Chapter Twelve: What, The Hell Is This?
Ren sat in his room going over the scrolls he had borrowed from Naruto. He had to admit the knowledge of fuinjutsu. The Uzumaki clan scrolls possessed was almost beyond comprehension. No wonder the clan was so well revered and feared for their talents in the craft. Initially, he thought he wouldn't be able to start test phasing his use of Hiraishin. Until the training period between the second and final rounds of the Exams. With this knowledge, however, he would be able to push up testing before the exams began. If so, then he could use the month training period to work on his practical usage of the technique. Even so, he still wanted to be careful though. The last thing he wanted, was to rush things and accidentally screw up because of it. His body winding up in one place, while his ass wound up in another. Wasn't something he really wanted to happen.
Ren let out a sigh as he sat at his desk. Try as he might at keeping focused on the task in front of him. His thoughts kept slipping to his feelings he felt a few nights ago. While he laid alongside Haku and Tayuya, as their hands were held together with his. He wasn't completely oblivious to what those feelings meant. It was more of a dilemma of whether it was ok for him to feel them. And if so, would it even be ok to act upon them at all? He decided to turn to his tenant for his opinion on the matter. After all, an ancient being of pure chakra who has lived for a thousand years. Should be able to give him some sort of wisdom on the matter….right?
"Hey, Isobu. Can I ask you something?" Ren thought to his tenant.
"Ask away hatchling." The turtle bijuu replied with a sage-like tone.
"Well….here's the deal. I think I'm starting to have feelings that go beyond just simple friendship with Haku and Tayuya."
A silence within mind took hold, that quickly became awkward. Then suddenly Isobu began laughing.
"What the hell is so funny Isobu!?"
"You are hatchling, you are being funny." The bijuu replied getting its laughter under control. "Why do you feel so conflicted by this? You must not be a stranger to these things from your past life?"
"Well no but that also is where lies the problem I feel. For kami's sake, I may have the body of a thirteen going on fourteen-year-old guy. I have the mind of someone practically twice that age since I retained all my previous memories." Ren explained with uncertainly lacing his voice.
"Why should that be a reason to ignore your feelings hatchling?" Questioned the Sanbi. "You did not choose to be born as you are, just as no one chooses to be born as they are. In many ways, you've been granted a great gift and in some ways too, a curse. You should find what solace and peace where you can have it."
"You've lost me a bit on that one Isobu." Ren thought in confusion.
"Hatchling, you've been through many struggles already. There are many more still yet to come. You know this all too well. You should not burden these troubles all by yourself. While you do have friends yes, there is nothing wrong with seeking out and having someone. You can reach out to and be closer to than just friends. If anything, it's only natural for you to seek out and desire such things. Do not run from this. Instead, you should seek it, embrace it, and cherish it. You might not feel such things for another ever again. If you let what you're feeling now slip past you."
"That makes….a lot of sense actually I suppose." Mused the Yamanaka.
"Tell me, what do you think of them? Not as ninja necessarily but simply as the people they are?" Isobu questioned.
Ren had to pause and think about that one. What did he think, when they came to mind?
Haku came to mind first. Obviously, she was very beautiful, that couldn't be argued. Though while it was certainly nice, it was also a superficial thing. What was really so drawing about Haku, was her personality. She was easily one of the nicest and polite people you could ever meet. She was also extremely caring and shared a similar view as Ren. In regards to wanting to protect the people she cared about with all the fierceness, she could muster. She was also easily one of the most intelligent people around. Then his mind drifted to what happened towards the end of wave. Thinking about it, both needed the other in a way at the end of that. Even if neither one realized it. Ren had needed someone to bring him down from his rage-induced rampage and Haku had been the one to do it. Haku in turn needed someone to help guide her after Zabuza's death. Ren had been the one to do that for her. In the time since they'd been put together on a team and lived together. How they had become close enough to talk about their concerns to one another. Seeing her smile, that caring look in her chocolate brown eyes. The tenderness in her voice as she spoke to him. Ren could feel warmth well up in his chest at the thought of that all.
Ren then turned his thoughts to Tayuya. The passionate, fiery, and strong-willed redheaded tomboy that she was. He couldn't deny he liked her no-nonsense attitude. How she didn't hold back on what she thought, even she had to be a bit gruff about it. While he normally kept a polite demeanor. He was more than capable and did act that way himself at times. She was also the only person who shared a passion for music as he did. The sounds of his ocarina with her flute mixing together. It was always an enchanting display to hear. It was also some of the best fun he had to be honest. He cared for her, he knew he did. He had risked his life to save hers at the dig site. Not because he felt he had to because he wanted to. That alone spoke volumes he supposed of what she meant to him. He couldn't forget how she had reacted to when he had finally been rescued. The look of relief on her face, the tone of happiness in her voice. That was more than simply a concerned teammate. He realized looking back, that was someone who genuinely cared. There was no faking those sorts of emotions to that degree to him. Then there was also had she had opened up on the boat ride. Tayuya by her nature wasn't really one to open up and expose herself in such a manner. She only did that because she truly had that much trust in him. She wasn't the type to hand out her trust to just anyone. He thought about how they would laugh and joke. How she would have that smile like a smirk on her face, as her red hair shined in the sun…. Damn, there was that feeling of warmth in his chest again.
