6 Years Later
Naruto's eyes flickered open as the first rays of sunlight struck the horizon of the Endless City. Yawning slightly, Naruto rolled out of the bed given to him as a part of the suites he shared with his two sensei, landing solidly on the floor in a push up position. As he began his morning routine of 200 push-ups, he shook the cobwebs from his brain that one gets after sleeping soundly. Blasting through the first 100, Naruto pushed himself up, and concentrated on his ankles with the Force. Easing chakra through his palms he fought against the Force slightly, splitting his concentration to pull himself up by the ankles, while sticking to the floor with his palms. With a grimace, he began the second half of his 200 pushups.
Self-Levitation was a training exercise that the Baran Do and the Jedi both utilized. Originally, the Jedi used it solely for meditation, however Jiraiya thought of it as a training exercise as soon as he saw it introduced to Naruto.
"Shinobi are by nature movers. We think by moving, we operate better in movement kid. So, instead of sitting still, which you will learn how to do, let's try this." Learning quickly that the exercise was extremely good for the young shinobi/jedi, Master Plo Koon allowed it. He even watched dozens of times as Naruto perfected the exercise to the point of allowing it to be done as a morning routine. Naruto even remembered what he said when first introduced to it.
"Trains your body, mind and connection with the Force at the same time as training your control of your inner energies. That is a good training exercise Naruto. Anything that can get multiple results is a superior method."
Looking at Naruto's form, one would definitely say it got results. His height was a mere 1.585 meters, with a lithe aggressive form, similar to a swimmer or a martial artist. Naruto started to huff as he reached 50 repetitions. Soon, sweat was rolling down his arms and back as he lowered himself, fighting against the Force that he attempted to use to yank himself up. As his nose brushed the floor for the 200th time, he flipped his body slowly so that he was stretched out, his feet above his head. Pressing himself up into a low bridge position, he slowly rolled his midsection up. In an elegant motion, born of now years of practice, the young Jedi was upright before sinking into a lotus position.
Folding his hands together, the young man went through the twelve shinobi hand signs. Each pass through the twelve would increase in speed until his fingers and hands were a blur. With a deep breath, he compressed his inner energy, clapped his hands and tensed his body as he released the compression of his Charka. A small wave of blue energy erupted from his pores, loosening any muscle he had while sending the Force around him into a small frenzy. Reaching out with his senses, Naruto gently calmed the Force, allowing it to wash over him, before pressing out with it as well. A smaller wave of energy flowed continuously from the boy as he held the stream steady.
With a breath he let it go. A flick of his fingers and a trio of silvery metal kunai knives hovered towards him, guided by the Force. Designed by Jiraiya, these Kunai were not meant for combat, but for training purposes. Each made of the heaviest metal that the Shinobi master could find, and each weighted perfectly, they were designed to develop muscles and control. When used with the Force, the same principles applied, at least according to Master Plo Koon. Setting them in his lap, he lifted the trio of knives up, and with swift movements began to juggle. Jiraiya showed him this exercise when he was six, using regular blunted knives.
"Kid, this is the most fun I can have while training." The shinobi smiled widely while he causally kept twelve knives in the air. "It's entertaining to others, builds your hand-eye coordination and prepares you to throw these if necessary." With a movement that Naruto could barely see, every knife in the air was snagged and thrown with precision into a dummy on the far side of the room. Each slammed into the dummy at a vital point, all while Jiraiya looked at the youngest in the room. Plo Koon hummed from his resting position, having just finished a series of kata himself.
"Considering those were blunt, that was impressive Jiraiya. Juggling can also be a good training tool for Jedi now that I consider it. While throwing objects is not a common Jedi tactic, hand-eye coordination and being able to think while continuously moving is a valuable tool. Once you are capable in this exercise Naruto, I want you to study over your holocrons simultaneously. It will be a great test of your spacial senses." Agreeing with the Jedi Master, Jiraiya only took three days to teach the boy to juggle balls, only moving on to Kunai when the boy could juggle a dozen balls at once while reading from a holocron.
Starting the kunai's movement in the air, Naruto opened a holocron concerning the Ruutan Reformation that he was assigned from the Archives. While most of Naruto's classes were fairly boring things concerning the politics of the Galaxy, how ships were manufactured, economic breakdowns and the general history of the Galaxy, some of his classes were truly interesting to the boy. Piloting was one of his favorite classes as it came naturally to him, much like his combat training with Master Plo Koon. Surprisingly, the Jedi History courses he took interested him immensely, and not just because he attended them with Jiraiya.
While outside the lecture hall, the sparing rooms or the library the man was a jovial boisterous and perverted man, inside those structures the calm, calculating, and intuitive shinobi appeared. Easily devouring years of material in months, and comprehending most anything he read, Jiraiya was quickly becoming an expert on Jedi lore. Anything the white-haired shinobi didn't understand he asked for clarification from the oldest Jedi he knew; Grandmaster Yoda gladly answered the questions during the biweekly sessions that the two had scheduled. Oddly the short Master Jedi got along with the perverted old shinobi, fondly bonding over the students that the two taught and questioning the concept of peace.
