Chapter 41 Summary: The journey Naruto, Kakashi, and Jiraiya have taken has led them far away from the village they call home Konoha. However, their travels have allowed them to meet new people and see sights they never would have imagined. It also has proven beneficial in increasing their skills and strength as proud shinobi of the Village Hidden in the Leaves.
Naruto vs. Sasuke: The Aftermath
Chapter 41: "Life on the Road."
Naruto seemed to float down the hallway, as he followed the most delicious aroma he had ever smelled in his entire life. The young Genin had no idea where he was and at the moment didn't even care. All he was focused on was finding the source of this most wonderful fragrance wafting to his nose. Coming to a stop in front of a door, Naruto knew that whatever it was he smelled resided on the other side. Opening the door with anticipation, Naruto's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates and he nearly fainted at the sight before him.
There not 10 feet away from him was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen in his life. Sitting on a banquet table was the love of his life Hinata Hyuga, but it wasn't just the sight of her that made Naruto so excited. It was the fact that she was completely naked save for the various noodles, spicy bean paste, butter and corn, leeks, onions, bean sprouts, ground pork, cabbage, sesame seeds, white pepper, and chopped garlic that adorned her body. All of which were the ingredients of Naruto's favorite ramen dish miso. Hinata herself was ladling copious amounts of miso mixed in a fish broth down her body when she noticed Naruto and said in the most sensual and sultry voice he had ever heard.
"Dinner's ready Naru-kun and if you clean your plate, you'll get dessert."
Naruto was in a trance as he watched the miso fish soup roll down her body glistening in the light. He audibly gulped as he watched mesmerized as a single drop seemed to hang on one of Hinata's hardened nipples before finally falling. As Naruto watched the succulent droplet fall, his gaze fell upon the juncture between Hinata's legs, which was covered in whipped cream with a cherry in the middle. Looking back up he saw Hinata smile seductively at him before softly cooing.
"That's dessert Naru-kun."
Naruto's tongue was hanging out of his mouth drooling at this point and he was emitting a gurgling sound reminiscent of one Homer Simpson, as he stumbled forward while shedding his clothes much to the delight of the ramen covered princess. Upon reaching the succulent banquet before him he was grinning from ear to ear as he looked to the face of the girl he loved who seductively said.
"Dig in Naru-kun, it's all for you."
Naruto licked his lips and let loose a giggle similar to one perverted Toad Sage and exclaimed.
"Heh, heh, heh, I'm gonna have me some Hina-ramen!"
Naruto then lowered his mouth to the feast before him and...
"...NARUTO WAKE UP!"
"Huh? What going on? Noooooo, where's my Hina-ramen?" Naruto shouted as he bolted upright from his sleeping bag to come face to face with the bewildered expressions of his two Sensei's Kakashi and Jiraiya. Rubbing his eyes to fully awaken, Naruto grumbled with annoyance.
"Oh man, what did you guys have to wake me up for? I was having the most awesome dream ever!"
"I'm sorry Naruto, but you were thrashing about and giggling like a madman going on and on about something called Hina-ramen." Kakashi apologetically answered.
A tiny rivulet of blood began leaking from Naruto's nose and his face took on a dazed appearance, as the image of his Hina-ramen flashed through his mind.
"Well, whatever Hina-ramen is gaki, it certainly seems to have awakened little Naruto." Jiraiya commented with mirth upon seeing a protruding tent poking up from inside the sleeping bag.
"Gaaaahhhh, I need to go take a bath in the river!" Naruto snapped out of his reverie and yelled in embarrassment before rocketing out of his sleeping bag and sprinting down to the flowing river near their encampment. As the two older shinobi watched their young pupil dive head first into the frigid waters still wearing his t-shirt and boxers they both laughed and Kakashi stated with sarcastic amusement.
"I'll say one thing Master-Jiraiya, Naruto has certainly come to care more about his personal hygiene since he left the village with all these baths he's been taking since we left."
"Ha, ha, ha, true very true Kakashi, but there's nothing like a cold bath to quell the raging hormones of a boy that age when they're thinking or dreaming about their girl. Fortunately, we adults have better mental control than the little gaki does and don't need such deterrents to alleviate a certain biological reaction when we think of the women we love."
It was then that Jiraiya's thoughts drifted to an image of a certain buxom blonde Hokage in all her naked glory. While Kakashi's mind likewise drifted to the last time he saw Kurenai in all of her nude splendor. After a few moments and with an uncomfortable tightening of his pants, Kakashi jumped up and exclaimed.
"I think I need a bath as well!"
"Me too!" Jiraiya hastily replied, as both men raced down to the river to jump into its icy depths still fully clothed to relieve a certain supposedly under-control biological reaction.
A short time later a certain Toad Sage, one-eyed Jounin, and a blonde-haired youth were sitting around their campfire attempting to warm their bodies up and dry off from the chilly waters of their baths. It was Naruto who finally spoke up first and asked.
"What kind of training are we going to do today pervy-sage?"
"Damn it gaki, how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that! You don't see Kakashi addressing me like that with such disrespect."
"Huh?" Kakashi replied looking up from his Icha Icha novel in confusion upon hearing his name.
"That's because he's your number one perverted fan!" Naruto cried out.
"Hmmph, you just don't appreciate fine literature like he does gaki."
"Whatever pervy-sage, you still haven't answered my question. What kind of training are we going to do today?"
"Well, first you're going to do the waterfall exercise to increase your chakra control Naruto."
"Oh man, I already know how to do that. I want to learn a cool new jutsu."
"It doesn't matter that you already know it. The purpose of the exercise is to increase your chakra control and the more you practice it, the better your control will get. Now quit your whining and let's get to it."
A few miles away, the trio arrived at the base of a small waterfall emptying into the river roughly 300 feet in height. As Kakashi and Jiraiya sat down and leaned against a tree, they watched Naruto walk out onto the water and stand in front of the falling water. Closing his eyes and taking a moment to concentrate and apply just the right amount of chakra to his feet, Naruto suddenly leapt up and started running up the cascading water all the way to the top. Upon reaching the top of the falls, the young Genin quickly turned around and maintaining his chakra control ran and slid his way back to the bottom again. Turning around and grinning in accomplishment at his two teachers, Naruto's revelry was short-lived as he heard Jiraiya shout.
"Very good Naruto, now run it 499 more times and then we'll move onto something else."
"499 more times are you crazy pervy-sage?"
"Less bellyaching and more running kid, unless you don't want to learn the cool new jutsu I'll teach you afterwards." Jiraiya replied, before pausing in thought and then adding.
"That is as long as you complete this exercise without falling once."
Naruto's face became a scowl and he grumbled under his breath scathing remarks about a certain scheming perverted Toad-Sage, before turning back to the water in front of him and repeated the process he had just completed. As the two veteran shinobi silently observed Naruto running the exercise, it was Jiraiya who broke the silence and commented with pride and amazement.
"It's astounding that Naruto has already learned how to do this in six months Kakashi. It took me almost a year before I learned how to do it and at his age I certainly couldn't run it a 500 times at one go."
"It is Master Jiraiya; it took me over a year before I learned it from Minato-Sensei and you're right at that age I wasn't able to continue running it that much during one training session I would have run out of chakra long before reaching that number."
"Well having the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu in your back pocket does tend to accelerate the learning curve for the kid Kakashi. Not to mention Naruto inherited the famed chakra reserves and stamina of his father. I remember when I taught this exercise to Minato. It took him about nine months to become skilled enough to the point that he could run the exercise about two to 300 times in a session before even his famed stamina and chakra would finally give out. So I figure 500 times sounds about right with Naruto considering the rate the little gaki learns at and the fact that his chakra reserves and stamina are even greater than Minato's."
Three hours later, Naruto slogged his way to the bank of the river and trudged over to his teachers before collapsing on the ground in a heap before them. Panting heavily, Naruto spoke up and said.
"Alright pervy-sage (pant, pant), I did that stupid exercise 500 times (pant, pant). Now you have to teach me that cool new jutsu like you promised (pant, pant)."
"You're right Naruto, a promise is a promise. I'll teach it to you after we have some lunch."
"Lunch, I don't want to wait until after lunch, I want to learn it now! I'm not even hungry!"
"So you're not hungry huh, not even for this." Jiraiya stated with a smirk before pulling out of his bag a box of instant Ichiraku ramen.
"Ichiraku ramen!" Naruto exclaimed with glee before his stomach audibly growled out for all to hear, as he sheepishly added.
"Heh, heh, well I guess I am a little bit hungry, so I can wait until after lunch to learn that jutsu."
With that said, all three shinobi began walking back to their encampment when Naruto asked.
"Where did you get your hands on some Ichiraku ramen from anyway pervy-sage?"
"I had Teuchi-san prepare a supply of his instant ramen for you which I kept sealed up in this scroll before we left the village Naruto."
"So how big a supply did you get?"
"About six month's worth."
"Six months, you mean to tell me I could have been eating Ichiraku ramen since we left Konoha and you're just now telling me! What is wrong with you pervy-sage?"
"There's nothing wrong with me gaki! You can't just live on ramen alone kid!"
"He's right Naruto; if you want to grow and get stronger physically your diet can't just consist of ramen." Kakashi added in agreement with the Toad-Sage.
"Well if ramen is so bad for me how come you're letting me have some now?"
