AN: Note that I do not own Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, or any of the characters from either Anime. This work is a fanfiction written out of my love for the series and not in any attempt to make a profit.
Proofread by: Author
So, I feel like some of my readers might by this point wonder how I keep up this pace for uploading a chapter, every other day. How do I keep the brain in my head greased and ready to punch a keyboard relentlessly without stopping, and allow me to write a single chapter (usually) within three hours on-demand? Well, my secret is to constantly keep my mindset in the world of Naruto, so that when my thoughts wander, they do so in a direction that usually gives me ideas or inspiration. "And how do you do that?" You might ask? Simple, I read Naruto fanfics… every chance I get.
Okay, now that just makes me sound obsessed, doesn't it? I don't mean that all of my free time is dedicated entirely to Naruto fanfiction. Because it isn't. Every moment I find myself with nothing to do or wishing to entertain myself where a game or other activity doesn't quite feel right, or I find that I have some time to pick up my phone while waiting for something, I read fanfiction. I've even had a dream or two concerning Naruto, which is cool, as I usually don't dream much.
Now then, with that little explanation out of the way, I hope you all enjoy my latest brainchild of a chapter, which once again, was a bit unplanned, but something I felt was a long time coming.
Chapter 114: On well-read matters and preparations
Sakura had been right. Naruto and Sasuke both were horrified as to what had nearly transpired, and that their clan names had been used for an agenda that clearly was not in their interests. Naruto freaked out, while Sasuke raged.
"How dare they?!" Sasuke demanded to know, his voice painfully loud in the small, private hospital room. "Who do they think they are to make decisions for my clan? They have no right! My clan, my family is dead! They didn't know them, how can they think they'd know what the clan would consider the best course of action?" Sasuke continued, while Naruto and Sakura helplessly looked on as Sasuke vented.
Sakura agreed with Sasuke that the council had no right to make such decisions, but it was apparently the kind of system that decided such matters, and that had been a fact since… well, since Konohagakure's founding, they assumed. Of course, that still didn't justify it, it was just taking advantage of something that the council should know not to touch. Heikō believed that the assholes on the council had done it, knowing full well that by the time Sasuke was old enough to take his clan seat back from them, they'd already have retired and would be out of his reach, at least legally. Sakura bristled at the thought because she knew that it was likely the case and that telling Sasuke would only be adding fuel to the fire that they had lit.
"When I get my hands on them-" Sasuke continued, which prompted Sakura to sigh. She couldn't watch Sasuke continue doing this to himself. They had already come together and decided to get their revenge on Itachi. Adding the council to that list would just distract them, and they were even unlikely to manage any form of revenge against them, without plunging themselves into a heap of trouble for their efforts.
"I'm sorry Sasuke, but I don't think there's a lot we can do," Sakura spoke up, interrupting Sasuke, managing not to flinch as she saw him glare at her, a small amount of killing intent directed her way as he was about to snap at her for interrupting his plans, only to stop as Sakura glared back, leveling her own killing intent at him as a counter, surprising not just Sasuke and Naruto, but also herself and Heikō, as they realized what she had done.
"Wha-" Naruto began to ask, while Sasuke was too caught up staring at her in surprise, having dropped his killing intent in surprise, alongside Sakura.
"There's no point to even focus on them. They didn't get what they wanted, and we have other things to worry about. We need to focus on our primary goal." Sakura reminded them, making Naruto frown in confusion alongside Sasuke before it dawned on the Uchiha.
"Itachi," Sasuke said with venom, reminding Naruto of their promise, making him grimace at the name, while Sakura nodded in confirmation.
"Exactly. We need to focus on getting stronger. I have an idea as to how I should go about doing so, and I hope you two have ideas as well. We can worry about the council whenever they try something new, or get in our way, as things are now, we don't really need to care. Tsunade is planning on replacing the relics on it right now, and even if the stupid Clan Restoration Act does end up passing, Naruto can always tear it down once he becomes Hokage." Sakura told them, smiling at Sasuke and Naruto in amusement.
"Heck yeah!" Naruto confirmed with a grin, while Sasuke raised an eyebrow.
"You don't think Tsunade would do so if possible first?" Sasuke asked, wondering.
Sakura frowned and shook her head with a sigh. "Probably not. If she wants the support of the clans, she wouldn't risk upsetting them, I think. Naruto on the other hand…" Sakura gestured towards the blond lazily with a smirk, which spread to the other two boys as well. "... he probably wouldn't care anyway, or he'd end up convincing them to recast their votes on the matter." Sakura theorized, and Naruto nodded in agreement, smiling.
