Disclaimer: All characters and settings belong to their respective franchises.
Updated: Edited 11/09/22
"I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE IT!" wailed a man who was standing from across Kakashi in Hiruzen's private study.
If one were to look at it from an outside perspective, the two could be seen as an odd duo, if only because of; despite sporting the standard issue flak jacket respectively, their wildly contrasting attire underneath. Kakashi's black long-sleeved shirt and pants, to the other's form-fitting green jumpsuit and orange leg warmers.
The man himself looked to be about his age, with black hair in a bowl cut style, pronounced cheekbones, and thick eyebrows. Both hands ruffling his hair in agitation, he brought them down fiercely and fixed a wide-eyed survey on the newly minted Jōnin. "I wouldn't have believed it if I wasn't seeing it with my own eyes. Can it be? Kakashi…that is you, right?"
A hand on his hip, Kakashi remained outwardly impassive as he watched the man's hysterics with his unobscured right eye, his Konoha headband furled over his Sharingan. Inwardly, he was amused as much as heartened over the reception.
"It's the haircut, isn't it?" he quipped, some of Anko's humor rubbing off on him. "Relax, Guy. It's me."
Guy silently gaped at him for a moment longer, before breaking out into tears. "I…I knew it." He rubbed at his streaked eyes with a forearm. "I knew that your flames of youth hadn't been snuffed out. I knew it! This is…a most glorious revival!"
"Hey, hey, it's not like I-whoa!" Guy lunged at him mid-sentence, grabbing and hoisting his fellow Jōnin up in a bear hug.
"Ahahahaha! Say no more! You needn't fret about anything, my friend," Guy exclaimed in joy. "Let the past pass, so that we may look forward to better and brighter possibilities for the future!"
Kakashi sighed, not even putting up a fight to break free, but even Hiruzen, seated as he was behind his desk, could see a ghost of a smile behind the mask. "Pleasantries aside, gentlemen, we should get down to business. I didn't just summon you here to issue a warm welcome to Kakashi into your ranks, Guy."
The two men broke away from each other to stand at attention. "Of course, sir!" Guy responded.
Hiruzen cleared his throat. "Now then, how goes your Genin team, Guy?"
The man didn't waste a beat in answering with pride and vigor, "Extremely well! My team has been diligent in their training, and their progress as shinobi is nothing short of exemplary. I couldn't have asked for a more promising young bunch! They'll go far in their careers."
"Good, good," Hiruzen nodded, satisfied with the credibility behind Guy's words, for if there was anyone more suited to teaching, it would be Konoha's foremost taijutsu specialist given his enthusiasm and attitude. "Tell me, Guy, I don't suppose you can make room for…one more under your wing?"
Guy blinked, more surprised than confused. "One more?"
Hiruzen brought a hand up. "Not necessarily an official induction as to maintain standards, and that he is still an Academy student set to graduate this year. I hear that you've come to adopt Rock Lee, correct?"
"Correct." At that, Guy answered a bit uneasily, uncertain where the conversation was going. Could he have done something wrong? There wasn't any rule that he knew of that kept a Jōnin from adopting a student. He knew that his two other most youthful charges didn't mind (or that they were insistent in not being involved), so what could the Hokage be getting at? Could it be to…
"Rest assured, Guy, this isn't anything against your conduct," Hiruzen assuaged the man. "Under your guidance, young Lee has only flourished from his days in the Academy, and far be it for me of all people to intervene."
Guy relaxed, his enthusiasm returning in regards to his son and star pupil. "Thank you, Hokage-sama. As of now, Lee has managed to accomplish capability in the basic chakra control techniques, and I'm more than confident that in time, his skill in the other avenues will blossom and improve as normal."
Hiruzen nodded, before his eyes narrowed, expression hardening."And?"
Guy and Kakashi traded looks, knowing what came next, the former speaking first. "It was as you suspected, Hokage-sama. Upon conducting a series of tests, we discovered that Lee's nervous system responsible for sending signals to and fro his tenketsu points had atrophied. We found several other students, all orphans, going back to a period of five years, with the same condition."
"The cause?"
"A neurotoxin," Guy answered forebodingly. "Sold on the black market, and according to Seiko, can be either injected or orally ingested."
He nodded to Kakashi, who continued. "Some of the instructors that we kept in interrogation admitted that it was another layer of Mizuki's elaborate conspiracy. Under his orders through code, they would lace the food of carefully selected targets, those he deemed weren't up to snuff. To throw off suspicion, while the clan heirs were naturally excluded, those with high marks, even if they were orphans, were exempted. One of the exceptions was Uzumaki Naruto. He had the foresight that going for our Jinchūriki could have compromised him."
Hiruzen clenched his jaw in fury. It kept coming back to that blasted traitor.
"What I can't wrap my head around is why! Why take it that far?" Guy said in contempt. "He could have just gathered info on the clan heirs and be satisfied, but no, he had to ruin the futures of prospective shinobi as well."
"A complex," Kakashi answered, raising a finger. "According to what we could glean from his psyche records, Mizuki has always had an inferiority complex, and he must have projected that on the students." Though he suspected that it ran much deeper than that.
Guy scowled in outrage before calming himself down to continue, "Good news, it can be reversed. Bad news, the longer one goes without treatment, the more permanent it becomes." Meaning those who were first afflicted with the toxin would never recover. Hiruzen, however, not wishing for any enmity to be borne out of this gross oversight, planned to compensate the affected for any damages. The treatment for those able to recover would be covered, with admission for those willing to return to the Academy. "As part of Lee's rehabilitation, I've been having him repeat the curriculum on ninjutsu and genjutsu. Rest assured, Hokage-sama." Guy made a fist, now beaming with his signature smile. "With nothing holding him back now, my son will one day become one of Konoha's finest."
Hiruzen spread his hands out in gratification. "Excellent. Which brings us next to the matter concerning Naruto."
"Yondaime-sama's boy?" Guy said inquisitively, watching as Hiruzen and Kakashi exchanged nods. Could they be asking for his time in giving the boy instruction? He was prepared to do so if that was what was asked of him, as he wasn't opposed to Lee having a contemporary, always open to those with the drive to learn. "What…would you have me do, sir?"
Kakashi spoke up, "First, you're going to need to sit down for this, Guy." He withdrew his head when the jumpsuit clad man thrust a palm at his face.
Guy clicked his tongue, wagging a finger with his other hand. "Would it, pray tell, have anything to do with him being taken in by Seiko?"
"Nothing gets by you in that department," Kakashi jibed flatly.
"As if I could ever be left in the dark by one of my rivals. I managed a glimpse into his training in the middle of the investigation," Guy huffed faux indignantly, his smile never leaving his face, crossing his arms over his chest. "Uzumaki Naruto would have been a fine student to train, and still is, not only by merit of his bloodline, but because the boy possesses the very same spark I saw in young Lee, just waiting to explode into a raging inferno!"