"Think of it as a reward kid. I've decided that when you complete a training regiment to my satisfaction; I will let you have a meal of ramen. And since you pulled off the waterfall exercise without falling once, you earned this. You did well Naruto, I'm proud of you." Jiraiya complimented with pride.
"It's true, that is a most difficult exercise to perform 500 times in one training session and you did a splendid job with it Naruto you should feel proud of yourself."
"Thanks Kakashi-Sensei and you to pervy-sa...Master Jiraiya." The orange clad Genin replied with a bit of humility upon hearing the praise given to him.
However, it wasn't long before Naruto's well known bravado came to the forefront once again and he commented with smugness.
"Ahhh that waterfall exercise is a piece of cake Kakashi-Sensei!"
"A piece of cake, funny I don't remember you saying that the first three months of learning it Naruto. In fact what I remember is you sending countless Kage Bunshin's at that waterfall during those months before you finally succeeded in reaching the top….one time I might add."
"And then it took you a few more weeks before you were able to do it more than once on a consistent basis. But until then that river was inundated on a daily basis with falling gaki's, ha, ha, ha!" Jiraiya added with mirth laughing.
"Oh man, you guy's sure know how to kill the moment." Naruto moaned with irritation, as the trio arrived at their camp and began preparations for lunch.
As Naruto finished off his miso ramen, he wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his trademark orange jumpsuit and jumped up with a renewed feeling of strength and vigor declaring.
"Alright, that sure hit the spot! I'm ready to learn that super-cool new jutsu now pervy-sage!"
Pervy-sage again, when will that gaki learn to show his elders some respect? Well, I can't be too critical, I wasn't much better with Sarutobi-Sensei when I was his age.' Jiraiya thought to himself before rising and announcing.
"Ok Naruto, what I'm going to teach you is a Fuuton (Wind) jutsu I taught to Nagato, a student of mine many years ago who like you had an affinity for Fuuton Ninjutsu."
"Cool, so what's it called pervy-sage?"
"Stop calling me that, uggh it's called the Reppushou(Gale Wind Palm Technique). Now pay attention, the Reppushou is a Ninjutsu technique utilizing the wind element. After forming the needed hand signs, you will be able to send a strong gust of wind towards a target."
"Hmmm, it doesn't sound very impressive pervy-sage."
"Oh ye of little faith gaki, now sit back and watch!"
The wizened Toad-Sage went through a series of hand signs before thrusting his arms forward towards a sturdy oak tree 10 meters away. Then a powerful gust of wind erupted from his hands and impacted the oak tree with tremendous force causing the behemoth to actually sway under its pressure."
"So, what do you think of that?"
"You made a tree move, big deal pervy-sage."
"Damn it gaki! Just because a jutsu isn't all flashing lights and bells or have destructive capabilities doesn't mean it isn't a technique worth learning. This jutsu is highly effective at knocking down a single or multiple opponents in one fell swoop causing disarray and confusion. And when acting in conjunction with another thrown weapon, the wind can increase its power and deadliness, watch."
Jiraiya went through the series of hand signs again before signaling Kakashi to throw three kunai at the tree. As Kakashi hurled the kunai, the Toad-Sage thrust his arms forward once more towards the oak tree. In the blink of an eye the kunai in flight were suddenly propelled with tremendous force and impacted the tree burying them handle deep into it. Turning back to Naruto, Jiraiya waited for a response from the boy who stated with excitement.
"Ok, that was pretty cool!"
"That's better, now I want you to create 100 Kage Bunshins and come with me while I teach you the hand signs and how to mold your chakra into your hands and the air around you. As soon as you've learned the correct sequence of hand signs, I want your clones to practice releasing the jutsu. I also want you to create 100 more Kage Bunshins and go run the bell exercise with Kakashi."
"The bell exercise, you mean like the one Team Seven first took when we became a squad. What's the point of doing that again? I already know that exercise is all about teamwork."
"I'm glad you remember the purpose of that exercise Naruto, it is about teamwork, which you did exhibit with our team, even better than Sakura and Sasuke did during our missions together. However, I've noticed that whenever you call upon your Kage Bunshins in a battle, they never display any teamwork and always rush in on an opponent en masse."
"What's en masse Kakashi-Sensei?"
"It means in a mass or all together. Your shadow-clones don't display any type of unity or teamwork in a fight and simply try to overwhelm your opponents by sheer numbers alone."
"Well, that's kind of my fault, I'm the one who gives the orders on what to do."
"I know this which is why we've got to get you thinking more strategically in using them during a battle. You're quite adept at coming up with strategies on the fly during a fight, but not so much when you actually have time to formulate a planned tactic against an opponent. So while your clones are learning the Reppushou from Master Jiraiya, I want you to sit back and watch, as the memories of how the battle against me is going will come into view with each bunshin I destroy. Working off those memories I want you to try and come up with a plan for retrieving the bell from me utilizing the clones as an effective army and not an unruly mob."
"Alright, I understand." Naruto replied before bringing his hands together and shouting out.
"Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" (Multiple Shadow Clone Technique)
An instant later the trio of Konoha shinobi found themselves surrounded by 200 shadow clones. After giving orders to his own private army, Naruto and Jiraiya walked to one end of the clearing followed by 100 bunshin, while the other 100 bunshin followed Kakashi to the other end of the sizable field. A minute later, Naruto's training began once again in earnest for the young man.
It was a few weeks later when Kakashi questioned Jiraiya about Naruto's daily disappearances in the afternoon after they had finished up eating lunch from their morning group training.
"Master Jiraiya, are you sure it's a good idea to let Naruto train by himself without any supervision?"
"Probably not, but the kid's been on good behavior lately and has been following all of our orders during training without any backtalk."
Kakashi cocked his visible eyebrow indicating his disagreement with Jiraiya's statement. The Toad-Sage noticed this action and quickly followed up verbally.
"Ok, not as much backtalk as he usually gives us, but when he asked if he could do some training on his own in the afternoon, I told him so long as he stepped up his training with us in the morning and quit calling me pervy-sage that I would allow it. Well he's kept up his end of the bargain, so I have to keep up mine with the little gaki."
"I suppose, but I wonder what kind of training Naruto is doing on his own?"
"I asked him that and Naruto said he had an idea on how to improve the Reppushou and I quote."
"I'm gonna take this lame jutsu and turn it into something awesome!"
"That's what worries me Master-Jiraiya, Naruto's had a few weeks to work with that jutsu and he did learn the Rasengan in under a week. I shudder to think what he might have done with the Reppushou in that amount of time."
"Oh come on Kakashi you're worrying about nothing. The Reppushou is a C ranked jutsu in strength with a small range of effectiveness of about five to 10 meters. At best I think all Naruto will be able to do with it is increase the strength and range of the jutsu thanks to his immense chakra reserves."
"I hope you're right."
As if on cue, a shout rang out from a distance alerting the two veteran shinobi of their blonde-haired student returning to their camp.
"Kakashi-Sensei, pervy-sage, I did it!"
"Damn it gaki, I thought we had a deal about you calling me that!"
"We did pervy-sage. I said I wouldn't call you that anymore until I created my new cool jutsu. Well, I've finished it and it's awesome!"
"I'm sure it is Naruto, but first I want to see you perform the Reppushou properly."
"That jutsu pervy-sage, I learned that one after only a couple of days. C'mon let me show you my improved version of it, it totally kicks ass!"
"Later gaki, now show me a normal Reppushou."
"Fine!" Naruto grumbled in annoyance as he went through the same series of hand signs Jiraiya had taught him before thrusting his arms forward towards the same sturdy oak tree the Toad-Sage had used a few weeks earlier only this time they were 20 meters away. A powerful gust of wind erupted from the young Genin's hands and impacted the oak tree with greater power than Jiraiya had used causing the mighty timber to sway with such force a resounding crack echoed through the air, as a notable fracture appeared in its trunk.
Upon seeing the results of this Jiraiya turned towards the silver-haired Jounin next to him and smugly stated.
"See Kakashi, what did I tell you, all Naruto did was increase the strength and range of the jutsu."
"You're right Master-Jiraiya, but if that's the power Naruto can generate from his use of the Reppushou. Then it's not a C ranked jutsu anymore in his hands, but more like a B or possibly even an A ranked jutsu."
"Tru, but I told Naruto to fire off a normal Reppushou, not the improved version of the technique he's been working on."
"So, pervy-sage, Kakashi-Sensei, how was that?" Naruto asked while grinning.
"It was fine Naruto, very powerful, but I told you to fire off a normal Reppushou not the improved version of it you've been working on."
"That's what I did pervy-sage."
Both Jiraiya and Kakashi blanched and sweat-dropped upon hearing this and Kakashi asked with a little trepidation in his voice.
"N, Naruto, you mean to say that's your normal Reppushou and not the new version of it."
"Yeah Kakashi-Sensei."
"Umm, how much chakra did you put into your Reppushou just now?"
"I don't know Kakashi-Sensei, not a lot maybe a third I guess."
"So, so Naruto, if that's your normal Reppushou, what's this new and improved version of it you've been going on about?" Jiraiya stammered with nervousness.
"You guys want to see it, it's so cool!" Naruto exclaimed with glee.
"Alright gaki, let's see this new jutsu of yours, hit that same tree with it."
