Chapter 4 - Stone Demon
It was towards the end of his second year of training. To say Naruto became powerful, it was an understatement. Now, seven years old, the blond Namikaze was jumping through the trees.
As he was jumping, Naruto noticed a squad of Kumo ninja after him. "Haha, is that all you guys have?" Naruto asked as his barrier formed around his body. With the intense training from Mikoto and his own, Naruro learned how to properly use his gravity release.
"Gravity Release - Almighty Barrier!" Naruto shouted and the lightning strikes failed to pierce through the barrier. "Gravity Release - Almighty Push!" Naruto shouted as the Kumo ninja along with a big part of the forest were sent flying.
Once Naruto arrived at the small home he and Mikoto created, the blond entered. "Mikoto sensei, I'm home!" Naruto called out.
"Hello, Naruto. How did the mission go?" Asked the Uchiha woman.
"I wish Lord Third would give me a B or A ranked mission. I cleared the Suns camp and sent some Kumo ninja that were chasing me away." Naruto said as he grabbed a cup of instant ramen.
"No worries. You will get them. It takes time. Remember, we are only approaching the third year of your training. I'm sure once your training is done, you will be given higher level missions." Mikoto said but frowned when she saw Naruto's drop.
"Mikoto sensei?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah? What's wrong?" The woman asked.
"When the year is over, does this mean I won't be your student anymore?" Naruto asked.
"No, Naruto. Just because our training trip will be over, it doesn't mean our team is done. We left the village to focus on your training without any distractions." Mikoto said.
This returned Naruto's smile. The two are their dinner and prepared for bed. Morning time came around fast and the two were dressed up to begin the day.
"What's our plan for today?" Naruto asked.
"We have an A rank Assassination mission. Tell me, what do you know about the Stone Demon of Iwakagure?" Mikoto asked.
"Whoa! An A rank? I can't wait. But no, who is he?" Naruto asked.
"He is one of the leading commanders of Iwa. His death would result in a massive lead for Konoha in the war. It will take us about a month to get to the Land of Earrh." Mikoto said.
"Sounds like a plan. When are we leaving?" Naruto asked.
"In one hour. Go pack your scrolls, we won't be coming back here." Mikoto said and the blond did as he was told.
The two began their travel. As they were moving, I Koto kept giving her student small glances. The once, five year old brat she took on became a seven year old boy with the skills that could rival Iwa's dust release.
"Hey, I sense a few chakra signatures ahead." Naruto said.
"Okay, let's get be guard." Mikoto said.
"No worries, they are from Konoha." Naruto pointed out.
"How can you tell?" Mikoto asked with an eyebrow raised.
"I don't know how to explain it. Ever since I learned of my sensory ability, I could always sense that person and know who chakra it was. It's Kakashi, Rin, and Obito. They are fighting against three strong shinobi." Naruto said.
"Come on, let's go." Mikoto said and the two moved at high speeds.
With Team 7
"Damn, these guys are too much." Kakashi thought as he used his white fang sword to block an attack.
"You Konoha shinobi are a joke." Shouted one of the ninja as they fired a barrage of rocks from the ground.
"Fire Release - Fire Wall Jutsu!" Shouted Obito. The piercing rocks were burnt to ashes.
"Kakashi, now!" Rin declared as both her and Kakashi mixed their water and lightning release jutsu.
Being jonin from Iwa, they weren't jonin for nothing. The three in sight managed to avoid the attack.
"Earth Release - Devouring Earth!" Said a new voice that came in the area. The ground started to form around the Konoha ninja.
As they expected to be killed, they heard an unknown voice. "Gravity Release - Almighty Pull!"
Rin, Obito, and Kakashi were pulled from the center of the jutsu. "Naruto? Is that you?" Asked Rin disbelief.
Naruto smirked. "The one and only." Naruto replied.
"Naruto. I told you to wait up." Mikoto said as she arrived.
"Mikoto? What are you doing here?" Asked Obito in disbelief.
"Coming to help you guys out. Now. What's going on, where is Minato?" Asked Mikoto.
"We got depressed. These Iwa ninja are no joke. I think we should call for backup." Obito said.
"Why?" Naruto asked.
"Didn't you see them? Each of them are jonin, not to mention. The Stone Demon is here." Kakashi said.
"Oh, cool. Do you guys mind if I give it a shot?" Naruto asked innocently.
Rin glared at the blond. "Didn't you just hear us? These guys are too much. Only Mikoto sensei has a chance. It's also four against one." Rin explained.
"Man, Mikoto sensei, can I fight them?" Naruto asked.
She shook her head. "No, we need to be careful. Do you know why he is called the stone demon?" Asked Mikoto.
"No. Where did he get his name from?" Naruto asked.
"He received his name from his mastery of the Earth Release. His level is on par with Lord second's water release. He isn't just someone we can take lightly." Mikoto explained.
