Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing a timeskip and Naruto's progress during his training with Team Nine, as well as seeing some interactions with some of the Rookies and the rest of the village. So, without further ado.
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A week has passed since Naruto had started training with Team Nine, improving his Taijutsu, Bukijutsu, and beginning to learn Fūinjutsu with Tenten. Naruto had also been keeping up with his Ninjutsu and Chakra Control training to avoid falling behind in them. Having his Shadow Clones focus on that while he focused on Taijutsu, Bukijutsu, Fūinjutsu, and physical training.
At the moment, Naruto was working on increasing his strength and speed with Gai and Lee, with him not having actually started learning any Taijutsu Style yet. The Jōnin instead having him and Lee continue sparring each day to get a good feel for what style would best suit him. While the physical training was to ensure that whichever style was chosen he'd have the necessary strength and speed to learn it.
"Alright! I believe that's enough for today! It's time to start moving onto Taijutsu!" Gai said, causing Naruto and Lee to stop their exercises.
"Yes, Gai-sensei! Shall we be sparring again today?!" Lee asked, only for Gai to shake his head.
"Not today Lee, for now you focus on going through the Gōken katas." Said Gai, with Lee nodding before going over to one of the training posts and began going through his katas while striking the post.
"As for you, Naruto, I believe I've found the perfect Taijutsu Style for you!" Gai said with a grin, getting the Uzumaki's attention.
"What's the style I'll be learning?" Questioned Naruto.
"The base style you'll be learning is called Bajiquan, a style that involves taking the shortest routes to an opponent without showing any initial movement, prioritizing speed and minimum movement. While the main focus of the attacks are to cause internal damage, similar to the Hyūga Clan's own Jūken. It also teaches armed and unarmed combat, making it a style I believe is perfectly suited for you and the weapons you're now using. But I also will be having you learn elements of the Gōken as well, to give your blows some additional power to cause external as well as internal damage, allowing for a truly dangerous fighting style. And finally for some added unpredictability, you'll be taking elements from the Drunken Fist Style." Gai explained, believing the three styles mixed together will make it a very powerful Taijutsu Style.
"Drunken Fist?" Naruto asked in confusion, wondering what kind of Taijutsu Style that was.
"The Drunken Fist is unfortunately a style that can't be learned, taught, nor refined through training and practice. It's a style where the user actually needed to be drunk in order to perform it, as in their intoxicated state they have absolutely no control over their movements, making it impossible for opponents to predict what they'll do, as since even the user won't know. However I believe it's possible for you to at least incorporate the unpredictability of the Drunken Fist into Bajiquan, but it may take time as you'll need to learn how to truly let your instincts guide you, to not think or react and simply do." Replied Gai, with Naruto nodding slowly in understanding.
"Okay, I think I can do that. I have been called unpredictable before, so it shouldn't be that hard to incorporate it into my Taijutsu Style." Said Naruto, making Gai laugh loudly and give his signature good guy pose.
"That's the spirit! Now follow my lead and we'll get started!" Gai said before he began going through the movements of both the Bajiquan and Gōken, with Naruto copying the movements while working to combine them together into a single style.
"Should I also deactivate my weights?" Naruto asked, while looking at the Jōnin.
With Gai having also gotten the Uzumaki weights to put on his arms and legs, with them being different from the ones he and Lee wear as Naruto can adjust how much their weigh with his Chakra. Allowing him to further improve his physical abilities, with Naruto having also taken to wearing them while practicing Surface Walking and Tree Walking to further benefit his strength and speed, as well as his Chakra Control.
Especially with Surface Walking since he's basically defying gravity and still weighed down by the weights, even while he's sticking to a vertical surface.
"No, it'll be good to learn Bajiquan with them on, as then when you do take them off you'll be even faster and deliver faster attacks your opponents won't be prepared for." Replied Gai, the Uzumaki nodding in at this as he continued going through the movements.
*Timeskip – Two Weeks Later*
After finishing his Taijutsu training, Naruto had moved onto his Bukijutsu training with Gai and Tenten, having gotten much better at wielding his Ninjato, Kusarigama, and Bo-Staff. While also working on being able to use the weapons together or being able to quickly switch between them. Knowing that it'd add to his unpredictability to suddenly switch weapons in the middle of a fight. While also working to incorporate his weapons into his Taijutsu Style.
