Chapter 4: The rogue
Team 21 and their Sensei were walking in the road for two hours now. They stopped by for just a while under the shade of trees.
"Ok, we rest here for a while…" Konohamaru put down his bag and he sat down on the grass.
The three Genins put their bags down and they sat down near their sensei.
"Ne, Konohamaru-sensei… you said that you'll teach us Chakra control on our way…" Reiji said.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot…" Konohamaru stood up. "You guys ready to learn?" He asked and the three nodded. He approached the one of the many trees behind them and he walked up at it. "Now you guys have to try and learn how to walk up this tree using your chakra. You have to release the right amount of chakra to stick to the tree. (AN: please correct me on this if I'm wrong… I forgot how Kakashi taught them that) you have to reach this height. And before you fall you have to mark the height you reached with your kunai. Now you do it…" Konohamaru walked down the tree.
The three Genins pulled out their kunais and they approached three different trees. They walked on up the tree on the same time and they… they didn't fall off.
Konohamaru's mouth was very wide. He couldn't believe that these three young Genins mastered Chakra control on their first try. They reached the height that Konohamaru required them to reach. The three marked the tree with their kunai and they walked down.
"Sensei, we're finished…" They said in unison. Konohamaru was too amazed to reply.
"Sensei, what's wrong?" Mayu asked.
"S-sorry, you guys were amazing!" He said. He laughed.
"Is that all?" Shiro asked.
"Yeah…" Konohamaru grinned and he sat down. "Let's just rest for a while…" The three sat down.
After 15 minutes:
Konohamaru stood up and he picked up his bag. The three stood up and they picked up their bags too.
"Let's go…" Konohamaru said and the three followed them.
---
"Where are they?" An old man asked.
"Please Elder Ryuu, calm down, they'll be here soon. Konoha is not that far from here…" A young man said. The man was sitting in front of a desk. He was bald and he had a long beard. He was wearing a formal blue suit. He looked like he was form a prominent family. The other man was also wearing a formal suit. He wore a black one and he had a silver necktie. He was much younger than the other. It looked like he was just twenty years of age. He stood straight and tall in front of the impatient elder. He had short brown hair and brown eyes.
"You know I can't calm down grandson… the treasure of Fire Country is at stake here!" Elder Ryuu retorted. Someone then knocked on the door.
"Elder Ryuu, Saito-san, the ninjas are here…" A man said on the other door.
"Let them in." Saito said. The door opened and team 21 came in.
"What took you so long, Konohamaru-san?" The young man asked.
"Gomen Saito-san…" Konohamaru said.
"Well that's alright since you're here…" Elder Ryuu stood up from his seat. He took a couple of papers from his desk. He gave everyone in team 21 a paper.
"This is all that you have about the rogue?" Konohamaru asked. Saito nodded.
"But this is incredible…" Shiro whispered.
"Yes, it is incredible. The rogue was able to snatch the Shinobigatana of the gods without alerting the guards there. And there were MANY guards there.
"But why hire only 4 ninjas, a Jounin and three Genins?" Reiji asked. "Couldn't you just hire someone more skilled than us to make sure it does not get stolen?"
The elder grinned. "First of all the three of you has advance bloodlines. The other one is the son of the famed Rokudaime. Not to mention that the three Genins here are called geniuses. Hyuuga Shiro and Uzumaki Reiji are able to use Byakugan, it will be very helpful. The other is an Uchiha who which can be rather useful too. And besides, The Godaime recommended your team…" With that last sentence the three Genins glared at Konohamaru.
---
At the museum, it was already afternoon. They were guarding it outside. The museum was a located a few meters away from the village. It was surrounded by a thick forest.
"Hmm, the rogue hasn't attacked yet…" Konohamaru said.
"But still, Konohamaru-sensei… why did the Hokage recommend us? This is our very first mission." Mayu asked.
"I told you all already, you are all very skilled and the Hokage wants to see what you can do…" Konohamaru said. The light of the sun then disappeared. Reiji lighted a lamp.
