Chapter 6: This is Boot Camp!
(Anti-Matter Universe, Qward)
Sinestro wasn't in the best of moods as he approached Qward's atmosphere and made his descent to the planet's surface.
It had taken him over a week to return to the anti-matter universe after Tomar-Re attached that rocket launcher onto his chest. He had nearly fallen into the Aku system's sun before he finally managed to remove it from his chest and just barely managed to escape the sun's gravitational pull.
Sinestro wanted to return to Ajnin but knew that Tomar-Re, as a last dying act, would have sent a message to Oa. By the time he got back Lanterns would already be on the scene and he did not want to face any other Lanterns on that day. Thus he opened a portal to return to his home-base.
'Well played Tomar-Re.' he thought to himself giving Tomar-Re a grudging amount of respect.
He was above ground level of the barren, rocky planet and flying towards the only visible civilization on the planet.
A ruined city made of still working equipment and housing with a large yellow power battery at the center of it all. This was the home of the Sinestro Corps. As he floated above he saw the Qwardians working on the rings and power batteries of each individual member. The members of his Corps were comprised of the most vile deviants, murderers, and mercenaries that the universe had to offer with it continuing to grow albeit slower than the Green Lantern Corps at present.
He flew over to the area and could see his second in command Arkillo training the new recruits they had gathered, easily spotting Arkillo's large grey form standing tall and imposing his fearsome beast-like face watching the movements of the two sparing with the rest watching.
Said combatants were a recruit and Romat-Ru, another senior member of the Sinestro Corps.
Ironically he was also Xudarian, the same species as the Green Lantern who had prevented Sinestro from completing his mission.
As Romat-Ru and the recruit with met sword and shield constructs, the clanging and slashing of their weapons echoing on the field, Arkillo and the rest watched them. Arkillo then turned to see their leader float down.
"Sinestro! Welcome home!" Arkillo greeted his leader as he landed next to him.
"Arkillo." Sinestro acknowledged watching the spectacle unfold as Romat-Ru easily blocked, deflected, or dodged the recruits' amateurish attempts of hitting him.
"I see that we have several new recruits. How fare they and how many?"
"Romat-Ru and Karu-Sil managed to find some on several worlds in sector's 3545 and 0011." said Arkillo seeing Romat-Ru go on the attack. "They are enthusiastic but..." they both glanced as Romar-Ru destroyed the recruits shield. The recruit made a desperate thrust with his sword construct but Romar-Ru simply avoided it and hit him with his shield in the stomach before finishing him off by hitting him with the bottom of his sword hilt knocking him out but not killing him.
"Short of skill." said Arkillo as if stating the obvious.
"Keep at them then to make sure they reach the level we need them to be." ordered Sinestro. "The Khundians are planning on moving to invade several potential worlds in sector 1013 and maybe even try to move out to frontier space outside of Guardian controlled territory. We must be prepared."
"It would help if The Weaponer and his flock would enable our rings to track recruits just like the damned Green Lantern rings do. Without it we have to expose our own to being possibly being captured or killed. Even yourself." Arkillo explained.
"Believe me my friend, I share your concern. Especially now." said Sinestro turning from the sport that their fellow veteran member was having with another hapless recruit. Walking with Arkillo listened intently.
"I assure you I will be seeing The Weaponer about this matter later, as he informed me he was close to a breakthrough before I left." said Sinestro.
"I take it that your mission to this new world called Ajnin did not go well?" asked Arkillo.
"No, it did not." grumbled Sinestro his anger returning. "Tomar-Re was there. I managed to give him a fatal wound but not before he launched me away from Ajnin's orbit and nearly into Aku's sun!"
"And you think his ring may have chosen someone from that world?" Arkillo asked.
Sinestro nodded. "Hence why I need to see The Weaponer to see if the tracking beacon for our rings is finally ready." he took a moment to calm himself. "Continue training the recruits Arkillo. And prepare for more." said Sinestro. He then flew off into the direction of the central battery.
As he saw him fly off Arkillo noticed something in Sinestro's voice that he was not accustomed to hearing. The thing his corps was meant to instill not succumb to.
Fear.
'What did she say to him?' he thought to himself as he returned to instruction of the recruits.
Sinestro flew towards the central battery. There underneath it were the workshops and mines of the Qwardians working on new rings and batteries. Above them supervising their construction was The Weaponer. A large muscular humanoid though not as a tall as Arkillo or quite as muscular he was still imposing in his own way.
"I take it the mission to Ajnin proved less then fruitful?" he asked when Sinestro landed behind him. To his continued annoyance The Weaponer didn't turn around when he asked his question.
"No unfortunately it did not. Tomar-Re interfered before I could find the recruit that would be suitable to our needs." he answered. "Of course it would have been simple had you finished the tracking program in the rings to seek out new hosts. If you had, our forces, including myself, wouldn't have to go out and find them ourselves."
"Then I have good news for you Sinestro." said The Weaponer turning to look at him through the almost binocular like eyes of his roman style helmet. He had a grin on his face when he said it.
"Thanks to our latest assignment from our newest client, the Khundians, we have managed to finally gain enough credits to begin the process of programming the rings to do just that. Once we are finished the rings will be able to seek out those who are capable of instilling fear just as those of the Green Lanterns seek out those who seek out those who seek out those face it." The Weaponer explained.
"How soon can you have it done?" Sinestro asked.
