed heavily after discovering one of Konoha's darkest secrets that Hiruzen, Danzo, Homura and Koharu hoped would never see the light of day. But for what it was worth, she didn't know which was worse, what she discovered from the journal or the years of abuse Naruto was forced to endure which in a large way was connected to what she read.
"You kept Itachi's promise and carried it to your gave for Sasuke's sake," Tsunade said, "But you did only do so much for Naruto."
Tsunade took a moment to control her emotions after taking a few breaths. Finding a small empty scroll, she took it and wrote a seal onto it. Placing the book down the scroll, she sealed the book into the seal and rolled the scroll close. Placing the scroll into her pocket, she stepped out and closed the vault shut, sealing it close.
She wasn't going to allow Homura, Koharu and Danzo to get a hold of the tangible proof Hiruzen knowingly left behind linking the truth to why the Uchiha clan was destroyed. The question she had was how she was going to use it, especially since she wasn't around when Sarutobi made that promise to Itachi. She stopped walking when thought about the how Sasuke willfully betrayed Konoha whereas Itachi did what he had to in order to stop a civil war from erupting which would have triggered the next Great Shinobi World War. Itachi accepted and took the fall as a traitor and missing-nin for the sake of preventing his traitorous clan's reputation from being smeared. Then he blackmailed Danzo in order to prevent himself from doing anything to Sasuke. For what it was worth, Sasuke inverted everything Itachi gave his Konoha life and reputation for.
And to make things more complicated, Naruto was hell bent on getting Sasuke back and returning him to Konoha. Though recent events have calmed Naruto's ever burning zeal to go after Sasuke, Tsunade wondered if down the line Naruto would use his clan's influence to sponsor another attempt to go after Sasuke.
"I rather not think about that," Tsunade sighed as she started walking from the archive chamber and back to her office.
(Meanwhile)
Naruto was back in house sitting at the table and staring at his food. He returned without saying much to Jiraiya before and after cleaning himself up.
"What's troubling you gaki," Jiraiya asked, "You hardly touched your food and you look like something caved in inside you."
You have no idea how close to the truth you are ero-daifu, Naruto thought, "Just a lot on my mind really."
"Want to share it with me," Jiraiya asked offering his attention. Naruto thought about it, remembering Jiraiya's words to him about how he tried to get Orochimaru to come back to Konoha. But his current situation wasn't something Jiraiya could relate to, let alone understand.
"Were there times you wished things could go back to the way they were," Naruto asked.
"What do you mean," Jiraiya asked.
"Orochimaru was your teammate, as was baachan," Naruto went on, "You three were comrades and experienced a great deal together, during both good and bad times before Orochimaru deserted and betrayed Konoha and everything that ever trusted him, including you. Have there ever been times you wished you could turn back the clock and prevent the things that led up to Orochimaru's betrayal?"
"This is about Sasuke, isn't it," Jiraiya interpreted. Naruto wordlessly nodded. The Sage let out a low breath before taking a seat in front of his godson.
"There have been times I felt that way I will admit," Jiraiya said, "But I came to the realization that harboring strong feelings of nostalgia is self-defeating, dangerous and downright depressing."
'Niichan' said the exact same thing, Naruto thought to himself.
"Naruto I already told you the story about Orochimaru and my failed attempt in trying to retrieve him," Jiraiya said, "When I did you were still fixated on going after Sasuke in order to return him to Konoha, going as far as telling me that if that made you stupid then you rather not be smart."
"The villagers would be willing to forgive him, wouldn't they," Naruto asked, "He was always loved and pampered by them."
"Do think the other Genins share that blind one-sided sentimentalism of yours Naruto," Jiraiya asked, "Seeing that they and the Suna-nins were nearly killed by the Oto ninjas sent to bring Sasuke to Oto? Wouldn't you find it sad and shameful if the villagers were to welcome a traitor home with open arms like nothing happened than to accept the son their proclaimed greatest Hokage who saves them everyday by jailing the Kyuubi within his being while giving him years of grief?"
Naruto never sat down to think about that. When he did though, it placed the idea in a very bad light.
"Orochimaru will never be welcomed back in Konoha with opened arms," Jiraiya continued, "It would be foolish if Sasuke wasn't punished for turning against us."
"Sasuke isn't Orochimaru," Naruto retorted.
"Sasuke betrayed you and everything Sandaime and your father stood for and died for in favor of siding with one of Konoha's worst traitors," Jiraiya emphasized, "No one forced Sasuke to turn traitor, not even Orochimaru. He betrayed all of us out of his own free will."
Naruto couldn't help but cringe at Jiraiya's irrefutable logic. The Toad Sage was not sugar-coating his words for Naruto's feelings of sentimentalism seeing where that got Sandaime and himself with regards to Orochimaru. He didn't want Naruto to repeat history and make the same mistakes they did.
"You may want to believe that Sasuke is redeemable," Jiraiya said, "But life doesn't always play out that way."
Naruto always thought he could relate to Sasuke's pain and loneliness; he thought he and Sasuke could understand each other.
"He was my closest friend," Naruto replied.
