Naruto – The Anime/Manga Series
Disclaimer: Kishimoto owns Naruto
A/N: Thanks for reading my story and thank you for the fact that you are going to read this chapter as well ^_^.. I don't have anything important to say at the start of this chapter, so…. Well! Heh…. ^_^' Please enjoy!!
There Where When is Now
- Chapter 5
No one could ever say to him was not experienced in anything. He had been threatened for than once in his life. He had killed far more than once in his life. He knew what it was like to like something or someone and he even knew the sensation called love. He mostly lived his life in a depressive state when alone and put up a powerful façade when he wasn't alone. He knew what it was like to be hated, ignored and especially rejected. On the other hand, he also knew the feelings of happiness and joy, although these feelings didn't visit his person that often. He craved for revenge and would unleash his wrath. There were all kinds of emotions swimming through his head.
If he would visit his old village, the village would not survive; he would make sure of that. All will perish, save for one… And that would Iruka, his first teacher, the very first one who actually cared about him. He was the first person who showed him another emotion next to loneliness… Still, it would come to killing him anyway, since he would be the only one left. Iruka would have to suffer if he was the only survivor of the Leaf Village, so to put it in other words, he would put him out of his misery. But the others, the others will die because they deserve to die!
Hatake Kakashi, the total fake that he was for pretending to care about Naruto by being their Jounin instructor. It was obvious from the beginning Kakashi liked Sakura and Sasuke more than he liked him.. Sure, Kakashi didn't show any real hatred towards him, but that wasn't necessarily, he knew quite enough. Especially when he begged Kakashi to train him.. and he took Sasuke to train instead of him.. Man, would he pay for that…
Uchiha Sasuke, the total embodiment of resentment. God, would he love ripping the limbs out of his body and give them to someone as a present. The Uchiha 'Avenger' deserves to die the hardest, longest and harshest death ever. He who showed nothing but disdain towards him. He would show him who has always been the strongest..
Haruno Sakura, the one he actually had a crush on. She who had made him painfully experience rejection. Thanks to her he knew what it felt like to be ignored and disliked. Truth be told, Naruto would never forget that distinct feeling.. And he would repay her for it.
But right now, it seemed there would be no time for such things. Even if would encounter any people from Leaf Village or walk through Leaf Village, they had to restrain themselves. They had a mission now. He, Neji and Gaara. The Stone Village was their target and their mission was to get the Hidden scroll.. They spent several weeks preparing for this mission and all of them had learned several secret Jutsus of the Hidden scroll from the Leaf Village. Itachi and Dareda were on their way to the Sand Village, while Mokito, Sinobi and Kisame were sent towards the smaller village of Rain to go through and hit the Grass Village. These missions were straight out dangerous..
Right now, the three of them were on their way towards the Stone Village, occasionally training in between.
Hyuga Neji was considered equal to Hyuga Dareda, if he hadn't surpassed him yet. Everyone in their little Mercenary group knew Neji had become a real strong Hyuga fighter. With exact precision even someone with a super-brain, like Shikamaru, would probably not outsmart him now.. He held somewhat the same grudges as Dareda and had sworn to finish off the Hyuga clan in the Leaf Village. Or what was left from it.
Gaara would pay a little visit to the Sand Village after all of this, planning to kill all of them, perhaps he would spare his brother and sister…. Perhaps..
"We should sleep here tonight. The chances of being sneaked upon are close to none. And someone does try and kill us in our sleep.. We would hear it." Neji concluded as he surveyed their surroundings.
"Hmm, as if we wouldn't notice their presence.." Naruto mused out loud.
Neji nodded. "True, but I want to sleep without worries tonight."
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"Ah, Nara-sensei?"
Shikamaru looked at his little student, Ruin, as he stared at him, ready to ask a probable troublesome question. "What is it, Aoba-kun?" He responded, continuing to walk beside Ten-Ten.
"Well… what is the Stone Village like, Nara-sensei?" The little guy asked as he scratched the back of his head, through his black hair.
Shikamaru stared at his little student with a hopeless look as he walked. "Well, to tell you the truth.. I've never been there… But Ten-Ten over here.."