Jiraiya wasn't the only one with regular meetings with Grandmaster Yoda. When Master Plo Koon revealed Naruto's heritage to him, that wasn't the only bomb that the Jedi Master dropped.
"Young one, you are the container of the most powerful force I have ever seen in the Nine-Tailed Fox. Your father chose you for this burden because you are the most capable to control it, and ensure that it did not threaten anyone else. He spoke to it Naruto and asked it not to hate you for being something he chose you to be." Master Plo Koon explained the situation in detail. As long as Naruto lived, the Nine-Tails would live inside him, and when he died, unless the beast was released, the two would die together. Jiraiya added that for now, it was likely that the Fox slept, regaining energy from the sealing.
Yoda found out by accident, during Naruto's first meeting with the Jedi Council. Having been lost in thought on the topic, Yoda was the only Jedi Master who paid more attention to him than to Jiraiya or Plo Koon. Master Plo Koon was furious when Yoda tapped his cane on the floor twice, ending all conversation in the room.
"Out, everyone. Speak alone I shall to the three." Yoda's voice held no compromise, and even Mace's questioning scowl didn't phase him. Once the last Council Member left, the room grew heavy by Yoda's presence. "Explain why the youngling has another presence inside him. Radiates the Dark Side it does."
Jiraiya spoke quickly, explaining that the beast was sealed within the boy's very chakra and soul, tying the two forever more. The term Jinchuriki was explained as the power of the human sacrifice; that as long as Naruto's will held out the seal could never be broken, and the beast never freed.
Glancing at the boy, the Grand-Master of the Jedi Order hummed. "Ensure safety of the Order I shall, meet with him monthly I must. Fall the boy must not."
Naruto's masters quickly agreed, knowing that any arguments could result in Naruto's swift demise at the hands of Yoda. That began the meetings between the Old Grand Master and Naruto. Naruto even remembered their first meeting between just the two of them. Yoda played a game with the boy called Dejarik. The boy enjoyed it, watching holographic beasts and beings fight was interesting and every game he improved. During these games, the two would talk, with Yoda always allowing the boy to lead the conversations. The latest talk they had happened merely yesterday and Naruto asked a question of the Grand Master.
"Grandmaster Yoda? Why did the Jedi switch from the Old Code?" Naruto's question was innocent, as during his studies, he discovered that there was a different Code that the Jedi used to live by.
"Ask your master have you?" The grand master asked as he moved a piece on the board with the Force. His eyes never left the board, yet the young blond knew that the elder jedi saw his every move.
"I couldn't. Plo-" A soft hum from the Grand Master corrected him, "Sorry. Master Plo Koon left on his mission to Utapau. He said that it could be as long as three weeks this time." There was sadness in the boy's voice, something that Yoda made note of. Even though he was technically a padawan, the young jedi was not permitted to leave the planet yet. His first mission off world would be to create his lightsaber. However, like all padawans, he stayed in a shared suite in the Jedi Temple with his master. It was unusual that he shared with his secondary teacher, Jiraiya however.
Yoda thought silently on the young one's question. While the Jedi had adapted to the new code, and in Yoda's opinion the better option, he did see how it would appeal to someone like Naruto. The Old Code called for more balance in the Jedi life, but with that came many issues. Issues that caused the Fall of hundreds of Jedi at once, and allowed the Jedi to commit atrocious crimes. Soon it was his turn again to move and as he pondered his strategy, he spoke.
"The Old Code, allowed many to flourish. Lives Jedi built around it. Foundational issues the code revealed. Fallen Many Jedi because of it." The old Jedi moved his piece, eliminating one of the last four on Naruto's side. The boy was silent for a moment as he contemplated the two issues in front of him.
"I don't doubt that many Jedi fell, but is it really fair to blame it all on the Code they followed? I looked at the current and old code and there is not much difference. The largest difference is the new code requires more obedience to absolutes." Yoda tilted his head slightly, his interest in the conversation increasing with every word from the young blond.
"In my logics class, we are taught that absolutes cause issues. And when I asked Jiraiya why he pointed to a rule in the Jedi code. The first line says there is no emotion only peace. That is an absolute, and in logic makes no sense." Yoda nodded for the boy to continue, the game between the two being nudged out of the way. Naruto continued his line of thinking,"If there is no emotion, there would be peace yes… but only because all life in the universe would be dead. Emotion drives sentience, and that is a fact that we are taught early. All of the New Code falls under this issue. There is no Ignorance, only Knowledge makes no sense. Even you, the Grand Master of the Jedi Order have admitted that you do not know everything, yet a jedi should under that portion of the code, have no ignorance."
