Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Over 900 reviews! It's only a hop, step, and jump to 1000!
Anyways, I should give something special to the 1000th reviewer... I don't know, virtual lollipop?
Or maybe... a sneak peek to the next chapter or something?
Chapter 36: Wrapping Things Up: Naruto's Shock!
Naruto rubbed the bump that had appeared on his forehead. It was stinging badly... along with the rest of his body.
Great... Naruto thought, regarding Gaara who was gradually standing up from across him.
Out of chakra... hopefully Gaara is as well...
They seemed to be in a 'clearing' that Shukaku had created in his short-lived mass destruction of the forest.
"So? What now?" Naruto demanded, picking himself up. He stared at Gaara defiantly. "What did that accomplish?"
"It... was my mission." Gaara stated, struggling to keep his cold demenour.
"Your mission." Naruto raised an eyebrow. "You know, I knew this girl... uh, boy, once. He said that ninja were tools."
"That's true." Gaara said. "I was born a tool, a monster for my village. And you are the same, are you not? How else would you manage to beat me?"
"Maybe I'm just really strong like that!" Naruto joked. His expression then returned to serious again. "Yeah. I'm the same. I told you, didn't I? And plus, I had to protect everyone..."
"Why?" Gaara's eyes flashed with anger. "Why aren't you like me?"
"I... had friends." Naruto said hesitantly. "I... was alone at first. But people..."
Obito...
"Helped me. Recognized me as myself and not the demon inside me." Naruto explained. "Taught me..."
Iruka-sensei... Kakashi-sensei...
"Fought with me..."
Sasuke...
"And just were there..."
Sandaime-jiji... Sakura-chan... Everyone...
"I'm not alone anymore." Naruto grinned. "I'm different from you... Because I'm not alone."
"Why! You're... YOU'RE THE SAME AS ME!" Gaara screeched weakly. "Why... can you go so far for other people! Why are you not alone?"
"You're not alone either, right?" Naruto demanded. He looked up at the sky. "You have your siblings, right?"
"They... they're afraid of me. Hate me." Gaara stated. "Think that I'm the demon..."
"Then change their opinion!" Naruto exclaimed. He closed the distance between the two of them in a few short steps, and looked straight into Gaara's eyes. "Convince them! In fact, convince everyone! But start with them! You can do it! Ignore the demon in you!"
"Mother..." Gaara muttered.
"It isn't your mother! It's just a manipulating demon! Ignore it!" Naruto shouted, straight into Gaara's ear. Needless to say, Gaara winced.
Gaara took a step back and looked at Naruto.
He's the same... yet different...
Change... their opinion?
A small smile found itself on Gaara's face.
Perhaps... that may work...
"And... you've more or less lost. Want to admit your defeat?" Naruto demanded. "Because, technically, you're Sand and Sand's invading Konoha.
Gaara closed his eyes. "Do what you wish. It's my loss."
Temari and Kankuro jumped down to Gaara, staring at Naruto threateningly.
Naruto grinned. "Since it looks like your siblings have woken up and don't want me to do something to you... I'll be going, now!"
He shunshin'd away.
1010101010
Naruto made his way into the arena and looked around. Everyone was hysterical, tired, and running around.
He noticed Sasuke milling around in a corner along with the other genin. They seemed to have a depressed aura for some reason.
Naruto raced towards them, grinning automatically to try to pass on some of his optimism.
"What's the matter? We beat the Sand and Sound, right?" Naruto demanded, turning his head to the side in confusion.
"Hi, Naruto." Obito smiled.
"Now, who is this!" Kiba exclaimed, pointing at Obito. He was wearing a simple Henge. He looked the same as usual, except without his goggles and with brown hair.
Akamaru barked.
"He said he was a genin from two years ago, but I've never seen him." Kiba translated.
Shikamaru's eyes narrowed. He was still near- completely out of chakra, but his mind was working fine. "Naruto... did you defeat that monster?"
