The Fox And The Tiger
Life And Future
When you're challenged, how will you approach it? Sometimes, that's what makes the difference between somebody who makes something of themselves, and someone who winds up with nothing. On every corner, is a story.
Naruto sat on the cliff above his house and looked out to the rising sun. A small smile graced his face as he looked down to the valley below. Light slowly crept into it and the shadows that filled the space made him think.
"Kurama? What is life? Like, is it all a choice? Or was it all predetermined and we are merely following a path?"
"Is this about the path you've undertaken?"
"Perhaps. I seek understanding. Knowledge is powerful, I know this. I don't necessarily get most of the academy stuff being taught, but I definitely like to think that I understand a lot about people, and the world."
"You've definitely got a different way of looking at things. Honestly, Kit, that's a very complicated answer. In a way, the question isn't a matter of choice or not. It's more of, your perception on reality. It's different from person to person. For one, the reality of life is predetermined by a higher power, that everything happens for a reason. On the opposite spectrum to that, people won't believe in that because it makes them feel like, no matter what they do, it won't matter unless it was what the path was meant to be. You get some people thinking that life is what you make of it. While others can't think that way because if something goes wrong then they would be solely to blame, atleast with the other thought, they can believe that it is a part of a larger picture."
"So is there a God?"
"Well, what really is a God? They say a God's all knowing. Me and my kind have been around since the beginning of time, we know everything that's happened in the world since the beginning, are we Gods? A God is said to be immortal. Me and my kind are entities through Chakra, we can not die, we are immortal, are we Gods? A God is all powerful. Me and my kind have power unrivaled, only by eachother, are we Gods? If that is what the classification of a God is, then me and my kind are Gods."
"I see. A God doesn't exist. Beings of ultimate power however, definitely do." Naruto looked over to the horizon again and sighed. "To be a weapon...is it noble? Or is it a sign of worthlessness?"
"Kit, it matters what you think. Their opinions don't amount to anything in the end. You can become the most devastating weapon, and still have more to give with your life than just being a tool of war. You're human, not an object to be discarded."
"Am I human though?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I'm obviously no Bijuu. But can I be classified as human still? The bonding of Bijuu and Human, it changes us."
"You're a special case, Naruto. You are changed because while you were an infant, my chakra changed your genetics. It is why you share my traits. Other Jinchuriki don't have that. Only when using the Bijuu chakra, will they take on some traits but never to your extent, and definitely not permanently like you."
"So, the other Jinchuriki...they're more human than I am?"
"If you look at it that way...Kit, there's nothing wrong with you."
"Then why do I have so many questions? Why can't I just live normally. Despite wanting to be more social, why can't I change?"
"I've told you, everything about you is a gift and a curse. For every great thing you have, there is an equal and opposite downside. Part of our shared traits is my reclusive nature. It is what's kept you safe, while causing your loneliness. Once you become more powerful, you'll be sought after by many for your strength. Some will have good intentions, like your friends. Others will try to leverage or manipulate you for their own goals."
"You have been used for a long time...why do you cooperate with me?"
"As I told you, my chakra changed you as you were an infant...we are alike in many ways. Plus, you put on quite a show at times. You also haven't referred to me as a vicious, mindless beast who must be controlled. Nor do you try forcing me to do your bidding. Despite having my power, you haven't ever tried to use it. Yes I warned you, but you always could have gone against it and tried to use it anyways."
"Eh, perhaps I just was never interested."
"Do you even like fighting?"
"Why do you ask?"
"It just seems like, whenever you're in a situation where fighting is needed, you avoid it. You take it at an angle or find an escape."
"Having power, or the ability to do something, doesn't necessarily mean you have to. Just because I hold a power unmatched, doesn't mean I have to force my will onto anyone. It doesn't mean I have to fight someone else because I have the power to do so. Maybe the responsibility of being powerful, isn't to use and flaunt it."
"Then what's the purpose, Naruto?" Kurama leaned forward in his cage to listen to what had to say.
He was becoming intrigued by what the kid would say. In all his years, he never met a single person that didn't try to use every shred of power they had. Everyone would use every ounce of strength they had on others around them. The more power someone had, the greedier that person was.