He watched as Kakashi and Hiruzen seemed to share a conspiratorial glance, complete with grins on their faces. "Funny you should be wording it that way," the former told him, as if they were in on something. "Guy, I honestly insist you sit down for this one. Believe me, you're gonna wish you were," he went on as he escorted his friend to sit on the couch, with Kakashi taking the opposite one so that they were facing one another. He sighed as he hunched forward, threading his fingers together, elbows on his knees. He looked Guy dead in the eye, holding the man's gaze so firmly that he could have tangibly torn the oculars right out of the man's sockets. "As you may have gleaned, we are about to disclose to you an S-Class secret, confined only to our inner circle, so listen carefully."
Guy cocked a brow at that, relaxing against the backrest comfortably as he slung an ankle on his other knee. Arms folded over his chest once again, he replied glibly with, "Alright. I'm all ears."
By the time Kakashi and the Hokage were finished in relating as detailed as they could of the extraordinary experience they had, Guy was, uncommonly, subdued and leery. He blinked, shaking his head to recollect his senses. "You're serious?"
Rather than be disappointed, Kakashi was deriving some cathartic enjoyment in seeing his friend's reaction. "We are. Every word of it. You reserve the right to be skeptical. I'd be the same had it been the other way around, but we swear by our lives that our ordeal was legit."
Guy pursed his lips, letting out a deep exhale from his nostrils. "Alright. Let's say, I believe you. What now?"
Kakashi lowered his head, grinning behind his mask. "Rather than tell you, how about I show you?" He observed Guy's eyes shift worryingly. "Relax, it's not gonna be a basement." Guy's eyes shifted again. "Nor an underground laboratory."
Guy leaned forward in his seat. "Kakashi, it isn't that I don't completely believe you, as even in our line of work, you gotta admit, it sounds pretty out there. I can't take that at face value without tangible proof."
"And you will get proof," Kakashi acceded as he rose up, followed closely by Guy. "We're heading straight for Naruto's apartment. He should still be at Seiko's gym." The boy had not gone home in the remaining days left before his evaluation. The two men sped out of the room, disappearing in puffs of smoke, leaving Hiruzen to resume his daunting task of paperwork. Luckily, the stack resting on his table wasn't as towering as it often was.
Drawing out the first, Hiruzen was taken aback that it was double in length, having been folded. Narrowing his eyes curiously, he brought it close to skim over the contents.
His heart sank to rock bottom, the color draining from his now gaping face.
Bills, expenses, purchases that he distinctly did not recall ever making (with the exception of his trips to the red light district), but nonetheless all tied to his name and organized in a neat list in bold characters.
His gaze slowly trailed down in horror, stomach roiling as he broke out into a cold sweat from parsing over the details, gripping the paper tightly with trembling hands. Upon landing on the sum total, his vision swam. Hiruzen could practically feel the moment his blood pressure spiked, pained in trying to form words as his jaw remained slack, only accomplishing fitful choking noises. His consciousness soon fizzled out, falling over on his desk with his head slamming squarely on the offending document.
Elsewhere…
In the mountains within Konoha's borders, standing together at the far end from the treeline were Oton and Bokomon, the latter looking over an open laptop. The device was an old model that Oton owned, now heavily modified by the scholar to be far more advanced than what was currently in the market. Touchscreen interface, a detachable monitor that could be used as a standalone tablet, along with a few other nifty features.
Right now, he was monitoring the readings of Naruto's vitals through a bluetooth connection with the suit. To a Digimon like him with his lack of chakra, he didn't need hand seals from the natural affinity offered by his species, but when it came to humans, he realized that their system needed an overhaul based on how not just anyone was adept in the art, and truly, he couldn't always be available. For practical purposes, convenience was the optimal route.
As such, he devised a solution in the form of a program that could streamline the process. One of the tablet's main features was to remotely access Fūin and program or reprogram its parameters at will. Hiruzen and the others were left in both awe and unease when he revealed that the program forewent the need for chakra. The hand seals in case needed came in the form of an alternative keyboard app. Pressing the characters in sequence would be the same as if one was doing it by hand. As a safety precaution, in order to prevent Fūin from going awry, the system would deny incorrectly done sequences. A common example would be a poorly structured storage scroll that would either leave items damaged, or barred from retrieval. An incredibly dangerous oversight during a mission.
For even greater convenience, preprogrammed Fūin were tabulated in a separate password protected app, providing access to any one with a few simple taps.
With how incredibly indispensable this new system was, Hiruzen urgently assessed the risks involved if such technology fell into the wrong hands. Until they reached a phase that left little to no repercussions for Konoha, they were to refrain from mass production. Only two were to be allowed, the other for the inner circle's use. Bokomon didn't disagree, as the advancement greatly simplified the production of more common tools such as Kibaku Fuda.
With funding and material (straight out of the Nara and Yamanaka coffers), Bokomon built a printer that combined cutting edge technology and Fūinjutsu that could be wirelessly operated via the tablet. It was an ingenious design, and could have only been possible through the scholar's advanced knowledge (which managed to halve the budget). The application of formulae was done by a robotic arm fitted with a seal that was fed chakra, which converted the raw energy into "ink". This specialized "chakra ink" differed from the regular kind in that it refined a seal's functionality. Storage scrolls saw an increase in capacity, explosive tags had a boost in power, etc.
The prototype, with a single charge, was able to yield a hundred storage scrolls, or five hundred explosive tags in a day alone. More than triple if it had been done by hand. The machine was also cost effective, as the ratio of chakra needed was the equivalent of a simple illusory clone jutsu.
Through further experimentation and tests, Bokomon was able to devise a special grade of Kibaku Fuda that had a greater output than the regular variant. These explosives were to be strictly reserved for their elite forces, color coded blue instead of the standard red.
A new type of Fūin was still in the works, and would be unveiled after Naruto returned to the Academy.
"He's slowing down," Bokomon remarked, eyeing the change in readings. He shifted his attention towards the forest. "Only natural. He's been running non-stop for ten hours now."
Oton adjusted his glasses as his gaze remained fixed at the spot Naruto would enter and exit from the treeline. "Not counting his first trial run, yesterday, it was eight hours, and the day before that, five. His progression is nothing short of impressive."
"Personally, that'd be underselling it," Bokomon thought to himself."Had he gone with running laps first, the suit would have severely put him off balance. His center of gravity needed to be sufficiently stabilized, and that's with how much he's been increasingly weighed down since the training started."
Compared to the adult Jōnin who were also utilizing the suit, but at a lower setting.
"He'll make it," Oton said further. Next to his feet were ninety-nine empty plastic bottles, all neatly organized. "The endurance phase of his training is nearing its conclusion. He's already managed to cut the time it would have taken us."
Bokomon nodded. "Only one more bottle to go."
The crux of said endurance phase was to run up the mountain and retrieve a bottle full of mineral water one at a time, situated on a flat boulder at the very top, drink it, and return with the empty container. The challenge came when they were doing it in a part of the forest where the trees were more densely packed, and the soil softer, precariously uneven, with thicker roots jutting out, and more pronounced obstacles.
The place was a popular training ground among Chūnin aspirants. He was expected to maintain a top speed as best he could, which was very much easier said than done when he first started.
Piyomon was doing her own endurance training by flying back and forth across the mountain, though she didn't need to bring anything back, only that she could not touch ground or roost for as long as she was able.
As for Naruto, in the length that he had been grinding up and down the mountain repeatedly, for every step he now took to deliver the final bottle, his bones rattled like they were hollow, his overworked muscles searing in agony.