"Get ready, the rogue might be attacking any moment now…" Konohamaru said. "This is the only entrance…" he added. "Mayu and Reiji, you two go inside and see if anything has changed. Shiro I need your Byakugan here…" Konohamaru said and Reiji and Mayu went inside. After a while, there was still no sign of the rogue. The cold air brushed through the faces of Shiro and Konohamaru. 'Heh, this air is giving me the chills…' Konohamaru thought.
"Hmmm, this air is giving me a bad feeling…" Shiro said. He then activated his Byakugan. And then he saw something… "Sensei, there's something out there!" Shiro said.
---
Reiji and Mayu patrolled the interior of the museum. Reiji was carrying the lamp he lighted earlier. The interior of the museum was very dark. He would often approach the displays and he would stare at them with amazement.
'Wow these things are really old…' He thought.
"Stop fooling around the museum, Reiji-san! We're not here on a fieldtrip. Remember this is a mission, a C-rank mission!" Mayu tugged his blue jacket. "Come on, we haven't explored that part yet!" She added.
"Ok, calm down…" Reiji then walked beside Mayu. They gasped and stopped when they saw a beautiful Naginata hanging on the wall.
"Wow, is that the Naginata of the Gods?" Mayu asked.
"Yeah…" They were both staring on the Naginata. The blade of the Naginata had the kanji carved on it meaning "Nin". Reiji gave the lamp to Mayu, he approached the Naginata. The handle was colored in royal blue. It was plain and simple and yet it seemed very beautiful.
"Hey, what are you gonna do?" Mayu asked. Reiji took the Naginata from the wall. The blade was shining. It seemed that the Naginata liked Reiji.
"Wow, its very light…" Reiji said. He then ran his finger through the blade. His finger bled.
"Now look what you did! You got wounded!" Mayu said.
"I just wanted to see whether it is real or not…" Reiji said. "Do you want to hold it, Mayu chan?" Reiji asked and he held out the Naginata. He took the lamp with his other hand and Mayu took the Naginata. When Mayu grabbed it form Reiji's hand, a sign that she was having a hard time with the Naginata was visible on her face. Reiji took it form her.
"What's wrong, Mayu-chan?" Reiji asked.
"Don't tell me your that strong… that seems too heavy when I held it." Mayu said.
"Hah, you're kidding! Mom wouldn't even let me touch weights!" Reiji exclaimed.
"No… I'm not…"
---
Meanwhile…
"Konohamaru-sensei, there is someone there…" Shiro whispered at Konohamaru.
"OK, whoever that is… friend or foe… we have to get ready…" Konohamaru and Shiro then pulled out their kunais. "Shiro, do you see anything?"
"There is someone walking towards us. He is wearing a black cloak with a hood. He has a sword." Shiro replied.
"Maybe that's the rogue. He's carrying a sword, eh? That must be the Shinobigatana of the Gods…" Konohamaru said.
"Konohamaru-sensei, looks like the rogue knows we are here…"
"Why can you say that?"
"He just unsheathed his sword…" Shiro said. "Whoa, his sword is really shiny…"
"I can see that…"
"Move out of the way if you do not want to get hurt…" the rogue said with a rather familiar voice for Konohamaru. He was wearing a cloak with a hood covering his head. His arms were the only one revealed. He was holding a very shiny sword with his right hand. His face cannot be seen because of the hood.
"You know we can't." Konohamaru said.
"Then I guess I'll have to beat my way into there…"
There was silence. After a few seconds, Konohamaru charged at the still rogue with his kunai. Shiro readied his kunai as Konohamaru charged at the rogue. Konohamaru lunged at the rogue who was still motionless with his kunai. The rogue easily evaded his attack and he tried to grab Konohamaru's hand. Konohamaru backed away from him before the rogue was able to grab his hand.
'Whew… that was a close one…' he thought.
"Konohamaru-sensei, do you need help?" Shiro shouted from his spot.
"No… just go and tell your team mates that the rogue is here! Quick, go tell them inside!" Konohamaru shouted at Shiro who rushed inside the museum after he heard Konohamaru's command.
"Is that all that a Jounin of Konoha can do? I thought you guys were good at this?" the rogue asked.