Yoda nodded along with the padawan's argument, before he thought of his response. "Valid argument you presented. Individually looked you have not. Ideal the code guides us to. Strive towards this ideal, the code instructs."
The two were silent for a moment before Naruto spoke again. "Jiraiya spoke about a shinobi creed that caused a large amount of tension on Shin'o. The creed said that All Shinobi on a mission were tools of their village. As we know, tools do not have emotions in regards to anything that they function as. The purpose of the creed was to ensure that each mission was as successful as possible. The issue was that some shinobi felt that abandoning emotion was not the correct stance. As much as we would like it to be untrue, emotion is a key element of combat and decision making. Attachment is something that the Jedi strive to avoid, yet it is the attachment that the Order has to the Senate that keeps the existence of the Order stable. Jiraiya said that the New Code reminded him of the Shinobi Creed and the more I read, the more I learned about how Jedi live… the more I agree." Naruto took a deep breath, and looked Yoda in the eye.
"You said that the code was an ideal to strive towards. I believe that is an excuse not to examine it too closely. I believe that you Grand Master, say that to justify the logical inconsistencies of the Code. I-" Naruto stopped as he noticed the Grandmaster's hand tightening on his walking stick.
"What you believe, young one, is not a concern. Concerning your disrespect towards the Order is." Yoda spoke harshly, as he looked disappointedly at the young jedi. "Open to respectful dialogue, I am. Personal attacks, I am not. Countless Jedi lived by the New Code they have, served the Republic greatly they did. Disrespect their legacy, you shall not." Naruto nodded once before he spoke again. His eyes down cast.
"I apologize Grand Master. I did not mean to insult your choices in the life you lead, nor the choice of my fellow Jedi, past or present. However, what I am trying to say is… I don't think I can follow the New Code. I would like to be sworn in and follow the Old Code." Naruto spoke with a quiet certainty. He knew that his position as a Jedi was writ as law, Master Plo Koon and Jiraiya both made sure that such knowledge was obvious, however he knew he had asked for something highly improbable. There was precedent on his request; Master Thaum was sworn to the Old Code for example. He did not know the circumstances behind that, and decided to give it a try. So he waited as the Grand Master of the Jedi Order sat in front of him.
The Grand Master was silent, as he contemplated the young padawan's decision. If Naruto was a normal Jedi hopeful, the answer would have immediately been a no. However, Naruto's situation was unique. His placement as a Jedi was all but certain due to his high abilities and the accord that the Council agreed to with his people. That and the continued rise in the Dark Side meant that should Naruto be expelled from the Jedi order, or if he left of his own accord, the likelihood of such a scenario ending well for the Republic was low. Yoda shuddered to think about what a Sith would be capable of with Naruto as an apprentice.
"For the Council, a topic that shall be. Over our time together is." With that, the dismissal of the young jedi was apparent, and out of the room the man went leaving the elder master to his thoughts and his meditations.
Naruto eased himself off the floor fluidly, gently tossing the kunai on his bed, he crossed to the in-suite bathroom. One of the few amenities in the apartment, each room was equipped with a bathroom equipped with a shower with heated water. Naruto showered quickly, cleansing his body of sweat from his morning routine, while also practicing something that Jiraiya introduced to him a mere month ago, which was Water Release Training. As the water hit the boy's body Naruto ensured it stuck to his skin, covering him slowly in a layer of water. With a slight use of the Force, the water shut off, leaving the boy covered in water. Slowly, Naruto used the Force to press the water closer to his body. With in moments, his body was straining to maintain the connection, as veins appeared all over the boy's form. In a deluge, the water fell from Naruto's skin, leaving it slightly red from the heat.
Water was his primary affinity, but it was also the one that he was the best at manipulating, even further than what was considered normal by Shinobi standards. Jiraiya speculated that it was due to the flowing nature of Water Chakra feeling similar to the Force. Plo Koon agreed, as whenever he taught Naruto Force Techniques, it was always with a metaphor of water. Traditionally, the training of one's chakra nature was reserved for Chunin grade shinobi, but Jiraiya was never one for traditions. Instead, since water was one nature he did not know much about, he allowed his pupil to be taught by some of the strongest water users on the planet Shin'o; the Toads.
Training with the Toads was some of the most intense that the young shinobi had ever experienced. The small beasts used pressure, control and shape manipulation more than volume as most shinobi would in regards to water techniques. As Fukasaku said once to the blonde,"Control is everything in combat Naruto. Water is all about control."
Drying off swiftly, Naruto glanced outside. Making note of the sun's position, he got dressed. If he hurried, he would have enough time to eat a proper breakfast before his training with Jiraiya. Pulling on the typical jedi robes and tunic, the only differences being a wire mesh shirt under the tunic and a larger than average sash holding his tunic shut with a metal plate engraved with a swirling leaf like pattern. On his lower back was two large brown pouches, full of shinobi supplies such as shuriken, kunai, explosives and more. As Naruto walked out of his room he smiled as he felt the life forces of the Jedi Temple. Blinking, he shifted through the information that exiting his specific room always gave him. With a grin, he ran out of the apartment towards the shared mess that the padawans and other Jedi Masters had access to.