"My feet are killing me…"
The burn had crossed the threshold of unbearable into a conflagration that was consuming every fibrous cell in his body. He was sure his feet were now bleeding red within the suit's built-in runners, with patches of skin flayed off from relentlessly pounding them against the ground.
"I'm getting sluggish…"
His vision was blurring, fatigue creeping in closer and closer than he was at reaching his goal.
"Keep going…"
Gnashing his teeth, he drew on whatever remaining fuel he had left, pushing his body on raw willpower alone. Coming upon a familiar slope, he leaped up and hopped across a snaggy cluster of rocks interspersed with tall brambles the entire way downhill, maneuvering ever so carefully so as to avoid another visceral collision that tore into him from days prior during a test run. That was where he discovered that the suit could self mend.
"Keep going…dammit!"
He swung his arms and legs wildly after touching ground, crushing the bottle in hand. No longer caring for form, his breathing came out in frenzied vapors, rivulets of sweat pooling down faster than what the suit could put away. He maddeningly glanced around in every direction as he was cutting it razor close, senses sharper than they ever were, knowing full well that the slightest mishap could spell the end.
He had lost track of the time hours ago, the colors and images he was seeing becoming distorted from delirium, the natural chemicals numbing his pain having long worn off.
This is nothing.
He gritted his teeth briefly in further frustration before opening his mouth wide to clear a pathway for his breathing, his haggard mind wandering back to Oton's words, spoken to him after he allowed a complaint to escape. Why? When? It must have been after he barely scraped out three thousand pull-ups, preceded by a five hour warm-up doing jump rope.
His eyes widened in panic as he suddenly stumbled forward.
The pain you're going through is nothing. "I feel like I'm going to die". How pitifully naive. The pursuit of strength naturally comes at the risk of one's own life.
He roared, the tip of his right foot having grazed a stone, uprooting it along with a divot of soil, causing him to painstakingly stumble in realigning his state of balance, only for the sluggishness to return with a vengeance."Damn! Did the suit get heavier again…?"
The very instant becoming a shinobi entered your mind, you were already putting everything on the line. Pain will be the least of your problems.
"I-I know that!" He screwed his eyes shut. That stutter had left him wide open.
No, you do not. I've known lesser men made of sterner stuff than you, and better men who gave everything they had until there was nothing left.
It stung him on how true that sounded. "I didn't come this far just to-"
This far?
He could still remember that uncharacteristic sneer Oton threw his way, his heart sinking as the reality of his situation did.
You're barely off the starting line.
Naruto opened his eyes in time to smoothly duck under a large log suspended by a medium sized rock, with the other end embedded into a lower cleft. He bolted onward, veering and weaving his way through a throng of trees that greeted him, ripping into every inch of muscle left to maintain his acceleration over the remaining obstacles. A grin of all things broke across his chapped lips as something peculiar entered his heightened awareness.
Wow…
As his eyes kept drifting, everything around him seemed to slow down.
Falling leaves spinning sluggishly in their trajectory, and how one broke in two the very moment the middle finger of his right hand precisely struck it.
A passing mosquito and the intricate patterns of its wings.
A tiny speck of bark that a bird scratched off.
How the wind rushing past him was flowing as it whisked past his skin.
It should have made him reel from how bizarre and unexpected it was, but in the fog of his mind, he was instead mesmerized by the phenomena.
Amazing…
"Hm?" Bokomon blinked, inching the laptop closer after noticing a drastic shift in Naruto's brain activity. "Oton."
The imposing man nodded, getting a bead of it as well. "He's close."
Seconds turned into minutes for the boy, a weightless sensation overcoming him in that one instance before his perception crashed back down to earth. Not long after, words couldn't describe the relief he felt when the figures of Bokomon and Oton entered his line of sight, throwing himself at their feet as soon as he was within spitting distance of them.
Even as he was breathing in the dust kicked up by his landing, punishing his already burning throat, all that mattered to him was that he had come to a paralyzing halt, his consciousness hanging by a thread.
"You failed," Oton declared drily, looking down upon the heap that was Naruto. "None of the bottles are to be damaged. If it had been a scroll with valuable intel, the mission would be deemed a failure, followed by strict reprimand. Or death."
The boy wheezed and coughed as the suit automatically went into recovery mode, green healing chakra doing its work to mend his ragged body. He was still conscious enough to spat back with, "Screw…the bottles."
Oton continued to loom over him, before speaking again, "I take that back. You pass."
Naruto thought he heard wrong, craning his neck up but failing, croaking out from his dry mouth, "What?"
"You pass."
"...W-Why?"
Oton adjusted his glasses as he picked up the crushed bottle that rolled away from Naruto's limp hand. "You didn't black out this time."
"Eh…?"
"The main point of this was to test your endurance, and to see how long you can last," Oton explained. "You surpassed my expectations by a few measly seconds."
"Y-Yay…" Naruto groaned out hoarsely, taking what he could get, simply hearing that he had passed enough uplifting, helped by the soothing ministrations of the suit.
"It may not seem like much, but being conscious for a bit longer could mean all the difference in any situation. You must gamble everything no matter how slim your chances may be," Oton went on, helping Bokomon to recline the boy up against a nearby outcrop. "The final phase of your training will begin after two days of rest. Be sure to get plenty."
Naruto choked out, "Already…on it." The three of them were broken out of their conference by the sound of something whistling through the air, looking up to the sight of Piyomon hovering precariously above them, arcs of wind scattering debris from her emergence out of the treeline, panting heavily from the workout she partook in. Eyes glazed over and out of breath, she wobbled midair for a brief moment, beating her tired wings flakily, before allowing herself to fall, colliding unceremoniously on top of Naruto's head with her own, knocking them both out.
"So," Bokomon scratches his head at what just occurred, "he still passes, right?"
Oton could only sigh.
In Naruto's apartment…
"Ojamashimasu," Guy said in a low tone to no one in particular after they sneaked in, coming after Kakashi, taking special note of having done so through the window. A fūin lock?
If Guy had to guess, nearly every corner of the apartment was outfitted with security seals. It made sense, considering the occupant. "Nice place."
"Don't hurt yourself," Kakashi quipped back as they headed for the living room with Guy following suit, finding the PC.
"This is it?"
"This is it," Kakashi confirmed, going down on one knee to turn it on. "Let me set it up first. Don't-"
Unable to help himself, Guy had pressed a random button on the keyboard. "Sorry," he said, smiling sheepishly from the look he earned.
With a roll of his eyes, Kakashi resumed turning on the computer. Once it finished loading, he only needed to click on the "Digimon Frontier" icon to get started. Guy watched as everything seemed to follow what was related to him back at the study. So far, so good.
As soon as the stylized window expanded, Kakashi opened the chat box and typed.
F1ref0x: You there?
Gai observed and waited, until a response popped in.
4ngelf4c3: I'm busy. What is it?
Kakashi cocked a brow.
F1ref0x: With what?
4ngelf4c3: None of your business. I see that you've brought Might Guy with you.
"Hey, hey, Kakashi," Guy piped up, leaning behind his friend's shoulder. "Is this the character you were talking about?"
"Yes," Kakashi answered, cutting him a look. "Just let me do the chatting."