He had finally come to the realization about his feelings and it only made things even more complicated. He had genuine affection for them both and that what was complicating things. His feelings were for both instead of simply one or the other. Dammit, why do these things have to be so troublesome?
Unknown to Ren. All the men of the Nara clan sneezed simultaneously, for reasons they couldn't understand.
"Alright fine, I admit I'm falling for the two of them. How the fuck am I supposed to approach this?" Ren thought to his tenant in exasperation. "It's not like now is a good time for such things with the Chunin exams. Being less than two months away after all. Oh shit, that brings up a whole different issue with Orochimaru and in turn Tayuya as well technically. I mean she's still until further notice working for that snake faced pedophile in secret. Which makes the fact I am falling for her, adds a layer of complexity I don't fucking need."
"Indeed it does but you're too invested with her to simply ignore her. Doing so would be essentially leaving her to endure the fate of death. That she's apparently meant to meet in the original timeline you mentioned. You won't do that, it's simply not in your nature hatchling." Isobu calmly replied.
Ren's fist clenched at that. "You're right. My feelings of affection aside. She's become someone I care a lot about in general. I won't let her befall such a fate, I refuse to let that happen. One way or another I will save her."
"Keep your resolve strong, it will serve you well."
Ren kept quiet for a moment before an idea crossed his mind. "Isobu, I'm gonna make a deal with myself. For the time being, I need to keep focused on the craziness the exams are going to bring. Once, that's all done and settled, I'm going to tell both of them how I feel. I ask you to make sure I hold myself to that if that's ok?"
"It's not a problem at all. In truth, I think you're making the wise choice in this matter."
"Cool, with that settled for now. I'm gonna go do some solo training for a while." Ren cut off the mental connection with Isobu and made his way to the clan training grounds.
In her own room, Tayuya was going over new music sheets for her genjutsu at her desk. She quickly twisted around with a kunai in hand, having sensed someone coming up behind her. Her strike was stopped in place and she lowered her kunai as she recognized who it was. Ash-grey hair tied into a ponytail, onyx eyes with glasses on his face. Kabuto Yakushi, Orochimaru's personal aid, and one of Tayuya's most hated people back from sound.
"Good to see you're as sharp as ever Tayuya." Kabuto spoke with a smug look. Kami, how badly she wanted to knock his face in at times
"What the fuck are you doing here, Kabuto?" She spat, annoyed with the man's presence.
"Now, now, no need for such hostility. I'm merely here to discuss with you about your targets. Recent change, shall we put?"
Tayuya bit her lip a bit at that before speaking. "Look, tell Lord Orochimaru that what happened wasn't my damn fault. That whole mission went out of control beyond what anyone could have anticipated. While I understand Ren being a jinchuriki now, changes things up. We should be thankful the bastards didn't just kill him."
"True." Kabuto remarked snidely. "Such things are an unfortunate truth in our world. While the Sanbi poses an unforeseen difficulty, it's not impossible to get around per se. Though Lord Orochimaru does admit, getting around it will take some work. At the very least though, the Yamanaka boy can still make for a powerful and useful asset in other ways."
"Lord Orochimaru still plans on giving him a curse mark then?"
"Correct." Kabuto replied with a smirk. "Giving him a curse seal will make it much easier to subjugate him to Lord Orochimaru's will. As well as making him a more powerful and viable tool for use. So keep watching him as you have and ensure to deliver him to Lord Orochimaru when the time comes."
"I understand." While Tayuya was keeping a straight face, internally, however. The idea of Ren being branded with one of Orochimaru's marks didn't sit well with her.
"Very well then, I'll see you at the exams then Tayuya." Kabuto said with a slight sneer before disappearing.
Tayuya waited to ensure he was gone before bringing a fist down on her desk. She growled in frustration, more at herself if anything. "Dammit, why am I feeling like this? Ren receiving a curse mark was always a part of the plan when I was given this mission. So why do I feel so hesitant about it now? Things weren't supposed to be this complicated for fucks sake!" She thought in aggravation.
Ren was out on the training grounds practicing his techniques. Unknown to him, however, Jiraiya was watching him in secret from a distance. As the toad sage watched the young shinobi with interest. His thoughts drifted to the conversation he had with his old sensei when he first arrived in Konoha.
Jiraiya entered the Hokage's office, he had returned at his old sensei's request. Hiruzen had sent him a message saying that he feared that Naruto's seal might be weakening. Being one of the few true seal masters left in the world and the only one Konoha could call on. It made sense for his sensei to send for him, the fact it involved his godson. Only made Jiraiya speed off to Konoha faster than he normally would have.
"Sensei, what seems to be the matter?" Asked the toad sage.
