Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Naruto
Beta: Linux-Ginny
AN: Hey y'all! I've been having a lot of fun writing this and reading your feedback, I'd love to know what you like or dislike about my story.
On that note. Wolcen: Your review deserves a medal. While I like Dumbledore as a character, I never understood how everybody (including the readers), put him on a pedestal. Regardless, I will try to refrain from outright character bashing on this platform. Every character has different shades, and is seen from various perspectives and different circumstances. I will strive to study each of them to the best of my ability.
Now that that's done, Happy Reading!
Chapter 9: First steps
'The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones'
-Confucius
Tom obediently made his way to the group of children they had saddled him with. When he said he wanted to learn, he did not expect to be so patronized.
Who am I kidding, this is exactly the kind of passive aggressive baloney I would pull.
Almost a month of recovery and he felt nothing but respect for the powers of this world; but this? This stung his pride. Shinobi were sneakier than he thought. Their easy acquiescence to my demands was always suspect.
Tom frowned. He thought he had worded the agreement on his terms. It would perhaps, behove me to re-evaluate when I get the time. As much as I would prefer personal attention, or better yet, an independent study with a guide, a class of four is not too shabby, Tom mulled as he studied his classmates.
They all looked to be around 12. A pale boy with hair and eyes the colour of a raven. Proud, rich, conceited, he documented. A ridiculously happy blond that hurt his eye: blue irises, poor, lives alone. Maintain distance to preserve the sanctity of my mind. A brown haired, doe-eyed girl with a heart shaped face. Probably a shop-keepers daughter. A smith? Soot on the hands could point towards a food stall as well. Regardless, comes from a comfortable, loving home. She has not seen any hardships.
Tom's initial documentation of their character profile did not encourage him in any way. His thoughts barely took him 15 seconds and they were now standing in front of him.
"Good Morning, children!" Sakumo greeted happily, a glint in his eye. "I'm sorry to say that your Sensei, Jiraiya is busy at the war front and will not be teaching you for some time."
Taking in the blond and brunette's crestfallen expressions, he rapidly continued. "The good news is that I will be teaching the four of you for the next few months, and until Jiraiya returns. You may refer to me as Sakumo Sensei for the time. As Jiraiya barely spent a month tutoring you three, I doubt a schedule change would cause you any difficulty. So!" He clapped twice loudly, making Tom flinch."Come now! Introduce yourselves!"
"Introduce ourselves?" Tom said wryly.
"Yes, yes! You know, your likes, dislikes, hobbies and aim for the future!"
"Tch. We already did that a month ago, Sensei," Raven spoke.
"Yes, but this is a new team! We must start afresh! Oh, okay then, I shall start. I am Hatake Sakumo. I like spending time with my son, Kakashi, and singing. I dislike traitors and disloyalty. My hobbies are training and developing my skills, and spending time with my friends. My aim for the future is simple, I want to serve my village to the best of my abilities and protect my precious people within it. This I achieve every day when I do my job."
Even Tom was rendered speechless by that passionate introduction.
"Okay then, how about you, girly?"
Shy, Tom immediately added to her profile when she stuttered. Under confident.
"Hai! I am Hakano Izumi. I like-" She paused momentarily when she sneaked a look at her team's expressions. She blushed prettily and began re-evaluating her response. "I like dogs and I dislike onions because they make me cry. My hobbies are playing with my baby sister and I aim to earn enough so I can take my family to watch the puppeteering Shows in Suna."
Yes. Very,very sheltered. Sakumo was looking at her in a sad manner, but he did not know why.
"That's a good aim to have, Izumi-chan!" Sakumo said pleasantly.
Kid-raven scowled at that. Tom would not say it out loud but he agreed. Was that it? Is that all she wanted in life? Did she have to ambition? Tch.
"Alright then blondie, you're up!"
Blond-boy beamed. "Hello! I am Namikaze Minato. I like studying, and Fuinjutsu and Taijutsu practice! I dislike wasting time and tummy aches! My hobbies are helping people and studying and spending time with my friends and my goal…" He took in a deep breath. "Is to be The Hokage!"
