Captain Blues: Enjoy the chapter!
Ansatsuken
Chapter Fifteen: The Sandaime Hokage!
[Theme of Training:
Rainy Plateaus Zone (act 2) From Sonic Gaiden]
With a scream, Ino leaped at Lee and attempted a roundhouse kick to the head. Lee jumped back to avoid it then jumped forward with a shout of, "Konoha Senpū!" Ino shrieked and ducked it, feeling a large gust of wind following his leg.
Ino had been sparring with Lee for the past fifteen minutes. She had been jumped by Lee and his sensei, who had just returned from a mission, to test her out.
Asuma had approved of them kidnapping her, which led Ino to the most challenging battle she had ever faced in her life.
Ino had some idea that her idea a few days ago would be bad, but she had no idea just how bad it could get.
Ino rolled behind Lee and sprang to her feet, and performed two quick jabs, but Lee turned around and the right jab with his palm and then the second jab with his hand. Lee turned his body, so his back was against Ino's chest, then tossed her over his shoulder and into the air.
Ino crashed to the ground on her back, then flipped to her feet, only block two punches from Lee with her forearms, then jumped back to avoid his spinning sidekick.
Ino panted heavily with her face dripping with sweat as Lee stood there with his award-winning smile.
What in the hell was this spar?!
Maito-san had told him to take it easy on her during this spar, and yet, she felt like she had gone one hundred miles with this freak.
"How in the hell are you so good?" Ino panted out to Lee, her arms hanging limp in front of her. "Like for real. There is no reason a Genin should be this hard to get an edge over."
"Well, I worked hard to be as skilled as I am," Lee answered as he stepped into the training version of his Gōken, which was a more loose, relaxed stance that had him hunching over. "You see, I can't use Jutsu at all."
Ino gasped out, "At all? You don't have a disability that makes you unable to use chakra or anything, do you?"
"My chakra coils are too small. It's enough to keep me alive but not enough to have me perform Jutsu," Lee explained with a carefree smile. "Everyone tease and picked on me for this defect, saying I would never be a shinobi, but I wanted to prove them all wrong. So I worked on Taijutsu alone, and once I met Gai-sensei-."
Lee paused to give a thumb-up to his sensei, which made Gai give two in return before Lee continued with, "-He showed that he believed in me and my dreams to become the top Taijutsu practitioner in the world, unlike everyone else I told that dream too, which made him teach me Gōken."
Ino's eyes softened.
"So I worked hard to achieve everything I have, and I like to think it's working," Lee finished.
"Wow…" Ino whispered.
She didn't know why but she was reminded of Naruto from his story. Sure, Naruto was annoying and screamed a lot, but he was also teased and picked on because of his nature and lack of skills with jutsu.
And while Lee was loud, and his outfit was hideous, she could tell he was a good guy at heart.
Ino hissed.
Why did she feel so guilty all of a sudden?
"Well, Yamanaka-chan, want to keep going?" Lee asked. "It's okay if you don't, but I believe you have a lot more in you than that."
"You know what?" Ino began. "I'm not stopping yet!"
Lee gave her a broad smile, and once again, Ino felt that strange flutter in her chest.
But that feeling vanished the moment Lee started dashing towards her.
[Theme of Hokage Tower:
Royal Castle from The Legend of The Dragoon]
"Hm…I see," Sarutobi Hiruzen, The Sandaime Hokage, said as Team Seven stood in front of him, alongside another kunoichi and a small sleeping child in her arms. "Admittedly, this all very hard to believe. Naruto defeated Momochi Zabuza in single combat? His skills have increased, sure, but to that extent?"
"It is all true, Hokage-sama," Kakashi told him. "We can get Inoichi to scan our minds to confirm."
"While it is hard to believe, It doesn't mean I don't believe this report," Sarutobi clarified. "You've never lied on an after-mission report Hatake-san, and this one will be no different."
"Your trust in me is noted and is greatly appreciated," Kakashi replied with a bow.