Naruto contained him, the most powerful being in the world, and yet he seemed almost disinterested in his power. The kid was intriguing and even he didn't fully understand him.
Naruto looked to the sky as he laid back. "I don't know, Kurama. Power to me feels more like a burden. Not just to me, but those around me. The more powerful I get, the more I'm a threat. When you're a threat, no one around you is safe. To hold great power, is to be the biggest threat...the biggest threat never has a friend."
"You've got an interesting way of seeing it."
"Think about it, Kurama. I want to be Raikage to be respected and loved like him, but who is truly the Raikage's friend? Everyone has their own villages in mind. We all see how something should be differently. Who has the Raikage's best interest, and who has their own? Him being in that position of power. Ruler over all. What does that really mean?"
"Kit, is something wrong? These thoughts, what has brought them on?"
"I'm just curious. What does it all mean in the end? Does any of it matter?"
"Does what matter?" a voice came from behind Naruto.
He quickly turned to see who it was and saw the blonde girl he annoyed so much. "How'd you know I was here? Why did you come, Yugito?"
"If you don't want to be found, maybe try some other place rather than the same one. Besides, you didn't come to the Academy yesterday...again...it's been a month Uzumaki. What's going on?"
Naruto looked back to the horizon. "Hm. Since when do you care about my attendance?"
"Can you for once be honest? Does everything have to be a lie or evasion?"
Naruto smirked as he continued to look at the sunrise. He gestured for her to sit down next to him, which she complied.
For a while it was just silence. The quiet was calm and only the sounds of the birds and wind filled the environment. She felt oddly in peace at the moment, like nothing in the village, nor the world mattered. Nothing but the calm silence and nature to fill the void of nothingness. It was bliss.
Looking at the sunrise and the valley below. As it changed due to more and more light coming in, there was nothing but the beauty of nature's cycle. An hour would go by with nothing being said, but the complete calmness made it seem like only minutes went by.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Yugito raised an eyebrow. Naruto calling something beautiful? She hadn't thought that such a word was in his vocabulary. "What are you talking about?"
"The workings of the world, Yugito. Of the universe. Its, beautiful, is it not?"
"You're weird Uzumaki. I thought you preferred chaos and being rambunctious. Here you are, being mellow and laid back."
"This, Yugito, is how I really am. A part of me enjoys chaos, don't get me wrong. I like to think that there's a method to the madness. But I also really enjoy the simple things. The things humans overlook because they're accustomed to it always being there. There's beauty in this that we are witnessing. To most, it is just a sunrise, like any other. Where as, this thing we've all become numb to, literally allows us to have life. To start anew. The past is history. The future is undecided, but here and now, there is beauty in opportunity. That the troubles of yesterday, teach us for what to do today, so that things are better for tomorrow. Without this ever-present sunrise, and sunset, without the simple quietness in the calm of nature, life would be of no possibility."
Yugito was looking at Naruto as he spoke. The mask and disguise was off. This was her first real conversation with Naruto Uzumaki...and she didn't understand a thing.
"It's ok not to get me. I've began to understand that I don't have the same thoughts as others, as well as the fact that no one is the same. I was wrong to think we were, I was the one who didn't understand."
"But we are the same..." Yugito looked away and towards the sunrise. "You certainly pick a good venue."
"What do you want, Yugito?"
"Why haven't you been showing up?"
Naruto sighed and shook his head. "I am trying to figure something out."
"What?"
"Don't worry about that. Regardless, there isn't anything there for me."
"You could be learning to fight, to use chakra."
He looked at her and smirked. He extended a hand and purple chakra formed in his hand. For a while it just bubbled and it was still surprising her since normally chakra wasn't visible, but also, it wasn't blue for some reason. He concentrated more and it seemed to change form but was struggling. Naruto grabbed his right wrist as he strained but then it lost control and disperesed into nothing.
"What was that?"
"Chakra manipulation in it's purest form...but...it isn't normal chakra."
"What do you mean?"