"Sure thing pervy-sage, but we need to move back about 100 meters or more before I do it, I don't want anyone to get hurt."
Both veteran shinobi shivered slightly after hearing that as they began moving back with Naruto and silently wondering with anxiety what it was he had in store to show them.
"Ok, this should be far enough." Naruto declared.
Kakashi scanned the distance to the oak tree and roughly estimated that it was about 150 meters away from their current position. Both he and Jiraiya watched with nervous anticipation as Naruto began channeling chakra into his hands. The young Genin then shot his arms forward towards the tree. A moment later the tree began to shake and leaves began ripping away from the branches in two clockwise swirling motions. Soon everyone could hear the smaller branches of the mighty tree snapping off and joining the leaves in their circular movement.
Both of Naruto's grizzled teachers watched in shock and awe as now the booming sounds of larger branches being snapped off began echoing through the air. As Jiraiya and Kakashi watched the tree being shredded before them by some unseen force, it was the Toad-Sannin who finally broke the silence of the two and said to Kakashi.
"Kakashi, throw a kunai with an exploding tag onto the ground ten meters in front of Naruto."
The one-eyed Jounin quickly obeyed and threw the kunai where instructed. A moment later the tag exploded sending dirt and debris up into the air. It was then that the unseen force currently tearing up the tree became visible to the two shinobi. As the dirt and debris rose from the explosion, they were quickly caught up in two spinning vortex's of wind that were coming from Naruto's hands. The soil helped to illuminate to both Kakashi and Jiraiya that two separate cyclones of wind were being launched and maintained by chakra from Naruto's hands. Both veteran shinobi gasped in amazement at the destructive power Naruto was generating with this Fuuton jutsu. Naruto finally ended the jutsu when the oak tree snapped at the base where the young Genin had damaged it earlier from his normal Reppushou, as all three of them watched the tree crash to the ground.
"So, what do you guys think, pretty cool huh?" Naruto asked as he beamed with pride.
Both Jiraiya and Kakashi could only nod their heads in utter amazement at what Naruto had done with the Reppushou. However, they nearly fainted upon hearing the next words come out of their student's mouth.
"You haven't even seen the best part yet! Follow me Kakashi-Sensei, pervy-sage, you guys are gonna love this! I've created a second jutsu that's a variation of the one you just saw!"
Both Kakashi and Jiraiya turned to look at one another with abject horror at what Naruto was going to show them next. Each of them exhaled a weary sigh and began trudging along behind their eager pupil. A short time later they arrived at the very same waterfall they had watched Naruto sprint up and down a few weeks earlier. Jiraiya and Kakashi also took note of that several of the trees surrounding them had been torn asunder. No doubt done by Naruto's enhancement of the Reppushou. The two wily shinobi looked on with curiosity, as they watched their young student water walk out in front of the waterfall as before.
"Naruto, you don't need to show us the Waterfall exercise again! I thought you wanted to show us something else about your new jutsu?" Kakashi called out in question.
"I do Kakashi-Sensei, you and pervy-sage just go over to the riverbank by the waterfall and watch!"
Shrugging their shoulders in confusion, both shinobi did as Naruto instructed and stood waiting to see what their pupil was going to do. However, both men were surprised when Naruto stepped directly under the waterfall, disappearing from their view by the torrent of water descending upon their student. After a couple of minutes both Kakashi and the Toad-Sannin looked at one another with puzzlement for nothing had happened, before their eyes grew wide with astonishment, as the waterfall began to rise.
Soon they could see Naruto soaking wet standing directly underneath the cascading water, but with his arms thrust above his head. The water falling down upon him no longer struck the blonde-haired young man, but was backing up and being held above him, as two distinct air funnels filled with water were erupting from his hands. Both Jiraiya and Kakashi realized that Naruto was using his improved Reppushou to do this, but even more amazing to them was the young man was actually beginning to push the water vertically back up the cliff face. It was then they heard Naruto shout out.
"Now watch as I cross the streams of air!"
"No, you must never cross the streams!" Kakashi shouted out in a panic.
Both Naruto and The Toad-Sage stared at Kakashi with confusion, who awkwardly added.
"S, Sorry about that guys, I don't know why I said that? For some reason my mind said that crossing the streams was bad."
Shaking off Kakashi's interruption Naruto focused on his new jutsu once more and brought his hands together combining the two cyclones of air into one powerful cyclone. Soon to the astonishment of his audience, Naruto began pushing the water up the cliff face until it reached the apex of the precipice to where the water would fall over. Stepping out from underneath the waterfall, Naruto angled the direction of the wind jutsu to keep the water churning in a circular motion at the very summit of the waterfall. Looking over to his flabbergasted teachers Naruto declared with a grin on his face.
"See what did I tell you guys, pretty awesome huh! Not only can I use this new jutsu to tear stuff apart, but I can also use it as a defensive jutsu to keep something at bay!"
Both Jiraiya and Kakashi could only stare at the scene before them in mute silence. The power of Naruto's jutsu to be able to hold back thousands of gallons of water was remarkable and had left them speechless and rooted to the ground as they gazed in awe. Naruto finally ended the jutsu and then made a powerful leap over his two teachers shouting to them before landing a great distance away.
"Enjoy the bath!"
A second later all the water the young Genin had been holding back crashed back down the rock face and created a splash wave that inundated both men from head to toe and nearly swept them into the river. As Kakashi and Jiraiya trudged back inland away from the waterfall with the sound of Naruto's uproarious laughter currently ringing in their ears, Kakashi turned to the equally soaked Toad-Sannin and in a sarcastic voice mocking what the old sage had said to him.
"Oh come on Kakashi you're worrying about nothing. The Reppushou is a C ranked jutsu in strength with a small range of effectiveness of about five to 10 meters. At best I think all Naruto will be able to do with it is increase the strength and range of the jutsu thanks to his immense chakra reserves."
Jiraiya could only offer a groan in response, as both shinobi slogged their way back to their encampment to start a fire and dry off.
Kakashi and Jiraiya were grumbling with irritation as they hung their wet clothes up to dry back at their camp. The source of said irritation was the same source that had swamped them in the first place….Naruto. The young Genin was still snickering at the sight of his teachers dressed in only their Yukata's in the middle of the forest. After hanging up the last article of clothing to dry, both men made their way over to the campfire where Naruto was sitting at and flopped down beside him in a heap before Jiraiya asked with annoyance.
"Gaki, how the Hell did you take a simple jutsu like the Reppushou and turn it into THAT!"
"Pretty cool huh pervy-sage." Naruto replied with a grin before continuing on.
"Well it wasn't easy; like I said before I pretty much had the Reppushou down within a couple of days. But after that I got to thinking about how I could make it stronger. It was then I remembered my Rasengan training and an idea hit me. What if instead of trying to mold chakra and contain it in a fast, rotating sphere of chakra in the palm. I would merely rotate the chakra in one direction and extend it out from my palm. I also thought that if I combined the Reppushou with that rotating chakra I could then mold the gale of wind into turning that same direction and extend the chakra out even further. Basically, all I did was mold the chakra and use it to shape the Reppushou into something more destructive like you saw. My biggest problem trying to create the jutsu was to mold and control the right amount of chakra in combination with the Reppushou depending upon how far away the target was I wanted to hit. But after a few weeks, I finally figured out how much chakra I need to use for whatever distance I'm shooting for. I guess all that waterfall training I've been doing to increase my chakra control has really helped me out."
The wizened Toad-Sage and Kakashi looked at each other with amazement. Although Naruto's explanation of how he created this new jutsu would seem simple on the surface, both men knew that the amount of chakra one would need to shape and control what essentially are tornado's erupting from your hands would be staggering. There would probably be only a handful shinobi in the entire world who might be able execute this jutsu and none of them would be able to match the speed, power, and distance Naruto could utilize it at. Turning back to their orange clad pupil Kakashi asked with curiosity.
"Naruto, how much chakra did you put into your jutsu?"
"Well, I had to put a lot more into my jutsu than what I did for the Reppushou. I was using about a third of my chakra in each palm when I shredded the tree back at camp. For the waterfall, after I crossed the streams I figure I was using about three quarters of my chakra to push back the water. It's a great jutsu Kakashi-Sensei, but it does drain you after using it. Because I've got to tell you, I'm pretty tired right now."
"I would imagine so. Why don't you go to your tent and take a short nap while Master-Jiraiya and I get dinner started and talk about your new jutsu."
"Ok Kakashi-Sensei, a nap does sound nice right now. What is it you guys want to talk about my jutsu for? I didn't do anything wrong did I? I, I mean you and pervy-sage did like the jutsu didn't you?" Naruto slightly stammered, fearful that his teachers would criticize his new technique.
"No gaki, you didn't do anything wrong, you've created a couple of fine jutsu's."
"Master-Jiraiya is right Naruto. Your new jutsu's are exemplary and were both very proud that you were able to create them all on your own. We just need to discuss how we're going to rank your new jutsu's that's all." Kakashi stated with admiration while flashing his patented eye smile.
Upon hearing both of his teachers praise and acknowledge him, Naruto was grinning from ear to ear when he then heard Kakashi ask.
"By the way Naruto what are the names of your two jutsu's?"
"The first one Kakashi-Sensei I call Teikiatsu Kujo Tsuppari (Cyclone Destruction Thrust). The other one I named Kadou Shouheki Tsuppari (Vortex Barrier Thrust)."
