I apologise for taking forever to upload this chapter but I have multiple reasons as to why, one being I wanted to focus on my other fics a bit since I'd been neglecting them in favour of this one. The other reason being I wanted to make it longer before uploading, but it'd be cruel to keep you guys waiting any longer so I'm just going to upload it and get started on the next chapter.
Hope it's okay since I don't think I put as much time into it as I would most chapters.
Observations
10K Words
Monogahi compound-7:03am
Naruto and the others arrived at the training field a bit later than usual but no one questioned them on why this was. Upon seeing the Shimura group approaching Shisui and Hamura broke off from where they were standing to inquire with the blonde about his new look, but Naruto just waved them off saying he felt he could do for a few darker colors to help him out when it came to keeping a low profile.
The two accepted this and didn't bother prying any further even though they both had a lingering suspicion it wasn't really that simple. Although they couldn't quite place their fingers on it something about Naruto seemed different.
As Hinata watched the Uzumaki interacting with the genin she was somewhat surprised to see how he acted around people hadn't really changed. She thought maybe it was because Shisui and Hamura didn't know about his secret so he couldn't blame them. That or maybe he was putting on a false front even though that didn't seem to be the case.
Anko said he'd seemed rather upset when he'd been told the truth yesterday. As far as she could tell he didn't seem at all affected by it anymore. He was a bit less cheery than usual but he was still Naruto.
She couldn't help but worry about him a bit though. She hoped he wasn't bottling up how he felt.
Naruto was impressed to see Itachi actually keeping pace with Neji when it came to taijustu. He knew their eyes had a lot more to do with their battle than he knew but it was still pretty surprising to see someone who wasn't Inoha keeping pace with the Hyuga in an unarmed melee battle.
Inoha was similarly surprised to see Itachi holding his own against Neji using only taijustu. She caught the way Neji would periodically pause for just a moment and Itachi would use that split second window to apply pressure or land a blow on the Hyuga. The two were pitting their dojustu up against one another while fighting using only taijustu. It was obvious Itachi had the advantage but Neji was still holding his own quite well considering who he was up against.
Shikamaru looked at Naruto for a moment longer after the two nodded a greeting towards each other. One glance at the Uzumaki's eyes and Shikamaru knew something was different about the blonde other than his new outfit. While they still held all the brightness they held any other day it was as if they contained something...different. Something Shikamaru knew hadn't been there when he'd seen Naruto yesterday.
He didn't know what it was but he knew whatever the cause of it was something that had to have been significant.
Sasuke took in Naruto's new look as Izumi greeted the Shimura girls he'd arrived with. While he'd never actually admit it to the blonde or anyone else for that matter Naruto's knew look was much better than the previous. He actually looked like a shinobi trainie now rather than some kid in an orange jump suit playing ninja.
"It was about time you got some new clothes dobe. Those orange rags were starting to hurt my eyes."
Naruto turned towards Sasuke ready to fire back a quicky conjured insult before he stopped and asked himself was he really in the mood. After discovering his answer turned out to be a resounding no he surprised the Uchiha by just turning away.
"Teme gets some knew clothes and he thinks he's a badass all of a sudden." Sasuke silently fumed as Naruto's attention turned back towards the Hyuga and the Uchiha currently in battle.
Naruto knew that a few months ago he might have argued with Sasuke simply to receive some form of attention but he'd been around enough people by now to know what kind of attention he really liked to receive. He didn't particularly care for whatever it was Sasuke was trying to share.
He remembered when Inoha and the others explained to him how an enemy might use words to manipulate him during battle. Sasuke was attempting to use words to draw him into a verbal battle and he wasn't up for it so he didn't bother taking the bait. At the same time though he came to realize something.
Sasuke had a habit of insulting just about anyone and he often came off as someone with an air of superiority as did most Uchiha. It was generally how they saw themselves to be, above others and it usually showed itself when they interacted with those around them and Sasuke was no acception to this rule.
Naruto didn't think he acted that way towards others because it's just how he was. He thought he acted that way towards others because he really didn't know how to interact with people otherwise.
It made sense and it was actually a little hilarious to think about.
The Uchiha blamed his own inability to socialize with others on everyone but himself which was why he always seemed so grumpy and unapproachable. Trying to socialize was probably weird for him considering his brother and father weren't sociable people in the slightest and those are the two he would have had to learned from.
Looking or talking down on others was something he knew people expected of him as an Uchiha and it's the only way he actually knew how to express himself.
Naruto took a second longer to observe him through the corner of his eye feeling something close to pity oddly enough. Sasuke wasn't actually that bad once you got to know him. He did genuinely believe he was better or had the potential to be better than everyone else, but really he just wanted to fit in and didn't know how.
On the training field
Neji was giving his all at this point and Itachi was hard pressed to keep up with him but to all spectators it seemed the Uchiha was hardly fighting back. He seemed to be waiting for something and throwing in the occasional counter here and there.
Neji's palms blurred as he pressed his opponent and Itachi's hand were a blur as he brought them up to parry every strike. It was easy to notice Itachi seem to have gotten faster and he'd developed a familiarity with the Hyuga's moves leaving everyone to wonder how it was possible for someone to improve so much in the span of one fight.
As Neji continued applying pressure to Itachi he brought his foot forward here and there attempting to step on the Uchiha's foot so as to hold him in place or maybe catch him off balance. Itachi was backing away as he parried to avoid being caught by this tactic. Suddenly Neji stopped advancing and Itachi knew what was to come next.
"Eight triagrams air palm!"
Itachi flickered out of the attacks path and waited for the Hyuga to close the distance readying himself immediately.
Neji reached him and their battle continued as it was. Itachi parried two palm jabs and twisted into a round house. Neji ducked under the kick and thrust his left arm forward. Itachi weaved to the right allowing the strike to go pass his head before grabbing the arm and using Neji's momentum to throw him over his shoulder. Neji's back hit the ground and Itachi let go of his wrist to go into his weapons pouch quickly throwing a kunai into the dirt next to the Hyuga's head before he could stand to symbolize the killing blow but to the crowds surprise Neji predicted this and rolled out of the way right before regaining his footing.