Naruto smirked again. "So, since most of you people here utilize lightning, think of chakra as an electrical current, ok?" She nodded but still wondered where he was going with it. "There's positive energy, and negative energy...normal utilization of chakra is through positive chakra."
"What? This doesn't seem real."
"Yugito, what is real? What is fake? You saw that my chakra right now wasn't blue as it should be. There's three reasons for that. One, I have a special chakra, two, I mixed my chakra with the chakra of the Kyubi, three, I am trying to utilize this negative chakra...but I can't control it very well yet."
"Special chakra? What's special about your chakra? Are you sure this negative chakra even exists? If so, then is it even safe to use since there is no teachings on it, no knowledge of it."
"I can't tell you all my secrets, Yugito. I have to keep a few aces for myself, you know." She frowned but didn't push any further and looked away thinking he was going to go silent again. "Negative chakra though, yeah, pretty dangerous. Burns quite a lot."
"Maybe you shouldn't b-"
"Just stop. Why do you care all of a sudden? You've hated me since the beginning."
"I-I don-"
"I'm sorry...I am just tired."
She looked over and as he was looking towards the sun, and since there was more light out, she could notice a dark ring around his eye. She couldn't see the other at the moment, but figured the other had it as well.
"Why haven't you been sleeping much?"
"I have been busy. Plus, I kind of realized something about myself."
"That is?"
"Not now..." She began to get an angry look which he noticed. "I will explain more some other time, I promise. Just now isn't the time. I have yet to become accustomed to any of the changes, just let me get a handle on everything."
"Maybe I could help you."
Naruto got an amused smile as he stood up. "Sure. Until then, I have to go. Will you be fine, going down? The trek down from here is a lot harder than coming up, especially due to the moisture in the air."
She nodded and watched as he just nodded stepped to another side of the cliff before making a jump. Out of curiosity, she went to peer over the edge but he wasn't there.
"I swear, he's got some issues."
"You would be too if it were you that held Kitsune."
"What is it about him?"
"He isn't what is causing the boy to go crazy, just the two are linked through something more than just the seal. The boy is just lost at the moment. Give it time."
Naruto rounded a corner and bumped into somebody he hadn't seem before. The guy looked to be 15 and had a Chunin uniform on, he had white hair and darker skin.
"Oh, hello there kid."
"Sorry about that. I was distracted."
"So this is the Jinchuriki that boss has been talking about. Kid looks like he could use some sleep though, and he doesn't seem too healthy at the moment. What's he been doing?" The teen smiled and shook his head. "That's perfectly fine kid. What's your name?"
"Naruto Uzumaki."
"Uzumaki huh. I'm Darui. Are you aspiring to become a shinobi?"
"Even bigger than that!"
"Oh? That is?"
Naruto smiled widely. "To be Raikage!"
"Really trying to sell being an innocent child huh. Would have fallen for it if boss never told me about him. But I'll play along." Darui nodded with a smile before taking a knee to be level with Naruto as the kid was still one of the shortest of his year. "That's a big aspiration you have there. It will take a lot of work. I myself will be taking on the Jonin tests soon, so perhaps one day, I will serve under you."
"Better believe! See you around Darui-san." He than ran around him and went on his way.
"Interesting kid. Best not to keep the boss waiting."
Darui shunshined to Raikage tower and knocked on the door. After being permitted to enter he did. Ay was seated at his desk and Bee was to his right. Mabui was in front of the desk to the left.
"You're late. Why?"
"Sorry, Boss. I ran into someone interesting on the way here."
"Oh? Darui, if you are interested in some girl, you should pursue them."
"H-huh? Oh how dull of a situation...eh no. I ran into Naruto Uzumaki."
"Oh! How was he?"
"Acting skills are on point. If you hadn't ever told me about him, I would have totally believed it."
"Yeah, that kid is something else. Kenjutsu master, Bojutsu master, and several others. His ability to learn new things is insane."
"Yes. Naruto is a great student when he is focused. Otherwise he a bust. Even so, you will be left in his dust. Creativity and him are one." Bee added and smiled even.
