Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. This is the last time I'll ever say this. If you later try to sue me over claiming something, I'll just laugh at you. I'm a college student. I have no money, baka. There's only one original character in this fic...you'll see that person shortly.
Response to reviews is at the bottom...it takes up too much room up here! Anyway, let's get started!
Yondaime: The Strength of a Nation
Chapter 2: My How The Times Have Changed...
It was quite an amusing sight.
2 small students with entirely different attitudes were a few feet away. One of them--who seemed to be very competitive--was trying to get the other to race him. His mop-top black hair and hyperactivity were quite amusing, especially if you considered the calm of the other he was standing next to. The other student was simply standing there, ignoring him and looking up at the sky.
It was 2 days after Konohagakure's Academy Graduation, and the school had just promoted 15 students to the unofficial rank of genin. Whether or not all of those stayed genin or returned to the academy, however, depended on how their tests with the Jounin instructors would go tomorrow.
They all had the day off today, however, and one of the better known Jounin was standing on the edge of the playground that the academy students normally played on. These new genin had returned there, knowing nowhere else to go to just joke around. There, they joined the kids from the academy who had not passed, and playtime began. He found them quite amusing to watch.
"Come on! You have to race me! You don't have a choice!"
"...mmm? Did you say something?"
"GWAH! Stop joking with me!"
The Jounin chuckled to himself. There are about a thousand things I could be doing right now, he thought. But...none of them are a better use of an off day than watching the children. There'll be enough time for work later.
"Ahhh...I remember those days."
As a husky voice suddenly began speaking next to him, the Jounin warrior was startled out of his thoughts. Eh? The Jounin raised an eyebrow. It wasn't very often someone snuck up on him. There were only about 10 people in the world capable of doing so, and he had a feeling he knew which one this was.
"Jiraiya-sensei."
The man next to him was dressed in long robes, the top of his hair very similar to the Jounin's own, jutting out in all directions. However, the man's hair was much longer, and where the spiky hair ended, his long, white hair extended downward, tucked into the back of the robes, out of the view of the young Jounin. His face showed the beginning of wrinkles, thought the smile on his face did well to smooth those out. "Indeed." Jiraiya did not turn towards the Jounin, but remained facing the small children. "It's rumored there's one in this bunch who may be smarter than you were at that age."
The Jounin nodded and turned towards Jiraiya, revealing a file in his right hand, and showing it to the great sage. "It's true. He's a strategic genius to say he's only 5. And somehow, he's got the skills to match it. It's not very often you have a 5-year-old pass the tests."
Jiraiya smiled and took the file, taking a moment to read over it. "Hatake Kakashi. A kid with an IQ of 122 at age 5. And that's on the same 12-year-old's test the rest of his team took." He took a look at the picture for a moment, then looked out in front of him. Found him. Not that he's hard to find with that other kid bouncing all over the place. "And he's already got grey hair. Quite amusing."
They both chuckled and watched as the grey-haired Kakashi finally got tired of listening to the other student's begging.
"Gai."
"YOU'VE GOT TOOOO...huh?"
"I'll race you."
"You will?"
Kakashi turned and faced him. Though the black mask over his mouth and nose--an extension of the black full body suit he was wearing--stopped anyone from ever knowing for certain, his eyes seemed to reflect a smile.
Gai's eyes brightened and glistened with happiness, and then he suddenly turned away from Kakashi, his fist clenched, eyes glowing with fire. Jiraiya burst into heavy laughter watching the boy give himself a pep talk. "YES! Finally, after years of training, I will have an opportunity to defeat Kakashi! I cannot fail! This will be the culmination of my life's training...hard work shall defeat a genius, no matter what it takes!"
Jiraiya rolled across the ground, laughing and gripping his sides, listening to the inspired 5-year-old rant on and on about his impending victory. The culmination of his life's training...as if he'd been training for so long...
The Jounin watched silently, the smirk on his face the only detail denoting he was paying attention, as his mind wandered a bit. Only one person under age 10 passed these tests this time. They said he had few friends...this one seems to be comfortable around him though. His eyes focused on the mop-top, wearing the green body suit and orange anklets. So...that must be the academy student Maito Gai that is with Kakashi. That's got to be it.
Both of the boys got focused looks on their face as they got ready to sprint. Gai pointed off in a direction in front of him. "Sprint to that tree! On your mark...get set...go!"
The Jounin's jaw was dropped by the time he saw Gai take two steps. But, that wasn't because of Gai.