"Ah, Jiraiya it's good to see." Replied Hiruzen. "I wish it was under better circumstances though. I shall cut straight to the point of why I asked for you. I believe Naruto's seal might be weakening. Amongst some other matters going on."
"What exactly do mean by that last bit?"
Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe, there was no easy way of saying this. "You see Konoha has come in possession of two additional bijuu."
That statement genuinely caught Jiraiya off-guard. "How the hell did you manage that?" He wondered.
"Truth be told, I had nothing to do with it." Hiruzen stated. "One of our most promising genin is at the certain of this all."
"Naruto?"
"No, not Naruto but it is someone extremely close to him though." From, there Hiruzen explained Ren's involvement with bringing the Nanabi jinchuriki to the village and his turning into the jinchuriki of the Sanbi. Jiraiya almost couldn't believe what he was hearing, though the truth was. In his many long years as a shinobi, he had seen crazier things.
"So let see if I'm understanding this right." Stated Jiraiya. "This kid does such a bang-up job of helping out and simply being nice. To the Nanabi jinchuriki, the leader of Taki let her go. So she could come to Konoha and live a happier life?" Hiruzen nodded. "Then this kid was sent on a mission near water country. Got dragged into Kiri's civil and captured. Was made into a jinchuriki bomb like Kakashi's old teammate. But was rescued and helped end the civil war and is now the vessel for the Sanbi. Did I get all that right?" Hiruzen nodded once more. "You've told me about this kid in the past. How he's been Naruto's best friend for years and even gave him a place to call home. Even people he could even in a way call family. Though I suppose it shouldn't be surprising this kid has a habit. Of being at the center of interesting things. If that incident with him years ago you told me about in the past was anything to go by on. Anything else I should know about him?"
"Well." Began Hiruzen. "He's also currently in possession of one the legendary swords Kirikagure." Okay, that is intriguing, Jiaraiya certainly thought. "Also." The Hokage continued. "He's also currently studying how to use Hiraishin."
Jiraiya scowled at that. "Why in the world are allowing a kid to study such a technique? It will take him years to even come close to even reach practice trials of it."
"Well then, it's a good thing he's been studying it for near a decade as it is." Hiruzen remarked. "After the incident years ago, I asked him what he desired as a reward for saving the first Hokages jutsu scroll. He asked for Hiraishin and I granted it."
"Have you finally started to go senile old man?" Jiraiya asked in annoyance. "Even with that taken into account, that's not enough of a reason and you know it."
"Do you really take me for such an old fool Jiraiya?" Hiruzen spoke back with a slight glare, which shut his former student up. "I have a much more legitimate reason for doing it. Even when that boy was a small child still, every time I saw him. I saw something in that boy, something that I've not seen since Minato himself. That boy is special Jiraiya, the same sort of special that Minato was. I saw a spark in that boys' eyes when he asked for Hiraishin. I saw that same spark in Minato's eyes when he came to me for it."
Jiraiya stood for a few moments in deep thought. "You really think that kid has what it takes?"
"With all that I've told you about the boy. Can you completely doubt what I speak?"
The toad sage let out a sigh. "Okay sensei, I'm willing to concede on things here. If you truly believe so strongly about the kid. I'll watch him a bit and inspect his seal. Anything else I should know?"
"Naruto knows about his mother and his clan. He's taken possession of his mother's scrolls on their clan arts. He came to me asking who Kushina was. The Kyubi was the one who tipped him off. Hence, one of the reasons why I feel the seal could be weakening."
"Now that is interesting." Mused Jiraiya. "Talking with the fox isn't too surprising in my opinion. That was bound to start happening at some point. Though, it tipping off Naruto about his mother is surprising. Does he know about his father?" Hiruzen shook his head. "I see, that's for the best at this point in time. Alright sensei, I hang around for a little bit and watch things. If I see something that needs to be done, I'll take care of it and report back to you before I leave again."
That had been the day he found Naruto, Ren, and the others sleeping outside. He watched from a distance, simply observing. Getting a feel for them before he made his move. Watching the Yamanaka train, he had to admit. He could see what the old man had been talking about. The kid had talent and skill above most his age there was no doubt.
"Alright, I think that's enough training my usual stuff? I want to try something else now Isobu. How much of your chakra do you think I could handle?" Ren thought to his tenant.
"Uncertain, you've never attempted to use my chakra before. Lets us start small with a fourth of a tail and see how you do." Replied the Sanbi.
Ren agreed with Isobu's assessment and prepared himself. He knew that exposure to bijuu chakra could cause one to go wild if not prepared for it. He closed his eyes and focused on drawing upon the Sanbi's power. He began to feel a massive wave of power course through him. His body tightened on reflex from the sensation, it was like his body was suddenly over flooding with chakra. Even if it was only a fourth of a tail, it was still an incredible sensation. A dark blue like aura shimmered slightly over his being. He opened his eyes to reveal his Ketsuryūgan activated.