"Don't be silly!" Ino exclaimed in annoyance. She was still miffed that she wasn't included in the Hinata rescue attempt. "Someone summoned that toad to defeat the monster! The only living person that can summon toads is Jiraiya of the Sannin, remember? We studied it in the Academy!"
"Are you saying that Jiraiya of the Sannin defeated the monster?" Sakura said in confusion. "But Obito-san said that Naruto did... Even if it's unbelievable..."
Still, I guess Naruto has the Kyuubi in him after all...
"Obito-san? Obito, is that you?" Naruto demanded.
"Huh? Yeah." Obito nodded.
"Oh, I get it now." Naruto grinned. Henge.
"I have no idea who this guy is, and why should we trust him!" Ino demanded.
"True, for-" Shino started.
Lee cut Shino off, serious for once. He looked to the ground in sadness. "Naruto-kun... the Sandaime's Flames of Youth have been completely erased by Orochimaru."
Naruto looked at one person to the other. "Wait, wait, what? One thing at a time... first things first... Lee, what did you say?"
Sasuke translated brusquely. "Naruto. The Sandaime is dead."
Naruto froze, and turned to Sasuke. "Wh-what?"
"Orochimaru killed the Sandaime." Sasuke clarified, staring straight at Naruto.
"No way..." Naruto said in shock. The stress and injuries of the last few hours started to catch up with him. "Sandaime-jiji... is dead?"
No one answered, as they were all looking down at the ground in sadness.
Naruto swayed dangerously, and fell to the ground.
"Naruto!"
1010101010
"So, who are you?" Kiba demanded again, staring at Obito. "Why does all of Team 7 seem to know you?"
Currently, they were right outside of the Konoha hospital. Obito had volunteered to take Naruto to the very over-crowded hospital, but everyone came along.
"Do I have to explain?" Obito complained, looking up at the sky. "I already said I'm a genin who became one two years ago!"
"Yes." Shikamaru muttered. "Why have we never seen you before?"
"Have you seen all of the genin in Konoha?" Obito demanded.
"No, but where did you pop up from?" Kiba demanded.
Akamaru barked.
"Where's your team?" Kiba translated. "And you weren't in the Chuunin Exams."
"Whatever..." Obito groaned. "I'm going to go to Kakashi... he'll be able to help... he's a jonin, unlike you genin..."
Obito shunshin'd away, leaving many annoyed genin in his wake.
"He's a genin too, isn't he?" Chouji asked, munching on a chip from a bag that he had produced from somewhere.
"No, chuunin." Sasuke muttered. He turned away and started walking.
"What? He said he was a genin!" Kiba cried.
Oh, who cares. Sasuke thought in annoyance.
"Where're you going, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked.
"Hn." Sasuke grunted with a scoff. He didn't answer.
1010101010
"Hi, Asuma! Know where Kakashi is?" Obito asked, jumping up in front of Asuma. He had taken off his Henge.
They were in a slightly-destroyed street.
"I heard he's in the Hokage Tower." Asuma answered. He wasn't smoking for once. "Why do you want to know, O...bi..."
Asuma stopped looking to the side distractedly to stare straight in front of him. "Obito?"
There was nothing but wind.
Asuma shook his head fiercely.
Must be the shock of learning Dad's dead...
Still, why Obito?
I would think Kakashi would be the one to hallucinate Obito... Is the trauma of being a shinobi finally catching up to me?
1010101010
Kakashi was sitting in front of a group of old people. He was currently quite annoyed, although he didn't show it.
Jiraiya was leaning on the wall next to him.
"So, are you saying that your student, the Ky- Uzumaki Naruto, defeated the monster from the Sand?" one of the Council members demanded.
"Yes." Kakashi said patiently. "I believe I said that twice before. I also said that I did not actually see this act, so it would be better to check with Naruto himself. But, since Jiraiya-sama didn't summon the toad, Naruto must have."
"Monster to beat a monster." another Council member muttered.
Kakashi's eye flashed in anger.
