Greetings all.
Firstly, I'd like to apologize in advance for the shortness of this chapter. The reason is that whilst writing it, we were moved to stage 4 load shedding here in South Africa, making the electricity supply completely unreliable. I simply gave up on rewriting the complete chapter after my computer crashed each time a blackout occurred, making me loose huge chunks of the chapter, if not the entire thing itself. Once I had to replace the entire chapter because the file got corrupted when it was in the middle of saving when a power failure happened (That is just my speculation. I don't know what happened exactly).
So last time we ended off with the 9 schools competition being just around the corner…and I must say some of you people on the comments were pretty harsh…I'll give you guys lengthy responses just now.
Anyway…
Responses to Reviews:
Guest: Sorry mate, not happening. The closest those two will go is good friends.
Anko4Life: Glad you like it. And I hope that I will continue to fill your day with laughter.
Ryujomaru15: Thanks for the like and hopefully you won't have to wait too long.
Der Erde: Firstly, I'd like to ask if your profile name is German for 'The Earth'. Yes, I am a fast reader. I never said anything about depth, just content. And I admit that at that time I hadn't come across 'Ornstein the Dragon Slayer's' stories yet.
As for the stories that are done/completed, the ratio between stories placed on Hiatus to stories actually completed is growing because people don't really give credit to the works of others, which is done by feedback in reviews or more private conversations done via PM traffic. I do not know if you are an author of Fanfiction, but I will tell you this, and many other authors will agree with me here: Feedback, both constructive and destructive, is what teaches you to write good stories and continue writing.
And Yes, I agree with you on the criteria not being mentioned, simply because I have my own tastes and If I write my criteria down, I believe that I may just set a base for others to become critiques for other stories. I am my own person with my own criteria. You are your own person with your own criteria. The same is said for each and every person out there. Stories that I find crap can actually be favs for other people, and vica versa.
richard2000: As for the conservative part…I just removed that to crack the stiff nature of wizards compared to canon. I tried to make the student appear more like ordinary humans instead of stoic golems who spend the majority of their time studying magical sequences.
Also, Ino is a troublemaker, something that her clan accepts because she is also a prodigy. Now, I couldn't really go and give her the gossiping trait, so I gave her a troublesome trait instead (And now the Nara clan is grumbling). That being said, she doesn't technically have sex with every guy she dates…I believe I have said that she knocks them out after giving head once.
giacomoX: Thanks.
On with the story…
Chapter 6: How not to use Magic
The days went by and it was finally time to go to the venue for the competition, a large sporting facility specifically designed for the 9 schools competition and any competition like it.
The only issues Naruto had with the transport…is that he was assigned a seat next to Sasuke and Morisaki. Upon hearing this he requested that he follow the bus in his vehicle, a magic driven motorcycle.
This was denied immediately as Naruto was part of the team and as such needed to drive just like the rest of them.
This was two days before they actually left…and when the person in charge of the seating arrangements walked into his office the next day he found out that it was filled with balloons and he didn't notice the polystyrene cups filled with water covering the floor until he stepped on them.
Naruto sighed, leaning his head against the headrest. At least he managed to get the seat at the window with Morisaki next to him. Between Morisaki and Sasuke, Naruto knew that he and Morisaki could at least work together, as they had done numerous times during Public Morals shifts…and the two of them held a grudging respect for each other's skills.
Thinking back at the events in the last week, he couldn't help but smile at some of the events that had happened.
The first being that Hinata and he had come close to kissing, at one stage, only for his fanclub to interrupt them, prompting Hinata, with the aid of Kiba, Shino, Ino, Sakura and surprisingly even Shikamaru and Temari to declare war on the 20 or so girls in the secret fanclub. It used to be 21 or so, but there was one unfortunate girl who got a mouthful of Indian Grade extra extra extra hot tabasco, and she was still in rehab because she basically lost all the nerves in her mouth.
The opening 'battle'…Naruto had to supress a laugh at the memory of that…the usually meek and shy Hinata basically dragged Naruto out in front of the group and after stating that she had booked a date with him after the upcoming competition, she kissed his cheek, which was dangerously close to his lips. Of course, her cheeks lit up like a light bulb, especially when Naruto confirmed her words.
Add to this, their friends were like "And don't you bitches dare go and try to separate these two."
To this the fanclub were all "Oh, it's on now!"
The next day the mages who were to partake in the competitions had free in order to train…and Naruto found it near impossible to leave his own house because the fangirls were standing outside of his gate, shouting at him if he'd like them to accompany him to school. Eventually he had to get Mari's permission to have someone pick him up with an armoured vehicle…the girls were that desperate…
In retaliation, Naruto, with help from Hinata and the others, used epoxy to glue the girl's door shut during the night. Naruto wanted to also glue the windows, but Hinata thought that that would be too mean.