Neji rushed towards Itachi coming to a halt when the Uchiha burst into a flock of crows. Neji's eyes scanned the battlefield and the area around it immediately with Hyuga barley having to turn his head. A shadow was cast over the Hyuga's head and Neji looked up.
A loan crow hovered low in the sky casting the shadow Neji realized was only a distraction.
He tried turning around but a fist flew past his head symbolizing the finishing blow and effectively naming Itachi winner of their battle. Neji felt disappointed in himself for falling for such an obvious tactic but Itachi had played his hand well.
"Good battle." Itachi said dipping into a respectful bow as Neji did the same.
"I wanna go next!" Shisui called ready to rush forward.
"I'll rock paper scissors you for it." Hamura grinned sure that he could beat Shisui in this game.
"No way bro I already called it."
"What's wrong Shisui? You're not scared you'll got up against me if I beat Itachi?"
Shisui snickered, "Didn't you lose to Itachi last time you guys fought?"
"Yea! And that's exactly why I should go next! I deserve a rematch!"
The two began going back and forth with one another about who should have the right to spare with Itachi next when Shikamaru felt a chill go down his spine. Against his better judgement he turned around his eyes lazy dark eyes meeting a pair of penetrating hazel.
He quickly turned back around hoping he hadn't given off the impression of someone who would make for good prey. He'd hoped to stay off this girls radar for as long as possible.
"Who's the guy with the ponytail?" Anko asked Izumi recalling she'd seen the boy here a number of times but she'd never actually seen him fight.
Izumi looked to where Anko was pointing and Shikamaru swore under his breath knowing she'd soon answer the other girls question.
He hoped she would group him with Itachi rather than Hamura and Shisui, who she seemed fond of messing with.
"That's Shikamaru Nara, a friend of Naruto's and the next hier to his clan. He trains with Itachi Shisui and Hamura in the mornings and sometimes later in the day."
"Oh."
Without any further questions for Izumi Anko turned towards the last member of the group who's personal profile was somewhat obscured by a lack of knowledge. Itachi's little brother who Anko didn't really know. She'd seen him begin training with the others a while ago but for the most part he kept to himself and never really said anything. He never even opted to accompany them when they were going out to eat, the Uchiha just scowled at everything.
Being the ever curious information bank Anko was she had slowly begun to form a general opinion of him and she felt she was ready to pull it all together.
Sasuke Uchiha seemed to be an antisocial type of person but when he picked a spot to stand he usually didn't choose to stand away from the group but in the back instead. A short distance away but still close enough to feel like he was included.
She knew antisocial people usually had two classifications and she immediately identified the one he fell under.
There were those people who were antisocial because they'd rather not socialize with people and then there were those who were antisocial because they didn't know how to interact with others which was obviously what he was.
How he stood at the back of the group was a clear indication of the Uchiha feeling like he didn't belong. That or an indication of him attempting to distance himself from the others but if he truly wanted to distance himself he would stand a distance away from them rather than a short distance behind them.
His actions spoke of a desire to be a part of the group but apparently he was too shy or he was just too aware of how antisocial he was so he didn't bother to try. He subjected himself to being the outsider and practically growled at anyone who attempted to draw him away from his self imposed isolation because he didn't want to make an effort to belong.
Loners generally didn't want to be loners, it was just the hand that was thrust upon them by fate.
They eventually grew to accept it for what it was and rejected anything else because they'd already grown comfortable with what they were used to regardless of what it was they actually desired. The majority of them lied to themselves by saying that isolation was what they wanted. Generally it was only what made them comfortable but deep down they hated it.
What they truly wanted was to be both accepted understood by others.
Humans were sociable creatures by nature and being alone for prolonged periods of time was never good for sociable creatures of any species. Never ending silence and isolation only ever lead to enlightenment or insanity.
Sasuke was no monk so that left only insanity as his viable option. It was very likely that if he didn't have a family he might one day go insane as an effect of the loneliness he felt.
They said it was always the silent one's that were crazy and they weren't lying at all. The silent one's were the ones who had no one to talk to and no one who understood them when they talked. The silent one's were usually quicker to insanity because they didn't feel human anyway.
Anko actually felt a small tinge of pity for the Uchiha's situation and she wondered just how crazy he might go if someone happened to just slaughter his entire family one day..or perhaps even his clan.
She didn't doubt his condition would get worse and worse until he regressed into someone who saw nothing but revenge. If something like that did happen Sasuke would be better of dead as well she figured.
Anko had been lonely for a while after her mother died, refusing to let anyone including the escorts who claimed to have known her mother in. Her self imposed exile had resulted in her snapping on the first person to offer her any kindness or help in a long time, simply because she was comfortable with being alone so she hadn't known any other way to react.
She hadn't been mad Hamura had chased Jugo's thugs away like she pretended to be. She'd really been mad that someone had come along and done something for her without wanting anything in return. She hadn't known how to react so she reacted with hostility and suspicion like most humans do when faced with the unknown.
Hinata was antisocial for the same reason Sasuke was. She didn't know how to socialize with others so she never put forth any effort because it'd just make her feel uncomfortable. Unlike most antisocial people though Hinata didn't convince herself that she was okay without friends or that she actually liked being alone.
Anko understood antisocial people deeply because she was an antisocial herself. One who generally didn't like socializing with others.
Anko wondered what would have happened if she remained on the streets by herself forever, would she have went insane eventually? Maybe that's why certain people who thought in a different way then others were classified as they were.
Most would call her sensei insane and it made sense how he actually became the way he was. Danzo had told her the story of Orochimaru's 'descent' into what he was today and it all started with the deaths of his parents apparently.
Danzo likewise didn't have any family and most would call some of the man's methods extreme to the point of bordering insanity. Maybe those who went insane only did so because they had no one who cared or no one who understood them so it was easier to detach themselves from others.
It made sense from what she saw so far and it made her develop a new sense of appreciation as she gazed towards the Monogahi boy still arguing with the Uchiha over who got to fight Itachi next.
"Uchiha." A familiar voice that never spoke to him directly sounded in Sasuke's ear bringing him to turn towards the mischievous girl with the eyes that watched everything.