"By the end of the week at the latest. My workers are working on it nonstop, per your orders." responded The Weaponer with a hint of indignation in his voice.
Sinestro picked up on this but decided to let it slide for now.
"When they are ready I want the first ring to be sent to Ajnin immediately." he ordered.
"It may already be too late." said voice behind him.
He turned to see Lyssa Drak, the keeper of the book of Parallax, standing before him and The Weaponer. What species she was a Talokite from the planet of Talok IV.
By all accounts she was beautiful. Deep blue skin with long flowing black hair nestled around her pointed ears. Her outfit that she wore more then made that apparent. Said outfit consisted of a black loin cloth that stretched to barely cover her breasts and reached down to her lower regions and black thigh high boots. She also wore a black cloak which collared by a pin in front of her collar as well as another that held her loin cloth together. To finish she wore circular earrings on each of her elf like ears.
However, despite her beauty, Sinestro could never mistake that controlled yet passionate almost maniac like look in her golden eyes as she held the Book of Parallax in her chained right hand. The chain he himself forged on her.
As historian of the Sinestro Corps her duties were two-fold. Her primary duties consisted of documenting and writing the stories and exploits of the Corps just as the Book of Oa does for the Green Lanterns. Her second duty however came when Arkillo was done training the recruits. When he had deemed them ready they were to go to her. It was there that they would have their rings drained of power and then forced to go into a Fear Lodge to face their darkest fears.
To either conquer them or die.
"What do you mean Lyssa?" asked Sinestro.
"I mean that the one we sought has already been chosen for a Corps and it is not ours." she responded.
"You mean Tomar-Re's ring has found one from that world? And it is the one that you saw in the book?" said Sinestro.
"Yes. His ring found someone of that world to be a Green Lantern. However, as of yet I am unsure wither he or she is the one that we were after from Ajnin." Lyssa answered.
"Sinestro what is she talking about?" said The Weaponer curious as to why it seemed that they both seem to look for a specific individual from the unknown world of Ajnin.
"It is none of your concern!" yelled Sinestro shocking them both. Seeing their responses Sinestro quickly calmed himself. "Just...make sure the tracking system for the rings is ready and send the first one of many to Ajnin. Is that understood?"
"Yes Sinestro. It shall be done." said The Weaponer.
"Lyssa with me." he said flying away from him with Lyssa in tow. As the The Weaponer turned back to the workhouses of his people he couldn't help but notice the twinge of fear that was in Sinestro's voice.
It put a smile on his face.
(Archive Tower)
"Read it to me again." said Sinestro as they entered the Archive Tower. In here is where the Fear Lodges, the device designed to weed out the recruits who could handle and control their own fears and those who couldn't. It was also where Lyssa Drak could safely record the events of the Corps.
"I don't see how it will help. As I said before I am unsure wither or not it is the one we seek." said Lyssa trying to explain the situation to him in order to calm him. However she had already opened the Book of Parallax and was skimming its pages.
"Just read me the damn passage again!" said Sinestro.
"Very well." she said. The skimming ended on the one page that she was looking for. "Before I do I must remind you that while the Book does, along with recording our events, has the ability to make prophecies. However, these things are not certain and are always subject to change."
She looked down at the page.
"A forgotten race will reemerge. This race will possess a power that will illuminate them to the rest of the universe at large. One of this race shall join the Emotional Spectrum and in turn become pivotal in not only the War of Light but to the universe. Where darkness and fire cometh, he will join with others to face it." recited Lyssa.
Now Sinestro had never, nor would ever, believe in such a prophecy, at least not in the literal sense that his old friend Abin Sur would. Sinestro was of course a practical man at heart.
However along with recording the events and deeds of the Sinestro Corps the Book of Parallax offered Lyssa the gift of limited foresight. And the fact that he recently discovered such a world as Ajnin was no coincidence.
If there existed a power on the planet that could aid in his quest for order in the universe then he had to acquire it. At any cost.
He only hoped it wasn't too late.
(Space Sector 0000. Heart of Guardian Space)
Naruto was sitting in his seat in the shuttle construct of Hal Jordan looking down and fingering his ring. Ganthet had just finished his tale about Avraa the First Green Lantern. It gave him perspective on where his ring had been.
Or rather the heroes who had worn it before him; and the challenges he would face trying to live up to its legacy.
After telling his tale Ganthet had just closed his eyes and sat there meditating. As if he was contemplating something.
In the meantime Naruto was getting a little bored so he decided it was time to look at one of the scrolls given to him by Tsunade, mainly the one had a note that he guessed was from her.
He took the scroll out of the storage scroll. He then began to read it.
What he found surprised him.
'What the hell?' thought Naruto. He rubbed his eyes out to make sure they were okay. He looked down at the scroll to confirm what he saw.
The scroll was filled with medical jutsu. Nothing advanced just basic first aid and healing jutsu.
'Why the hell does this thing have medical jutsu in there?' asked Kurama. Naruto decided then to open up the note from Tsunade hoping get some answers.
Dear Naruto,
If you are reading this letter then you are aware that I added a scroll containing limited healing jutsu. I can probably guess that you are wondering why since you yourself can admit to having no previous knowledge of the subject.
While it is true that your aptitude is far more suited to conditions in battle I felt that since you decided to become a Green Lantern I just thought you should be prepared as much as possible.
