"Good evening and welcome to Saturday Night Basketball on ABC, my name is Mike Breen and with me to my right is Jeff Van Gundy. We have quite the exciting match up tonight between the 6 and 2 Lakers and the 7 and 0 Thunder" said Mike Breen, "Jeff, what are we looking forward to the most in this game?"
"Mike, I am looking forward to seeing the point guard battle between Westbrook and the young Naruto Uzumaki. Both of them had been lights out early in the year. Durant is known as the more lethal of the two in terms of scoring, but 27 ppg on 47 percent shooting might be Russ at this best. On the other hand Naruto is not backing down from anyone. 18.5 points per game, 9.25 assists per game, 6.5 rebounds per game on 45/38/88 splits are elite rookie production."
"Who do you think gets the best of this match up tonight Jeff?" asked Breen
"I don't know, I think that Russ has been in an offensive grove like we've never seen before, but with Naruto buying into the stuff that Kobe Bryant is telling him, especially on the defensive side of the ball, I see Russ having the better stat line, but the Lakers pulling this one out Mike" said Jeff
"I agree, we knew that Naruto could be a special playmaker that the Lakers have not seen in decades, he's been doing his best to live up to the hype but I don't think any of us saw the Lakers or him being this good defensively" added Breen
"Listen, the Lakers schedule has not been brutal, that first eight games were the Mavs, Blazers, Clippers, Jazz, Warriors, Kings, and Spurs. Six of those guys probably wouldn't make the playoffs, but you're supposed to beat up on lesser teams" said Jeff, "But you cannot take away what he has done against some of these other elite guards like Steph Curry, CP3, and Tony Parker"
"I agree, now let's get down to the court as the same is about to start" said Breen.
Kobe looked at Naruto, "You ready rookie?"
"Do I have a choice?" asked Naruto rhetorically, "I got Russ, you stick KD"
"Look at the balls on you kid" joked Kobe, "Ok, you want him, you got him"
Naruto nodded and the Lakers went through their warm ups like normal and Naruto got a couple shots up before the final whistle blew and he was lining up for the game to start.
Gasol and Perkins line up for the jump ball and Gasol easily wins and Naruto catches the ball effortlessly and starts to dribble it. He crossed half court, Gasol set him a screen and he raced around it, blurring past Perkins and racing towards the rim.
Ibaka leaves Antwan and Naruto jumps as if he's going to try and dunk before dropping the ball softly on the ground as Antwan Jamison lays it up.
Naruto ran back on defense, but it was futile against the sheer speed and strength of Westbrook. In a blur, the OKC point guard raced up the court, threw his shoulder into a backpedaling Naruto and laid the ball up off the glass as the ref blew his whistle for the foul.
"Jesus" groaned Naruto as he picked himself off the ground and as everyone lined up for the free throw.
"He's strong and fast, you gotta make him pick up the ball and make a decision. For all the talent and athleticism, he's not that bright" said Kobe as he walked over and whispered in Naruto's ear.
Naruto nodded but also knew that was better said than done. Naruto received the inbounds pass and flipped it over to Kobe who called out a horns flare play. Naruto used a Gasol screen on the left wing to run down into the paint and then arc'd upwards along the right wing, getting another screen from Jamison, before getting a pass from Kobe.
Naruto saw Russ jump, before pump faking and jumping sideways into him, getting 3 free throws on the foul.
Kobe gave him a nod as he marched to the free throw line and hit all three free throws. Russ took a deep 27 foot 3 that hit the front of the rim, Gasol threw it to Metta World Peace who kicked it to Jamison, who drove towards the rim but threw it to Naruto in the corner, who pump faked Ibaka but drive under the rim, drawing in KD and Perkins before throwing a no look pass out to the top of the key where Kobe as the trailing player on the position hit a wide open 3.
