A/N: It seems this fic isn't as popular with the public as my last one.
Also if you're wondering about Renji, continue to do so :P I got something really special planned out :P
Anyway here's chapter 2, if anyone thinks that I'm going to fast don't worry because I'll start to slow down real soon.
Ps. I'm on fire baby :P
Chapter 2
Naruto was walking to class this morning, barely holding the excitement in because today was the day that each genin gets separated into a 3 man team. Naruto was hoping to befriend his team mates and finally have another person to talk to.
As he was walked along, he spotted a boy from his class laying on a hill side staring up into the sky. The boy was dressed in dull brown pants with a shirt; over his shirt he wore fishnet and a jacket. The boy also had his forehead protector over his left arm; he tied his hair in a pony tail and had a sleepy expression on his face.
Naruto looked at the boy curiously before clearing his thoughts, and kept on walking towards the Ninja Academy. Naruto had come extra early today and because of that there was only one other person there besides him.
As Naruto ascended the steps to take his seat in the back of the class he looked over to the other boy and smiled at him. The other boy was the one he beat to gain the #1 Rookie position, Naruto felt bad that he had done so, so he attempted to try and make amends with the boy. The boy simply sneered at him and turned his head, Naruto let out a sigh and walked pass the boy to his seat in the back.
Slowly the classroom began to fill and each student began to talk excitedly, each one wondering who they were going to be teamed up with. Naruto noticed the boy from earlier take the seat in front of him and put his head down on his arms to rest. He was about to try to converse with the boy when the teacher walked in and told everyone to settle down so they can explain everything.
From what Naruto could understand, each student will be put into a 3 man team and that each team will be taught by a jounin who would lead the team in missions and training. Naruto also paid attention, when no one else did, when the teacher told the class to remember about the importance of team work.
Having gotten everything out of the way, the teacher then proceeded to name off the team number and the members of each team. Naruto didn't really pay attention, and noticed that the blonde girl from yesterday was sitting near the front; she was sitting close to the guy that had sneered at him. Naruto then saw the girl stand up, when the teacher called her name, he then noticed the boy in front of him stood up also. He then heard his name so he stood up as well, he sighed when his mind finally registered everything. He was being teamed up with the rude blonde girl and the incredibly lazy guy in front of him.
Sitting down he waited for the teacher to finish so he could find out who his new sensei was going to be. Naruto at this moment then noticed that the previous number 1 rookie was teamed up with a rather fat boy and a girl with pink hair. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard the shout of a boy holding a dog, he then noticed a rather creepy looking guy with sun glasses stand up, and finally a girl who dressed herself in an overcoat and had eyes that had no pupil.
Naruto heard his teacher giving the class orders to stay in the classroom until their sensei would come and pick them up. Naruto watched as each team slowly left with their teacher, the team with the dog boy left with a female sensei who dressed in a strange fashion. He saw his team mates stand up when a tall man with a beard called out "Team 8." Shrugging he followed the man as his team was lead to a restaurant.
The man introduced himself as "Sarutobi Asuma," he asked for everyone to introduce them selves and to tell him their likes, dislikes, and dreams. He pointed to the blonde haired girl and asked her to go first; Naruto listened intently as the girl spoke.
The girl said "My name is Yamanaka Ino, I like flowers, I dislike idiots, and my dream is to someday become a strong kunoichi."
Asuma grinned and nodded to the lazy member of his team.
The boy said "My name is Nara Shikamaru…. I like cloud watching….. I dislike to waste energy….. I dream to be an average shinobi, marry an average wife, and die happily as my children take care of me."
Three big sweat drops formed as Shikamaru finished his introduction.
Clearing his head Asuma pointed to the last member of the team and Naruto knew it was finally his turn.
Naruto cleared his throat and said "I am Uzumaki Naruto, I like to meet interesting people, and I dislike certain individuals….. My dream is to some day fulfill my promise to my Grandfather."
Asuma grinned and nodded, Naruto smiled brightly at each member of his team. They ate their food and Asuma told them about the real test to become genin that is set to happen tomorrow. Asuma then left and all was left was the three genins as they began to finish their early lunch.
Naruto built up the courage and asked his team mates if they wanted to train with him today, as a team. Ino shot him down saying that she had to help her mom at her shop, Shikamaru said something along the lines of "It's too troublesome," and they both left.
Naruto sighed as he knew what he had to do next, today was the day that he would visit the graves of his parents... Naruto had asked the Hokage right before he left on the day he arrived so Naruto would know where his parents were buried. He went home and cleaned himself up, put on new clothes and decided to go buy some flowers to place on the graves of his parents.