Now then, the jutsu as you can probably surmise isn't necessarily for yourself. Since you have proven to have a remarkable healing factor thanks to Kurama, this is something for you to learn to heal or sustain others that have been injured. Basically its first aid. Jutsu to heal broken bones, lacerations, and if necessary to keep someone alive until someone with true proficiency in the medical field can fill for you.
This training however is completely optional though. If and when you return to visit you can just give it back. However I do suggest that you read it first before making the decision to just leave it your storage scroll.
I hope you will find happiness in your new life Naruto.
Sincerely,
Tsunade Senju, Fifth Hokage.
Naruto looked at the note for another second before putting it down to consider what it meant. On the one hand he can freely admit that his style had always been in combat. Being able to save lives by taking the fight to the enemy was his way and that could never change.
On the other hand as he looked at the medical scroll before him he saw that the techniques that Tsunade had left him were indeed what she said they were. One thing he noticed was that all of them were a form of chakra manipulation. Something he was rather good at.
'It would be nice to do something with my chakra other than just use it to fight...or kill.' Naruto thought to himself as he looked at his hands.
'Agreed. Plus these techniques are relatively easy.' Kurama responded.
Naruto nodded. The decision was made to add the scroll of limited medical jutsu into his training on Oa. Compared to everything else he was going to do this wasn't going to take long to master the techniques.
"Something the matter Naruto?" asked Ganthet who sitting across from him and observing his behavior with the scroll.
"Oh it's nothing Ganthet, just something unexpected was in my inheritance from the Hokage." said Naruto.
Ganthet nodded though he knew that Naruto was still hiding something. It must have something to do with the scroll that Naruto was examining.
"I'm going to assume that it has something to do with that scroll. Some jutsu that she recommended that you learn?" he asked.
"Did Granny tell you that?" said Naruto
"Pardon?" questioned Ganthet.
"Sorry it's what I call Tsunade. I tend to give nicknames to some people." said Naruto realizing his mistake.
"Ah, as a form of affection then." said Ganthet with a knowing smile.
"Yeah I kinda consider her my grandmother in some respects and my big sister in others." said Naruto rubbing the back of his head.
"I see." said Ganthet with a knowing smile. "To answer your initial question yes Lady Tsunade and I talked about many things going on in your planet. I wanted to learn more about your race. From your culture, your history, and also the chakra network that you employ. I found it to be very reassuring."
"How were you reassured?" asked Naruto.
"I was reassured that even after so many billions of years that there are still things in the universe that we have not seen yet." said Ganthet
Naruto smiled at that.
"Sorry to cut this short guys but we're in Oa's orbit. I'm about to disperse the construct." said Hal from the cockpit as he sat up from the pilot's seat.
Ganthet himself had floated out of his seat while Naruto put the medical ninja scroll back into the containment scroll. Afterwards he strapped it on his back and reactivated his environment shield.
"We are ready Hal Jordan." said Ganthet.
Hal nodded and suddenly the ship construct they were in disappeared around them and Naruto found himself in space once again. After shaking off his brief disorientation he looked down.
His eyes widened in awe as he saw the planet below.
'Whoa.' thought Kurama which was exactly Naruto's first thought.
The planet Oa was to say the least not like his home planet. For one thing it was a complete ethereal green with what looked like two Saturn rings on the bottom and top of the planet. It was also at least twice the size of Ajnin with a small moon that seemed stationary over it.
What really hit home for Naruto was the fact that he and Kurama were actually here in another system, in the presence of another world.
He then felt a hand on his back. He turned to look at Hal.
"View gets even better on the planet." he said with a smile.
Naruto nodded and followed both him and Ganthet down to the planet. When they got close to it he turned to look at the moon that was around Oa. As he looked at it, the moon actually was closer in size to Ajnin. It also had the Green Lantern symbol on it.
What was weird was that it seemed to watch him as they flew down to Oa.
As they flew past the atmosphere and onto the planet's surface, Naruto's awe transformed to wonder. His eyes widened even more as he saw the whole planet seemed to be one big city. The whole planet was a technological marvel.
"Been a lot of planets but there's no place like Oa." said Hal seeing Naruto looking at it all with wonder and, for the first time in a while, excitement.
"Indeed." said Ganthet in agreement.
"Brother Ganthet!" a feminine voice called. They turned and saw another Guardian like Ganthet flying towards them. Only this one was a woman and she had her hair wrapped up in a bun with a pony tail on top.
"Sayd," Ganthet greeted. "Allow me to introduce Naruto Uzumaki from the planet Ajnin."
"Hello." said Naruto bowing to her. 'Didn't know there were any female Guardians.' he thought to himself.
"Hello and welcome to Oa young Lantern." she responded to him before turning her attention back on Ganthet. "Ganthet the council is awaiting your return." she said her tone filled with worry.
Ganthet let out a sigh. "Very well Sayd. I shall meet them at the Planetary Citadel." he then turned to Hal. "Would you mind seeing to Naruto's quarters to help him get settled Hal?"
"No problem." said Hal.
"Hang on." Naruto interrupted. "Shouldn't I meet with the Guardians as well?" he asked.
"Normally Naruto you are correct. New recruits do usually meet with the Guardians so that we can learn more about them and whatever changes that have occurred in their species or, in your case, new species to learn about." said Sayd. "However, the council feels that since Ganthet has already visited your world himself we can receive the information of your world from him."
"Being that the Guardians have very high telepathic abilities, they can literally share minds with each other." Hal explained understanding where Sayd was going.
"Oh I see." said Naruto understanding.
