Chapter-2 Necessary Evil
'Mornings are the worst. Adults who say morning is the best time to wake up and be productive are all massive liars. They try to convince themselves of that so that they can do one of the most fearful thing *head to work* . Yes, work is evil, in fact it is a necessary evil.
If you don't believe me then go ahead and look for yourself why are most of the children so happy and full of energy whereas all the grown ups just "want to relax" ? Only few lucky adults actually do the work that they like the rest do it because they don't want to die by being a useless bum and not earning.
"But Naruto why are you being so rotten you're still a 10 year old kid ?" you might ask and the answer is I am a working kid-adult.'
"Huh , but that makes no sense and when did you turn 10 ? chapter 1 said you were 6 ? and why is the reader's thought being addressed here ? Author-san take responsibility and stop trying to break this story for a stupid 4th wall. Didn't you say you were a noob and now you want to pull top tier technique even elite struggle with ? Hey, I said STOP PROJECTING OUR THOUGHTS, YOU MORON !".
'Urusai-na (Shut-up) , I was in a monologue here and you broke the flow and this isn't even a whatever wall you called. I just gave these other enquiring lines a persona to represent someone else asking me so that I can answer my own thought , it wasn't meant TO BE YOU.Awwwwww... man I just broke the wall now. Author-san would be pissed now. Anyway let's keep this between you and me and mutually forget this happened yeah ? So where was I again ?'
'Right, right working kid-adult.
You see I am an orphan , yes ? Naturally I am poor too so I have to get up early and try to gather up various things. I try to hunt for small game, usually I fail but sometimes it works, I catch fish, try to get my hands at small herbs,fire-wood that are available in safer locations and not in the middle of a forest because that would be suicide And at weekends occasionally try my luck and look at second hand items I can use and someone that would sell them to me. My monthly allowance that I receive ,thanks to sandaime-jiji is decent but not a lot and I am personally a 'savings' kind of guy. See I am a grown up now. I even know the term 'savings' and actually know how to apply it rather than those gambling-alcoholic losers who earn by working hard all month only to lose most of it in name of relaxation. Wait, am I even MORE GROWN-UP THAN ACTUAL GROWN-UPs?
Yes, indeed I am a truly an old person. Mwahaha...mwahaha... bow down against me you filthy popular rotten carefree kids. Wait, IT'S NOT SOMETHING I SHOULD BE HAPPY ABOUT. I AM SUPPOSED TO BE 10 AND I AM TALKING LIKE I AM 50 . THAT MEANS I SKIPPED MY YOUTH. NO, no,no fucking NO!
hehe...hehe...I said 'fuck' didn't I ?
Phew! that means I am still not too far gone. I can still have a youth. Ore-wa genki desu( I am fine)' Naruto started chuckling a bit from where he had crouched down and had been frantically pulling his hair when he was thinking how he might be an old jiji. He got up from the cold bathroom floor and looked himself in the mirror while he proceeded to apply toothpaste to his brush and start brushing his teeth.
'Anyways like I said I am an adult. I have to get up at 4:00 in the morning and start early because the early bird gets the worm and later bird gets the comfort of eating free meal because Papa and Mama bird had to go out early and get it for him.' There was a slight reverb from speaking this aloud unlike his rest of the monologue which he was thinking to himself. He rinsed his teeth with water and gave a huge sigh as he realised he had to go to academy after working and then he half collapsed when he realised he needed to have a shower as there was only so many days you could skip before you started to smell bad and people noticed.
'Shower-chan please have mercy on me and do not claim my life . I don't want to be the brat who died because he couldn't take a cold shower during winter and HE WANTED TO BE A NINJA. I don't even have a huge enough container to heat it on the gas and pour it into a bucket and mix it with cold water so that I do not disturb you. Forgive me, and go easy on me shower-chan'. Naturally after such a heartfelt confession the only outcome was Naruto exiting while shivering tremendously after his bath, he swiftly proceeded to wear his clothes and started to make some tea to get some warmth in his cold body all the while murmuring 'she was brutal again. She is so sweet to me in summers always trying to make me relax and fresh but in winters she is unforgiving. Was she a kuma(bear) in previous life or what ? Does she remember she hibernated in winters and now is punishing me because I disturb her every 3 days ?'.