For Naruto, this was a huge step, living most of his life under the watchful eye of his Grandfather. Naruto could never really talk about his parents in front of the old man, when his father left the clan he greatly hurt his family.
He had always dreamt what his parents were like, he had a chance to ask the Hokage, but he did not want to shatter his perfect image of them. With that Naruto was content with simply visiting them at their graves.
Remembering that there was a flower shop on the route to his Ninja Academy, Naruto headed there. Unbeknownst to him, a certain blonde kunoichi was currently helping her mother at that very same shop.
Walking into the shop, Naruto was astounded by the awesome displays of flowers that were on every shelf. They had everything from daisies to roses; he was admiring some flowers when a familiar voice caught his attention.
Ino had just walked out of the back room when she noticed, a blonde boy her age was currently browsing around. Ino sighed, he was probably buying some flowers to give to his girlfriend. Ino was resented the fact that the one boy she had set her eye on, was also the one boy who had the biggest fan-club in Konoha. Putting her love problems aside she was about to greet the boy when she noticed something familiar about him.
It was the idiot who ran into her yesterday, she always felt weird when she was around him. Mainly because he always kept staring at her and it made her feel uncomfortable, knowing herself Ino was probably going to warm up to him and start "punishing" him soon with her "love" slaps. Ino sighed why did she have to have such typical male team mates?
Crossing her arms in front of her Ino called out "What do you want Naruto, I told you I can't train with you or Shikamaru today."
Naruto turned his head around and was surprised, he had not counted on meeting one of his team mates here.
Naruto replied "Your family owns this shop?"
Ino rolled her eyes and pointed to a sign hanging outside, it read "Yamanaka Flower Shop."
Naruto was dumbfounded, how in the hell did he miss that?
Reaching for the back of his head out of instinct, for some odd reason, he replied "Ahhhh, gomen Ino-Chan. I guess I didn't see it."
Ino shook her head and replied "What do you want? I have much work to do."
Naruto, remembering what he came here for, told her that he needed two bundles of the prettiest flowers she had. He looked down and the smile that was on his face was replaced by a look of sadness.
Ino noticed this, but did not want to intrude in his affairs. She went to the back and pulled out two beautiful bouquets of flowers. She motioned for him to come to the counter.
While he was paying for all this Ino took a deep long look at his face, she blushed, but mustering up enough courage she asked him a question.
Ino asked "Who are these for Naruto?"
Naruto looked at her and simply said "For my parents..."
Not pressing the subject further she handed him the two bouquets and accepted his money.
Naruto left the shop and as soon as she did Ino decided to do something a little crazy... She took off her apron and yelled to her mother that she was going to take a short break.
She left the shop and shadowed Naruto, Ino wasn't THAT interested about the boy, however she was a gossiper and she hated being the last one to know anything.
She followed him and it lead her into a brightly lit cavern in the Hokage mountains, she watched him slowly approach a statue of the 4th Hokage and he placed one bouquet of flowers on top of Yondaime's grave. She then saw him place another bouquet down onto the one that was right next to it.
She frowned, it was impossible, Naruto's last name was Uzumaki and the 4th's was Kazama. Naruto couldn't be his long lost son.
Naruto then proceeded to kneel down in front of their graves and he said some words before she saw him sob a little, this scene tore at her heart strings. Naruto after doing that stood up and dusted himself off, he went forward and placed a hand on each of his parent's grave markers. He spoke some words and while watching him speak you could see a fierce determination build in him. She watched as he finally decided to leave after an hour or two.
Approaching the grave markers after Naruto left, she decided she wanted to peak at the names on the grave markers and what she saw shocked her to the very core.
Written in bold letters across each head stone were the names: Uzumaki Kazama Arashi and Uzumaki Kazama Yachiru. The Yondaime and his faithful wife, the heroes that saved Konoha from certain doom.
Yondaime had changed his name 2 years after he had first arrived, this was back when he was still 12 years old so no one really remembers it.
Ino fell to the floor, only two things ran through her mind they were: "This secret, there is no point in telling it, no one would believe me." The next one was "Uzumaki Naruto, I would have never thought..."
After having her world rocked, Ino headed home.
Naruto awoke to a bright and cheery morning, putting the painful memories aside from yesterday, Naruto instead concentrated on his big test today. He showered and put on his usual kimono, hakama, and white undershirt. Strapping his sword to his back and tying his forehead protector to his forehead, Naruto headed out to have an early morning warm up. After running through all his usual routines he then ate some breakfast and headed for Team 8's training field.
When he arrived he saw a lazy Shikamaru and an Ino that gave him a really strange look. Before he could ask her, their sensei arrived and told them to follow him.