Good God. Merciful Merlin. Are his eyes shining? Please save me from the plague that is this ball of sunshine-Hold on just one second.
Did he just say he wants to be the Hokage? Tom thought back further, utterly blinded by the boy's brightness. Did he say he spends all his time studying?! Tom looked at the boy dumbfounded. This boy has the ambition of a Slytherin, the drive of a Hufflepuff, the ethics of a Ravenclaw and instincts as moronic as a Gryffindor. Just who was this boy? Also, what in the world is fuinju- Oh Good God. I need a Library.
Sakumo chuckled in the face of Minato's exuberance. Of course, he would, Tom thought sarcastically. Their energy levels put Minerva to shame.
"Ok then, now you pale boy."
Pale boy gave Sakumo a scowl but began dutifully.
"Hai, Sensei. I am Uchiha Fugaku. I like to study ninjutsu with my father. I dislike people who slow me down." Here he sent Tom and Izumi a furtive glance. "My hobbies are spending time with my mother to garden and discuss strategies. My goal is to adequately represent my clan and bring pride to our village."
Yep. Prideful. Stick up his arse. He could be pureblood; I feel right at home! And if he did not already dislike me, I would probably tolerate him the best. What is interesting is their unconditional loyalty to the village and their bonds. Tom smirked. An intensive study is in order, I need to see what makes these Shinobi tick, of course.
"A worthy goal to have. And finally, why don't you tell us about yourself, Voldemo-san," Sakumo sent him A Look. "And your given name this time, please."
Tom raised an eyebrow and wondered for the first time about how high up in the hierarchy Hatake Sakumo was. He shrugged that thought off presently to think. Hmm… so how do I play this.
"Alright." He smiled alluringly (he would know, he practiced for the occasion in front of the mirror) in a way that he knew made people stop to look. "I am Tom Marvolo Riddle, or you can call me Voldemo. It is a name I have given myself."
He stopped thoughtfully, annoyed at his accent showing through. Polished English didn't really go so well with Japanese, let alone Olde Japanese, so to speak.
"I like to read. I dislike stagnation and people who rely heavily on fate. My hobbies are making new…Jutsus, and discovering and exploring new cultures. As you can tell, I am definitely not from around here. Your culture and thinking are so very different to mine, and thus it is my goal to learn from those who know more, in order to help in the advancement and evolution of society. Please take care of me." He appealed, bowing his head low in a flourish.
It was a bit much and I may have overdone it, if he had to be completely honest with himself. But it was calculated and presented my goals in a positive and worthy light. Tom sneered at the floor. He cleared his expression when Sakumo beckoned him to stand up.
"None of that," the man said lightly. His classmates stood in various shades of embarrassment at his display, the Uchiha a paragon of superiority.
That's what Malfoy looked like too. It will take some time and effort, but I will wipe that smirk off your face, even if I have to kill you to do it, you smug, pint-sized shit.
"We are here to help each other, after all. No need for such formalities."
Boy-Raven scoffed, already writing Tom off.
"Ok then! Now that we all know each other, I should probably let you know that I am not going to test you again since Jiraiya has already done that. We meet two days from now at 8, we will do missions in the morning. Pack a lunch as we will train soon after. Any questions?"
"Yes, is there a library I can go to?" Tom asked.
"Yes, ah... Minato-kun. Could you take Voldemo-kun there after this? Yes? If that's all, you're dismissed. Voldemo, if you could stay back a moment."
Boy-Raven and Shy girl sent him a curious look before walking away. Minato quickly understood Sakumo's need for privacy and started moving towards the edge of the training ground.
"Yes, Sakumo Sensei?" Tom said politely.
"Hmm... I do like hearing you say that" The silver haired man purred, and Tom tensed before relaxing himself.
"Surely… you did not make me wait to flirt with me?" Tom asked delicately.
Sakumo looked sheepish for a moment. Then he ran a hand through his silver hair rakishly. His low chuckle caught Tom off guard, giving him an odd sensation; like a hot ball of fire dropped into the pits of his stomach.
"No, of course not. I just want to let you know the Hokage requests your presence tomorrow morning at 1000 hrs at the Hokage tower. I trust you know the way."