The next day she regretted talking Naruto out of it as the girls were shouting out in the halls about Hinata forcing herself onto Naruto…well, everyone could tell that they were the ones with the issues and thanked whoever it was that used a fire spell and activated the emergency fire suppression system.
Well, the 'war' went on, continually escalating until even the teachers began joining in on the betting polls as to who will win…though most of them were betting against the fanclub.
Mari, out of curiosity, wanted to see if Hinata and Naruto could work alone in the office without trying anything, set them up to do the inventory check on the available gear in the Public Morals Committee offices. She and Chiyoda Kanon later found the two of them sleeping on the couch, with Hinata resting her head on Naruto's shoulder. On the table there was a stack of papers, all of which had been worked through.
Mari in all honesty later confessed her surprise at the sight as she had expected them to start cuddling the moment she closed the door.
Anyhow, it was clear as day to basically everyone in school that Hinata and Naruto truly cared for each other, but wouldn't let their feeling for each other take priority over their duties.
And then there was the training itself. Naruto, being a merc, had more trouble than most of the other participants, in that he had to consciously hold back on the speed at which he aimed and shot the magic spells in order not to overload the competition CADs. Eventually Tatsumi gave him a Rifle CAD that had a buffer in it.
Aside from that, nobody had any issues with leaving the speed shooting to him. Heck, most of them started calling him the 'Male Elfin Sniper' because he was literally out-sniping some of the teachers. Of course, those that called him that ended up with a 'Kick me, I am an idiot' page stuck to their backs without realizing it.
Naruto was woken from his rest when someone screamed, and looking around, his gaze followed that of several fingers being pointed out of the window. He then watched as Kanon and a few others cast different magics to try and stop the burning car that was on course with their bus and was about to call out at them not to act so rash, only for Mari to beat him too it. He then felt a pulse of psions rush past and destroy the magical constructs of all three students, allowing Miyuki to use extinguish the flames and Juumonji and Suzune to stop the car, with Suzune decelerating the vehicle and Juumonji stopping the car flat with his Phalanx magic. Talk about extreme deceleration.
"Just another day in the office." Naruto commented.
"For once I agree with you there, Dobe." Sasuke agreed, with Morisaki looking between the two as though they were crazy.
"Part of being a merc, mate." Naruto said, imitating the voice and accent from Captain Price from those Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series of games that have been revamped and turned into VR games a few decades ago. (1)
That evening
All the competitors from the different schools were gathered in a huge hall, mainly staying in groups comprising of their respective schools. All except for Naruto and Tatsuya, who were standing alone in different areas of the hall.
And while Tatsuya had to deal with criticism from his friends about being way to overprotective of Miyuki and therefore making others wary of approaching him…
"Ne, ne, that blonde guy there is sooo hot…"
Naruto had his own set of problems in the form of girls checking him out…where was Hinata when he needed her? Her glare would be enough to drive off all but the most stubborn of fangirls *cough*hisfanclub*cough*.
"I know right."
"Does anyone know who he is?"
He sighed…he was literally hearing the same conversation from at least 4 or 5 different groups of girls.
"Sorry, I don't."
"Then how about we invite him over…"
In short, Naruto got swarmed by girls from 6 different schools, all of whom wanted to get his phone number…and almost beginning to fight amongst each of their respective schools as to which ones of them get his number first.
"Since when were you this popular, Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked as she, Ino and Sakura approached the group, each holding a glass of wine/champagne. She didn't not look happy at the situation Naruto was in.
"How should I know, Hinata-chan." Naruto responded. "Maybe I should call Shadow-Fox and have him scare the crap out of them."
Several of Naruto's new fangirls turned pale…
"Ha. You call Shadow-Fox? That is a good one."
…and as always there was one who thought he was bluffing.
"You should probably know that he is joining Red Spiral PMC at the end of the year." Ino said.
"Say WHAT?" the girls asked.
"Meaning he is out of your league." Sakura said.
"You are just saying that because you want to have this hunk for yourself." One of the girls said.
"That's right. If he is out of our league, then he is out of yours as well, bitch." Another one said.
They shut up when Hinata, Sakura and Ino showed them their Mercenary ID's.
Meanwhile quite the number of guys were looking a bit green at the sight of Naruto being surrounded by girls, though many sighed in relief after what happened next.
"Naruto." The girls, Naruto and some of the guys within hearing range turned to see a tall man with spiky silver hair and a face mask approaching.