'Even though she is just a shower' he huffed while pouring hot tea in his cup. He gulped the hot tea awfully fast and opened his mouth to let some steam out 'keh. I got a cat's tongue can't handle awfully hot things. Gotta go.' He placed the cup in the sink, wore his worn out sandals, gathered all the equipment he needed which consisted of some rope,a long cloth fabric, some kunai he had scavenged up from old training grounds he had snuck in over the years, a fishing rod, a small old axe that was a bit rusted, a couple of empty glass jars, a decent sized wood crate with a simple wood cover lid and a decent length fabric cloth that attached both the ends of the placeholders that were meant for ease of carrying . The cloth part being an improvisation from the ex-pranking lord. Most of the stuff he placed it inside a small shoulder bag that obviously had a "used" look but he didn't care. He slung the wood crate around his shoulder , it effectively served as makeshift satchel for him and his fishing rod which he attached to his shoulder bag's open pocket with a small fabric cloth. He was ready to go. He turned the lights off , locked the door and off he went to *work*.
'(sigh) Once I am ninja I don't have to do any of this, not only will I make more money, I'll be able to fix more things, especially shower-chan; definitely shower-chan. But things are finally turning my way, I just have one more year left at the academy then I'll be a ninja and I'll get to do all the cool stuff. I'll get to go out of the village and see things.'
'I'll get to have friends' he softly added. As he walked down the streets he looked up at the stars in the sky. It was nearing 4:30 the night time was still there not over yet. 'It sure is pretty huh. Guess this is why *work is a necessary evil* somethings can only be witnessed through it'.
He walked up to the clearing near the outer forest, he had reached his *work office*. Naruto swiftly went up to his usual spot, he put down all his stuff and got to work like an oiled machine. 'First comes the traps. But I need to get some dried wood sticks to place a decent setup. I'll take the axe and the wood crate as well collect some mushrooms , berries from the bramble,some wild carrots, radishes and wild onions I came across. Although they are hardly wild as I plant seeds there now. My own personal farm, hehe... oh also let's take those glass containers I'll collect some herbs as well, nearly ran out of them, they fetch a good price too and I need a fire , it's cold'.
Naruto steadily worked for the next 2 hours, he set up the traps for a rabbit, and if he got lucky maybe he'd finally land a boar. But boars were in the middle parts of the forest they rarely came up to the initial parts of forest cover near the clearing and at the dark they likely won't. He placed the stocked wood crate filled with things he collected near where his bag was placed. He had started the fire immediately after setting up traps and now he was steadily collecting firewood for his own personal use and it was one of things he could sell ;hence, the axe. He collected as much fallen branches as he could earlier and now he had to chop some branches off. Cutting down the tree was foolish as he won't be able to carry that weight and once the tree is cut down it will take a decade or more to grow back up, rather chopping some branches down was a better option. Finally when he was done he headed out with his fishing rod and some small bait that he had in one of his glass containers and sat down near the rough river bank of the clearing. He could finally sit in warmth as the fire he made was always near the bank only few steps away so that he could *relax* until a fish was caught.
'Aww man, apart from taijutsu and shuriken practise their will be nothing good today in today's class, especially Iruka sensei has 4 classes on clan politics of konoha that we have to sit through. Tomorrow is a bit better as we have jutsu practise, the basic kawarimi (substitute), henge(camouflage/transform) and bunshin (clone). Also there is chakra control theory and practise. I am average in all except that bunshin jutsu. Why does it have to be that stupid bunshin jutsu? It doesn't even serve any purpose, kawarimi and henge even elite level Jonins use them so I get it but who uses bunshin? Nobody; bunshins are seen through in one glance as soon as the caster moves - bunshin disappears. I need to talk to Iruka sensei about some alternate jutsu I can do otherwise he'll fail me, as it is I was in a lot of trouble. That's what I get for thinking pranking half the village and being a general menace might change how they view me as, oh it did change; for the worse that is. Earlier I used to be "non-existent" now I am a walking menace with negative influence (sigh).'
Naruto caught quite a bounty of fishes which included many Ayu (sweetfish), few Yamamame(it's sort of a trout) and precisely 2 Iwana(white spotted char), while he passed his time pondering on various stuff whether it was 'who he thought was the better ninja and kunoichi in class', 'who was a troublemaker', 'who would quit after academy', 'how should he improve his own skills', 'what was in future for him','which teachers were good or bad in teaching', etc .