"That's right Naruto," Jiraiya emphasized, "He was; past tense, not present! You're acting on feelings of nostalgia again and it's going to cause you to miss out on the more important things that are going on in your life right now. Sasuke isn't here now acting as your proclaimed closest friend like how Hinata, Ryota, Shikamaru and the others are. They risked both their lives and reputations for your sake as true friends and you're here moping for a traitor who not only tried to kill you but gave no regards to how his actions were going to affect you and everyone else in the village! That kind of thinking will do great harm to your development and the status you seek to establish in this village as the Namikaze clan heir."
Naruto lowered his head as Jiraiya's words combined with 'N. Naruto's' sank in. As an orphan he always treasured the bonds he made with the people he believed were the closest to him.
"I know you value your bonds with those close to you Naruto," Jiraiya said, "But there are times when some bonds have to be severed, especially with traitorous former friends whose actions will bring harm to those precious to you."
That statement struck a cord for Naruto.
"Besides the tedious paperwork," Jiraiya said, "The job of Hokage isn't always glamorous and if you ever wish to become Hokage, you're going to have to learn to make very painful sacrifices, sometimes at personal cost for the benefit of the majority."
He sat there for several minutes as he thought about everything he was told. A moment later, a knock came at the door. Jiraiya got up and walked over to it allowing Naruto more time to think. Opening the door, he found Sakura standing by the door.
"Jiraiya-sama," Sakura greeted, "Is Naruto here?"
Jiraiya allowed Sakura in and closed the door.
"Gaki," Jiraiya called out, "Your teammate's here for you!"
Naruto snapped out his train of thoughts and left the kitchen, heading to the front door where Sakura was waiting.
"Sakura-chan," Naruto greeted, "What are you doing here?"
"I came to get you," Sakura said, "We have to report to Tsunade-sama pronto."
Naruto nodded and got his sandal on. As Naruto stepped out with Sakura following next to him, Jiraiya said, "Think deeply about everything I told Naruto."
Naruto turned to look at Jiraiya briefly before turning back around to head to the Hokage Tower with Sakura. While on their way, Naruto remained silent and deep in thought. Sakura saw this and wondered if something was wrong.
"Naruto," Sakura asked, "Naruto?"
Naruto turned to his pinked-haired teammate and said, "Sorry, I just had a lot on my mind."
"Want to talk about it," Sakura asked, offering her attentive ear, "We have some time before we reach Tsunade-sama's office. If you like, we can slow the pace so you can tell me about it. Maybe I can help with whatever's bothering you."
"It's alright Sakura-chan," Naruto said, "You don't have to-"
"Naruto," Sakura interjected, "You're clearly bothered by something and if it's going to affect how you're going to behave around me and everyone else, I'd like to know what it is and come up with a way to help you through it."
The blonde said nothing as he thought about Sakura's offer.
"Naruto," Sakura said sincerely, "I want to become a better friend and person for you. I know I wasn't much of a friend to you before and I want to change that. Please, let me start by hearing from you what's troubling you."
Naruto was rather surprised by Sakura's changed demeanor and open mindedness towards him.
"I appreciate your concern Sakura-chan," Naruto said, "I'm happy that you want us to become better friends. I want that too."
"But you're not going to tell me what's bothering you," Sakura figured.
"It's not that I don't want to," Naruto said, "I just need time to think about what ero-daifu said."
Sakura sighed seeing that Naruto wasn't going to budge.
"Alright," Sakura replied, "I won't force you to tell me anything you're not ready to talk about. But whenever you do feel ready to talk about it, I'll listen. I'm here for you, OK?"
"Thanks Sakura-chan," Naruto said with a small smile on his face, "I really appreciate that. Just promise not to brutally pound me to into the ground if what you hear sounds displeasing."
Sakura inwardly cringed on hearing how Naruto would believe that she'd brutalize him while hearing what was on his mind.
Was I always that violent towards him, Sakura wondered, believing that she instilled a permanent belief that talks with her frequently ends with him at the receiving end of her fist.
The rest of the walk was made in silence though Sakura couldn't help but wonder what was on Naruto's mind. Reaching the tower, the duo found Kakashi waiting for them in the office with Tsunade. Naruto looked and found Sai also in the office smiling his fake smile back at him.
"Sai," Naruto exclaimed, "It's you again!"
"It's nice to see you again Naruto-kun," Sai replied. Tsunade, Kakashi and Sakura looked at the two boys questionably.
"You both know each other already," Kakashi asked.
"We had a ninja's introduction you can say," Sai remarked, "Naruto-kun's skills were more than I expected. I'll keep in mind to not to underestimate him again."
Though you were clearly holding back, Naruto thought before turning back to Tsunade.
"Why is he here," Naruto asked.
"I told you already," Sai said, "I'm the official new member of Team 7."
Sakura couldn't believe what she heard. She and Naruto looked back at Kakashi and Tsunade for confirmation.
"Yes," Tsunade confirmed, "Effective immediately Sai is now part of Team 7 and Uchiha Sasuke will no longer be counted as an active member of your team. He will be placed in the Bingo Books as a B-class missing-nin."
Sai is now part of Team 7 and Sasuke has been placed in the Bingo Books as a B-class missing-nin. How will Naruto and Sakura react to this? Will they accept Sai as their new teammate or will they stand for having Sasuke being part of their team? And what will Tsunade do with the truth she discovered about why the Uchiha clan was wiped out? Find out next time.