4ngelf4c3: Let me guess what it is that you're here for. A recording of Naruto's excursion for your viewing pleasure, with the exception of your little trip to the seal.
Guy arched a brow; so it was all true?
F1ref0x: Straight to the point. What's gotten you so occupied?
4ngelf4c3: You have yours, I have mine.
"As popular as ever, I see," Guy jibed coyly, having settled down next to Kakashi, arm slung over his raised knee.
"He's usually chipper than this," Kakashi concurred. Must be serious. Shortly, a separate window cropped up sporting video modules. "You ready?"
"Does it come with a disclaimer?" Guy joked with a snide grin. The video was two and a half hours long, which was odd as Kakashi knew it to be two days worth of length, but he quickly surmised certain parts were edited out to truncate it. He clicked play, and the first scene they were treated to was where Naruto was falling from a great height upon his arrival.
"Already off to a good start," Guy flippantly remarked, head cradled against his knuckles. It didn't take long for his sharp eyes to catch sight of the background.
The oddly patterned sky, the pillars of light that converged on a…green moon? Exactly as had been described. They watched the rest of the video as it played out, from Naruto meeting Bokomon, their stay in the cave where they met Piyomon when she was still a Nyokimon, and their trek through the wilds of Server.
All the while, the normally exuberant and upbeat Guy was uncharacteristically subdued and focused, more so than when he was merely told an account of the events. At certain points Kakashi provided context, answered questions and replayed sections that needed closer scrutiny.
"It's almost like a movie," Guy thought to himself, the recording having such a clear definition that a professional would question the validity of its authenticity. "Incredible."
"The Hokage more or less said the same thing," Kakashi commented. "Here we go."
Guy watched as they reached the part where Naruto and his friends were ambushed, or something to that effect from how uncool and dull their entry was. One of them was posing, while the other wasn't. Totally out of sync. Not flashy at all. Yet, he could tell right off the bat that this Falcomon and Gazimon pair was bad news, which they proved in short order respectively.
"That owl's pretty good," Guy complimented, seeing how he easily took down Naruto and Piyomon with a few moves. It had only been due to the manifestation of the Kyūbi's chakra that the advantage shifted, and in such a brutal way.
"Stop!" Guy shot a hand up, then pointed a finger at the screen. "Did you-"
"Yeah, I saw it, too." It was impossible not to for Kakashi, even without his Sharingan as he paused the video at the exact moment it happened. "He managed to take cover underground the second after the bombs detonated. Provided he isn't out of commission, he'll have reported everything to his boss by now."
"Acha! That always stings! The one that got away!" Guy bemoaned, ruffling his hair.
"That's what happens when you leave out loose ends," Kakashi said, earning an admonishing look from Guy, which he shrugged off as he resumed the video.
Arriving at the part where Gazimon evolved and trounced Naruto as WereGarurumon, Guy was as stunned as Kakashi and the others had been upon first witnessing the one-sided beat down. A drastic rise in not only power, but with how the beast moved with such dexterity and grace for his size, he now had a clear grasp as to why the former ANBU Captain deemed these Digimon to be the threat they were. The difference was like night and day. He'd have no trouble with the Rookie form, but against this Ultimate, it would be a different story
As if guessing what was on his mind, Kakashi asked anyway. "What do you think?"
Cupping his jaw, Guy mused his options, and he still sounded a smidgen unsure when he answered with, "I would have gone up to six gates for this guy."
"That right?" Had Naruto been without an edge over WereGarurumon with his fire affinity, that really would have been it for the boy. The element of surprise, his ingenuity in misdirection, and the environment of the cave also posed as factors that facilitated his victory over such an opponent. In a straight up fight? Kakashi didn't even need to think about it. It was why luck was often contested amongst veterans like them.
Upon reaching the climax.
"Hoh? It seems Naruto-kun's flames of youth are a tad too literal now," he said with a chortle. Seeing the evolution for himself, it lit a fire in him as well. A truly bombastic metamorphosis. The boy already had potential, such was the merit of his pedigree, though Guy personally wasn't fond of judging by genetics alone. His precious student and adopted son, Lee, did not have such an illustrious lineage to speak of; so he believed, nor did he. They were able to become more than fairly capable shinobi in their own right through rigorous training and hard work. Any so-called barrier was more of a measuring stick, a wall that they had to overcome. Without restricting one's self, there were a broad slew of possibilities for shinobi to excel and succeed at. Of course, there were the naysayers who would call it blind optimism, and to their credit, it was, but Guy didn't care, never having looked back after choosing to honor his father by living his life as the man he was now.
"Hm?" Guy's eyes widened, gasping out when he beheld it. "Kakashi!"
"Yes," his best friend and rival nodded. "Ring any bells?"
It was surreal as the taijutsu master found himself leaning into the monitor, grabbing its sides. The way Naruto fought after evolving, every move he made, while sloppy, bore something of a resemblance to his Gōken (Strong Fist). However, what truly ignited his interest were Naruto's "attacks"; as Kakashi put it, in his Agnimon form.
They bore an uncanny resemblance to his own techniques.
Naruto's Salamander Kick could be a dead ringer to his Yagai (Night Guy), albeit, much weaker.
His Gatling Burst, while one-handed, was one to his Asa Kujaku (Morning Peacock), and after seeing Naruto's other attacks via the Digital Analyzer that Kakashi accessed, his Million Gatling Burst more than confirmed it. Some of his other taijutsu moves, Crimson Knuckle, Vortex Strike and Salamander Break could become powerful on their own with the right polishing and training.
An ear-to-ear smile erupted across Guy's lips as the implications arose. "This is…this is…exciting!*"
Kakashi blinked in perplexity at Guy's use of English, the man's face becoming more defined and chiseled. No matter how long he's known his friend, it still freaked him out. Could it be another one of his genjutsu? He certainly hoped that was the case.
Without warning, Guy rocketed off the floor to his feet, the force of his jump generating a tremor that the whole building undoubtedly felt. The taijutsu master raised his forearms and balled his hands into fists, gaze that held a fire in them pointed heavenward, "Aaaaah! After what you've shown me, Kakashi, there's absolutely no way I'm passing this up. I must take Naruto-kun on as a student, even if I have to poach him from Oton myself. If Lee is to have such a splendid kouhai that he can be proud to call a brother, I will gladly stake my very life on it! This, I swear!"
"Oh? Then you'll be happy to know that you can have Naruto after he makes Genin," Kakashi said lazily, occupying himself with a game of solitaire. "Per the Hokage's orders. So, you can just come by and take him off Oton's hands if you ask."
Guy's burning fighting spirit exploded out of every pore from hearing that, with Kakashi noting the temperature in the room to have spiked dramatically. "Naruto-kun's flames of youth may already be raging brightly, but under my tutelage, he shall bloom into a truly beautiful shinobi shining like the sun itself!"
Kakashi sighed as he basked in his friend's overpowering presence. It was a good thing he checked the soundproof seals beforehand.
The next day…
Naruto wasn't sure when he awoke, lying still as he mindlessly stared at the high ceiling, idle thoughts coming and going before they could take root. He blinked slowly, immanent on whether or not he was good to even move a muscle.