"And, Jiraiya-sama, you were not the one to summon the toad?" a Council woman inquired.
"No, of course not! I said that Naruto signed the Toad Summoning Contract already!" Jiraiya snapped. He had no qualms about hiding his annoyance. "I'll show it to you, then!"
Jiraiya bit his finger and placed his hand onto the ground to summon a toad.
"Jiraiya-sama, please refrain from-" a Council member started before being cut off by a toad which landed on him.
"Sorry 'bout that." Jiraiya lied. He took the summoning scroll from the toad he had summoned and spread it out.
"Here." Jiraiya said, pointing at Naruto's name. "Believe me now?"
All of the Council members leaned in to regard the scroll.
"I see." one of the Council members muttered in annoyance.
Jiraiya retrieved the scroll and dismissed the toad. "Now, can you let us go now?"
"Not just yet. There's still one small problem to be addressed." a Council woman stated.
"One small problem?" Jiraiya blinked.
"The problem of who will be the Hokage next." the same Council woman explained.
"See you then, Kakashi!" Jiraiya exclaimed, shunshin'ing away.
Kakashi groaned inwardly at Jiraiya's antics.
"We can take the matter up with him another time." a Council member sighed. "Kakashi, you may go now. We have sufficiently understood what happened."
"Very well." Kakashi nodded, making his way out.
1010101010
Kakashi walked out of the Hokage Tower, looking around with a sigh.
"Hi, Kakashi." Obito grinned. He was wearing a Henge currently, one of a plain brown-haired boy.
"Who are you?" Kakashi demanded.
"It's me, Kakashi!" Obito said with a laugh.
"Is this one of those spams?" Kakashi muttered, ignoring Obito.
"I thought those spams were supposed to done on the telephone." Obito commented. He undid his Henge with a puff of smoke.
"Obito?" Kakashi said in shock as the puff of smoke disperced.
"I'm alive! Even though that sounds weird, I'm alive!" Obito stated, grinning.
Kakashi took a deep breath, scratching his head. "Put your Henge back on."
Obito shrugged and redid his Henge.
"So, why are you... alive?" Kakashi questioned with some hesitation.
"I have no idea. Don't ask me." Obito shrugged. They were walking in the streets towards Kakashi's apartment. "Anyways... Sandaime-sama is dead?"
"Yes. Orochimaru killed him." Kakashi sighed, closing his eye.
There was a moment of silence, before Obito piped up again.
"You know, I don't really feel like telling the Council about me." Obito decided, nodding with determinedly. "I'll just wait until we get a new Hokage... yup!"
Kakashi raised his thin eyebrow. "I don't believe that's a good idea..."
"Oh, who cares?" Obito said dismissively. "The next Hokage has got to be one of the Sannin, right?"
"Most likely." Kakashi muttered.
"Then it's going to be either Tsunade-sama or Jiraiya-sama." Obito mused. "Because Orochimaru is a missing-nin..."
"As Tsunade-sama's location has been unknown for a while now..." Kakashi looked up at the sky. "It's going to be Jiraiya-sama, most likely."
"Joy. A porn-writer as a Hokage." Obito groaned. "At least he's strong, I guess..."
"I don't thick he'll accept without an arguement, though..." Kakashi muttered. "There is paperwork, for one..."
"Well, who else is there in Konoha?" Obito demanded. "It's not like you can be the Hokage! Well, maybe Tsunade-sama could..."
Kakashi nodded. "But no one knows where she is."
1010101010
Naruto's eyes twitched as he slept in a hospital bed.
Sakura walked into the room. It was around half past three, and Naruto had been unconscious for around a day.
The Sandaime's funeral is going to happen tomorrow... Sakura thought, sitting down on a chair. She looked at Naruto. Will Naruto wake up in time for it?
Just then, the door slid open again with a clatter, revealing Sasuke.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"Checking to see if he's awake." Sasuke muttered, glancing at Naruto. "Same as you."
Sakura laughed slightly.