It seemed no matter the topic the kid had some decided words for it . He stored all the fishes in the crate except two as he was feeling hungry and as usual he decided to have them for breakfast. A quick grill was assembled by placing some sticks over the now dying out fire. He placed some dry grass and sticks to breathe life back into the fire.. He delicately cut the fish open from the side, added some lemon slice and onion slices into one , sprinkled some salt and some pepper on both and applied a herb rub on the skin of the fish that he had stuffed some lemon slice in it and placed them over the fire waiting for both of them to cook. This is how he liked to eat, one with nothing but some salt on it to get the freshness of the fish he had caught and one with some extra addition, he loved the flavour contrast. Till the fishes cooked he repacked all of his stuff. He checked the traps he had caught 4 rabbits believe it or not. He decided he would sell them whole as he still didn't have the skills required to butcher and process any meat from wild game. He tied the rabbits via a rope and re-tied them in a vast cloth he had in his bag. It took him only a few minutes to do all of this. He carried them back to his other stuff. turned the fishes over the fire and waited for another few minutes , before he could have his breakfast of the day.
After Naruto had filled his stomach he put out the fire , slung the bag and crate over his shoulders and headed back to his home but not before a short stop to the open market. There he would sell off his rabbit and fishes he had caught. If someone asked you to describe the open market with a single word , "hectic" would be the correct answer naruto thought. The open market as the name suggests was one of the biggest market in Konoha, there were vegetable sellers, fish sellers , meat and spices sellers all in that single area. Not only that wholesale selling dominated there you could see various producers or large scale game hunters selling in massive quantity. The market was open every single day but it closed during the day and evening time and was active in the morning and night time. The market opened up at 4:45 in the morning that's when massive wholesale selling and trades were done , the actual domestic customers only started filling in after 7:00 or 8:00 in the morning, after that it was just a massive headache because the space would get so crowded sometimes Naruto wondered how people could even see what they were buying.
This was mainly due to two reasons: 1. The price rates were the lowest you could find in konoha and 2. The produce was fresh, even the spices were ground on spot and mixed according to individual's demand. In short it was the best.
Since Naruto's reputation preceded him he was not an invited guest by most of the sellers but he did know a fisherman who bought his stuff, well he knew her daughter to be honest. She worked with her father in early mornings. Her name was Haruno, Miyazaki Haruno. Once, her father had caught a nasty flu and was unable to come to work. Naruto had witnessed the young girl struggling to carry these huge cartons, apparently it was an order of from a huge buyer and delaying it would not have left the best impression on them. Naturally he had offered his help but she had stubbornly refused citing that she knew him and he'd likely place dung bombs or something stupid in name of pranks and cause a loss for her father.
Naruto for the very first time in his life had felt angry, he didn't know why but he did maybe it was that she judged him off too quickly or maybe it was because she was around his age; a year or two older but definitely in his age group or maybe it had to do with the fact that he had quit pranking recently he was no longer about that life. Whatever maybe the reason he definitely felt a sour taste in his mouth.
He had replied very indifferently back then with a 'whatever' and had gone off only to return a minute later and lift the heavy carton from the floor where the girl was struggling to push it. Haruno had protested but he had silenced her with a short reply 'Take it as a favour, introduce me to your tou-san(father) when he comes to work I have some produce I'd like to sell'. She had half-heartedly grumbled about the ''introduction part'' and how it sounded uncouth but had complied and that was how they became acquaintances. That was 2 years ago.
'Oh, Uzumaki you're here again. Cutting it close aren't you ? Rush hour is about to hit'. Naruto watched as haruno called out to him without lifting her head, she was focused on her task of cleaning a huge table where they filleted fishes. 'She must have noticed me through the corner of her eye'. Haruno was a year and probably 3 months older to him she wore a mismatched samue (casual outdoor working clothes.) that surprisingly looked better. The upper part or the jacket was a plain olive green while her pants were a simple black and plain wooden sandals for her feet. Her hairstyle was a simple but a refined bob-cut (fine curved bob-cut) that suited her black hair and there was a small four clover earring on her left ear lobe. She had very good features, sharp eyebrows ,doe like eyes that were strikingly a matching green as her shirt ,a small button nose and a cheshire grinning half smile.
She was very simplistic but radiated a natural charm although Naruto would never tell her that because a)this would go to her head and she'd lord over naruto even more and b) her father would say ''sayonara'' to him as soon as he caught whiff of this.
'Seriously, what's with scary dads and beautiful daughters ? Anyways I have nothing to worry about Miyazaki-san should worry about that kenta - boy from four shops ahead he likes to come here often to talk to us, obviously her more than me. Uggh... dude has verbal diarrhoea. ugh.'