What Ren wasn't aware of, however. Was once he tapped into the Sanbi's chakra and it began to flow out of him. The malicious, hate-filled sensation that bijuu chakra gave off rolled over the whole area. Birds flew away in fright, dogs barked in un-ease at the un-natural feeling chakra. Even some shinobi who were close enough to feel it. Had a shiver of genuine fear course through them from its presence.
Jiraiya for his part had thought the boy was perhaps losing control all of a sudden. Due to his patch job of a seal, he was about to move to subdue the boy. When he suddenly stopped realizing the boy against all odds. Was in fact keeping in control of what little amount of the Sanbi's chakra he was calling on. "The old man was right, this kid really is full of surprises."
"Let's see what this does for me." Ren mused as he went through hand seals. "Lightning Release: Feast of Lightning!" A blast of lightning bolts launched from his hands. These however were much more powerful than his normal version. The attack hit the dummy target and exploded with more force than he had seen before. When the smoke cleared, the target was completely gone, and a large crater sat. Where it had been.
"Not bad, not bad at all." Ren mused as he walked on to the red water pond. "Let me try that water jutsu that was in one of the scrolls Kakashi-sensei gave me. "Water Release: Water Formation Wall!" He cried out as went through hand signs and a large wall of red water shot up in front of him. After holding it up for a few moments, he allowed it to drop. "If I mixed my blood into it, I could make a wall in theory. That keeps the flexibility of water but more toughness than a mud wall jutsu."
Ren moved back to the land and repositioned himself in front of a new target dummy. "Let's try the wind jutsu in that final scroll I was given." He lowered his mask and went through the hand signs and breathed in. "Wind Release: Air Bullets!" He thought as he blasted the air out of him in a barrage of air shots. They collided with the target and surrounding area, easily destroying what they touched. Thanks to being empowered with bijuu chakra. "Man, they've never been that good before." Ren mused. Suddenly though he fell to a knee, as he felt a huge wave of fatigue. Rollover his whole body.
"Ren, that's enough." Ordered Isobu. "While my chakra greatly empowers you, even in small amounts like this. It also still puts a great deal of strain on your body. Especially with just starting your usage of it."
"I got it, cut off the flow."
Ren felt the flow of the Sanbi's chakra cease. Calming himself after the exposure to the bijuu chakra.
"I have to say kid, that was quite the little show." A voice called out to Ren. The mocha-skinned blond looked to who was addressing him. "No fucking way….It's Jiraiya." He thought as he watched the toad sage approach him. "Jiraiya of the sannin, the toad sage. This is a most unexpected surprise." He spoke.
"Ah, so you know of me? Didn't think a squirt like you would."
"I've done lots of research into summoning over the years. Hard not to learn of someone who made their name off their summoning contract." Ren retorted.
Jiraiya laughed at that. "You're not wrong kid, I'll give you that much." He spoke before turning more serious. "Using that chakra is dangerous, even in small amounts if you're not ready for it. Especially, considering your seal is rather patchy from what I understand."
"Lord Hokage mention that to you I imagine?"
"What makes you think that?"
"Who the hell else would?"
"Fair point." Jiraiya stated. "I'll cut to the chase kid, I need to look at your seal and make sure everything is alright with it."
Ren simply nodded and took off his vest and removed the sleeveless black mesh armor shirt he was wearing. Jiraiya kneeled down and inspected the seal, thinking quietly to himself as he gauged it. "I have to give Kakashi credit, he did a good on putting a fix on this." Jiraiya finally stated. "Still, I can make improvements on it to make its hold much stronger. I can make it in such a way, it would allow your chakra and the Sanbi's to flow together more smoothly."
"Like Naruto's seal but not as good I imagine?" Ren replied.
"Yes, that's exactly what I'm going for." Muttered the toad sage. "The old man mentioned you and Naruto. Have been studying fuinjutsu for a long time, it's really showing if you can tell that about Naruto's seal."
"Well, studying from the Uzumaki scrolls on fuinjutsu goes a long way." Ren chimed without thinking. He immediately received a hard glare from the sannin. Ren had the decency to feel a shiver run through him from the look he was receiving. "Oh, I should not have said that."
"Why do have Uzumaki clan scrolls?" Jiraiya demanded.
"Naruto gave me permission to study from them." Ren quickly replied. Not feeling like wanting to be on the receiving end of a toad sage ass kicking.
"I see." Jiraiya spoke as he ceased glaring. "I shouldn't be surprised I guess, considering how close you two are. Just understand you've been granted a great gift. One that many people, would literally kill for to have."
"Believe me master Jiraiya. I understand, the opportunity I've been granted. I have no intention of doing anything. That would make Naruto regret what he's done for me." Ren stated with conviction.
Jiraiya looked at the boy in front of him for a few moments before chuckling a bit with a smile. "Alright kid, I understand. I'm starting to really see what everyone likes about you. Now then, hold still while I start writing out what I need to."