"You want something from me?" Sasuke asked guarding himself immediately.
"From now on you're joining me my siblings and Naruto for spares at the Shimura compound in the mornings." She answered not giving him the option of choice in the matter.
"What? Why would I want to join a bunch of losers for training in the morning when I ca-?"
Whatever he'd been about to say he didn't get a chance to say as a kunai flew past his head without so much as a whistle. In the next second he had his right arm pulled behind his back and his face shoved in the dirt, a foot planted firmly in his back holding him there.
"Is that a yes I hear Uchiha Kun?" Anko pured thinking she might actually enjoy herself a bit with her little groups newest addition.
Sasuke stammered something ineligible into the dirt and Anko chuckled still holding him in place.
"Call me Anko Nee chan."
Sasuke stammered something again panicking slightly as the dirt surrounding his face was currently cutting off his oxygen. Anko chuckled again and let go of his arm allowing him up to sit up draw breath. Sasuke released a few coughs and spit out some dirt before fixing the girl with the most murderous glare she could ever recall having directed her way.
It made her proud to be who she was for a moment and she had to fight a grin.
"What the hecks your problem!? You could have killed me just now!"
"It's okay Sasuke Kun." Anko cooed playfully. "I know you don't really know how to talk to people but oneesan is gonna make it all better."
Sasuke's mouth hung open momentarily as the junior kunochi's words surprised him beyond belief. First Izumi and now the crazy girl with the purple hair. Since when could anyone who wasn't Itachi understand him? Was he getting easy to read or was it just females?
The Uchiha quickly turned his back to Anko and stalked off, internally raging at the fact that a Shimura of all things was offering him help to learn how to socialize with people. Did she know who her father was? That was almost as pathetic as a Hyuga reaching out and offering an Uchiha help with awakening the Sharingan..unbelievable.
"Itachi probably never has these problems." Sasuke stopped his internal rant momentarily."Stupid." He thought, berating himself for comparing himself to Itachi again even in light of the conversation he'd had with Izumi earlier.
Little did Sasuke know Naruto had seen the whole thing occur and he was glad to see he wasn't the only one who picked up on it. Anko might come off as scary or a bit mischievous...or even downright evil sometimes when she wanted to be, but she generally always meant well. He'd expected the Nara to catch on before anyone else and he was honestly a bit surprised.
Little did he know that didn't really apply to Itachi who'd always noticed his little brothers antisocial behavior and happened to also just seen what occured. When Anko pulled Sasuke's arm behind his back and forced his face into the dirt he'd experience a feeling cauldron of rage boiling within his stomach for a moment and his first thought had been to aim for her jugular but he knew the girl always meant well aside from her mischievous tendencies.
Only someone who was truly sociable could bring an antisocial out of their shell, but only an antisocial could understand another antisocial. He could leave Sasuke in Anko's hands for now trusting she would do no harm. If there was one thing that could be said about the junior kunochi with the purple hair and the deceptive smile it was that she wasn't afraid to toe the line in the slightest and she did it well if Itachi was any kind of judge. He would say she easily bore the Shimura name and she did it well. Anko Shimura was definitely a kunochi to watch.
Aside from Naruto not knowing Shikamaru had caught on he had. The Nara was a bit surprised at how quickly the girls attention had drifted elsewhere but without a doubt he was glad for it.
Shikamaru was antisocial for a reason as socializing with people gave him less time for sleeping during the day. Regardless of this he didn't mind meeting new people. However the older Shimura girl practically had a sign over her head that screamed bad news.
He couldn't help but feel like he'd just dodged a bullet on that one.
At least until he felt a spine chilling gaze at his back and he turned to see the very girl standing right behind him with a gaze that almost had a paralysing effect.
"So your names Shikamaru right? Mines Anko in case you didn't know." She said wanting to skip the introductions and get right to what she wanted to know. "What brings you here so often that you have a familiarity with everyone here without ever participating in any spars?"
Shikamaru swallowed the lump in his throat unsure of if he should answer or not. Telling the girl something so simple wouldn't result in him being placed on her list would it?
Konoha Main Street-7:13
Kakashi arrived at the Hokage's tower before the anbu that'd been tasked with retrieving him. Upon seeing that the third left his window open he took it as an invitation. A brief sprint up the side of the building was all it took for Kakashi to reach the ledge outside the window.
He leapt into the office first seeing Hatsue Uchiha in her full anbu uniform right in front of the desk of the Hokage with Nubutaka Monogahi standing on the other side behind her . "Hokage Sama." He greeted freezing as he saw Yashiu standing just across the desk from Hiruzen.
After only a brief moment of confusion Kakashi was able to quickly pull the puzzle pieces in place. "Decided not to get yourself killed fighting Ame's new leader huh?"
"I guess you could say that. Why take up a suicide mission when I can just take out a request with your Hokage."
"A request with the Hokage?" He asked raising a brow and turning to Hiruzen.
"Yes Kakashi," The aged leader began, "That is in fact why you were summoned. This woman would like for you to vouch for her and her intentions."
Kakashi looked surprised at the statement.
"Vouch for her intentions? Besides the fact that she's a dangerous kunochi who tried to kill me in the land of rain I know almost nothing about her. She intends to kill her father's murderer, not for revenge, but for ruler ship of Ame, and apparently she's immune to poison. She has no true sense of honor but she does seem to have at least some morals. Really that's all I know." Kakashi said not understanding why exactly she'd think he'd be capable of vouching for her.
Hiruzen nodded more than satisfied with what Kakashi was able to share. The Ame kunochi had been telling the truth in all that she'd said. It was with this knowledge that he decided he'd go along with the proposition she brung forth.
"Very well then. I find the terms of the agreement we spoke of agreeable as long as you'll stick to your word. I'll have to bring this up to the council either tomorrow or in two days time."
Yashiu nodded grateful to the Hokage for accepting, and to Kakashi to some extent for unknowingly helping the man decide in her favor. She didn't really think she had morals but if other people thinking she did helped her to get what she wanted then she wouldn't bother telling them otherwise.