Tom gave him a bland look. "Requests?"
Sakumo snorted at him. "Be there on time. The Hokage does not tolerate delays." He said before disappearing in a swirl of leaves. Tom blinked at the spot for a second before he turned away to exit the area.
"What was that about?" Little Minato asked, his blue eyes looking up at him.
"Ah, nothing important." He said dismissively. "Now, tell me Minato-kun. Before we head to the library, would you like to get something to eat? What's good here?" Minato lit up at the thought of food making Tom snort at how easy it was to get in the boy's good graces.
"Well, there's the Barbeques by the Akimichi's, and the – oh! We should have ramen at Ichiraku's!"
Tom was not really given the chance to respond before he was dragged across the town to a little, dumpy shop with Ichiraku's written over it. There was a slow, delicious smell of spices wafting towards them, and the sound of vegetables sizzling in the air. Behind the counter, and in the live kitchen stood a large man in a white chef hat and apron.
"Welcome to Ichiraku's!" The man boomed jovially. "Oh it's you Minato-kun! The same as always, I presume?" When he nodded eagerly, the chef turned to Tom and asked. "Minato's friend! I am Ichiraku, do you know what you want?"
The low lighting and cosy atmosphere made him feel a little hollow in his chest. He smiled genially, "Hello, I am Voldemo. Ne, Ichiraku-san, would you have a menu? No… you know what? Give me your chef's special!" He said, feeling a little adventurous. As an English man, he veritably wary of Asian spices, When in Rome. He thought.Or Konoha in this case.
"Chef's special?" Ichiraku asked curiously.
Ah, use your words Tom.
"Oh, you know, your favourite! The thing you make the best?"
"Ahh..." He nodded knowingly. "Do you have a preference?"
"Surprise me," Tom winked, making Ichiraku boom with laughter again.
"One Chef's special, coming right up!" The man turned away to work at his station.
Tom casually turned back to his left to face Minato and jolted at the way the little blond stared at him intensely.
"Is something wrong, Minato-kun?" He asked cautiously.
"You're like me, aren't you?"
"Like you?" Tom asked.
"Yes... an orphan."
Tom's smile dropped.
"Oh no.!" Minato started waving his hands furiously. "I don't mean to insult you or anything… you just had that look in your eye-" He stopped himself, embarrassed.
Serves me right for letting my guard down in a hostile environment. He is a child, but as perceptive a child as I was. I need to treat them with the kind of caution I would give myself.
"No, Minato-kun..do continue."
The child obviously did not pick up on the dangerous undertone he gave out because he started blabbering.
"I've been alone all my life… So, I know what it's like to sleep hungry, to crave for the warmth of another human. The orphanage was hell as well."
Blood pounded behind his eyes as he watched the little fool flounder, wringing his hands.How dare he spell out the weakness I had endured. The pitiful cards I had been dealt.
"Minato," he bit out sharply, causing the boy to jerk to halt. "That we might have shared 'some' common circumstances is quite unfortunate. But this does not mean you can blubber about it to an absolute stranger. If you have faced problems in your life, do not expect sympathy from people who do not know you." At Minato's stupefied gaze, he added. "And If you want advise from me, then all you can do is rise above it."
He did not mean to say all of that, but the boy was getting on his nerves, complaining about his problems. He was not sure why Minato brought his observations to him, but Tom really did not want to be reminded of the miserable life he had led. He exhaled slowly, trying to find a way to cover his outburst but he was saved from doing so. Minato had watched him wide-eyed and had now donned a sad little smile.
"I mean no offence, Voldemo-senpai. But if you ever need someone to talk to, I am always willing." Senpai, huh? The look that Tom gave him was long and bewildered. "Hm."
Ichiraku's booming voice jerked them out of their stupor."Here you go! One Miso-Ramen, extra beans! and one chef's special for you!" He laid down their bowls in a flourish and looked at him expectantly. Tom looked at their faces in amazement and decided to humour them. He neatly broke his chopsticks and swirled his noodles to take one long slurp. Colours burst in his mouth and his eyes popped open."This is…" Tom was speechless.