In minutes, the young shinobi was running down halls, along the ceiling to avoid stray jedi wandering the halls at this hour, and even flipping over Grand Master Yoda on his way to the Archives. He slid into the training room on the west side of the temple with moments to spare, as the door shut and locked behind him. In front of him, writing in a small note book was his Shinobi Sensei Jiraiya. The only thing that had changed in the man's appearance was the addition of a few more lines to his face, and a scar on his lower lip where a mercenary tagged him with a small vibroblade.
"Good kid, you're on time. Did you do your morning routine?" The shinobi didn't bother looking up, knowing that no other Jedi would have entered the room for another hour.
"Yes Sensei. What are we working on today?" Naruto's excitement was evident as he rocked on his toes, stretching his arms above his head. With a smirk the white haired man stood and put his notebook and pen into a hidden pocket in his vest.
"Today, we will be working on an exercise I picked up from Kiri about two weeks before I went back to Konoha. It will improve your speed, power, and control of water." With a flourish, he pulled a small scroll from a pouch on his back, and tossed it to his godson.
Naruto caught it, opened it and started to read. The water bracelet was a technique that condensed water laced with chakra into small bands to be placed on the ankles and wrists. Originally a prisoner technique, it was later utilized by Kiri ANBU to train strength speed and control. Naruto read through the scroll detailing the process of the technique swiftly. Looking up he asked,"Okay, I get the point, but why am I doing this over say wearing training weights and learning something… offensive?"
Jiraiya nodded and knelt down as he unrolled another scroll. Tapping the seal sequence with a finger, several dozen barrels appeared, each filled with water. "Well kid, the reason is pretty simple. Your body is too young for constant weight training even if we take into account your healing ability. Take into account the fact that if you walk around with heavy weight, you will tear muscles, ruin joints and damage things swiftly make that a last resort thing. These, can be released at any time, sealed into your wrists, and placed back into existence as soon as you wish. They also serve a function of being a hidden water supply that can never be taken without the loss of your arms. A failsafe, a training tool and a resource in one." With a gesture, Jiraiya asked for Naruto's arms. With a sigh the blond obeyed, holding his arms out palms up. Jiraiya took a small knife and swiftly carved into Naruto's wrists, the blood flowing down swiftly only to be collected in a small vial of blue liquid that Jiraiya held ready. In moments, the wounds started to hiss but before they could close, Jiraiya rubbed a small amount of the now dark blue liquid into the wound. In a flash of blue, the wounds healed and a symbol was on Naruto's wrist. The symbol for water surrounded by a circle formed by triangles gave the seal the look of a small stylish tattoo. Jiraiya quickly repeated the procedure with the opposite wrist, making an identical seal.
"Now kid, I want you to go to a barrel, and shove your hands in. Channel chakra as the scroll said, and see how good you do." Jiraiya grinned as Naruto yelped when he obeyed. He may not have mentioned that the water was as cold as ice. He looked on in quiet pride as water easily started to collagulate and attach to his student's wrists. He smiled later on as the water disappeared into the sealing tattoos. If he had his way... Naruto would never be helpless again.
It took Naruto three days to be able to hold the technique for any time longer than three minutes out of the water. It was an easy technique to do, having mastered the creation of the bracelets by the fourth attempt. However, holding a barrel of water on every limb was taxing, and required more mental discipline than the youth seemed to have. Every waking moment was spent trying to master the bracelets, even during spars with his Sensei. Each moment felt like he was trying to move a cement block with his arm or leg. It was bad enough that Jiraiya immediately put a time limit on how much he could move while they were active.
Yet they were highly effective. Even in the three days since learning the technique, the young jedi was already faster, stronger and his control over water was heightened. By the end of the second week, Naruto was also learning tricks to make the training slightly easier as well. If he embraced the Force and allowed it to flow along with his chakra, he found that the task was easy. He could hold the bracelets for over two hours, seal up the water and rest for twenty minutes and repeat. Doing so more than three times exhausted him to the point of near collapse, but it was effective.
Jiraiya was a merciless trainer. Every success was praised, and then the effort required to complete the exercise immediately increased as he ordered Naruto to seal another barrel. Soon, the young shinobi was carrying a proverbial ocean on his limbs, and due to his advanced healing factor, was wearing bracelets of compressed water with weight that most Jedi could only move with the Force.