"Boss, I want to take the exams for a promotion to be Jonin."
"Is that so? You are pretty young Darui."
"I believe I'm ready. Besides, I think it's been a long time coming. If I'm going to be honest, I think I was ready a couple years ago."
Ay nodded. "Very well. You have a week to prepare. Then you'll be tested."
"Thank you, Boss. Was there something you needed from me though? Aside from my making a request?"
"Yes. I have a proposal for you."
"Oh?"
The Raikage leaned forward in his seat and rest his hands on his desk. "You got to have training with me father. You train with us all the time. We all trust eachother with everything. Had you not come on with this request today, I would have put in for your test anyways. There is a big role I want you to fulfill."
"Anything you ask."
"In three years, I want you to develop our two young Jinchuriki."
Darui stood still and quietly, letting the request sit in his head. Slowly he nodded as he finally understood what he was asked. "Boss...are you sure you want me to do this? Wouldn't Bee be better?"
"Not this time bro. It's up to you, yo. I helped their foundations but now it's time for the next level, yeah!" Bee said giving a thumbs up.
"B-but am I really the best for this?"
"There's nobody I trust more. Yugito has become really solid, she's just too much of a straight arrow, she needs to learn to improvise better and be more creative. Adapting to changing situations or when things don't go as she plans, that's where she needs to improve. Naruto...haha Naruto I feel you'll find intriguing."
"You mentioned her negative, what's his?"
"Himself."
Darui frowned. "What do you mean, Boss?"
Ay laughed loudly and sat back in his chair. Even Bee looked amused and Mabui just shook her head. "Exactly that. I don't think there really is a limit to his capabilities. I believe Naruto will become as strong as Naruto let's himself become. His mind...his thought process...it's nothing like a normal person. There's nothing about him that's normal."
"What am I working with here? Is he a prodigy?"
Ay shrugged. "What do you consider a prodigy?"
"I don't know, someone really powerful, outclasses their peers. Smart, demands respect as they enter a room with their body language."
"You describe Yugito." Mabui said
"Yes. She's a prodigy."
"She is. But, Naruto will surpass her."
He looked at Mabui like she was crazy. "Really. You think he will surpass her?"
"I don't think. I know. Naruto is really special. He is last in the academy, yes...but it's because he doesn't try. He doesn't apply himself to it. But when he applies himself to something, when he actually tries...he becomes the best. He applied himself to his weapons, he became a Kenjutsu in a year...of every sword...he has an innate ability to learn in ridiculous rates. His comprehension and understanding of the world around him is beyond anyone we've seen. He is always learning, asking questions, he's got an insatiable hunger for knowledge."
Darui studied every bit of what was being said and took a few seconds to think about it. "If he's this smart as you say, why is he the lowest rated student? If he has this potential, why hasn't it shown? He was being beaten by every one of his peers, showing the least combative skill."
Ay smirked. "Because we called him unstable."
Darui's eye twitched. "Say what?"
Ay chuckled "We brought the boy to the sacred waterfall of truth, on Genbu. He lost his inner battle and was consumed by it. We could have kept trying, kept working it...instead, Bee had an idea, that I wanted to see if it would work."
"Go on." Darui was getting interested and wanted to see where it was going.
"Bee learned from Gyuki, that the Kyubi was reclusive in nature. An all powerful being that could take on all eight other Bijuu at the same time and come out on top with ease. With enough energy to do it over and over again. Kyubi wasn't like the others, he kept to himself completely, avoided anything and wanted to be alone. The others openly displayed their power, often taking eachother on. For centuries the 9 Bijuu lived that way, molding the earth as they would battle and 'play'...not the Kyubi though. He would just be in his own little world, choosing solitude. With all it's power, you think it would flaunt it and beat on the others...nope. Not the Kyubi, our Nibi grew curious and searched for the elusive Kitsune, she never got anything."
"Where's this going..."
"Patience, to understand Naruto, you must first understand his Bijuu. Gyuki didn't explain much about those two but for a few centuries she was tricked constantly and he'd disappear. Until she seemed to give up on what she was doing and rather just was patient with the Kyubi. After a few centuries the two got close I guess, how or what went down, Gyuki didn't say. But the most powerful being in the world never took interest in the same things the others did, never took to the same things they did. Solitude and self created loneliness was what he used his power for..."