Even Jiraiya had to stop rolling and drop his jaw when he saw the boys take off, and noticed that Kakashi was moiving at nearly twice the speed of Gai. It dropped even lower when he realized that Kakashi had no intention of slowing down..and that the boy didn't even breathe hard at the end of the race.
It stayed down when they heard Gai panting a moment later as he finally reached the tree, looked up to Kakashi, and hostilely yelled "Best 2 out of 3!"
The Jounin spoke first. "I think...we...just found...the bionic 5-year-old..."
Jiraiya rose from the ground and dusted off his robes. "No kidding. That kid's going to be something special. Good thing he's on your team."
It was then that the Jounin finally noticed what Jiraiya was wearing. "Ho ho ho...that's the sennin outfit you're wearing...why are you so dressed up today, Jiraiya-sensei?"
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, then smiled. "Seems you're out of the loop. Though, I have a hard time believing that an ANBU would be so far out of the loop as to not know about the major announcement today. Sarutobi must be off his rocker leaving them out."
The Jounin raised an eyebrow in mock interest. It was quite amusing...Jiraiya is perhaps the only major rank NOT to know the full details of what's happening today, yet he thinks he's privileged to information. But...that's what the Hokage wanted. I hate to bait sensei along like this though...
Jiraiya smirked some more, knowing he was going to get the chance to tell some secrets. "Yep...apparently the third Hokage has chosen to step down for some reason. He's even gone as far as choosing his successor."
"WHAT?!"
"Arashi...you really didn't know? I'm really surprised they left YOU out of the loop on that..."
As he heard the sound of "Best 3 out of 5!" in the background(along with loud panting), it took everything in the Jounin Arashi's power not to burst out laughing at his master Jiraiya for that comment. Things were going to get really interesting in a few. He couldn't wait to see sensei's reaction...
"Well anyway, Arashi, it's a high-class event. He's going to announce his successor at the event, and he wants everyone dressed in their highest military uniforms. Erm...hope your ANBU stuff isn't in the wash..."
Not that Arahsi didn't already know these things, but he completed his charade with a cringe. "I suppose there are things that I need to do with my off-day now...what time is the ceremony?"
"It's supposed to start at 4 this evening...even the kids who just turned genin are allowed to come. They'll apparently get to wear their forehead protectors as their outfit--oi...Arashi?"
The Jounin boy was gone. The area was silent--with the exception of an exasperated yell of "BEST 4 OUT OF 7!!!!" coming from Gai.
Jiraiya smiled, glad he had been able to spring such a surprise on his only student...he had always enjoyed surprises. Eventually his mind wandered to his past, and to Arashi's future. Ahhh...the cycle continues, eh Sandaime? I trained that kid from a young boy...and now he's strong enough to train the bionic boy. They keep getting stronger, and younger...by the time this Kakashi fellow is old enough, kids'll probably be able to face ME one on one. Kakashi'll probably be training Orochimaru's kid genius with an IQ of 203...at age 4...as told by the 18-year-old's test...or something crazy like that.
So...I wonder who gets to be Yondaime?
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It wasn't anywhere near time for Arashi to be rushing to the ceremony. Since the Hokage had told him personally all he needed to know on the subject, he had prepared his clothes days in advance. Still, that gave him the opportunity he needed to leave without the sennin catching on to the real reason why.
He smiled. They didn't call the 3rd Hokage "The Professor" for nothing. To allow the man to speak required patience, and considering this was going to be his farewell speech, Arashi would take no chances. No way was he going to a cermemony that would require him to stand up--quite possibly for hours--on an empty stomach. Slowly, he made his way to the friendly Ichiraku Ramen stand, with full intentions of eating lunch alone and quickly.
That was the plan, that is, until he walked in and saw who was sitting at the bar. Without a second thought to the old plan, he made his way to the bar and sat next to the Jounin kunoichi(female ninja) he spotted. She didn't look up for the moment...seemed to be lost in thought or something. Oh well, he thought. I may as well order. "Oi! One pork ramen please!"
The sound of his voice caught her attention, however. The girl looked up, her blue eyes brightening when she noticed him. "Arashi-kun? How long have you been sitting there?"
He smiled to her. "Just got here a moment ago, Nara-chan. How are you?"
Nara smiled back and lifted her arms, resting her hands behind her head and entangling them in her long, light brown hair. "I'm doing pretty well."
Arashi wanted to ask her what was on her mind, but for some reason, he felt shy at the moment. Then again, 90% of the time he felt at least a little shy around her. Something about the confidence she tended to ooze unnerved him at times. Now, it wasn't her confidence, but her look of thought from earlier that caused Arashi to pause.