Naruto sighed. "Fine, can I at least have the three smaller ones?" Naruto asked.
Mikoto smirked at her student but shook her head. "No. Kakashi, call your ninja hounds and have them get backup. I'll deal with these joker." Mikoto said as she drew her sword.
"Hey, you three deal with the woman. I'm not getting my hands dirty over a Konoha whore." The Stone demon said.
Naruto growled. "Hey! I'll make you pay for that!" Naruto shouted but was stopped by Mikoto with a warm smile.
"Remember, a calm mind is a powerful mind. Don't let them get to you." Mikoto said.
Naruto nodded obediently. "Kick their asses, sensei." Naruto said with a smirk of conviction.
Two of the Iwa ninja created earth dragons that charged at the Uchiha woman. The third ninja charged as he went through a series of hand seals. Mikoto was able to create a lightning strike that she copied from Naruto when he suggested it was a good idea.
The dragons were destroyed and when the man in the center appeared in front of her, he prepared to use some kind of Explosion release Kekkei Genkai. It was thanks to her quick reflexes that allowed her to use a substitution at such a close range.
"Damn, we almost had her." One of the Iwakagure shouted.
"Come on! Formation B!" Shouted one of the earth dragon summoners. He created a massive barricade around Mikoto. The other dragon summoner created orbs of mud that were preparing the stop her from mixing.
The final shinobi charged and used his explosion release. The explosion occurred but nothing happened "Gravity Release - Almighty Barrier." Said the voice of Naruto.
"Finish it." Mikoto called out. Rin, Obito, and Kakashi were surprised. So surprised that the sight before them nearly made them pass out.
"Gravity Release - Almighty Pulse!" Naruto shouted and in an instant, the three Iwakagure were crushed. Blood splattered everywhere. Mikoto smiled brightly at her student.
"Good work. Now do you see why I told you to hold back?" Mikoto asked.
"Haha, yeah. But it would have been faster if you let me do it from the beginning. I mean, it isn't like they could have stopped it." Naruto said.
"But aren't powerful ninja the ones who make use of cool fights, considered cool shinobi?" Mikoto asked in a playful tone.
Naruto laughed. "Haha, yeah! You are right." Naruto said.
"What the hell was that?" Asked the stone demon.
"Mikoto sensei? What did Naruto do?" Asked Rin as she looked at the young blond.
Mikoto smiled. "He has what is known as Kekkei Tota. A powerful bloodline that's considered to be the most power. It even rivals the Dust release." Mikoto explained.
"Minato sensei and Lady Kushina haven't shown any forms of having a bloodline." Kakashi said.
"I guess Naruto is blessed. From my understanding, it's been hundreds of years since another gravity user was seen." Mikoto said.
"Hmph. I guess I'll make quick work of that brat before he becomes a problem!" The stone demon shouted as he charged with impressive speeds with earth tornados forming.
"Gravity Release - Almighty Push." Naruto said and the Iwa ninja along with his tornados were sent flying away.
As the Iwa ninja picked himself up. He mentally cursed. It was then he realized that the only way to take the boy down would be to take out his friends. The stone demon remained hidden while preparing his dust release.
Once the jutsu was ready, he proceeded to the group. "It's over! I'll kill you all! Dust Release!" The mean shouted but never got to finish.
"Gravity Release - Almighty Pulse." Naruto said and in that moment, the stone demon's body splattered with blood everywhere.
Team seven had become sick at seeing the sight. The once pure and innocent, little boy, he changed into a shinobi that could kill in a moment. He killed four shinobi, with one of them being an Iwagakure legend.
Minato soon arrived in a flash. "Sorry I'm late. Is everything alright?" Minato asked before he looked over. "Mikoto, you eliminated the stone demon?" Asked the blond jonin.
"Nope. It seems your little clone has some unlocked potential." Mikoto said as she pointed at the frowning Naruto.
The boy was glaring at the dead body of the Iwa ninja and kept looking at his hands. Minato walked over to his son and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you alright, Naruto?" Asked Minato.
"Dad... I crushed those four like it was nothing. In a mere moment, I ended there lives. Three jonin and one Anbu level ninja. This isn't right." Naruto said.
It was then everyone realized that the hardcore warrior that just fought and pulled an impressive feat, was reverting to being a seven year old boy. Minato crouched down. "Nothing about war is right. But that's why we fight. We fight so we can end the wars and live in peace." Minato said to his son.
"So, I'm not a monster?" Asked Naruto.
"No. In fact, you just saved my entire team. You should be proud of yourself." Minato said.
Naruto nodded before grabbing a kunai and slicing his hand. "I vow on this wound. I'll never back down, I will do what I must to bring peace to the shinobi world. Even if it means, killing the kindness in my heart, believe it." Naruto said.