Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto… what a sad day
Chapter 2: This Crazy World
(Academy: 4 years after Naruto enrolled)
Naruto sat at the back of the class, next to the window, alone. Since the previous year's incident, Naruto had stopped dressing in his bright colors and had instead asked the Hokage to accompany him for shopping. He was now dressed in dark blue shorts, a crimson red shirt with a black swirl on his chest. He wore black tabi-boots and a dark cloak to cover it all up. He had also grown a couple of inches, having changed his diet to a healthier one.
The class all filed in, taking their seats. They still stole glances at Naruto, even though he'd been there for a year. They ignored him for the most part, except for when they trained taijutsu and shurikenjutsu, in which Naruto excelled. Not having the money to afford most of the weapon stores overpriced goods, Naruto had scavenged most of his kunai and shuriken from training grounds and he practiced regularly after school.
Naruto's taijutsu was… different. He had asked the Hokage to take him to the Shinobi Library because of the librarian not allowing him entry. In the library, Naruto had found multiple taijutsu styles that looked appealing, but when he discovered the Destructive Flow Style he looked no further. Destructive Flow is a style that utilizes swift and powerful strikes. The use of swift stunning strikes and deflection techniques, coupled with very powerful strikes meant to cause severe wounds and break bones. Due to Naruto being 11 years old, he didn't have the physical strength yet to cause such severe harm, but he was progressing well enough to be able to beat his classmates in spars badly enough that they hated being paired with him.
Naruto watched the class go by detached, having already studied ahead. The Academy curriculum was, in all honesty, garbage. They barely learned anything worth of survival skills, stealth or tactics. He would have to change that when he became Hokage.
He had decided, some weeks after the attack on him, that to change people's perspective of him, and the perspective of all people like him, people that are different, he would have to become Hokage. There were so many flaws in the shinobi system, and Naruto would be the one to fix them.
As the school was let out for the day, Naruto headed to training ground 36, nestled partway in Konoha Forest, relatively close to the Forest of Death. Getting there he started his training. He trained for a few hours before collapsing against a tree. Not long after he was snoring softly, his cloak tucked behind his head.
A certain smoking shinobi watched from the forest as Naruto slept. He hadn't thought that such a young child could train this hard. He knew who the kid was, but he didn't expect him to look so… sad. And his training! The training field looked like a small warzone. Kunai and shuriken were littered everywhere, but the precision in which it was, was good. No, not good, it was great. 'He must be good, or he trains hard at least. I should talk to the old man… I've got some ideas.'
(Hokage's Office)
Hiruzen sat cursing paperwork in his office when his son, Sarutobi Asuma walked in. "Asuma," Hiruzen said with a smile, "What brings you here?"
Asuma smiled softly at his father, "Hey dad. How's everything been around."
"Very busy I'm afraid. This Hyuuga business with Kumo is getting out of hand. Do you need something Asuma? I'm afraid that I don't have time for a social visit."
Asuma's smile became less prominent as he sat down across from his father."Well, dad, I'm not sure how to start. You know the jinchuriki, Naruto, right?" At his nod, Anko continued."I saw him at Training Ground 36 today, sleeping after training. It looked like he'd been training hard, and honestly, from the way the place looked, he's not too bad."
Hiruzen was intrigued. Asuma had left by the time Kyuubi attacked and had only returned for his mother's funeral. It was interesting because he had offered Asuma the opportunity to take on a genin team more than once, and Asuma had refused, saying he wasn't ready for that type of commitment. Hiruzen gestured for him to continue.
"And I was thinking… maybe I could take him under my wing? At least until he becomes a genin. I see a lot of potential in him," Asuma requested, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment. He had, after all, rejected the offerings of genin teams more than once.
Hiruzen's eyebrow rose slightly, not expecting Asuma to request to take Naruto in and teach him." Well Asuma, I must say I wasn't expecting that. I don't understand, you've shown no interest in teaching anyone, yet now you show interest in Naruto. Why?"
"Well… I'm not sure dad," Asuma said, chuckling slightly," It's just a feeling. I don't know, but it would be a shame not to see him reach his full potential. And maybe I'll take him and his genin team when they graduate."
Hiruzen pondered this for a few minutes, puffing on his pipe every 20 seconds or so. Finally, it looked like he had come to a decision."Asuma… I'll consent, but only if you agree to take Naruto's team when they graduate. Do you understand?"
"Yeah, dad I understand. Thanks for allowing me to do this. I won't let you or Naruto down," Asuma promised, grinning.