A few minutes later Jiraiya, had complete the seal matrix. "Just bear with me on this." He placed his palm to the existing seal and focused his chakra, the matrix he had written glowed and went to work. In a few moments, it was finished. "Alright kid, how's that feel for ya?"
"What's the verdict Isobu?" Ren thought.
"The seal is much more powerful. Your energies and mine are also flowing together much better as well at that."
"Everything is working smoothly." The Yamanaka stated.
"Good to hear."
"Since that's now all handled, I would like to ask you something if I may?"
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "What would that be?"
"I'd like you to get me a summoning contract." Ren asked, after all, if anyone could get the contract he wanted. It would certainly be Jiraiya.
Jiraiya looked at the boy in front of him and thought about his request. The boy certainly had the talent and skill needed for a summoning contract. He was contemplating allowing him to sign the toad contract. Though ultimately chose to rather hear what the kid wanted first. "So, what contract are you looking for exactly?"
Ren motioned Jiraiya to lean towards him so he could whisper it. Upon doing so, the sannin's eyes widened a fraction in surprise.
"You sure about that one kid?" The sannin questioned.
"I am sure, the question is. Do you think you can get it?" The Yamanaka retorted.
"Please kid, don't forget who you're talking to here. It's not a matter of 'if' I can get it. It's more of a manner of how long it will take me. Though I'm not about to go searching for something like this for free you know."
"I know just what I can offer." Ren replied with a smirk, as he quickly put up a hand sign.
Jiraiya saw the kid disappear in a puff of smoke as it began to clear, his jaws hit the ground. Before him was no longer than the kid but a mocha-skinned, blond-haired goddess. Messy blond hair with enchanting blue eyes and cute thunderbolt tattoos on her cheeks. A chest almost as big as Tsunade's and curves that could cause wars. The woman gave him a pleasing look as she neared him and stroked his chin softly with her index finger. The smoke around her modesty slowly giving away.
~"Ohhh, Jiraiya saaaamaaaa."~ The mocha-skinned vixen cooed. ~"Will this suffice? You can use this as inspiration for your research."~
Jiraiya's face went as red as his haori and blood rocketed out of his nose. He fell backward unable to do anything other than twitch. As he laid in a pool of his own blood, with the largest grin in the world. "You…you have yourself a deal kid." He said with glee.
Ren returned to his normal self with a poof. "As dirty and disappointed in myself as I feel right now for that. It's going to be completely worth it." He mused to himself mentally. "Well then, that concludes our business master Jiraiya, I'll see you around." Ren turned and left the Sannin on the ground. He'd figured Jiraiya would let himself out when he was ready.
A whole week had passed since that day, team thirteen had gone back to missions. Though apparently, Ren wasn't allowed to take any more missions that strayed too far from the village for some time. Can't possibly imagine why the reason for that one.
However Ren had something else on his mind at the moment, he was about to begin trial testing Hiraishin soon. So he decided he needed proper tools for the job. He went ahead and had a bunch of custom three-pronged Kunai made he could write a formula on. It cost a pretty penny, but good equipment was never cheap. He left the weapons shop having finished placing his order. As he made his way through the village. A messenger bird appeared before him, it was from the hospital. The blood testing was finally finished.
He quickly body flickered to the hospital and went inside. After about 10 minutes he left, with the results in hand. Performing another body flicker back to his home, he quickly went to his room. Locking the door and placing privacy seals around his room. He didn't want to risk any unwanted eyes or ears. He opened the parcel and took out the results. He skimmed through it until he found what he was looking for. His eyes nearly popped out of his head from shock and his jaw hung open slackly. At least as much as his mask would allow anyways. The results read.
Nearest living relative: Tsunade Senju, cousin.
Common Ancestors: Mito Uzumaki, Hashirama Senju
"What?...FUCKING WHAT!?"
Ren sort of had convinced himself, she was an Uzumaki in some way. To be directly related to Tsunade. Not to mention Mito Uzumaki and Hashirama Senju. The freaking god of shinobi of all people. That was a curveball he never would have called in a thousand lifetimes. This was easily one of the most unexpected turns of events he had experienced in his current life. Ren took a moment and re-read the paper, to ensure he saw correctly. Yep, it was correct, well holy shit.
One thing Ren knew, was that he couldn't let anyone else know about. At least not yet anyway, he took a blank scroll and drew a storage matrix on it. He coded the scroll so that it could only activate to his own blood. It made for a strong security measure. He then sealed the results within it and locked the scroll in a drawer at his desk.
"Of all the crazy-ass things." Ren muttered as sat in his bed. "Being related to the Uzumaki and the Senju. I never would have believed it if I hadn't seen the results. To the first Hokage and his wife too no less. Things just keep getting wilder, step by step. What's next I wonder? I turn out to be related to the Ōtsutsuki somehow?" Ren snorted at that. "That would be one of the most OP Mary Sue bullshit things ever."
