Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Thoughts are highlighted in bold and italics
Merry Christmas to all!!
Alright, I think I should say something about the comments that have been made over the last chapter...
Finally someone has something constructive to about my story because hearing a lot of good job, keep up the good work,etc made me a bit complacent on continuing the story so I thank desslok69 for his comments.
Using his points in his review as the basis, I shall answer the questions pointed out.
1) I apologise for not explaining that part... I initially wanted the readers in suspense about why he need to do the tree-walking but it seems I got an overeaction. The mistake has been rectified in the revised version of chapter 10. For those who want to skip reading that part then I point it out that he has seals limiting his chakra usage and hence by doing this exercise will fine tune his chakra control.
2) Black Saviour [alias] may not have appeared much often in the past few chapters but in the background he have already done alot of things. Black Saviour WILL appear within the next 2-3 chapter as I have finished the draft of this arc. In the future chapter you will see more of him I definitely assure all of you.
3) I have noticed the problem of writing too little per chapter-wise which was mentioned by Useful76 i will try to write longer in the future.
Another thing is that I am thinking about doing a redo of my story in light of the development in Naruto and seemingly crappier work i am writing despite my best efforts. So I'm asking all of you whether I should redo or not? The Poll will be at my user profile.
Scione: I meant that by saying good job, keep up the good work, etc allow me to know how is my story going along but an occasional constructive criticism about it is fine by me as long as it is not flaming.
With that settled, let's get the ball rolling shall we?
After showing Kakashi and Sakura of their progress, Team 7 headed to another location for further training.
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(Lake, 9am)
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"Kakashi-sensei, isn't that the same place we fought with Zabuza?"
"That's right. This location is ideal for your further training."
"Since all of you have learned tree walking, now we will learn to walk on the water."
"What's the difference between tree walking and walking on water, Kakashi-sensei?"
"That's a good point, Sakura. Both exercises require a constant amount of molded chakra to ensure you stick onto the surface. However, water walking requires you not only to mold constant amount of chakra but it also require you to regulate the amount of chakra to enable your body to float on the water. This aspect is what makes water walking harder than tree walking."
Being eager to impress Sasuke, Sakura immediately gathered chakra and tried to walk on the water.
"Sasuke-kun! Look at mAAAAHHHHHHH!"
As soon as Sakura plunged into the water, Sasuke and Naruto started laughing uncontrollably and soon were rolling on the ground. Kakashi began to pull Sakura out of the water and immediately Sakura delivered a hard punch on Naruto, berating his action.
Meanwhile in Konoha, a team is being assembled for their next mission.
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(Hokage Tower)
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"Hokage-sama, Team 8 has arrived."
"Bring them in."
As the members of Team 8 assemble in front of the Hokage, Sandaime spoke:
"Team 8, your mission is to find Team 7 who has gone to on a mission to Land of the Waves. They have reportedly encountered enemy ninja, changing the mission from a C-ranked mission into an A-rank mission. After locating Team 7, you are to provide backup for Team 7 until the mission ended."
"Hai!"
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(Tazuna mansion, 2 days later)
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After finally completing the training, Team 7 joined Tazuna and his family for dinner.
"Yipee! We completed the water walking exercise and we can go and guard Tazuna-san already!"
However Inari, Tazuna's grandson was visibly upset about Naruto's optimism and voiced his feelings.
"Why are you trying so hard that you end up like that? You can't beat Gatou's men like that! No matter how hard you try and say nice things, weak people always lose to strong people and they die!"
Naruto stood up and spoke:
"I'm just different, that's all.""
"Hai! I'm different from you who doesn't know any real pain and just play around all the time!"
Hitting a soft point, Naruto immediately lost his cool and hit back on Inari.
"That's why you are acting like the main character in a tragedy show and crying? What a cowardly crybaby!"
Naruto immediately stomped off and left Tazuna house, stunning the rest of people in the house. Sasuke intended to look for Naruto before being stop by Kakashi.
"Sasuke, let him go. It will be good for him. Besides we have visitors…"
"What visitors, Kakashi-sensei?" asked Sakura.
Kakashi looked at the ceiling and replied:
"Kurenai-san, time to show yourself."
Soon after, a figure appeared and landed beside Kakashi and 3 other figures appeared at the entrance of dinning room.
"Tazuna-san, I think I should do the introduction. This is Yuuhi Kurenai and the other 3 belongs to her team. They are here to provide backup for us."
Kurenai shook hands with Tazuna but Tazuna, feeling a little lecherous, began drooling at Kurenai and Kurenai showed Tazuna her typical behaviour against such men that led to her nickname of Ice Queen of Konoha.
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(2 hours later)
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As Naruto entered the bathroom he noticed someone was already there but it was too late as the person emerged from the bathroom naked.
"Naruto-san? Why are you doing here?"
"Tsunami-san, can you get some clothes, it's very embarrassing for me."
Looking at herself, she realized her naked state and blushed.