Once his Bukijutsu training ended, the whiskered blonde moved onto Fūinjutsu with Tenten, only with it now being that he's the one teaching her. Naruto having shown he really did have a talent for Fūinjutsu, along with having his clones help him. With it not taking long before he surpassed the brunette and went on to Intermediate Fūinjutsu, and with him now having since started moving onto Advanced Fūinjutsu.
"Naruto! Have you thought of any new ideas?!" Tenten asked eagerly, wanting to know if he's come up with any other new ideas for seals she could include in her fighting style.
"I've had a couple new ideas, but I'm still working out how they'll work and everything they'll, but I'm sure they'll be pretty useful once they're finished. And here, these should let you unleash a barrage of weapons without needing to physically unseal them. Just unravel the scrolls and they'll start firing at whatever or whoever you're aiming at." Said Naruto before pulling out two scrolls and handing them to Tenten, much to her gratitude.
"Thanks, this will at least save me some time in needing to perfect them myself and focus on the other seal ideas." Said Tenten, glad that her Twin Rising Dragons Technique will be even better now.
Though while she's grateful, Tenten also couldn't help but feel some embarrassment as well at how she's now being trained by her Kohai.
"No problem. I'll be sure to let you know if I think of any other improvements." Naruto replied before they got to work on their Fūinjutsu.
The two continued working on their Fūinjutsu for the rest of the day, trading some ideas for seals as they did so, before eventually Gai called them all over to him.
"Well, I believe that should be enough training for today. Naruto, it's been quite a time having you join us, but three weeks have now passed and Neji's suspension will be over tomorrow. And I plan to take my team out on a few C-Rank Missions to get them prepared for the upcoming Chūnin Exams." Said Gai, with this getting Naruto's attention.
"Chūnin Exams?" Naruto asked, interested in what those were.
"The Chūnin Exams are a bi-annual event are an opportunity for Genin to be promoted to Chūnin, the structure and exams taken differ each time, so the only thing participants can do is be prepared for anything. They're also held in a different village every six months and with it being Konoha's turn to hold them, and I believe my team is ready to take them." Gai explained, making the Uzumaki nod, while wondering if his team would be getting the chance to enter the Chūnin Exams.
"And here, these are for your training regimen so you don't start slacking off or falling behind, as well as scrolls to continue learning to use your weapons and Taijutsu Styles." Said Gai, handing Naruto a few scrolls, which he took while nodding in thanks.
"Thank you Gai-sensei, and thanks for all the help with my training. Along with you two, Lee, Tenten, and good luck in the Chūnin Exams." Naruto said, looking at the three of them.
"Thank you, Naruto! We will strive to do our best and should your team also be entered; I hope we will face each other to see who has improved the most!" Said Lee with a good guy pose, Tenten nodding in agreement.
"Yeah, it'd be interesting if your team was entered, as long as you aren't expecting us to go to easy on you." Tenten said with a smirk.
"I'd be insulted if you did." Replied Naruto with a small smirk, before taking his leave while waving at Team Nine.
It wasn't long before Naruto arrived back in the village and began making his way back to his apartment, only to notice how a lot of the villagers were now glaring at him and talking amongst themselves.
"The freak thinks it can walk around like it owns the village."
"It hasn't even done anything, I bet it can't even do anything but make threats."
"I still can't believe the Hokage is letting it walk freely after what it did."
"It should be thrown in prison for attacking those people, or just finally killed."
"We should've taken care of it years ago."
'They…aren't really smart are they?' Naruto thought while narrowing his eyes at the villagers, noticing how they were starting to gather around him, as if they were about to attack.
The whiskered blonde guessed they started regaining their bravado, getting over their earlier fear of him given that nothing else has really happened since the first incident the night of the Scroll Incident. Now seeing they likely needed another reminder that he isn't going to be pushed around.
"Okay!" Naruto said, stopping and talking loud enough for the villagers to hear, making the growing crowd freeze as he narrowed his eyes at them.
