DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN NARUTO
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Green scales, green glowing eyes, huge claws. That vision kept repeating itself in his mind, and it struck slight fear into him. His arms, legs shivered at the thought of it's huge claws piercing his body, breaking every bone and ripping his muscles apart. He could envision it's sharp tooth crushing everything in his path, and destroying all that exists. Truly, he felt afraid. Yet, that fear felt unnatural, as if the fear wasn't supposed to be there, as if the fear was wrong, as if it were misplaced. He wondered the implications, if it were to ever start to destroy.
He would ask the sensei about this 'creature' tomorrow, and yet he felt there will be no answer that would satisfy him. But now, he would take a nap and relieve his strained body muscles and stomach.
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Hideiki and Jishn stood inside a dimly lit room, where a huge statue of fine worksmanship stood watchfully over them. Both of them were clad in their usual attire, but Hideiki-sensei held a candle in his left hand, perhaps to shed some light into the dark room but it is noticable that the smoke would be quite suffocating if not for the small air vents around the ceilings, and this situation was worsened by the fact that there are lots of incense in the room, and the place was awash in it's aroma, but thankfully, it's aroma is pleasantly refreshing.
"So, how's his progress?"
"Fast. But he has a severe disadvantage in the field of tactics, combat experience and jutsu knowledge."
"What do you suggest?"
"Field training would do well to teach him proper utilization of all three, and it would also build his mindset in combat."
"I see. It can be organized. How's his current state of mind?"
"Stable."
"Is there anything we can do to increase the speed of his growth?"
"No. So far, we have done all that is within our means. But I believe pairing him up with Sena would do wonders."
"Accepted, Sena's tutor will switch over to cover the both of them."
"An additional tutor would be great for field training as well."
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They convened at a field that day instead of the usual place, and Naruto seemed anxious to start his training. The wind was soft, pleasant enough to appease the skin, and the sun has yet to show it's fullest fury. Cloud skittered over the blue sky, and the field was littered with fallen leaves, browned and dead.
"Naruto. You will be teamed up with Sena from today forth, which also means you'll have two teachers instead of one." Hideiki motioned plainly.
"Sure. But, sensei..."
"Yes, what is it?"
"Erm... I saw a big green creature with huge claws and scales in the woods yesterday night."
"I see. But if you say you saw it at night, there should not be enough light for you to see it properly."
"I guess the moon gave enough light, and the creature also had green glowing scary eyes. What is it?"
"I don't know."
Then, Sena walked over with a woman, with dark hair covering her left eye, and dressed in a flowing grey robe.
"So, this is my new student?" The woman remarked. "Uzumaki Naruto, I was told. So, I'm Yuri Keiko, your teacher until who-knows-when."
"... So, what do we do today?" Sena asked.
"Mock combat training." Hideiki said. "Well, actually it is quite a real combat, but no real weapons."
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Sena and Naruto faced each other, and the hot afternoon sun began to make itself felt to everyone, but to the both of them, the sun is a nuisance and irritance. Naruto charged the moment Hideiki gave the signal, whereas Sena was more of the assessment type, and he was obviously considering Naruto's weakness while formulating a possible plan in his head.
The blue-eyed Naruto performed kage bunshin no jutsu while he was running, and the fifteen clones also charged. They ran, and they approached about three feet away, and Sena jumped, and he performed 'Katon Gokakyuu no jutsu.' in mid air, and the fire engulfed some of the clones, sending them to kingdom come. But three jumped to attack him midair, while three others remained at the point of landing.
Naruto stared at Sena, waiting for him to land to launch an attack, but the brown haired kid flipped his body, kicking two clones, then, the moment he landed, he spun his body to deflect the charging clones. Naruto jumped backwards, threw a few wooden shurikens, then jumped backward again and threw a few more kunais. But Sena sidestepped the incoming projectiles and threw his own in a counterattack, with the intention of harm or displacing his opponent.
