Disclaimer: I do not own any wrights to Naruto or Shadow Skill. I merely use their characters and themes for entertainment purposes.
Naruto stepped in to the Hokage's office after he was summoned no more than an hour ago. There he was greeted by the old man that, for the longest time was closest thing to a family the blond had, the Third Hokage; and the young looking woman that he had become rather close to after their first meeting, the soon to be Fifth Hokage. He could tell by the looks on their faces that this was not a social call and required him to be the professional he come to be. Coming to with in a couple of steps of the Hokage's desk Naruto saluted and said, "You wished to see me Hokage-sama."
The Third nodded and began to speak, "Yes Naruto, for a while now I have been trying to find the best place for you. Ever since your return you have shown a skills and power that honestly make it difficult to place you. Your former Runner position was only temporary, but it did result in me finally deciding what you would best at."
"And what do think I would be best at?" Naruto asked.
"We believe that you would make a rather skilled hunter-nin," Tsunade answered.
Naruto was taken back. He knew that he would be assigned to a permanent area sooner or later and he knew he would probably end up in a specialized unit. But a hunter-nin was no what he was expecting. So of course his question was, "Why am I being assigned as a hunter-nin?"
"Because," the Hokage spoke, "You have shown the skills that are required for a hunter-nin. In the war you have shown your ability to work as a group, Hyuuga-sama mentioned that you were able to follow orders correctly but also spoke up when you did not agree with the plan. That combined with the solo mission you went on, proved that you can also survive on your own, another needed skill to be a hunter-nin."
That solo mission," Tsunade continued, "showed you remarkable speed and stealth. The other Runners that were sent after you could not follow your trail. Hyuuga-sama also indicated that you have very acute senses and tracking abilities, he admitted that you were the first to spot those Stone-nin scouts."
"Being able to detect someone one faster than a person that is a master with the Byakugan is an impressive accomplishment," the Hokage praised. "These reasons combined with what I already saw earlier have convinced me that making you a Hunter-nin is the best place for you and the village."
Naruto not really knowing what to think could only say, "Thanks I'll do my best."
"We know you will, Naruto," Tsunade said with a smile.
"After you have recovered fully," the Hokage said, "You will begin training in the finer points of being a Hunter-nin. After that you will placed on a team and begin missions tracking down Missing-nins."
"And considering you fast recovery rate," Tsunade said, "You had better be ready soon."
"That is all for now Naruto," the Third said. "You are dismissed until after Tsunade's inauguration. After that she will be giving you your assignments." The Hokage smiled at the look that past between the other two in the room. It was a mix of friendship, respect, understanding, and care; in short it was a look between family.
"I won't let you down," Naruto said bowed and left.
Sakura was just coming back from giving her report on a C-class mission she took alone. It was nothing really, a village close by was having problems with some minor burglaries and vandalism. It only turned out to be a small group of travelers that were too cheap to pay and too drunk to watch where they going. In fact the only reason she took the mission in the first place was because she wanted some quick money so she could by some new kunai. As she came out she saw Naruto with a thoughtful expression on his face as he exited the Hokage's office. Wondering what he was thinking about Sakura went up to meet him, "Hey Naruto what's wrong?"
"Oh hello Sakura-chan," Naruto greeted with a smile, "Nothing really I was just thinking about new position I was just given."
"Oh and what would that be?" asked a curious Sakura.
"I've been assigned to the Hunter-nins," Naruto answered, "I'll be starting after Tsunade is becomes the Fifth Hokage."
"Congratulations Naruto," Sakura said.
"Thanks Sakura-chan," Naruto replied. "They said that I would be good at being a Hunter-nin."
"Well from what I've seen and heard," Sakura said, "You would be great at it." Naruto smiled at his friend in thanks for the encouragement. "Well I going to have to go, I want to buy this new kunai set that I've had my eye on."