"Clearly, none of you are smart enough to take a damn hint if you're actually forming a mob, right now. But fine, go ahead and attack me, see who walks away from it. Though keep this in mind, anything I do will be self-defense now, so by all means, give me an excuse." Said Naruto, smirking when he saw how unsure they now looked about attacking him.
"You can't scare us monster!" Someone said, making Naruto turn around to see two Chūnin glaring at him, recognizing them as Iwana Akame and Bekkō, two teachers at the Academy.
"Oh? Are you sure, everyone else looks pretty scared. But I suppose common sense and self-preservation are rarities, here." Said Naruto, making both Chūnin glare at him.
"Say whatever you want, you little brat! As far as we're concerned, you're a criminal that should've been dealt with after stealing the Forbidden Scroll!" Iwana retorted, with Bekkō nodding in agreement.
"Yeah! You stole a precious village artifact and thought you could get away with it! But we won't let you keep walking around and making threats or plotting to steal something else!" Added Bekkō, while Naruto looked at them unphased.
"And would you be saying the same thing if someone else manipulated by a traitor? Or is it just because it's me, while anyone else would be an "innocent victim"." Naruto said, though already knew if it had been anyone else, they'd be seen as the victim.
"Mizuki was doing us all a favor by finally getting rid of you!" Said Bekkō glaring at the Uzumaki.
"And we'd finally be free of you, if Iruka hadn't been such an idiot to throw his life away for a walking plague!" Said Iwana, causing Naruto's expression to turn cold while he clenched his fists, using all of his willpower to not lash out.
"Do either of you even have any right to use me as a scapegoat for whoever you might've lost that night, if you're so willing to speak ill of a dead comrade? Or maybe both of you are just so close-minded that you don't care, in which case you're the biggest fools, here." Naruto said coldly, much to the two Chūnin's anger before they charged the whiskered blonde.
Though while they might be moving fast to civilians, to Naruto they only looked to be going in slow motion. With the Uzumaki then rushing Bekkō first, surprising the Chūnin at his speed, before he gagged and doubled over in pain when Naruto buried his fist in his stomach. While Iwana stopped in shock at seeing his ally fall to the ground from just one punch, which lead him to leaving himself open.
Having no time to react as Naruto jumped into the air over him, delivering a spin kick to the back of his neck in midair, knocking Iwana down as well.
With that, Naruto smirked at the sight of the two Chūnin on the ground in pain, feeling no small amount of pride that he's grown strong enough to beat a Chūnin level adversary. Even if the two did underestimate him, it still pleased the whiskered blonde to know that he took them down so quickly and easily.
"You two should be lucky I was holding back, otherwise those attacks could've easily killed you. Also, you're both now under arrest for attacking a fellow Konoha Ninja." Said Naruto before pulling out two sealing tags and putting them on their back, causing Iwana's and Bekkō's to suddenly go rigid.
"Why…why can't I move?! Why can't I feel my Chakra?!" Bekkō demanded, unable to move or feel his Chakra.
"Suppression and Paralysis Seals, you won't be able to so much as twitch or summon a drop of Chakra. It's ironic isn't it, all your talk about me being a criminal, yet now you're the ones being captured and punished." Naruto said with a smirk, while looking around and seeing the horrified looks on the villagers faces at seeing him defeat two Chūnin.
'That should keep them in line, hopefully for good, now.' Thought Naruto, unable to deny that a part of him enjoyed seeing the fear on their faces.
"You can't do this! We didn't do anything wrong, and it'll be our word against yours! And who would ever believe you?!" Said Iwana with a smirk on his face, with Bekkō smirking as well, knowing that no one would ever side with the Kyūbi Brat.
"I'd be more than willing to have a Yamanaka confirm what happened here and that I was acting in self-defense. As despite my misgivings with the Hokage, if there's one thing I can trust him to do, it's to bring in an unbiased party to confirm what happened. And perhaps see if you two might be hiding any dirty secrets of your own, if you're so eager to support Mizuki's actions." Naruto said, causing the two Chūnin to lose their smirks as they were replaced with looks of fear.
But before Naruto could take them to the Hokage's Tower, he was stopped when Team Eight appeared and got in his way.
"And where do you think you're going with them?" Kurenai demanded, narrowing her eyes at Naruto dragging two Chūnin.
