Chapter 16.
As the loyalist forces plan to attack the rebellion HQ a failure they had no other alternative but to retreat for the day. With the enemy in full retreat, this presented the defense force the opportunity to catch their wind. Getting to the rally point they noted the results of the engagement, multiple people were wounded and a few were dead. After administering first aid and making sure everyone was well enough for travel they started the long trek back to the base. During the walk, both Amane and Chusei were fussing over the blonde to his annoyance. Both making sure he didn't overexert himself before they reached camp. Arriving at the new location they noticed the defenses were still being established. As they stepped into the encampment the guards simply nodded to them before turning back to their posts. They were soon called to Mei's tent to be debriefed, arriving they saw her sitting behind her desk with a smile on her face.
"First I'm relieved to see you've all returned and sad for those who didn't make it." She said bowing her head for a minute in honor of the fallen. "I've gotten the report that the loyalist forces have retreated to their fortress, so we shouldn't have to worry about them for a while. Also, you will be assigned missions in the following days. So take the time to rest and report to the medics to get looked over no doubt the battle was harsh, dismissed." She said as they bowed then all left for the medical tents. Checking up on the others their worries were lifted when they found out while injured they didn't lose anyone. The medics were a little fussy over Naruto who at first refused to be looked at saying he was fine and didn't need it. Only to give in when the head medic came and she gave him a death stare that would scare the late Madara Uchiha.
"Shesh they didn't have to be so rough." The blonde said as he stretched. "That's cause you refused treatment idiot!" The raven said. "She's right you know, it would have been easier just to accept it," Chusei added in his usual monotone. "Thanks, a lot guys, I feel the support." He sighed to which his teammates chuckled too. "So what are you two going to do since we have some time off?" he said looking to the duo. "Well, I'm likely going to read and do some light training until our orders are received. What about you Amane?" Chusei asked the raven of the group. "I'm likely going to ask for some training from one of the medics since our squad lack one it would help if we had a healer." She said with a hand on her chin in thought the two agreed it would help in the coming battles. They all went to their tent to rest up for the night before morning came and they all went their own ways.
Naruto walked out of the camp to find a small clearing where he sat propped up against a tree and meditated. Once he reopened his eyes he was inside his mindscape in front of the cage. "Hey, Kurama you there?' He asked to only hear silence until. "ZZZZZZZZ!" The blonde's eye twitched at this. 'WAKE UP YOU LAZY FOX!' The fox in question was startled awake from the mental scream. "Huh...what?! I was having pleasant dreams of hunting rabbits." He said before drifting off to sleep again."Wake up already!" He yelled and banged his fist on the bars. "Grr. Shut up brat, you should know better than to wake the all-mighty kitsune. I've killed for less so I think you should show some respect!" He snarled as he pressed against the bar and glared at the blonde. "Yeah, Yeah but you promised to help me with training." He replied waving off the death threats from the fox. "Sigh, fine if it will keep you from interrupting my nap then alright." The fox replied with the blonde almost jumping for joy. Alright first leave your mindscape and we will start from there." The blonde nodded before willing himself back and sat up from his spot. "First have you learned the secret of the shadow clones?" He raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What secret?" Kurama sighed. "So you haven't noticed, make a clone and send it behind the tree and hold up a random number of fingers." Still confused he obeyed and sent the clone behind a tree. "Alright, now what?" He asked in curiosity "Dispell the clone and tell me how many fingers he was holding." He immediately dispelled and gasped as the memories of the clone holding up four fingers came to him. "He was holding four but how did I know that!" The foxed chuckled at his childish tone. "The shadow clones can transfer memories of what they see and experience to the original. So you will see what they see and feel what they feel. With that in mind, you will be able to use it by lessening the training time." The blonde was ecstatic he found a super cheat to rank up faster than everyone.
"Now make 100 clones and have half do chakra exercises and tree climbing." Spawning the clones they got right to work. "Now that's done what's next?" In an excited tone. "We will work on your elemental mastery. Now I don't know much about the wind but I do know some about lighting. So I want you to try and channel your lightning chakra to one of your limbs like you do with your Kunai." The blonde and his clones jumped right into it. They soon found our trying to channel the lightning element was a bit of a hassle."Why is this so difficult!" he shouted to no one. "Of course it wouldn't be easy idiot, you're attempting advanced teaching." The fox scoffed. "Well, you could always help me you lazy fox!" He shouted back. Fine, if it will shut you up then alright. Think of your sensei you remember his Chidori right?" Naruto nodded. "He similarly uses his chakra as your Rasengan. Though his flows outward instead of a circular fashion." He began to understand he wasn't using the right method of drawing it out. A few hours passed as he put his all to the task in front of him to no luck until. *Bzzzt* A small bolt moved between his fingers. (Similar to a stun gun but less voltage) "I did it! Kurama did you see!" He mentally shouted to the fox. "I did, this is your first step in your towards mastery but for now we should call it a day." Looking up at the sky he chuckled and rubbed his neck and grin sheepishly as he noticed it was already night. He jogged back to the camp and made it back to the tent to see his teammates already there.