'Three kunais.' Naruto spoke to himself, and he momentarily considered what to do. He bent his body to avoid the attacks, and he charged forward to engage Sena in melee combat. A kick, and it was parried with a palm. A punch from the left hand, and was dodged by a jump. Sena threw a kunai in mid air, and Naruto avoided with not much hassle with a jump sideways.
"Fireball no jutsu." A small but blue colored ball of fire emerged between Sena's two palms and he looked as if he was preparing to throw them at him like a baseball. 'Maybe there is an opening there.' Naruto immediately threw a kunai at him, and he jumped to launch a kick to his chest, which found it's intended target. But Sena intentionally received the blow to create an opening for himself to fling the ball of blue fire at his body, and he looked as if he was about to do so when the moment was right.
Hideiki screamed out that moment, "Naruto, you lose." The ball of fire was then thrown to an empty piece of dirt instead, setting the ground temporarily ablaze before dissipating because of the lack of burning material.
From that day, they continued training, and most of the time, combat. It seemed that combat was the fastest way they could master what they learned, and Naruto found it refreshing to do so. So, a month passed as if it was a second, and Naruto could say that he held knowledge of more jutsus than before, even if he only learned a total of three jutsus in a month. But still, three jutsus is very little, yet it was also better than nothing. Furthermore, constant training with Sena managed to instill at least a little tactic into his combat style.
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Dark, damp, dim. Naruto always found the corridors and pale pathways in his mind a pain, to both eyes, and to his emotions. The demon that resided inside him often reminded him of his destiny, and the cruelties of life he faced back in Konoha.
Naruto looked at the steel bars that keep the Kyubi controlled, and he felt a certain emotion called fear sweep over him. Again and again, he had felt this feeling a lot of times, as if a bad omen was contained and it was bound to come true. The dark red eyes glowed when he stepped closer, and the fox's growl broke the damp shell of silence.
"What brings you here, you pathetic little creature?"
"I want you to help me be stronger, so I can actually make a difference." Naruto said plainly
"And what if I say no?" The kyubi said with a chuckle to accompany his words.
"Then I'll find trouble which will eventually lead to the demise of the both of us." Naruto said.
"... No. I don't think you want to die so fast, so you won't possibly find trouble."
"What if I do, say when I'm helping someone and then who knows what happens?"
"I still refuse to help a weakling, especially if he is a frail, unstable human."
"What if Akatsuki where to do something about that? Would you rather be their servant, or help me wipe them out?"
"Hmm, I see you found quite a few points to make me aid you. Very well. so you did improve... I'll consider your proposal, but I'll probably need to amend it as well, if I accept. Till I make up my mind, then. Leave me."
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Power, strength, might. Many words were made to project this state, a condition where one feels wonderfully capable of doing anything. It is a state that differs when the point of view is switched from one person to another, and for that reason, the power that makes one strong, can weaken another. Faith, love, hate, greed, revenge and many more are all situations, conditions that drive someone to become powerful, and often it is the very thing that grants a person the energy and might. But all powers can be misused, so power must be given with must consideration and hesitation. It is better sometimes to let someone be powerless, than be too powerful. But they cannot be blamed, because they are after all fearful of many entities in the plane of existence.
Fear of being betrayed, fear of being used, fear of being disrespected by others, all have led people to obtain the myth called power, to hopefully avoid these fears that manifest in many forms. The anabasis of being controlled, being at the state of lack, are very powerful motivations for power, and although there are others, has led us to obtain might, to escape poverty, to escape pain, to escape isolation.
To quote a person who one said, "Being the most powerful can be lonely at times." And truly, power might be the poison itself, and often we regret our decisions. Power has many effects on the human mind, and more often than not, it corrupts the human mind who is often unable to carefully manage the disposal of such powers. We either overuse power, or use it too little. Either way, it is a misuse, the differences only lie in the effects on others. So, why should power be given, when it will be misused? Is that what he truly wanted? The path that will eventually lead to absolute loneliness, that humans are rarely able to cope successfully a path that will bring chaos and harm to those who he used to care for, and cared by.