"So...Naruto's loneliness and general situations are self imposed?"
Ay nodded. "The Kyubi was a simple being. Valuing solitude over throwing about his power. However when the Kyubi was angered, he single handedly would destroy mountains, lands and remove oceans."
"Can't they all do those?"
Ay laughed "Together yeah. Over time yeah. Mountains were gone in a flick, oceans gone in a swipe. The Kyubi is both creation and devastation. There's a reason he's the King of Bijuu."
Darui nodded slowly. "So now, how does this connect to Naruto. I get that the Kyubi is powerful...hell even that is an understatement."
"When humans started to become a thing over time, they looked to the Bijuu as Gods at first. Then over time that was forgotten, and soon humans would hunt down the Bijuu for their power. The Kyubi hadn't done much until Nibi got taken by the Shodaime Hokage...who had gone on to take all the others. Kyubi brought it's full wrath to Konoha, nearly wiping it out. It took both Hashirama Senju and his woodstyle, and Madara Uchiha to finally subdue the Kyubi, but that was only because an Uzumaki was present. Mito Uzumaki with the Adamantine Chains, sealed the Kyubi into herself. Hashirama had the others captive through his woodstyle but the Kyubi could never be contained, only being contained by having been sealed. As you know, the Bijuu would be distributed later on to the other villages and for 64 years the things went as you know. Until the Kyubi was released and the Yondaime sealed it into Naruto. The boy held the Kyubi for three years within Konoha until our Jonin retrieved him when they were supposed to go after the Hyuga heiress."
"Uh huh...so now the connection please."
"Kyubi told Gyuki, that it's chakra changed Naruto as he was developing as an infant. Naruto isn't a normal human anymore. He's as close to Bijuu any human will ever become...he shares a lot of the traits as the Kyubi, it's why he has the whisker marks, senses and agility. It is why he is so reclusive and avoids everyone. He watches everything around him and seeks amusement. Boredom is a thing that Kyubi had a lot, even though it could have easily just mingled with the other Bijuu or just fought or destroyed things...they don't. He could easily go and socialize but it isn't in his nature to do so. Most of his socialization is initiated by someone else."
"I see...him being morphed in development...the absorption of Bijuu chakra...what does it all mean then? Where does it end? How far will it go?"
Ay smiled. "It's up to him. The idea was to tell him there was nothing we could do and he was unstable...it was partly true. He works best alone because he can focus more. We knew the best results would come from him experimenting and figuring it out himself, once he started getting a handle or if that incident happened, we would step in and guide him. As you know, the incident happened, we intervened and now he is even better off. He would most likely fail the test still, but he doesn't fear the power, doesn't fear any of that. Instead, he is curious. Curiosity is one of his biggest things, that leads to his desire to learn more and more. We allowed him to be alone so that he could naturally spark the curiosity, if we'd been there from the beginning, it would have been forced and we might have stunted his potential."
"I see. Huh...it was risky...but I see how it was for the best. Especially since it worked out as you hoped, it seems genius."
"Yes. He's gotten colder though since the incident. He is better with Omoi, Samui, Karui, and Yugito, but others he ignores fully as they simultaneously fear him and taunt him."
"Makes sense. I'm curious about him and what he could do...I just worry if I'm the best person to do this."
"You will be. You've got three years to prepare and you're pretty strong. The only user of Black Lightning, and the holder of Storm Release. So don't doubt yourself."
Darui nodded and took a deep breath. "I will do my best."
"I know you will. You're free to go."
Naruto entered a library and there were probably millions of scrolls, books and other forms of knowledge within literature there. Walking the aisles with ease and a sense of habit, seemingly like if he'd passed by a thousand times already, he found a section that he deemed was fit.
"Your answers won't come from here."
"I know. There's value in these though. Maybe I can be pointed in the right direction."