A few impulsive twitches and a stirring of his extremities, he craned his head to the right, expecting to see someone there. Bokomon? Piyomon? Both? Oton was usually quite punctual, though his absences could be chalked up to having other obligations that needed tending. Was he alone? Sucking in his lips, he attempted to lift his arm up and was rewarded with only mild cramping, grateful that his body had once again recovered somewhat. He poised a hand above his face, expecting to still be wearing the suit, only to find it bare.
It had certainly been a while, long enough that it left him feeling weird the longer his gaze lingered on supple flesh, the muscles of his arm lean and defined, as was the rest of his body.
He carefully propped himself up on his right elbow, rearing his head around to find the gym dimly lit. Fully sitting up, his glazed eyes drifted to the clutter of furniture that served as his only company, and to the tower of giant bento next to the cooler beside the kotatsu. His stomach rumbled loudly at the thought of food, his body craving sustenance.
He weakly shambled out of the futon and shivered from the air conditioning, only in his boxer shorts. He wrapped himself with the futon's thick blanket to keep warm before making his way to the bento boxes. Wedged between them and the cooler was a thermos, which he knew to be filled with hot chocolate. Not the kind sweetened by sugar, but cinnamon. The spice was a healthier alternative, which Oton explained would help in regulating his blood sugar, whatever that meant. Fragrant, with a sweetness that he could only describe as mellow, Naruto had found himself warming up to the condiment in no time. Speaking of, he poured himself a cup and took a few sips, savoring the taste and warmth before breathing out a relaxed sigh. It was only when he was sitting down that he spied the state his feet were in, wrapped in bandages. Having been able to walk without stinging pain or a limp, they must have recovered as well.
How long was he asleep, he wondered.
Draining the cup before placing it down next to the thermos, he then pulled out a bento and opened it, instantly perking up at the sight of white rice garnished with black sesame seeds, cradled by nori, and an umeboshi stuck in the middle for extra nutrition. A tamagoyaki roll cut into three. Vegetable salads consisting of broccoli, asparagus, cucumber, onions and lettuce, all contained in two hollowed out tomatoes. Three katsu and hard-boiled egg sandwiches. A dozen yakitori meatballs. And finally, a fruit dessert consisting of raspberries and blueberries. The bento was of a size that it was able to accommodate such a spread, and Naruto was all too hungry to happily scarf it all down. It was only after finishing one that he realized just how famished he was, his body needing the calories. He took out another with the servings being mostly the same with the raspberries traded for strawberries.
Belching out in satisfaction and patting his stomach once he finished, Naruto again poured himself a cup of the hot chocolate to help wash it all down and to further warm up.
Drowning in the solitary silence, he became lost in thought.
What day is it?
A shiver of panic ran down his spine, remembering that he had only been given two days to rest. For all he knew, he could have been out of it for that entire time, maybe even longer, having been treated to the shock that he had indeed slept in that length over a week ago after finally completing five thousand squats. Thank goodness he had weekend off days.
Turning to the electric alarm clock resting atop the kotatsu, he saw that it was 7:48 in the morning, the date a day after he finished his run.
He sighed in relief that he had plenty of time, and perked up again at finding next to the alarm clock was the tablet that Bokomon had made. The invention took him by storm the moment he tried it, like everything that was great about a computer made even more convenient. What hooked him the most, of course, were the games, with graphics so cutting edge that it crushed whatever was currently in the market. Ultimate Storm might as well be a paperweight he'll just forget in his closet.
Dragging and pressing his finger across the screen felt smoother than a mouse and keyboard, but he soon came to know that it wasn't as simple as trading in a rock for a hammer. There was just something about it that wasn't quite the same whenever he had to use the keypad function. The games themselves were a little addicting, though, like "Castle Run", "Mad Birds", and "Garden vs. Undead", all of which were recreations of popular titles in the Digital World.
The one that stood out, however, was Bio-Evil, which was; in Bokomon's own words, a game that involved navigating through an open world environment and killing mutated, cannibalistic humanoids with nothing but the tools you could find or craft, all the while gathering supplies like food and other necessities to stay alive. Everything in the game was fairly realistic, right down to his character genuinely needing sustenance or risk dying from illness or starvation, requiring him to build a shelter, hunt for wild game, gather edible and medicinal herbs (while avoiding what was poisonous), and gaining access to clean water. It surprised Naruto even more how immersive the game was when it came to instances like preparing food, meticulously directing him through a step-by-step process of properly cleaning the meat, cooking what he could, and preserving the rest.
In his last playthroughs, he found blueprints for a granular water filter, and later a solar still, both of which the game helpfully instructed him to gather materials needed and how to assemble. It later dawned on him that he was deliberately being taught survival skills.
Finding and crafting weapons was more straightforward, the simplest being a large knife that he tied to a metal pipe for a makeshift spear. Higher quality weapons were a rare find. As part of the immersive realism, using tools and weapons long enough accumulated wear and damage, prompting him to find more or do repairs, which required resources that were already scarce to begin with. The game would force him in situations that needed tactical decision-making, as the humanoids were more active and stronger at night, coming out in droves. Everything was costly, right down to fuel, batteries, and time. The first number of plays naturally ended in failure, making mistake after mistake, but with persistence and practice, he was currently at forty-two days in-game with the same character.
He opened his saved state and resumed where he left off, tending to his garden aboveground and adding the finishing touches to his shelter, which was an abandoned underground bunker, roughly modeling it after the safe house where they recuperated.
Engrossed, he failed to immediately notice when his friends; sans Oton, arrived about an hour later. Bokomon looked on as the boy was keenly focused on playing, the basic skills that he needed being incrementally fed to him in a manner that he could absorb without trouble, hence specifically tailoring the game for such a purpose. From what he had gleaned of Naruto's academic performance and past conduct, he did poorly when it came to comprehending theory. That didn't denote him as being stupid or lacking, though. On the contrary, the boy was actually a quick study through tactile learning. For someone like Bokomon with thousands of years worth of experience in teaching, the solution to such a conundrum was as simple as handing the kid a shovel, running him through a step-by-step process of how to properly grip said shovel, assume the appropriate kind of stance, and how much force he needed to apply. Many would call such a method crude or asinine, but it was honestly the most basic of basics since living organisms first developed the capacity for complex thought. Practical application was just as; if not more, vital as theory.
"Morning," Bokomon greeted him, he and Piyomon lugging plastic bags as they came near. "Did you already have breakfast?"
"Yeah," Naruto answered idly. "Where were you guys?"
"Where else? Getting a tour of the Academy, where my desk is gonna be and the class I'll be teaching," Bokomon answered, resting the bags on the table. "After that, me and Piyomon picked up some bread. Want some?"
"Hm?" Naruto tore his gaze away from the tablet to espie the bags, the smell of freshly baked goodness wafting in his direction. "Uh, yeah, sure." He made a grab for a loaf that Bokomon handed to him and lodged it between his teeth to free both hands. "What kinda class are you gonna be teaching?" he asked through a mouthful.
Bokomon answered after taking a bite out of his own bread next to Piyomon. "Math and science. I can't write characters that well yet, so sections of the curriculum like reading and writing are gonna be relegated to other instructors."
Naruto hummed in curiosity. "Did you happen to meet Iruka-sensei?"