"You will meet the council once you have completed your training." said Ganthet. "Now if you will both excuse me." he said preparing to follow Sayd to the Citadel. Before he did he turned back to Naruto.
"We will speak again soon Naruto." he said with a reassuring smile.
Naruto watched them both fly off. 'What else would Ganthet want to speak to me about?' he thought to himself.
He then felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Hal Jordan shaking him from his thoughts.
"C'mon kid. It's starting to get late." said Hal. Naruto then looked to see that Hal was right. The sun was beginning to set on Oa.
They flew until they reached what looked like an apartment complex. As they entered the lobby it seemed pleasant enough. It had a garden to the left and a computer at the front desk. From there they saw the computer already had Naruto's name and were informed that his room was ready on the third floor.
The door of the room automatically opened to let them inside. Naruto for his part was very happy with his room. It looked to be at least twice the size of his apartment building with a full kitchen, bathroom and large bed to sleep on. Like the lobby and the rest of the building it was colored in dark green.
"I'll let you get settled in. My advice is to get some rest. You're going to need it."
"For what?" Naruto asked his eyes back on Hal.
"Your training." he said with smirk on his face. "I'm escorting you and one other recruit to the Hazard Simulation Facility to meet with your instructor." said Hal. Naruto nodded in understanding and Hal left him in the room.
When the door closed Naruto managed to take off the container scroll place it next to the bed. From there he saw a window and saw the city that he was just above.
"Hell of a view." he said.
'Yeah it is.' Kurama agreed. Naruto then moved from the window to the bed. However, instead of heading to sleep he rolled over to where he laid out the scroll container and pulled out the scroll which contained the Wind nature transformation jutsu. He then rolled it out and studied.
'Naruto while I am glad that you wish to study the jutsu of your prime element should you not take Hal's advice and get some sleep? I have a feeling that tomorrow will be a long day if Hal's hint at the training day is what it seems to be.'
'I will Kurama. Just...not yet okay.' Naruto responded.
Kurama just shrugged and stayed quiet and allowed Naruto to study the scroll.
(Planetary Citadel)
Ganthet stood in his own position again in the council chambers. His and the rest of the council's eyes were glowing white as they examined all the information that Ganthet had gathered from his time on Ajnin. When they finished their eyes had returned to their normal green.
"Interesting is it not?" said Ganthet.
"Indeed. At first I had thought them too similar to the people of Earth. Instead it seems they have managed to, for the most part; end the inner conflicts even though it took what it appears four world wars to do it. While it may seem to be behind the humans who have at this point only suffered two, the Ajnian people seem on the road to peace."
"That alone makes them a step beyond the humans and some other races as well in this regard." said Ranakar. What stood him apart from his brethren was his temper. He was also more judgmental like Appa. However, unlike Appa, the one thing you could respect about him was he had for the most part no ulterior agenda and was honest to a fault.
"However," he continued. "What concerns me is the way that they have found to use their self-called "chakra network". From what we have glimpsed from Ganthet's mind these people have created techniques that make most standard weapons of war look like toys."
"It is also where their source of medicine comes from, as you no doubt already know seeing as you have scanned from my mind with my conversation with Lady Tsunade." said Ganthet already knowing where this was going. "You believe this is what made Sinestro was looking for don't you Brother Ranakar?"
"What makes you think he still isn't trying to find a recruit?" he responded. That was the question on everyone's mind.
"Which brings us to the matter of our recruit from Ajnin." said Appa. "While you were thorough with your determining of the general population of Ajnin and its history Ganthet you have yet to provide any information about this Naruto Uzumaki himself."
Ganthet sighed. "It's true. Mainly because Lady Tsunade herself told me that we should ask him directly. All that I was able to determine is that according to her Naruto was the main reason as to why the war had ended though she refused to go into any details about his life. The only other thing that I determined is when she spoke of the incident with Kyuubi no Kitsune otherwise known as the-"
"The Nine-Tailed Fox." Appa interrupted. "We know the translation their language is no different from Earth's Japanese language. What of it?"
"Does it not seem strange that this creature, who sounds something truly to be concerned with, supposed destruction happens to be the same day that Naruto was born?" asked Ganthet.
"A coincidence." said Appa.
"We all know that there is no such thing." replied Sayd.
"Be that as it may," said Ganthet dismissing Sayd. "The boy does present a mystery to us. We shall have to monitor him closely."
"With respect Appa I wish to handle the situation of Naruto myself." said Ganthet.
"Is this because of the promise you made with Ajnin's Hokage?" questioned Ranakar.
"Yes it is." Ganthet responded without hesitation.
"Be careful Ganthet. I fear you are letting emotion cloud your judgment." said Appa.
"Regardless of what I...feel, Naruto is new to the galactic stage. He will need guidance and instruction before his training is done and becomes a full member of the Corps." said Ganthet.
The council looked to themselves for a moment. "He speaks the truth Appa. The boy and his race were unaware of the existence of other worlds until now. The new recruit will need instruction. Who better then one of us?" said one of the Guardians.
"Very well." Appa exclaimed tired of this argument. "You may do as you wish with the boy Ganthet."
Ganthet smiled in silent victory. However, he needed to tread lightly with the council. He was already getting flack from making his theory about the emotion of Hope bolstering the power of Will and for making a prototype blue battery. Even though they were down a member of the council they were not opposed to banishing their own.
But it did mean being able to find out what made their new recruit have such high praise on his world.
(Naruto's room. 0600 Oa time.)