Ten-Ten gazed at Ruin with a brilliant smile, making Ruin blush. "Yep!! It's a very peaceful village, kinda similar to our village. They have the same rules and such, but their basic Jutsus are different than ours. I don't know much of their history or their Hokage.." She said, mildly embarrassed that she hadn't done her homework before heading for the Stone Village.
What Shikamaru found the most annoying thing on this trip was the fact that three students were having the time of their life, while pulling pranks everywhere along the road. Konohamaru, Udon and Moegi were shooting all kinds of things at people that just walked by or helpless animals. And they were doing it with a lot of noise. 'How troublesome..'
Aoba Ruin simply walked behind Shikamaru by himself, Kensu was walking behind Ten-Ten also alone and Enola Mohe was walking behind the infamous Konohamaru Corps.
Another big explosion came and laughter followed, accompanied by a groan from Shikamaru.
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There was an ancient saying and the Hidden Scroll of the Leaf was a part of it. If only she had listened to the Third's story better. Now she was forced to go through all of Konoha's history documents to see how dangerous their Hidden Scroll was when in hands of others. Tsunade just couldn't remember what the Third had said when she was still a Genin. She did know it would be very dangerous.. Jiraiya wouldn't know, he was, after all, a lot dumber than her. Orochimaru would probably know, but that's another story..
Jiraiya, Kakashi and Gai were on their way to him right now. She didn't expect them to come back with Sasuke, or his corpse for that matter. She had sent the new Rookie Genin Teams on their first C-ranked missions today. With the Jounins that were leading, it would be a piece of cake anyway.
'Goddamnit! Where the hell is that damn scroll?!'
"Hokage-sama.."
Tsunade didn't turn around and continued to throw away document after document. She would put them all back… in a week or so.. "Haruno-san.. What is it?"
Sakura hesitated and took one step forward as she looked at the crouched woman before her. "I… did you already send a team to retrieve Sasuke-kun?"
Tsunade still didn't turn around. "Yeah, Kakashi is on it." Suddenly, she turned around. "Sakura, perhaps you know… Do you know something about the Hidden Scroll of Secret Jutsus from out village?" Tsunade asked. 'Kakashi has taught her, and the Fourth has taught Kakashi, perhaps they told each other and so on..'
Sakura frowned and then shook her head. "I'm sorry.. I don't know.."
Tsunade groaned and turned back to her searching. "Sakura, as you can see I'm a little busy right now, I'm sorry…" She turned around again. "Maybe you can do something for me.. Could you bring Morino Ibiki to me and ask him to bring his former Genin Team mates with him?"
Sakura nodded. "Yes, Hokage-sama!"
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Silence. Familiar movements of bugs around him told him there were three of them. He motioned towards his subordinates to make no moves and just observe for now. Sure enough these three radiated great Chakra levels, but they were searching for Leaf missing-nins and no other. He really didn't feel like wasting any time on something else.
As silent as ever, another ANBU hunter-nin landed next to Aburame Shino and reported. "One from the Lightning Village, another from the Mist Village and the third doesn't wear a headband and is female…"
Shino nodded. 'No…. these weren't from the Leaf.' Shino watched as he let them pass them, while they stayed silent in the trees. 'But these three are up to something… Seems they're headed for the Rain Village..'
"What do we do, leader?" one asked.
Shino looked at the female who asked what to do through his mask. "We do nothing. We move on somewhere else, it seems they're nowhere near here."
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They had already given the important scrolls to the Hokage of the Wind Country and were about to leave the Sand Village again. It was then that Hyuga Hanabi suddenly spoke up and told her Jounin instructor Lee, that there were three people following them. Gekkou Toji coughed once, before gripping the swords on his back, while Morino Ujin cruelly smirked.
'I wonder who it is..' Lee thought as he looked at the direction they would come from with a frown on his face. 'Surely they won't attack a Leaf Jounin and his team?'
Lee's frown turned into a small smile as he saw Kankurou, Temari and their former teacher, Baki land before them.
"Lee-san." Temari greeted with a nod.
During these last few years, the relationship between the Sand and the Leaf had improved a great deal. Lee had learned that Temari and Kankurou weren't really that bad as he often came across them during missions in other villages and the village of Sand.
"Ah, We came to accompany you on your way back to the Leaf." Baki announced as he also greeted Lee with a nod and gave his little Genin team a strange smile. "We have important information for your Hokage.."
