Hey everyone! Yep, back again already, this must be some sort of record. For those of you wondering, there is going to be a time skip when it comes to the one month training. I really don't feel like it is necessary to write out an entire month of training so I will hit the highlights and important parts. Now I know this is a somewhat shorter chapter but believe me when I say this chapter is CRUCIAL for Naruto's development. Hopefully by the end I'll have you squealing like little school girls.
Thanks for the reviews for last chapter everyone. I'm so glad that I still have the support and following of you guys. Also, I noticed that the number of you now following this story has increased greatly so to those of you new here welcome and enjoy.
Finally, there is a Bleach reference in here somewhere that I used. I tweaked it just a bit to fit this story but I just had to use it. It fit perfectly so let me know if you can find it!
Okami Cage: I wasn't really sure what to make of that review but it definitely made me laugh. As for the Diamond Prison jutsu, I will go into a little more depth on it in this chapter. If you still have questions on it just ask and I'll try to answer ya!
Infinite Dragon: As you could plainly see, that's what happens when you take a month and a half off from writing. Heh, sorry about that, I always get the two mixed up. Anyways, it's great to be back and hear from ya!
Kevin Manly: Thanks for the pep talk it means a lot. I'm glad I managed to bring you back in and glad to have you as a loyal reader.
Previously: Naruto was kidnapped and taken away to a secluded training field by Renge and Jihibiki to begin his Fuinjutsu training. After going over the training details, Renge left Jihibiki to Naruto's training stating that he had one week before she took over. After some hellacious warm-ups, the two take a break and Jihibiki explains the history and the workings of the Diamond Prison jutsu. Elsewhere, Akesuke arrived in Hiashi's office to inform him that the elders were on the move and planning something in conjunction with a contact from outside the village. Hiashi finally admits its time to go to the Hokage and inform her of the situation. In the mean time, the two devise a strategy for Akesuke to gain the trust of the elders. Neji on the other hand finds himself stuck in no-man's-land, caught between developing feelings of a potential enemy and his duty to his village and friend. At the same time, Neji has become increasingly suspicious of Karin's heritage.
Chapter 20: The Growing Clouds of Fear
"You failed; do it again!"
Naruto swore under his breath as he picked himself up off the ground for the umpteenth time that morning. Sweat dripped down his dirt covered face as he pushed himself up and tried to ignore the screams of pain from his body ordering him to stop. Shoving it to the back of his mind, Naruto did his best to prepare for his grandfather's continued assault.
It had been one week since Naruto had started training with his great grandfather in the art of Fuinjutsu. One week of grueling training that left the blonde ninja known for his endless stamina exhausted by the time they were done for the day. If he was honest with himself he should have expected it if the way Renge and Jihibiki had brought him, or rather kidnapped him away, to the training ground had been any indication. Then again, not many people would know what to expect if they were kidnapped. Attempting to clear his head, Naruto did his best to focus on his grandfather but his tired mind slipped away and the memory of his kidnapping resurfaced.
"Kami, I was an idiot for agreeing to this training." He thought bitterly. "Seriously, this old geezer is frickin' nuts!" Naruto thought as he dodged swipe to the ribs from a metal staff that Jihibiki seemingly pulled out of nowhere and frowned.
He frowned not because his grandfather almost landed a hit on him, but because once again he received no comment on his inner monologue from the fox.
Yes, it had also been one week since he had spoken to the fox. Normally Naruto wouldn't have minded the extra peace and quiet. Considering how they left things with their last conversation though, Naruto found the fox's silence more and more unsettling as well as left a bad taste in his mouth. He had tried going into his mindscape to find Kyuubi and talk to him but he was never anywhere to be found. Instead, every time he entered the world all that met him was a dead barren forest void of all life and color and drenched in a down pour. Kyuubi had completely become withdrawn and his lack of commentary on Naruto's daily life was beginning to grate on Naruto's nerves in ways he never imagined.
"Damnit Kurama, say something!" Naruto shouted in his head but he was met once again with silence.
That was another nugget of knowledge that Naruto had just learned recently as well. The demonic fox's name was Kurama. Now that Naruto thought about it, he wondered why he hadn't picked it up before when Jihibiki mentioned it in passing. In fact, Naruto had been completely surprised that Kurama even had a name which caused Jihibiki to laugh at him.
"You mean to tell me that in the 16 years of living inside of you he never once told you his name?" Jihibiki had asked laughing incredulously.