(Flashback)
"We both knew this was coming." said Sasuke wincing from his fight with Sakura. Even in grief and anger, Naruto could tell that Sasuke was still recovering from the fight he had with her. The healing factor he received from Orochimaru, though not as proficient as his, had healed any major injuries he suffered from rather quickly.
"This is how it has been since the Hagoromo's sons came to be. They started it this long ago and deep down you knew that it would only end when one of the two legacies they left behind would die off. But you refused to listen and this is the result." said Sasuke. He then looked to Sakura's corpse.
"She was here to try to do what you apparently couldn't do. She was in my way and she died for it." he said pointing at Sakura's corpse. He then lowered his hand and looked at Naruto who had he is head held low.
"You think you should be Hokage? When you falter and cry like that!? Even if you managed to defeat and land the final blow against Madara I can still defeat you by just killing people you love!" Sasuke yelled trying to use a similar tactic that Obito used. Naruto didn't even seem to hear the words. All he could think on was that this...monster who had once been his best friend, someone he considered his brother, had killed the woman who loved.
The woman that Naruto loved.
Before Sasuke could continue his tirade Naruto raised his head. Sasuke had seen his eyes when he was enraged from the last time they battled on this Valley, with the Nine-Tail's influencing him.
Sasuke didn't see that this time. His eyes were still blue and the irises were normal. However, the warmth he had seen them with before was gone. These were no longer the eyes of the Naruto that he knew that was naïve. These were the eyes of one who had just cold, hard, focused rage.
One thought on his mind. 'This ends here.'
Silently saying that he had enough talk Naruto pulled out the only kunai that he managed to find before running after Sakura. Almost faster than Sasuke could see, the traitor barely managed to unsheathe his chokuto to block the attack.
From there the images began to blur from one moment of the battle to the next. One moment they were both running after each other at blinding speed and the next they were dashing at each other, the clashing of their weapons echoing over the valley with Sasuke barely managing to hold his own with his skill with the sword. Naruto however was relentless in his assault, and was steadily gaining ground.
'Kid.' said the voice of Kurama but it sounded so soft it might as well been mile awa.
The images blurred again to another moment where Naruto, in Sage Mode, grabbed Sasuke's sword and broke it in half and then punched him in the face so hard it sent him into the statue of Madara, cracking its base. Sasuke was kneeling in the water his nose broken and bleeding along with his mouth while sheathing his broken chokuto.
'Kid!' Kurama's voice started yelling and it was getting louder. Naruto's only attention however was on his battle.
Moments blurred again with Sasuke in full Susanoo using both his Rinnegan and Sharigan eyes to their limit as they started to bleed from the strain. However, a blast from Naruto, in his Tailed Beast Mode enhance by the Senjutsu of the Six Paths and a complete and whole Kurama blew him away as the force of the tailed beast bomb broke through his empowered Susanoo and making into the lake below as the statues and surrounding area were destroyed.
He transformed back to normal. Naruto's clothes in shreds and his mouth bleeding and his head cut open but he was healing quickly. He could sense it. Sasuke had little to no chakra left, but still moved in to attack.
The moment blurred again almost as if the memory was on fast forward, to the point where Naruto, with Sasuke's broken sword in his hand, had it centimeters away from Sasuke's neck.
(End Flashback)
'Kid!' screamed Kurama which finally woke Naruto up. The abrupt noise had him sitting up on the apartment bed. He was breathing heavy and his face was sweating profusely.
'Uh...did I fall asleep?' Naruto questioned. The last thing he remembered was reading one jutsu in the wind scroll, some sort of tornado shield, when he started dreaming about the battle with Sasuke.
'Yeah you dozed off. I told you you were tired from the journey but no, you didn't listen to me.' said Kurama chastising him. While it was true that in class Naruto fell asleep quite a bit, when it came to learning jutsu from a scroll or practicing it he was always wide awake.
Naruto just rubbed his head as he tried to get himself awake. He then used his ring to create a construct of a clock to see what time it was. It showed him it was six in the morning.
'Hal Jordan should be appearing anytime now to take us to where you are to be trained.' said Kurama.
Sure enough as he said it there was a knock on the door. Naruto rolled up the scroll and put it back into the container scroll. Hopefully he would have some time to practice the jutsu he read up on.
For now training as a Green Lantern came first.
Naruto opened the door and saw Hal there but he found he wasn't alone. Next to him was a young girl around his age. She had light skin that appeared almost gold and yellow eyes. Her uniform consisted of a white tube top with a green collar, a skirt, and finishing with green gloves and boots. Besides her curves, Naruto also noticed that she had pointed almost elf-like ears.
For a moment Naruto couldn't help but stare at her before collecting himself.
"Naruto this is Arisia Ban. She'll be joining you and two others for you day of training today." said Hal introducing the newcomer. Shaking his head Naruto looked her in the eye.
"Hello Arisia. Nice to meet you." said Naruto holding out his hand which Arisia accepted.
"Thanks you too." she responded. Even thought they just met Naruto could tell she was being apprehensive.
"Nervous?" he asked.
Arisia nodded her head. "Yeah...it has nothing to do with you though… It's actually nice meeting a recruit close to my age. It's just, well..." she started rubbing her arm.
"She's a little intimidated from the horror stories of your drill instructor." said Hal. Naruto nodded though unsure what she was scared of.
"C'mon we gotta get going, otherwise Kilowog will get grumpy." he said walking ahead as the two of them rushed to catch up.