"Very good names Naruto, appropriate for describing exactly what those jutsu's do. Go get some rest now and we'll wake you in a little bit when dinners ready."
"Since I did such a good job on those jutsu's can we have Ichiraku for dinner tonight?"
"Alright gaki, you did do a fine job with those jutsu's so we'll have some Ichiraku for dinner."
"Thanks pervy-sage, you're the best!" Naruto exclaimed with happiness before disappearing into his tent.
"Stop calling me that!"
After a few minutes, the sound of Naruto snoring wafted softly in the air of the Leaf shinobi camp, as both Kakashi and Jiraiya finished getting dressed and sat down by the fire to converse about their pupils new jutsu's.
"So what do you think we should label Naruto's new jutsu's at Master-Jiraiya?"
"Like you even need to ask Kakashi, it's obvious that they're A ranked jutsu's. And if Naruto ever adds the Kyuubi's chakra into those jutsu's, their destructive force and power may even upgrade them into a ranking of S category."
"I concur with your assessment Master-Jiraiya."
"By the way, how come you didn't use your Sharingan to copy those jutsu's?"
"I made a deal with Naruto the night we got drunk and…..enhanced Lady Tsunade's monument on Hokage Mountain. I promised Naruto that I would never copy any jutsu he created unless he gives me permission to do so. It's always been a sore point with Naruto that the Sharingan steals other people's hard work."
"The little gaki was so drunk that night; I doubt he even remembers you making that promise Kakashi."
"Whether he remembers it or not doesn't matter. I still remember making the promise and I will not dishonor the memory of Minato-Sensei or the feelings of his only son and my student by callously taking what he has struggled and worked hard to achieve. I shall ask Naruto tomorrow if he would allow me to copy his new techniques, but the decision will be his alone."
"A noble attitude you've got there Kakashi. It's too bad the Uchiha clan didn't follow a similar code of ethics. If they had, they might not have been disliked by so many of their fellow shinobi comrades. Minato wasn't a fan of how the Uchiha grew in power as a clan because of their Kekkei Genkai. It's one of the reasons he liked your teammate Obito so much. He was the only Uchiha who wanted to improve his skills through hard work and not just with his blood inheritance. Hell, even I have to say I share Naruto's sentiment with regards to the Sharingan. It must run in the family I guess."
"The family Master-Jiraiya?" Kakashi openly questioned at the Toad-Sage's slip of the tongue who frantically thought to himself.
'Shit! I've almost let slip that the little gaki is my grandson, think of something fast Jiraiya!'
"Umm, yeah.…. family. I've decided that from now on the three of us are going to travel under the guise of you and Naruto being my sons and I your revered father. We'll be doing this to act as a cover to better protect Naruto from Orochimaru and Sasuke, as well as the Akatsuki tracking him down. So that's what I meant about the family."
"Ok, I guess that makes sense." Kakashi replied with a hint of skepticism in his voice while he eyed Jiraiya warily.
"We'll discuss the details of our cover during dinner tonight Kakashi. Why don't you head out and collect some more firewood, while I get started on preparing dinner for all of us."
"Hai Master-Jiraiya."
As Jiraiya watched the silver-haired Jounin disappear into the forest he exhaled a sigh of relief, as he thought to himself.
'I've got to be more careful with what I say in the future. I may one day share my true heritage to both Minato and Naruto with you Kakashi, but I'm just not ready to do that today.'
A few weeks later, the makeshift pseudo family of a father and his two sons entered a valley called the Land of Green and decided to seek shelter from the accursed rain that had been falling incessantly for the last several days within its only village Cornucopia. Quickly locating an Inn and securing themselves a room, the trio of undercover Leaf shinobi were currently in the tavern eating a quiet lunch when the leader of the small village approached them.
"Welcome travelers to the Cornucopia village! My name is Akira Kurosawa and I'm the leader of this small hamlet. May I inquire as to what brought you to our humble little village?"
"Greetings to you Kurosawa-sama my name is Sarutobi Hanzo and these are my sons, the oldest Obito and the younger one there is Iruka. We merely stopped in your fine village to seek shelter from the rain that we have endured the last several days. Once the weather has improved, we'll resume our journey."
"I see Hanzo-sama, I had hoped you had heard of our village festival we are having in a few days to celebrate another bountiful year of crops and had come to celebrate with us. We are a small rural community, less than 200 people and we get so few travelers to our home that it's always nice to see a new face."
"Please Kurosawa-sama, there's no need for a man of your stature to address a simple humble traveler such as myself so formally, please call me Sarutobi."
"Ha, ha, ha, a man of my stature, you honor me with your words, but I am just a simple farmer who was chosen by my fellow comrades to act as leader of our small agricultural community. I will honor your request Sarutobi, but only if you refer to me as Akira."
"As you wish Akira and we have traveled long and far and we would be honored to stay for your celebration before we move on. I do hope that all of this rain doesn't ruin your celebration or worst flood your crops and destroy them."
"Thank you for your concern Sarutobi, indeed the amount of rain that has fallen for the last several days I've not seen the likes in over 40 years. We can only pray to Kami that it will eventually cease in time for our celebration. As for our crops being destroyed, fortunately, our village has one of the finest aqueduct systems in the world within our fields. So our ability to control the flow of water into those fields leaves the possibility of them flooding practically non-existent."
"You seem quite confident in your aqueduct system to control the water Akira-san."
"Yes Obito, it is this lands pride and joy and is the very basis why our village exists."
"So why is it so important, this aqueduct thing Akira-san?"
"Well young Iruka, without it our village would never be able to produce the overabundance of fruits, flowers, and vegetables that we do every year. What we are able to grow and sell represents the sole source of income for the entire village and its people. So the aqueduct thing as you called it is vitally important to Cornucopia."
"I don't know Akira-san; it seems to me that the people should be the most important thing to a village."
"Ahhh to be young again, you're right Iruka the people of the village are important, but you'll understand what I'm talking about when you get older. In fact if we can get a break from this accursed rain, I would be glad to give you and your sons a tour of our quaint little village and of our engineering masterpiece the Cornucopia Aqueduct system Sarutobi."
"We would be honored Akira."
A couple of days later the rain finally ceased and Akira made good on his word and gave the Hanzo family a tour of the village, it's people, and of its prized aqueduct system. Sarutobi and his sons learned that the village's water supply was fed by a gravity system from Lake Cornucopia that was located 5 miles further up in the valley. The lake stood 450 feet (140 m) in elevation above the village and was about 2 miles (3.2 km) long, approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) wide, and 60 feet (18 m) deep near the dam. The lake had a perimeter of 7 miles (11 km) to hold 20 million tons of water. When the water was at its highest point in the spring, Lake Cornucopia covered over 400 acres.
The dam itself Akira explained was 151 feet (46 m) high and 931 feet (284 m) long. It was constructed years ago by the village's forefathers and was an earthen dam consisting of rock and compacted dirt. When blonde-haired Iruka asked what would happen to the village if the dam broke. Akira merely laughed and ruffled the young man's hair before boasting with confidence.
"No need to worry about the dam breaking young Iruka. Our forefathers built a spillway into the dam to relieve any excess pressure on it and keep the water level of the lake from rising and cresting the dam. We also have someone who watches over the dam and will fire off a canon to alert the village if help is needed to shore up the dam with mud, straw, and timber. In the highly unlikely event that some disaster does occur and the dam has actually broken the sentry will fire off two shots. I'll introduce you to the man at tonight's celebration; he's been guarding the dam for over 50 years."
However, what Akira didn't know was that the village's ever faithful watchman had suffered a heart attack days earlier and had died at his post. Nor did Akira or the villager's realize that the long heavy rainfall over the last several days had caused the water of the lake to rise significantly and that the water was nearly cresting the dam. Even worse, the spillway which helped to relieve the pressure on the dam had been clogged with debris caused by the swollen waterline. That night the Cornucopia village celebrated its good fortune for another successful and bountiful year of crops never knowing the impending catastrophe they were about to face.
It was the next morning when the trio of undercover Leaf shinobi checked out of their room and was greeted by Akira.
"Sarutobi, Obito, and Iruka it was a pleasure having you in our town, a shame you can't stay longer."
"Thank you for your hospitality Akira, but we must be moving on." Jiraiya replied with sincerity.
"A pity Sarutobi, I've enjoyed you and your sons company over the last several days. Also I have a feeling young Iruka here will be greatly missed by all the young ladies of our village. He was quite the hit with them at the celebration last night and it was most kind of him to dance with all of them."
"My feet are killing me." Naruto grumbled out loud much to the amusement of the three men around him.
"Ha, ha, ha, you should be glad were not a bigger village Iruka or there would have been more girls for you to dance with. In fact I would imagine that….." Akira began to say when he froze, as the sound of a canon firing boomed in the sky above them.
The Cornucopia village leader then turned ghostly white when the canon fired a second time. Suddenly all the villagers in the street erupted into a panic and began screaming while running around. Jiraiya had to shake Akira by the shoulders to break the terror-stricken man out of his stupor before asking.
"What is it, what has happened?"
"When, when the man I told you about who watches over the dam didn't arrive at the celebration last night I sent someone to check on him this morning. I, I never imagined this could ever happen. The, the dam has broken Sarutobi; the waters will be upon us in minutes."