"Getting pardons for all of you will likely take a few hours and I'm sure you do not wish to be confined to a small room. You and your men wouldn't mind waiting outside the gates until I can get them finished would you?" Hiruzen inquired
Yashiu snickered earning a few laughs from her shinobi. "My men and I are fine with a holding cell." She said almost sounding like she'd enjoy as much.
"Very well. I'll need to hold on to each of your shinobi ID's so we can get a copy Hiruzen said appearing as if he wasn't the least bit surprised. "Kakashi would you please escort our guests to an anbu holding cell?"
The aforementioned shinobi momentarily wondered what'd happened to his day off but quickly got over it's lose as he felt himself more interested in finding out what exactly was going on. He decided he'd ask the Hokage about it later at a time that was more appropriate.
The Ame group all proceeded to walk towards the Hokage's desk and lay their ID's down as he requested. Kakashi patiently waiting for them to finish.
"Right this way." He gestured trying to cover his look of dejection at the thought of the paper work that was about to come his way.
The group was gone soon enough and Hiruzen sighed, stand and moving towards his filing cabinet to retrieve the blank pardon slips he'd need to fill out then have sent to the LPD headquarters to have signed by Fugaku before he sent them back. Hiruzen would then need to have them sent to Anbu headquarters to be signed by Kakashi before being sent back to him to be copied and sent back out to the police force and the Anbu once again.
The two would then need to send their own verification forms simply stating that both had notified their respective departments to the foreign shinobi presence in the Leaf village, and that the shinobi had been pardoned and were to be treated as guests rather then hostile. Hiruzen would then need to stamp a specifically colored Leaf eblem on their ID's before copying them and they would be good to go.
There was another matter to be seen to but the Hokage already had an idea as to how that could be solved so he'd cross that bridge when he came to it.
"Hokage sama." Hatsue called drawing the man out of his thoughts. "My squad mates are both unconscious and-"
"You have the day free Hatsue. See to it that you get them to medic."
"Thank you Hokage Sama." Hatsue bowed before walking over towards her downed comrades.
Before she could attempt lifting the two unconscious men Nubutaka lifted one piece of them up onto his shoulder. Hatsue shot him a grateful smile he couldn't see through the mask but he could see inside her eyes none the less.
"I will be calling on you two for matters pertaining to this one shortly." Hiruzen informed as the two were on their way to leave.
Both leaf shinobi nodded before proceeding to take Hatsue's injured teammate to rest and get checked up on at the infirmary.
Konoha: Public tea house-7:27am
Fugaku and a number of other Uchiha were sitting at a rather large table that'd been brought outside for them to sit at for the meeting that was to take place today between his clan and Inoichi's.
The tea house they were currently sitting in front of was a tea house owned by none other than the self proclaimed strongest clan within Konoha.
Fugaku and most of his clansmen found it funny how the Hyuga had never claimed such a thing before the last war pretty much forced the Senju into extinction. How quick they were to forget that the only clan in the history of the elemental nations that was ever a threat to the Uchiha were the Senju.
The Hyuga thought that because the majority of the world saw their dojustu as superior to the Sharingan by all rights they were the superior to the Uchiha. The Uchiha of course thought otherwise.
The Byakugan definitely had it's advantages but the Hyuga name wasn't one that carried as much weight around the elemental nations as the Uchiha name.
No Hyuga in the elemental nations ever achieved such skill and notoriety that they had a flee on sight order issued to enemy shinobi who might cross their paths like Fugaku. No Hygua in the elemental nations had ever terrified an entire nation like Madara Uchiha. The Hyuga we're powerful that's something the Uchiha we're willing to admit, but more powerful than them?
If you asked an Uchiha they'd likely say that the Hyuga would be better off comparing themselves to a natural disaster than the carnal force of destruction that was the Uchiha clan. They had the visual prowess and the taijustu skills to match them on occasion but the Uchiha had reached levels in the past the Hyuga couldn't even dream of with their foolish emphasis on taijustu.
You'd think with as taijustu oriented as the Hyuga were that they would consider the Inuzuka be the their rivals but no. The Hyuga had to go overestimating themselves and claiming to be above something they could hardly even comprehend. The Uchiha clan would destroy the Hyuga if it ever came down to it and for the most part they truly believed that the Hyuga truly knew this. They we're simply lying to themselves by lying to the rest of Konoha, but it's not like the Uchiha truly cared, actions always spoke louder than words.
If the Hyuga wished to believe themselves so superior why shake them free of their delusions if it didn't bother them any? The Hyuga and their dojustu were worthy allows but them and their dojustu was nothing when compared to the Uchiha and the Sharingan.
Every time a sharingan was activated it forced it's bearer to relive whatever pain they'd gone through to awaken it so when fighting with their dojustu active the Uchiha always fought with pain in their hearts. It fuled them in battle, making them more ruthless in battle and giving them a greater motivation to defeat their opponents. A shinobi life was one filled with pain and sacrifice, not glory and nobility.
If the Hyuga truly understood this they wouldn't go around spotting a bunch of petty nonesense. Fugaku didn't care that his clan was stronger than the Hyuga's he just happened to know that they were.
The only clan besides the Senju the Uchiha ever truly considered to be a rival of sorts was the Haruno considering they were genjustu masters as well, and the clan had views that were nearly in perfect opposition to what the Uchiha tended to believe in. The Haruno likewise understood what it meant to sacrifice something for something greater, but the Hyuga had just grown over privileged over the years.
The Uchiha had to experience great pain to awaken and fully develop their eyes, while the Hyuga just had to focus enough chakra into them and they'd unlock their dojustu. They spoke of the Byakugan like it was so superior to the Sharingan but no one besides an Uchiha could ever even truly understand the eyes.
Every time a sharingan was activated it forced it's bearer to relive whatever pain they'd gone through to awaken it. Every time a Byakugan was activated it just relieved it's bearer of a bit of chakra and applied a drain same as the Sharingan.
Regardless of the Hyuga sacrificing nothing to awaken their dojustu the Uchiha didn't look at them in any particular way because of this. The Uchiha generally looked down on the Hyuga because they were in possession of a dojustu that gave them the ability to see at nearly 360 degrees for distances greater than that of a hawk, yet their entire clan specialized in close quarters combat.