"I'm guessing this Kilowog is going to be training us?" asked Naruto. Arisia nodded while still rubbing her arms trying to calm down. Naruto suddenly had a bad feeling about this.
(Hazard Simulation Facility)
Soon they arrived at a large building which Hal quickly rushed into followed closely by Naruto and Arisia. As they were flying, Naruto couldn't help but notice how many races there were on this planet, not to mention how many different species there were. He saw people who looked humanoid like Arisia but a lot of them seemed to have different colors. Others looked like animals and some...he didn't even know what to describe.
Arisia couldn't help but notice his wide-eyed confusion.
"Are you alright?" she said as they walked the halls.
"Huh? Oh yeah." said Naruto rubbing the back of his head in a sheepish fashion. "I guess I'm still trying to get used to all this."
"I know what you mean kid. First time I set foot on Oa I was exactly the same." said Hal. It was then Arisia realized at least in part what that meant.
"So you're another recruit from Earth then." she assumed.
"No I'm from the planet of Ajnin." he answered.
Arisia was confused then. She never heard of the world before.
"Long story. Next time you recharge at the main battery you'll get all the info you need." said Hal as they stopped in front of a door with the lantern symbol. Opening it they enter a large room with green lights all around it. Standing in front of the large Green Lantern Naruto could see the two other recruits.
The first looked to be a squirrel in an outfit that looked exactly like his. The second that stood next to him was another odd shaped alien who it looked like his whole head was his body with arms and legs sticking out. His uniform was the same colors as his but conformed to his body.
Right now the only thing they had in common was they were all recruits. Which was a given since Arisia didn't have a lantern symbol on where the center of her collar. Nor the big head on his forehead or he and the squirrel on their chests.
"I'll leave you all now so you can get better acquainted before Kilowog arrives. Good luck." said Hal as he left the room. With the door closed he sighed to himself.
'They're gonna need it.'
After leaving the room with them alone Naruto still couldn't help stare at these three. Yes he knew about them from the database in his ring but to actually see aliens...that was something else.
"What are you staring at?" questioned the big headed one. Naruto immediately stopped gawking and rubbed the back of his head again.
"Sorry. He's kinda new to the universe at large." said Arisia seeing Naruto being a little awkward with being new. "I'm Arisia and this is Naruto." she introduced.
Both the big head and the squirrel turned and looked at each other and shrugged. "I'm Galius Zed." the big head spoke first.
"My name is B'dg." said B'dg in the usual squeaking voice that Naruto expected. Suddenly B'dg flew into his face.
"Before you say it I happen to be-"
"A H'venite yes I know." said Naruto interrupting what appeared to be a rant coming. "Just as he's," pointing to Galius. "A Noc'sagian."
"Finally! A human who actually read the database." said Galius.
"Actually I'm not human. I'm Ajnian." said Naruto.
That threw them all for a loop. They each mentally checked their ring's database and found nothing on this species.
"If what you say is true how come we don't see your race on the database." asked Arisia.
"Cause you poozers haven't recharged at the main battery yet." said a booming voice from behind them.
They all turned to see a Green Lantern who, judging from Arisia's expression of fear, they all pretty much assumed was Kilowog. The guy had to be at least eight feet tall who looked like a mix of a walrus and a hippo. Clad in a battle armor style uniform he was an imposing sight to be seen.
"Attention poozers! Fall in line!" he bellowed. Immediately they did so.
"And for the record: it's Sergeant Kilowog to you poozers." said Kilowog. "Do any of you know what a poozer is, poozers?"
"No sir." said Naruto already not liking this situation.
"I can't hear you!" he yelled looking down directly at Naruto.
Keeping back a growl he simply yelled back. "No sir!."
Afterwards he started pacing back and forth in front of them. "Poozers is what I like to call stupid, useless, white circled rookies. Like Narutoad over here." he said.
"Naruto sir." said Naruto growling not liking his namesake being made fun of.
"Did you say something Narubut?" questioned Kilowog.
Deciding to take a stand Naruto stepped up to look at him in the eyes. "My name is Naruto sir!" he exclaimed in anger.
The other recruits stood there in shock that Naruto had just stood up to him. Kilowog himself was blinking in surprise before he recomposed himself.
"You're whoever I say you are, poozer." said Kilowog. He and Naruto stared at each other for a moment before Naruto fell back in line.
"Now you rookies better not be thinking of crying home to mommy and daddy while in training. You all have one family right now and they're all wearing green rings." said Kilowog.
"Whose power poozers?" he bellowed.
"Our power Sergeant Kilowog!" they all answered.
"Whose light poozers?" Kilowog bellowed again.
"Our light Sergeant Kilowog!" they answered again.
"Your damn right!" said Kilowog. "Now I hope you rookies haven't gotten too comfortable cause we ain't staying on Oa." he then motioned them to follow him. They did so albeit with Naruto in the rear.
They followed him until they were outside the facility. From there Kilowog glowed and flew up into the sky. Kilowog turned to them.
"C'mon poozers I don't have all day!" he ordered. Immediately after he said that the other did as he said that they followed up to him.
Arisia flew up ahead next to Kilowog. "Where are we going sir?" she asked. Kilowog then had a smirk on his face.
"To hell." he said casually.
(Two hours later)
To say that Naruto found his first experience flying through space was disorienting to say the least. Having to fly through what you used to see up on the sky was very surreal.