They walked deep into the training field until they reached a clearing that also had a small stream run half way through it. He then told them that only 1 member of this team would be allowed to pass and that the rest would be returned to the Academy.
Asuma then pointed to the river and said "The name of the game is called Field Control. Whoever is able to get me onto the other side of the stream passes the test and becomes a genin."
Asuma then told them that they had 2 hours to do so, before he could even finish the word start, the three genins were gone.
Naruto hid in a tree as he watched his sensei stand in the middle of a big field that led to the stream. Naruto had never gotten the chance to test himself on a Jounin so he decided that right now would be the perfect opportunity. Naruto dug his heels into the branch of his tree and made a gigantic leap into the sky. Aiming for the very top of Asuma, Naruto drew his sword as he did a wide downward slash.
When the sword connected with the ground it left a gigantic hole that had been caused by chakra being released from the sword. Frowning Naruto continued his assault on Asuma, each strike being dodged and one connecting with a pair of Knuckle Busters that Asuma had just drawn. Seeing the fast reaction and his sensei finally getting serious, Naruto simply backed off and went back to hiding to refine a new strategy.
A thought kept chewing at his head though, "Why would the Academy waste their time making the teams even, to try and break it up now?"
Naruto continued to contemplate this when it struck him, his sensei had reminded everyone about the importance of team work before even the teams were picked. So it finally hit him like a ton of bricks and he set off to find the rest of his team mates.
Naruto found Ino first and told her everything, she had slapped her forehead in realization and decided to help him. Naruto and Ino then found Shikamaru hiding in a bush staring at trees, when the two told him about the test, Shikamaru merely scoffed and said "Took you guys long enough."
Both team members' jaws dropped as Shikamaru told them that he knew right away, he also told them that he would have told them, but he knew they would find out eventually so he saved his energy.
After finally getting together, Naruto asked the rest of the group if they had any strategies for teaming up against their sensei. Ino quickly asked Shikamaru come up with a brilliant plan and the trio set out to work.
Asuma expected each of them to slowly try to attack him one-on-one, and he was going to have to fight one at a time. However he did not expect Uzumaki Naruto to charge at him again, this time Naruto slashed at Asuma's feet trying to get him to move closer to the forest. With each step Naruto knew that Asuma was going to fall into their trap.
Once he was in range Shikamaru popped out of the bushes and performed "Kagemane No Jutsu." The jutsu slowly raced towards Asuma making him run towards the river banks, he stopped when he noticed that the shadow finally ran out of shadows to bend and manipulate. That was when Naruto took his sword and threw it right in front of the struggling shadow. Shikamaru quickly absorbed the shadow created by the sword and continued to chase after Asuma.
Asuma seeing this jumped out of its range again by landing on the stream; that was when he saw his other student jump out of the bushes from his right and began to form the hand seals for her Mind switching jutsu. It was slow and Asuma ran towards his left to escape, seeing this Naruto knew they would fail if he didn't do anything.
Quickly molding some chakra into his feet he stunned everyone when he vanished from his current position to appear in front of Asuma to stop him from escaping. Just when Ino was about to finish, the alarm rang and Asuma told all of them to stop.
Lowering their heads in shame the three genin gathered around their sensei, Naruto quickly retrieved his sword first. Asuma lectured them about team work, they were tuning him out awaiting the words they didn't want to hear. Asuma put on a huge grin and said "You all pass."
He explained to them that he only wished for them to want work together, they did not have to have perfect team work. He merely wanted them to trust each other and when they finally banded together to work for a common goal he decided to pass of them.
Asuma then told them to meet him at their same spot again tomorrow to begin doing missions, he congratulated all of them again and told them to continue to work hard. He then poofed away, seeing this, Ino told her team mates that she had to work for her mother again today. So she left the two boys to do whatever they wished.
Naruto, starving for a good conversation asked if he could join Shikamaru in whatever he planned to do. Shikamaru shrugged and said sure, the two boys headed towards Shikamaru's house where he picked up his shogi board and then they headed off towards his favorite cloud watching spot.
The boys both laid there in silence watching the clouds drift by, Naruto doesn't like silence very much so he started a conversation with Shikamaru. The two boys talked for awhile before Naruto asked Shikamaru a question that has been plaguing his mind for a long time.
Naruto asked "Why are you so lazy Shikamaru? Why don't you have any motivation to become stronger?"
Shikamaru replied "There shall always be another person in the world that is stronger then me, why should I waste my time if I cannot be the best?"
The blonde boy replied to that with "It's not about being the best is it? To me it's about becoming powerful and to fulfill my promise to my grandfather."