Soon enough, Jedi Master Plo Koon was due to return from his mission and the young padawan awaited him eagerly on the landing platform. The shuttle slowly flew in, smoke billowing from the left wing. Gingerly landing on the platform, the Jedi Master swiftly exited the craft. His trusty astromech R4 ejected and landed beside him, as several techs and droids rushed to the craft that was damaged on the left thruster. Plo Koon reported to the Head Mechanic as he walked towards his padawan," A mercenary got a lucky shot with a blaster bolt. Luckily, R4 cut power and we got far enough away I could make a quick patch. It had issues holding during reentry, likely due to heat." As soon as the Head Mechanic nodded and ran off to their workers, Plo Koon gave his full attention to his padawan and Jiraiya.
"You look well trained young one. Have you been keeping up with your studies?" The Master ruffled the blond's hair once the boy nodded.
"Good, the council wishes to see us. I am to report my mission, and something about you and the Code? Tell me what it is about as we walk young one. Jiraiya, I will like to see how training went after the meeting. If it went as I suspect I may think it is time."
The trio swiftly made their way to the Council's chambers and even down the hall they could hear someone yell "absolutely not! We are Jedi not Tax Collectors!" Walking slightly slower to allow the meeting to calm they arrived just in time to watch as Yoda's former apprentice Dooku stormed out. Bumping into Jiraiya, the two stared at each other.
"Excuse me friend" The regal Serenno male pulled his cloak tighter to his body. Jiraiya looked at Plo and a message passed between them. In a moment, Jiraiya had an arm around the Jedi Master.
"C'mon Dooku, I think we need to talk about how many hot springs Serenno has." The Shinobi guided the man away, and before the two turned the hall, Dooku was laughing at a story that the old pervert was sharing.
Naruto looked on the council as they listened to Plo's review of his mission. Listening to his master and knowing that he defeated an entire cell of a mercenary ring led by Jango Fett was a harsh wake up call to his progress. While the mercenary did escape, it was still awe inspiring that he could one day defeat a dozen men like that.
"My fellow Councilors what was the commotion about earlier? Our Friend Jiraiya has taken it upon himself to calm Dooku down, while ensuring nothing would be leaked out." Plo Koon spoke softly as he was dismissed to sit in his seat. Gesturing to his padawan, Naruto obeyed and sat beside the chair.
The other Council members eyed the padawan, until Yoda spoke, "Speak on the topic freely we can. Trusted Naruto is."
The youngest member of the council, a near fresh Master named Obi-Wan Kenobi, spoke. "While I do not doubt you Grandmaster, I do not know if he should bear witness to such a rigorous discussion."
Plo Koon spoke, his tone final. "Luckily Master Kenobi, it is not your decision as to if he is ready to listen to such a dialogue but mine. Not only that, but I am utilizing this as part of his Padawan Testing." Naruto straightened slightly, his body responding to the required amount of attention such an activity required.
"Quite. My apologies Master Plo Koon." Kenobi bowed his head slightly, before addressing the Council again. "Our previous discussion was involving the request from the Senate to forcibly eliminate an armed protest by the Eridauans. Councilor Dooku spoke on the reasoning behind the protest as that of the increased tax law passed this year by the Senate."
Plo Koon looked down slightly at his padawan as he felt a slight tug on his sleeve. Reading the look on his face, Plo nodded. He spoke as soon as Kenobi finished.
"This tax law, is it the one that dictates that taxes on agricultural goods for all worlds be increased, and the one that allowed exemptions for "world of renowned pedigree"?"
Kenobi nodded, his eye brow raised slightly. In response Plo Koon nodded and stated,"that seems to be the issue then."
Yoda smirked slightly. "Continue I hope you shall." At the silence in the chamber.
"Of course, my padawan made the connection instantly. The Senate is asking us to ease a peaceful, if armed, protest because the law dictates that the planet owes taxes. Our own archive states that the Eridauans were hardly capable of playing the previous taxes as required by their charter, as seemingly each year the Senate narrowly passes an increased tax percentage. Yet the world of renowned pedigree clause is in actuality a core world exception decree. As was the case two years ago, when the intergalactic trade tax increased to 4.324% over a flat 3%. The Core worlds did not fear the tax, as they all fell under the exemption."
Kenobi nodded as he thought. "They feel oppressed and unrepresented. They took up arms to ensure that they would not be threatened by the Galactic Guard, or the Police but left with a Jedi." Nearly as one the council nodded, as such logic made sense.
Mace Windu spoke next,"Be that as it may, it is still the requirements of the Jedi to send a representative to end the conflict before it becomes violent."
Plo Koon countered," How do you recommend we end it? The reason they are protesting is the increase in a tax they could hardly afford in its original amount."
Mace's shoulders slumped, " I do not know. However, we cannot afford to deny tasks from the Senate this close to the budget being up for a vote."
Plo Koon nodded, "So you would as Council Member Dooku spoke of, have us become tax collectors for the Senate. You also know my position on budget of the Jedi Order."
Mace's head shot up and he glared at Plo Koon. The two masters did not look away from each other until Yoda tapped his cane with a claw.
"Ask the young one we shall. Youth brings unseen angles it may." Nearly as one the Council looked towards Naruto.