"It's not my fault the damn fox is so secretive and vague!" Naruto had shouted back in his defense.
If Naruto was honest with himself though, he never did ask Kurama if he had a name. He always just assumed the fox went by Kyuubi. Sighing mentally at the silence that Kurama continued to keep, Naruto turned his focus back to Jihibiki's continued and relentless assault.
The living fossil's training methods were questionable at best. He was the complete embodiment of the term "Baptism by fire." After showing Naruto the hands seals a few times to the jutsu they were working on, Jihibiki had decided to start launching kunai, shuriken, and any other small object at Naruto that would hurt considerably as "motivation." To say Naruto was upset by this strategy would have been understatement. But Naruto had endured the same when he studied under Jiraiya so he did his best to bite his tongue and hold on. However, that task was something that Naruto found harder to do with each passing day as his progress seemed to be almost nonexistent. Every passing hour he grew more and more frustrated with his inability to progress at all.
The first day Naruto had learned the hand seals involved for the jutsu and practiced them. It was all he could do after they had finished the "warm-ups". The second day proved to be the most progressive out of the week. He learned how to summon the seal involved for the jutsu and once again by the end of the day he was exhausted but happy that he could make it appear. Unfortunately Naruto seemed to plateau at this point. On the third day he learned how to maintain the seal for extended periods of time but failed to do so for more than a second. He spent the rest of the week, day in and day out trying as hard as he could to maintain the seal so it could activate and work. It was now the seventh day and Naruto had progressed only so far in ability to keep the seal activated for three seconds.
"What the hell am I doing wrong?!" Naruto asked himself as he flipped backwards to avoid a thrust from a spear Jihibiki now held and to put some distance behind them.
In an instant Jihibiki had eight kunai appear in his hands, one in between each finger, and let them all loose in a hailing fury.
Naruto responded by summoning his chakra and flipping through the hands seals his great grandfather had shown him.
"Sealing Art: Space/Time Jutsu!" Naruto yelled out as he finished his hand seals and thrust his hand out to the incoming steel projectiles.
A seal appeared in the air in front of his palm and then spread out in a large pattern. Naruto gritted his teeth and he did his best to focus and maintain the seal, something that he still couldn't do.
"Focus…" Naruto told himself as he watched the kunai close in. "Focus…I got this. I got this. I got- oh shit!" Naruto's eyes widened as the seal in front of him flickered and then disappeared into thin air leaving him with nothing but a wave of unforgiving steel bearing down on him.
With no other options left, Naruto did the last thing he wanted to do: he threw himself to the ground.
"You failed again, Naruto." Jihibiki stated calmly.
"Thank you, captain obvious!" Naruto shouted in frustration.
He groaned audibly as he picked himself up again. "Why?" Naruto asked himself desperately while ignoring the pain spiking through his body. "Why can't I get this damn jutsu down?!"
Naruto stood up and swayed back and forth slightly, doing his best to steady himself. Jihibiki looked at him skeptically and cocked an eyebrow. Glancing at the sun and then back at the blonde he spoke.
"How about we take a break and eat breakfast Naruto-kun?"
"Hell no! We keep going until I get this right!" Naruto shouted back as he raised his fists and slipped into a defensive stance.
Jihibiki closed his eyes and sighed. This type of response was becoming more and more common as the week dragged on. He could almost feel the desperation in his voice, hell; it practically radiated from Naruto but for what reasons still remained a mystery to him. He understood that Naruto wanted to learn his father's jutsu but it didn't happen overnight and it most certainly didn't happen in a week. Granted, Naruto's progress was unusually slow for someone that seemingly absorbed everything like a sponge but the jutsu he was trying to perform was still no easy task. No, there was another underlying cause for the desperation that Naruto was feeling, and while Jihibiki had an idea of what it might be, until Naruto talked about it he was in the dark.
Opening his eyes again he looked into the eyes of his grandson that held a pleading look laced with desperation and spoke. "I can understand that you want to learn your father's jutsu Naruto-kun, but working yourself this hard can be counter-productive."
"I'm fine!" Naruto answered sharply even if he looked anything but. "This is my last day with you before Renge-baachan takes over in my training. I want- no, I need to get this right!"
Jihibiki narrowed his eyes as he stared at the exhausted blonde in front of him. "One more time. We'll go one more time and then we'll take a break." Naruto opened his mouth to argue but he cut him off. "If you argue then we'll stop and be done for the day. Understood?"