"There you are, we almost decided to go and look for you," Chusei informed the blonde while Amane glaring at him. "Sorry about that but I was training and lost track of time." He chuckled nervously hoping to avoid his raven teammates' wrath. "Just don't overdo it alright," Chusei spoke with a concerned tone while calming down Amane. "So how did your training go?" The blonde thought for a second. "I was practicing my lightning manipulation but it's slow going." Chusei nodded in understanding elemental manipulation could be tricky. "How about you two?" The two in question looked at each other before Amane spoke first. "Well, I was able to get some basic aid training but nothing too great." She sighed as Chusei put a hand on her shoulder. "That will still come in handy don't think any less." She smiled at that and thanked him. "I was able to learn some new jutsu's and mostly rested up." The blonde nodded they all were on the paths of progression. They exchanged a few more words before calling it a night and drifting off to sleep.
-Next day-
Waking up they got breakfast together before going off on their own once again. Naruto stuck to his regiment with half his clones doing chakra exercises and the other doing the lightning manipulation. Hours passed before Naruto decided to take a small break. Thinking about how he got here and the journey so far. As he reminisced his mind wandered to the old man and the book he gave him. Deciding now was a good time as any he reached into his pack and pulled out the book. Opening it on the first page he saw a letter taped to the inside of the book with his name on it. Taking out the letter and scanning it his eyes widened as he read.
Dear Naruto:
If you are reading this then that means I have passed on. Do not feel the need to blame your self I go to my death willingly if it means you get to live on. Before meeting you my life was bland and boring with nothing for me to do besides sitting in that cell to rot. That changed when you arrived your energetic nature and love for pranks made me think of my golden years. I was a lot like you hot-headed and stubborn but loyal to a fault to whom I called family. This book is my most prized possession as it is filled with my life's work and story. I ask of you to listen to one last request from an old man. Learn the fuinjutsu from this book and carry on my legacy through your deeds. I also ask of you to visit my old homeland the isle of whirlpools. A map is placed inside and will grant you a safe passage. Alas, my time is coming to an end while the time we spent wasn't long I am glad to have met you and one more thing. You are not as alone as you think. Remember to cherish your friends and stand by your family till the end that is our way.
Sincerely:
Mako Uzumaki.
Ps: If you lose that book I will haunt you!
The blonde read and re-read the letter before putting it back in the envelope with a few tears threatening to escape. Not of sadness but happiness, he wasn't an orphan anymore he did indeed have a family. While Mako never said anything about them he felt a strong tie to the man for an unknown reason at the time. He looked up to the sky with a smile and silently declared he wouldn't let him or his family down. Looking through the book he saw many notes and calculations. Going through the book he noticed he understood a lot of what was written in the notes as if it came naturally. Weird he thought but continued to read the book until noon."Hey, boss, we did it!" A clone shouted from across the clearing before dispelling and giving him it's a memory. Standing up extending his hand he began to focus and expel his lightning element. Pointing one of his fingers at a tree he shot a thin line of lightning singing the tree a little but overall unharmed. 'It worked...while not powerful I could use this.' He thought to himself as mentally jotted down how he would use this to further his training.
This train of thought was brought to a halt as a messenger appeared before him. "Kitsune! Leader has called for you." Informing the blonde before vanishing as fast as he arrived. "Sigh. Well looks like I won't get any more training done." Leaving the clones to dispell themselves he left towards the main tent. Inside he saw both Chusei and Amane as well as Naru standing at attention. Taking his place by his teammates and the lt mei began to speak. "Good, now that you're all here I have a mission that requires the talents of the fourth division...Ao." She said turning to the man and he nodded and unrolled a map of the area. "The mission in question is to capture a supply caravan passing through nearby. The carts are filled with weapons and food. I don't need to tell you how desperate we are for those supplies. You and the fourth division will leave around nightfall and return with the supplies if you are unable to secure the carts then burn them before returning." He informed before walking back over to mei. "This is a B rank mission but be wary it could jump to an A as we have little information on the escort for the caravan. Do you understand your orders?" They gave a quick reply which was met by a smile form mei. "Now go take this time to prepare before moving out," she said waving them off. "Yes," The responded before leaving and set off for the others.
Chapter end.
So here it is the newest chapter of the series, I hope you liked it. Remember to leave a comment on this chapter about what you thought of it. Hopes this finds you well and if not sit down and relax and try to wash some of that worries away by talking or chilling with some music or something right. Until the next chapter, I wish you well and later. (Poof).