Naruto: Archer and Loner
Back with another chapter. My muse is sticking around for once (fickle mistress she is, lol). In this chapter, a lot will be explained. I'm trying to get through all the boring stuff so we can get to the Chunin exams (where I'm hoping everything will pick up and I'm hoping to reach that point in the next few chapters). Yes, at this point Naruto has a lot of political enemies (The Hyuga, Danzo and the civilian members), a few regular enemies (Danzo, Kakashi and maybe one more) and the big bad of the story (Ywach). A lot about the last enemy will be explained in this chapter. Thank you for sticking around and for your reviews. On to the chapter!
As normal, I own neither Naruto nor Bleach!
Chapter 29: History and Feelings! Ewww!
Naruto and Hakir appear in the same clearing Naruto stood in before trying the summoning jutsu. As the smoke cleared, Naruto looked at Hakir perched on his shoulder with a question showing in his eyes. Hakir gave a hoot that sounded more like laughter and leapt to the ground in front of him. He turned to Naruto and nodded at the ground. Naruto sat and looked at his summon.
"There are things you should know, young Uzumaki," Hakir began. "First and foremost is how you are the last Uzumaki. This does not mean that there are not others out there who carry the Uzumaki name. The way the Uzumaki gene works is, you are either born an Uzumaki or you are not. It has something to do with the sealing done by your ancestor."
"So, this means my children will either be Uzumaki, or they'll be of their mother's blood," Naruto asked.
"Yes, that is essentially correct," Hakir explained. "You are an Uzumaki. You do carry your father's blood in you too. However, the Uzumaki blood is stronger in you."
"How do you mean," Naruto asked.
"Well, Uzumaki's were known for their blood red hair. You don't have that characteristic. You carry your father's hair," Hakir replied. "Another way that shows your Uzumaki blood being strong is the presence of Ywach. He couldn't manifest unless the blood carried the marker or seal."
"But, how could he manifest if he's been sealed for so long," Naruto asked.
"Think of the seal like multiple chains holding a door closed," Hakir began. "Then think what happens if suddenly all but one chain was to break or be removed."
"So, you're saying with less people with the blood of the Uzumaki's the weaker the seal got," Naruto asked.
"Correct. Over time there have been less and less Uzumaki born," Hakir replied sadly. "It did not help that the Uzumaki clan was pretty much wiped out during the Second Ninja War. That also played a factor by scattering the few Uzumaki survivors across the nations."
"So, I am truly the last Uzumaki," Naruto said sadly.
"No, you are only the last full Uzumaki," Hakir replied sharply. "There may be others out there who carry your family name. They may not be full Uzumaki's, but they're still family."
Naruto sat there and mulled over everything he had just been told. Standing up, he had a hurt, yet determined gleam in his eyes.
"Right then," Naruto began. "I guess I'll just have to find those other Uzumaki's. We might not all be full Uzumaki's, but we carry the name. It'll just be wrong of me to abandon family no matter the situation."
"You have the true Uzumaki spirit," Hakir said. "You can call on us if you need any help, young Uzumaki. I bid you goodbye for now." With that, Hakir vanished in a puff of smoke.
'I wonder how long I've been gone,' Naruto thought to himself. 'Plus, I need to let Hatake-san know I have a summon now. Hopefully the teme won't badger me about it. Knowing my luck on that he probably will.' With that, Naruto headed off into the forest towards team seven's training grounds.
Team Seven Training grounds
Walking into the clearing of his teams normal training area, Naruto noticed how quiet it was. Looking around, he didn't see either of his teammates. Nor did he see his supposed sensei. 'Wonder where they all are,' Naruto thought to himself. 'I've only been gone for a few hours, but figured they'd still be here.' The sound of a throat clearing behind him makes Naruto jump and turn around. Seeing his sensei standing there, Naruto relaxed.
"I take it everything went well, my young student," Kakashi asked.
"Hai, Hatake-san," Naruto replied. "I now have a summon clan of my own."
"May I know what clan," Kakashi asked.
"I think I'll save that for another day, Hatake-san," Naruto replied. "I came back here to see if there was more training to do and report on my success."
"No more training for today. We'll be meeting in three days to discuss what we'll be doing in the future," Kakashi stated. "You can tell me what summon you have. I did teach you the summoning jutsu."
"I know you taught me, Hatake-san. However, I feel I need some time to get to know my summons before I introduce them to anyone," Naruto replied with a slight glare.
"Very well. Meet back here in three days at 0900," Kakashi growled out in reply and vanished in a shun shin. Naruto took the dismissal for what it was and headed back towards his clan compound.