Naruto scowled. Something he also seemed to be doing a lot lately as well, but nodded nonetheless. He tensed waiting for Jihibiki to make the first move but was surprised when the old crow pulled out a single kunai and took a relaxed stance.
Seeing the surprised and questioning look, Jihibiki answered it. "I want your full concentration on this one. Close your eyes and relax your breathing."
Naruto seemed hesitant at first but after a moment of consideration nodded his head and did as he was instructed. As he did so he heard Jihibiki continue to give him orders.
"Feel the world around you. Almost like when you enter sage mode except this time focus on time itself instead of your environment. Feel the time pass you by like a soft breeze. Let it flow through you, around you, become a part of you."
As Naruto did as he was told the world seemed to slow down and become sharper even with his eyes closed. He could hear the soft breeze that swept across the grass and rustled his grandfather's robes. He could feel the sun just peaking over the trees where they were training and slowly begin to warm the cool earth. It felt just like it did when he began to enter sage mode yet this time something felt different. He could feel something running against his body, through it, over it. Tugging at him and passing through him at the same time. It was an odd feeling and yet somehow he knew that feeling was what he was looking for. Opening his eyes he felt focused for the first time in a week. Seeing the look in his great grandson's eyes, Jihibiki knew that Naruto had finally found what he had been searching for. With the slightest movement and the flick of the wrist, Jihibiki let loose the kunai and watched as it sailed towards Naruto.
Naruto watched the kunai fly towards his head as if it were moving in slow motion. He felt as if he had all the time in the world and could practically see the ripples the kunai gave off as it sliced through the air. Flashing through the hand seals at blinding speeds Naruto thrust his hand out once again and called out the name in a relaxed and calm voice.
"Sealing Art: Space/Time Jutsu."
The seal appeared once again just in front of his palm and spread out in a large pattern. He watched as the kunai came closer and closer until finally the tip was mere inches away from the seal. Focusing as best he could, Naruto watched as the kunai reached the seal and the tip seemed to dematerialize. Then the blade did, and seen the hilt followed. Naruto's heart jumped at what he saw before him and his mind instantly began to race. Due to the sudden lack in concentration the seal in Naruto's hand flickered out of existence. Fortunately, the seal had absorbed the kunai before it had completely disappeared. Unfortunately, the ring at the end of the handle remained in their dimension. Naruto had just enough time for his eyes to widen in surprise and watch as the ring sail right between the fingers of his spread out palm and drill him straight in the nose.
The sound of crunching bone could be heard across the field followed by Naruto's shouts of pain and frustration.
"Sonofafuckingbitch!" Naruto shouted out painfully as he rolled around in the grass nursing his now broken nose and doing his best to fight back the tears.
Jihibiki shook his head and sighed before heading over to sit down underneath a tree. A minute later Naruto finally stopped shouting and sat up. Bracing himself for moment, there was an audible crack as he reset his nose followed be a sharp yelp of pain. Finally standing up, Naruto trudged over to where his grandfather was sitting and plopped down next to him. They ate in relative silence until Jihibiki could no longer stand it and spoke first.
"So, are you excited that you finally seem to be making progress?"
To Jihibiki's surprise it was a scowl and not a grin that graced Naruto's face.
"It isn't good enough." was all Naruto said as he finished off his rice ball.
"What isn't good enough?" Jihibiki asked genuinely confused.
Naruto's eyes narrowed as he thought about what to say and what not to say. "My progress is terrible. This is my last day with you and I wanted to have the first part of this technique down before I switched over to Renge-baachan. Today is my last shot to become stronger…"
Once again Jihibiki was able to pick up on the hint of desperation in his grandson's voice. However, since Naruto refused to talk about what was truly bothering him Jihibiki decided to not probe him any further. When he was ready to talk, he would. Naruto sighed as he leant back against the tree and seemed to become lost in thought. After a few more seconds of silence he broke it with a question that had been eating away at him.
"Hey Jihibiki-ji, I'm still a little confused on how this whole training process works. Why am I starting to learn how to do the Space/Time jutsu instead of the Flying Thunder God jutsu?"
Jihibiki's head dropped in self pity. He had lost track of how many times he had tried to explain to Naruto how the seal worked that week. Taking a deep breath in an attempt to stem the growing irritation he began to explain.