Naruto brushed his right hand across the shelf as he read through the titles. He found a book and took it. "Uzumaki Clan History" He continued to look through the shelves and took out a text written about Shinobi detailing the idea of what they are. Naruto found a scroll dealing with chakra and chakra nature, deciding to take that as well, he found a nice quiet corner to read.
For hours he read on his clan and learned a lot. They were Fuinjutsu masters...that was under selling it. Aside from that, they possessed the largest chakra pools than any other clan, and Kenjutsu masters.
"That explains a lot. Fuinjutsu though...I am curious."
"It's incredibly difficult and dangerous. In the right hands, Fuinjutsu is deadlier than any Jutsu or weapon."
"Hmmm...interesting. Perhaps I've found our calling Kurama."
"You wish to follow your ancestors?"
"Not quite. I'll surpass them, then I'll take on disciples who will spread the knowledge we gain. First though, I'll need to search for the village. Perhaps some knowledge still remains."
"Kit...if there was anything left...it'd be in Konoha..."
"Maybe, but the village still holds many secrets, who knows, maybe something still remains."
"You will need to request the time to do so, and money to get there, then back. You would also need to becareful in Fire Country."
"Right. Ofcourse I have to wait a few years, but the trip will be made."
"Will you take anyone."
"Highly unlikely. A risk not worth taking...besides, this trip is personal."
"Hello there, what are you reading?"
"Hmm?" Naruto looked up to see a brown haired girl, around 16 with black eyes and pale skin. She wore a brown jacket and a white blouse underneath with brown pants.
"You seemed lost within the book, I was curious as to what had you so captivated."
"Oh. Who are you?"
"Right, sorry about that. I'm Annie, I help out here on my off time."
Naruto studied her before gaining a smile. "Hello Annie, I'm Naruto. This is just something about a clan that interested me."
She looked at the boy and the book. It was on the Uzumaki clan. Something about him seemed to seem familiar as if she'd heard about him or something. Regardless she shook it off and smiled. "Oh, I don't know much about that clan. Just that they were wiped out...but the circumstances seem to be shrouded in mystery. It was like they just disappeared..."
"Hmm. Odd, isn't it?" She looked at him. "How you can go from being famous to nothing in an instant. Forgotten."
"I suppose. Anything I can help you with?"
"I seem to have forgotten where this book came from. I won't be needing it." He handed her the book of the ideal Shinobi and she nodded before leaving. "Good, now that she's gone..." He grabbed the scroll which had been behind his back and left immediately.
He sat under a tree and began to read all about the chakra natures. Most he knew and understood but he wanted to learn to use it.
"What even is my nature?"
"I could tell you."
"Ok."
"Well kit, you better start thanking me because you have them all."
"Come again?"
"You've got all five natures."
"Huh...so where does thanking you come in?"
"From my chakra augmenting you as an infant and the completion of said augmentation, you have control over all five natures like I do."
Naruto smiled. "Guess it's time to get to training."
"Yeah...can I get that scroll back."
Naruto turned around and saw Annie. "What the..."
"Kid, I saw you. All you had to do was go check it out. You are allowed to take them...you don't need to steal them."
Naruto rubbed the back of his head while chuckling slightly. "Huh. Good to know. So Annie...how's your day going?"
She smiled at the kid and laughed. "You're funny, Naruto." She hopped down from the tree and stood infront of him. "Same trick won't work twice."
"And if it already did?"
"What do you mean?"
"For one and the most obvious, you lost your advantage of being out of reach."
"You think you, a mere kid could take me on? Who even said I planned on attacking. Even so, I would destroy you."
"You could try..."
Out of curiosity and to prove a point, she appeared behind him to deliver a kick to his back but was shocked when red chakra tails bubbled out and guarded him as a shield. She couldn't hit through it at all and they appeared out of thin air it seemed. So fast too, she appeared in front of him to kick but the tails came around his body and blocked it again.
"How are you? Is it automatic?"
"No. Takes a bit of concentration." The tails retracted back to his back and into his body. "And I can't maintain it long."
"Why would you tell me that? Wouldn't give me the advantage."