Ichiraku and Minato beamed widely at him, and for once he did not have the heart to look away. It was like coming home. "We know!" They chorused.
They began eating with enthusiasm, but their attention was drawn to the loud slurping further down the counter. A girl who looked to be around Minato's age was polishing off her.. sixth (?) bowl of ramen with relish. Tom felt a little sick looking at her, to be honest, so he turned his back to her, so he could enjoy his own meal when he realized Minato was still staring at her.
"Minato-kun.. You don't have to look at her if you are losing your appetite." He said lowly.
"Huh?" The boy said intelligently, still staring at her.
Tom looked at him puzzled. Wha-
"Minato-baka!" The red-haired girl suddenly yelled, standing and pointing a finger at him.
"Uhhh"
"Why are you staring at me like that? Are you going to insult me like everybody else?"
Tom was starting to question his decision to cooperate with this village. It was becoming exceedingly obvious that all the occupants were absolutely nutters. He decided to butt in before this escalated anymore. Minato had paled dramatically, and it seemed prudent to save his teammate from blood loss.
He turned towards the girl and smiled, "Hello there chibi-chan, may I have your name and the reason for harassing my... teammate?"
If it was possible, the girl turned redder than before, stunned at the possibility that someone would actually interrupt her. Though thankfully, she seemed to have lost the steam for her anger. She looks remarkably like a tomato, Tom mused.
"I-I…" She sputtered before dashing away from the stall without so much as a thank you to the owner. All of them froze at the absurdity of the situation before Ichiraku burst out laughing. Tom looked at Minato in confusion, who let out a strangled laugh as well.
"Come Voldemo-Senpai, I should get you to the library. Let's finish eating." Minato said with mirth in his eyes.
There was a quiet whistling sound and Orochimaru jumped out the way of a water jutsu in the nick of time.
"Careful there!" The oaf yelled at him.
"Look after yourself, Jiraiya!" he yelled back, the three of them fell into a perfect formation; covering each other's weak spots was almost subconscious at this point.
"Not now boys!" Tsunade called out, even as she rocked a crater in the ground, scattering a good chunk of the army engaged with them. With the space Tsunade created, Orochimaru gained the much-needed distance to send a volley of nin-jutsu. He rapidly put his Kusanagi away to engage.
Fire Release: Great Blaze Ball
A large flame shot out to burn the men still trapped in Tsunade's crater. Orochimaru turned away and engaged immediately, without a second thought.
"Thanks" he yelled to Tsunade
"Could've used an earth jutsu, now I won't be able to go to Akimichi's barbeque for days." He heard her mutter.
Tsunade had an…odd sense of humour. Odd, but not unwelcome, he smirked.
"Oh, hello there darling" He heard Jiraiya say and there was the sound of incessant sputtering. Is he seriously-
"Jiraiya!" Tsunade roared. "I will punch the living daylights out of you, stop flirting with the enemy!"
"Okay, okay! Jeez, woman" Jiraiya punched the man's kidney and rapidly took him out. "Voldemo was prettier anyway" he muttered under his breath.
..
"Is that so?" Came a deceptively mild voice. It was surprisingly not him who said it, though he was thinking it. Orochimaru peered at the Hime from the corner of his eye wondering what this was about.
"Pretty how, Jiraiya?" Tsunade asked, taking out another shinobi with an earth jutsu behind him. Jiraiya audibly gulped. He seemed more afraid of her than the surrounding enemies at this point.
As he should be, Came Orochimaru's traitorous thought.
"Well..." Jiraiya drawled out kicking at two Shinobi at the same time with his Frog Kata."He has these amazing cheekbones... and tousled brown hair and…"A sense of foreboding washed over Orochimaru as he happened to peak at Tsunade's shadowed face. Orochimaru stared at Tsunade, battle forgotten for the moment, as he was flabbergasted that she would actually release her Killer Intent over this. He quickly turned to Jiraya to make slashing motions at his neck. ABORT. ABORT.
The Oaf wasn't listening to him. Well... he was a little preoccupied with all the Shinobi but, oh well. His funeral.