Luckily he had his fellow recruits to follow...and their drill sergeant who Naruto initially didn't like all that much. But then who does like the person training them.
They had just landed on a cliff above an active volcano with Kilowog in front of them once again.
"Welcome to Hell boys and girls. This is where I weed out who belongs in my Corp and those who don't." said Kilowog
"First things first," he then created a small lockbox construct and opened it. "I'll be taking your rings."
Even though he didn't like where this was going Naruto kinda figured what was going on as he, Arisia, and Galius took off their rings and put them into the lockbox.
"Uh sir this volcano is active and if I'm right it's going blow soon." said B'dg fingering his ring when his turn came up. The lockbox then turned into pliers and extracted the ring from his finger.
"That's why we're here furball." said Kilowog as his construct turned into a bubble and gave him the rings into his open hand. "I want to see what you can do without the hunk of shiny ring helpin yah."
Then just like that he created a brick construct and destroyed the cliff they were on. They all watched as Kilowog floated away as they dropped.
'Shit! I hate when I'm right!' Naruto yelled as he and his fellow recruits started sliding from the destroyed cliff into the molten lava below. As they slid off a ramp though Naruto flipped up from his sliding and ran in front of them.
'What the hell is that kid doing?' Kilowog thought to himself as he saw Naruto was the first to fall off the ramp headed into the molten lava.
That is until he saw Naruto literally attach himself to the wall with his feet. From there he managed to catch Arisia.
"You catch B'dg. I got Galius." said Naruto before Arisia could even say thank you. As they saw them fall Naruto kept left hand around Arisia's waste while using his right to catch Galius. Arisia in turn caught little B'dg in her left hand.
"Great! Now what?" exclaimed C'hp.
"Everyone start climbing up to the top." said Naruto. Galius grabbed hold of the wall and started with B'dg jumping off Arisia's hand and did the same. Naruto then gently managed to get Arisia onto the wall. "I'll form the base and catch anyone who falls."
"Think so poozer?" questioned Kilowog hiding his astonishment at seeing someone able to cling to the wall of the volcano.
"Temperature reaching critcal levels. Eruption imminent." said the computer voice of Kilowogs ring which Naruto guessed Kilowog wanted everyone to hear.
'We gotta move Kid!' said Kurama.
"B'dg you're the fastest climber. When you get to the top help anyone else that's close to you." he ordered. B'dg nodded and started leaping from one piece of the wall to the other as fast as he could. Arisia was able climb past Galius. Galius himself was having trouble given with his third leg behind him he was out of balance somewhat.
Naruto himself was walking up behind them as the volcano shook around them. The plates began to shift just as B'dg was helping Arisia up the cliff. The sudden shook up made Galius fall but Naruto managed to jump ahead as the lava was now catching up to his position and grab Galius. Before anything else could be done another quake shook and Naruto saw the lava getting more and more volatile. His eyes widened in terror at what he saw.
The volcano had begun to erupt with them inside it.
Naruto, with all his strength, threw Galius as hard as he could to the top of the cliff as the lava was just coming up to them. The volcano exploded as Naruto jumped to meet them. Just as he landed a massive wave of lava fell upon them.
At the same time Kilowog sent a beam to them.
Next thing they know the volcano has erupted and they are safe inside a cube-like construct with Kilowog above them inside flying away from the erupting volcano.
Arisia, Galius and B'dg were laid out breathing out sighs of relief. Naruto on the other hand was still standing looking at their supposed savior.
"Maybe you poozers would like some place cooler. A place with a bit of breeze."
'Oh that is funny. Not.' said Kurama. Naruto didn't say anything but judging from his stare Kurama knew he agreed.
(One hour later)
The next planet that Kilowog landed them in did indeed have a breeze. Hurricane level breeze that is. Not only was the whole planet basically in a constant storm there was also the sand to think about. Once again Kilowog as above observing the situation as Naruto, Arisia, Galius, and B'dg were holding on to each other single file as they tried to move throughout the sand. Naruto, thanks once again to his chakra based ability of walking on walls or water, managed to handle the shifting sand easily until he found a firm rock base large enough for them all.
He had managed to get Arisian but he saw that B'dg was struggling.
"Can't...hold on." he said as the poor little guys felt his grip on Galius's hand slipping.
"We won't let you go B'dg." said Naruto, Arisia looking on in fear.
Just as they managed to get Galius on the rock plateau, Chip had slipped out of his grasp. Galius tried to catch him again but it was too late.
"B'dg!" Naruto yelled as he saw the H'venite get swept up in the ocean of sand before getting swirled up into a whirlpool screaming in terror.
"Shouldn't make promise's you can't keep poozer." said Kilowog though already getting ready to get B'dg out of the whirlpool.
'Hope the little guy's okay.' Kilowog thought to himself with the first look of concern all day. Before he could however, Naruto was already on the move after helping Galius settle on the plateau.
Naruto jumped into the sea of sand himself and let himself be taken in.
'Kid I hope you've got some sort of a plan cause I don't feel like suffocating in sand.' said Kurama as Naruto approached the whirlpool.
'Actually I do. I'm gonna use one of the jutsu I saw in the scroll.' Naruto responded. Kurama looked at him in his mind with wide eyes.
'Are you insane!? You haven't even trained in any of those jutsu yet!' he said.
'Early test run then.' Naruto responded as he felt himself sink into the whirlpool.
Arisia gasped as she and Galius looked on in shock of what Naruto just did.