"The Space/Time jutsu works by setting up a seal barrier that activates once something touches or passes through it. Once activated, the seal transports the offending object to a parallel dimension where it will remain until summoned back to its original dimension. Someone unfamiliar with such a technique could actually mistake it for a Summoning jutsu."
Jihibiki paused at this moment and looked at Naruto. "Still with me?"
Receiving a nod from the blonde he continued. "Now, it is important to understand that while the Space/Time jutsu sounds similar to a regular Summoning jutsu, they are actually quite different. Not so much in how they technically work but in how they're abilities work. The Summoning jutsu's ability is very narrow because it only works between a shinobi and a summon once a link has been established. This is more commonly known as a summoning contract. The Space/Time jutsu's ability is much broader than the Summoning jutsu's however, and does not require such a link. In a sense, not only is it much broader in its abilities but also vaguer."
"Vaguer?" Naruto asked confused as his eyebrows furrowed together.
"I'm getting there." Jihibiki said reassuringly. "The Space/Time jutsu is vaguer because it does not require an actual summon to work. It could be anything from a kunai to a jutsu to even an enemy. Furthermore, the jutsu does not have to transport an object to a parallel dimension but can be anchored to this dimension via a sister seal placed elsewhere. When the object in question passes through the activated seal it is instantly transported to the location of the sister seal."
At hearing this Naruto's eyes lit up as he began to make the connection between what or who, in this case, could be transported to the sister seal.
"Because of this, the Space/Time jutsu is vastly more superior to the Summoning jutsu because of the endless possibilities." Jihibiki finished.
"So then that's how dad was able to use the Flying Thunder God jutsu." Naruto said excitedly.
Jihibiki however shook his head and held up his hand. "Slow down Naruto-kun, you're getting ahead of yourself. There's more to it than just that. If that was the case in how the jutsu worked, then anyone could perform the technique."
Naruto frowned at having the wrong idea at how the jutsu worked but kept his mouth closed and listened intently.
"Now you are, to a certain degree, right in thinking that that is how the Flying Thunder God jutsu works. Yes, if you look at the basics you are technically transporting yourself from one seal to a sister seal. However, the Space/Time jutsu is a completely different technique from the Flying Thunder God technique."
"But you just said they were the same in how they worked! How are they different then?" Naruto asked thoroughly confused now.
"They are different because the Flying Thunder God jutsu is a more specified version of the Space/Time jutsu." Jihibiki answered. He nearly laughed at the hopeless look that now graced Naruto's face.
"But…But wouldn't that make it a Summoning jutsu then?" Naruto asked helplessly.
"No, because a Summoning jutsu is too specified: it can only work with a summon." Jihibiki answered.
"That's the same damn thing that the Flying Thunder God does!" Naruto shouted in frustration. "You summon yourself to a sister seal!"
"Exactly!" Jihibiki said cheerily.
Then look on Naruto's face at that moment was priceless. So much so that Jihibiki finally lost all self control and began to laugh uncontrollably at his hopelessly confused grandson.
"God damn it, Jihibiki!" Naruto shouted finally becoming fed up with his elder clansman's antics. "This is why I don't get anything you explain! How the hell am I supposed to understand what you're saying when you keep contradicting everything you say?!"
At this point Naruto was standing and pointing an accusatory finger at Jihibiki and breathing heavily. Doing his best to calm down Jihibiki motioned for Naruto to sit which he did after a hesitant scowl.
Jihibiki could see that he had completely lost Naruto so he decided to change tactics. Thinking on what to do, Jihibiki noticed the breakfast basket sitting in front of them and got an idea. Reaching into their basket he pulled out an apple and held it up before speaking.
"Naruto-kun, this apple falls into the classification of fruit correct?"
Naruto nodded his head but remained confused.
"So how about we use fruit to represent the classification of Space/Time jutsus." Jihibiki explained.
Reaching into the basket again he pulled out a cherry and a blueberry and then held them up as well.
"And these two are considered fruit as well, correct?"
Once again Naruto nodded in the affirmative.
"Therefore, while each and every one of these is a fruit they are still their own separate entities. This also means that each one of these technically falls into the Space/Time jutsu classification. Now, if we think about it, this blueberry here could represent the Summoning jutsu because its size represents how specified and limited it is."
Setting the blueberry down on top of the basket he then picked up the apple.
"Looking at the size of this apple, we could assume that it could best represent the Space/Time jutsu because its abilities are seemingly endless compared to the blueberry."
Jihibiki set the apple down as well and then picked up the cherry.