"You've got to get your people to higher ground Akira!"
"There isn't time!" Akira shouted back with fear.
As if on cue, a thunderous rumble was heard in the air, as Jiraiya grabbed a startled Akira and along with Kakashi and Naruto suddenly leapt up to the tallest rooftop of the village and looked towards the valley. What they saw could only be described as a rolling hill of debris about 80 feet high and a half a mile wide barreling through the valley towards the village. This moving wall of destruction was being powered by over 20 million tons of Lake Cornucopia's water and was picking up speed and strength. Akira had been correct they had no time to get everyone to higher ground. It was then that Naruto shouted out before he shunshin'd away from.
"Pervy-Sage, Kakashi-Sensei help Akira get everyone to high ground! I'll hold the flood back with my Kadou Shouheki Tsuppari jutsu to give you the time you need!"
"No Naruto wait!" Jiraiya had yelled out in an attempt to stop his zealous student, but to no avail as he had already disappeared.
"Damn that gaki, he's always so reckless! Why doesn't he think before rushing off? Kakashi, go after him! I'll get the villagers to safety!"
"Hai Master-Jiraiya!" Kakashi quickly answered before he to shunshin'd away.
Taking Akira and leaping down to the main square of the village where most of the people of Cornucopia had gathered in a fearful panic. Jiraiya told Akira to gather everyone together immediately and he would get them all to safety. Akira looked at the man he had known only a few days with bewilderment for a moment. However, he had a feeling he should follow this man's orders and quickly went about grouping everyone together. Once that was done the Cornucopia leader turned around to see Jiraiya down the main street about 20 meters away. Akira was about to call out to the man he knew as Sarutobi when said man suddenly shouted out while slamming his palm to the ground.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" (Summoning Technique)
A second later a brilliant flash of light and a massive amount of smoke appeared on the ground where Jiraiya had struck. After a moment, the smoke began to dissipate to show Jiraiya standing upon the head of a gigantic orange colored toad with red markings and patterns on its face and body.
"Gamatoro, I want you to carry as many people as you can in your mouth up to higher ground before returning as quickly as possible to get some more. Do you understand?"
A nod of the massive amphibians head indicated he did, as Jiraiya called over Akira and the rest of the villagers. After explaining to them how he was going to rescue them, a few of the villagers were hesitant to step into the maw of a beast they had never seen before. However, Akira proved his worth as a leader and calmed his people down before pointing out that it was either this or certain death at the hands of the flood racing towards them. This realization was like a smack to the face of even the most doubtful of villagers and the first group of people began entering the toad's mouth. As Akira watched the toad leap away while ushering the first set of people to safety, he turned to Jiraiya and said.
"You and your sons aren't just simple humble travelers are you?"
Jiraiya could only smile before shaking his head in amusement.
When Naruto appeared at the edge of the Cornucopia village he could see the rolling hill of water, mud, and debris of all nature was a mile away from striking the village and closing fast as he thought to himself.
'There's no messing around on this, I've got to put all my chakra into this jutsu to stop that and buy pervy-sage the time he needs to get everyone to safety!'
Naruto quickly made the necessary hand-seals before thrusting his arms forward and cried out.
"Kadou Shouheki Tsuppari!" (Vortex Barrier Thrust)
Instantly two powerful cyclones of air exploded from Naruto's hands, which he quickly brought together combining the two twisters of air into one powerful spinning vortex of wind. As the young Genin watched his formidable new Fuuton jutsu slam into the incoming torrent of destruction, he grunted in pain. Even with his extraordinary chakra capacity Naruto realized it wasn't enough to halt incoming flood waters. The blonde Genin looked on in fear when he felt the massive tide of water and debris barely slow down and begin to force him back, as he thought in a panic.
'It, it's too strong, I, I can't stop it! What, what do I do?'
"WHAT IN ALL OF KAMI'S CREATION ARE YOU DOING YOU IGNORANT MORTAL SCUM!" Kyuubi screamed out in a rage, as Naruto suddenly felt himself sucked into his own mindscape and was standing in front of the imposing cage doors that kept the King of the Bijuu imprisoned.
"Kyuubi, what, what am I doing here?" Naruto stammered with confusion.
"Quiet you brainless brat! You're here because I brought you here because I want to know what in the nine levels of Hell do you think you are doing out there?"
"What do you mean what am I doing? I'm trying to save that village and its people from being destroyed. That's what I'm doing you overgrown fur-ball!"
"Insolent whelp, I should send you back to your realm right now so you can witness and feel your impending death. Did you honestly think your pitiful power would be enough to stop the very forces of nature itself?"
"Yeah I did!"
"The arrogance of you mortal scum is beyond description. To foolishly believe that your miniscule power alone could halt such a destructive force of nature is truly the most ignorant thing I've ever heard from any worthless mortal in over 10,000 years! Unfortunately, you've left me little recourse but to help you, as it will take the power of a Bijuu to stop such a force."
"I don't want your help fur-ball; I can stop this on my own!"
"IMPUDENT MORTAL WHELP, I WILL NOT RISK DYING BECAUSE OF YOUR IGNORANCE! YOU'VE ALREADY PROVEN THAT YOU CAN'T STOP IT ON YOUR OWN! SO YOU WILL TAKE MY POWER AND SAVE THAT WORTHLESS VILLAGE AND ITS PATHETIC HUMAN INHABITANTS. OR YOU CAN REFUSE MY POWER AND DIE WITH THEM AND YOU WILL NEVER SEE THAT LAVENDER-EYED BITCH OF YOURS EVER AGAIN!"
"Never, never see Hinata again!" Naruto stammered in absolute terror of that thought before he looked up to the glowing red eyes of his tenant and said.
"Alright fur-ball, send me back and give me your power!"
"Done, now be gone from me as the very sight of you sickens me!"
Kakashi arrived just as the Kyuubi had pulled Naruto into his mindscape for their…. discussion. The silver-haired Jounin could see that Naruto's jutsu was barely slowing the wave of devastation heading towards them. Just as Kakashi was reaching for Naruto to shushin the two of them to safety, he was blown back by a chakra flare erupting from Naruto's body. Before the one-eyed Jounin could pick himself up off the ground, he heard a bloodcurdling scream. Looking up, Kakashi's breath hitched in his throat and he grew pale, as he saw the distinct crimson chakra of the Kyuubi no Youko surrounding Naruto begin to boil and bubble and take on the shape of a fox.
Kakashi had never seen Naruto in his multi-tailed Kyuubi form and was shocked at the physical changes to his young student's appearance. As one-tail emerged the prominent whiskers on Naruto's face turned more feral and his eyes turned red while his pupils became vertical slits. The blonde hair of his student also became bushy and his incisors along with his fingernails grew longer and sharper. A moment later a second tail appeared and Naruto became even more beast-like in appearance. As his eyes grew larger and become outlined in a rough black color, while his incisor teeth grew even larger than before.
Suddenly, Kakashi was broken from his stupor when he realized that the avalanche of destruction heading towards them should have reached them by now. Looking over he saw that Naruto's barrier jutsu had tripled in size and was now over a half mile wide and tall completely encompassing both sides of the valley and keeping the flood at bay. As Kakashi gazed with amazement at the gigantic vortex of wind coming from Naruto's hands, he noticed it had a red hue to it. A sure indicator that the power of the jutsu was being increased by the Kyuubi no Youko's chakra. It was then the copy-nin heard Naruto shout out in a deep, resonating, and growling voice over the deafening roar of the wind around them.
"Kakashi-Sensei!"
"Nar, Naruto you can talk in your two-tailed form!"
"I, I can now, I guess all those chakra control exercises you and pervy-sage have put me through the last eight months have helped me to gain some control over the fur-ball's chakra. Are all the people in the village safe yet?"
"I don't know?" Kakashi replied, as he looked over to the far side of the village and saw a giant toad bounding up a far hill that overlooked the valley and the village. It was then he heard Naruto say.
"Then I've got no choice, I can save the village Kakashi-Sensei, but I need your help to do it!"
"What do you need Naruto?"
"It's said you know over a thousand jutsu's. Do you know any Doton jutsu's that can create a giant wall?"
"Hai, I know of such a jutsu, it's called the Doryuu Jouheki (Earth Style Rampart). I was taught it by Yamato, an old friend of mine in the Anbu! But I don't see what that jutsu has to do with this situation unless…you don't mean!"
"Hai, I do mean that. I'm going to push the flood back up the valley a way's and when I've gotten far enough away from the village I want you to unleash that jutsu behind me and create a new dam!"
"Naruto that's just crazy! I'm not sure I can even pull off that jutsu on such a scale and you're barely holding back the torrential waters right now! How are you going to be able to actually push the waters back through the valley?"
"You let me worry about that! You can pull off that jutsu and create a new dam; I know you can do it Kakashi-Sensei. You've gotten way stronger training with me and pervy-sage since we left the Leaf village!"
Kakashi was hesitant to answer, as he really didn't know if he could cast that jutsu and create a dam on such an enormous scale. It was true that his chakra capacity and control had increased significantly training with the Toad Sannin and his hyperactive pupil. But still the enormity of what Naruto was asking was still daunting to the one-eyed Jounin. However, Kakashi was buoyed by the unwavering faith and belief Naruto had in him that he could implement the Doton Ninjutsu technique. Looking to his student Kakashi exhaled a sigh and stated with burgeoning confidence.