Eventually, as their food finally showed up, the awkward silence faded into slurping noises, as Nara dove into her ramen bowl. Arashi always found it quite amusing…that Nara ate so much faster than him. Perhaps it was just because he enjoyed the flavor so much…then again, she did have two bowls to his one. Nara noticed how quiet Arashi was, and beat him to the punch. "Penny for your thoughts, Arashi-kun…what's wrong?"
The blond-haired ANBU blinked, and recognized the question. He looked down at his bowl of ramen as he spoke. "It's just that there's so much going on…that's all. The 3rd Hokage has decided he wants to transfer me from ANBU."
Naru nearly choked on the noodles she was inhaling. "What? Where would they transfer the second in command of ANBU to?"
Arashi looked at his reflection on the spoon he had in the ramen bowl with his chopsticks. "He wants to transfer me…to the genin field."
"WHAT?! They want you as a Jou trainer?" (A/N: There was a time when not every Jounin led a genin team, I'd assume…)
"Yep. There's some very interesting genin this year…one of them is 5 years old."
The girl took a moment to swallow some of her food before speaking. "…holy crap. Way out of his league. How'd a 5 year old even pass the academy tests?" As soon as she finished speaking, she filled her mouth back to capacity.
Arashi couldn't help but chuckle. "Actually, it seems he may be the most developed out of all of the new genin this year." He didn't even have to look…just by the fact that he didn't hear any slurping sounds to his right, he knew Nara's mouth was wide open. Which was partially why he didn't look…chewed, grilled chicken ramen wouldn't be a nice sight.
After sounds of swallowing and slurping, Arashi heard the clanking of a bowl hitting the table, meaning his friend was done eating. Her voice confirmed that a moment later. "Well…that's probably why they want you to have him. He sounds a good bit like you were."
Arashi raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
"Well…he's way younger than everyone else in his genin class…meaning he probably doesn't have many friends. Probably antisocial by force…but once you get to know him I bet he's just like anyone else. Still, he must be darn smart to have made it this far…he's probably got more potential than anyone can estimate…"
Completely missing Nara's attempt at a complement, Arashi instead wanted to argue the idea that he and the boy were similar in not having friends. The rest of what she said,however, had hit the mark. Truce. He nodded, and went back to work on his ramen.
Nara turned to her fellow Jounin, at first hoping to make eye contact with him, but noticing that he was eating, she simply looked his way. "I agree with their decision…you're certainly capable of it. Heck, if you had the confidence in yourself, you would probably be Hokage by now." His ears perked up, but he instinctively continued on like she hadn't just said that. "Speaking of said person, you aren't even remotely dressed for the announcement…"
Arashi finished off his ramen bowl quickly, Naru noticed. "Well, I've got a little more time before then. I'm not going to get all dressed up until it's absolutely necessary…knowing how much 'the Professor' likes to talk, I could end up stuck in my ANBU outfit for a while." He cringed internally, thinking about how uncomfortable that outfit was, even though it was a great piece of armor. A small smile of contentment washed over his face as he thought ahead. My last time wearing that thing…and then everything changes.
That same look of peace stayed on his face as he paid for both his and the girl's food, and they both made their exit. This was not overlooked by his companion. As they reached the fork in the intersection of two streets that denoted the fork in the road where their journeys would separate them, the girl walked over to a bench and sat down. "Kazama Arashi…how long have we known each other?"
Her question knocked him slightly out of the daze of happiness he was feeling, as he dug back to find that piece of information…
"I don't get it…why are you so good at that? I can't even make one clone, and you're already making 3 at a time…"
He smirked again as he walked toward the bench, not quite sure why she had asked that, but the memory was a good one all the same. "Uzumaki Narashima, we've known each other since we were 7…when I taught you bunshin."
"I KNOW THAT…that was beside the point." She looked up to him as he took a seat next to her. "It's just that…in all these years I've known you…I've never seen that look on your face before."
His eyes widened slightly. Geez…am I that obvious? It's a wonder Jiraiya didn't notice…well no it's not. The only thing he notices with detail is women. Arashi raised an eyebrow to her with curiosity, attempting to cover the smirk. "What look?"
She laughed. "And now you've got a look like a kid caught in the act of stealing…but before that…you just looked…content. Like you accomplished something awesome and you were thinking back to it. You've never been one to bask in your own glory…so spill it. What the heck just happened?" She leaned in, examining his face in detail.
Arashi nervously backed away from her. "Erm…Nara?"