Naruto thought swiftly through the issue. He looked to Plo Koon "Permission to speak Master?" At his Master's nod, the boy stood and bowed to the Council.
"To review the issue, it seems that the Senate has increased the taxes on agriculture, which has resulted in the outbreak of a protest on Erdeau, which has an agricultural base. The Senate in response has as the Jedi Order to "end the protest", which has two outcomes, either we kill the protesters, or we collect the taxes as the law is in effect and per Republic Law, cannot be reevaluated until at least one year has passed. Correct?" The Council members nodded at the Padawan's summary of the issue. Taking a deep breath, his brow furrowed in thought, Naruto continued. "When is the budget being voted on?"
Kenobi answered swiftly, looking at a holopad. "Two weeks at the next Senate meeting. It must be passed then or the Republic will go into shutdown, which is not an outcome that anyone wants."
Naruto smiled viciously. "Easy then, we send a Jedi to Erdeau, under instruction that they are to take at least two weeks to make any meaningful progress. It is against the code of the Jedi to kill needlessly; it is not against it to stall. So, we play the stall, allow the council to state that the Order is dealing with the issue, but it is difficult to organize a peaceful resolution to such an issue. I'd even send a jedi who understand politics and protest law extremely well, who can better the protest while stating convincingly that they were attempting to end the conflict swiftly."
"So you wish us to lie to the Senate boy?" One of the councilors spoke harshly, only for Naruto to laugh softly.
"Lying is not what we would be doing. We were asked by the Senate to "end the protest." If the protestors are in conversation with a Jedi, they are not protesting, which fulfills the mandate of the Senate. If they are conversing about how to better protest so that they can actually get what they want, then that is not any of the Senate's business, nor is it something that the Jedi need to report. Until such time as the budget is passed, we are required to do any mission the Senate asks even if it is not stated as such. However, how we do those missions is still up to the Jedi. That is per the Jedi Charter with the Republic."
The councilors looked amongst themselves for several moments, quietly murmuring. Mace Windu gestured for the Padawan to sit back down, before he spoke again.
"While I disagree in any action that would look negatively upon the Order, I do believe that in this case, it would be wise to do as the padawan suggests. The Senate would be appeased and we would not run counter to our principles. I recommend we send a master however, possibly one of our own." His eyes flicked towards Plo Koon, who did not miss the obvious insinuation.
"Before that assigning of a mission, I believe I must take my padawan to create his lightsaber. I would recommend another Master." Plo Koon shot down the idea of punishing his padawan with a terrible first mission, knowing that was the intent of the Battlemaster.
"I'll go. Anakin could use a little bit of diplomacy training, and it allows us to get out together. It has been a while since we traveled." Obi-wan spoke, defusing the tension in the room with his suggestion.
Yoda nodded, "Go then. Your orders to stall and help the protest. Keep them peaceful you must. The Council, dismissed. Masters Windu and Plo Koon, stay, will you?"
At nearly the same moment, the Masters all started to leave the room, chattering merrily amongst themselves. In seconds the chamber was empty except for the three masters and Naruto.
"What do you need of us Grandmaster?" Plo Koon asked as the hover chairs convened closer together with a mere gesture of the old Master.
"Master Windu, Padawan Uzumaki wishes to take the Old Vows." Yoda began, his voice at a low whisper. "The council, split in it's decision. With you, the last vote."
Mace Windu looked at the Grand Master of the Jedi Order and nodded. "Come to me Padawan Uzumaki."
With as smooth of movements as possible the young blond stood in front of Mace Windu. The dark-skinned master's eyes were hard, like chips of obsidian, yet Naruto refused to look away. He felt the tendrils of the Force that the master sent towards him. They stood motionless for several moments before Windu asked. "Why?"
Naruto instantly understood what he was asking. "The way of the Jedi make sense. The methods of the Jedi do not. The Order claims to be stewards of peace in the Galaxy, leading by compassion and kindness, yet are under oath to feel neither of those things for another being as that is an attachment. The Jedi seek peace and balance in the Force, yet shun their own inner balance."
Mace Windu calmed himself, allowing his anger to slide deep into the Force as he let it go. Once his mind was clear, he thought of what the boy was saying. He knew, as the whole Council did, that Jiraiya was also training him in his culture's Force techniques. Having sat in on several, balance of inner energies was highly important, as they regulated the "flow" so to speak. It was that reason why the Shin'o people were highly capable mentally, and enjoyed some of the best psychiatric care in the galaxy. Few people could deal with trauma such as the Shin'o people. To view it from that perspective, he could see where the boy would have issue with the Jedi Code, especially as it was now. That did not take into account the biology of the Shin'o people; that when emotional attachments are made, they perform better.
"The old code has not had a Jedi swear into it for generations. The common thought of the Order today is that compassion does not breed attachment, however, I can see how your teachings and culture says otherwise. I can also understand your hesitance to the adhere to a code that would ask you to shun your emotional attachments, considering the biology of the Shin'o people. Such a thing is an extreme advantage." The Jedi Battlemaster sighed as he thought.