Sasuke regarded the single flower that was placed in a vase on a bedside table. "Sakura... did you give him the flower?"
"No." Sakura shook her head, noticing the flower for the first time. "It was there when I came... I wonder who gave it to Naruto?"
Sasuke grunted absent-mindedly.
"Maybe Hinata..." Sakura murmured, looking at the bright white flower.
A... Gardenia, I think... I wonder if it means something in particular...I don't think it has to do with getting better.
Ino-pig would know... She runs a flower shop, after all... Maybe I'll ask her.
Naruto turned over in his sleep. His face was peaceful, and he didn't show any signs of waking up anytime soon.
"I'm going to go, Sasuke-kun." Sakura decided, standing up.
Sasuke shrugged slightly and got up as well. "I will too, then."
The two of them slided the door open and left the room.
As soon as the door shut quietly, Naruto cracked an eyelid open. Then he cracked the other open.
Finally, he opened both of his eyes.
Okay. The hospital staff let their guard down whenever someone visits and they say that I'm still asleep.
Naruto jumped out of bed and glanced out the window.
Oh, come on, third floor? Again? Sometimes I think they put me here on purpose because I escape so much...
It's not my fault that the stupid hospital staff make me stay here for a whole week whenever I fall unconscious!
I suppose I'll go with the Henge plan... It'll be hard to escape out of the window.
Naruto placed his hands into a handseal and muttered 'Henge' underneath his breath.
With a puff of smoke, a black haired young girl appeared. He was wearing a simple white dress.
My Oiroke no Jutsu is too well-known... It's obvious it's me.
But, if I use a Henge to Henge myself into a boy, it'll be suspicious...
So, an original girl Henge is the best.
Naruto blinked as he looked at the white flower on his table.
I guess I'll take the flower... someone gave it to me, after all!
Plus, if I have a flower, it'll look like I was visiting someone.
Naruto took the flower and opened the door a crack. He looked around.
Okay. No one around.
Naruto opened the door further and walked out into the corridor.
He tried his best to place a relaxed expression on his face as he walked down the stairs.
A doctor walked past Naruto, and he nodded at Naruto. "Hello."
"Hello." Naruto answered, nodding slightly at him.
They passed each other without any incident.
Naruto resisted sighing with relief as he walked into the lobby.
"Excuse me!" a voice cried. It was the receptionist. "I don't recall you coming in... could you tell me where you signed in?"
Naruto froze and swore inwardly.
I nearly did it! Okay, then... I'll just Shunshin!
Naruto blurred and raced through the door quickly.
The receptionist opened the intercom on her desk. "Hello?"
"Yes?" a voice asked.
"Another patient's escaped, I believe." the receptionist sighed.
"We're on it. Any idea who it is?" the voice demanded.
"No, but she was female. She was probably wearing a Henge, though." the receptionist answered.
"Got it. Female, right?" the voice stated. "Over and out."
The intercom buzzed off.
1010101010
As soon as Naruto got to what he deemed as a safe spot, he undid his Henge. He was in an alley close to his apartment.
He glanced at the flower in his hand.
I guess I should go to my apartment and drop this off before swinging by Ichiraku's... I'm so hungry!
Still, what am I supposed to do after that... maybe I can go look for Obito... where did Kakashi-sensei live again?
"Naruto? I thought you were still in the hospital." someone stated, looking at Naruto in surpirse.
A dog barked.
Naruto flipped around to look at the speaker. "Kiba? Oh, hi! I got out of the hospital."
"Uh... okay." Kiba nodded. "Are you healed, then?"
"Yeah..." Naruto said, walking out of the alley. "Anything interesting happen during the day I was asleep?"
"Nothing much. The... Sandaime's funeral is tomorrow, though... you should find your sensei." Kiba said. Then he stared at Naruto.
Naruto twitched at Kiba's gaze. "What is it?"
"I can't believe that you, the dobe, managed to defeat that Gaara guy." Kiba said simply.
"Well, I did." Naruto said in annoyance. "I'm not just the dobe!"