"Alright Naruto, let's do this!"
Naruto smiled briefly before he glared at the churning cauldron of water and debris he was holding back and let loose an ear-splitting roar, as a third tail now surfaced from his body.
As Kakashi looked on he was stunned and slightly afraid of the sheer power of his pupil in his third-tailed form. In this state Naruto was able to roar and extend chakra outwards with devastating results. Kakashi noticed that the outward destructive sphere of chakra now surrounding Naruto was so intense it would destroy all the matter around him and he could violently push back any incoming attack with but a simple roar. When the shockwave of the roar hit the vortex barrier it seemed to give it a boost of power and to the amazement of anyone witnessing this scene the churning flood waters began receding backwards.
Up on a steep hillside overlooking the village and valley, the people of Cornucopia gazed in silent and utter shock at the sight before them. As the last load of people disembarked from the maw of the giant toad that had ferried them to safety they joined their fellow villagers in watching the miraculous spectacle before them. The village leader Akira and Jiraiya were the last two people to exit Gamatoro's mouth before the great toad disappeared in a plume of smoke. The two men worked their way through the throng of villagers to stand at the very front and stare at what was going on.
Off in the distance there was a glowing red dot which had an enormous vertical cyclone coming from it holding back the flood from crashing down upon the village. Suddenly a thunderous roar echoed throughout the valley frightening many of the villagers by its ferocity and strength. An audible gasp exhaled from all the people on the hill, as the red dot began moving forward and was actually pushing the flood water back down the valley. Akira never would have dreamed such a thing was even possible and wouldn't have believed it, if he hadn't been seeing it right before his eyes. Looking over to the man he knew as Sarutobi he was about to question him when he saw Jiraiya smack his fist into the palm of his hand and curse out loud.
"Damn it, just what the Hell are those two gaki's doing?"
As Kakashi trailed along following Naruto from behind the sheer magnitude of the Kyuubi chakra enhanced Kadou Shouheki Tsuppari jutsu was awesome to behold in his eyes. The cyclone was so powerful that the combination of the spinning wind, water, and all of the debris were actually cutting an enormous circular groove into the valley floor and its sides. After a couple of miles Kakashi noticed Naruto was beginning to slow down and he realized the young boy had reached his limit. Kakashi prayed that Naruto would be able to understand him while in his three-tailed form as he shouted out to his student.
"Alright Naruto just hold on a minute more, while I prepare to cast the jutsu!"
A nod of the head from Naruto was the only indication that he understood what Kakashi had said before he returned his focus to holding back the churning flood waters. Kakashi reached into his pocket to retrieve not one but two soldier pills, which he quickly ingested to boost his chakra to its utmost maximum, as he thought to himself.
'Damn, I'm not sure I can pull this off? The scale of the wall I have to create is massive and not only that I have to shape the wall to conform to this circular groove Naruto has cut into its floor and sides. It's going to take everything I've got on this one!'
Meanwhile as Kakashi prepared to unleash the jutsu, Naruto felt his chakra control was slipping away and his strength was waning when suddenly he was pulled back into his mindscape. Once again Naruto found himself standing in front of the imposing cage doors that kept the King of the Bijuu imprisoned.
"You see you pathetic mortal whelp, even three-tails of my power are not enough to stem the destructive forces of nature, you need more of my power!"
"Well then give it to me fur-ball!"
"I can't the seal that binds me will only allow three-tails of my power to filter through to you. If you want more power to save that pitiful village and its wretched inhabitants you must cross the protective barrier of my prison and come to me."
Naruto was hesitant, but knew he couldn't hold back the flood any longer and he stepped forward through the bars of the cage door. The Kyuubi no Youko flashed an evil smile at his gullible vessel before slamming his claws around Naruto and uttering one word.
"Freedom!"
At that very same moment Kakashi slammed his hands to the valley floor and shouted out.
"Doryuu Jouheki no Jutsu!" (Earth Style Rampart Technique)
An instant later a massive explosion of dirt and stone erupted from the valley floor spanning the entire width of the great basin.
Off in the distance a few of the Cornucopia villagers screamed upon hearing the explosion and saw a vast plume of dirt, dust, and debris rising up from deep within the valley. Jiraiya saw this as well and became deeply concerned with what might have happened to Naruto and Kakashi and turned to Akira and exclaimed.
"Akira, I must go and see what has happened!"
"I understand Sarutobi, go check on the well being of your sons and I will pray to Kami that they are safe and unharmed."
"Arigatou!" Jiraiya replied gratefully before disappearing in a swirl of leaves.
As Kakashi coughed, he couldn't help but feel a certain amount of pride at what he had just accomplished. The silver-haired nin just wished he had the strength to lift his body or even his head from atop the new dam to view what he had just created. Unfortunately what little strength he had was going to more priority matters such as breathing and keeping his heart beating. Still Kakashi wished he could see what his valiant effort had created, a dam that spanned half a mile wide and over 50 meters tall. It was an impressive structure that was twice as thick as the original dam had been and should protect the Cornucopia village for years to come. Even though Kakashi was on the brink of complete chakra exhaustion he still felt the sacrifice was worth it even if it may cost him his life.
Near the edge of the dam of the newly relocated Lake Cornucopia the water began to boil and bubble in a turbulent and chaotic fashion and Kakashi could sense the evil chakra he recognized oh so well rising quickly to the surface. A moment later Naruto exploded out of the water in his four-tailed form and landed atop the dam near Kakashi. Rearing his head back and letting loose a roar into the sky, Naruto looked around at his surroundings before his gaze fell upon the prone body of Kakashi laying 40 feet away. Naruto grinned evilly before he stalked his way over to his teacher, as Kakashi called out stammering.
"Who's there, Nar, Naruto is that you?"
"Right body, wrong name, hello Kakashi, it's been awhile since you and I last spoke. If I recall it was when you were rushing back to your pathetic village in an effort to save my vessels life after your favored protégé shoved a Chidori into his chest." Kyuubi replied standing a few feet away, as Kakashi could feel the heat radiating off of his body.
"Kyuubi no Youko!" Kakashi gasped in startled shock.
"Very good Copy-nin, it took you only one guess to figure it out."
Straining with all of his might, Kakashi managed to rise and lean on one elbow, as he looked over and saw the truly frightening sight of Naruto's four-tailed form. Having never seen this form before, Kakashi attempted to take in all the physical changes his blonde-haired student had undergone.
Externally it appeared that the Kyuubi's chakra had melted off Naruto's very skin. His body had changed to resemble the bushy whiskers on his face when enraged, and his hands had formed even sharper claws than before. Protruding ears and four tails extended from his body and his mouth now included a sharp maw of teeth. Kakashi could tell that this form was insanely powerful with it being able to roar, swipe, and attack with hugely destructive results. And should anyone dare touch this form, they'll be burned by the intense heat he could feel. However, as monstrous and frightening as this form was Kakashi needed to find out what had happened to Naruto and mustering up all of his courage asked.
"What has happened to Naruto?"
"The brat is currently being detained by me in the same prison barrier that accursed Yondaime sealed me away into within this puny mortal vessel. And so long as the whelp stays in there, I am now in control of this body!"
"What, what do you plan on doing Kyuubi?"
"What do I plan one-eye, well first off there are a few people I need to kill to regain my complete freedom. The strength of that damnable seal that keeps me imprisoned is directly tied into the desire, will, and emotions of my jailor, this puny whelp you call Naruto. I believe if I start killing off his precious people as he calls them beginning with you Copy-nin. It will finally break the resolve of my vessel and allow me to finally escape and seek my revenge against your wretched village, its insignificant inhabitants, and the very world itself!
The Kyuubi no Youko then raised his head and unleashed another mighty roar to the heavens before looking back down towards Kakashi and stating in a voice filled with evil and malevolence.
"Time to die now one-eye, a pity that lavender-eyed bitch this brat is so fond of isn't here right now. I'm quite certain her death would drive him into a pit of despair in which he would never recover, thus granting me my freedom. No matter, I'll track her down soon enough. I'll just have to be satisfied right now with killing you and that perverted old man when I find him. Goodbye pathetic mortal and be sure to give Kami my regards when you see him!"
As Kyuubi stepped forward and raised his arm to deliver a killing blow to the defenseless Leaf shinobi Kakashi, it suddenly stopped and his body began to shake. The silver-haired Jounin didn't know what was going on as the Kyuubi stood seemingly rooted to the ground when he heard the great demon say out loud.
"Damn it you insolent brat stop fighting me, there is no escape from your prison! Accept your fate you miserable human scum!"
The death blow Kakashi nearly received had been stopped by Naruto attacking the Kyuubi no Youko within the prison barrier they now shared in an attempt to pass the mighty king of demons and slip through the bars of their cell. The Kyuubi for his part was desperately trying to prevent this from occurring realizing if Naruto managed to escape, he would resume control of his body. It was then a shout rang out for all to hear.
"That's it Naruto, keep him occupied while I deliver this…Rasengan!"
Jiraiya had suddenly appeared and leapt directly towards the Kyuubi with a Rasengan in his hand and thrust it towards his chest. Unfortunately, the Kyuubi had momentarily regained control after having back-handed Naruto within their shared cell and was able to catch and crush the Rasengan with the palm of his clawed hand and said with a smirk.