"Now this cherry is not big but it isn't small either. It is right in between the apple and the blueberry. The sweet spot if you will. Therefore we could say that this cherry represents the Flying Thunder God jutsu because it is specific, like the blueberry, but limitless, like the apple."
Jihibiki could see the wheels turning in Naruto's head so he knew that he was getting through to him.
"So you're saying," Naruto said slowly, "that even though each of these is a separate jutsu, they all still fall under the category of Space/Time?"
"Yep!" Jihibiki said happily.
"Okay I get that much then." Naruto said as Jihibiki breathed a sigh of relief. "But how is the cherry not limited like the blueberry?" And just like that Jihibiki deflated.
"What do you mean Naruto?" Jihibiki asked rubbing his temple.
"I mean that they are both basically doing the same thing: summoning. So how is one limited while the other isn't?" Naruto asked.
"Oh!" Jihibiki said expecting his explanation to be a lot worse. "That's probably the simplest part."
Naruto cocked his head to the side but he continued his explanation.
"You see the Summoning jutsu is limited because it has multiple requirements for the technique to actually be performed successfully. These requirements are chakra, blood, and hand seals or in some cases a seal that has been written before hand. The Flying Thunder God jutsu does not require these conditions to be met except for the first one, chakra. That is why the latter technique is not as limited as the Summoning jutsu."
Naruto just blinked. "Oh…well that makes sense I guess."
Jihibiki breathed a sigh of relief knowing that he wasn't going to have to explain it to blonde again. Then again, it had only taken him an entire week before he finally understood it.
"Glad you finally got it." Jihibiki said with a sigh as he leaned up against the tree.
Ignoring the glare his grandson was shooting him he asked, "Do you want to work on the Diamond Prison Jutsu some more before we call it a day?"
Once again Naruto's face furrowed as a frown formed. That was a sore subject for Naruto as well. Just like the Hiraishin, the Diamond Prison jutsu was a work in progress and once again that progress was non-existent.
"I probably should but I'm going nuts with this damn elemental chakra mastery!" Naruto said with a huff as he crossed his arms. "Earth is hard but it isn't too bad I guess and wind I've already mastered. But this fire manipulation training sucks something else."
Jihibiki nodded in understanding. "I know it's difficult. Not many people are capable of mastering earth, fire, and wind to the degree necessary to form diamond for the jutsu. In fact, the only person I know of at this time that is capable of this jutsu other than an Uzumaki is the third Tsuchikage, Onoki."
"Hey knows the Diamond Prison jutsu?" Naruto asked surprised.
"No, no, not at all." Jihibiki said shaking his head. "The Diamond Prison jutsu is a closely guarded secret of the Uzumaki clan. All I'm saying is that the Tsuchikage has the ability to do the jutsu if he wanted. He has already mastered all three elements and has an ability that is probably the exact opposite of the Diamond Prison jutsu."
"And what would that jutsu be?" Naruto asked now completely enthralled.
"It's called the Particle Release jutsu. Basically he can disassemble anything he wants down to the near molecule level." Jihibiki answered. "But we're getting off topic again. What do you want to focus on training in for the rest of the day?"
Naruto sighed and lay back on the ground. "Which one should I work on?"
A sudden flashback to his dream of Hinata lying in the hospital broken and dying and he knew his answer.
"We're going to work on both of them." Naruto said as his face hardened.
"I am going to have to say no to that idea." Jihibiki said shaking his head.
This was met with an angry glare from Naruto. Jihibiki was about to dismiss the look entirely when he noticed something about Naruto. It was brief; the slightest flicker of existence, but it was still there. It was a glint in the eye, a look a pure anger and rage. A look that spoke volumes about the fear that seized his heart and the anger that threatened to overtake him if he didn't stop it. Jihibiki had seen it before and he knew what the outcome could be.
"Naruto, what's bothering you?" Jihibiki asked. "You've be acting more and more strange as the week has progressed. What is it?"
"Nothing is wrong jiji. Just frustrated with these jutsus." Naruto said trying to end the conversation.
Jihibiki wasn't going to buy it though. "Naruto-kun, you know you can tell me anything right? We're family-"
"-I said nothing is wrong damn it!" Naruto shouted cutting him off.
A heavy silence fell over the two as Naruto glared at Jihibiki and Jihibiki just stared at Naruto. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity Jihibiki sighed to himself and soundlessly stood up before turning to Naruto.