"He was the one who gave us the tour," Bokomon nodded.
"So, what do you think of the Academy?" Naruto needled curiously.
"Well, it has all the essential facilities. A clinic, a library, guidance counseling," the scholar answered, bringing out a notebook from his haramaki as he kept eating. He placed it on the table and slid it up to Naruto. "Speaking of, this is yours. Iruka told me to give it to you."
Naruto glanced at what Bokomon meant, finding it to be his notes. "Oh yeah, forgot I left it."
"You really should be more careful," Bokomon lightly admonished. "I know how it is when you forget stuff, but being too absent-minded isn't a good thing."
"Yeah, yeah," Naruto huffed, mildly annoyed from having to split his focus between the conversation and the game. That was when a thought came to him. This must be what it feels like. Having someone to discipline him. Granted, he's had people do that before. They were just more…brusque in how they did. No, not all of them.
"Uh, say, what's your impression of Iruka-sensei?"
Bokomon shrugged. "Real friendly, I guess." He figured the man was one of the few people that Naruto had a good relation with, having observed it in the way Iruka would; when asked, speak on end about how much he had a headache in dealing with the boy's antics. The frustration was there, of course, but it was more of a paternal or fraternal sort.
"Was he…" Bokomon trailed off, causing Naruto to cut him a bemused look.
"Was he, what?"
Bokomon made a motion with his hand. "Has he ever…"
Naruto's eyes widened when it registered. "Nah, Iruka-sensei's cool." He returned his attention to the game, head lower. "More than I can say for…well…"
"I heard about…what happened, from the Hokage," Bokomon broached gently. "One of the instructors. Mizuki, was it?"
Naruto's brows knit into a frown the moment the man's name reached his ears, but didn't follow up, wordlessly telling the scholar that it was a sensitive topic.
"So, how do you feel?" Bokomon shifted the subject.
"Okay, I guess?" the boy answered. "Why?"
"Like, do you feel any aches, cramps?"
"A little after I woke up," Naruto provided. "It went away after I started moving."
"Good," Bokomon nodded. If there was any lasting pain, that was when they needed to stop. Oton may have been harsh in his training regimen, but he always made sure the boy's body wasn't overloaded to the point of major injury. Human bodies weren't built like Digimon, who were tougher and more durable at an exponentially higher rate. Even Human Digimon outclassed their species in that regard. A torn ligament, a pulled muscle, and that was it. There was no coming back. Unless they were in the Digital World, where medicine had advanced to the point that cloning or repairing body parts were but a minor procedure.
Here, they still needed to be careful. "So, what's on today's agenda?"
Naruto hummed to himself. "I could go for a walk."
Bokomon smiled. "Sure, but after all the running you've been doing, a walk should be the most you're good for. Remember, try not to stress your body the whole time you're supposed to be on break."
"Got it," Naruto nodded in the affirmative. That was when a thought occurred to him. "How about we go to the top of the Hokage Monument? All three of us."
"We could make it a picnic," Bokomon added, causing Piyomon to trill in excitement. "We have more than enough food."
"I'll carry the cooler!" Piyomon suggested, before finishing what was left of her bread.
Bokomon smiled, inwardly commending the young Digimon developing a sense of responsibility. "Alright, we're in clover!"
After saving his progress, Naruto went to the gym's bathroom, but instead of a hot shower, he was to soak in a large tub of steaming warm water, and for an hour, do slow and gentle stretches. This was a variation of the stretches he'd do before training, during which his entire body was warmed up by the suit to help loosen his muscles. This had the added benefit of helping his recovery by reducing tension as the fibrous cells were mending. He couldn't remember the last good bath he's had, the suit keeping him clean after Oton informed him of such a feature, allowing him to put in extra time into his training. He actually missed the feel, and after finishing his stretches, there was just something so rewarding about it that he found a new appreciation for bathing.
"Come to think of it, when was the last time I used the toilet?" He shrugged the thought away as soon as it crossed his mind. It probably wasn't that important. He whistled a jaunty tune to himself as he went ahead in scrubbing his body.
Later…
It was a good and uneventful day as the three friends milled about through town, seeing people dressed in varying warm apparel. In a long sleeved shirt and black sweatpants, Naruto walked with a steady gait as he was carrying ten large bento boxes parceled on top of one another, strapped to his back by rope wound around his shoulders and across his torso. A long wool scarf was coiled snugly around his neck. Next to him was Piyomon, also sporting a wool scarf, shouldering the cooler. Bokomon, dressed in one of Naruto's old jackets, was in the lead as they headed for the same store that sold them futons to buy what they further needed for their picnic. An unexpected cold spell had fallen on Konoha, which was bizarre as it was in the middle of June. Still, any break from the heat was welcome as the three could see adults and children alike enjoying themselves out in the open.
Once they arrived, Naruto voted to stand outside, both to "keep watch", and because he would always get bored in picking stuff out when it wasn't him buying. Piyomon elected to accompany the scholar to help him, leaving the cooler to rest beside the young Uzumaki. Once he was left to his lonesome, the boy stared blankly at space, not paying attention to the crowd coming and going, with some sending the usual glares his way and muttering curses under their breath. Others were more taken aback at the cargo he was lugging, or ignored him.
Naruto paid none of it any heed, his thoughts beginning to wander. His gaze lazily traveled to the Hokage Monument, landing on his father's visage after the other three. He smiled wanly. You were there the whole time. You and mom.
Him, the son of the Fourth Hokage. He just knew that if he ended up bragging about such a thing, he'd get to all kinds of trouble. Other than getting called crazy or a shameless liar, potential spies would have even more of a reason to either kill or abduct him. Hiruzen had been very particular and adamant that he not disclose such a secret. It was why from the day he was born, he had been under constant guard, only to intervene if his life was in genuine danger.
Naruto hung his head pensively.
Wait a minute. Doesn't that make it kind of redundant?
Why do you believe that, Naruto-kun?
I mean, I'm an Uzumaki, right? Using my mom's surname? Shouldn't that already make me a target?
It does, but think of how even more valuable that would place you in the eyes of an enemy village if your full parentage was public knowledge. Agents would redouble their efforts, diplomacy be damned, in getting their hands on you. Dead or alive, you are genealogically valuable to anyone who would be capable of harnessing your DNA alone. Here is where I must confess that there have been attempts on your life before, but were met with swift intervention. Shamefully, it was the best protection we could afford for you. At least at the time. Recent events have reproached me of my foolishness.
He remembered having gone silent after that crestfallen admission, with only a frown to betray how he felt after putting more of the pieces together.
The elderly Hokage knew better now than to test his surrogate grandson's trust after having been humbled, for it was the one line that was tying them together until their relationship could be repaired. As such, barring what was classified, the boy was allowed to know just enough of his parents, and the legacy they left behind.
Kakashi was the one to tell. That his father was a war hero to Konoha, as opposed to their enemies, who saw him as a war criminal. Which, in his personal opinion, was them partially deflecting from their own share of transgressions, with the privilege of having witnessed some firsthand at the frontlines. That wasn't to say that Konoha had any high ground to stand on.
Not at all was it a boast borne out of patriotic fervor that their village was the strongest. With that said, one does not simply reach and maintain such a status by playing nice.