If anyone had ever truly limited themselves they likely hadn't even come close to out doing the Hyuga who relied on taijustu as if they had no other option. It was essentially the same as if the Uzumaki who'd been known for their massive chakra reserves limited themselves to justu that barely consumed any chakra at all.
Why have a telescope that could hone in on your enemies from a great distance if you were only going to wait for them to get right under you to engage them in combat?
The gentle fist itself was very respectable. Most Uchiha would even bregrudgingly admit that the style was superior to their destroyer fist, but most Uchiha were also of the opinion that with a dojustu like theirs the Hyuga would do better to have specialized in long ranged fighting.
The gentle fist was something only Byakugan users could truly utilize, but it was only utilizing one of the Byakugans capabilities, which was the ability to see chakra points. With a dojustu like the Byakugan it would have been prudent to develop ninjustu that could disable the enemy at a distance before they even became aware of the Hyuga's pressence.
How a clan that didn't even fully utilize the potiental of their dojustu could call themselves superior to the Uchiha was something Fugaku and most of his breathen would never understand. Of course they chalked it up to arrogance on the Hyuga's part.
With the Senju gone and the Haruno down to only two living members the Uchiha had no rivals. The Yamanaka were illusionist and manipulators of the mind. The Uchiha were ninjustu and genjustu masters. It was fair to say the Yamanaka wouldn't serve as an appropriate rival for them either.
Usually the Uchiha wouldn't be caught dead inside or even around a Hyuga establishment but the Hyuga also owned the most upscale tea house's within the village and they could agree with the Yamanaka when they said this would be the most appropriate place for them to meet and negotiate with one another on neutral ground.
Fugaku knew he likely had more pressing matters to attend to waiting for him back at the police station but this was something that called for his attention at the moment.
Konoha shinobi academy-8:05am
With the first day of the academy out of the way nobody had to be told where their class was so everyone arrived at different times as long as they were there before class started. With most of the class already packed it was something of a surprise when Naruto, Shikamaru, Sasuke, and Hinata all walked through the doors of the classroom together.
It was obvious to all observers the group hadn't just all happened to arrive at the same time. It caused a number of people in the classroom to wonder where they'd all been before their arrival, specifically a few female classmates who weren't particularly fond of Sasuke spending any time around the cute Hyuga girl.
Kiba was glaring at the group as they made their way to their sets but no one seemed to notice or pay it any mind besides Sasuke who sat right beside him and had no choice but to receive the stare full force.
"Well why wasn't I invited to the party!?" Kiba complained, Akamaru barking in outrage along with him.
"I don't know. Maybe it's because you talk loud and your breath stinks." Sasuke said sparing Kiba a half look of annoyance and another half look of disinterest.
"Didn't I tell you to watch how you talk to me goth boy!"
"Oh brother." Shikamaru groaned as Sasuke and Kiba began trading insults unwilling to back down or show the slightest bit of leeway to the other.
Naruto's head was on his desk as if he was catching up on a few Z's but unbeknownst to anyone besides Hinata and Shino he was silently laughing at the verbal battle taking place to his left. The argument finally came to an end when the two hiers found their own voices drowned out by loud insults the girls in the row ahead of them were throwing at each other.
Naruto looked up to glance towards the girl with the pink hair while Sasuke rolled his eyes knowing the argument likely had something to do with him while Kiba did the same but for different reasons. Choji kept eating his bag of chips as if it was the only thing in life that mattered and Shikamaru wondered if this would now be a daily thing because if so he would need to be get ear plugs.
Iruka sensei stepped into the room and cleared his throat. All talking ceased immediately as the teacher had been sure to make it clear that he was no push over during the first day.
Iruka welcomed the class with a warm smile waiting until everyone was seated before he began taking attendance. Satisfied once everyone was accounted for he moved towards the Black board and began to draw something more than a few of his students were already familiar with.
"Can anyone tell me what this is?" He asked addressing the class. A few hands went into the air and Iruka picked the first one he saw. "Sakura."
"That's a diagram of a healthy chakra network." The pinkette answered proudly.
"Good." Iruka said giving an encouraging nod. "And would you mind telling the rest of the class what a chakra network is?"
"A chakra network is the storage and regulation for all chakra inside the body. It's like our blood stream but a bit more complex and none physical in nature."
"Very good Sakura. Now those of you who've never heard of this before no need to worry. Chakra control will be our primary focus for this year's first trimester."
"Boorriing." Naruto Kiba Sasuke and Choji all thought at the same time. Too bad there wasn't an advanced class for first years.
Shikamaru grinned to himself. "Sliding by easily off the knowledge and skills I already have doesn't sound too bad."
0o0o0o0o0o
Lunch time came quickly and slowly at the same time. Naruto sat at a table with Shikamaru, Choji, Sasuke, Kiba and a mysterious boy with dark glasses who'd invited himself to sit at their table but apparently didn't care to introduce himself.
Shikamaru had his head laying in his arms which he had rested on the lunch table. Naruto had no idea how the Nara was able to sleep with all the sound around the cafeteria but he managed to pull it off somehow. Sasuke and Kiba were both eating the academy's lunch with gusto while steeling the occasional hint at the others plate. Naruto wasn't a betting kind of guy but he'd bet his last pack of ramen Kiba would be the victor of the unofficial eating contest taking place.
Choji was eating his chips silently without a care in the world and the guy with the shades was just staring off into space.
Much to most of the classes disapointment there were no spares taking place today and the hours went by at an agonizing pace as the teacher assigned to the class schooled the students on things Naruto already knew. Hatsue and Jiriya had him covered when it came to knowledge of shinobi world history and pretty much everyone else helped him when it came to anything.
It made him wonder just how many people actually knew about his status as a Jinchiruki. As he pondered the thought his eyes roamed over the cafeteria and he saw something that brought a small frown to his face.
Sitting at the far end of the cafeteria at a table all by herself was an uncomfortable looking Hinata. There was a tray in front of her but it was untouched. The Hyuga was looking at the food with an expression close to sadness.