"This type of play making is just special to see as Bryant buries the 3 point shot" commented Breen
"It is hard to argue with that, Naruto has taken his lumps as he struggled to stop a Westbrook drive to the rim, Westbrook with the kick out and KD hits a deep two with his foot on the line. But back to Naruto, it's crazy to see someone so young be so talented" added JVG
"He's not quite a modern Magic Johnson,he's more of a mixture between Magic and Jason Kidd" stated Breen
"That's an interesting take, he's not 6'9 like Magic, but he is close to that 6'5 Jason Kidd build and he's every bit the passer that either of them were at this age. He's a better defender than Magic and a better shooter than either of them. He has all the makings of something special, but we have to see it before we crown him" agreed JVG
Naruto went under the Ibaka screen and managed to knock the ball away from Westbrook, streaking down the court as he stole the ball. He got to the rim before pump faking and dropping it off for a Metta World Peace dunk as he let Russ fly by wildly.
A time out was called as the Lakers managed to go up by 7, 18 to 11, in the first quarter.
Mike Brown is smiling as they begin to huddle up, "Ok 24 and 17 got it going, find them and they will find you. Naruto, feel free to take a jump shot or two, you want to keep them honest. Kobe, Sefolosha cannot guard you. Gasol, I want some more high PnR or PnP with you and Naruto on the right elbow. Antwan, keep a healthy mixture of slashing and shooting. Metta, don't do anything stupid. Alright boys, let's win this. Lakers on 3. 1, 2, 3 LAKERS!"
They broke the huddle and Naruto looked over at the OKC huddle with had looked dead compared to their huddle. Looking at all of their players, they all seemed to be meek and quiet. Something was wrong over there.
Kevin Durant brought the ball up as Russ ran up the court and sat on the dunker's spot. Naruto was confused as they didn't run a play for Westbrook and instead KD called for an iso on MWP before raising up from 26 feet to splash a 3.
Naruto thought nothing of it until KD waved off Russ and switched onto him near mid court and Naruto, taken back by the sheer length and reach of KD's arms, got the ball stolen and KD took 1 dribble, 4 steps as he dunked the ball.
Naruto in bounded the ball to Kobe who threw it ahead to Gasol in the post, Naruto set a screen on Sefolosha, as Kobe raced down the lane and dunked it on Kendrick Perkins.
Naruto quickly raced down the court as they threw the ball ahead to Westrbook and he barely missed the steal as he gave a last second lunge before Metta slid in front of Westbrook, taking the charge to make up for Naruto's gamble.
Naruto started to dribble back up the court, but KD once again came to blitz. But Naruto was smarter and he passed to Kobe before he used a Metta screen to slip to the room and caught a lob into a reverse layup.
The TV timeout came with a little under 3 minute remaining, Naruto was panting heavily and was really thankful for the break. Lakers were up 25 to 22, KD was on a mission and had scored 17 of the 22 with ease.
"He's a fucking beast" wheezed Naruto
"And you don't even have to guard him" added Kobe with a cough
"He's guarding me, his length is causing me issues" said Naruto from the bench as the bench took over for him, Kobe, and Antwan Jamison.
"What's the adjustment that we're going to make?" asked Naruto as KD went behind the back and hit a tough contested mid range right over Metta.
The first of the first quarter was all KD.
"Kevin Durant is on fire with 24 points on 11 shots, everything is working for him. The mid range, the post up, the 3 point shot, he's got it all working today" said Breen
"Absolutely a nightmare to prepare for defensively, you should not be 7 feet tall, hitting tween tween step back mid range shots" added JVG
Naruto started the second quarter on the bench and watched as Kobe attacked Russ and Thabo, scoring a quick 7 in the first 2 minutes of the quarter.
Naruto rejoined the game with 9:47 left in the second, KD was on the OKC bench and thus, Naruto just ran by Westbrook with nothing but Pick and Rolls. It went like this, Gasol screen for Naruto, Naruto turned the corner and when Gasol stopped at the right elbow, he flicked the ball backwards and Gasol hit the 15 footer. Westbrook drove down the lane and Gasol contested, making it a tough make high off glass.
Naruto used an Earl Clark screen to get to the rim and hit Nick Young for a corner 3. Kobe got a steal and threw it to Naruto who threw a no look behind the back pass back to Kobe who hit the three. Westbrook tried to throw a cross court pass that Naruto picked off with ease.