"Forgive me; it's been a while since I fought like this…" Konohamaru grinned.
"Grinning won't do you any good…" the rogue put his sword back to its sheath.
"What, giving up already?"
"Iie, I think I don't need this sword…" The rogue tied it on his back.
"Tsk, you're a cocky one…" Konohamaru said. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" he shouted and then four other Konohamarus appeared at his side. Then all of the Konohamarus pulled out shurikens. The rogue remained motionless. Then 4 other Konohamarus surrounded the rogue forming a circle with the fifth Konohamaru. They all threw their shurikens at the rogue at the same time.
"Kawarimi!" Konohamaru whispered after the shurikens hit the rogue. The rogue turned into a log.
After that, shurikens hit the five Konohamarus. The other four disappeared in a puff of smoke while the real Konohamaru had a shuriken sticking out of his left shoulder.
'Damn… where did that come from?' Konohamaru looked up and he saw the rogue charging at him in the air with his fist. The rogue hit Konohamaru in the face. Konohamaru was sent flying in the air. He hit the wall of the museum. Konohamaru stood up again only to find a single shuriken flying towards him. He stopped the shuriken with his kunai but he was hit with another one in his other shoulder. 'Kage Shuriken no Jutsu, damn… what's happening to me? Why can't I beat him? He fights like… but that can't be… he fights exactly like… Naruto-nii chan…' Konohamaru thought.
"What's wrong? You're too weak… I'll show you a true ninja's strength…"
"Bring it on…" Konohamaru shouted.
---
"Really, is it that heavy?" Reiji asked. Mayu nodded. They then heard fast footsteps.
"Reiji-san, Mayu-san, the rogue is here!" Shiro appeared under the light of the lamp. He had his byakugan on. He then deactivated it.
"What, where is Konohamaru-sensei?" Mayu asked.
"He's fighting the rogue…" Shiro replied.
"Why aren't you helping him?" Reiji asked.
"He told me to get the two of you!" Shiro answered. Mayu tugged both of the boy's clothes.
"Come on, let's go! We have to hurry or Konohamaru-sensei might just be in trouble!" They started to run and Reiji left the lamp inside.
The three Genins ran to reach the museums exit. Reiji, who was only thinking of Konohamaru's safety, forgot to put back the Naginata. Mayu and Shiro noticed but they didn't bother anymore because they can't waste any time anymore. When they reached the exit, they quickly stepped out of it. Reiji gripped the Naginata hard in anger when he saw Konohamaru wounded. The other two pulled out their kunais. The rogue turned and he seemed to look at them but he soon turned to face the wounded Konohamaru again.
"Hey are you all gonna stand there or are you gonna help me?" Konohamaru shouted at the three. After that Shiro and Mayu charged at the rogue with the kunai. The rogue maintained motionless again. He didn't seem to care that two ninjas were charging at him. While they charged at the rogue, Reiji rushed near Konohamaru.
"Sensei, please stay put…" Reiji whispered at Konohamaru.
"Mayu, Shiro watch out!!!" Konohamaru shouted while he clutched his other wounded shoulder with his arm. Reiji turned his attention at his team mates. Mayu and Shiro's attack was easily evaded by the rogue. The rogue caught their necks and he held them high up. The moon shined while the rogue held the two up. His mouth was soon revealed and he was emotionless. The Naginata shined with the moon. Reiji gripped it hard with his hands and he ran towards the rogue. He ran very fast, when he closed in at the rogue he swung the Naginata and he sliced the rogue at his stomach. The rogue who was still holding up the two Genins back a little away but he was still hit by the Naginata. His cloak was ripped and blood was coming out from he stomach. It also revealed the mesh he was wearing. The Naginata was very sharp indeed. The rogue threw the two and Konohamaru caught them. The rogue was snow standing with a slight curved figure. His hands were clutching his wounded stomach. He said was looking down. He raised his other hand and he wrapped it around his Shinobigatana's handle. He looked up and one of his eyes was visible. Konohamaru and Reiji gasped when they saw that eye.
They were only able to think of one person who possessed those same eyes that Reiji had…
Naruto...
