Disclamer: My dog told me I didn't own Naruto… What the hell? He can talk!
Soul Of Shinobi: Chapter Two
Hours after the Debacle at the Hokage tower, Naruto woke to the pleasant aroma of Ramen. Not the cheap instant ramen that he ate as a necessity, but more along the lines of Ichiraku's ramen, Savory and heaven in your mouth. Looking around he saw a man with strange dark blue ninja garb and purple hair staring at him. Trying to fake sleep didn't work as the man stood up and shook him gently.
"I Know your up Bra… I mean kid."
"Please sir, don't hurt me, I know the Hokage!" Said the shivering child, slowly facing his head to look at Kai.
"Gaki… If I was to hurt you, why would you be sleeping in a sleeping bag?"
"I don't know..sir" Said the boy, looking downward.
Kai sighed in an attempt to gather his bearings, and knew his first impression with the boy sucked. It was time to play hardball.
"So, I hear that your name's Naruto, and you've had it pretty tough."
Barely looking at him, Naruto Eked out a small affirmative before slowly eyeing the Ramen pot.
Kai suddenly grinned and thought to himself, "Of course… Ramen, Like father like son."
"Naruto…" said Kai as gently as he could, "If you could, go without the pains of being an outcast, and have somebody to live for, would you take the opportunity?"
Naruto perked up a bit and said "I'd give anything" and paused and then muttered, "But that will never happen to me."
"Naruto, How… Would you like to travel with me, I've already gotten the Hokage's permission, and even though I don't look it, I am a skilled ninja, and I am ready to train you."
Naruto suddenly cried, dampening Kai's spirits for a second and then, almost inaudibly asked, "Why me?"
Kai looked at the boy, as if for the first time, and said, "You… remind me of a friend, one who died."
Naruto looked into Kai's eyes and asked quietly, "Who?"
"The fourth hokage"
Naruto could only stare at the man in disbelief. The forest around them suddenly burst with life as the wind blew the leaves into the fire, making it flame up. In the short time of the flare, Naruto found himself giving this stranger a hug, and crying.
Two months later
Naruto had been traveling with his new Oto-san, for what seemed like ages. Kai told him that he lived in the distant Land of metal, and he was bringing him there. Two months later, they still haven't arrived. Noticing the decining attitude of Naruto, which was still a hundred times cheerier than he was when he first met, Kai started writing on a scroll, a feat hard to do while walking, and holding the hand of a very energetic six year old.
Writing hurredly, Kai's Mind flashed to the morning after they first met. Naruto had asked about Kai and Vice versa. It was then that Kai found out that Naruto could barely read, and honed the boy's skills as they traveled.
Finally done, Kai slipped the note to Naruto and looked at him and explaned, "We are a week away from my home, and I want to start training you. This list is the things I want you to do even before we train together each day. I want you to be able to get these exercises done in an hour in a month. Then I'll start adding more activities… and weights, yeah… lots of weights.."
Noticing the Blonde's Exitement, Kai stopped and found a place to stop, and gave a devilish grin to Naruto.
"We start… Now!"
Just in case somebody was interested in Naruto's Schedule, I'm going to be putting it at the bottom of the story as omake.
Naruto-Kun's Schedule:
Starting at 20 feet from your target, throw Kunai at target, and step back 2 feet each time hit is successful. Stop when out of Kunai.
Punch/kick Tree (Or substitute) 100 times
Practice kenjutsu with whatever's available, Stop when you've made a Noticible dent in tree.
100 Push ups, 400 Jumping-Jacks.
Run 10 Miles.