"Westbrook with the lazy pass, Uzumaki steals it out the air, Westbrook not gonna chase him and Naruto goes up for the dunk. OH A WINDMILL DUNK FROM NARUTO UZUMAKIIIIII!" screams Breen
Naruto dapped up Kobe as he ran back on defense and without KD, the Thunder didn't have anyone who could bust the defense of the Lakers and the Lakers cruised to a 66-48 half time lead as KD returned a little too late to do much to help them.
The third quarter was more of the same with the Lakers switching to a 2-3 zone, taking away KD's ability to cook. The game ended and the Lakers won 113-102, Kobe finished with 29 points - 9 rebounds - 6 assists and Naruto finished 24 points - 12 assists - 6 rebounds - 5 steals.
Naruto had just finished his post game interview with ESPN when he was making his way to his locker room when he saw a piece of mail taped to his locker. The loopy handwriting was a red flag as it felt vaguely familiar, like he had seen it before.
The note was addressed simply "To Naruto Uzumaki" and there was no sign of who had written it or delivered him. Looking around he saw numerous teammates going in and out of the showers, members of the staff walking in and out of the locker room as well.
It was only when he saw a familiar face did Naruto stop someone, "Hey Shelby, did you see who left me this note?"
He held up the note for reference but Shelby shook her head, "No, I have no idea where that letter came from. Is something wrong?"
"No, must be some misplaced fan mail" said Naruto dismissing her as he looked at the letter in his hand before deciding to ignore it.
Not in the mood, he slipped out of Staples Center and went home without going out to celebrate with his team, He entered his condo and showered in his own bathroom.
Changing into some fresh underwear, Naruto heard his cell phone ring and saw that it was his Aunt Tsunade's number.
Picking it up without thinking about it, "Hey wassup"
"Um hello, this is Dr. Valk of the Celebration AdventHealth emergency room, you were listed as the emergency contact for a Tsunade Senju, is that correct?" said a male voice on the other side of the phone.
"Yeah that's my aunt" confirmed Naruto as his heart started pounding and he found breathing to be really difficult, "Is she okay?"
"For the most part yes, she was shot by some gang members on her way to work day, They managed to hit her in the back along the spine, but luckily her own research into spinal cords managed to save her ability to walk" said Dr. Valk, "Her car was totaled, they stole her purse and her ID, it was only after we found a match for her in our system that we managed to identify her. She's going to be transported out to LA to be with you if you give the okay"
"Yeah, absolutely bring her here" said Naruto without thinking, "Is there anything else you can tell me about what happened?"
"Um, there was a small short letter, it said "check your mail" but when the police checked her mailbox, they found nothing. So it must have been a mistaken identity. Don't worry, she's in a stable condition and she will be ready for transportation in a couple of days" finished Dr. Valk.
Naruto blood went cold as the doctor hung up the phone before returning to the plain envelope that had been addressed to him. Fishing it out of his bag, his hands trembled as he held the letter, he was honestly scared of what he would find inside of it. They had put his aunt in the hospital with ease, whoever this was, they meant business.
Finally drawing up the nerves to open the envelope, Naruto unfolded the letter and found the same loopy handwriting that was on the outside.
To Naruto
It has been a long time since your pathetic bitch ass self has run away from the Bijuu gang, we don't take to kindly to that. You think you can just run from the grind? You owe us, we own you. We already put your aunt in the hospital, nice time we might just pump her full of babies and wait nine months to see what the kid might look like. For every dollar you make, you owe us 50 cents. That 20 million dollar rookie contract? Imma need half, plus interest for all the years you've been away.
Sincerely, Pein
Naruto felt his mouth fill with the nasty taste of bile as he read the letter. The Bijuu gang had made their way to the United States and they had placed a target on his back. And the worst part was, based on their actions, they meant business. What the fuck was he going to do.
A/N: Another short chapter, but I wanted to update this story while I was in the mood to do so.
Naruto's past is catching up with him as he tries to build up his life in LA as a Laker.
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Until next time, HighKey_Mars out