"Okay. I'll send for Naruto tomorrow. Be here around noon," Hiruzen said, already turning back to his paperwork.
Asuma thanked his father, and left, already thinking about what he would start Naruto on.
Naruto woke up just as dusk started to hit, slumped against a tree. 'I must have passed out after training. Dammit.' Naruto groaned as he stood up and stretched, his bones popping audibly. 'Time to head home I guess.'
Naruto made his way home through the trees, and when he reached the village proper, he jumped from rooftop to rooftop, making sure to avoid as many people as possible. When Naruto got home, it was fully dark. Having already slept for some time, Naruto instead opted to make himself some dinner, and study some scrolls he had found in the library on fuinjutsu and chakra flow. After midnight or so, Naruto stifled a massive yawn and headed off to bed.
(The Next Day)
Naruto started the next day as he usually did, grabbing the previous night's scrolls and heading for the Academy. The day went by like usual, until just before noon when an ANBU (Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai) member arrived at the Academy and asked for Naruto's prompt appearance at the Hokage Tower.
Naruto followed the ANBU after being let go by Iruka-sensei, and they soon arrived at their destination. Upon entering the Hokage's office, Naruto noticed a Jonin sitting on one of the Hokage's couches, a cigarette dangling from his lips, smoke rising in lazy curves and circles from the tip.
"You sent for me Hokage-jiji," Naruto said, walking up to his desk, "What's going on?"
Asuma let out a small chuckle at Naruto's name for his father.
Hiruzen noticed Asuma's small outburst and ignored it for the time being, instead softly smiling at Naruto," Naruto-kun my boy, I have some news for you. My son, Asuma, came upon you yesterday after your training, and he has shown interest in training you. Asuma," Hiruzen said, motioning for Asuma to come closer.
Naruto watched the Jonin step up. The Hokage had said he wanted to train him? Well, the man was a Jonin and the Hokage's son, so he must be really strong. "Okay jiji. Thank you, Asuma-sensei," Naruto said, nodding at Asuma and smiling slightly.
Asuma noticed Naruto's reluctant smile and decided that he would have to amend that, " So, Naruto, from tomorrow onward, you'll be leaving the Academy at noon, right before your physical training starts for the day. We will be training from noon until at least five in the afternoon, at Training Ground 36. When or if I'm gone on a mission, there will be scrolls left here for you to study while I'm gone. I'm sure that if you have questions while studying these scrolls, the Hokage will be here to help," Asuma explained, motioning to his father, who nodded.
Naruto nodded and thanked Asuma and the Hokage again, and proceeded to take his leave.
As soon as Naruto was gone, Asuma turned to his father, "He seems like a good kid. A little too… reserved, I think, but I'll get him out of his shell."
"He's been like that for some years now, ever since an incident on his birthday with some shinobi and villagers. He will inform you of the details as you build trust with him, I'm sure.", Hiruzen said, puffing on his now relit pipe.
"Is there anything I'm not allowed to teach him dad, or are you leaving it up to my better judgment?"
"I'm sure whatever you see fit will be fine Asuma. You're an exceptionally smart shinobi. Just don't turn him into something no child of his age should be. He is still a 10 yearn old boy, and I expect him to hold onto his innocence as long as humanly possible."
Asuma nodded and took his leave, heading home to plan out the start of Naruto's training.
(Training Ground 36: Noon)
Asuma stood waiting for Naruto as he jumped into the clearing, the absence of the man's cigarette feeling off, though Naruto couldn't explain why. The smirk on his new sensei's face was also slightly unnerving.
Asuma smirked as he watched Naruto jumping into the clearing. 'I just know this kid is gonna be a handful.' Naruto approached him with a hesitant smile, seeming nervous about something. "So, kid. I'm kinda new to this teaching thing. How about you tell me your likes, dislikes, dreams for the future, things like that?" Asuma said, smiling sheepishly.
"Okay. I like training, and ramen has always been my favorite food, even though it's not healthy," Naruto smiled despite himself, "I dislike discrimination, bigotry, and arrogance. My only dream… is to become strong and smart enough to become Hokage one day, so that I can protect those who feel weak, who feel lesser than themselves because of other people's opinions."
Asuma watched as Naruto's sky blue eyes went from happy, to angry, to sad and lost and then finally to determined. 'There's more to him than meets the eye. That'll be fun... I hope.' Asuma mused. "Okay. Well, I like sausage and soba with tororo and I enjoy Shogi. I don't dislike much. I don't really have a set dream, but there is a kunoichi that I like."
