Hey everyone. This story is a tweak on the Naruto universe. First of all, i shifted the age by 3 years. Naruto and his fellow genin end their stay at the academy at 15 instead of 12. Second of all, the story is modified to make the shinobi more as assassins instead of a tactical strike , there are other changes which will be revealed as the story goes on. Thanks for reading.
Seeing Through These Blood-Stained Tears
Chapter 1
It was a cool August day. The sun was shining on the Konoha ninja academy, bathing the school in a warm ray of ephemeral light, randomly darkened by a passing cloud. Inside the school, the teachers ;lectured to their students the fine points of stealth, reciting from memory the meticulous process of stealth assassination. All except one teacher.
"NARUTOOOO!", yelled a voice from classroom 208.
"Sorry Iruka Sensei, but your lectures are sooo boring" replied the Uzumaki Naruto, class clown and local troublemaker. The other students in the class chuckled amongst themselves,
amused by Naruto's antics. Iruka shrugged off his anger and continued on with his speech.
"Before you all go, i want to remind you to study for the Genin exam. Remember, you are going to get a random assignment and you must complete other teachers and I will determine whether or not you pass".
"What are the types of assignments we have to do, Iruka-sensei?", said Inuzuka Kiba.
"Well, this time we have a handful of assignments. You might receive an order ranging from stealth reconnaissance, to sabotage, to...other tasks". Upon uttering the last part, Iruka sent a concerned looked at Naruto, who quickly averted his eyes as his face slightly paled.
"Well, class dismissed. Come tomorrow and receive your assignments". The students started leaving, when Iruka called "And Naruto, wait here for a second". Naruto, a blond boy of 15 years with cerulean eyes and three whisker mark scars on each of his cheeks. His black and orange jumpsuit covered in wrinkles.
"What is it, Iruka sensei?"
"Naruto, let's go get some ramen. I need to talk to you" he said concerned. Naruto smirked
sheepishly,"Anything for ramen".
1 Hour Later:
Naruto and Iruka sat at Ichiraku's Ramen Bar, Naruto's favorite ramen shop. They waited in a thick, awkward silence that seemed to consume the whole atmosphere of the shop. They waited together in that silence until their ramen was ready. Just as Naruto was about to dig in, Iruka broke the mutual silence.
"Naruto, are you sure your ready for tomorrow?" Naruto stared straight ahead as if looking past the shop, into an endless abyss. Slowly, he turned his head and stared straight into Iruka's eyes, his bright blue eyes darkened. Suddenly, he smiled and rubbed the back of his head.
"What do you mean, Iruka-sensei? Of course I'm ready! And I'm going to pass too!" he yelled, as if trying to convince himself of the fact. Iruka smiled slightly, hiding his worry.
"Good. But Naruto, I'm sure you know,but you might get...THAT assignment again". Naruto froze for a split second, then went back to his meal and began eating.
"Naruto, i know you failed last year" said Iruka "But that was because you weren't prepared. I bet this year you can easily pass". There was a moment of silence. Naruto turned and looked directly into Iruka's eyes.
"Iruka-sensei, can i ask you a question?" Naruto said, his voice wavering slightly. "Anything. Naruto" Iruka replied. Naruto tapped his foot slightly.
"Why didn't you stay in the field? Why did you become a teacher?". Iruka was surprised, and didn't make an attempt to hide it.
"well" said Iruka,"The field is...something different. It's..hard to explain". Iruka turned to his bowl of ramen and stared at it for a few seconds.
"...When your in the field, life gets messed up. Life and death become the same side of a coin, the difference becomes small and impossible to see. The mission is all that matters. Whether you make it back to your loved ones, or you fade into history doesn't matter, only whether you succeed or fail. It's maddening. Some people...just can't deal with it. They lose their edge, and when you lose your edge in the jungle...you don't come back...I... couldn't deal with it. Some call me weak-willed, but i just couldn't cope." Iruka turned towards Naruto, his stare seeming to size up Naruto's whole being.
"You understand, don't you, Naruto?" The silence seemed to grow, its voracity ever expanding, as if it was trying to swallow up all the sounds of the earth.
The Next Day:
All of the class was assembled early in the morning. The sun once again shining, the sky deep blue. Naruto sat uncomfortably in class, as did all of the students. Their anticipation almost palpable. They chattered to each other, trying to take the edge off. At precisely 8:00, Iruka walked in with a box. A wave of anxiety rippled through the class.
"Okay class, come up and draw your assignments. Do not open them until you get home". Each student came us one by one, taking turns drawing a folded piece of paper, sealed with wax. The paper seemed to weigh heavy in the students' hands, as if the sheet weighed as much s a thousand suns. Finally it was Naruto's turn, and he went and looked into the was only one slip left, just like last time. He tenderly picked it up, and walked back to his seat. Once he sat down Iruka put the box down.
"Okay ladies and gentleman. You have your orders. Remember, DO NOT OPEN THEM UNTIL YOU GET HOME. These missions are each have 3 days to complete your mission. Good luck, and God's speed".
Naruto walked out of the class and then ran straight home. Once he got inside his apartment, he locked his door and closed the blinds, He checked to see if anyone was there, then went over to his coach. He sat there, holding his orders, his hand trembling. Slowly, with wavering anticipation. He broke the seal and opened the orders, He stared at it, looking it up and down, every second shaking more and more. Finally, he let the slip drop out of his hands, his body wracked with spasms.
"No...no...nonono...not again...please...not again..." he muttered, tears welling up in his eyes.
The top line of the orders read:
Assignment: Assassination of a low priority target...
...TO BE CONTINUED