"I believe I'm dragging two criminals to be judged by the Hokage. They attacked me after I called them out on insulting a deceased comrade, I defended myself, and now I'm arresting them." Said Naruto slowly as if talking to a child, making the woman scowl slightly,
"You don't have the authority to arrest anyone, Genin. And how do I know you didn't purposefully instigate the attack?" Retorted Kurenai, with Naruto merely raising a brow.
"I already told them; I'd be happy to have a Yamanaka brought in to confirm what happened. You'd be more than welcome to see for yourself, though I personally found it rather funny how quickly they went down." Naruto said, only for Kiba to scoff and approach him,
"Yeah right loser! Like you could take down two Chūnin, let alone one! You can pretend all you want to act tough, but you're still-" Kiba said.
"Awww, look it's little Kibbles! You want a biscuit boy?! You want a biscuit?!" Said Naruto, like he was talking to a dog, with the Inuzuka scowling at him.
"You think you're fun-" Said Kiba angry at being talked to like that.
"Have a biscuit!" Naruto said, throwing a bone-shaped biscuit at Kiba's forehead, angering him even further.
"You motherfu-" Kiba shouted, only to be silenced when the whiskered blonde managed to throw another biscuit straight into his mouth.
"Good mutt." Naruto said with a mocking smirk, before turning back towards Kurenai who was now glaring at him for insulting and demeaning her student.
"Anyway, it's their own fault for lashing out against me just because I was telling the truth. They were willing to speak ill of a dead comrade and when I called them out on it they chose to attack me. Especially given the hypocrisy when you take into account the fact of why treat me as a scapegoat for things I never did. So it really says more about them than it does about me. Of course, this all insinuates that I even care what you think of me, which I don't as you don't really seem like the kind of person who'd care either way." Naruto explained, much to the woman's anger.
"And what's that supposed to mean?!" Demanded Kurenai.
"Just that you seem…like the close-minded type. And I don't really care for that type of people." Said Naruto, though his words also had a double-meaning to them.
As it's true he doesn't care about her or her opinion of him, but also because of what she did to Yakumo, sealing her Kekkei Genkai and trying to crush her dream of being a Ninja. Just because she refused to actually try helping her achieve her dream.
Though Naruto then noticed Hinata glaring at him, making him raise a brow since that's actually something new for him to see.
"If you have something to say, hurry up and say it, I still need to get them to the Hokage." Said Naruto, wanting to get the two Chūnin to the Hokage and then get back to his apartment.
"You aren't the real Naruto; the real Naruto would never hurt people like that or say such things to anyone." Hinata said, remembering what Neji said after he was suspended.
How Naruto had insulted him and the Hyūga Clan, before even trying to attack him for wanting him to apologize for saying such things. And when he tried defending himself, he was the one who was in trouble and suspended from active duty. Something that only further fueled Hinata's belief at this being nothing but a fake.
'What the hell is she on about?' Naruto thought with a raised brow, wondering what she even meant by how he's not the real him.
"Uh-huh…you know, I always thought you were kind of weird, but now I'm seeing you're actually crazy, too." Stated Naruto before he created two Shadow Clones that grabbed Iwana and Bekkō to take them to the Hokage.
While Naruto jumped up the rooftops and began heading to his apartment, having no desire to being part of an encounter that was going nowhere any longer. Leaving Team Eight glaring at where he once stood, with even Shino glaring, none of them liking how he insulted them and their comrades.
*Timeskip-One Day*
The next day, Naruto made his way towards the Third Training Ground with a pleased expression on his face. Having learned that Iwana and Bekkō had both been sentenced to three years in the Konoha Strict Correctional Facility, while also being demoted to Genin upon their release. Something that really pleased him, knowing they not only were humiliated and getting what was coming. But will be further humiliated at being made Genin again.
I wasn't long before Naruto arrived at the training ground, finding Sasuke and Sakura were already there, with the ravenette and pinkette taking notice of his expression.
"What did you do?" Sasuke said, narrowing his eyes.
"Who said I did anything?" Said Naruto, wondering he assumed he did something.
"You're in a good mood, and recently whenever you're in a good mood it means something bad happened to someone else, usually someone that did something to you." Said Sasuke, making Naruto shrug since he couldn't deny that's been the case recently, with him only being genuinely happy when spending time with Yakumo.