Team 21 and their Sensei were walking in the road for two hours now. They stopped by for just a while under the shade of trees.
"Ok, we rest here for a while…" Konohamaru put down his bag and he sat down on the grass.
The three Genins put their bags down and they sat down near their sensei.
"Ne, Konohamaru-sensei… you said that you'll teach us Chakra control on our way…" Reiji said.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot…" Konohamaru stood up. "You guys ready to learn?" He asked and the three nodded. He approached the one of the many trees behind them and he walked up at it. "Now you guys have to try and learn how to walk up this tree using your chakra. You have to release the right amount of chakra to stick to the tree. (AN: please correct me on this if I'm wrong… I forgot how Kakashi taught them that) you have to reach this height. And before you fall you have to mark the height you reached with your kunai. Now you do it…" Konohamaru walked down the tree.
The three Genins pulled out their kunais and they approached three different trees. They walked on up the tree on the same time and they… they didn't fall off.
Konohamaru's mouth was very wide. He couldn't believe that these three young Genins mastered Chakra control on their first try. They reached the height that Konohamaru required them to reach. The three marked the tree with their kunai and they walked down.
"Sensei, we're finished…" They said in unison. Konohamaru was too amazed to reply.
"Sensei, what's wrong?" Mayu asked.
"S-sorry, you guys were amazing!" He said. He laughed.
"Is that all?" Shiro asked.
"Yeah…" Konohamaru grinned and he sat down. "Let's just rest for a while…" The three sat down.
After 15 minutes:
Konohamaru stood up and he picked up his bag. The three stood up and they picked up their bags too.
"Let's go…" Konohamaru said and the three followed them.
---
"Where are they?" An old man asked.
"Please Elder Ryuu, calm down, they'll be here soon. Konoha is not that far from here…" A young man said. The man was sitting in front of a desk. He was bald and he had a long beard. He was wearing a formal blue suit. He looked like he was form a prominent family. The other man was also wearing a formal suit. He wore a black one and he had a silver necktie. He was much younger than the other. It looked like he was just twenty years of age. He stood straight and tall in front of the impatient elder. He had short brown hair and brown eyes.
"You know I can't calm down grandson… the treasure of Fire Country is at stake here!" Elder Ryuu retorted. Someone then knocked on the door.
"Elder Ryuu, Saito-san, the ninjas are here…" A man said on the other door.
"Let them in." Saito said. The door opened and team 21 came in.
"What took you so long, Konohamaru-san?" The young man asked.
"Gomen Saito-san…" Konohamaru said.
"Well that's alright since you're here…" Elder Ryuu stood up from his seat. He took a couple of papers from his desk. He gave everyone in team 21 a paper.
"This is all that you have about the rogue?" Konohamaru asked. Saito nodded.
"But this is incredible…" Shiro whispered.
"Yes, it is incredible. The rogue was able to snatch the Shinobigatana of the gods without alerting the guards there. And there were MANY guards there.
"But why hire only 4 ninjas, a Jounin and three Genins?" Reiji asked. "Couldn't you just hire someone more skilled than us to make sure it does not get stolen?"
The elder grinned. "First of all the three of you has advance bloodlines. The other one is the son of the famed Rokudaime. Not to mention that the three Genins here are called geniuses. Hyuuga Shiro and Uzumaki Reiji are able to use Byakugan, it will be very helpful. The other is an Uchiha who which can be rather useful too. And besides, The Godaime recommended your team…" With that last sentence the three Genins glared at Konohamaru.
---
At the museum, it was already afternoon. They were guarding it outside. The museum was a located a few meters away from the village. It was surrounded by a thick forest.
"Hmm, the rogue hasn't attacked yet…" Konohamaru said.
"But still, Konohamaru-sensei… why did the Hokage recommend us? This is our very first mission." Mayu asked.
"I told you all already, you are all very skilled and the Hokage wants to see what you can do…" Konohamaru said. The light of the sun then disappeared. Reiji lighted a lamp.