"I say aye, you can swear under the old code. Under two conditions." The battlemaster's eyes hardened and his gaze pierced Naruto's. "The first, is that you will never announce that you follow the Old code in any form to the standard Jedi. It will not do to have cries of favoritism, or a schism in the order. The second condition is that should you ever take a padawan, apprentice or disciple, you do not knowingly color their opinions on the order or the code."
Naruto thought for a moment. "I agree."
The Grandmaster of the Order stood, his form coming up to the knees of the Jedi Master's present. "Decided it is. The Old Code you shall swear to upon your return." At Plo Koon's shocked expression, Yoda nodded. "Traditional for Old Code, to swear upon receiving a lightsaber. Understand, the importance of this moment you must Naruto." The boy nodded slightly at the green elder before bowing.
"I promise masters I will uphold the tenants of the Order to best of my ability."
Plo Koon put a hand on the boy's shoulder after he rose from his bow. "Go young one. Pack for a trip. I suspect we may have a lengthy travel ahead." With a quick 'yes master' the young padawan ran from the council chambers leaving the three masters.
"Do you know what form you will teach him?" Windu asked as they started to gather their things from their chairs. Plo Koon hummed thoughtfully before answering.
"I am unsure. The boy's style of combat is… unique."
Yoda chimed in as he walked from the chambers, "Versatility, his strength is. Tactics over strategy, non-traditional combat he will specialize in." The two younger Masters looked towards each other and swiftly followed the Grand Master.
"I can understand the Versatility aspect Grand Master, but the non-traditional combat… what do you mean?" Plo Koon asked as they caught up swiftly to the elder Jedi. Yoda nodded in recognition to the bow a youngling sent towards him. With a smile the child continued down the hallway, headed towards the Jedi Archives.
Mace Windu spoke his thoughts on the definition. "Are you speaking of the creation of a new form just for the boy Grand Master?"
"Unheard of, it is not. Suspect, I do, that the traditional forms not fluid enough will be."
Plo Koon nodded. "I thought similarly at times. The boy moves like water at times and often, the traditional Forms do not allow that. Only Makashi would allow the elegance, while only Niman would allow him to utilize the Force as he would like."
"I recommend Niman before Makashi. Some starting positions in Makashi would disrupt Niman, while the opposite is not true. Have you thought of Djem So?" Mace Windu asked as they arrived at an intersection. Here the masters stopped to continue their conversation.
"I have considered it of course, but Djem So does not seem like a style that would suit him. What would you recommend Grandmaster?" Plo Koon asked, his curiosity peaked by the Grand Master's interest in his padawan.
"Niman suit him it would. Both hands he will need." With that the Grandmaster headed down the left hallway, allowing the two other Masters to watch him leave. Mace Windu thought for a moment, and nodded.
"I am interested in him Master Plo Koon. I suspect he will be formidable with a saber, especially if we can find a style that suits him." Mace followed the Grandmaster, intending to teach his class of younglings. Plo Koon continued down the hall, to ensure he had the supplies necessary for what he suspected would be a long trip.
Naruto sat in the ship's navigation room in a meditation pose. With each breath, he dove into the Force, and stretched his senses as his Master instructed him to when they gained sight of Ilum. From this point on, he would be guiding the ship and it was his duty to ensure his and his master's safety. He extended his focus. His master stated that if Ilum held a crystal for him, he would know yet all he felt was the planet, nothing extraordinary.
He slid deeper into the Force, careful to tether himself tightly. He could not afford to lose himself here, but he needed to extend… to feel more.
Plo watched in silence as his pupil meditated. It was a quiet pleasure of his, to watch his padawan meditate. It was similar, yet so much more than when he watched Grand Master Yoda meditate. If he were to pay attention to the Force, he knew what he would feel. When he was a padawan he remembered being on the water planet Mon Cala during a massive storm, idly he recalled it was the largest storm recorded in over three centuries. But he remembered vividly what the ocean felt like on the top most levels of the underwater capital. Swirling, powerful enough to feel even through the pressurized fields that protected the city. It felt similar to standing in the room while his padawan meditated as deeply as he did. He knew that if he attempted to ease himself into the Force he would be buffeted from all sides by the maelstrom. Yet, when he opened his senses to it, he noticed the beauty and the playfulness of the Force; how it seemed to rejoice being in the presence of Naruto.
Naruto's brow creased as the Force guided him away from Ilum all together and instead towards the hyperlane that sent them back to Coruscant. Plo allowed him to guide the ship into hyperspace, blasting towards the planet Dorin over the course of three days.
When they arrived, Naruto, still meditating on the location that the Force was sending him, eased the ship towards the Fyrth Asteroid Belt. Within hours, they had approached a massive asteroid and had donned the appropriate gear to enter the caves of the space rock.