Kankurou just remained silent, still with his puppet on his back.
"Well, Ok… Nice to see you all again! Oh! These are my new students! This here is Hyuga Hanabi. And those two are Morino Ujin and Gekkou Toji."
Baki, Kankurou and Temari looked all of them over. 'A Hyuga, huh?' Baki thought. 'And this one doesn't seem to have a Curse Seal on her forehead, which means she is from the Main Family, I didn't think those from the Main Family were also allowed to be students…'
"And they are Kankurou, Temari and Baki… They are somewhat similar to as what we know in our village as ANBU. Though these guys are actually a little higher, kind of like ANBU Leaders…"
Toji and Ujin frowned, not understanding completely, while Hanabi merely gave a nod.
"Well, you guys won't have to be afraid of getting attacked. We're with many on your way back." Baki spoke as he addressed the Genins. "Well, let's go.."
Lee nodded.
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Ibiki Morino, Rui Etsoi and Idaku Hudoku were standing in the Hokage office, with Haruno Sakura standing behind them. Rui Etsoi and Idaku Hudoku were both former Genin members in the same team with Morino. Now, the two were already retired and had too many injuries to be able to continue their life as a Shinobi. But the three of them were taught by a team-mate of Sarutobi, the now deceased Third Hokage.
Tsunade knew these three might know something about the Hidden Scroll of Secret Jutsus..
"Morino, Etsoi, Hudoku, I'm going to ask you something and you will probably have to think hard to be able to answer, it has to do with your Jounin Instructor ages ago."
The three nodded, while Sakura looked dumbfounded but interested. "Well, did your teacher say something about the Hidden Scroll back then?"
Indeed, the three frowned. But Ibiki shook his head after the frown, while the other two continued to frown. "Hokage-sama… Don't tell me you forgot something as important as that?" Ibiki said, earning confused gazes from his former team-mates.
Tsunade looked hopefully at Ibiki and motioned for him to continue. "Very well, our Hidden Scroll, the Hidden Scroll of the Leaf, is a part of a… collection… Every Village that has a big history or exists almost as long or longer than our village has a Hidden Scroll… Can you remember anything yet, Hokage-sama?"
Tsunade frowned and shook her head, she just didn't know. Ibiki continued with a slight frown on his face.
"Well… it's just a myth, actually, Hokage-sama… at least that's what our sensei said. It was most important that our Scroll didn't fell in the wrong hands. You see, if it did and the one who has the scroll, also has all the other scrolls… Well, he will learn all hidden techniques written in them, of course."
Suddenly, Ibiki's two old team-mates' faces snapped up and they both remembered again, while Tsunade still didn't know. Sakura looked as stupefied as ever. Ibiki continued.
"Well, once this thief knows all the Secret techniques… he has gained the ability to call upon a whole new level of summoning and a whole new world of techniques.." Ibiki explained. "These summonings, techniques, fighting styles and all alike are ancient… and date from way before the rising of the Shinobi Villages.. Our teacher and the Third, none of the Hokages, actually, knew exactly what it all meant… But it was to be avoided at all costs.."
Tsunade's eyes widened. "Or else a whole new era will take its place upon us.." She finished, remembering it again. "Yes, I thought it was just a legend and forgot about it as soon as Sarutobi-sensei told me. I still don't think it will happen, but we'll just have to get our Scroll back, just to be sure.."
Ibiki, Rui and Idaku nodded in agreement. "It's best to alert the other villagers.. Since our Scroll has already been stolen, they won't hit our village again. But maybe we should tighten security up anyway.."
"Uh.. What do you want me to do, Hokage-sama?"
Tsunade gazed at Sakura. "Tell your leader, Hyuga Hinata, to prepare for a journey towards the Grass Village.. Take one Jounin with you.."
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"Aahhh.. I can't wait till we meet some strong enemies.. It's been a long time since I was actually forced to go all out.. Our recent missions were all just too easy!" Naruto let out as he lay on the ground with his face facing the sky.
"Indeed. I wonder if there's an actual threat for us during this certain mission.." Gaara stated. "I do hope this Stone Village is powerful, otherwise we will get bored again."
Neji nodded. "Hm, I don't know if there actually is a challenge for us there.. But we've become so strong thanks to Dareda, Itachi and the others…" Neji sighed. "I'm beginning to think there are only weaklings left out there…"
Gaara smiled. "There are far too many weak people in this world… We should eradicate all of them.."