"Get ready, the rogue might be attacking any moment now…" Konohamaru said. "This is the only entrance…" he added. "Mayu and Reiji, you two go inside and see if anything has changed. Shiro I need your Byakugan here…" Konohamaru said and Reiji and Mayu went inside. After a while, there was still no sign of the rogue. The cold air brushed through the faces of Shiro and Konohamaru. 'Heh, this air is giving me the chills…' Konohamaru thought.
"Hmmm, this air is giving me a bad feeling…" Shiro said. He then activated his Byakugan. And then he saw something… "Sensei, there's something out there!" Shiro said.
---
Reiji and Mayu patrolled the interior of the museum. Reiji was carrying the lamp he lighted earlier. The interior of the museum was very dark. He would often approach the displays and he would stare at them with amazement.
'Wow these things are really old…' He thought.
"Stop fooling around the museum, Reiji-san! We're not here on a fieldtrip. Remember this is a mission, a C-rank mission!" Mayu tugged his blue jacket. "Come on, we haven't explored that part yet!" She added.
"Ok, calm down…" Reiji then walked beside Mayu. They gasped and stopped when they saw a beautiful Naginata hanging on the wall.
"Wow, is that the Naginata of the Gods?" Mayu asked.
"Yeah…" They were both staring on the Naginata. The blade of the Naginata had the kanji carved on it meaning "Nin". Reiji gave the lamp to Mayu, he approached the Naginata. The handle was colored in royal blue. It was plain and simple and yet it seemed very beautiful.
"Hey, what are you gonna do?" Mayu asked. Reiji took the Naginata from the wall. The blade was shining. It seemed that the Naginata liked Reiji.
"Wow, its very light…" Reiji said. He then ran his finger through the blade. His finger bled.
"Now look what you did! You got wounded!" Mayu said.
"I just wanted to see whether it is real or not…" Reiji said. "Do you want to hold it, Mayu chan?" Reiji asked and he held out the Naginata. He took the lamp with his other hand and Mayu took the Naginata. When Mayu grabbed it form Reiji's hand, a sign that she was having a hard time with the Naginata was visible on her face. Reiji took it form her.
"What's wrong, Mayu-chan?" Reiji asked.
"Don't tell me your that strong… that seems too heavy when I held it." Mayu said.
"Hah, you're kidding! Mom wouldn't even let me touch weights!" Reiji exclaimed.
"No… I'm not…"
---
Meanwhile…
"Konohamaru-sensei, there is someone there…" Shiro whispered at Konohamaru.
"OK, whoever that is… friend or foe… we have to get ready…" Konohamaru and Shiro then pulled out their kunais. "Shiro, do you see anything?"
"There is someone walking towards us. He is wearing a black cloak with a hood. He has a sword." Shiro replied.
"Maybe that's the rogue. He's carrying a sword, eh? That must be the Shinobigatana of the Gods…" Konohamaru said.
"Konohamaru-sensei, looks like the rogue knows we are here…"
"Why can you say that?"
"He just unsheathed his sword…" Shiro said. "Whoa, his sword is really shiny…"
"I can see that…"
"Move out of the way if you do not want to get hurt…" the rogue said with a rather familiar voice for Konohamaru. He was wearing a cloak with a hood covering his head. His arms were the only one revealed. He was holding a very shiny sword with his right hand. His face cannot be seen because of the hood.
"You know we can't." Konohamaru said.
"Then I guess I'll have to beat my way into there…"
There was silence. After a few seconds, Konohamaru charged at the still rogue with his kunai. Shiro readied his kunai as Konohamaru charged at the rogue. Konohamaru lunged at the rogue who was still motionless with his kunai. The rogue easily evaded his attack and he tried to grab Konohamaru's hand. Konohamaru backed away from him before the rogue was able to grab his hand.
'Whew… that was a close one…' he thought.
"Konohamaru-sensei, do you need help?" Shiro shouted from his spot.
"No… just go and tell your team mates that the rogue is here! Quick, go tell them inside!" Konohamaru shouted at Shiro who rushed inside the museum after he heard Konohamaru's command.
"Is that all that a Jounin of Konoha can do? I thought you guys were good at this?" the rogue asked.
