Chapter 37 – Two Choices
"Talk"
'Think'
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto sensei. So…yeah.
A/N: A Tale of Two Jinchūriki has reached over 5000 views! Thank you! Thank you and Thank you!
Training Ground
It has been two months since their first C-rank mission and each member of team 7 was practicing hard on the training ground.
Naruto was practicing the final form of rasengan while Tenzō, who has mastered moku bunshin was trying to improve his arm transformation into wood whereas Noriko was familiarising herself with Jūken. She also had improved her ability to release chakra from her tenketsu fast enough to protect or soften the blow that was aimed at her (normally from Naruto).
They were in the middle of training when Kakashi dropped by with 4 bentō. "Yo!" he greeted.
"Yo!" "Hi" "Hello" they greeted him back.
Eyeing the bentō, Noriko asked "What's the occasion?"
"Well there's something I'd like to discuss with you" said Kakashi while distributing the bentō.
Opening his bentō, Kakashi said "First, we've received another C-rank mission. A group of bandits threatened to attack Land of Waves. We'll leave tomorrow morning"
"So, what's the problem?" asked Naruto.
"Once you've finished your mission, you have two options. Either to go back Konoha and participate in the Chūnin exam-"
"Chūnin exam!" said the three of them excitedly.
"-or learn how to use the Kyūbi chakra in the ruin of Uzu no Kuni, which was near the Nami no Kuni" finished Kakashi.
"Uzu no Kuni?" echoed Naruto.
"Yes, Naruto" said Kakashi.
"Why do the training now? Why there?" asked Noriko.
"Because we've just found out that there is a group of S-rank nukenin targeting jinchūrikis-"
"What?!"
"Yes. I know this is a shock but I had to tell you. Initially, Hokage-sama wants you to train after you have become chūnin and gained more experience, but circumstances called for you to train now. I proposed to do it away from Konoha because the Kyūbi's chakra might freak some people out, and we don't need that" said Kakashi before asked "So…what do you think? Chūnin exam or training?"
"I don't know. I leave it to Tenzō" said Noriko in a weak voice.
"Why me?" asked Tenzō.
"By right, you should enter the Chūnin exam. But because of us, you might miss it and I don't like that. But I see sensei's point. So, I leave it to you since you have the most to lose" explained Noriko.
"Naruto?" asked Kakashi.
"I-I think, I'm with Noriko, though for different reason" said Naruto in a low voice "I would like to go Uzu no Kuni and visit Uzushiogakure"
Everybody gone silent for a moment before Kakashi turned to Tenzō "I guess that leaves you, Tenzō"
Tenzō was silent for a long time while debating with himself, then he asked Kakashi "What are the chances of us being promoted to chūnin? Honest answer"
"Hmmm...to be honest, it is very rare but not unlikely" answered Kakashi.
"If the group that is after Naruto and Noriko are S-rank nukenin, what rank are we now?"
"Power-wise, you guys are chūnin level but power alone does not make one a chūnin. So, I'd have to say, you guys are D-rank shinobi"
Noriko's face has gone white while Naruto and Tenzō looked shock at Kakashi's bluntness.
"I guess the choice is clear then. There is no point being a D-rank chūnin" said Tenzō with a weak smile.
"Well, it's settled then. I'll meet you tomorrow morning at 8. Packed for long-term mission" reminded Kakashi before he went off to report to Hokage of their decision.
Naruto, Noriko and Tenzō looked at each other before went on separate ways.
Naruto went to Yamanaka Hana to buy flowers before headed to Memorial Stone. Over there, he talked about his progress, his team mates and current problems and ended with "…please watch over us"
"Naruto"
Naruto turned and saw Sasuke.
"Sasuke!" looking at Sasuke's empty hand, he asked "No flowers?"
"I've visited this morning, idiot" explained Sasuke.
Noting Naruto's troubled eyes, Sasuke asked "More problems?"
Naruto rubbed the back of his hair "Haha, you know me. Problems never afar"
Sasuke scrutinized him and said "Hn. One of these days, you have to tell me what is it that's bothering you"
'If only you knew, Sasuke' thought Naruto. He wanted to but unsure how to tell and feared of Sasuke's reaction "Maybe"
"Want to go eat ramen?" asked Sasuke. He knew Naruto was hiding something and wished Naruto would confide with him. When he talked to Itachi, his brother advised him to give Naruto some time.
"Sure!" Naruto answered cheerfully "By the way, tomorrow we are going on another C-rank mission"
"What? Another one? I just got one, though that one turned B-rank. So I won" Sasuke smirked.
"What?! No way! How?"
"Well, it started with…"
Noriko walked to the brook near her house and began to meditate.
"What are you doing?" asked Rajah who appeared suddenly.
"Trying to calm myself"
"You inner was a chaos" said Rajah. Noriko arched her eyebrows, "Don't give me that look. You know we are connected, so I know your inside" answered Rajah.
"If you know, why you asked?"
"I can sense your emotions, but I'm not a mind-reader. So what's up?" asked Rajah.
"I just found out that a group of super strong shinobi is after me and Naruto because they want the Kyūbi-"
"So you are scared like chicken?"
"In a way, yes. But my main issue is, why me?"
"I think every being that is capable of thinking asked the same question. I believe, you'll only find out if you live through it to the end"
…
…
…
"That's deep, Rajah"
"I know, now, where's my treat?"
Noriko sighed and took out a comb. Quietly, she brushed Rajah's fur and Rajah closed his eyes, enjoying the moment. It was quite therapeutic as at the end, Noriko hugged Rajah and said "Thank you, Rajah".
Rajah squint his eyes and he was gone.
Tenzō was walking through the denser parts of Konoha. He didn't know why but it calmed him to be near trees. He read that Shodai grew the forests in Konoha using Mokuton.
'I wish I was strong as you so I can protect my friends, Shodai'
End Chapter 37
A/N: Just found out that tiger cannot purr like cat…whoopsie
Moku Bunshin – Wood Clone
Mokuton – Wood Release
Nami no Kuni – Land of Waves
Nukenin – Missing Nin
Rasengan – Spiralling Sphere
Tenketsu – chakra point
Uzu no Kuni – Land of Whirlpools
Uzushiogakure – Hidden Village of Whirlpool