If Naruto had to guess at her look he'd say she was uncomfortable by herself but attempting to fit in at a table filled with other students she didn't know would only make it worse. She didn't want to be alone but she didn't want to get rejected or feel anymore uncomfortable than she did usually. He wondered why she hadn't come to sit with him and his group? True him and Hinata didn't really know each other well but the two were at least something close to friends he'd hoped.
Sparing a glance at his tables other occupants he realized none of them would miss him if he was gone for a few seconds. He stood and began making his way across the room.
"Hey Hinata."
The Hyuga girl startled turning around and seeing Naruto looking at her curiously.
"H-Hello Naruto kun.." She said toying with her fingers and avoiding direct eye contact.
"We're friends aren't we Hinata?"
"Are...Are we friends Naruto kun?" The Hyuga asked timidly somewhat afraid of the answer.
"I'd like it if we were so I'd say we are as long as you want to be."
Hinata's voice was lost at the moment and she could respond to the blondes offer in no other way than nodding her head. Naruto smiled at her response almost as glad as she was. Hinata was a good person, a talented junior shinobi, and apparently she admired him in someway.
"You wouldn't mind sitting at a table with me Shikamaru and the others would you? We're not much for company but I think we're better than what you have here."
Hinata chuckled at Naruto's attempt to be funny.
"I'd like that very much Naruto kun."
Konoha ninja academy-3:05
The academy day was over before anyone knew it and most of the students were heading home for the day while some stayed behind to partake in the extra curricular classes.
Naruto was one of these students. As the hallways filled with students who were emptying out into the streets of Konoha on their way to head home Izumi and Inoha managed to track down the blonde within the chaos but he was staying behind for stealth and infiltration classes.
The two told him that they'd see him later and left leaving him to it. Naruto was surprised when he arrived at the class snd saw two new students. The presence of Sasuke and Shikamaru would make this class all the more fun as now two of the other junior shinobi in the class might be a worthy competitor or rival of sorts
Monogahi training field: 3:16pm
Inoha and Imari arrived at their cousins compound intending to see if the training field was in use but they were intercepted by their cousin on the way.
"Nubutaka!" The two said startled at the man's sudden appearance.
"Hello my dear cousins! I heard you two caused the Hokage a lot but trouble recently."
The twins quiltily averted their eyes knowing exactly what he was reffering to. For some reason they'd never actually stopped to think of the consequences the situation might entail that didn't involve Naruto.
"I'd do it again." Imari grumbled still not looking at her cousin.
Nubutaka raised an eyebrow, almost chuckling since he clearly hadn't been meant to hear that. "Would you now?"
Imari's demeanor began to reflect how she was feeling inside. She looked very nervous, guilty, and upset, but mostly nervous.
"Yes I would." The girl said standing behind her belief that she'd done the right thing.
"And so would I." Inoha tacked on unwilling to leave her sister out to hang by herself.
The proud smile over taking Nubutaka's features surprised the two greatly considering they pretty much thought they were in trouble.
"As long as you two think you did the right thing who am I to tell you otherwise? Right and wrong are subjective terms anyway."
"You sound like my sensei." Anko said stepping from behind a nearby tree. "So good and bad don't exist to you either right? They're just petty terms?"
"Oh no. I just said they're subjective meaning they'll always be seen in different ways by different people. How can I not believe in good or bad? I do have morals you know..." Nubutaka grinned. "Your sensei sounds like a psychopath no offense?"
Anko shrugged in indifference. Her sensei likely wouldn't mind being called a psychopath. It'd likely earn a chuckle or two from the man who wouldn't even attempt to deny it.
"My sensei is a lot of things."
"Do tell." Nubutaka said attempting to mirror a childs look of exvexvi before story time.
"No." She said quickly shutting him down.
0o0o0o0o0o
Shisui ducked underneath the approach fireball and blurred towards the figure that launched it. Hamura taking a page from Shikamaru's book dropped a paper bomb and flickered away detonating it not a moment later.
Shisui stopped himself mid flicker and flickered away in the small window of time, moving so fast he appeared to have just teleported.
The wind around Hamura started shifting and his hurricane armor came to life. He rushed towards Shisui and the Uchiha was surprised to see he was moving almost as fast as him now. Hamura's kunai began clashing with Shisui's and the two began a slow paced duel where they were really just testing each other and improving their reflexes. As the two spared Nubutaka and the Shimura girls were just arriving on the battlefield.
"I didn't know Hamura was so fast." Inoha commented watching two blur's clash with each other on the battlefield. "He's faster than you Imari."
The older twin frowned at the comment feeling as if her position as Shisui's kenjustu rival was being challenged. Since when had Hamura become so good at using kunai anyway?
"Girl's!" A voice greeted from behind them.
"Hatsue Nee chan!" The twins shouted in unison bear hugging the usually busy Uchiha.
"I heard you two recently caused the Hokage a bit of trouble."
The two let go and looked towards the ground guiltily.
"We couldn't help it Nee chan. Naruto deserved to know."
"Where is he right now?" She inquired wondering why he hadn't shown up with the twins.
"He's at the academy taking the extra curricular stealth and infiltration class." Imari answered smiling as she read Hatsue's expression. She didn't look upset with them at all, she just looked worried.
"Is he okay?"
"He's fine actually. He handled the truth better than anyone would have ever expected."
"Good." Hatsue said breathing a sigh of relief. "Now we need to have a little chit chat about rules and why you don't break them."
Noticing the Uchiha's demeanor do a 360 Anko turned ready to walk away when a hand laid itself on her shoulder.
"You aren't excluded from this talk either Mitarashi Shimura. I'm sure you could have stopped them but you choose not to..why?"
Anko began sweating under the Uchiha's penetrating gaze. Hatsue was likely the only person in Konoha who could inspire any amount of fear within the girl.
"I-I couldn't help it! Just look at those two, they're adorable! How was I supposed to tell those them no!"
"Well I guess that makes sense." The Uchiha said smiling at Anko's admittion. "So you've gone soft?"
"No! I'm not the kind of kunochi to go soft! I just happen to love my sister's."
Hatsue chuckled before turning baxbaxk towards the twins. She felt like she was supposed to berate or punish them in someway for their actions but they'd already said they'd only been doing what they thought was right. She couldn't punish them for that even if she didn't agree with them.