Clearing some distance away
Kakashi appeared in a clearing after leaving Naruto. 'How dare that demon! He should've told me who his summon clan was,' he thought to himself angerly. 'I taught him the summoning jutsu. The only way I can find out right now is if he tells me. The other summon clans won't tell who can summon which clan. It is against their rules.' He shakes himself out of his thoughts before going through the hand signs for the summoning jutsu. In a puff of smoke, a husky appears before him.
"Yo, Kakashi," the husky greets.
"Hello, Viper. I have a message you need to deliver to Danzo-sama," Kakashi replies as he pulls out a scroll and writes on it. "Be sure he gets this and explain that the demon knows how to summon now. I don't know what clan because he hasn't told me that."
"Very well, Kakashi," Viper replies. The husky grabs the scroll from Kakashi and vanishes in a poof of smoke.
'We will find out the truth, demon,' Kakashi thinks to himself. 'You can't hide information in a ninja village forever. Someone will find out. And when they do, we will have leverage against you once again.'
Uzumaki Clan compound
Naruto stood in kitchen of his clan compound watching as multiple dishes were simmering away under the watchful eyes of Hinata Hyuga. The smells coming from the dishes were making Naruto drool in anticipation.
"Hello, Hinata," Naruto greeted. "I take it you are cooking dinner for everyone tonight?"
Hinata eeped and turned around seeing Naruto standing there with a smirk on his face.
"No, Naruto-kun," she began. "I'm cooking dinner for the two of us tonight. Everyone else can fend for themselves. You did say you wanted to have dinner with just me tonight."
"Oh, yeah, I did say that," Naruto replied with a chuckle. "I had almost forgotten about that. I had planned on cooking for you, but since you are doing what smells like an amazing job, I'll leave you to it. I'll go get changed and set the table for us instead." Naruto gave a slight bow to Hinata and left the kitchen.
'He thinks my food smells amazing,' Hinata thought to herself while a blush slowly filled her face. 'Keep calm. Keep calm. Pass out later. Pass out later.' With an effort of iron will, Hinata turned and focused on the cooking.
Uzumaki Clan compound (Outside)
Naruto stood in a small clearing by the Uzumaki clan fountain with a table and two chairs. He nodded to himself after looking over everything. 'I think it'll be perfect. Now, I just need to go get changed into my sky-blue kimono tonight.' He then made a few shadow clones who ran off towards the kitchen to help Hinata with any last minute preparations while he headed towards his room to change.
Twenty minutes later and Naruto was back standing beside the table waiting for Hinata. From one of his shadow clones, he knew dinner was ready and Hinata had ran off to change while leaving the shadow clones in charge of serving them. Looking around he saw one of the side doors of the main compound open and Hinata stepped out taking his breath away. She was wearing a lavender hued kimono that was just a shade lighter than her eyes. It only added to the radiance of her beauty in Naruto's opinion. She slowly walked out to stand in front of Naruto and bowed deeply.
"Good evening, Naruto-sama," Hinata said softly. "I thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to have dinner with me tonight."
"Good evening, Hinata-chan," Naruto replied with a bow. "I than you for cooking tonight's meal and joining me. You look very radiant tonight." Naruto stepped forward and pulled out Hinata's chair for her. She smiled shyly at him and sat down. Naruto quickly took his seat as his shadow clones came out carrying multiple dishes and placed them down on the table.
{I am not going to try to describe the food. The only Japanese style food I understand even slightly is ramen. So, imagine a stately Japanese style dinner that they have.}
Naruto watched Hinata as she ate slowly. It was like he was seeing her for the first time. Seeing beauty where before he just saw a shy, quiet girl.
"-ruto. Naruto," Hinata began, pulling Naruto out of his musing.
"What was that, Hinata," Naruto asked.
"I asked how you liked the food," Hinata replied with a shy smile on her lips.
"Yes, it is very good. You went all out tonight, Hinata," Naruto said. "I'm amazed you know how to cook so well. You grew up in the Hyuga clan compound. I imagine they have a lot of people who do all the cooking."
"You'd be correct, Naruto-kun," Hinata explained. "Though there were plenty of cooks who did all that for us, I wanted to learn. I've always been curious about plants and their properties. Either their medicinal properties or use in cooking. One of the cooks took the time to teach me how to cook various dishes and over the years I taught myself by trial and error."
"Well, thank that cook for me. This is amazing," Naruto said with a huge grin. "I've also noticed you've gotten better about your stuttering around me. I hope our talks have helped you."
"Hai, Naruto. They have helped me. However, my feelings for you are still the same," Hinata replied.