The prelude of insanity is often the spark of desertion, loneliness and desperation, and often, it is these frail-looking, weak people who wil cause the most harm. They are alone, suppressed by other powers, in the great desire of power to be free of suppresion, and they resort to cheap, inconsiderate tricks to gain power. It is the same power that leads many to be suppressed, the same power that leads many to loneliness. Would he want to be alone? Even if it would make him lonely? Not many is able to look past the skin, because humans always rely on their often misguide vision, a truth often reinforced by the games of optical illusions we play on the many, hoping they would fall for the trick.
Yet, the question remains. Would he want the power? Is he ready for it? Can he use it to fully, not too much nor too little? Questions to be asked, later when his mind is made up.
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The buildings shone with a solemn glow, as the evening light of the sun strikes all in it's path, be it straight or distorted by the clouds. A peaceful, seemingly uneventful place, yet it is this place that serves as the headquarters of the Fire country's ninjas. Legendary for it's quick leap to power, and birthplace of the legendary three sennins, it is a place with an illustrious history, for the blood it spilled and the lives it saved. A place of many hidden truths, like clouds hiding rain, and the golden fluffy clouds scudded all over the sky basked in the sunlight.
Under the monument of the four previous leaders, stood Tsunade, fifth hokage of Konoha, leader of many a warrior. She glanced, and a smile crept automaticly to her face. Times like these were the moments when she could enjoy the beauty and scenery, away from the often bloodstained work she had, away from masterminding assassinations, or performing surgeries flooded with blood.
Four jounins were in front of her, as if waiting for her to begin to speak. The hokage glanced momentarily again at them, but the smile turned to a slight frown.
"Orochimaru is looking for something, and as far as I know, he is looking for scrolls." The four listened intently.
It was then Asuma interjected. "What does him looking for scrolls have to do with myself, Kurenai and Gai?" He referred to Kurenai and Gai next to him. "Kakashi, I can understand. But for the three of us, we have genin teams under our wings, and they are definitely not at the level where they can survive for long against the legendary sennin." Kakashi seemed to frown, but his mask shied away all his facial emotions.
Tsunade smiled, "Quick as ever. But you see, I want the three of you to increase their training, and Kakashi will help by teaching jutsus, regularly jumping teams to teach other genins. It is necessary, in case a war, which I certainly hope to avoid, happens against our wishes. So that they can handle weak genins, freeing your hands and allowing you people to handle the stronger ninjas without having to worry about them."
Kakashi intercepted, "So, you're saying I'm going to be a jutsu library or something like that?"
Tsunade. "Exactly. You are the copy ninja, right?"
The four jounins no longer had anything to say, so the female hokage continued, "Go, make it happen."
"Yes." And the four jounins teleported away, to meet up with their teams.
Tsunade turned to glance at the third hokage, and she said softly, "I hope this is the right decision, Sarutobi-sensei."
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To every action comes a reaction so said Newton.
"Naruto. If we were to convert jutsus into numbers to represent them, we would see that for every point it gained for damage, speed or power, come equal chance for it to backfire. Sometimes, even an absolute defence can rendered useless in conditions. It is a matter of waiting, seizing opportunity as it comes, and selecting the right steps to convert harm into gain. Remember, if your opponent threw a kunai at you, there is the time when you can pick it up to use it against them. If your opponent has a sword in his hands, it simply meant that he has one less hand to parry a quick punch to his stomach. In short, he can be said to have sacrificed defence, for attack."
"But a sword is more dangerous than a punch, and swords can be used to defend, I think..." Naruto retorted,
"True, but all weapons have a range of effectiveness. A sword can only hit so far, and only protect so near. As useful as the sword is, there are weaknesses, and as ninjas, it is your task to maximize harm using the least resource, which similarly imples, getting least harm on ourselves, by opening these weaknesses to allow for successful hits." Jishin-sensei said.
