Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any other respective media, only my OC
Naruto – Interlude 2
Helping A Friend! Meeting an Old One!
The next day had come and Toshirama was waiting at Training Field 7 for Sakura to help her with her training for the Chunin Exams.
Toshirama was there waiting for a few minutes as he had arrived earlier so that he could exercise and be prepared.
After a while longer he saw Sakura arrive at the field gate and greeted her waving his hand, "Sakura, over here!"
Sakura replied back, "Toshirama, I hope you haven't been waiting for too long?" Toshirama replied in kind, "No I just got here a few minutes ago, nothing big, so are you ready?"
The pinkette nodded as the two dropped their bags and started off with a few stretches before starting the day.
"So Toshirama what did you have in mind for today?" Sakura asked. The white-haired ninja answered, "Well first before we really start, I wanted to ask you some things."
Sakura titled her head in curiosity to what he would ask her, but she was ready to so, if this meant she could become stronger and be an asset to the team, then she'll do anything.
"First off, what kind of ninja do you think you are?" Toshirama asked. Sakura, a confused look on her face asked, "What kind of ninja, what do you mean?"
"Well, we all have our individual skills; Naruto is more of heavy hitter, Sasuke and I act like strategists and fighters in one; but what kind of role would you fit in, that's what I mean." Toshirama enlightened.
Sakura had a look of understanding now as she had never thought on the topic until now, but what kind of ninja role could she have for the team?
"With your great chakra control, I think being a medical ninja for the team would be a great asset in the future, although it takes major control to do more of the advanced techniques, for now I think learning the basics should do." Toshirama stated.
Sakura was now elated to hear about this, perhaps now she would finally be of some help and she would be more valuable to the team.
"Do you remember the Mystical Palm Technique I showed you back in the Land of Waves?" Toshirama asked. "Sakura replied, "Yes, you told me that it allows you to use your chakra to help heal wounds."
"Well that technique is the most basic of all medical ninjutsu, though with enough practice almost all ninja can learn of this technique, I brought the book with me that I learned it from." Toshirama then took out the book from his bag and gave it to Sakura.
"The Basics of Medical Ninjutsu by Tsunade, she was a famous medical ninja, wasn't she?" Sakura asked. "Yep, she was the one who revolutionized medical ninjutsu and chakra control, not only that but she was also very strong as a kunoichi." Toshirama answered.
"Tsunade used what's called Chakra Enhanced Strength when she fought, essentially she would focus her chakra into her hands and feet and with that she could deliver strong blows and could increase her speed and reflexes as well." Toshirama continued on.
"You think I could do that? Sure I may be decent at chakra control but I'm not strong like you guys." Sakura replied the doubt evident in her voice.
"It's not about whether or not your physically strong, but if you get the basics of this down, you'd be setting yourself apart from all of us in the team and that's where the next part of our training comes in." Toshirama said as he walked over to the nearest training stump
"Watch and learn." Toshirama said as he turned towards the stump. Letting back his fist he focused all his charka in his fist and in one punch tore off the top half of the stump.
Sakura looked on in shock and awe as Toshirama had nearly demolished the stump. "Wow." Was all the pink-haired kunoichi could say.
"So for now were both going to only focus on taijutsu for now since this fighting style is simply an enhancement of it. For now I want you to come at with the intent to kill me just like with Kakashi-sensei's test." Toshirama said as he entered his stance to fight.
Sakura did the same as she prepared to face off against the boy. The two flew at each other ready to test themselves against their comrade.
Sakura started off with trying an few simple punches and jabs but Toshirama either parried or outright blocked them. Gaining some distance from each other, Toshirama then went for his tools as Sakura did the same.
The sets of shuriken clashed in mid-air with the two continuing as Toshirama now used the very technique he was teaching her. Focusing his chakra in his feet and hands, he rushed towards Sakura and delivered a punch pounding through her guard.
Sakura was sent flying a small ways into the stream behind them as she was now soaked from head to toe everywhere.
"So that's how it works, and it knocked me this far even while I was guarding." Sakura thought to herself.
"Don't look away from your opponent for a second Sakura!" Toshirama yelled as he came in once more delivering another large punch this time shaking the ground beneath them leaving a small crater in the spot, he'd landed in.
"Such power, he shook the ground AND made a crater." Sakura's lingering thoughts held as she caught her breath having just barely dodged the second attack.