Akamaru barked.
"Yeah, I guess..." Kiba mused at the words of Akamaru that only he could understand.
"I'm going now..." Naruto said, stepping back lightly. He raced away.
Sandaime-jiji's... dead.
Well, at least Obito came to life... Ah! Where's Obito!
Naruto ran into his apartment and placed his flower into a glass of water.
His eyes started to close.
You know, I'm still tired... Maybe I'll go to sleep...
Naruto dropped onto his bed with and was asleep in a matter of seconds.
1010101010
Obito raced into Naruto's apartment. Rain poured down from the sky, hitting the roof noisily.
Clouds covered the sky, but behind them the sun was rising.
Apparently Naruto escaped from the hospital... He's probably here, then.
Oh! There he is! I better wake him up...
"Naruto." Obito whispered, poking Naruto.
Naruto groaned and his eyes flew open. "Obito?"
"Wake up!" Obito exclaimed with a grin. "Konoha's being invaded again!"
"What?" Naruto cried, jumping up with shock.
"Joking." Obito smirked. "But you're up, right?"
Naruto growled. Then his mind cleared. "Obito..."
"I'm alive, yes... More importantly, we need to get to the... funeral." Obito said depressedly.
We're not even in a war... and yet the Sandaime had to die...
Naruto looked down at the ground. He started to change. "Yeah."
1010101010
Konohamaru's eyes teared up in the clearing that the Sandaime's funeral was being held. He rubbed his eyes desperately, trying to stall the flow of tears.
Naruto placed a hand on Konohamaru's shoulder comfortingly. He didn't say anything... he couldn't say anything.
Konohamaru looked up at Naruto for a moment with a tear-streaked face.
Iruka, who was standing next to Konohamaru, looked down at Konohamaru sadly. He kneeled down and hugged him comfortingly.
Naruto looked up at the Sandaime's picture. Smoke twisted up from the insence next to the picture.
"How come some people die, and others live?" Naruto asked to no one in particular. "Why did Sandaime-jiji have to die... and yet so many others lived?"
"I don't know. But somehow I feel guilty." Obito commented. He wasn't wearing a Henge... he wanted to see if anyone would notice.
No one had, yet.
"That's reasonable." Kakashi said, looking up at the cloudy sky with his eye. "You were brought back..."
Kakashi left his sentence unfinished. It was obvious what he was saying.
Iruka looked at Kakashi in confusion.
"True." Sasuke muttered.
Why did Itachi survive, and my clan die!
Sakura simply looked down at the ground in sadness.
Naruto sighed.
Why did Sandaime-jiji have to die?
"It's true that when someone dies, they lose everything. Absolutely everything." Iruka said.
Mom... Dad...
"It's the most important thing to die for a cause. But even then, it's painful." Iruka said wisely.
Naruto nodded. He looked up at the sky and started to walk away. "'Bye."
The sun started to peek out from the clouds.
And likewise, on Naruto's face a smile appeared, breaking through the sadness.
1010101010
And, cut, again... It was slightly short 'cause I wanted to end it there...
So, here you go! Shinobi Zukan Orange!
Naruto crossed his arms in annoyance. "No! And that's final!"
"Naruto..." Obito sighed exhasperatedly.
The two of them were facing each other in Naruto's apartment. Naruto seemed to be around ten years old, and Obito was still transparent... and a ghost.
"Ramen isn't good for you!" Obito snapped. He crossed his arms.
"Yes it is! It has the meat group, the fruit and vegetable group, the dairy group... if you put egg in... and the grain group!" Naruto reasoned. "It's healthy!"
"Look, the food groups aren't everything!" Obito groaned. "The point is the noodles! They're practically deep-fried! It... isn't... good... for... you!"
"So what? Cup ramen still is good for you!" Naruto said stubbornly.
"Do you know how many preservatives are in there?" Obito retorted. He pointed straight at Naruto. "You need to cook something else."
"Like?" Naruto demanded. "I don't know anything!"