"I just hope my little angel is still an angel."
Anbu HQ-3:20
Morino Ibiki stood before a fresh batch of shinobi Kakashi just escorted to a anbu holding cell. He raised an eyebrow at the many things that made this sight a very peculiar one.
The copy nin was dressed casually looking as if he hadn't planned on coming in to work today or working at all for that manner. Why the anbu captain would be dealing with foreign shinobi while dressed in such a way was a mystery to Ibiki indeed. Not just that but the Rain country ninja he lead to the holding cell all appeared to be armed to the teeth while sporting only minor injures. Usually any foreign shinobi who visited the anbu facilities were bruised, bloody, broken, or burned.
Some of them came in inside body bags but none of them had ever come in with only minor injures with their weapons still on their person. This was a rare occurrence if he'd ever seen one here and Ibiki wanted to know what was going on.
He began walking behind Kakashi's group silently as was normal for Ibiki. The many scares on the man's face were in no way received from torturing people in a small room all day. They came from Ibiki's other role as an infiltrations expert. The man of many scares was capable of infiltrating just about any village and hiding there for longer than most shinobi. His experiences surrounded by enemies with no back up to speak of lead to his footsteps always falling with complete silence.
Despite this however one of the shinobi ahead still noticed him. A young lady with fiery amber eyes, long dark hair that fell all the way down her back but spiked out as it went, and an air of death about her. The moment their eyes meant Ibiki knew that this woman was on another level when it came to killing. She hadn't heard his foot steps but more likely she'd somehow sensed his life force.
He almost shivered as her gaze lingered on him for a few moments until she turned back around.
If he hadn't been interested before Ibiki was definitely interested now. At the head of the group Kakashi was also aware of Ibiki's presence. He wasn't a natural born killer raised to sheed blood and establish his dominance over everything he set his eyes on and claimed as his as Yashiu was. Kakashi was just a natural talent and his natural ability to sense rather than detect people nearby steemed from countless battles against enemy shinobi and every compromising situation he was faced with throughout his career.
Leaf Police Station-4:13pm
Fugaku sat down in the chair behind his desk and sighed. Negotiations were less than favorable. Talks had gotten them nowhere and likely just set them back.
When all else failed to get the Yamanaka to budge Fugaku fell back on his last suggestion and demanded the blood of the man who's libido, or 'love', had gotten them into this situation. The Yamanaka refused to have one of their own punished for falling in love and the Uchiha demanded they hand over any rights they might have had pertaining to the child then. Of course they refused to do so and the Uchiha refused all compromise put forth in the way by the Yamanaka as well. In short the meeting ended with no ground being covered and both clans left with the budding thorn of resentment for the other growing in their chest.
"This situation will only escalate till it leads to physical violence against one another. There may only be one way to solve this matter but I was hoping to avoid that."
Konoha residential district-4:22pm
Tsunade sat on a loan stool watching as Lily focused her chakra into a specific point on her forehead. The girls growth rate was amazing and the Sannin attributed the ease with which she manipulated her chakra to her deficiency's when it came to her own body.
Without anyone present to help her there wasn't much Lily could do on her own so that left her to her with nothing to do usually aside from honing her chakra control. Tsunade didn't doubt if she kept up this pace she would be capable of cracking bolders and healing as good as any other med nin in a few years. Originally she'd opted to teach the girl out of pity, but now she hoped to actually turn the girl into a med nin of renown.
With all the talent she displayed Tsunade reasoned that it would be foolish of her not to place her in charge of some hospital somewhere in Konoha in a few years when she reached a certain level of maturity. Lily's only problem would be her timid mannerisms and her shy soul, but she could always get over that with time.
Konoha forest-4:26pm
Jiriya sat on a high tree branch gazing out over the village in the distance. Things were more peaceful than they'd been in years. Konoha's new alliance with Kumo brought the villages inhabitants a sense of peace they likely hadn't seen since the rein of the first Hokage.
Although all seemed to be well with the world Jiriya just couldn't help but feel as if something was wrong. There was a very dark shadow looming over the horizon and he had no idea of it's origin.
He needed to get back out of the village and do some quality spy work soon, but he needed to make sure things were all patched up with his godson before he did.
Konoha street-4:31pm
Hinata leapt to the low roof ahead of her so as to let a food cart wheeling down the road pass easily. The academy day was out and she had nothing better to do at the moment than wander around.
Her father was currently held up in a meeting with the Hyuga elders and her mother and uncle were attending the meeting at hid side. Her little sister Hanabi was being seen to by one of the clans caregivers and Neji was still at the academy.
She didn't currently know where any of the Shimura girls were and she wasn't as good at finding people as them. That left her with no one to spare against so she opted to listen to some of Anko's advice and explore Konoha.
Usually wandering around the village by herself would've made her very nervous but she actually felt rather calm and even proud of herself to some measure. Anko had told Hinata that a big part of getting over her lack of confidence was doing things that made her feel nervous.
This was one of those things and she felt proud of herself for not needing the Shimura girl to come hold her hand as she did it. She always pulled strength from Anko's presence and used it to boost her confidence. She was one hundred percent sure that had Anko not been present and in danger of receiving punishment she would have never stood up to her father. She was certain if it wasn't for Anko's influence she would have never felt confident enough to believe she could beat Naruto.
She was more appreciative to the Shimura than she would likely ever know and she wanted to make her proud. So instead of going to the Shimura compound and asking one of the NEE operatives always stationed around it to find Anko like she might've done usually she boldly decided to face one of her fears.
She smiled to herself wondering when exactly she'd become so brave. Maybe standing up to her father had did more for her confidence than she would have ever thought. She could hold eye contact with most people easily now and she didn't stutter nearly as much as she used to. Usually she only stuttered when Naruto was involved or when she was surprised.
She giggled to herself all too aware of the warm feeling in her chest and the warm feeling in her cheeks.
Naruto had asked her to be his friend today, and not only that, but he reached out to her when she was alone and invited her to join him and his friends for lunch. She didn't think Naruto would ever want to be friends with a plan girl like her when all his friends were so eccentric.
