Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, never have, never will; not even an aspect of it.
Pairings: maybe…we'll see
Rating: M for mature
Oh and… reviews are always appreciated… no matter how small or negative because reviews mean the story is being read, which is the main reason an author writes. btw, some gore near the end, you have been warned.
-O.o-
Naruto did not pause once inside the hall, only waved to the guarding soldiers and went on to the adjacent stairs. The guards, holding their intricately designed spears, sharply came to attention as they saw Naruto pass, their leaning posture suddenly becoming erect as they grew suspicious of the strangely clad person waving as he passed them. He took no notice; Naruto passed with an indifference that caused a Konoha Jounin to stare at him.
'Newcomers don't usually walk with such an attitude…' he thought whist staring at Naruto, 'and that outfit of his… no headband… he definitely isn't from Konoha, yet… he seems… so familiar.' Snatching a quick look at his list of missions he quietly ordered one of his bugs to trace the mysterious figure; then continued to eye the back of the confidently walking visitor.
Stepping onto the flowery silk carpets, leaving the entrance hall of the Kage tower Naruto softly laughed. That was Shino! He was sure of it now. A square-faced jaw, dark hair thickly mattered down, buff-colored cloak and eyes covered with dark glasses accentuated with thick eyebrows, not the mention the tiny black bug fluttering its way down the hallway behind him. He smiled for the first time in weeks. Predictable Shino, sending a bug to trace him, no need to kill it now though; let it follow him to his destination, word of his return would soon spread throughout Konoha anyway. For once everything was going to work out the way he expected.
Naruto calmly wondered down in the general direction of the Kage's office. Picking his way through the desks littering the large corridors open spaces Naruto approached the two men standing guard before the current Kage's office. 'State your business,' the guards simultaneously stated. With a glint in his eyes Naruto directed them to subconsciously look at his right hand, which he nimbly moved to form a one-handed seal. Helplessly the guards fell under Naruto's genjutsu, watching in mute amazement as the stranger before them slowly transformed into Tsunade-sama. They cowered in fear of the woman's wrath. 'Ah! Tsunade-sama, we didn't recognize you for a moment there – please pass right through,' the guards stammered. Pleased that his genjutsu had worked Naruto placed his right foot forward just as a hand tightly clamped down on his left shoulder. Surprised, that someone had actually managed to sneak up behind him without him allowing it Naruto was tempted to activate his blood-limit, but held back the temptation out of a matter of necessity; it would do no good to reveal his secrets so early. Glancing over his shoulder his shock slowly turned into a mild smile of amusement.
'What – exactly, did you do to my guard's young man?'
Before him stood Tsunade-sama, looking no younger or older then the time he had left Konoha; thanks to her illusionary genjutsu. Feinting ignorance Naruto turned around to stare into Tsunade's eyes, 'baa-chan,' he faintly whispered. The shock that formed on the Godaime's face was priceless he reasoned. Her facial features turning from one of frustration to surprise, and then finally setting on bewilderment as realization struck her.
'N – Naruto?'
Dipping his head up and down slowly without breaking contact with her eyes he smirked, allowing one of his canines to glint sharply in the light of the Kage tower. 'Took you long enough,' he muttered. Without warning her fist smashed into his stomach. Flying through the wooden sliding doors Naruto crashed into her desk. 'Took me long enough? Took… me… long… ENOUGH!' she screamed. Cringingly slightly at the pain in his stomach and the ringing in his ears he thanked kami she hadn't backed her phenomenal punch with chakra.
He would remember her hulking form as she entered her office through her battered doors forever.
Menacingly walking towards Naruto with her eyes glinting bloody murder, she threw another fist at him; this one flying towards his face. Naruto nimbly deflected her punch to the side and used the force of her punch to throw her through the window. For an instant his eyes widened in shock at what he had just done. 'Holy shit… I just threw the Godaime out the window'.
Running for the window Naruto flipped through the hole in the wall, he completed three full revolutions of his flip before smoothly landing at the base of the hole in the wall. He glanced up; it was at least four story's high. He didn't have time to dwell on this fact as Tsunade appeared before him and threw another punch. His last thoughts for the night consisted of 'Argh – screw it, how much could it hurt?'
The bright rays of the sun cascaded onto Naruto's face as he lay on the couch. Slowly opening his eyes he slowly sat up exclaiming in pain at the constant pulsing of his migraine. 'Oh god… last time I try something like that again,' he muttered while looking around at his surroundings. He grinned at what he saw. Slowly standing up he looked in amazement at the place he was in. 'Sheesh, I haven't been in this dump in ages!' He slightly shifted his feet, feeling the soft carpet beneath them. 'No place like …' he left the thought at that.