"Wipe out the weak, so the strong can challenge each other without fear of having no challenge, huh?" Naruto responded with a wide grin. "Well, it's always fun to play around with your enemy."
Neji and Gaara both nodded.
Suddenly, Naruto sniffed his nose and immediately looked at Neji, who activated his Byakugan.
"Eight people, two very familiar ones…"
Naruto sniffed his nose again, to smell anything odd about them. "Genins, right? I smell a bit of fear…"
Gaara had his arms folded and sat next to Naruto on the ground. Neji was observing the eight people with his Byakugan. 'Ten-Ten… it's been so long since I last saw you… And if I'm not mistaken, that is Nara Shikamaru.'
"Ten-Ten and Nara Shikamaru are amongst them. I don't want them to see me and I suggest the same to you, Naruto. Gaara, could you… do something to them that would make it impossible for them to move on towards the Stone Village? But.. don't kill them.. Oh, you'll have to beat Shikamaru first… it seems he has a clone out there, the real one is hiding up in the trees.."
Gaara frowned. "Don't kill them?" He sulked after he rose from the ground and disappeared.
Naruto swallowed nervously as he tried to hold his anger in.. 'Leaf Shinobis….'
Neji watched him intently and sighed. 'Naruto would kill all of them if he would rush at them now, thank god he's listening to me… Then again, if they would have seen us… I was forced to kill them as well.. even though it's Ten-Ten..' He thought sadly as he sat down beside Naruto, waiting for Gaara to finish his little job.
The six Genins all flinched as from out of nothing, a small cloud of sand appeared before them and an unfamiliar man stepped out of the sand cloud. Ten-Ten and Shikamaru narrowed their eyes at the stranger.
"Hmm, you seem to be familiar…" Shikamaru mused. 'Those eyes… That tattoo…. It has to be him…'
Ten-Ten had already channelled her Chakra around her, ready for battle. She watched Shikamaru talk again. "You're Gaara, right?"
Ten-Ten's eyes widened as she remembered who Gaara was. 'Gaara… as a Genin he was already so strong… This will be hard..'
"Well, I'll take your silence as yes. Listen, I do not wish to fight. But I remember that you are a missing-nin from the Sand. Even with that information, I do not want to fight. So, if you'll just let us pass here, I'm willing to let it slide…"
"Shut up." Gaara said as Shikamaru was suddenly attacked by a pile of sand from his right.. Shikamaru popped away with a cloud of smoke. 'Ah, a Shadow Clone..'
Gaara heard the movement from above and jumped backwards to avoid the gigantic Shadow that was approaching him. In turn, Gaara attacked the tree Shikamaru was in, and five surrounding trees with a huge wave of sand. Shikamaru jumped and landed beside Ten-ten and in front of the Six Genins. Gaara remembered that this guy was known for his intelligence.. 'He has a plan… Best to just leave as fast as I can… I hope this one isn't a Shadow Clone, otherwise I have to put in more effort…'
"Suna Kyuutai!"
Shikamaru's and Ten-Ten's eyes widened as the sand around them started moving. The Genins were holding their breathe in awe at the techniques Gaara was throwing at them. Shikamaru and the others jumped up quickly, only to be bounced right back on the ground. They watched as the sand enveloped them and confined them. They were now all eight inside a big sphere of Sand. Shikamaru and Ten-Ten used several attacks to break the sphere but found it quite impossible.
From outside, they heard Gaara suddenly say something. "I have hardened this Sphere a great deal. Even if you do manage to somehow get a crack in, it will explode… Because this is a combination of my Suna Kyuutai and Suna Bakuhatsu… My advice is don't try to escape… Digging will not help you either… it's all hardened sand, ready to explode once damaged.. Goodbye…"
'Damn… he really got me… I totally expected him, of all people, to go all out and kill us.. It seems he doesn't wants us to move towards the Stone Village… and it looks like he'll get his way too… How the hell can I get myself out of here? I don't have any idea how to get ourselves out of here..'
"Shikamaru-san… I won't attack this thing… I won't take the risks and endanger our students.."
Shikamaru sighed. 'Perfect move, Gaara.. I am unable to continue… I've got to think of a way to get out of here… without any of us getting hurt..'