The mention of a weapon caught Naruto's attention. Since his discussion with Jiraiya about supplementing his fighting style Naruto had been giving it some serious thought. He agreed that it could not hurt to have something to go along with it. After much thought he decided to learn a couple of jutsus that did not require hand seals and use a weapon or two so he would not have to burn as much chakra to kill his enemy. "Mind if I join you?" Naruto asked, "I've looking to get a new weapon myself."
"No I don't mind," Sakura answered. "What kind of weapon are you looking for?"
"That I'm not too sure on," Naruto replied, "But I got a feeling I will know it when I see it."
"Well then I know just the place," Sakura said. "It's a sword shop that is run by Lee-san's old teammate's family. They make the best weapons in Konoha not too mention they have the biggest variety as well."
When they arrived at the shop Naruto could tell Sakura was not exaggerating. The shop had everything from kunais and shurikens used by ever ninja to swords used by the Anbu to specialty weapons like the metal wires used by Sasuke and Kakashi. Upon entering the shop a voice called out from the back, "Sakura-san I'm glad you came," a teenager about their age came out and greeted them. "I kept those kunai you wanted, but you were lucky because Dad said that if you didn't come for them soon he would have to sell them to someone else."
"Thanks Tenten-san," Sakura responded, "I've got the money and I've also brought a customer." She pointed to Naruto who was still looking around the shop, "He's looking for a weapon but doesn't what he's looking for."
Tenten looked at Naruto and addressed him, "You're Shadow Claw aren't you?"
Naruto hearing his other name turned to Tenten, "Yeah, how did you know?"
"I was one of the ones that was left at the camp after Jiraiya-sama left," Tenten answered.
Naruto nodded then said, "Well since you seem to know Sakura-chan rather well you can call me Naruto."
"Ok Naruto," Tenten said. She the saw him once again begin glancing at the various weapons around the shop and asked him, "So what do you want your new weapon to do?" Naruto looked at her in confusion so she clarified, "Most people already know what weapon they want and what they are going to do with it. Because you don't know what weapon you want we have to settle with what job is it going to do."
"Oh ok," Naruto said. He then thought for minute, "Well I was thinking of something that could be used in close range combat and easy to conceal. And I don't want a kunai, I don't use them enough to warrant getting more than the ones I already use."
"Close range and easy to conceal," Tenten mused. She put her hand up to her chin in thought. Speaking to herself she said, "Well that actually narrows it down a lot. No swords or long weapons; can't really conceal them. Also doesn't want long range, so that cuts out projectile weapons. So I guess that leaves short swords and daggers I guess." She looked at Naruto saying, "I think I have a couple of things that might work."
She then went to the back and brought out four different weapons. The first one she should Naruto was a sword just a little shorter than an Anbu sword. It could be concealed under the shirt on the back but still be reached fairly easy. Naruto said that it he wanted something that could be released faster to catch a person off guard. Tenten nodded putting down the short sword. The next thing she showed him was a dagger a little longer than a kunai, he examined it for a minute then rejected it as well. He said he wanted something a little longer and easier to slash with. Tenten nodded and went directly for the last weapon, the third was just a longer version of the second weapon. She pulled out the weapon and handed it to Naruto. The weapon was a combat knife with a slight cure to it making it easier to slash with and about forty centimeters in length from tip to end. Naruto gripped in a backhand gesture with edge facing away from him. He made a few slashes at various angles nodding in satisfaction. "Pretty good, but I need it a way to keep in place," Naruto said, "I move and twist a lot with the way I fight and it just slips out of the sheath too easily. Also I would need a better grip, again because I move and twist so much. Don't want it flying out of my hand and killing my teammate do I?"
Tenten laughed saying, "No I suppose not. The sheath problem isn't all that hard to fix all we have to do is put a simple locking mechanism in it. I can make is so it can be released by applying specific pressure the grip. That would cause the grip to be modified, but because you wanted to do that anyway it wouldn't be that difficult. The problem will be adjusting the grip to your hand. That's the best way to ensure that it doesn't come flying out of your had. I'll need to make measurements of you hand and custom make the grip to the measurements."