Haku was walking through the village, her team had the day off. She decided to relax by window shopping around the village and such. She wanted to be by herself and there were certain things she needed to think about. Things that pertained to a particular mask-wearing Yamanaka. Haku while having no experience with anything romantic related in the past. She was at the same time not completely blind to what she was feeling. She stopped in the middle of a bridge and leaned against the railing. Watching the calming waters of the river flow by as she thought to herself.
"What a strange feeling this is and yet it's a pleasant one. If only I knew how to act upon them. Dammit Zabuza, why couldn't you have taught me about these things?" Haku let out a sigh. "Who am I kidding? Asking Zabuza for romantic advice would have been disastrous at best. If I'm being honest, I started feeling this back in wave. I'm only just now beginning to understand what it is I'm feeling. Though, is now even a good time bring up such things I wonder? The chunin exams are right around the corner after all. No, coming out now about this all would be a bad time. It could prove far too much of a distraction right now. The exams are too important to allow that to happen. Once the exams run their course completely, then I shall confess entirely." Haku stayed at the bridge a while longer, watching peacefully. As the water of the river flowed gently by.
A whole month had passed since that time. Team thirteen diligently kept at their training. They all knew the exams required them to be at their best. Ren hadn't heard or seen of Jiraiya in that time. He wasn't concerned though, he knew the toad sage would show when needed. He wasn't thinking about that however, oh no. Today was the day his special kunai's were ready, all one thousand of them. He had to drop a whole third of his paycheck from the mission in water country but damn it was worth it.
After they were delivered to him, stored them but a couple in a few storage scrolls. He grabbed the few he left out and went to the training grounds. He had poured as much spare time as he could into the fuinjutsu scrolls Naruto provided to him. With that and the knowledge, he had about the seal for Hiraishin from his past life. He was confident he had managed to recreate Minato's seal formula. He took a kunai and carefully drew the seal upon it. He had spent almost nine years of research and training to reach this point. Like hell, he was gonna fuck it up at the finish line. Ren placed a palm to the kunai and focused his chakra. There was a brief glow and the seal had been placed. Ren then tossed the kunai to the other side of the training grounds.
"Alright, here goes. Only nine year's worth of work dedicated to this moment." Ren steadied himself and focused his chakra towards the seal on the kunai. He felt a tug of sorts and before he even knew it, he was standing right next to his marked kunai. He had done it. He quickly looked himself over to make sure nothing was missing. After making sure he was whole and felt fine, he finally allowed his excitement to show.
"I did it! Holy shit! I actually did it!" He yelled in joy. "Ok then, now that I know the formula works. I can now start focusing my chakra into my hand while thinking about the seal matrix. In order to plant my seal on targets at will." He spoke gleefully as a thought then crossed his mind. "Even if I can use it now, I can only zip across the battlefield a few times at best for the time being. It's still going to be a long time before I can perform like Minato. Not to mention until that time comes, people with enough reaction time and speed in their own right. Will still able to intercept me at my current level with it. Though that would only really be jonin level or higher shinobi, maybe mid to high-level chunin too. Case in point, I can't become too cocky just because I can now use Hiraishin." With those final thoughts, he went off to his room. Where the scrolls that held the rest of the kunai were kept. He would spend the rest of the day putting his seal on them and KubiKiribocho for good measure.
It was only a few days before the exams began now and all the jonin sensei's we're giving their recommendation. For their genin squads to take the test. Kakashi and Tsume stood beside each other in front of the Hokage. Two other jonin also stood in front of the Hokage. One was a tall man, with brown eyes, olive skin, short black spiky hair, and a beard. He wore the standard Konoha jonin attire. Asuma Sarutobi, son of the Third Hokage and jonin teacher of team ten.
The other was a kunoichi, a fair-skinned woman of slender build. She has long black untamed hair reaching her upper back and very unique eyes that are red in color, with an additional ring in them. She wears make-up consisting of red lipstick and purple eye shadow. Her regular outfit consists of a red mesh armor blouse with only the right sleeve visible. Which resembles bandages with a pattern on it similar to those of rose thorns. Her hands and upper thighs are also wrapped in bandages and she wears the Konoha forehead protector and regular shinobi sandals. Kurenai Yūhi the jonin teacher of team eight.
"Are you ready to give your possible recommendations for the chunin exams?" Asked Hiruzen.
"I, Tsume Inuzuka recommend all members of team thirteen for the chunin exams."
"I, Kakashi Hatake recommend all members of team seven for the chunin exams."
"I, Asuma Sarutobi recommend all members of team ten for the chunin exams."
"I, Kurenai Yūhi recommend all members of team eight for the chunin exams."
A wave of small talk went through the rest of the gathered ninja in the room. It had been a while since so many rookies had been put forward for the exams. Though some felt it might have been too soon for the young ninja. Especially for one Iruka Umino.
"Hold on a sec." Iruka spoke as he stepped forward. "It seems awfully too soon for them to take these exams. I understand they're all very capable for genin but even so. They're all still rookies none the less."
"I have to agree, I kept my team back a whole year. Just so they could be properly prepared." Stated Gai. "Sure you're not throwing your team to the wolves too soon Kakashi?"