"I figured that would be the case, Hinata. However, I haven't developed those feelings for you, yet. I don't know what tomorrow will bring us, so let us focus on tonight," Naruto replied. Hinata had started to look down at his comment but perked back up as what he said registered to her.
"Hai, Naruto. So, what have you been doing recently," Hinata asked.
"Well, I learned the summoning jutsu today and got a summon clan," Naruto began. "I won't tell you what summon clan yet. I have to spend time getting to know them first before I let anyone know what summon clan I have. I have also been focused on training my kenjutsu with Zabuza-sensei and Kiski-sensei. They've been running me ragged every day. What about you, Hinata? What have you been doing?"
"I have been training in my family's taijutsu. My grandfather has determined the normal Juken is not suited for me. So, with the help of Neji-niisan and Gai-sensei we have been trying to fix the flaws Juken has for me," Hinata began. "Other than that, I have been spending time with Haku-chan and learning more about medicinal herbs and how to use senbon in a fight."
"It is good you are picking up a weapon. Even senbon can be used effectively in a fight," Naruto replied. "Plus, it might stop people from getting too close or allow you the chance to get in range of taijutsu when they're distracted. I'm happy you are improving." Hinata blushed at his praise and nodded shyly.
"Hai, Naruto. I have been hard at work so you can be proud of me and not see me as a failure," Hinata replied with her head bowed.
"Why would I see you as a failure, Hinata," Naruto asked.
"It's what my father always told me," Hinata said quietly, her head still bowed.
"Hinata, look at me," Naruto began. Hinata looked up at Naruto. "I do not see anyone as a failure. You will have strengths that others don't have, and you will have weaknesses others don't have. That doesn't make you a failure. That makes you human. I have my strengths and weaknesses. Do you see me as a failure?"
"No! I see you as an amazing person. Someone who is strong, kind and never gives up," Hinata said loudly.
"See yourself like that, Hinata. I see you as a shy, quiet, kind and caring person," Naruto replied. "You are much stronger than you realize."
Next Morning Uzumaki Training ground
Naruto stood before Zabuza and Kiski with a grin on his face. The previous night had gone wonderfully and now he was finally going to start his family's kenjutsu training after having the basics beaten into him by Zabuza.
"Well, gaki, I deem you adequate in kenjutsu," Zabuza began. "You are no longer at risk of killing yourself with a blade. This doesn't mean that you should forget the basics. They can save your life someday."
"Hai, Zabuza-sensei. Thank you for training me," Naruto replied with a bow. "I will remember your training always." Zabuza nods to Kiski and vanishes in a shun shin. Kiski turns to Naruto with a hard look in his eyes.
"Naruto, the Uzumaki clan kenjutsu is used for those who don't have Quincy powers normally," Kiski begins. "However, it can augment your abilities too. Your Quincy powers give you a strong long to mid-range attack arsenal. This kenjutsu will give you strength in hand to hand combat at close to mid-range. This does not mean you will be all powerful. Remember, even a mountain can be brought down by a lowly seed."
"Hai, sensei," Naruto replied in excitement. "When will we begin?"
"We will begin now. The Dance of the Surging Tides requires both speed and finesse. You have to be like a wave crashing upon the shore. Like a river flowing around a bolder. The wave is swift and hard. The river flowing around a bolder is calm and adaptive. This is what you will learn, Naruto," Kiski began. "So, first up is putting seals on you to restrict your movements. This will help you with becoming faster and stronger without bulking up like a muscle bound idiot." Kiski had Naruto lay on the ground after getting undressed down to his boxers. Kiski proceeded to place seals on Naruto's arms, legs, chest and back. Once Naruto was dressed and standing once again, Kiski activated the seals and laughed as Naruto then fell down on the ground creating a slight crater.
"This isn't funny, Kiski-sensei," Naruto exclaimed. "I can barely move."
"Those are the seals. You are now subjected to 1.5 times the normal gravity we experience," Kiski explained. "You'll get used to it, eventually. I'll be waiting for you to get up. Once you do, start doing laps around the grounds until dinner."
"Hai, sensei," Naruto grumbled as he struggled to sit up. 'This is going to kill me! I feel like I weigh a ton,' he thought to himself. 'But, Kiski-sensei hasn't led me wrong yet. I will complete this training too!'
I think this is where I'll end this chapter. I'm thinking we'll have one more boring chapter (so to speak) and then I'll be going onto the Chunin exams. That'll depend on if my muse can help me get the next chapter to be long enough to get us there. If not, I'll try splitting it up or something. As usual, reviews and criticism are always welcome!