Walking over to the kitchen he rummaged through the pantry in hopes of finding something, anything to ease his thundering migraine. 'Stupid Tsunade… fucking p.m.s…' he muttered. Instead he found piles upon piles of ramen. Looking in awe, Naruto's mouth began to water, 'Oh man… I forgot I was stockpiling the ultra-rare Nido-noodles; limited edition flavour,' his migraine forgotten he reached for the kettle in the hopes of breaking into his stockpile.
'How many times must I tell you that stuff is unhealthy,' spoke a female voice from behind him.
Caught between reaching for the kettle and wanting to smash something again for allowing someone to sneak up on him, Naruto decided to forget about the ramen for now; vowing to return to devour the precious relics at all cost. Pivoting around on the spot, Naruto attempted a cheery greeting, 'Baa-chan, Long time no see…,' looking at Tsunade he realized he was in some deep shit yet again.
'When did you return?' she said with a controlled voice.
'Uh… yesterday was the first time I walked in Konoha for the last eight years I think,' he replied, carefully trying to inch his way towards the door. His migraine chose that moment to begin plaguing him again as he grew aware of a slight prickling down his back. 'Look, I've just been busy, I would have returned earlier I swear!' he said, desperately trying to avoid another collision with her inhuman fist.
Silently staring at Naruto, Tsunade nodded. 'I believe you… Naruto,' she mouthed, 'It's been too long… I was worried, and from all the reports during the chuunin exams; it seemed like you just died, and with Sarutobi-sama dying a few months prior due to unknown reasons, tensions were high.'
'I know Tsunade,' he replied.
'And then seeing you all of a sudden, like a ghost, just appearing when I least expected it. It was just such a shock, I couldn't help but lash out a bit, and it was so unbelievable. Where were you Naruto? Why didn't you contact me to tell me you were still alive?'
'I've just been wondering from village to village, learning and seeing new things,' he replied with a sigh, relieved he wouldn't be at the receiving end at any more of her punches for now.
Satisfied with Naruto's simple explanation Tsunade handed him a form outlining the upcoming Chunin exam.
'Aw, what the fuck… I thought I wouldn't have to do this, you know I'm way above the standards of Chunin,' Naruto said.
Allowing the slight twitch in the corners of her mouth to give full effect of her growing frustration, Tsunade smiled.
Eyes widening in understanding Naruto quickly stammered his apology for his outburst, 'Of course Tsunade-sama, of course I'd be happy to undergo the Chunin exams.'
'Good, until then I expect you'll want to re-integrate yourself with your former team-mates,' with that she disappeared in a swirl of leaves.
'Argh, what a bitch,' sighed Naruto while standing, reaching for the Kettle. 'I may as well have some ramen now,' he smiled gleefully; his amusement further sated through the flight of the small black bug from his window-sill.
Finally, now that that bug's gone I can get serious, he told himself. Running his hands through his vest he withdrew the neatly folded piece of paper outlining his instruction. He smirked as he completed reading the paper, crunching it up and watching it burst into dust as he breathed on the paper; the super-heated air streaming from this mouth. Alerted to his hunger through the shrill whistle of the Kettle he poured the boiling water into his ramen bowl, inwardly contemplating his orders as the noodles slowly soaked up the water, inflating themselves and softening through the addition of the hot steam.
The bug flew into the clear blue skies of Konoha, its shimmering wings radiating an assortment of colors as the warm rays of the sun hit the transparent wings at different angles. It confidently flew between the buildings knowing its' master would be pleased with the knowledge it was bringing.
Towards the east of Konoha, Shino was training with his bugs, allowing a mild tempest to brew as his bugs flew around him in his ultimate defense. From within Shino controlled their movements, forming destructive patterns as his bugs destroyed the objects Shino indicated. Their destructive ability further increased by the cushion of air formed by the fluttering of millions of tiny pairs of wings. Each bug protected by this cushion of air generated by the large shimmering mass mindlessly hammering object after object reducing everything to rubble.
Rather feeling then seeing the solitary bug approaching from the west of him Shino spread apart his arms, ordering the bugs to return into their human host. Twisting in the rush to return the bugs cascaded onto Shino, briefly covering him in a mass of shiny black. As the last bug returned Shino sighted the scout he had sent to follow the suspicious ninja he had sighted last night. Lifting his hand he allowed the bug to settle on his palms. Staring at the bug he formed the mental link that allowed his to control and understand his bugs; a family trait.
Outwardly Shino appeared unfazed by the news of the bug, his main reaction covered by the large black glasses covering his eyes. Naruto had returned, supposedly from the dead. He considered going to meet him before realizing this news should also be known by the rest of his team-mates. Watching the bug scuttle into his body he waited a moment before seemingly disappearing from his training grounds; the illusion generated by traveling faster then normal eyes could see.
Leaving the empty bowl of ramen on the kitchen counter Naruto retrieved his various weapons and deposited them in his back pouch, finally walking over to the glass table he picked up his bow, lovingly fingering the taught string made from intertwining multiple strands of animal guts. Moving his hands further up he felt the oak bow for any signs of wear and chips in the frame that could undermine its explosive power. Satisfied with the results from his swift examination of his bow he placed it on his back before leaving the apartment.