"That's just a taste of what this kind of fighting can do, Tsunade was said to lift up things up to nearly 5x her size with her strength." Toshirama finished as he dusted himself off.
Sakura could only look in awe as she heard what her teammate told her, "Could I be that strong?"
"Remember though Sakura, take things a little bit at a time for now I think it's better if you focused on medical ninjutsu for now." Toshirama said as he helped Sakura up.
"Yeah, your right Toshirama thank you for helping me with this, I promise I'll get better!" Sakura said with a bright smile on her face. "I know you will, also Sakura I know you say you're on a diet and all, but you need to keep your strength up so if it's not much just eat a little bit more than you normally do, for me?" Toshirama left off with
Sakura held a slight blush on her face as she replied, "I-I think I can do that, I mean it's just a little bit more like you said right?"
Toshirama nodded as the two finally parted ways. With some daylight left Toshirama decided to visit some friends he'd made in the Academy as he hadn't seen them in so long. As he walked down the streets of the Village, the first person to come to mind was a certain lazy Nara he'd met as a child…
In the trees, Hinoto watched the two as they left. "I see… I'm report on this." With that the female ANBU left without leaving a trace.
Nara Compound
Toshirama reached the compound and looked out to the terrace to see Shikamaru Nara and his father, Shikaku Nara playing shogi, even Asuma was with the father and son duo watching the pair as they played.
Shikamaru turned noticing a presence staring at him, "Toshirama, is that you?" The white-haired boy replied. "Who else, how have been Shikamaru?"
"Well if it isn't Toshirama, how have been kid?" Shikaku responded seeing the boy after quite some time.
"It's been fine, all things considering… is that you Asuma-sensei?" Toshirama said as he noticed the jonin with a cigarette in his mouth.
"You know that'll get to you one day, sensei." Toshirama said with a bit humor in his voice. "Well as they say, you only live once so I prefer to live life to its fullest." Asuma answered as the white-haired boy joined the trio near the game board.
"I didn't interrupt anything have I?" The blue-coated boy asked. "No, in fact… checkmate my boy." Shikaku replied as he had trapped his son's king not without losing many of his own in the process.
"Ugh… this is such a drag." Shikamaru replied with his usual lazy comeback. "Well since you seem to be upset my old friend, why don't we play, it's been a while anyway hasn't it?" Toshirama asked the Nara boy.
Shikamaru looked at his old classmate and nodded, "Why not, but it's still gonna be a drag though." Toshirama put on a smirk, "I'll at least make it worth something hopefully." He then sat were Shikaku just was as he now helped set the board.
Shikaku and Asuma were now watching the both of the genin as they were now sizing each other up in the beginning of their game.
"You know when I first heard about the boy from Shikamaru, he also talked about Naruto too. When he told me about them, and he asked me about… that… I was honestly surprised but proud all the same time." Shikaku began as he spoke with Asuma.
"Yeah, they've both come quite a ways away… ha, I even remember sometimes Toshirama would rat out that little group of rascals at times, but it was only when they went too far." Asuma replied.
"Besides, with only myself I've only known few people for Shikamaru to actually try against when it comes to playing shogi, he's even had to do… that when playing against Toshirama." Shikaku continued. Asuma was quite surprised, to think that someone else had to make Shikamaru think so deeply.
At the game board, the two old friends were continuing their game as the adults continued watching them.
"Not bad as always Shikamaru, my defenses just never seem to hold against you no matter what I do." Toshirama stated as the board was not in his favor. "Well I won't lie your defenses are hard to knock down, but with just a crack it becomes a hole really quick." Shikamaru answered. With one last move, the lazy Nara boy captured Toshirama's king.
"I had thought my Edo Castle strategy would've taken you by surprise, but I guess not." Toshirama said with a dullness to his voice.
"Hey, I'm just curious why do always play so defensively, I mean I've seen some of your games against Sasuke, you always seem to take the offense when you can but with me its defense, why?" Shikamaru asked his fellow Leaf ninja.
"I guess, it's just who I am, how I act." Toshirama answered. "What do you mean?" Shikamaru wondered.
"I mean for most of my life, I've always been worrisome and paranoid at times, mostly for Naruto's sake since we were kids, but I guess for all my friends, I still remember when I ratted you guys out for skipping detention after you guys put pins in Iruka's seat." Toshirama answered.