"Scrambled eggs! Hamburger! Something!" Obito exclaimed, gesturing with his hands. "The point is you need something healthier!"
"I eat vegetables..." Naruto pointed out.
"You didn't even eat those outside of ramen before I came along!" Obito retorted. He leaned in towards Naruto. "Let's go grocery shopping."
"No!" Naruto said stubbornly. "You can't make me!"
Obito smiled sadistically. He poked Naruto, causing shivers to run up all over his body.
"Oh yes I can." Obito smirked. "Now, I don't like it either but this is for you. Now, let's go."
Naruto clentched his teeth. "So what! Shivers are nothing... I'm going to be a shinobi!"
"I won't teach you!" Obito threatened.
"It's not like you taught me much anyhow..." Naruto muttered. He sighed. "Oh, fine... Goggles."
Obito twitched.
101010
"Okay. Cooking book." Naruto sighed, looking around the bookstore he was in. "Oh, this looks good!"
Naruto took the book out.
68 Ways To Cook a Tree! Survival Guide!
"On second thought..." Naruto groaned. "Okay, how about this one?"
He took out another book.
How to Cook a Squirrel- Special Edition! Includes How to Catch a Squirrel!
"Seriously, I know this is a shinobi village... but this is getting ridiculous." Obito groaned. "How about that one?"
Obito pointed to a book with a blue spine.
Naruto took the book out. "Hey, this might actually work!"
Simple Cooking Recipes!
Naruto flipped through the book and groaned.
First of all, find some mushrooms. Then, catch a wild animal in the forest... any simple jutsu should do...
"Another shinobi book." Naruto stated. He threw his hands up into the air. "Why are all... these... books... for shinobi! Isn't there a simple one?"
"Doesn't look like it." Obito commented.
"Okay, looks like there's nothing so we have to give up on cooking. Too bad." Naruto decided with a grin.
"No way! I'm not letting this just go!" Obito insisted. "Ask the bookstore owner."
"Fine..." Naruto walked out of the bookshelves. He looked at the sign. "Oops. I was looking at the Shinobi Cooking section."
Obito fell down comically.
101010
"Okay, then!" Naruto rolled up his sleeves. They were back in Naruto's apartment, in the kitchen.
He flipped open the book he had bought. "Obito, you pick. Since you're forcing me to do this."
Obito groaned and watched the pages flip by. "Stop there."
Naruto's hands stopped. "Scrambled eggs with rice and boiled vegetables?"
"That looks nice and simple. It's not like you can blow up the apartment with that." Obito smiled.
"I'm not blowing up the apartment!" Naruto insisted. He walked over to the dust-covered stove. He had never used it after all... he boiled water for cup ramen with a kettle. "Now... how did you turn the flame on again?"
"Gee, you don't even know that?" Obito groaned. "I'm just telling you one thing... don't use a fire technique. I've seen so much burnt food..."
"I don't know any fire techniques." Naruto pointed out. "Do you press this button?"
"Ah, no... you press it then turn." Obito explained.
Naruto placed a pan onto the stove then put an egg on it.
"You have to turn on the flame and break the egg open first." Obito sighed.
"Oh, yeah!" Naruto pressed and turned the button. The stove sputtered but didn't light.
"Hm..." Naruto pushed another button. And another.
"That's a bad idea Naruto..." Obito warned. "I have a feeling that's going to cause a huge explosion..."
"Don't be silly! It's not like we're in one of those gag manga!" Naruto said logically.
"I really think..." Obito insisted. He was cut off by Naruto pushing and turning the last button.
Nothing happened.
"See?" Naruto said triumphantly. He turned all of them off. "I'm having some ramen."
Obito sighed in resignment.
Mission: Make Naruto eat something other than ramen: fail.
What next?
Maybe get rid of his ramen obession?
Nah, that's impossible.
Let's go with trying to get him to do Bunshin...
101010
But as you all know, Obito failed.
Feel free to suggest OMAKE ideas... I'm running out.