"I merely took care of two unprofessional fools after they insulted a deceased comrade and then tried attacking me." Naruto said, with the Uchiha simply nodding at this, guessing that the deceased comrade was potentially Iruka, knowing Naruto wouldn't let anyone talk bad about their former instructor.
"You shouldn't try going around and picking fights like that. You'll only end up getting in trouble one day." Sakura said with a frown, the Uzumaki only rolling his eyes at this.
"They approached me first while I was returning home. The only thing I did was speak the truth, which they didn't like and then I defended myself." Replied Naruto, the pinkette frowned but nodded in understanding.
The three then waited for Kakashi to arrive, while passing the time by trading tips and advice on ways to improve their training. With Naruto giving the most due to his time training with Gai, Lee, and Tenten, with everything he learned with them. Before they then got started on their Teamwork Exercises, already knowing that's what Kakashi would be having them do when he arrived.
Being proven right when the Copy Ninja finally showed up, approving them then getting started on their training before he showed up. Leading them to continue the exercises, until Kakashi pulled Sasuke aside for his Sharingan training.
Until eventually Kakashi had them stop and took them to the Hokage's Tower to get come D-Rank Missions done.
*Later*
'I swear at this rate we'll be lucky if we even get a C-Rank Mission by next year.' Naruto thought in annoyance as he walked through the village after Kakashi dismissed them for the rest of the day.
With the Uzumaki deciding to rest and relax for the rest of the day, given the intense training he'd been doing with Team Nine, making him want to take it easy for a while. Before he stopped when he saw he was close to Yamanaka Flowers, making Naruto frown in thought.
'I could pick up some stuff for my gardening and get some flowers for Iruka-sensei's grave.' Naruto thought as he headed for the flower shop and went inside, stopping for a moment when he saw Ino behind the counter.
"Hello, welcome to Yamanaka Flowers. How may I-Naruto?" Ino said boredly, only to see the whiskered blonde was the one who walked in.
"Ino. I didn't think you'd be here today and not with your team." Said Naruto, not expecting to see Ino here today.
"Asuma-sensei gave us today off and it's my shift. So, is there anything you needed help with?" Questioned Ino, with Naruto nodding slowly in response.
"Yeah…I needed some stuff for my gardening and take care of plants. And…I'm looking for flowers for Iruka-sensei." Naruto replied, making the platinum blonde girl wince before moving around the counter.
"I can help you find what you need and picking out flowers. And…I'm not really sure anyone's said it, but I'm sorry what happened to Iruka-sensei. I know you two were close." Ino said, offering her condolences, with Naruto nodding again.
"Thanks." Muttered Naruto as he looked at all the flowers, wondering which ones would be good.
"Yeah. Anyway, for flowers I'd say a bouquet of Yellow and mixed Zinnias, Dark Crimson Roses, and Purple Hyacinth." Ino said while gathering all the flowers she listed, with Naruto raising a brow at her.
"Why those ones specifically?" Naruto asked, unsure why she suggested those flowers specifically.
"Because of what they mean. Yellow Zinnias represent daily remembrance, Mixed Zinnias are in memory of an absent friend, Dark Crimson Roses represent mourning, and Purple Hyacinth represent sorrow. I just…thought they'd be good flowers for you to leave for Iruka-sensei." Explained Ino, while Naruto frowned before nodding.
"You really know a lot about flowers and what they mean." Naruto stated as they began gathering what he needed for gardening, while Ino smirked.
"When you grow up surrounded by so many of them, you learn all you can about them and what they mean. I was raised to embody the bush clover, a blunt, candid love who treasures the bonds with friends." Replied Ino.
"Well you're definitely blunt." Said Naruto, knowing the Yamanaka Heiress could be very blunt when she wanted to be.
"That's funny coming from you, but I'll take that as a compliment. So…how've things been since becoming a Genin?" Ino asked, glancing at the Uzumaki.
"They've been alright, I've been getting a lot of training done, while Kakashi-sensei's been having us work on improving our teamwork." Naruto replied, Ino nodding at this.