The lazy Nara was shocked, "Wait, so that was you that snitched on us that day?!" Toshirama had a big grin on his face as he stated, "Yep!"
The two continued laughing as they continued their game, which ultimately ended in Toshirama's loss, but not without taking a few of Shikamaru's pieces in the process.
Shikaku and Asuma looked at the two hearing their rowdy laughter, the two jonin smiled as they watched the two continue their game
"I think those two will be very important in the future, right now there goals are clouded and their dreams a long way from being made; but one day they'll both be ready when the time comes." Shikaku finished off as Toshirama left the compound and headed home.
Toshirama's Apartment
"Well with the Chunin Exams coming up, its best if I find a private spot to train, never know whose gonna be watching. Maybe I could train with Naruto and Sasuke but knowing those two they'll just want to train on their own." Toshirama thought to himself as he finished eating dinner and headed off to bed.
The Next Day…
Toshirama decided to have some time to himself to train as he wanted to test out a new jutsu he wanted to learn but that meant he'd need a certain jonin's help… but he was not the easiest to find.
Toshirama had been searching for hours and asking multiple people in the village but no one knew where Kakashi was.
"This man is impossible, how can someone be as late as he is, but you can't even find him when you need him?" Toshirama let out in annoyance.
"Whose impossible Toshirama?" A familiar voice came from behind the white-haired boy. Toshirama jumped in surprise to find his sensei was behind him.
"Oh um, sensei… I've been looking for you?" Toshirama asked as he started sweating hoping he hadn't heard his small rant.
"A few people actually told me about a young, white-haired boy wearing a blue jacket looking for me, so I came to the conclusion it was you, so was there something you needed?" Kakashi asked his student.
"Oh yeah, I was wondering sensei, could you teach me some Water and Earth style jutsu that you know, since you know… you've said to have copied over a thousand jutsu and all?" Toshirama finally asked his sensei what he wanted.
Kakashi looked at the boy for a few moments as he studied him, "I see, you don't want to be behind Sasuke or Naruto, right?"
Toshirama nodded energetically in response. "Well then, how can I deny my student's enthusiasm, follow me to Field 7, I'll teach you some of the techniques I've learned over the years." Kakashi replied as the two left for Training Field 7.
The pair made it to the field as Kakashi put up his book and turned to his student and now carried a serious face, "Now if I teach you this, you must have great control of your chakra and molding the necessary amount you need so you don't waste chakra when you use your jutsus."
Toshirama was attentive at Kakashi's instruction making sure to not miss anything, "Very well, I've seen you already use some of the more basic Water and Earth Style jutsus, so I'll teach you some other techniques as well."
"First, we'll work on your Water Style, I'll teach one of one of the more intermediate jutsu that can be used. The techniques you've been using are more used in short range ranges these techniques have more power and range to them, but the cost is the use of much more chakra than before." Kakashi stated
"Now, one of the jutsu I'll teach you is the Water Clone Technique, this type of clone unlike shadow clones are instead made of water and can be used in many ways, like with Haku he used the water leftover to use his jutsu, that's one of the ways this jutsu works. Now watch and learn." Kakashi explained as he made the Tiger seal.
After a few seconds, a perfect clone of Kakashi appeared next to him made entirely out of water, "With that it acts exactly like any normal clone, but unlike clones which disappear after taking damage these clones will revert back to a puddle of water." Kakashi stated as his clone then reverted back to water.
"Now you try, remember unlike normal clones this will take more concentration, especially if you're not around a body of water, remember to concentrate." Kakashi finished as he watched his student.
Toshirama formed the seal and concentrated as hard as he could the water from the stream was now in the middle of constructing of the clone when the water suddenly fell apart and Toshirama was now soaked.
"You're getting there. Like I said this technique is not the same one Naruto uses, these clones are made from a specific chakra nature unlike normal clones which are made from the person's chakra reserves. This what's called a 'change in chakra transformation'. Put simply this means you're taking a specific chakra nature and molding it into something physical." Kakashi explained to his student.
"So your saying, unless I put my utmost concentration to molding my chakra correctly, I'll just keep on failing to make the clone stable enough right?" Toshirama answered.
"Something like that, see the reason Naruto can use the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique is due to his large reserves of chakra, the same goes for you. But the reason Naruto couldn't do the simpler version of the technique is that it requires chakra control and his connection simply couldn't handle it." Kakashi stated.