"Did you just come back from a big mission? Protect someone important?"
"Erm…no…nothing like that. I honestly don't know what you're talking about."
She took a look at him skeptically; a studious and focused look crossed her face. Arashi began to get a bit scared, not quite sure what was going on in her head. Suddenly, a sly smile slid over her face. Hoo boy…that can't be good…what now…
"Arashi-kun…did you meet a special girl…" His blush came quicker than she even expected. Hmmm…maybe he DID meet a girl.
"NO!" He waved his hands back and forth, immediately regretting responding so quickly and strongly. "No…you're barking up the wrong tree totally."
Narashima wrinkled her nose at Arashi. Why'd he respond that way? Oh well…have to bother him later. "So…that means there IS something…"
Arashi frowned. Darn…guess I screwed that up. Looking up to the sun in the sky, he noticed it was later than he thought. "Well…I'll tell you later…heck, you may even figure it out on your own eventually." He smiled inwardly. Knowing her and the way her mind works, that'll stop her from asking me until she can figure it out on her own. "In the meantime," Arashi continued as he rose from the bench and began to walk, "I need to go start getting ready."
She sat there for a moment, watching him leave, and for the first time in her life she felt…confidence from him. In a way, it unnerved her, but more than anything, she was happy to see him like that. "See you later, Arashi-kun."
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It was now 4:30. Jiraiya could tell that much by the positioning of the sun. He could also tell because his highest attention span for anything was little more than a half hour, and that had obviously passed not too long ago. Sandaime's flair for the dramatic had everyone waiting in suspense for his announcement…so of course, the first thing done was the graduation ceremony for the new genin. A creative way to make everyone anxious, old man…but still just a suspense tactic. Get on with it.
Looking around for a moment, Jiraiya noticed the arrangement of the rank and file of Konohagakure. In three columns of 10 a piece to his left was every Jounin warrior, dressed in full regalia…their jackets cleaned and filled with scrolls, kunais hanging from every weapon pouch. It truly was a spectacle of military power. In the other direction were 2 columns (10 a piece again) of ANBU. Much the opposite, they were wearing their animal mask and combat outfits, but not a single weapon could be spotted on them without knowing where to look. He smiled. Every single one of the warriors was standing upright, alert and prepared for seemingly anything that might happen. Other countries should be invited to ceremonies like this…it would scare the bejeezus out of them to see this many Jounin and ANBU in one place. Within that crowd lay Orochimaru, not because he was an ANBU (he wasn't), but simply because that was, for some reason, where the grand old man had wanted him to be. So within the vests and animal masks laid a snake-like face, wearing far more garments than any of the others around him, and looking quite annoyed. So the 3rd did make us all wear the same thing. Go figure.
Jiraiya already knew the rest of the arrangement. Behind him, 6 rows of chuunin sat. Within that area was Tsunade, he assumed, as he had not seen her yet. And all around him were the seated, staring genin. All 20 rows of genin. The first 2 rows were the brand new students, just sitting down from having received their forehead protectors for the first time. It was really nice of them to allow the new genin to get the front seats, right in the middle of everything. That may also have been why the jounin and ANBU were standing. If something were to happen, those children would need protection…fast.
For the next 5 minutes or so, Jiraiya began considering the possibilities of effective defense with so many people packed into this area, listening to the Hokage…until he noticed that everyone was listening to the Hokage. I didn't even hear him start talking…guess I'm still subconsciously blocking out his voice.
"…I have been Hokage through a time of war between the ninja villages. I have had to give many orders I wished could have been avoided, but that had to be done nonetheless.
This is a time of relative peace between the ninja villages, and I have come to a conclusion. In order for that peace to truly be held, it must be held by someone who knows the full meaning of war. I have not been involved in a battle in ages…I am out of practice, and I am growing older.
Though I am fit to continue ruling if need be, I came to the conclusion a few months ago…that to continue ruling would not be the best thing for Konoha. There are many here…who are capable of leading; such is the strength of our village. But, if I were to continue to lead here, that strength would never be realized…it would be forgotten, and forgotten strength can easily become weakness.
All the same, I will never forget the time I spent here. This village has changed me forever. Seeing how you have fought on through tough times has strengthened me in ways I never thought possible. To this day, I am still willing to give my life for any one of you, knowing that it will not be in vain.
I am known as the professor…because I love to teach, and also because I talk too much." Sandaime chuckled to himself, letting his smile be seen. "So I will not drag on and on this time. I know everyone wants to know who I chose for the new Hokage.