Kakashi leveled a look at the two men. "With all due respect, I know my team very well. I wouldn't have put them up for the exams otherwise. Genin, they may be but, they've succeeded where other genin would fail. Even where some chunin would fail, make no doubt of that. Another thing to Iruka, these genin aren't your students anymore. They're ours and soldiers under our command on top of that."
Iruka growled in irritation but felt a hand on his shoulder before he could speak. He turned to see his girlfriend Chino.
"Kakashi is right." Chino stated. "I know it's difficult for you, it's difficult for me I admit. However, at the same time, I full faith and confidence in my little brother and the others. You need to as well."
Iruka took a deep breath and let out a sigh of defeat. "Alright, I see your point."
"Don't worry, if you still feel nervous about it. I know a few things I know will take your mind off it." Chino replied with a wink. Iruka went red in the face at that. "I equally both curse and praise. The fact she reads 'Icha Icha' at times." Iruka thought to himself.
Elsewhere Ren was walking through the village headed back home. He had picked some last-minute supplies for the exams. As he made his next turn, he stumbled across three individuals.
One was a girl she had teal eyes and sandy blonde hair, which is gathered into four consecutive pigtails. Her outfit consists of a single light purple-colored, off-the-shoulder garment that extended to halfway down her thighs, with a scarlet sash tied around her waist. In addition to incorporating fishnet worn over her shoulders and legs, specifically on her right calf and her left thigh, she also wore her black-clothed forehead protector around her neck. That had the symbol of for Sunagakure on it. Plus a large fan kept on her back.
The other was a guy who wore a Bunraku puppeteer's costume; a black, baggy, full bodysuit with a red and yellow circle on the front. He also wore a black hood that covered his head completely and had cat-like ears and his forehead protector on his forehead. Along with triangular-shaped purple face paint. He also carried something almost as large as himself wrapped up on his back.
Then there was the last one, another boy. He wore a black bodysuit with an open neck, t-shirt-like sleeves, and almost full-length leggings. With this, he wore a white cloth over his right shoulder and the left side of his hips. He has a wide leather band from his left shoulder to his right hip with which he carries his sand gourd and around which he wraps his forehead protector. Not to mention short messy red hair and the kanji for "love" on the left side of his forehead.
It was the sand siblings, Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro. Kankuro seemed to be reading a map of Konoha. Temari stood next to him looking annoyed, while Gaara stood in the back indifferent to it all. It was clear to Ren that they were lost.
"Oh well, this is happening is it?" Ren muttered to himself. "Well then, time to start this party." Ren walked over to the trio and made himself known. "You three seem lost, need a little help finding your way around?"
The three sand siblings all immediately looked at Ren. Temari and Kankuro seemed to be eyeing Ren up. He could also see them toss glances at KubiKiribocho. Gaara still looked indifferent, Kankuro looked cautious. Temari meanwhile put on her best charming smile. Ren did his best to not focus on the mildly sultry look she was giving him. It was weird enough to deal with what feelings he had for Haku and Tayuya. He really didn't need a third person in the mix. Even if Temari was his first anime girl crush back when he was a teen in his old life. Her and Shikamaru are supposed to hook up eventually, he kind of accidentally killed Naru/Hina. Probably best he tried to avoid accidentally killing Shika/Tema.
"Yes, we could use a little help in finding our way." Temari said politely. "We're trying to find our way to our hotel. I'm Temari, these are my teammates and younger brothers, Kankuro and Gaara."
"I see, name's Ren Yamanaka by the way." He spoke up as he approached the trio. As he stopped right in front of them all, Gaara looked at him carefully. As if he was trying to realize something.
"So, what is your hotel?" Ren asked. Kankuro walked up to him still holding the map and gestured to it. "That's our hotel but it seems like no matter how we follow the map we never get closer." The puppet user explained. Ren looked at the map and immediately realized the problem. Without saying a word he grabbed the map and flipped it around and handed it back. "You had the map upside down."
"You're an idiot Kankuro." Spat Temari in annoyance. Kankuro had the decency to look embarrassed.
"Don't be too hard on him, I can guide you all there if you like." Ren offered.
"That would be appreciated, thank you." Temari replied as she and the other siblings began following Ren.
"I take it, you three are here for the chunin exams?" Ren mused and got a nod from Temari. "I see, well I'll be in them as well."
"Is that why you're actually helping us? Wanting to scope the competition ahead of time." The sand kunoichi replied.
"Not really, I just like to help." Ren stated with a shrug of his shoulders. "Though I can tell, what three seem to be more or less about just from the equipment that you carry. You're a wind user if your battle fan is anything to go by. The one in black is a puppeteer, looking at the shape of what he's carrying. Not to mention Suna is well known for the craft. The one in the back has some form of earth manipulation. Judging by the gourd."
"How very astute of you." Temari said mildly impressed, Kankuro snorted and Gaara was well…Gaara.