"I-I see. So, I can imagine I can't learn much else unless I can master creating either just clone or multiple clones, I couldn't possibly use other water jutsu like that Water Dragon you used against Zabuza?" Toshirama replied
"Yes, you may be able to use many of the jutsu you have now, but like with Sasuke though you two are simply pouring in chakra into the technique and not refining them, the essence of chakra control is use the least amount of chakra to use a technique at its greatest power, do you understand?" Kakashi questioned his pupil.
"Yes, sensei." Toshirama said. "Well come on, do it again we don't have all day, besides I hear a new book for my series will be coming out soon, so I have to check daily to be sure." Kakashi replied.
Toshirama couldn't help but share a look of disgust at his sensei for his seeming loyalty to a piece of erotic literature like that trash but not like he could do anything about it.
The two has been out in the field for the last 3 hours as Toshirama was almost close to perfecting the technique only to lose control at the last second.
"You were close young one, give it one last go." Kakashi stated as he watched his student once more try again.
Toshirama made the Tiger seal once more and this time concentrated, emptying his mind of anything he heard and thinking of nothing else but the water. As he concentrated, the clone began to form as the water was shaped into the boy's form after a few more seconds it was done as a copy of the white-haired boy stared back at his original.
Kakashi looked on with one of his trademark eye-smiles and said, "Well, congratulations Toshirama you've created your very first Water Clone, good work."
"All right!" Both Toshirama's exclaimed as the pair high-fived each other. It was then that Toshirama suddenly fell backwards and his clone disappeared, before he could hit the ground Kakashi caught his student in his shoulders.
"Well you've been at this for quite a while, the sun's already set for the day, you've accomplished something today Toshirama be proud, but you still have a long way to go." Kakashi said as he carried the boy to his home.
"Who knows maybe you'll surpass me before Naruto or Sasuke, only time will tell." Kakashi finished his thoughts as he dropped the boy off in his room, not without leaving a note behind:
"Tomorrow, meet me at the same field and we'll start working on a new Water jutsu for you to learn." – Kakashi
The Next Day…
The day was anew as Toshirama had just arrived at the training field and was now waiting for Kakashi-sensei to arrive.
A Few Hours Later…
Toshirama was now stomping his foot lightly in impatience as he waited for the ever late jonin, it wasn't until he heard the gate turning that he saw his sensei had finally made it.
"Sensei, is there a reason your like this?" Toshirama asked trying to keep calm. "Well, I had help an old lady carry her luggage, so we took a scenic route."
"Liar!" Toshirama yelled in his thoughts. "Well sensei, what did you have in mind for today?" Toshirama asked his sensei.
"Well today we'll be working on some new Water jutsu for you to learn as well as two new Earth style techniques as well I think you'll find handy." Kakashi explained.
"Well… what is it?!" Toshirama couldn't hold in his excitement. "Calm down, like yesterday we went over how to make a water clone, so we'll take it a step further and learn to use your chakra to make water." Kakashi explained.
"Today were going to learn is Water Style: Water Bomb Jutsu, this technique is also very basic, but is very versatile; one way is to make a concussive torrent of water like the Fireball Jutsu's flamethrower-like way or making it a large bullet." Kakashi continued.
"Well, guess I can't argue about it then. What are the signs behind it?" Toshirama asked.
"Watch and learn." Kakashi said, weaving the hand seals; Tiger, Ox, Tiger, Rat. With those signs Kakashi then spit out a large torrent of water that knocked over a whole tree that was now completely gone.
Toshirama looked on in amazement at the sheer power of such a "basic jutsu". Kakashi then looked on to his student, who still carried his shocked expression.
"So, your turn let me see what you've got." Kakashi said as Toshirama turned towards another tree in the field. Using the same hand seals Toshirama then let out a torrential blast at the tree in front of him.
Toshirama stopped after using a bit to much chakra he looked to see that the tree had nearly been taken off its trunk as it was now almost barely hanging by an edge, although unlike Kakashi's display the tree was not gone still being very much there.
"For a first try your technique still needs refinement, your still simply pouring in most of your chakra, but precise control takes time and training so for now we'll leave it at that, and we'll move on to Earth jutsus.