Before Tsunade could unleash her anger –Why was she angry?- A large Salamander appeared about a 100 feet in front of them. The three of them glanced at each other, all levity lost.
Summoning Jutsu!
A standoff, Orochimaru thought. A toad, A Snake, A slug against The Salamander.
What commenced was absolute carnage. Shinobi that came in their way were brutally bulldozed over. Orochimaru hoped their men had the presence of mind to stay clear.
Pincer Formation! He signed with his hands to his teammates. It was a miracle to be this close to the man and still be breathing... though, he might have something to do with that.
Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!
It was not much but it kept the poisonous fumes exuded by the salamander at bay.
"To the right, Ibuse!" He heard Hanzo scream, presumably the name of his Salamander. Orochimaru took a moment to study the man.
Hanzo of the Salamander. A legendary Shinobi of Amegakure (The country of Rain). He seemed muscular and of average height. Like the Bingo Book mentioned, he had long blond hair and dark brown eyes. He donned the infamous face mask that acted as a ventilator against his own poison. He wore a dark cloak that extended below his waist, and the customary flak jacket with swirls on his chest plate.
"Unpreparedness is one's greatest enemy" Hanzo mocked, as the salamander slammed into Tsunade's Slug, Katsuya. Orochimaru refused to let the man get a rise out of him.
Tsunade though…
"Yeah? Is that what your wife says to you at night?"
Jiraiya let out a strangled sound and Orochimaru had a hard time holding in his snort.
And then Tsunade proceeded to thrash him like she was on a war path.
"..was it something I said?" Jiraiya muttered anxiously as they flanked her, ready to give her back up if she needed it.
Orochimaru gave him a look of exasperation. "I'm surrounded by idiots."
"Hey-!"
"Boys!" Tsunade yelled. Orochimaru saw an opening. It was small but-
"Take it!" Jiraiya yelled.
Orochimaru directed Manda, his large purple cobra with speed to his quarry. He got it him-!
Almost!
A cloud of poison in their faces caused their Boss summons to dispel. The three fell from the height of a 5- storey building and cushioned their landing using some chakra. Jiraiya groaned piteously.
"Just a little bit more" Tsunade murmured. They got to their feet and forced themselves to remain standing.
A quick wind jutsu and Hanzo stood 100 feet away, like before. This time there was a cut on his right cheek from Orochimaru's Kusanagi, for his trouble.
"Was that… was that a space- time ninjutsu?!" Jiraiya said in amazement, referring to the speed at which Hanzo had fled their ambush. If Tsunade leaned into Jiraiaya, exhausted, to take his support, no one would mention it.
"You three... are worthy fighters and exemplary Shinobi" They heard Hanzo say.
"How's he doing that, is he yelling?" Tsunade muttered.
Hanzo twirled the Kusarigama in his hand with expertise, holding the weight in his left hand. "As it is only the three of you who faced me with adequate battle prowess, I shall let you live."
Orochimaru tensed. It couldn't be that easy."
I shall let you live if… you call yourselves Konoha's Sannin henceforth."
Sannin..? Because we survived? How... Insulting.
And because not one of the survivors said a thing –Could be because of their low chakra stores and the slow acting paralytic in their veins- Hanzo of the Salamander nodded his head magnanimously and left. His benevolent nature took them by surprise.
"Are we... Are we the only survivors?" Tsunade hesitated. She was a field medic, and this was a tremendous blow to her pride. "We can check," Jiraiya said, but immediately buckled and fell to his knees.
"Jiraiya!" she cried, rapidly lighting her hands in green light to diagnose him.
"You're wounded! Why didn't you say anything?" Her hands worked furiously.
"We need to get out of here," Orochimaru cut in.
Tsunade looked at him frantically. "Oro! He's not in good shape."
"Tsunade, I sense 20 incoming from the west. We are out of chakra and we need to move now."
Tsunade reluctantly stood up and pursed her lips. She then bent to pick up Jiraiya, the behemoth of a man, and hefted him on her shoulder. Jiraiya giggled; he had begun hallucinating. Tsunade gave him a sharp look. "First sign of shelter, Oro-"
"Of course."
AN: Hm.. who guessed it was Jiraiya's team?