Sarutobi then looked to Naruto and said, "Your exploits during this mission are very commendable, Uzumaki-kun. You killed one of the Oni Kyōdai, created a plan that led to the defeat and subsequent execution of Gatō, who led a prolific crime organization, and defeated one of the legendary Kiri no Shinobigatana Shichinin Shū, leading to the Wave's Freedom. I am very impressed."
"You make it sound like it was a one-man show," Naruto said. "I couldn't have done it without my team and Haku by my side."
Sarutobi glanced at Naruto with surprise.
He knew the boy had made some changes in his life, but speaking with such humbleness surprised the elder Hokage.
Yes, Naruto had the findings to become a great shinobi.
"Dope," Sasuke said. "Yeah, we were able to take down Gatō's organization, but it was your plan that allowed it to happen. Had your clone not followed Haku, things could have been more difficult. You weren't a one-person show, but you were the leading man in the show."
"Sasuke….you said something nice to me just now. You must like me after all," Naruto teased with a smile.
"Bite me," Sasuke retorted.
"Guys," Sakura whined.
At least that didn't change.
"In any case, everything seems solid mission-wise. Uchiha-san, Haruno-san, you two are free to leave. Uzumaki-kun and Hatake-san, please remain here with your guests," Sarutobi gently ordered.
Sasuke and Sakura bowed before leaving the office, leaving the main group to speak alone with him. "Uzumaki Naruto, step forward," Sarutobi said.
He watched as Naruto and the kunoichi exchanged a glance before Naruto stepped forward. The Hokage stood up from his desk, walked around it to stand in front of Naruto, and with a deep breath, he said, "Naruto, I am so proud of you. You excelled above and beyond in this mission, no matter what your humbleness states. You walked out of here a boy and came back a man."
"Thank you," Naruto said, clearly taken aback by these words.
"You even brought back a beautiful girlfriend and a child to call your own. You have done so much in your short time as a Shinobi, but while short, it is impactful," Sarutobi said. ". Being a father myself, I know of the risks that come with this new title. It will make you think or act a certain way. It will change your entire life, so I want to ask you this, just one time. Are you sure this what you want? I will not dissuade you or try to deceive you in any way. I want to make sure."
"I know that being a father is hard work. And I know because of the Kyūbi, it will add another weight onto my shoulders," Naruto began.
Sarutobi glanced at Haku in alarm, but when she grasped Naruto's hand in support, Sarutobi realized he must have told her at some point. It would have made sense, considering the journey they had been through during this mission in Wave.
"But nothing in life comes easy. It never has for me," Naruto said. "I fought to become a shinobi. I fought for Wave, for Haku and Emi. And I'm prepared to fight the world to protect those I care about. So while I know it'll be tough as hell to not only support myself but two more people, I will do all I can to keep them safe, protected, and loved."
Sarutobi could see the flames of dedication, devotion, and determination within Naruto's eyes, and it made Sarutobi smile in approval. He then turned to Haku and asked, "And what of you? Do you agree with his words?"
"My past is sordid with death, betrayal, and misery," Haku softly began. "I thought I would drown beneath its crushing wave, but Naruto saved not only me but my very soul. He is the shinobi I love and the father to our child. In this life or the next, there is no way where I could ever abandon him, betray him, or leave him. He and Emi are my everything, and I will do all I can to protect them from threats inside and outside this village."
Sarutobi could see the same fire he saw in Naruto's eyes within Haku's and chuckled. "While I hope no threats come from inside the village, I can see the truth in your eyes. You will still have to be tested by Inoichi; I welcome you and your daughter into Konoha as my civilians. In a few months, when your probation is up, we can enter you into the shinobi force," Sarutobi said.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Haku said with a bow.
"Kakashi…." Sarutobi said as he looked at the Jōnin.
"Yes, Hokage-sama?" Kakashi asked.
"One of the conditions have been met," Sarutobi announced to him.
"Conditions?" Kakashi questioned before his eye widened in surprise. "That's right. You consider him ready?"
"I do," Sarutobi said.
"Ready for what?" Naruto asked.
Sarutobi smiled. "There is something both Kakashi and I have wanted to tell you for a long time. After your mission and talking to you today, I believe you are ready for the truth. Sit down; this will be a long story," Sarutobi told them.