"Gomenasai, Naruto-san." Said Tsunami as she grabbed a towel to cover herself.
"Naruto-san, I must apologize about my son's behaviour during dinner."
"Tsunami-san, it is okay but I want to know why he's like that. I know he is nice person but his sadness appears on his face."
"Once there was a man …."
Tsunami told Naruto about the man who brought Inari confidence and the man who defied Gato till the very end. At the end of the story, Naruto shed a tear and stood up.
"I promise I will change Inari to the person he used to because I never break my promise!"
Looking at the blond ninja had vowed to change Inari, Tsunami felt her heart stopped for a sec.
"Thank you Naruto-kun!"
"Tsunami-san, what are do…"
Tsunami dropped her towel and hugged Naruto, leaving Naruto feeling awkward and meanwhile…
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(Mansion Balcony)
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After settling Team 8, Kakashi found Inari and spoke:
"Can I join you?"
A slight nod from Inari and Kakashi sat beside Inari and continued.
"Naruto didn't say that out to spite you. He didn't have parents since he was young or rather that he didn't knew who were his parents were. He did not have any friends either. "
Inari was surprised how similar his life was to Naruto and slightly regretted his decision to blast at Naruto.
"But never have I seen him becoming timid, sulky or crying. He always wanted others to recognize him and to do that, he willing to die for it.
I believed he's too bored of crying and the very words he told you might be the very same words he had told himself all day long.
That's why he understood the true meaning of being strong. "
Kakashi noticed someone approaching behind and step away. Inari looked who the person was. It was none other than Naruto.
"Inari, I…."
However Inari interrupted and offered his apology.
"Sorry Naruto-niisan!"
"It's okay Inari."
Kakashi then spoke:
"Since both of you have apologized then I think both of you should go to sleep as it is already so late."
Both of them went to sleep but someone was so visibly elated about the incident that she could not sleep…
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(Next day)
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The next morning, Kakashi began to discuss the plan for today with both the teams but all but one hasn't awakened yet.
"Team 8 should do recon of the bridge after which they will proceed back to Tazuna house to prevent any attack on Tazuna's family members. Since Naruto is still asleep, he will guard Inari and Tsunami for the time being. The rest of the Team 7 will proceed to the bridge at the designated time."
"Kakashi, leaving Naruto behind doesn't sound to me like a good idea in an even of an attack by ninjas."
"Although he looks unreliable at times, I'm sure he's up to it, Kurenai."
"So it decided then. Team 8 will depart in 30 minutes time."
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(30 mins later)
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Naruto had already woken up and beginning to wear his clothes when he noticed several chakra spikes and immediately ran out of the house, only to see Inari and Tsunami being held hostage by several ninja, including 2 chunins.
"Naruto-niisan, help me!"
Damned it! Not only I have deal with the 2 chunins, I still have other genins and crocks to deal it. Using that technique is still chakra consuming…. Guess I have to do the hard way then.
"Yo little kid! Why don't you go away and we pretend that you are not here? How about that?"
Naruto however smirked and said:
"Why don't you all go away and I pretend that all of you are not here? How's that for a change?"
Infuriated by his statement, chunins ordered the rest to attack Naruto. However Naruto stood emotionless before muttering:
"Kaimon: Kai!"
In a quick flash, Naruto defeated the underlings, leaving only the chunins. However chunins were not deterred.
"Nice skill little one but any move you make I will kill the both of them!"
"You….." Naruto suddenly collapsed on ground, leaving two chunins wary about the situation.
Inari, who sees an opening, hit his captive at his groin and tries to free his mother. However the chunin immediately pull out his kunai and stabbed Tsunami.
"Kawarimi no Justu!"
The chunin realized his 'captive' is Naruto, he could not move as Naruto wrapped his enemy with bandages and lifted off the ground before heading back to ground.
"Kage Buyo!"
"What the…AARRRGGGGHHH!"
"Omote Renge!"
The bleeding Naruto defeated the chunin easily but the attack left him vulnerable to the other chunin who is now hidden by kicked up dust. Suddenly, Naruto sensed someone headed towards him. Thinking that is the chunin, he decides to clash head on.
"Die you chu….."
He realized it was Tsunami that was flung towards him and as he maneuvers to catch her, Naruto noticed several kunais directed at her. Naruto immediately shielded her from the kunais.
"Just as I expected, you are weak with women."
The bleeding Naruto however gave a weak smile and said:
"Found you."
Before the chunin knew it, his throat was slit by another Naruto.
"Tsunami-san, are you okay?"
"I'm fine Naruto-kun…you're bleeding!"
At the same time Team 8 arrived on the scene with Kurenai taking charge.
"Naruto what happen?"
"They took Tsunami and Inari as hostage and I managed to defeat them. Since you are here then I caannn….."
Before Naruto could finish, he fainted. However Tsunami managed to catch him before he fell to the ground but Tsunami's mind becoming increasingly worried. Not because that her father will be danger but rather a certain blond who protected her and her son.
Pls R + R!