Walking straight down the middle of the road Naruto glimpsed the lives of the villagers, tying wooden racks, piling dried fish on top of each other, children running trough the crowd in a mindless game of tag. He smiled a dark smile, his broken childhood bringing merciless images of the villagers along with the constant harassment he had suffered. Revenge he decided would be a long time coming. Feeling the pale pull of chakra he glanced up at the silhouette of the buildings, outlined by the sun. As his eyes narrowed he saw the brief pauses of the ANBU that were tailing him. 'Ah, Tsuande…' he whispered to himself.
Confidently walking into a shadowed alleyway he seemingly disappeared, The ANBU trailing him abruptly baffled in this sudden change of events. Appearing behind the three ANBU ninja's Naruto forced a slight cough. Twirling around in a sudden flurry of haste the ANBU surrounded him.
'You can stop following me now,' he said.
'Shut up, that isn't for you to decide,' retorted an ANBU.
'Bloody stop following me or I'll fucking pound your face into the ground,' growled Naruto.
'Bring it,' the ANBU replied before running his hands through a number of hand seals.
Grinning in amusement Naruto allowed the ANBU to form the handseals required for the shadow clones before slamming his fist into his face. 'Fuck!' screamed the ANBU wiping the blood from his nose. The other ANBU having witnessed the brief exchange ran at Naruto. Seemingly disappearing Naruto ran around the crouching ANBU, pulling a kunai from his pouch he again ran at the ANBU cringing from the pain from his fist. Hidden under the super sonic speeds in which he was traveling at, Naruto sliced at the calf muscle of the ANBU, satisfied with the feel of metal running through flesh and the sudden stream of dark red blood pouring from the wound. 'ARGGHHH – ' screamed the ANBU causing the passing villagers below to briefly look up near the rooftops before continuing their daily life. Continuing from the slashing stroke Naruto used the momentum of the slash to move into a combo, slashing again and again at various key points of the ANBU.
Eyes widening at the sudden appearances of the slashes on the ANBU member before them the remaining two ANBU ran towards either side of the dying ANBU, hoping the seemingly invisible Naruto would still be slashing at their third member they attempted to catch him in a mesh of Chakra string. Together throwing it over the ANBU they grimaced at the sight they saw. His guts spilling from his slashed stomach the ANBU was covered in blood and gore, his wrists crossed with dark red lines spurting blood and patches of flesh missing from his back and stomach.
With military precision Naruto gouged one of the dying ANBU's eyes out shoving a smoke bomb in the eye socket. The smell of the dying ANBU temporarily overwhelmed the remaining ANBU, watching their third member die horrifically as they worked quickly to infuse the net of Chakra with higher amounts of chakra.
Satisfied with his work, Naruto came to a stop as the chakra net fully took form, trapping him in a cube. Allowing the remaining ANBU to glimpse him, standing erect and without a single speck of blood on him.
'Fuck you demon, fuck you, your going to fucking die now you twisted bitch!' screamed one of the remaining ANBU as they pulled the cube net of chakra on Naruto before the smoke bomb went off. As the smoke rolled over Naruto they saw the chakra net cutting into Naruto's flesh and together allowed a slight sigh to escape them as Naruto disappeared under the smoke.
From within the smoke Naruto vanished in a puff of displaced air.
As the slight breeze of the fire countries warm summer blew the smoke away the remaining ANBU visibly relaxed as they saw the sliced chunks of flesh. Mistaking the flesh as Naruto's when in reality it was the flesh of the ANBU that had blown up due to the smoke bombs detonation. Mixed in the blood, guts and gore they glimpsed the silver of the headband. Walking over to retrieve it one of the ANBU tensed up.
'Hey, if Naruto's mixed in here with Kohetsu then how come theres only one headband'? he questioned the ANBU bending down to retrieve the single Konoha headband.
'Oh, fuck' they stated as their eyes widened in realization, Naruto wasn't here, he had escaped! As this realization sunk in their heads exploded spraying its contents across the roof of the building they had fought on. The arrows had cleanly gone through their skulls shattering into the roof tiles, finally coming to stop as they impaled the layers of ceramic tiles.
'Amateurs,' Naruto said, smirking at the dead three dead bodies on the roof in front of him. He had shot the remaining two ANBU in their temples, from a vantage point on the roof behind them and the pitiful ANBU hadn't even been able to sense his flaring chakra. Shifting his bow into his right hand before slinging it onto his back he slid off the rooftop, once again integrating himself with the unworthy villagers of Konoha, walking through them towards his destination as they went about their monotonous lives, oblivious to the events going on above them.
yay, chapter 2! w00t. sorry for slow update, was kinda busy with family holidays and all maybe chapter 3 will be faster ay
go go headshot! .