"Kakashi-sensei." Naruto, Sakura, Ino and Hinata said.
"I see you have been doing well. Your parents would be proud." Kakashi gave him an eye-smile whilst indicating the girls still surrounding Naruto.
"You wish." Naruto countered, making his way through the mass of girls towards Kakashi. "What are you even doing here? Another Op?"
"Nope. Just part of the added security detail for the upcoming competitions." Kakashi said.
"Then why are you dressed like this?" Ino asked, indicating his white tuxedo. It looked at though he was going to a White Tie event.
"I am only starting my shift tomorrow. Until then, 'Kage' told me to enjoy my time and meet up with Naruto." Kakashi said. "Speaking of which, 'Kage' wants me to tell you to give the other contestants a chance."
"That will depend on how competent they are." Naruto countered. Several of the boys gained a tick-mark at the comment…at least the ones who weren't from 1st high.
"Oh well, enjoy the company of the ladies then." Kakashi said, smirking under his mask.
"The only lady I need the company off is this one here." Naruto said, walking up to and standing next to Hinata.
(This is when the males all sigh in relief. They just learned that Naruto wouldn't take the chicks they were chasing after in school…)
"This would also conclude that bet we made a few years ago, old man." Naruto added as he and Hinata held hands.
Kakashi froze, remembering that one bet he had with Naruto the last time he had actually trained him…
Flashback
"Well, Naruto, that concludes your training." Kakashi said, panting. Inwardly he was cursing Kushina and his sensei for spawning such a monster.
"Oh come on, old man. You can't be that tired yet. We only ran 40 kilometres." Naruto said. "At this rate I will find a girlfriend before you do."
Kakashi twitched at the old man comment.
"I am only in my early 30's, thank you very much. And how about this. If I find a girl before you do, then you have to change your callsign to Inu-kun." Kakashi said.
"Ok. But if I win, I get to call you Old Man for the rest of your life." Naruto countered.
Nodding, the two of them shook hands on it.
End Flashback
'I should never have made that bet with him…' Kakashi thought. 'He has the same luck with anything that his mother has…damn Uzumaki clan…'
Moments later the lights went off and Kudou Retsu, the strongest Magician alive, held a speech on the proper usage of Magic which came down to: It is not what magic you have, it is how you use it.
And in the darkness, Naruto and Hinata disappeared from their position and reappearing somewhere with fewer girls. Not that difficult considering that many girls are at their old location.
Timeskip
The first half of the tournament went well for first high until Mari was involved in a crash during the surfing competition. Tatsuya was one of the first people on the scene and barely gazed at her before coming up with a pretty damn accurate diagnosis.
That same night he invited Naruto to discuss his theory…one that neither he nor Naruto were sure of at the end of his theory.
This was not an accident. This was sabotage from a third party. The only question was who was involved.
Apart from that, the female participants from 1st high aced most of their competitions whilst the males won about half theirs.
The biggest event without a doubt was when Mayumi took to the stage for Speed Shooting, where she completely recked each and every one of her opponents.
Kakashi, who had been watching, wondered if he should have held his mouth when he told Naruto to hold back…
'That Mayumi…in terms of accuracy and speed, she'd be able to keep up with me…' he thought, wondering just what the current generation of people was truly capable of.
One day, whilst Naruto was watching Mayumi thrash her opponent during some form of shooting tennis, he felt his phone vibrating. Taking it out, he just looked at the first 2 letters of the message title before pocketing the phone again.
"What was that?" Ino asked. She, Hinata and the rest of the Konoha Group joined him, Tatsuya and his group of friends, and Miyuki.
"Some random company advertising a funeral plan." Naruto said. The others just nodded, though internally Naruto was concerned.
He only had one person in his contacts whose international caller ID used Norse Runes…
(1): If you don't know whom I am talking about, then you have been living under a rock…
…
AND DONE!
Now, I would like to make a request for next chapter, where Naruto will take part in Monolith Code…what should his abilities be, other than his muscular and skeletal enhancement magics, I am thinking of the flashbang spell as a distraction, and I am so gonna give him the Rasengan, though a low power version, but what else should I give him?
Things NOT to suggest:
- Cloning magic. Yes I know that Shadow Clones are Naruto's signature jutsu, but there is no such thing as cloning magic in this anime verse, canon or current fanfic.
…
Things you can suggest, but ones I am unsure of currently:
- Explosive Magics…I am unsure as of yet about this one. I'll read suggestions, but as of yet I don't know yet.
- Elemental magics…this sounds more like ancient magic to me and wouldn't really be Naruto's style of fighting, as he is trained as a spec Op/Black Op operative.