Geographically, the vast lands of Fire Country were fertile and rich, ideal for a people to flourish. The Noble Clans that were rallied by Senju Hashirama under his banner and made the village their home contributed greatly to their military might, owed to the advantages granted to them by their respective bloodlines. Naruto was asked to imagine himself as someone not of Konoha nor Fire Country in order to better understand the intricacies of geopolitik.
Visualize yourself as being from Sunagakure, where they have to live and adapt in an arid desert, where it's difficult to grow crops. Or Iwagakure, where they've thrived and carved their homes in the very heart of the mountains that stand as their line of defense. A good vantage point, but they more or less face the same problems as Suna. Each of the villages want a piece of what we have, or preferably all of it. That's what drives most of our conflicts with one another, Naruto. Disputes concerning land, resources, territory. Of course, we're not about to just hand any of it over. That's where diplomacy comes in. But, in the event that talks fall through; and they almost always do, spilling blood is unavoidable. Which is why you must always remember. As Konoha shinobi, we fight for Konoha's interests, and in essence, the interests of Fire Country.
Minato himself was a soldier who did nothing more than what was expected of him. However, what placed his father in a league of his own was a capacity for mercy or restraint when needed. One famous incident was his encounter with the AB Brothers of Kumo. Kakashi did not mince words in stating that; after their father who was the previous Raikage, they were the strongest their village had to offer, with A eventually succeeding the office. Had either or both brothers fell by his father's hand, Kumogakure would have sworn a blood oath of revenge against Konoha, and most especially his next of kin. Iwa held just such a grudge after he single handedly decimated their forces during the war.
Which brought them to another topic worth mentioning and one that held significance to his status. Even in a time of peace, the Elemental Nations were embroiled in a perpetual arms race, vying for whatever could give them an edge. It was why the Tailed Beasts; and in essence, the Jinchūriki, were highly valued as much as coveted. Kumogakure had nearly succeeded with kidnapping Kushina had it not been for Minato having found her in time and dispatching the squad charged with her capture.
Your parents were working towards a better future for the village, and when you came into the picture, a world of peace for you to be born in. While…none of that exactly panned out as they had hoped, I, and many others whose lives they affected are keeping their will and dreams alive. As their son, that would have naturally fallen unto you, as well, but things have changed. For better or worse, that remains to be seen, but I'm sure they would have wanted you to tread your own path regardless.
He was both ashamed and enlightened over what it meant to be a shinobi, and the sacrifices expected of them for the sake of the village.
A better and peaceful world.
Tch! Nonsense. Nothing more than propaganda. You'll only ever be serving Konoha's interests first, which means everything else comes second, if at all. And even if you succeed in installing peace, it'll only ever be on Konoha's terms.
What's wrong with that?
Naive! Just as that Sharingan bastard said, see it from an outsider's perspective. Konoha will always come first. In terms of resources, territories and whatnot, the village will benefit the most out of whatever clause or treaty will be put in place.
That…wouldn't happen. Jii-chan wouldn't-
It already does. Do you have any idea how big Konoha is on trade alone? It isn't the wealthiest village for nothing. And who says it has to be Sarutobi? He's got his own closet full of skeletons, majority of which in the literal sense. Corruption is constant. In fact, you might end up succumbing to it yourself in the event that you do end up succeeding.
No, that won't happen.
So you say.
I won't! Be-
Yes, yes, believe it! I'm sure you're quite pure and incorruptible! You're the chosen one. The guy we've all been waiting for this whole time to save the rivers and trees. Puh! Wake up to reality before you end up hurting yourself. True, unconditional peace is a ludicrous pipe dream, bordering on impossible.
What makes it so impossible if that's really all people could ever want?
Because there are those who don't want peace, either for profit or some other arbitrary reason. There are even those who don't know how to live in peace times. If it was indeed possible, don't you think it would have happened by now, even ages ago? Shinobi, in case it hasn't yet clicked inside that noggin of yours, gain their livelihood from conflict, which is antithetical in the pursuit of true peace, and nothing ever lasts forever.
Yeah, but it wouldn't hurt to try, right?
There was a brief pause, before he mentally heard the rumbling of laughter.
Oh, many have tried, boy, and it hurt them more than you'll ever know. I do, since I did some of the hurting. Or, maybe you will. Sooner or later. Such lofty ideals don't come cheap. Everything in this world costs something and is built on sacrifices. Which naturally brings up a very simple question.
How much?
Naruto mulled it over. Maybe I'll figure something out along the way. I still have to try.
"I am trying, damn it!"
"Hm?" Naruto was finally pulled out of his stupor at the sound of a voice. Whose it was, he found familiar, and sure enough, he turned away from his father's face to find Kanda and his goons huddled next to him. Odd thing was, the bespectacled boy had his arms and a foot up, as if he was getting ready to kick something.
The blonde glanced down to find that his white shirt had smudges of dirt on it, with the faint outline of a sole from a sandal showing.
Did he just…?
All three of the bullies were gaping at the blonde. They had been enjoying a day of hanging out after Kanda's father had given him his weekly allowance, spending some of it to buy the latest manga and the rest on sweets. It was when they passed by the street where they found Naruto, looking distantly at the Hokage Monument, and…the boxes tied to his back, that they had the idea of kicking him down. It was perfect, or so they thought as they crept up to their distracted quarry.
Kanda happily volunteered, and with as much strength as he could eagerly lever, slammed his foot at Naruto's side. Their fun was cut short when, instead of toppling over like a pile of loose bricks, the blonde seemingly withstood the assault, barely budging an inch.
At first, Kanda's buddies teased him that he hadn't kicked hard enough, much to their leader's offense, who fired back that he did. A minute into their spat, however, Kōza noticed something strange. With all the noise they've been making, Naruto hadn't once reacted, much less glanced in their direction. Bemused, Kanda nudged the young Uzumaki on the shoulder, which failed to garner so much as a twitch from the distant boy. Bewildered, Kanda swung in another kick as a test. Still nothing. Annoyance turned into frustration as he repeated the action a few more times, right until he yelled back at Ichiro for wondering if he was even trying.
Naruto muttered something under his breath as he dusted off the grime.
The three boys shared perplexed looks, then stared at the blonde quizzically. Could he have simply ignored them on purpose?
"Try harder next time," Naruto said with a disapproving scowl. "Talk about lame."
As if they themselves were broken out of a trance, Kanda retorted with, "Who are you calling lame, whiskers? I'm not the one pretending!"
"Hm? Pretending?" Naruto echoed with a confused cock of a brow, looking up to meet their sneers.
"Wow, are you seriously playing dumb?" Kanda said smugly, having regained his confidence. "Didn't think you even needed to." He trailed off by meeting Ichiro's high five.
Naruto blinked in genuine puzzlement. "What are you talking about?"
"Dude, really? Miss us with that tough guy act," Ichiro jeered at him.
They think I'm faking it? Naruto's scowl became annoyed, but decided to let their insults slide.
"Pathetic!" Kanda spat directly at the blonde's face. "Just keep being stupid, whiskers."
As they went on their way down the street, Kanda became left to his own thoughts. What the fuck even was that? It was like I was kicking a damn post!