Shikamaru replied "What is the promise to your Grandfather anyway? I heard you talk about it at the introductions, but you never elaborated on it."
Naruto was surprised, he hadn't expected Shikamaru to actually remember. Naruto replied "When did you start to pay attention? Didn't you get the worst grades in class or something?"
Shikamaru replied "I listen to everything even though you think I'm asleep, I just wish to be left alone most of the time. I also found the test to troublesome so I did not bother to really try much on them. And weren't you supposed to tell me your promise to your Grandfather now?"
Naruto smiled and said "I promised my Grandfather on his death bed, that someday I would rebuild my clan and bring it back to its former glory."
Shikamaru snorted "Well it's too troublesome if you ask me..." But behind those words Shikamaru admired the boy, maybe it wouldn't be too troublesome if he began to try more?
Shikamaru shrugged and invited Naruto to play shogi with him, Naruto used to play it a lot when he was younger so he loved the game because it reminded him of his Grandfather.
The two played for hours and with a new found respect, along with realization of how smart Shikamaru was. Naruto headed home after saying good bye, he was starting too really like his team.
Shikamaru smiled as he walked home, he hasn't been able to find a challenging opponent in shogi for a while. He was starting to like this grandfather loving kid.
It had been three days since Team 8 began doing missions, it was also 3 of the most boring days Naruto has ever experienced. All the missions they were doing had to deal with useless chores like: find lost cats, walking dogs, and baby sitting.
It was on the fourth day that when Team 8 reported back to the Hokage that Naruto decided to finally speak up.
Naruto asked "Hokage-sama can't you give us a harder mission? We've been doing D rank missions for three days straight already. I understand we have to start low, but don't you think we're ready for a more challenging mission?
Ino also spoke up and agreed with Naruto, Shikamaru shrugged and simply said "Sure."
The Hokage looked at Naruto before sighing and asking Asuma "Do you think they are ready for a C ranked mission Asuma?"
The Jounin grinned and said "I believe we are even ready for a B ranked one Hokage-Sama."
Naruto looked up at his sensei and smiled, maybe things will finally become more interesting.
The Hokage had an amused look on his face and said "Alright, alright, here's a C ranked mission. You are to escort a bridge builder to the Wave Country, make sure he gets there safely. Here is the information Asuma."
Asuma stepped forward and took the information, the Hokage then told their client to step out.
An old man stepped out of a room and stared at his newly hired ninja's.
He scoffed and said "These are the runts who will be escorting me?"
Ino ground her teeth at him and was about to charge him when Naruto stopped her and said "Do not worry, we may be young, but we are more then enough to handle common thugs and criminals that are located in C ranked missions."
The old man said "Whatever." And then Asuma stepped in.
He ordered his subordinates to go pack their things and meet him at the East gate in 30 minutes. He also then asked the man, named Tazuna, to follow him towards that way.
Naruto raced home and packed a backpack with two extra change of clothes, extra kunai's and shurikan's, along with a coat if things get to cold. Wearing the backpack on his back Naruto opted to have his sword strapped on his left hip for easy reach. He wore his normal black kimono, black hakama, and white undershirt. He also decided to wear geta sandals (Wooden ones worn with Kimono's and Hakama's) instead of the usual ninja sandals.
Naruto was the last one to arrive at the gate, and when he got there Asuma told everyone about what a usual C ranked escort mission entailed. All they needed to do was keep a watchful eye on their client.
They continued along their journey and soon was on the long road to Wave Country. Ino was curious about the situation on Wave Country so she, Asuma, and Tazuna maintained a normal conversation.
Naruto listened in on the conversation, but always kept on alert. He was getting these strange feelings and it irked him. Half way towards Wave, Naruto spotting a suspicious puddle, he readied himself. As soon as they passed the puddle two men ambushed them, wrapping a metal jagged chain around their sensei, they ripped him apart by pulling on each side of the chain.
Naruto saw Asuma do Kawarimi at the last minute so he did not worry about his sensei, instead he concentrated on the enemy instead. Especially since they targeted him next, the two men proceeded to try and wrap the chain around Naruto, but since Naruto had a sword he simply drew it and cut the chain in half.
One of the enemies dropped the chain and ran towards a scared looking Ino, the other didn't drop his chain and instead whipped it around Naruto's sword. Naruto seeing what his enemy was going to do next, Naruto timed it so he would throw the sword javelin style at the exact same time his enemy pulled.
The sword flew towards the man at an incredible speed, the man was lucky and dodged it. The sword, instead of skewering the man hit the contraption on his left hand and pinned it against the tree. Naruto seeing his chance ran forward and kicked the guy in the head, knocking him out cold. The other man who went after Ino was stopped by Shikamaru by use of Kagemane jutsu, Naruto also knocked out that guy when Shikamaru released his jutsu.