Naruto nodded and sat down cross-legged, waiting for further instruction.
"So, before we begin training properly, I need to know what you need help with, and from there we can continue. Is there anything you struggle with? Like chakra control, one of the academy jutsu, your taijutsu?", Asuma asked, not experienced with the whole concept of teaching.
"Well, I haven't ever been able to make a decent clone. The rest of my skills are good, except for genjutsu and my chakra control," Naruto admitted.
Asuma nodded and stroked his beard thoughtfully. He could try teaching Naruto that jutsu, but what if he didn't have enough chakra? It could be possible though, because of Naruto's… situation as well as his Uzumaki heritage.
"Okay. I think I have a solution to the clone problem. Genjutsu isn't my forte, but I'm not a jonin for nothing. And as for the chakra control, that's just training and more training," Asuma said.
Naruto nodded and then proceeded to experience the most brutal training he had ever taken part in. Asuma took him through a physical gauntlet, consisting of a brutal workout, followed by a taijutsu spar that left Naruto sore all over, and then some shurikenjutsu training. ASUMA then, after a short break, started teaching him Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Clone Jutsu). Naruto, ever the overachiever, vowed to master the jutsu before nightfall, and true to his word, he did. About an hour before sunset, Naruto's voice rang out tiredly.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
After the cloud of smoke passed, twenty other Naruto's surrounded him. "Yatta! I did it,", Naruto yelled uncharacteristically, pumping his fist into the air.
Asuma stood with a mixture of pride and disbelief on his face. 'I knew he would get it eventually, but to do it within a few hours, and make twenty clones after all the chakra he expended while learning the jutsu… this kid's perfect for ninjutsu specialization. His taijutsu is also pretty good for his age and size, so maybe a close to mid-range tai- and ninjutsu specialist.'
"That's great Naruto. Why don't we stop for the day, and I'll take you to get some ramen. My treat?" Asuma offered.
Naruto nodded and dispelled his clones. After he cleaned himself up a bit, Naruto and Asuma headed to Ichiraku Ramen.
"Teuchi-ojisan, two bowls of Miso, and keep em coming,", Naruto said, his stomach growling audibly from the smell of the ramen.
"I'll take a bowl of Tonkotsu please,", Asuma said.
"Comin right up guys. Ayame! I need a Naruto special, and one bowl of Tonkotsu please!", Teuchi yelled into the kitchen.
A few moments later, Naruto and Asuma received their steaming hot bowls of ramen. Naruto started digging in ferociously, after a quick "Itadakimasu".
"So Naruto,", Asuma started as Naruto dug into his ramen, "Do you know why I taught you the Kage Bunshin?", At Naruto's "No", muffled slightly by ramen, Asuma continued, "Well, the Kage Bunshin is a kinjutsu, because of the amount of chakra it takes. You have an abundance of chakra, however, which makes this jutsu perfect for you. One of the upsides of this jutsu, except for the fact that you have physical clones that can perform jutsu and think independently, is that when they dispel, you receive their experience and memories. So, say you have ten clones working on a jutsu and they get the jutsu right and dispel, you will be able to use that experience and their memories to perform the jutsu in question. The same thing goes for chakra control, taijutsu, shurikenjutsu and anything else related to muscle memory and memory in general."
Naruto stopped mid slurp and looked up at Asuma, a small grin forming around the noodles hanging out of his mouth."So, sensei, what you're saying is that, with my Kage Bunshin, I could train and learn more things at once, in less time?", Naruto asked.
"Yeah. You and I will be training your body and the most efficient ways in which to use the skills I will be imparting upon you. Now, we only have 6 months of training before you graduate, and then I will most likely be your genin squad sensei. By then, I'm hoping to have you at least at low to mid chunin skill level. Are you sure that you're up for this?", Asuma asked, already gleaning the answer from Naruto's ever-growing grin.
"Yes, Asuma-sensei. I'm ready."
Asuma nodded and the two ate in comfortable silence, each of them deep in thought.
(Hokage's Office)
Hiruzen sat staring into his crystal ball, smiling smugly."You will likely be the greatest ninja this village has ever seen Naruto. I'm sure of it.", Hiruzen mused aloud.
A/N: So, things are already changing up. Now, my update schedule might not always be consistent, as moving between my parents' homes and exams and my social life may prevent writing sometimes, but I'll try and keep it as consistent as possible.
As always, I hope you enjoyed it, cause I enjoy writing for you guys.