"Technically. But you are not my enemy. I just wanted to show you that it wouldn't be as simple as you think. I'm not a pushover."
"How can you manifest physical chakra like that? Why's it red? What else can you do with it?"
Naruto shook his head. "So many questions...well manipulating physical chakra just takes concentration and focus. You need to be one with it, not thinking you and it are seperate. Everyone uses chakra as a tool. I learned from my time with the Kenjutsu masters a blade is to be the extension of one's self, the same principle goes to chakra. Once you treat it that way, you'll find ways to use your chakra better, that suit you. It won't take away the need for learning Jutsu, but you'll benefit greatly."
She nodded slowly while listening. It made sense really. Why only treat a weapon like that, and not chakra? Hell, chakra originates from yourself. How was this kid so knowledgeable about this stuff? He definitely seemed like someone that theorized and tested things constantly. So what brought his interest of the Uzumaki clan? He obviously was in the academy so the scroll and the other book made sense.
"What else can you do?"
"In what way?"
"I don't know, overall."
Naruto thought for a second. "That's it."
"Hm?"
He laughed "That is all I can do." He started walking away. "Here's your scroll, I'm done with it." He tossed it to her and left the area.
"He only got one look though...No way anyone could understand all the theory and description within this in only one look through." She shook her head and went back to the library.
"Your abilities won't be a secret forever."
"Yes, but my limits are better left unknown."
"Revealing the control over the tails is showing a lot...even if you don't think so."
"Yes, but the root and capabilities of my chakra is still unknown to all but the Raikage and Bee."
"Uzumaki, how nice of you to join us today."
Naruto looked to the sensei as he walked in and just went to his seat. Omoi gave him a smile and Naruto just nodded as he looked off into space. He was trying to solve the problem in the molding of his chakra. Why did it always fail before taking the form he wanted? Sadly, there was no manual, no scrolls, no books, nothing to help in his dilemma. Did nobody think of using chakra like he did?
It was incredibly frustrating since it was entirely up to him to figure it all out. There was no assistance and no way of knowing all the risks or benefits. He would find out and it was risky but hey, creating anything new is always risky.
Naruto got an idea to try using something something he already had due to his special chakra, and use the negative chakra instead. How would it affect that technique? He jot it down and smiled slightly as he may finally have a breakthrough.
"Yo, Naruto. What's that? Chains?" Omoi whispered as he leaned over to see more of the sketches and notes.
"Something like that. A new idea."
"Of?"
"If I can get progress, I'll let you know. Otherwise, you'll need to wait until I am forced to use the original."
Omoi shook his head. "You're far too smart to be last, Naruto."
"Eh, I don't care about this. I see it's importance but in this world...in this life, it doesn't matter as much as power."
"But smarts also matter. Think of your most decisive victories on a large scale, you outwit our opponents and was the most creative."
Naruto nodded. "Yes, but when we had the spars, I was destroyed. Until I got stronger. Power matters."
"Perhaps. Don't sell yourself short my friend. Even though you lacked the power at the time, you consistently beat the prodigy Yugito and her rival Samui. Don't lose your cleverness just to win the small scale. You have a gift to see the larger picture, to see what we don't. This ability of yours gained us the largest wins and by an enormous upset. Don't forget that."
"I like your friend."
"Yeah, but even so. What matters most?"
"Odd. You care not for conflict, yet you want to gain the power to be stronger than any opposition."
"Well, if you wish to not fight, you must be powerful enough to not be challenged."
"Half true. But I'll let you see this out."
Naruto sat back and nodded. Now he had a direction to go. Soon, he would complete this technique. It would be a whole sure, but there was a clear path as of now.
-3 Years Later-
"It is time for you all to take your final exams. This will decide if you are to become Genin!"
Hey y'all, getting to the real stuff soon. Will be a few hints as to what transpired over the time skip, but the focus will be of moving forward into their ninja lives. I've already planned the next several chapters and things will be moving along. There will be some pretty interesting things going down soon. Especially after the next two sections, then a fun thing will go down, and sparks will definitely be made.
As always, hope you've enjoyed, see y'all in the next one.