Naruto only waited for the old sensei to continue lecture.
"Then, weapons are usually worth destroying. Some ninja made the fatal mistake to rely on a particular weapon too much, so, when the weapon is destroyed, they are quite at a disadvantage." The old bald men said. "Well, today you are going to practice a different art of fighting with with no weapons." Then, Jishin asked him to stand, and the old man entered into a weird position that Naruto could not really place. "Come, attack me without any jutsus."
Naruto did as he was told, and he charged forward. The old man adjusted his body to respond to the charging Naruto, and his hands quickly reached out to grab Naruto's wrists and in a flicker of a second, Naruto was on the ground, and the old man was in a position, ready to strike.
"How'd you do that?"
"Body positioning. By placing your bodyparts in the correct places, you can safely repel your opponent and pin him to the ground."
"... Erm.... Erm... I don't understand."
"... I guess this will take a while to explain. But I'll tell you anyway. You essentially use your opponents strength against them, by placing your arms, body, legs and so forth in certain places that will cause your opponent to flip and drop. Say, you are running, and you kept running at a very high speed. Then, all the sudden, a rock hit your foot, and you fall down. I am the rock in this case, while you are the runner. But the rock did not move much, but the runner was the person that provided the energy, and therefore, you made yourself fall."
"... You're a rock?"
"No. I mean that I can be compared to have the positioning of the rock. By hitting you or stopping you at certain places, the energy or strength you put is turned against you, and you fall."
"Still don't understand..." (If any of you are familiar with basic physics, you should be aware of the concept of inertia, which I believe everyone do.)
The old man was silent, and then he found it. "Ever made someone trip?"
"Yes." Naruto said, with a large grin.
"How did you make them trip?"
"Put your leg, and then they fall. Or usually I use strings."
"Did you ever need to move the string?"
"Not much."
"See. It's the same idea. Use little things, and at correct places, they fall down."
"...Ah! I get it."
Jishin gave away a sigh of relief, and he gave a worn smile, "Good, now we train."
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Night, one half of the cycle of a day. Often we sleep through most of it, but some use it as a place and time to contemplate.
Sasuke was alone in the dark training ground, seeing only with the aid of small lights. But to him, it doesn't matter.
He glanced into the night, a moonless sky, and he started to wander in his thoughts again. Time and again he has did this little hobby of just thinking, but he stopped since he became a genin. Now, it was returning back to him again, and he found it surprisingly relaxing, offering some made-up company when there is no other person around. He wasn't particularly the talkative kind of person, but he is a good listener, giving comments when only absolutely necessary. With no moon to cure a certain emptyness inside, he could only do so much.
He is thinking again, and he wondered the case of ever confronting his missing-nin brother again. He would have to kill someone close to obtain the mangekyou sharigan, but now he had nobody close to him. Nobody he care for. He had to kill a very good friend, and yet, even as Sakura and Naruto treated him as a friend, did he repay the favor? No. He rarely did. How could he beat Itachi when he did not even possess the advanced sharingan? Would he have it inside him to kill someone as close as someone who he would call a very good friend? He never knew the feeling of having a good friend just yet... He didn't. So, if this person got to close, would he kill him or her?
The truth is, he did not know. He knew there are many ways to repay his brother. One is not to hate him and focus on rebuilding the Uchiha clan, and just be strong enough to protect the clan, which would make Itachi very pissed, or kill him and show him how small his vessel is.
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Thanks for reading.... I'm asking a question here, although just a small one. Do you want Sasuke to become a loner as he is now and still kill Itachi or die trying,, or give up and just rebuild the clan? Both ways are suitable methods of revenge as far as I am concerned, but.... I dunno. Because Sasuke is a small part of my little plan, so I can give you readers a choice on this one.