He looked over his shoulder at a once again pensive Naruto. I was giving it everything I got! Did he really not feel a thing? Kanda wasn't an idiot. Well into his assault, it gradually sunk in that his foot wasn't connecting with pudgy flesh. Tch! I bet he was just being weighed down by those boxes, and he must have been wearing padding, or something. Whatever. He's still not gonna make the cut. He was confident that he wouldn't have to see Naruto's dumb face again by the time classes resume.
You should have just snapped their necks.
I'd rather not get into trouble if I can help it, much less give in to your bullshit temptations. Kanda and his goon squad aren't even worth it.
On their knees before your feet like the worms they are, then?
Next you're gonna want me to dress and dye my hair in all black, wear a mask, and wax poetic about being the prince of darkness that will bring the world to despair while writing actual bad poetry.
He could feel Kurama cringing. Never mind, then.
Naruto inwardly rolled his eyes, having warmed up to these conversations they'd have. The two of them had come to something of an understanding, though they were far from bosom buddies. Kurama; his issues aside, still had an inkling of a soft spot for his godfather, and with Bokomon having warned him not to overplay his hand, it was the most their relationship could amount to at present.
By the way,
Kurama sighed. What?
What does…'antithetical' mean?
There was a pause.
Try picking up a dictionary, idiot! Or better yet, why not actually study?
Well it's not like I know a lot of big words. And I am studying.
Obviously nowhere close to enough! Tch, Kushina was never this ignorant at your age.
Hey, uh…can you-
No.
But-
No.
Just a little?
Kurama, reclining on his chair and nursing a stiff drink, ground his teeth at the memories of being with Kushina. He looked up at the ceiling, sensing Naruto's dismay at the dismissal. It should have filled him with joy, but instead, all it did was make his stomach turn. The ambiance was killing his mood, taking a swig.
We never got along. Satisfied?
What else? A growl from the fox prompted him to concede. Oh, uh, one more thing.
What is it this time? Kurama huffed irately.
I was just wondering. Why are you so scared of Bokomon? I mean, what kind of teacher was he?
He expected a response in the same irritated or condescending tone, but was instead met with silence.
Hey! Co-!
"Sorry it took a while," Bokomon said apologetically after exiting the store with Piyomon. "The guy kept us occupied, there was a really big sale, and-
His words got caught in his throat as soon as he did a quick scan of Naruto. "Did something happen?"
"Nah!" Naruto waved a hand dismissively, then patted at what was left of the dirt with the same hand. "Some kids were playing ball and I got hit."
He'll know you're lying.
True to Kurama's words, Bokomon didn't buy it, but decided against pressing. If Naruto could handle being bullied, then he'll only see fit to intervene if it was genuinely severe. He wasn't going to hold the boy's hand the entire way.
Sighing through his nostrils, a small smile then tugged at the scholar's lips. "Come on. If we hurry, we can make it by lunch time."
"Yay!" Piyomon cheered, raising the cooler high overhead, both hers and Naruto's stomachs rumbling as they perked up.
"Naruto?"
Hearing his name, the blonde looked up from his friends to find Shikamaru and Choji standing together from the other end of the street. All too willing to forget about Kanda, Naruto beamed at the boys. "Hey!"
"What are you…up to this time?" the Nara heir asked suspiciously as they came near, hands in his pockets, having snuck a glance at the load the blonde was carrying mid-sentence. He was dressed in a gray sweater and black pants. Peeking out of his pocket was a woven bracelet entwined around his left wrist.
Choji, who was cradling a paper bag with one arm, recognized the bento boxes for what they were, along with the cooler and the rolled up mat with Piyomon and Bokomon respectively. "You guys going for a picnic?" The Akamichi heir was wearing a black jacket over a white t-shirt, black cargo pants and boots. He fished out a potato croquette from the paper bag and bit into it. "Got any room for two more?"
"Isn't it a little too cold out for a picnic?" Shikamaru called out.
"Hey, the sun's still up, and we've got hot soup in the cooler," Naruto shrugged. "Might as well. Can I have some?" Choji generously pitched the paper bag to him for a croquette.
Shikamaru could plainly see that Choji was all for it, their morning stroll originally for the sole purpose of goofing off after a tedious week of training and study. With a sigh, he complied. "Fine, but the food better be good."
Naruto grinned with a hint of smugness. "Oh, don't worry. You guys haven't lived until you've tried my uncle's cooking." He and Bokomon shared a meaningful glance before he spoke. If he had been honest as to who the actual cook of the food was, it'd open him up to questions.
"So where to?" Shikamaru prodded as they went on their way, inwardly rolling his eyes from how unsubtle the exchange was between the blonde and his 'uncle'.
Elsewhere…
"Whew! Weird weather today, eh, Toko!" A middle aged man, wearing a dark blue hanten with patches of light blue on the elbows and green pants with white swirls, scratched the ear of his dog affectionately, earning him an adorable sigh from the pup that was resting on his lap. Taking a sip from his green tea, he was enjoying a break from carpentry because of the drop in temperature. He smiled in contentment, him and his canine companion seated on a bench in front of a shop, a plate of half eaten dango next to him.
"Scuse me, friend, but would you kindly point me to where I can find these three?"
The man was broken out of his relaxing reverie by the boom of a voice, with an octave so deep that it sounded almost inhuman, and when he looked up to trace the source, the little barks from his dog were immediately drowned out by the sheer terror that shot up his entire body.
Coming out of nowhere, a figure was standing next to him. It looked vaguely humanoid, but the focus of his fear wasn't at the creature's ginormous height that had to be around a full 10 feet, or the muscled physique under the thick cloak obscuring its head down to the waist.
"O…O…O-On-" He was cut off by the creature putting its finger up to its repulsive lips, which was set in a wide, open mouthed scowl that exposed its large tongue and sharp, knife-like canines.
Its face. Its horrendously hideous face that could have only belonged to an Oni, looked back at him under the shadow of the cloak. He frantically darted his gaze around, hoping to find help from a shinobi, and was left stunned that people were walking about like nothing was out of the ordinary.
"Easy there, fella," the creature spoke in a low rumble, spooking the man further despite the attempt at pacifying him. "I ain't gonna hurt 'ya. Not unless you give me a reason to. I'm just asking where I can find some guys, and I'll let you be."
The man, shaking like a leaf while trying to calm his still barking pet, swallowed a lump that lodged itself in his throat. "O-O-Okay…" Someone help…
Without delay, the creature presented to him a sheet of paper, with pictures of what he could make out were three figures, bordered by unreadable gibberish. One of them he recognized easily. "That…that…"
"Yes?"
The man returned his attention to the creature, wanting desperately to make a break for it, but was rooted in place by his trembling legs. With quivering lips, he croaked out, "I…I happen to kn-kn-know…one of them."
"Good," the creature said, its breath coming out in a condensed vapor. "Do tell."
*Yes, English does indeed exist in Naruto. Big surprise. I decided to place this little reference in considering who Guy shares his voice actor with.
Also, yes, I'm going to be changing up some of the canon. Another big surprise. But since this is fanfiction, I think part of the point is not to make every little tiny thing follow canon to the exact letter. Otherwise, sooner or later, I'd be staring down the end of a lawyer's checkered tie. Will my changes make sense? Maybe. You decide.