Plo allowed the boy to lead, interested despite the clear unusualness of their expedition. Traditionally, the Jedi was dropped into the crystal caves on Ilum, where they made their saber. However, his master allowed him to scan the planet before dropping him into the crystal caves, and it was something he allowed all of his padawans. Naruto was the first to pull from Ilum.
As they went deeper into the asteroid, Plo was surprised by the large crystals that slowly started to appear. Glowing with inner light, they literally hummed with the Force. Looking at the walls of the cave, Plo realized why the deposit was hidden by the veins of neuranium ore that wound its way through the rock.
Soon, the two came to a massive cavern, where three gargantuan crystals had shifted, and crashed into one another. Shards of the crystals, some as large as a speeder were scattered throughout the cave. Naruto walked swiftly towards the epicenter, where two shards shone brightly. Picking them up, Naruto instantly felt the Force bond form; the color of the crystals shifted as his inner chakra pulsed in response to his heart rate rising. From the opaque white the crystal's color shifted to the richest purple that he had ever seen, with a hint of blue in the center.
"If you have your crystals my Padawan, it is time to go. I don't feel comfortable staying too long in such a sacred place." Plo ordered his padawan back to the ship in his usual manner. With a nod, the two jedi left the cave, swiftly arriving back at the shuttle.
In moments, the young jedi had the parts set for his assembly as his master began the trip back to Coruscant. Falling into a light trance, Naruto started to assemble his sabers. In mere hours, his sabers were complete and fell gracefully into his waiting hands.
Curved slightly, to promote increased control, the pummels were elongated loops, similar to the kunai knives he grew up learning to wield. If one felt the metal of the ring, they would notice symbols, a swirl and two wavelike markings on either side. The handle extended forward, curving slightly to fit his hands, ending in the emitter, which had a slight oddity. Two millimeters above the emitter sat another ring, covered in etchings that allowed the blade to be utilized in any terrain, including water.
With a hiss, he powered the blades on; their blades a violet so deep that they nearly appeared black. Giving them a swing, Naruto laughed as they sung through the air, the blades feeling perfectly balanced in his hands. He had never felt so much like a Jedi as he did in that moment.
An: As you all can tell, this update is a little late... but alas that is the price of moving. Here we have a few important things for timeline purposes. Anakin has been found, and the events of the Phantom Menace have already occured. Specifically, the events of last chapter occurred approximately a week before the events of the Phantom Menace.
This poses the question of Initiate training, specifically for Naruto and tangentially for Anakin. In canon Anakin works extremely hard to become a padawan, becoming one fairly early in regards to his training time, at 13-15 depending on source material (comics vs books). Here Naruto is 11. The difference is immense. Jedi training begins early traditionally, as Anakin's age is considered a major roadblock. Naruto begins learning the way of the Jedi at 5 years old. Naruto's race, the Shinobi of Shin'o, also have highly capable mentalities. This is true in the Naruto canon as shinobi upon gaining their headband can be promoted at any time, regardless of age. Example of children leading complexly are shown in the show in multiple levels. I have expanded this to a species specific trait, similar to how yoda's species is highly capable with the force.
What this means is that, yes, Naruto's development as a Jedi is not normal. It is highly accelerated for his purposes. There is another factor as well, which is something that Yoda mentioned and is alluded to in this chapter. Naruto is the Jinchuriki of a being that can wipe out all life on the planet. This means that he cannot be allowed to fall to the Dark Side in any way. If he does... lets just say Sideous wouldn't need Anakin to wipe out the Jedi.
Also, Politically Naruto's situation is unique. He is legally required by treaty to become a Jedi. He is legally required by Shinobi law to become a jedi as part of his S-rank mission. He is highly motivated, isn't a complete idiot, and surrounded by people that can not only educate him, but take time to do so.
My co-author ShadowicHammer has mentioned as well that in terms of the Star Wars Universe, Naruto having the abilities he does this early make him one of the strongest assets of the Jedi Order. He is correct if I was basing this entirely on the movie canon promoted by Disney. Honestly, if he was in NarutoCanon as he was right now, he could likely fight any Chunin to a standstill if not kill them. At 11. However, as my co-author pointed out...and mentioned in a review...
THIS IS AN AU. That means that the Dark Siders (various ones) will be much much stronger. This means that I will not shy away as the media other than the comics and books do from utilizing the shear potential of the Force.
This also means, I don't need to keep to "canon" or "fanon" of any of the two fandoms. I have, for the most part, kept canon generally the same. The only difference is the addition of Shin'o. Which means that there are differences in the timeline. In my story, the Uchiha massacre doesn't happen for example. Kakashi is much better at the Hokage thing than Hiruzen is in his old age, and has his wisdom on deck whenever he wishes. Kakashi also runs the village differently. Much differently.
I hope you enjoy the update, and see ya all on the 23rd.
-Zero