"Asuma-sensei is really good so far and takes things pretty easy on us, though I wish he wouldn't smoke so much. But he's been making sure we work good together as a team, while mostly leaving our individual training to our parents. Though he's taught us a couple things and some Chakra Control Exercises. While I've also started on some of my clans more advanced techniques." Said Ino, having begun training much more seriously ever since everything she heard during Team Assignments, wanting to show she is a serious Kunoichi and prove to herself she's not just a silly little girl.
"That's good. Out of curiosity, what flower am I most like?" Naruto asked looking at Ino, with her looking at him with a thoughtful expression.
"Before I would've said you perfectly represent a sunflower, happiness, optimism, honesty, and loyalty. Now though…I think the better ones are the Scarlet Pimpernel which symbolizes a major life change, the Delphinium which symbolizes spiritual growth, and…the Black Rose. That one's not naturally found, but it represents the death of old habits and rebirth." Ino replied, believing those flowers best represented this new Naruto.
"That seems pretty accurate then." Said Naruto, knowing he's gone through a lot of major changes and growing, while saying goodbye to his old habits.
"Yeah, I thought it would. So…have you always like gardening?" Ino asked once they'd gotten everything and returned to the counter.
"I only got into it recently, but before that I did enjoy watering plants. I found it…pretty relaxing to take care of them like that, but I haven't really begun growing and nurturing them until just recently." Naruto replied, making the Yamanaka Heiress perk up.
"Well if you enjoy watering plants, I could see about getting you a part-time job here when you're off-duty. But I'll need to run it by Tou-san first to see if he'd be willing to let you work here." Offered Ino, seeing a chance to learn more about the Uzumaki, starting to see him in a new light after everything and what she's learning about him.
"I'll…have to consider that. But thanks for the help Ino, see you around. And give Chōji and Shikamaru my regards." Said Naruto once he paid for everything, sealing away the supplies while grabbing the flowers for Iruka.
"Yeah, see you Naruto, and I will." Ino replied, waving at Naruto as he exited the shop.
After leaving Yamanaka Flowers, Naruto headed for the cemetery and went to where Iruka's grave was. Once he reached it, Naruto sat the flower bouquet down in front of the gravestone, cleaning it off as he did so before standing up.
Staying there for a few moments in silence, Naruto soon left and returned to his apartment, but rather than going inside he went up to the roof. With this being where he'd set up his garden after picking up the hobby since he didn't have anywhere in his apartment for it. Getting up to the roof, Naruto unsealed the supplies he'd bought before he got to work.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see Naruto's been doing a lot of physical training with Gai and Lee, and now getting started on his Taijutsu Style of Bajiquan, with elements of the Gōken and Drunken Fist included, which will give Naruto a powerful, dangerous, and unpredictable fighting style. Along with his progress in using his new weapons and that he's now surpassed Tenten in Fūinjutsu and is the one teaching her, much to her gratitude and embarrassment. Before Naruto learns they'll be going on some C-Rank Missions to prepare for the Chūnin Exams, making him intrigued on if his team will be entered or not, before trading farewells.
Then we see the villagers have begun regaining their bravado and hatred of Naruto, with it being even worse with his new attitude, only to be reminded not to mess with him after he takes down Bekkō and Iwana after they insult him and Iruka's death. Only for him to be stopped by Team Eight, with Kurenai believing Naruto doesn't have the right to arrest them, while Kiba tries insulting him only to be silenced by a dog treat (Vegeta would be proud and find it hilarious), before Naruto subtlely insults Kurenai with how he doesn't care about her or her opinion of him, but also for what she did to Yakumo, along with Hinata telling him he's not the "real" Naruto making him believe she's not only weird but crazy.
Finally we see a timeskip towards the next day, learning the punishment Iwana and Bekkō were given for their actions, along with Naruto interacting with his teammates as they trade tips and advice to improve their training, before Kakashi arrives. Before then going to Naruto at Yamanaka Flowers to get flowers for Iruka's grave and supplies for his gardening, with him encountering Ino leading them to start talking and getting to know each other better, developing an acquaintanceship. With Naruto then delivering the flowers to Iruka's grave before going to his rooftop garden to get to work. So, for those that like the story, thanks for your support. For those that don't or at least don't like the direction taken, you're more than welcomed to drop the story. But thanks for giving the story a chance anyway.
Storm out