"Forgive me; it's been a while since I fought like this…" Konohamaru grinned.
"Grinning won't do you any good…" the rogue put his sword back to its sheath.
"What, giving up already?"
"Iie, I think I don't need this sword…" The rogue tied it on his back.
"Tsk, you're a cocky one…" Konohamaru said. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" he shouted and then four other Konohamarus appeared at his side. Then all of the Konohamarus pulled out shurikens. The rogue remained motionless. Then 4 other Konohamarus surrounded the rogue forming a circle with the fifth Konohamaru. They all threw their shurikens at the rogue at the same time.
"Kawarimi!" Konohamaru whispered after the shurikens hit the rogue. The rogue turned into a log.
After that, shurikens hit the five Konohamarus. The other four disappeared in a puff of smoke while the real Konohamaru had a shuriken sticking out of his left shoulder.
'Damn… where did that come from?' Konohamaru looked up and he saw the rogue charging at him in the air with his fist. The rogue hit Konohamaru in the face. Konohamaru was sent flying in the air. He hit the wall of the museum. Konohamaru stood up again only to find a single shuriken flying towards him. He stopped the shuriken with his kunai but he was hit with another one in his other shoulder. 'Kage Shuriken no Jutsu, damn… what's happening to me? Why can't I beat him? He fights like… but that can't be… he fights exactly like… Naruto-nii chan…' Konohamaru thought.
"What's wrong? You're too weak… I'll show you a true ninja's strength…"
"Bring it on…" Konohamaru shouted.
---
"Really, is it that heavy?" Reiji asked. Mayu nodded. They then heard fast footsteps.
"Reiji-san, Mayu-san, the rogue is here!" Shiro appeared under the light of the lamp. He had his byakugan on. He then deactivated it.
"What, where is Konohamaru-sensei?" Mayu asked.
"He's fighting the rogue…" Shiro replied.
"Why aren't you helping him?" Reiji asked.
"He told me to get the two of you!" Shiro answered. Mayu tugged both of the boy's clothes.
"Come on, let's go! We have to hurry or Konohamaru-sensei might just be in trouble!" They started to run and Reiji left the lamp inside.
The three Genins ran to reach the museums exit. Reiji, who was only thinking of Konohamaru's safety, forgot to put back the Naginata. Mayu and Shiro noticed but they didn't bother anymore because they can't waste any time anymore. When they reached the exit, they quickly stepped out of it. Reiji gripped the Naginata hard in anger when he saw Konohamaru wounded. The other two pulled out their kunais. The rogue turned and he seemed to look at them but he soon turned to face the wounded Konohamaru again.
"Hey are you all gonna stand there or are you gonna help me?" Konohamaru shouted at the three. After that Shiro and Mayu charged at the rogue with the kunai. The rogue maintained motionless again. He didn't seem to care that two ninjas were charging at him. While they charged at the rogue, Reiji rushed near Konohamaru.
"Sensei, please stay put…" Reiji whispered at Konohamaru.
"Mayu, Shiro watch out!!!" Konohamaru shouted while he clutched his other wounded shoulder with his arm. Reiji turned his attention at his team mates. Mayu and Shiro's attack was easily evaded by the rogue. The rogue caught their necks and he held them high up. The moon shined while the rogue held the two up. His mouth was soon revealed and he was emotionless. The Naginata shined with the moon. Reiji gripped it hard with his hands and he ran towards the rogue. He ran very fast, when he closed in at the rogue he swung the Naginata and he sliced the rogue at his stomach. The rogue who was still holding up the two Genins back a little away but he was still hit by the Naginata. His cloak was ripped and blood was coming out from he stomach. It also revealed the mesh he was wearing. The Naginata was very sharp indeed. The rogue threw the two and Konohamaru caught them. The rogue was snow standing with a slight curved figure. His hands were clutching his wounded stomach. He said was looking down. He raised his other hand and he wrapped it around his Shinobigatana's handle. He looked up and one of his eyes was visible. Konohamaru and Reiji gasped when they saw that eye.
They were only able to think of one person who possessed those same eyes that Reiji had…
Naruto...