"You can bet your asses I will. No way am I going to let any crap like that fly when I become Hokage!" Naruto assured them, making Sakura chuckle, while Sasuke settled for a small smile.
"Idiot," Sasuke muttered, rolling his eyes, although the insult was more playful than deliberately insulting.
"Well, since that's more or less settled, let's talk about our plans. Karin is aiming for an apprenticeship with Tsunade-" Sakura began, only for Sasuke to frown and interrupt her.
"Wasn't that what you were doing?" He asked, only for Sakura to shake her head and sigh as she had to explain it again.
"I'm not apprenticing under her. She's teaching me some things, but it's more like what Kakashi was doing for us, albeit more actively. Like he did for you before the third part of the Chūnin exam." Sakura clarified. Sasuke nodded to show that he understood. "Now, as I was saying, Karin intends to apprentice under Tsunade. I have plans to ask Jiraiya and Fezā to teach me Fūinjutsu, as well as training with my summons to learn the fighting style of the Hares, as well as possibly their own type of Sage-mode." Sakura revealed. Looking at Naruto and Sasuke who both looked thoughtful after hearing her plans. "What do you two have in mind to further your own training?" She asked them.
"Honestly? I don't know." Naruto admitted, shrugging his shoulders before frowning. "I had assumed we'd remain as team seven, doing missions and training together until we were strong enough to take down Itachi. I feel a bit stupid in retrospect for not considering what would happen if not all of us become Chūnin, or split up for personal training. Is that even allowed?" Naruto asked, to which Sakura nodded in confirmation.
"It is. As long as your skills aren't immediately necessary or expected to be needed for a while, you can request to be taken off of active duty to train, go on vacation, or start a family." Sakura explained with a shrug. "I've heard it's different in different villages, but here in Konoha, you can essentially quit whenever you wish. Although you'll still technically be a Shinobi, so you'll be classified as one of the reserves, for the time being, meaning that if Konoha needs you, you'll still be called on, usually in an emergency." Sakura explained. Naruto's brows furrowed why Sasuke nodded in agreement.
"The reserves?" Naruto asked, not sure what Sakura had meant.
"Inactive Shinobi. Mostly Genin who've had enough, or never got a Jōnin teacher and didn't feel like going back to the academy. Retired Shinobi also fall into this category." Sasuke answered, making Naruto look at him with a frown.
"How come you two know all of this, but I don't?" Naruto asks, seemingly miffed and feeling left out.
"I read up on it after we first met Kakashi Sensei and did the bell test. I was almost certain he couldn't send us back to the academy. After all, do either of you remember anyone in our last year that hadn't been with us from the beginning?" Sasuke pointed out, making Sakura and Naruto think back.
"He's right. Huh. We didn't think of that, even if we did learn about it. Technically, Kakashi could have done it, but most do end up going to the reserves." Heikō pointed out.
"Oh…" Was all Naruto managed in response, although he still seemed bothered by something.
"What is it Naruto?" Sakura inquired, not feeling entirely comfortable with the look on his face.
"It's… I feel like I should really go back and get all the basics into my head." Naruto muttered, to which Sasuke huffed, amused.
"Of course, Idiot. I've never even seen you read a book before, and you didn't even know what chakra was when we started out as a team!" Sasuke pointed out, which immediately had Naruto red-faced and glaring at him.
"Shut up! I knew what chakra was, just not the name for it! It's not my fault I was kicked out of the lecture every time the teacher would talk about it." Naruto exclaimed, making Sasuke and Sakura furrow their brows about it.
"Wait, Naruto… You mean you never got the full lecture on chakra?" Sakura asked, surprised.
"How the hell did Naruto even manage to graduate?" Heikō demanded to know, horrified, as a cold feeling settled somewhere in their gut.
"No, I didn't. And the librarian wouldn't give me any advice on where to find the books for it when I tried to look it up." Naruto said, his anger now directed at a memory, rather than on Sasuke, who was getting angry himself.
"Fuck." Sakura swore out loud, surprising her teammates, as she realized just how deep the discrimination against Naruto had been. Heikō made it even more obvious as she supplied memories of the few times Naruto had been called to answer questions or read from the books in class. Naruto had never actually had a book to read from, and when he borrowed one, he had always been slow. Guilt made Sakura almost want to puke as she remembered laughing at him with the rest of the class.