"How long would that take?" Naruto asked.
"The measurements would take more than a few minutes at most," Tenten answered. "But to make a custom grip would take a least three four days."
"That's fine," Naruto said.
"Well then give me you hand and I'll get started," Naruto extended his hand and Tenten started taking measurements. After she was done she told Naruto to check back in a couple of days and see the progress. Naruto agreed and gave here some money as a down payment and after that Naruto and Sakura left while Tenten returned to the back to get started.
After they left Naruto decided that he would hunt down Jiraiya and discuss with him the kind of training that would allow him to perform jutsus without hand seals. Knowing the kind of person Jiraiya was he started to check around the vicinity of the bathhouses. Upon the third one he came across the Legendry Pervert peeking into the girls side. Feeling the need to scare him a bit Naruto snuck up behind and in a low voice, "Hinata-chan had better not be in there."
Jiraiya froze in place. He recognized that voice and that tone, slowly he turned around and saw the blond Jounin staring at him with killing eyes, "I swear she's not in there!" Naruto's face did not change, "You can see for your self!" Jiraiya said pointing at the hole. Naruto glanced at the hole then back to Jiraiya and narrowed his eyes. "Aw come on, Tsunade said she would make it a capital crime when she became Hokage, how am I supposed to complete my book without research?"
Naruto's gaze did not change as he said, "The you had better not do it. Because I have been appointed to the Hunter-nins and if you're caught and try to run I will take great pleasure in tracking you down."
Jiraiya took a step back then thought of a way to change the subject, "Well if you're going to be a Hunter-nin then you'll defiantly need to expand your abilities beyond Shadow Skill."
Internally Naruto was smiling, he had heard that getting Jiraiya to teach anyone anything was extremely difficult, all he really wanted to do was scare the Sannin a little. But now if he played his cards right he could get him to show what he knew. Relaxing his gaze a minute Naruto asked, "You got any suggestions?"
Jiraiya was happy that his distraction worked, "Well you said you did not want to learn any jutsus that required hand seals and I know a few. However, they are hard to learn and can take quite sometime master."
"I expected as much," Naruto said. "And it might take even longer depending how busy I am."
"True," Jiraiya said, "But I think in the mean time you should learn something else. It could help you with as a Hunter-nin."
"Oh, what's that?" Naruto asked with genuine curiosity.
"Summoning," Jiraiya answered.
"Summoning?" Naruto asked surprised.
"Yes, it only requires a couple of hand seals so it would not be that much a hindrance to your fighting style and being able to summon your own backup would be good if you're ever out numbered."
Naruto nodded in agreement. He had seen the advantage from Sasuke and also heard what the summons Jiraiya and Tsunade used against the Cloud. "Alright so how do I learn how to summon?"
Jiraiya smiled and took the scroll off his back, "You have to sign you name in blood on the summon contract. If the contract accepts you the name will stay and then you will be able to summon."
Jiraiya unrolled the scroll and indicated where Naruto should sign. When Naruto saw glancing at the names he came across Jiraiya's next to the last one. He was surprised because he halfway expected Jiraiya's name to be the last since he carried around the scroll. When he read the last name his head shot up and asked, "Kazuma, Arashi? Isn't that the name of the Fourth Hokage?"
"Actually yes," Jiraiya answered. "He was my student as a gennin and continued to be my apprentice until he was Jounin. He also taught your old sensei Kakashi."
"I didn't know that," Naruto muttered. "I've always wondered what he was like."
"He was a lot like you in a way," Jiraiya answered. "Dedicated to his friends, cared about the village like it was his own family, and was strongest when was fighting to protect people close to him. Why do you want to know about him?"
"Well before I found out about the fox," Naruto said, "I had heard that he was an orphan like I was. I figured that if one orphan became the Hokage then another one could as well. Then after I found out, I wanted to know what kind of person he was so I could figure out why I was chosen to be the prison."