"I made an effort to study the specialties of the other major villages. By the way, Gaara right? Why do you keep staring so intently at me? I can practically feel your gaze boring into the back of my head." Ren announced as he stopped and turned to Gaara. Temari and Kankuro Immediately became nervous and looked back and forth, between Ren and Gaara.
Gaara just stared down Ren with an emotionless expression. "You…" He finally said in a monotone voice. "Something about you feels similar."
"Ahh, so you picked up on that did you? I was noticing the same thing about you. Am I right about my feeling, One-tail?"
All three siblings had looks of various surprise on their faces at that. "Hold on a sec." Temari cut in. "Are you implying that…that you're like Gaara?"
Ren unzipped his vest pulled his mesh armor shirt down, to reveal his seal. "Indeed I am, I'm the vessel for the three-tails." Temari and Kankuro went a bit pale at that realization. Gaara looked surprised a little still before his face morphed into a predatory grin.
"Interesting." Said Gaara. "Mother would very much like to taste your blood."
"I that what the Ichibi is making you think who it is. Not surprising, Sanbi mentioned his sibling was weird like that." The cork popped off of Gaara's gourd. "Now, now, no need for that. Save it for the exams. I would like to say this though. Why exactly do you fight Gaara? What drives you to do as you do?"
Gaara paused caught off guard by the question, his face shifted back to an emotionless expression. "Why you ask?" He stated in his monotone voice. "I kill so I can prove my existence. I am hated and shunned from my home. Even my own father has wanted me dead for years. Even sending assassins at me from the time I was a small child. I am a relic they want to get rid of, so why do I exist and live? In order to exist, you need a purpose. To exist for no reason is the same as being dead… Then I came to the conclusion that I would love only myself and fight for only myself. If all other people exist to magnify that love, then there is no more a splendid universe than this one… My existence will not vanish."
"You kill simply to prove your own existence then? You care for no one else but yourself? You believe by fighting only for yourself makes you strong?" Ren retorted with an air of seriousness. "What a sad way to live one's life. I pity you, truly I do."
Gaara scowled at that, some sand even whipping around him a bit. Temari and Kankuro stepped back making a wide berth between the two jinchuriki. "Tell me, Ren Yamanaka, why do fight? What validates your existence to you?" Gaara asked now with a dark edge to his voice.
"That's easy." Ren began unfazed by Gaara's aggression. "I fight for others. I love and care for the others around me and fight for them. For me, it's the people that surround me that give me the strength to do as I do. To me, true strength comes from loving and caring for more than just yourself."
"He's saying things Gaara can't even begin to understand." Temari thought nervously.
Gaara looked at him quizzically for a moment, before gripping his head in pain. He narrowed his eyes a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Is that what you think?" Gaara sneered. "Then perhaps we should see you who's strength is greater!?"
"Maybe I pushed him a little too far?" Ren thought as he prepared to move.
"That's enough! Gaara control yourself!" A voice suddenly rang out.
"Sensei!" Temari called out.
Ren looked to see the source of the voice and well…. "That's not Baki. Is that who I think it is?" He thought in surprise.
The person he was looking at wasn't Baki at all. In fact, it was kunoichi, she was fairly tall. She had fair-skin with pupilless brown eyes. She had green hair that she tied in a bun on top of her head with a hair needle running through it and one short and long strands of hair with orange tips framing each side of her face. Her attire consisted of a sleeveless, backless top, and short tight pants, with two lapels on the front and the back. She wears an obi around her waist, as well as purple arm-warmers which extend up to her shoulders and has bandages around her tights and ankles.
"Pakura is the sand siblings jonin teacher? Well isn't that something?"
"Gaara, I will say again. Control yourself." Pakura stated as she neared them all. Gaara while not seeming too happy with his sensei's request. Obeyed the order none the less, after some hesitation.
"I was surprised when the three of you weren't at the hotel already. After I finished reporting our arrival to the Hokage." She spoke with authority. "Follow me and save your energy for the exams." She then looked towards Ren, she raised an eyebrow in curiosity but said nothing. She then turned on her heel and beckoned her genin team to follow her. The sand siblings fell in line but before they departed. Gaara paused to say one last thing to the Yamanaka.
"Ren Yamanaka, before these exams are over. I will prove my existence and that my strength is greater than yours. I will kill you, defeat you, and feed your blood to mother." He said with an ominous tone. Then left with the others.
"Looks like Gaara firmly has his focus on me now. Good, that will help keep Sasuke and Naruto a bit safer. Well then, the exams are sure to be a fun time. Better get home and make my final preparations." Ren said amusingly and took off for home.
A/N: Hello readers! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the story thus far. Well here's the final fluff chapter before we finally hit the chunin exams. We saw a good deal of things go down. Amongst many other things. The chunin exams begin earnest next chapter and the craziness that comes with it. Not really much else to say, so stay tuned for more. In the meantime, please leave a review as they do help keep me motivated to write. Please like and fav if you have not already and stay safe, stay healthy. I'll see you next time. I'm out!