Sure they'd just started the academy but it was already plan to see that the group Naruto was now apart of were already on their way to being friends. All of them besides Sasuke Kiba and Shino pretty much already were friends. Naruto and Choji bonded at lunch over their love of food and Naruto and Shikamaru had already been friends before they started the academy.
The blonde was so unlike her it sometimes made her wonder if he could ever have the same feelings towards her that she had for him.
Naruto was bright, confident, enthusiastic about most things, empathetic, and easily sociable. Hinata was shy, always unsure of herself, usually too nervous about new things to show any enthusiasm, too antisocial to be truly empathetic, and she was about as lively in groups as a rabbit was surrounded by a pack of wolves.
Being around the blonde made her more nervous than anything so if she was to follow Anko's advice she should spend more time around him she reasoned. That would likely do more for her confidence than anything she could ever think of.
0o0o0o0o0o0o
Izumi was in her after school class learning exactly how much chakra she needed to heal certain wounds when movement outside the window caught her eye.
Sitting on the ledge outside was black crow looking inside the class but sparing no one save her any mind. Izumi smiled brightly at the crow when she noticed the Sharingan in it's eyes. Either it was one of Itachi's crows or it was Itachi himself using the transformation justu.
The crow nodded it's head as if to say it approved of her taking up extra studies and flew away.
Izumi's already fair mood brightened considerably. Her and Itachi hadn't spent any real time together in months and it was good to know she wasn't the only one who missed her best friend.
0o0o0o0o0o0o
The crow he'd summoned returned only minutes after he'd sent it out to check on Izumi. He held out his arm and it landed, careful to avoid stabbing him with it's sharp talons. Itachi's eyes and the crows made contact and after a few moments the Sharingan in the birds eyes faded.
Itachi smiled at the memory he received before nodding and allowing the crow to dispell. Apparently she'd missed his presence as well over the passing months.
Admittedly he'd really started to miss her smile over the last couple of weeks. Sometimes he'd think about her at night as he, his sensei, and his teammates lay somewhere far away from the village on a mission of some kind that required days or even sometimes weeks of travel and time outside the village.
Izumi's smile was one of few things Itachi could say was right with the world. The world didn't look so bleak as long as it had someone with a smile like that inhabiting it. Sasuke's smile had that effect because he was Itachi's little brother and the two loved each other fiercely, but with Izumi it was different.
He didn't know why her smile was so important he just knew that it was and it brought him some sense of comfort. He'd always liked Izumi's smile but he'd begun to appreciate it more after that day when he thought she'd died by the hands of the Shimura girl. Everytime she smiled his mind would bring him back to the moment when he thought he'd never before see that smile again.
It made him appreciate Izumi more than he had previously. He hadn't known exactly how important to him she was until the moment he thought she was dead and he actually appreciate Anko for opening his eyes somewhat. On that day as he and Izumi enjoyed the company of each other at the festival Itachi became all too aware of the many risk she would face as a shinobi once she graduated the academy and it worried him.
A part of him wanted her to decide she'd rather not be a shinobi and drop out of the academy, but he chose not to acknowledge that part of himself. No doubt Izumi worried about him as well when he was away from the village, yet she never attempted to dissuade him from his path and he owed her the same even if he'd rather not admit it to himselt.
Yea I really cut the chapter short to upload it sooner but I think I've already laid the groundwork for the next chapter since this one should've been much longer.
@Gothgirl2186 Sorry it took me so long. I probably would've took longer if I hadn't read your comment and realized it had been a while since my last upload. I hope this chapter didn't disappoint and that you're still reading.
Dialogue
Shy: Comments?
Kasuf: You wrote this chapter too long ago for us to have any comments on it without re-reading the whole thing.
Shy: Well try.
Kasuf: Kakashi needs more screen time. Ibiki needs more screen time. Orochimaru needs more screen time. Danzo-
Shy: Okay Kasuf, I won't ask you anymore questions about this chapter you sarcastic ass. Kabir?
Kabir: I thi-
Kasuf: Who said I was done? I wad giving my honest opinion on the chapter before u so rudely cut me of-.
Kabir: You're done bro, just shut up and give me my turn.
Kasuf: I will cut your stomach open and feed your intestines to the nearest desert coyote if you dare interrupt me again you ignorant plebacant.
Kabir: Pleb is a word but I don't think plebace-
ShyGuys!
Kabir: Right. I think it's all getting a bit more interesting as it goes if not a bit confusing at times. This fic is all over the place and I have no idea what direction it's heading. What exactly are you doing here Shy?
Shy: Just going crazy with the creative liberties I'm afforded as a fic writer! I think mid way through the fic people will give up on trying to predict what'll happen next.
Kasuf: We aren't midway through yet?
Shy: Nope, not even close. First we have to reach the point where my original rough draft of this fic ends and that's at the end of Team twelves chunin exams. Really the story has just barely begun.
Kabir: You're not worried you're throwing too much on your plate with this fic are you?
Shy: No! You guys always have my back anyway so I'm not worried. If it gets to be too much you can write for me while I dictate the lines in which the story wi follow along with how the plot will develop.
Kabir: Why not have Kasuf do it since you two are already working on a fic together?
Shy: Because Kasuf is too lazy to write a fic by himself, not to mention he's a bit crazy. Kasuf's first order of business would be seeing which characters he could kill off and how much torture is too much torture.
Kasuf: She isn't lying you know.
Kabir: We that's interesting I suppose, and speaking of torture I guess we'll be seeing a lot of Ibiki from this point on?
Shy: Either more or less of him than you'll likely expect, but yes we'll be seeing him every few chapters or so from this point on..maybe.
Kabir: I think Iruka would make a better match for Yashiu.
Shy: Who says I'm going to pair them off with one another? I could just be planning to have one of them torture the other to death for shits and giggles.
Kasuf: Now we're talking!
Kabir: I think Kasuf is beginning to influence you just a bit too much.
Kasuf: Can't have too much of a good thing.
Kabir: Yea and being crazy is real good right?
Shy: Well being normal is no fun.
Kabir: Oh goodie, because first thing I need is two Kasuf's.
Shy/Kasuf: *grins*