This decision was made not only by me, but also with the help of the feudal lords and many of the special Jounin of this village. I wanted to make sure I saw all sides before making a decision that would affect everyone in so many different ways. In the end, the person I chose was chosen for his strength in dangerous times…for the calm and gentle way he deals with those around him…for his love for Konoha…and for his never-ending quest to repay the gifts he has been given. In short, he was chosen for his heart.
The true defining ability of a Hokage isn't some jutsu. It's his will to continue on when times get rough, and his ability to see the strength in others when they cannot see it in themselves. It is with great honor…that I pass this will and sight to another."
With a smirk, Sandaime Sarutobi searched the crowd slowly, everyone trying to read his eyes as he did. With a big smile on his face, attempting to hold in a laugh, he locked his eyes on Jiraiya.
Jiraiya paused, making eye contact with the third Hokage...his former sensei. For one moment, his face showed contempt, thinking perhaps he was being offered a position that he would never accept, nor even want to be offered. He couldn't possibly mean me. I mean…get serious…
"Arashi-dono…please step forward."
It was like slow motion. Jiraiya's eyebrows rose…then his eyes got wider. Wider. Wider still. His jaw slowly dropped open. And the sounds…
"wwwwwwwwwhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaat????!!!?"
It was all Sarutobi could do to avoid sullying the ceremony with a large laugh at his former-student, Jiraiya. Yes…it was worth not telling him…just for that one moment of reaction.
As the leader of the ANBU stepped aside, his second in command slowly walked up the stairs to the dais. Lifting off his wolf mask, the blond hair of a 16-year old Arashi was seen. The kids looked up in amazement, not knowing what to think. The smile on his face was genuine…he was getting a kick of out of his instructor's reaction too. After removing the mask, he quickly turned towards Sandaime and bowed reverently.
"Stand, Yondaime-dono. I told you you're too polite."
With that, Sarutobi removed the ceremonial garments of the kage, and, walking behind Arashi, slowly and carefully clothed the ANBU warrior. "Your many accomplishments have earned you the honor of being the fourth Hokage, and I know you will continue to do great things."
The silence from the crowd ended as Sarutobi completed the vesting, and Yondaime Arashi turned to face them. The new genin began to clap first, and soon the entire amphitheatre was erupting in applause.
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Author's notes:
Whew...that took a bit of writing. And a lot of time. And it didn't get quite as far as I would have liked, but heck it's already over 3000 words so I'm gonna cut it there. I'm sorry for the folks I left hanging for so long...I didn't get a chance to take the text file and make it into html for a good while. I apologize for any proofreading errors and what not...I'll probably fix those later this week.
Anyway, a bit of warning...chapter 3 is probably going to be the hardest chapter to write for me...I'm intending to do the training of Kakashi here, as well as develop a bit of romance (the one thing I've never tried writing). I've got the majority of this fanfic at least partially planned out, and the fight scenes will be cool! cough It's the love stuff that'll take me forever...so just be patient with me...pwease?
Special thanks:Thank you very much to Anikat, SLynnH, Udon, and Anime-freak2k2 for taking the time to review this. Encouragement is a great thing, especially when I'm sitting there wondering if the piece of crap chapter I have before me is worth the time it might take to revise it. Your reviews were a big motivation toward making me rewrite the disaster area. Thanks!
In response to SlynnH: You got the wrong idea from me completely. I certainly like the story, and I would have completed it anyway. It just might not have ended up on this site if no one enjoyed it. I've got a ton of stories I work on (a few of them original as opposed to fanfic), and it might have been tossed on the backburner, but I would have eventually finished it as I'm just too much of a fan of this series to not write something like this.
I'm intending this story to be a good intro into the series, so I'm trying to avoid blatant spoilers too...although I think there's one that just can't be avoided at this point. Well...it's not exactly a spoiler since they haven't out and said it in the series yet...but I think 90% of manga-readers have the same idea I do. To those who watch the anime and aren't paying close attention, sorry for the things I'm gonna point out later...
I'd also like to thank my beta-reader, who will be politely known as Sabio wink. It's very cool to have someone who's worked for a newspaper look over your stuff and whip out the handbook on you (because you suck :P). It's also cool to be encouraged by a non-fan of the series to keep writing because they want to know where this leads. I actually didn't intend it to be a full intro into the series for you, but who knows...by the time I'm done you may be as addicted to Naruto as...well...everyone else :P.
I'll shut up now. Please R&R!
NOTE : New on 5-23-04 : Thanks to hattuteline for pointing out an error in my statistics...I knew very little about IQ tests when I wrote this.