"There are two techniques I want to teach you about today; you actually have seen the results of them first-hand. One of the is Earth Style: Hidden Mole Jutsu, this technique is more useful for hiding and ambushing an opponent. Since your enemies will look to their left, right and up above; no one will suspect an attack from the ground." Kakashi explained
The one-eyed jonin continued, "This goes into another technique you'll learn as well called Earth Style: Ripping Drill Fang, after hiding in the ground this technique allows you to launch from the underground and ambush them in the process."
"First, with these techniques it more about becoming one with nature then actually using chakra, these two work in tandem by burrowing underground, as such…" Kakashi said as he suddenly vanished into the ground, a hole now left where he last stood.
The boy looked around wondering where Kakashi was now. "If you're wondering where I am…"
Suddenly from below the ground collapsed in and out of the ground appeared Kakashi nearly inches from Toshirama's face.
"That's how that combo works, especially if you mix with clone techniques, luring your opponent into a false sense of security is an effective strategy." Kakashi finished explaining.
"Now then your turn, remember this to focus on being 'one with your environment' and stay focused." Kakashi explained as Toshirama stood in concentration suddenly the boy found himself burrowed into the ground.
Finding himself underground he thought the feeling would be more claustrophobic, but instead he felt more at home underneath the earth, underground he could still feel his chakra all around him.
"This feeling I know where I am, I can even feel what's going on above, Kakashi-sensei's still in the same exact spot he was at when I first went underground, I thought I was going blind when I did this, but it feels like my chakra is guiding me." Toshirama thought to himself.
The Sora boy dug his way under the earth to get the feel for the environment, it felt more natural then when he would play in a sandbox with your bare hands, but more akin to digging with a shovel for hands.
"Normally this would leave cuts and bruising but I'm completely fine, being underground it must have something to do with magnetic forces, that's why I'm still able to feel everything up above. The boy continued to feel his way underneath.
"Now then, just as sensei said; by pouring my chakra into my body I can launch myself and strike so let's try it…" Toshirama finished as he gathered his chakra, he then rapidly burrowed upwards and then just like Kakashi burst through the earth and made a considerable hole.
Now tired, sweat beaded down the boy's body everywhere from his face to his body. "W-well, sensei, how'd I do?" Toshirama asked.
Kakashi closed his Make-Out Tactics book he was reading and then spoke up, "That'll do, well its been fun Toshirama but I have to leave since I've got a mission report to turn in by the end of the day, so keep up your training and I'll see you at the Academy when the time is right."
With that the one-eyed ninja left in a puff of smoke and leaves and was gone. Toshirama then decided to lay back on one of the remaining trees at the training yard and too a small nap too tired to move after all the training he'd done.
A ways away from the pair another ANBU, the one called Sai had been watching everything without saying a word he left the area just like his colleague from before.
As the sun had set, Toshirama was awoken to find he was being carried his eyes opened just enough to see a hue of orange in his sight as he said in a low voice, "Thanks, little bro…" Then went back to sleep.
"Anytime, bro I know you'd do the same for me." Naruto said as he carried the white-haired boy to their apartment.
At Another Training Spot…
"Did you hear, they say that there will be rookie's at the exams, that has not happen in five years." A young boy in a green skin-tight suit said to his teammates.
"No way, it's probably just some jonin trying to boost their egos." A girl in a pink qipao shirt and blue pants replied.
The boy then spoke up again, "No that's not the whole story, four of them from Kakashi's squad."
The number of Kakashi's squad piqued his team's interest, "Hold on, a team of four isn't a bit unfair?" The girl spoke up once more. "Hold on, I think I may know one of them…"
Her teammates then turned to hear from her as she recounted her small encounter with Toshirama before the Land of Waves mission.
AN#1 – Here's my second Interlude chapter of my Naruto story and many events and relationships have been revealed:
Toshirama has started to teach Sakura the basics about medical ninjutsu and Chakra enhanced strength, and this will only deepen their bond.
The two also know about each other back in the Academy.
Toshirama and Shikamaru are friends and fellow players at shogi, with little results against the latter's lazy genius intellect.
Toshirama has begun to receive his first bit of training under Kakashi, I wonder how much it'll hold up for him in the Chunin Exams though?
Next officially starts the First Part of the Chunin Exams: The Written Test!
AN#2 – Remember to Favorite, Follow and Review! I wouldn't be here without you guys! :)
AN#3 – Also I wanted to fix a mistake in my last AN about the order of my love interest routes:
1. Sakura
2. Hanabi
3. Ino
4. Tenten
5. Shizune
6. Kurotsuchi
7. Samui