[Theme of Konoha:
Royal Capital from Legend of the Dragoons]
It had been ten minutes since Sasuke left the Hokage's tower, and after splitting from Sakura, he decided to roam around the village.
Sasuke usually would have gone home to train, but he figured he could explore the village for a while and see what's new.
But, that would the excuse if Sasuke wasn't honest with himself.
Sasuke knew why he didn't want to be alone with his thoughts at home because Naruto, of all people, occupied those thoughts.
A few months ago, Naruto wasn't able to defeat him in a spar but ever since that mission with the dying older man; Naruto had changed.
He was still himself in some regard, but his skills and mindset had changed. Naruto didn't brag, yell or be lazy. Naruto trained, worked hard at his missions, and made people smile.
And in the end, it all paid off for Naruto. He became a hero in Wave, found someone to love, and became a father.
But it couldn't have been those changes that made him stronger, right?
No, that couldn't be it. You couldn't become stronger by being a smiling, helpful buffoon.
But Naruto did become stronger by being precisely that.
Sasuke scowled and huffed out.
Maybe he did need to train before he blew a gasket.
"Whoa, that's a mighty pissed-off look you got there," A voice chimed out from behind him.
Sasuke turned around to see a bun-haired kunoichi with a grin on her face, her body leaning on the door of a weapon's shop. "Penny, for your thoughts?" She asked.
Sasuke was tempted to walk away, but he noticed that faint scars were littering them when he glanced at her arms and hands. "I…" Sasuke began. "Not so much a penny, but I'm looking to blow off some steam. You interested?"
The girl laughed and said, "You know, I wasn't expecting a challenge when asking that, but you know what? Sure. Neji has been busy, and both Gai-sensei and Lee have been with that blonde girl lately. Might as well get some training in."
Sasuke was not ready for that answer.
Had Sasuke asked that question to Sakura, Ino, or any of the other girls that were in his class, they would have made it dirty sounded or screamed.
But this girl didn't.
That made Sasuke grin.
"You're serious? You want to spar with me?" Sasuke asked.
"Hey, you threw the gauntlet. Might as well pick it up and use it, right?" The girl asked with a confident smile. "Come on. My training ground is close. Let's blow off some steam together." With a laugh, she walked past him.
And Sasuke didn't know why but he couldn't help but smile.
How strange.
[Theme of Brewing Darkness:
Bomb Shelter from Persona 2: Innocent Sin]
Sitting in a dark room with small candles lit in a surrounding circle, a topless Hyūga Hinata knelt. Behind her, Hyūga Hiashi sat with a brush in his hand, moving it against Hinata's naked back with a concentrated look on his face.
"How much longer must this process take, Father?" Hinata asked, a crossed expression on her face.
"We must ensure that the seal is in place, Hinata. It can take some time," Her father replied.
Hinata stayed silent for a moment, the disgust in her face evident. "I hate that we have to do this," Hinata told him. "The Chi no Bōsō is a part of me. Why can't anyone accept that? Why must I be subjugated to this suffering? Why must this seal neuter me?"
Hiashi sighed.
"The Chi no Bōsō is dangerous, Hinata," Her father firmly told her. "I understand your feelings, but the risk of you losing control is too high. Until we find a way to either have you control it or banish the traces of the Orochi within you, this is how it's supposed to be."
"How can I learn to control it if this seal is slapped on me every time the old one expires?" Hinata asked. "I just want to feel like me and not this pale imitation. Is that so wrong?"
Hiashi remained silent, which caused Hinata to scoff and focus on the ground. "Whatever I say doesn't matter. Finish the seal, Father…."
Moments later, the world around her shifted as the seal on her back glowing a dull red. Moments later, the glow ceased, and the world snapped back into place. "You're all done," Her father whispered.
"Thank y-you, F-Father," Hinata stammered out as she bowed her head. But had Hinata turned around, she would have noticed the deep look of guilt on Hiashi's face.
Captain Blues: And that is the end of this chapter. A little short one but it's building towards my next arc involving that Hinata, Naruto and Lee will be the main stars in. How? Well, only one way to find out! See you next time!