'Yo, miyazaki is your dad here ? Caught some fresh fish was hoping to sell them off I'd like some of them to be Fillet as well. I'll take few pieces of fish home. The usual stuff. Also geez, woman could you not greet me with that huge ass knife in your hand, swear to kami-sama if you make that a habit you'll scare off your customers'.
She rolled her eyes at his answer 'Oh please! Tou-san the grumpy annoying blonde is here... What's that you want me to do ? Chase him away ? Sure, my pleasure'.
'haha...omoshiroi omoshiroi (very funny/amusing) you should be a jester in Daimyo-sama's court , you're wasting your talent here.'
'da yo ne ?( right ?)' .
A 'tch' was heard as Naruto whisked his head. 'Haruno, what have I told you about teasing so much ?' Naruto looked behind Haruno to see her dad walking up. Miyazaki san like her daughter wore similar clothing only things is he had his white undershirt on display , he had removed the upper shirt possibly due to him working a sweat. His hair was neatly tied by a cloth so as to not get it messy. He was quite tall,well built that was verifiable by the man's tiding muscles. Obviously a result of hard labour, he was relatively young as Naruto saw no signs of grey hair on him. His eyes were black as coals similar to his hair colour and he had light facial hair above his lips not a moustache, which only added to that young looking aspect.
'Naruto how are you doing today ? ' he asked as he received the stock naruto had taken out. 'I am doing fine as always miyazaki san.' Naruto replied in a serious tone all hints of humour gone that were in his earlier conversation with haruno. 'Seems you caught quite a lot. Very well. As usual 40 ryo for the ayu, 45 for yamamame and I'd give you 50 for the Iwana. I assume you want me to buy any wild game you caught as well ? the firewood as well too ?'.
Naruto replied with a wince 'Yeah sorry for the trouble ,thanks as always. Oh one of the rabbits is for you. Don't deny it I am always thankful for your kindness miyazaki- san.' Naruto then increased his voice a little as if he wanted someone else to hear and spoke with a sly smile on his face 'It's a gesture of thanks for always being nice to me ,kami-sama only knows there are many a mean people that will call me grumpy and annoying and would like to chase me away'.
The reaction to his comment was instantaneous as he received a swift kick to his shin . He jumped up holding his knee to witness a ''humph'' from the girl who was puffing her cheeks looking sideways. It was obvious she had not liked his joke and had opted for a swift enactment of he felt nothing from the kick but being a veteran of their established equation he naturally over-exaggerated his reaction. ' Oi what's that for ? are you going feral on us or something ? Listen up girls are supposed to be delicate then how did you turn out to be such a gorilla?'
'haah ? Gor-gorilla ? Tou-san did he just call me a gor-gorilla ? Naruto no bakayarou (you idiot) , I don't want to hear this from a saru(monkey) like you whose brain size is smaller than a pea-pod. And why does 'girls have to be delicate like a flower' you ...you...sexist. At least I wasn't a pranking menace that painted faces of konoha's hokages, oh that was real mature of you.'
She finished her tirade while frantically breathing. Naruto had likely stepped on a landmine but he couldn't back out now.
'Uruse-na (Shut up)...the truth hurts which is why you're over-reacting. Admit it you love violence woman ,you are perfect kunoichi material and as for ...as for the pranking thing you still bring that up ? I quit didn't I ? How long do I have to carry that over my head ? stop being petty otherwise you'll get old,you'll be a grandma before you can be a young woman'
he made a teasing gesture while pulling one of his finger under his eye and poking his tongue out.
'I am a kunoichi ,you idiot... I recently got assigned a sensei and my team' she replied with a smug face as naruto fell down courtesy to the fish that was thrown at his forehead for his nerve to reply back and call her ''a grandma''. Naruto had a dumbfounded look on his face upon this discovery ' how had I not known that such a violent girl was bound to be in the shinobi academy? Kami give her teammates strength so that they could withstand her moods'.
Both their antics were disrupted when haruno's father made his presence known again. He handed him his earnings and the fish cuts he had asked for. 'Ah, arigato- gozaimasu (thank you very much). Mata ne (see you later) miyazaki-san ' Naruto bowed to him and gave a nod to haruno and was off to his home.
AUTHOR NOTES:
Just google japanese 'samue' you'll get to know what kind of traditional clothes I described.
Also I wanted to do my own spacing for the dialogues but apparently I can't because no matter how I arrange the spacing it auto-resets to default once I save it.
It would have been dope if I could do my own spacing then I would give you guy's some more breathing space to read. I would have increased the size of letter. Damn they are tiny and crowded. ):