"Foolish old man, did you really believe a puny attack such as this would work against me?"
"No I didn't wicked demon, but it did allow me to get close enough to use this!" Jiraiya replied with his own smirk before slapping a Kyuubi chakra seal onto Naruto's forehead.
The seal activated instantly and began to weaken Naruto and cut off the intense power of the Kyuubi. Unfortunately, as the great demon screamed out in pain it managed to deliver a vicious slash with its claw across the Toad-Sage's chest hurtling the man backwards before crashing down upon the top of the dam unconscious. Taking advantage of the distraction his teacher had provided Naruto made a desperate sprint to escape and was able to leap through the bars of his prison just before a huge claw impacted where he had been. However, the toll of fighting the Kyuubi and of his escape was too much for the young Genin, as he fell unconscious both within his mind and in the real world. Kakashi desperately tried to find the strength to help Naruto and Jiraiya, but he too collapsed in a heap unconscious finally succumbing to his chakra exhaustion.
Naruto groaned and his eyes fluttered briefly before finally opening and the young winced at the sudden rush of light that flooded his vision. Rubbing his eyes and blinking a few times to adjust his eyesight and take in his surroundings. Naruto tried to remember what had happened when he heard the sound of a book being snapped closed and a cheerful voice called out.
"Well it's about time you woke up Naruto. We were starting to think you were going to sleep your life away."
"Uggh, Kakashi-Sensei what's going on? How, how long have I been asleep? The Cornucopia village and its people, are they safe? Tell me what happened?"
"Whoa, whoa slow down there; take it easy, everything is fine. First off yes, the villagers and the village are safe thanks to you. As for how long you've been asleep, it's been almost four weeks. Now as to what happened, I think we should wait for Master-Jiraiya to return before we discuss that. We have a lot of things to talk about Naruto, but for now try and get some rest. I'll let Master-Jiraiya and the doctors know that you're awake now."
"Ok Kakashi-Sensei."
The doctor insisted that Naruto stay in his home a few more days for observation. However, once satisfied that the hero of his village was in sufficient health he and his family gratefully thanked Naruto for what he had done before he and Kakashi exited and met Jiraiya and the village leader Akira outside.
"Ahh young Iruka, I am most pleased that you were able to make a full recovery from your injuries. You and your brother Obito have not only mine, but all of the villager's gratitude for saving our village from destruction."
"Thanks Akira-san, that means a lot coming from the village leader. I mean I don't know what to say, but…."
"Look its Iruka-kun!" A shout permeated the air interrupting Naruto who suddenly found himself glommed by 30 girls who began raining kisses down upon him and tearing at his clothes.
"Ahhhh, someone save me!" Naruto screamed in a panic, before breaking free and running down the main street of the village followed closely behind by all the girls in hot pursuit.
Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Akira were all laughing with amusement at the young man's plight when another shout was heard that made Kakashi turn ghostly white.
"Ohhhhhh Obito-kunnnnnn, can we see what's under that mask?"
Turning around Kakashi saw the mothers of all the girls currently chasing Naruto eyeing him like a fine cut piece of meat in a butcher shop before they suddenly leapt at him. Taking his cue from Naruto, Kakashi sprinted down the same street followed by his ardent female pursuers and quickly caught up with his student. Naruto turned around to see what Kakashi was running from and hastily turned back to ask in a panic.
"What do we do Kakashi-sensei?"
"Just keep running Naruto, that's all we can do!"
Meanwhile in front of the doctor's home, Jiraiya and Akira were rolling around on the ground laughing hysterically at the turn of events they had just witnessed.
A few weeks later after having stayed to help make repairs to the village or more specifically the Cornucopia aqueduct that had been damaged during the flood. The trio of Leaf shinobi were once again bidding farewell to the village leader Akira who said with sincerity.
"I'm truly saddened that you and your sons have to leave us Sarutobi. You've all been a Godsend to our village in so many ways over the past two months. I don't have the words to properly thank all of you for what you have done for us. All I can say is peace be with you and if any of you ever need it, you will always have a home here within our village."
"Thank you Akira that is most kind of you to say. You and your village have treated us like a part of your family and we will always remember our time here. However, we must be moving on in our journey, but thank you for all kindness and hospitality you have shown us."
"Hai Akira-san, thank you" Both Kakashi and Naruto said in unison while bowing respectfully.
"Thank you young Obito and Iruka." Akira replied while returning his own bow of respect to them before asking.
"If I may inquire Sarutobi, do you happen to know which direction you will be heading after you leave here?"
"I think we will travel a bit more to the west. We've never been this far west before from where we come from and I wish to see more of it before we return home."
"Whew, that's good to hear, I bid you and your sons a safe and prosperous journey."
"Thank you, but you seemed relieved to hear that we are heading west, why is that?"
"I am Sarutobi, for you see I've received word yesterday that war has broken out in the Elemental nations to the far, far east of us. So I did want you and your family to be caught up in the conflict."
"War, what war do you speak of Akira? Please tell us everything you know!" Jiraiya asked with noticeable concern.
"I don't have much information about the conflict S. All I know is that a week ago, the Rice Country or more specifically its village Otogakure had invaded the Fire Country and attacked their village Konohagakure. The only other thing I know is that the attack was led by someone called Orochimaru of the Sannin and his young protégé Sasuke Uchiha."
Akira noticed the pale almost deathlike appearances that fell upon all three faces of the Hanzo family after hearing what he had said. When suddenly a panicked visage emerged on the youngest members face and he uttered one name in a terror-stricken voice before racing off towards the eastern horizon.
"Hinata!"
Author Notes: Congratulations, you've survived reading the dreaded training chapter. To be honest, most training chapters in stories bore me to death. And I really only know of one writer who does exceptional training chapters in his stories and that's Narutoenthusiast. I tried to add a little bit of drama or spice to this training chapter to make it more fun to read, but I will let all of you be the judge as to whether or not I succeeded. Also give yourself a cookie if you picked up on the 1980's movie quote within the chapter. Well I hope you all enjoyed the opening scene of this chapter. I figured at Naruto's age, it only stands to reason that he might experience those types of dreams about Hinata. And I could easily see him combining the two things he loves most in the world to create a dream that would solely be a Naruto original.(Lol)
Hina-ramen how revolting!
What now you're speaking to me again Lobo you pitiful cur. And I already know your opinion of that scene so shut up and take that.
Kingkakashi presses the remote he is holding activating a sizable electric charge to the shock collar demon Lobo now wears around his throat.
Arrrrrghhhhh! Damn you vessel, I swear I'm going to eat your face one of these days!
I said shut up Lobo or I'm going to sick my reader and former Commanding General of my Naruto/Hinata army I'm Solo onto you.
You, you wouldn't do that, that guy is a homicidal maniac who plays with chain saws!
I'm Solo might very well be that Lobo, but he served me and the Naruto/Hinata cause during the war very well. So be quiet or I will introduce you to him.
Damn, you are one cold-blooded, mean, and heartless bastard of a meat-bag vessel…I like it! Alright, I'll be good, but when I escape I'm still going to eat yours and everyone else's face!
Yeah, yeah, I've heard all of this before. Now, where was I? Oh yeah, sorry for this interruption, damn irritating wolf demon. Now back to my author notes.
First off, I wish to thank everyone both old and new readers who took the time to review my last chapter, it's much appreciated by me. You all had a lot to say about the last chapter which was cool to read. So, I'm very curious to see what the responses to this chapter will be from everyone. Last chapter was the first of several AU/Original chapters from me which will be showing the lives of the other characters back in the village without Naruto and chapters showing Naruto and Co, and their life away from the village.
In fact, the response from all of you last chapter was so awesome that it set a new record for reviews of one of my chapters with 93! That folks renews my hope that one of these days I will crack the century mark for reviews on a single chapter. The only sad thing about the new record being set is that it was the man/zombie Hefster who my Naru/Hina army battled valiantly against last year that gave the review that broke the previous record. How could you all let that happen(sob)?
However, that aside once again my thanks to everyone who gave a review. Reviews are important as they do help a writer get the thoughts and opinions of the fans of a story. And remember, reviews are the motivation that helps give any writer the will to continue on with their tale. Also, to any readers who are staff members to any C2 communities, please feel free to add my story to your community if you feel it is worthy of it. I won't mind, I swear. I'll even pinkie swear if I need to?
Hottest Anime Girls Poll:
The poll is still going on and quite strongly I might add. In a short amount of time it's already garnered over 550+ people who have voted on it. So if anyone of you hasn't checked it out yet, please do. Also to any authors of stories out there who read my tale, if you are willing please copy and paste the following to add into any chapter updates you might post in the future.
Have you ever wondered "Who is the hottest, sexiest, most beautiful girl ever created in the world of anime?" Well now's your chance to vote for your own Top 10. Kingkakashi besides having a great story has set-up a poll about this very question on his profile page. Help answer and settle this issue once and for all.