"Get up." He said.
"But we just sat down." Naruto said still angry but nonetheless confused.
"I said, get up." Jihibiki ordered again, still staring at Naruto as if he was the most disinteresting thing in the world.
Slightly irked now, Naruto struggled to his feet and stared back at his grandfather. He was about to asked what they were doing when a blinding force smashed into his jaw and sent him skidding and tumbling out onto the training ground. When he finally came to a stop Naruto slowly sat up with a groan and shook the spots from his vision.
"What the fuck was that?!" Naruto yelled in anger as Jihibiki calmly walked towards.
"Fight me." was all the aged Uzumaki said.
"You can't be serious!" Naruto yelled as he stood up. "What about my training?!"
Faster than Naruto was ready for Jihibiki appeared next to him and sent a rib crushing blow to his side that sent him tumbling yet again.
"I don't think you understand." Jihibiki said calmly walking towards Naruto as he struggled to his feet. "This isn't a request. Fight me. If you're going to be a brat and not tell me what's bothering you then I'll just beat it out of you."
"Fine! If that's what you want then just, fine!" Naruto shouted as he pulled out a kunai and charged Jihibiki.
Jihibiki responded by summoning a metal staff and spinning it around his body. Once Naruto was in range he whipped it around his body and lashed out at the blonde. This time Naruto was ready and blocked the staff with his kunai before summoning a single clone who continued on towards Jihibiki while the real Naruto grabbed onto the staff preventing Jihibiki from using it. As the clone approached and swiped with the kunai Jihibiki did a back flip while going through a few hand seals. As soon as his feet hit the ground he raised a hand and a spear burst from the ground skewering the clone.
Naruto's eyes widened in shock. "He can do wordless jutsus?"
"You seem surprised Naruto." Jihibiki said calmly as he began walking towards the blonde. "Are you surprised that I can perform jutsu without calling them out? Well I can assure you, I can do much more than just that."
With a burst of speed Jihibiki quickly closed the distance between the two. Naruto's first response was to swing the staff at his oncoming grandfather. However, Jihibiki did nothing to change course or even attempt to block the staff. With mere inches to go before contact Jihibiki made a hand sign and Naruto watched as a seal appeared and pulsed on the staff before it poofed out of existence. Naruto's eyes widened as the weight and momentum from the staff disappeared sending him reeling off balance. Jihibiki capitalized on this as he closed the rest of the distance and met him with a devastating uppercut to his gut and then a side kick that sent him flying. After flying only a few feet however Jihibiki thrust his arm out towards Naruto's retreating body, made a fist like he was grabbing something, and then yanked back. Naruto was confused by the action until he heard a loud crack from behind him. Glancing over his shoulder he had enough time to see a large pillar of earth burst from the ground and smash into his back sending him back towards Jihibiki.
Seeing that Jihibiki was winding up for round two, Naruto made the cross sign with his fingers to summon a clone.
"I don't think so." Jihibiki said as he made the ram sign and the kanji for 'seal' glowed on Naruto's bracelets.
Instantly Naruto's limbs felt heavy and he could feel his chakra leave him as he hit the ground and skidded.
"No fair!" Naruto shouted out angrily as he forced himself up.
"Oh but it is." Jihibiki said simply. "We'll do this like men. We'll talk with our fists and let our emotions be conveyed through our blows."
Naruto growled in anger and frustration. Why wouldn't the old bat just leave him alone? It wasn't his problem, it wasn't his concern. It had nothing to do with him and yet Jihibiki was insisting on Naruto telling him everything. Naruto gritted his teeth and raced towards Jihibiki. If he wanted to fight with just their fists, then the old man was going to get Nartuo's fists.
Drawing back his fist, Naruto charged Jihibiki while the man stood there waiting for him. Upon reaching Jihibiki, Naruto let loose his fist and slammed it into his jaw. A dull thud could be heard across the training ground along with the sound of bones groaning under extreme pressure.
Jihibiki, on his part, just stood there and took the blow not even sliding back an inch or showing any outward sign of pain. He simply craned his head back around and raised an eyebrow at Naruto.
Naruto was shocked for a split second at his grandfather's failure to defend himself but it quickly turned to outrage when he saw Jihibiki's taunt. Drawing back his other fist, Naruto slammed it into Jihibiki's gut lifting him an inch off the ground and causing him to buckle over. When he pulled back Jihibiki stayed like that for a moment before slowly straightening himself upright.