"Naruto, who taught you to read?" Sakura asked, making him look up at her in surprise at the change in topic.
"Um, Hoka- I mean, the Third Hokage did," Naruto answered.
"When?" Sakura asked, inquiring further, while Sasuke's brows furrowed together in what seemed to be worry and suspicion.
"When he realized I wasn't taught at the orphanage before I moved out. I think it was when I was five?" Naruto answered, which fortunately made Sakura feel slightly better about it, but it still didn't quite feel right.
"And how often did he teach you?" Sakura asked while Naruto looked both embarrassed and uncomfortable at her questioning.
"Like, once a month?" Naruto told her, although it sounded like a question, suggesting it might have been an approximation.
"Once a month!" Sakura exclaimed while Sasuke was now looking at Naruto wide-eyed, realizing just how little attention Naruto had gotten during his childhood. Naruto looked ashamed, and Sakura could feel Heikō was ready to reach out with their senses, find Hiruzen, and demand he explain himself. Although, it was a bit early to judge the man. He had after all been the Hokage at the time, most likely busy and offering Naruto any time he could. Sakura and Heikō had seen plenty of evidence that Hiruzen loved Naruto and had likely done his best. Still, Sakura, Sasuke, and Heikō felt that it hadn't been enough and that Naruto had suffered for it, unfairly.
Still, withholding judgment just yet, Sakura continued. "Did anyone else help you, or did you at least practice on your own in your free time?" Sakura asked, grinding her teeth when Naruto shook his head, hanging his head in shame.
"I wish I did. But back then, it was so hard to do it on my own, and I didn't know if I was doing it right, so I just gave up, and only did it when the old man told me to. Thinking back on it, I feel like that was a bad idea." Naruto admitted, sighing in shame.
Of course, this didn't sit well with either Sakura or Heikō, so flipping their braid over to the left shoulder, Heikō took over and moved over to Naruto hugging him.
"Don't blame yourself, stupid. It's the adult's fault. Children are all stupid it's the adult's job to teach us, raise us, and make sure we develop good habits. It's not your fault. Heck, you're decent at reading and writing now, considering you were only taught once a month. I bet that had you gotten some proper teaching, you'd be pretty awesome." Heikō tried to console him, as Sasuke shifted over on his hospital bed and leaned over to join the hug.
"Idiot. It's not too late to start now. If Sakura and Heikō can grow muscles, you can grow some brains." Sasuke added, which got him an indignant shout from Naruto and chuckles from Heikō.
"We really were like a twig back then, weren't we?" Sakura asked Heikō, although she was clearly amused as well, as they watched Naruto and Sasuke begin name-calling each other again. Although, unlike how when Team seven had first formed, they were a lot less hostile and more joking about it.
"Yeah, we were." Heikō agreed, smirking as she thought about how much stronger and better they'd be in a year if they kept up their pace. "Itachi won't know what hit him." She thought while smirking.
AN: Right, so while Neither Sasuke, Sakura, or Heikō actually consider Naruto a dead last idiot anymore, the fact remains that Naruto never seemed to do all that well academically. Considering how he was treated, and that he lived alone, it is to be expected. However, from the perspective of a child, such things are hard to see or even grasp sometimes, and not even adults get such things right half of the time. I mean, just look at Iruka. Even he wasn't entirely on Naruto's side until he realized how much Naruto reminded him of himself, yet even he failed to grasp the idea that without someone to teach him the basics, the rest of what Naruto was taught had little to no foundation to build on.
Of course, it is entirely possible that Naruto's struggles could have been confused by his antics as the class clown, and that I can sadly understand. I've seen a fair few class clowns in my life.
Of course, there's also the matter of how Naruto lacks understanding of certain things I'd expect to be covered in the Academy, like chakra exercises and such, as they are actually taught different Academy techniques. The negligence and discrimination naruto faced is the most likely culprit. It has been done differently in many different fanfictions I've read, but primarily, active sabotage seems to be a common theme. And sadly, with what we see in canon, it seems highly likely that that was the case. After all, I feel that Naruto got the concept of chakra and the name really easily after just one explanation from Sakura and Kakashi. Not to mention that once he got the hang of the tree-walking technique, his first attempt at water-walking without his seal being messed up, resulted in an instant success. Naruto has been proven to be quite the little prodigy, and active sabotage is the most likely reason as to why no one seems to realize this in canon.
Makes your blood boil, doesn't it?
As always, reviews and discussions are all welcome.