I'm trying to get as many people as I possibly can to vote on the poll because I've never seen one done to the scale I have on this particular question. So any help you all can provide is much appreciated by me. Thanks to everyone and I hope you have fun with the voting. And believe me when I tell you, picking 10 choices isn't as easy as you would think it be on this poll. (Lol)
Comments with regards about the poll results so far:
The Bleach and Naruto women still dominate the Top 10, but it appears it won't be a 1-2-3 finish for the Naruto women. (Bleach) Yoruichi Shihoin has pulled away from (Naruto) Kurenai Yuuhi and appears to have third place sewed up and might even make a run at (Naruto) Anko Mitarashi for second place. The top seven of the poll appear to be settled, but there is an amazing fight between five ladies for the final three spots in the Top 10. Only three votes separates all five of them who are (Naruto) Ino Yamanaka, (One Piece) Nico Robin, (Rosario+Vampire) Moka Akashiya, (Bleach) Soi fong, and (Naruto) Temari Sabaku.
I'm still stunned that (Cowboy Bebop) Faye Valentine isn't even in the Top 15 on the poll.
Hooray, my thanks to the person who cast a vote for (Rune Soldier) Melissa. Now every single girl listed on the poll has now received at least one vote.
End of Poll Comments
Now, onto everyone's favorite section Kingkakashi's rants on the manga yaaaaaayyyyyy!
Once again back to I have very little positive things to say about the last few issues of the Naruto manga!
*Warning I do give away some spoilers in my rants, so read at your own risk.
#486 – As I expected, the Rasengan and Chidori canceled out each other's attack, and then Madara shows up to rescue Sasuke Oh an then Naruto goes on some lament about the first time he and Sasuke fought a the Valley of the End. Then Naruto reveals his brilliant "third option" which is both he and Sasuke will die if they fight each other once more. Then Naruto pisses Sasuke by still clinging onto their friendship blah, blah. A really boring chapter for the most part and served only to portray Naruto as the gullible, naïve, idiot that Kishimoto loves to make of him with regards to Sasuke.
#487 – Well, this chapter starts off with Sasuke agreeing to kill Naruto first before anyone else. Then Sakura doing what she does best, weeping about both Naruto and Sasuke. On an interesting note, we learn that Kakashi's Mangekyou Sharingan has no affect on Madara. Now we haven't seen a power-up for Sasuke in what four issues, which I'm sure must have been killing Kishimoto. So of course let's give Sasuke another power up this time in the form of Itachi's eyes being transplanted into him. Naruto nearly dies thanks to Sakura's poisoned kunai that she chickened out and refused to use on Sasuke previously. Then we learn that Kisame isn't dead and is somehow merged with his sword Samehada to infiltrate Kumogakure and capture Killer Bee. Finally, Kabuto makes his appearance showing he's gaining more controlof Orochimaru's power. A boring chapter, nothing more than just to power up Sasuke some more.
#488 – This chapter starts off cool with the five Daimyo's agreeing to the ninja alliance. Kakashi, Naruto and Karin return to the village after picking up the drugged Kiba, Sai, and Lee. As all of them are returning Karin trying to figure out Naruto and why he is the exact opposite of Sasuke. And being the chakra sensor she is I think she sees the Kyuubi or possibly the gift Itachi left with Naruto. Now to the part that infuriated me, upon their return to Konoha Naruto informs the rest of the Konoha 11 that he will fight Sasuke alone. Then the selfish little shit blows off Hinata to go stuff his face with ramen. I mean seriously, would it have killed Kishimoto to have Naruto oh I don't know invite Hinata along so they could talk about what happened in the fight with Pein. Unfreaking believable that Kishimoto did that! Finally just as Kakashi is about to be sworn in as the new Hokage, Tsunade wakes up, and Sasuke gets Itachi's eyes. This was an interesting chapter, but one that really pisses me off as well.
#489 – There's not a lot to this chapter other than Tsunade calling forth the Konoha war planning session. Naruto gets whisked away by the Elder Toads to discuss him swallowing a toad that will allow him to have full control of the Kyuubi's chakra. (You can tell Kishimoto put a lot of thought into this.) And the Great Sage Toad tells Naruto the vision he has had of his future in which he will meet an Octopus (Killer Bee) and will fight a young man with great power in his eyes (Sasuke). What saved the chapter for me from utter boredom was the ending in which Kabuto tracks down Madara and then uses the Edo Tensei jutsu to resurrect Pein, Kakuzu, Deidara, Sasori, and Itachi as a good will gesture to let him join forces with Madara in the upcoming war.
#490 – Surprisingly, this was a good and interesting chapter. It starts off with the reason why Kabuto wants to join up with Madara, he wants Sasuke. Madara initially refuses then Kabuto uses the Edo Tensei once again and resurrects another coffin, but we don't get to see who it is. Well whoever it is Madara freaked about it and quickly agreed to join forces with Kabuto. Now who is the "mystery resurrection" Initially I guessed it might be Minato, a reader of mine Rictor Yagami brought up a valid thought that it could be Izuna Uchiha Madara's younger brother. Anko and her team which have been tracking Kabuto discover him with Madara and go back to Konoha to report it. However, the rest of the chapter is about Naruto and all of the problems he will be facing by using the Four-Elephant seal and trying to control all the Kyuubi's chakra. Did you notice that there were ZERO problems related to Sasuke when he received Itachi's eyes. Freaking Sasuke-loving Kishimoto-teme!
#491 – This chapter went for the humor angle at the start with Naruto swallowing the toad. He then gets sent back to Konoha where he realizes he really has become the hero of the village even to the point of other Leaf shinobi wanting his autograph. The Kage's meet up again and Tsunade learns that the other four have decided to keep Killer Bee and Naruto imprisoned on a remote island and out of the war with Madara as a form of protecting them from him. Kishimoto then went back to the humor angle with a squid attacking the boat Naruto is on going to the island with Naruto acting the fool thinking it's the Octopus he's suppose to learn from. Killer Bee shows up and takes care of the Squid in his Hachibi form. Like I said, Kishimoto tried to go for humor this chapter. Too bad none of it was funny and only served to portray Naruto as an idiot like Kishimoto has always done with his character.
#492 – Still trying to be funny, this chapter starts off with Naruto and Killer Bee meeting and Bee trying to come up with a rhyme rap to return Naruto's "Hey Yo" greeting. This is followed by Might Gai being seasick. Kishimoto then went old school and brought out a King Kong to meet everyone arriving. Personally I think he should have gone the Godzilla route it would have been more appropriate. Naruto's still oblivious that he's basically a prisoner on this island and thinks he's there to get training from Killer Bee on how to control his Bijuu. Bee refuses and back to the supposed humor of Naruto trying to rap and convince Bee to train him before finally resorting to his Harem no jutsu which apparently Bee doesn't like? Naruto goes to Bee's friend Motoi who takes Naruto and Yamato to the Waterfall of Truth. (Of note I had my waterfall scene in my chapter written long before I read this issue.) The end of the chapter is Kishimoto going old school once more and brings out the overused premise/plot device of Naruto facing off against his darker, evil side of himself to learn the truth about everything. Honestly, I don't think Kishimoto put a lot of thought into this chapter at all.
Yes, I'm still thoroughly disgusted that Kishimoto hasn't done anything yet with the Hinata confession to Naruto now reaching 56 freaking issues!
As always, if anyone wants to discuss my story in greater detail, just shoot me a PM. I enjoy talking about the story with any readers who really have an interest in it. I'll try to respond back to you as quickly as I can. I don't know how, but my PM messaging was disabled the last few days. My apologies to anyone who has tried to PM me during this time, but it is enabled once again. Now I'd like to give a shout out to a few stories that I recommend and hope you all will checkout when you have the time.
"Jiraiya's last student" by zentary: I highly recommend this story as it is one of the more fresh, original, and creative stories I've come across in awhile. Even better is the fact that you can actually see the improvement in all facets of the story and in zentary's writing as you progress through the tale. It's a Naruto/Hinata pairing, but he also has several other pairings which are unique and fun to see. The story centers on Jiraiya returning to Konoha to find his 10 year old godson being attacked by two Chunin. Jiraiya then decides to train Naruto himself and the tale takes off from there.
"Bring Me To Life" by Kingkakashi: I highly plead with all of you to check this story out and let me know what you think about it? It's a short one-shot song-fic w/lyrics by Evanesence I wrote last month using a scene from Bleach about Orihime waiting to be rescued from Hueco Mundo by Ichigo & Co. I am not really a fan of song-fics, but I wanted to challenge myself and see if I could write a halfway decent one. The reviews I've gotten so far on it have been mixed at best. So I would really like to hear what other people think of it.
"Son of whirlpool" by Jinsokuichi: A highly entertaining Naruto/Hinata story that starts off with Naruto being killed by Sasuke on the retrieval mission, or was he? From that moment on his life is forever changed, as he becomes a new legend like you have never seen before. The story also has an impressive portrayal for Hinata as well. The tale is very original and creative and will keep you interested throughout it.
On a side note, have you checked out my new story "Supreme Genetics – Creation of a Bloodline" yet? If you haven't, don't forget to do so. The link to the story is on my profile page and the story is being co-authored with Hefster. In my own opinion, that story will become one of the better Naru/Hina/Saku stories out there.
Now please be kind and leave precious valuable reviews on all of these stories.
Take it easy and be good!
Kingkakashi
School Time:
Behemoth
Definition: Something of monstrous size, power, or appearance.
Etymology: Hebrew to Medieval Latin to Middle English 14th Century.
Part of Speech: Noun