Neji smiled. "Naruto, Gaara has finished.. Let's go.." He said as he rose from the ground and saw Gaara appear before him. "We'll arrive at Stone Village tomorrow."
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They had been moving for two days now and Sasuke couldn't help but hope he would encounter familiar faces during their trek towards the Stone village. Their journey so far had been very uneventful, very boring.
But they could encounter dangerous Shinobis during all of this. Sasuke couldn't wait to fight again. Fighting against an Aburame was a hassle, he had to admit, but if he had to fight her again now, he would be more prepared. He was interested in how strong the other Akatsuki members would be…
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"Where are we going?" Sasuke asked as he watched Orochimaru, Hatsu, Teri and Kimimaro pack important stuff, like weapons and food.. Sasuke did the same and simply followed their example.
"We're headed for the village of Stone… Prepare for a long journey. We'll probably arrive there in five days.."
"What are we going to do there?" Sasuke asked as he put a few big Shurikens in his backpack.
"To prevent an age of total chaos…" Orochimaru whispered, making Sasuke frown..
Kimimaro was done packing and stood next to Orochimaru. "Sasuke. We'll probably be encountering other Akatsuki members on the way. Our mission is to get the Hidden Scroll from the Stone before they can."
Sasuke nodded. "And why Stone Village? Why not the Sound? It's closer.. and the Sand too…"
Hatsu suddenly stepped up behind Sasuke, accompanied by Teri. "We already have the Hidden scroll from the Sound, Uchiha." He began. "You've been learning techniques from it the past few weeks."
Sasuke's eyes widened and listened to Teri, who continued. "And the Sand has tightened their security around the Village lately. It seems they already know of the Akatsuki's plan."
"Word got in that the Scroll in the Leaf has already been stolen." Hatsu finished. "For now our target is Stone and after that Grass, Rain, Mist and so on.."
Sasuke nodded in understanding. "I see… so Leaf got overpowered?"
Orochimaru chuckled. "Leaf is not easily overpowered, Sasuke-kun.. I bet they probably concentrated on getting the scroll above all else."
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With his Sharingan fully developed, Sasuke was actually hoping his brother would pass by… Oh, how he would love for that to happen. Could he be strong enough for Itachi now? Surely enough, with a fully developed Sharingan he should stand a chance. And a chance is all he needed..
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"Thank god we have food and a little fire.. It seems Gaara was kind enough to let one hole in this Sphere, to let us breathe… Odd, that he let us live, especially since he can blow this up in a second." Shikamaru said as he prepared some food. 'Damn.. if only we had someone who could manipulate Chakra… a Hyuga would be nice… Instead, I'm stuck with a Jounin Weapon Specialist and six Genins… Three pranksters… Enola, Kensu and Ruin are much worse than me with Chakra control… I need to find a way to cancel the Chakra in this Sphere out..'
"Anno…" Enola suddenly uttered. "How long will we be stuck in here?"
Ten-Ten smiled reassuringly at the girl, her student. "No worries, it won't take too long… The Chakra in this Sphere will eventually run out, especially since the one that put this Sphere around us isn't here anymore.."
Shikamaru smiled. 'True… but even then will it take very long..'
Aoba frowned. "You two are Jounins, right? How come that guy defeated you so easily?"
Shikamaru and even Ten-Ten groaned. 'Aoba Ruin… he must be Aoba's young kid… Aoba, one of the guardians of the Hokage.. Yep, this kid's probably extremely cocky..'
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TBC
A/N: Ok, another chapter done! Man, this was really great to write.. A Special thanks goes out to Hattuteline, for helping me with the plot. You should read his stories, they're really great! Once new Jutsus and new Characters make their appearance, I'll thank those who helped with the creations of them in that certain chapter. Oh, and of course thanks for the reviews so far!! I should reply to reviews and reviewers as well (as I've seen happen with other Fanfics) from now on… Yeah, I will. Anyway, thanks for reading the story!! I got a question, though and I really need it answered to be able to continue the story… How many Villages and Countries exist in Naruto and what are their names? For example I know the Sand Village is in the Wind Country and the Leaf Village is from the Fire Country. Do you know anymore? Please help me?!
Well, I'm signing off, G'bye!