Asuma appeared soon after praising them on their good work, however he was mad that Tazuna had lied to his village about this being a C ranked mission. Whatever mission that involved other Nin's were considered B rank and above.
After getting everything straightened out, and getting Tazuna to up the price of the mission, they were on their way again. They had tied up the two guys and left them there to have ANBU capture them.
Using a boat they passed under a well made bridge that would soon pull Wave Country out of its economic troubles. They were soon back on land heading towards Tazuna's House.
Naruto felt like he was being watched... He felt as if there was another huge chakra in the area waiting to consume him...
Naruto suddenly heard Asuma yell "DUCK!" So he dived towards the ground with the rest of his team as a gigantic sword swung pass him. Looking up at the sword after it had been embedded into the tree, he saw a strange looking man standing on it. Hearing his sensei's order to not engage this target Naruto and his team mates formed a protective barrier around their charge.
The man and Asuma exchanged some words before the man performed a jutsu that created a lot of mist around the area. The man easily penetrated their barrier and was about to kill Tazuna when Asuma stepped in with his Knuckle Busters.
The two engaged in combat, but in the end the man gained the upper hand and tricked Naruto's sensei. The man had trapped his sensei in a water prison, due to the fact that the water prison had to be held using chakra, the man had to stand there keeping it active. He however created many water clones to attack Naruto and his team.
Asuma yelled "RUN! Ino, Shikamaru, Naruto! Run and get Tazuna to safety, do not worry about me!"
Naruto slowly looked at his team mates before telling them, "Shikamaru, please back me up while I try and free Asuma-sensei. Ino stay here and protect Tazuna, if me and Shikamaru fail, be sure to take Tazuna to safety."
Both genins nodded, Naruto slowly drew his Katana. Naruto's sword has a black sheathe, the handle was decorated in black and gold, and the hand guard was round. There are gold carvings on the hand guard and handle of the Katana.
Naruto slowly got into his favorite stance, he knew there was no way he could last a long time with so many water clones. Deciding to lower their numbers quick Naruto did molded chakra to his feet, using the flash step 3 times he quickly eliminated most of the clones, he was very tired. The Flash step drains chakra quickly and was extremely strenuous to the body.
There were only 5 clones left and they were protecting the man's real body, trusting in his team mate Naruto charged them. Instead of attacking them he slid under them and went for a leaping slash at the real body, looking back he could see that the clones were being stopped by Shikamaru's Kagemane.
The man simply caught Naruto by the neck and started to squeeze, Naruto dropped his sword to the ground, thinking quickly Naruto wrapped his legs around the man's arm. Planting his right foot on the man's face and his left foot on the man's stomach, Naruto was able to break the hold the man had on his neck.
Instead of letting go of the arm however, he opted for a more "creative" choice. Naruto twisted the hand and planted his right leg over the man's face and the other one across the man's chest Naruto pulled on the wrist as he locked in an arm bar.
Naruto was pulling the arm with all of his strength to try and break it. The man fought back greatly, but he was losing. He had to choose between breaking the prison and having his arm broken, he gladly chose to release the prison.
The man released the prison and turned to use his right arm to do a right elbow into the face of Naruto. Naruto was dazed as the elbow connected with his nose, blood oozed out of the nose and Naruto once against found himself gripped by the neck.
Asuma quickly performed seals and used one of his own personal jutsu. He blew a poisonous gas cloud into the face of the missing Nin, the man struggled for air and Naruto struggled to get free.
The man fed up with the kid threw Naruto into the middle of the lake. Having gone through some chakra control techniques from his Grandfather Naruto landed on his feet in the middle of the lake.
He then watched his sensei face off against the missing Nin again. This time Asuma fought hard and seriously, he molded chakra to his palm and slammed it down on the water. It created a giant wave that crashed into the missing Nin, it carried him to land and slammed him against a tree.
Three needles flew through the air as it embedded itself into the neck of the missing Nin. The owner of the needles explained that he was hunter-nin and was chasing this criminal, the man took the missing-nin's body and disappeared.
Asuma realized he was tricked, but couldn't do anything, because they had escaped.
Naruto walked back to land and collapsed with exhaustion, Asuma thanked him and then carried his body to Tazuna's house.
Tonight they would be able to sleep well, in a week however, fate puts Team 8 against some old enemies.
A/N: Wow I was finally able to finish chapter 2, it was a beast.
I hope you had as much fun as I did reading this as I had writing this.
Peace.
PS: Next time Naruto makes his own jutsu.