"Naruto the truth is, you were the only one born that night," Jiraiya said. "The seal needed a new born baby in order to keep the Kyuubi contained."
"Yeah I know," Naruto said. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence Naruto asked, "So what are the hand seals for the jutsu?"
Jiraiya smiled and showed Naruto the seals. He explained, "Remember it requires blood to perform the jutsu. You do the seals then slam you palm down channeling a lot of charka through your hand. The amount of chakra depends on the size of the summon that comes out."
"Ok let me try," Jiraiya leaped back a few meters to give Naruto room for the summon. After doing the seals Naruto called out, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" A large puff a smoke occurred when it cleared there was large tadpole under Naruto's hand totally ineffective in battle.
"What the hell was that!" Jiraiya asked incredibly angry.
"Give me a break!" Naruto yelled back. "I didn't know how much chakra to channel in to the jutsu!"
"Well you have to channel more!" Jiraiya retorted, "A lot more!"
"Alright just give me some room," Naruto ordered. Jiraiya complied and Naruto repeated the process only this time putting incredible amounts into the jutsu.
Sensing how much Naruto was putting in Jiraiya called out, "THAT'S TOO MUCH!" Unfortunately it was too late, a massive cloud of smoke occurred and when in cleared Naruto was gone and in his place was a massive red toad with a pipe sticking out of his mouth. "Oh this is not good."
For a moment Naruto was wondering where he was. One second he was standing on the ground then he felt himself rise into the air and finally he felt he was standing on something rather smooth and slippery. Looking down he saw that he was standing on a giant toad's head, "Guess I did it."
"JIRAIYA!" the giant toad called, "WHY THE HELL HAVE YOU SUMMONED ME!"
Jiraiya not having enough time to escape the toad's wrath could only move in front and answer truthfully, "Actually Gamabunta, the one on you head summoned you."
Gamabutta looked at the blond haired teenager on his head and for a moment was surprised. He thought for a moment it was the Fourth but knew that was impossible. "HEY KID WHAT'S YOUR NAME?"
"Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto answered slightly shaken by the toad.
Again the toad was surprised for a moment, then stated, "IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN KID."
"Huh?" Naruto was now very confused, "We haven't met before, I think I would have remembered meeting a giant toad."
"You met him the night the Fourth sealed the Kyuubi in you," Jiraiya answered after jumping onto Gamabunta. "The Fourth summoned him to battle the Kyuubi."
Naruto was about to respond when a large tongue came up and wrapped around Jiraiya, "I DID NOT GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO STAND I MY HEAD!" Gamabutta said as he held Jiraiya in front of him. The toad boss then flung the hermit with his tongue several at least two kilometers away.
Seeing what happened to the supposed toad master Naruto began to panic, "I didn't mean stand on your head honest I was just learning how to summon and put too much chakra into the jutsu! This is only the second time I've done it I swear!"
"SO YOU'RE THE ONE THAT SUMMONED THE TADPOLE A FEW MINTUES AGO," Gamabunta said.
"Y…yeah," Naruto responded nervously.
"HAHAHAHA," the toad began to laugh loudly, "I'M IMPRESSED KID, IT USUALLY TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE SOMEONE CAN SUMMON ME. TELL YOU WHAT, SINCE I HAVEN"T BEEN OUT IN WHILE, I'LL RECONISE YOU AS MY SUBORDINATE IF YOU LET ME STAY FOR A WHILE."
"You mean I get decide how long you stay out?" Naruto asked.
"THE LENGTH I CAN STAY OUT IS DETERMINED BY THE SUMMONER'S WILL, OR UNTIL I RUN OUT OF CHAKRA."
"Well ok," Naruto said. "Just don't step on any of the villagers."
"FINE THEN," Gamabunta agreed and leapt away with Naruto still on top of his head.
From where he landed Jiraiya watched as Gamabunta jumped away. As he watched he was thinking about what the he and Naruto discussed earlier. "Hmm if may be time to tell him about his past. I'll have to inform Sensei and Tsunade about this."