"I see." Jihibiki said calmly staring into Naruto's eyes. "So you're afraid, is that it?"
"As if!" Naruto shouted as went to kick his grandfather in the side only to have it blocked.
"No, no, you are definitely afraid." Jihibiki said with a nod.
Naruto growled and attacked Jihibiki in full force sending flurries of kicks and punches everywhere. His frustration only grew more as he couldn't seem to land a hit on the old man. The harder he tried, the easier it seemed that Jihibiki blocked him. Finally, after a blocked jab Jihibiki responded with a powerful heel palm to Naruto's face that sent him sliding back.
"How disappointing, Naruto. Truly, disappointing." Jihibiki said sadly shaking his head. "There is nothing but fear reflected in your heart."
Naruto responded with an angry growl and a right hook to Jihbiki's ribs.
"Every punch says, 'I'm afraid of failing.'" Jihibiki said shrugging off his blow and returning his own.
Naruto ducked back and Jihibiki continued. "Every dodge yells, 'I'm afraid of failing myself.'"
Continuing his assault on Naruto Jihibiki continued to speak. "When you're protecting someone it screams, 'I'm of afraid of failing them!'
At hearing this Naruto's eyes widened and he jumped back several feet putting distance between the two. He looked at his grandfather in a mixture of anguish and shock at how easily Jihibiki could read him.
"Yes, Naruto-kun, your heart only speaks to me of senseless and irrational fear." Jihibiki said somberly. "What's necessary in a fight is not fear. Nothing can be born or accomplished from that."
With a burst of sped Jihibiki appeared in front of Naruto and threw a powerful right hook causing the blonde to block and stay on the defensive as he renewed his relentless assault.
"When you attack it should say, 'I will not fail.'" He said as he punched Naruto.
"When you dodge it should yell, "I will not fail myself.'" He said again while ducking under Naruto's wild haymaker.
"When you are protecting someone it should scream, "I will not fail them!'" He said once more head butting Naruto.
"Can you not hear what my heart is saying now?" Jihibiki asked as he raised his foot and lashed out with a kick. "How it declares that it will not fail no matter what?"
Naruto failed to block a kick to the chest and felt as if his very life force was crushed out of him as he went rocketing backwards and skidded several feet on his back. Sitting up painfully slow, Naruto looked at Jihibiki with mixed emotions.
Jihibiki seemed to evaluate him with a scrutinizing gaze. "Fear is written on your face, Naruto-kun, etched into your very skin. Where is the face of the man that stopped the destruction of his village? Where is the heart of the man that did not know the meaning of failure? Where are the defiant eyes of the man that never gave in to his fears?"
"SHUT UP!" Naruto roared as he stood and charged Jihibiki.
He threw his attacks blindly, not caring if he landed blows or was hit in return. His mind was spinning in helpless confusion and his heart was crying out desperately for answers that he did not have.
"Why?" he asked himself. "Why am I so afraid?! Where has my confidence gone? My determination? My will?"
Jihibiki and Naruto were now standing right in front of each other beating one another senselessly. Neither one of them bothered to block the other's attack but rather take the hit and wind up for the next punch. Dull thuds and sickening smacks rang out across the field. Blood splattered their bodies, bones ground away at each other, and sinew groaned under the pressure. Their conversation was a wordless one, spoken only through battle. Their thoughts and feelings conveyed through their fists as they beat away on each other.
"What is it I'm afraid of?" Naruto asked desperately. "What is it that is holding back?"
"When will you see it?" Jihibiki asked in return. "When will you finally acknowledge its existence?"
"See what? Acknowledge what?!" Naruto asked desperately.
His mind demanded the answer to his question and yet in his heart he felt only reluctance. He felt as if he already knew the answer and yet he couldn't remember what it was.
"It's so blatantly obvious!" Jihibiki said. "It's practically screaming the answer right in front of you and still you do not hear it!"
"Hear what?! Tell me, please!" Naruto begged.
Catching his fist, Jihibiki pulled Naruto in close and looked him in the eyes.
"You refuse to see that you care for her. You're afraid that when the war starts you will fail her. You're afraid that when she needs you the most you won't be there for her, be able to save her, to protect her."
He then leaned in so that only Naruto could hear him, his response barely audible as he whispered the last part into Naruto's ear.
"You're afraid to accept that you love her."
Silence was the only thing that filled the field as a lone breeze swept through.