Shaking his head Kilowog spoke up. "Congratulations rookies. Now you got two dead poozers eating sand and-what?" he questioned looking at the whirlpool.
Only now the whirlpool had sudden expanded to three times its size and out of sprang a large tornado. The force of the wind force Galius and Arisia to hold on and even forcing Kilowog to put up a barrier. From there they saw Naruto jump out it and back onto the sand.
Immediately following that the tornado disappeared as soon as it showed with Naruto walking back carrying a coughing but okay B'dg in his arms.
As he got onto the plateau Naruto gently put B'dg down on it.
"You okay little guy?" he asked.
B'dg coughed a few more balls of sand before answering. "Yeah. Thank you." he said trying to get his breath back.
"You'll be okay B'dg." said Arisia rubbing his little back. Galius looked at Naruto in amazement.
"How did you do that?" said Galius referring to the tornado that sprang from the whirlpool already figuring out it was Naruto who did that.
"Sorry. Magician doesn't reveal his tricks." Naruto said jokingly.
"Well whatever you did nice work." said Galius.
Looking between the whirlpool and the plateau, Kilowog had the same look of astonishment on his face as the recruits did.
(Evening time)
Thankfully leaving the sand world, Naruto and the rest landed on another uninhabited world or at least in the area they were in. Without their rings there was no way to know for certain. Fortunately, it was night time so Kilowog decided to set up camp in a valley near a forest before their next challenge.
Camp meant they were to sleep on the floor pretty much with only a camp fire to burn. As Naruto tended the camp fire that Kilowog had made after Naruto brought the wood. As he tended the fire he looked back to his sleeping compatriots.
Arisia had allowed B'dg to cuddle with her to help him stay warm. The way it looked it seemed he had become her little teddy bear. Galius slept sitting as if to keep watch on them, which wasn't a surprise given everything they had been through he knew they would form some common bond even though they had yet to get to know each other all that well yet.
Naruto also saw their uniforms had scratches and they all had small bruises and such. Not surprising with what they went through given all they had been through. Naruto was the only one of them that didn't seem to have a scratch on him.
A fact not lost on their drill Sergeant.
'That was a risky move using that jutsu.' said Kurama.
The jutsu he referred to was one Naruto learned from the scroll. It was the Wind Style: Tornado Shield Jutsu. Or rather it's more unstable state. It was supposed to create a tornado that surrounded the user by channel wind chakra around him, essentially making the user a living tornado that could be used for defense and offense. There was of course another version of it that allowed it to slice anything that headed towards the user into pieces.
In short a shield for offence and defense.
Difference was Naruto made one far too large as evidence by his display in the sand.
'What else was I suppose to do? Let Kilowog save him? He took too long as it was when he lectured me!'
'I'm not saying what you did was wrong. It just that what if you sliced yourself to pieces using it?' Kurama questioned.
'I had to take the chance.' said Naruto
'Well it doesn't matter. At any rate it worked although I think you overdid it a bit making the tornado as big as it was.' said Kurama.
'Yeah gotta watch that next time.' Naruto agreed. From then he looked at the fire and poking it to make sure it stayed lit.
Looking at though brought him back to certain memories again.
(Flashback)
Naruto managed to get himself some distance and managed to climb up on Hashirama's statue. From there Sasuke made handsigns that he was all too familiar with.
"Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!" said Sasuke. Sure enough several fire balls starting shooting him. Dodging the initial attacks by running up the statue Naruto suddenly felt he had enough and reverse flipped on it. The momentum being enough to get behind Sasuke. From there Naruto rushed at him at top speed kunai in hand but Sasuke was ready. He fired another fire ball straight at him.
Naruto just kept running at it.
(End Flashback)
"Hey kid!" Kilowog suddenly bellowed as he put out the fire by wiping some dirt on the fire. It immediately snapped Naruto out of his stupor and look up at Kilowog.
"What? What is it?" said Naruto blinking.
"You were just staring at the fire like you were somewhere else." said Kilowog. "Care to share what you were thinking about?"
"Not really." grumbled Naruto. Kilowog and Naruto glared at each other for a moment.
"Get some rest." said Kilowog. Naruto didn't budge. "Trust me you going to need it when we hit the ice canyons tomorrow." Kilowog continued turning and walking away.
"I'm not tired yet." said Naruto. That made Kilowog stop and turn around.
"I don't care. Get some sleep." ordered Kilowog.
"Too bad sir. I'm not tired." Naruto responded getting off the rock he was sitting on and once again getting into Kilowog's face. The commotion got the others to wake up to see what was going on.
"If you got something to say to me poozer then say it." said Kilowog glaring down at this punk.
'Any objections?' questioned Naruto to Kurama about what they both knew was going to happen.
'Nope.' Kurama said. From his tone Naruto could tell he was getting excited at having a front row seat to the brawl that was coming.
"I'm just trying to figure out what you're playing at sir. I mean why are you doing this? You get some twisted pleasure from seeing us in pain? Doubting ourselves? It's like you want us to quit sir!" Naruto explained.
"I got nothing to explain to you!" said Kilowog. That of course did not satisfy Naruto so he kept pushing.
"We're here because we want to serve. If one of us gets killed then you're just a murderer...sir." said Naruto.
Then he wasn't sure if he didn't see a hint of a smile on Kilowogs face before he took of his ring and placed with Naruto's and the others on the rock next to them.
"Oh no." muttered Arisia seeing how this was gonna unfold.
"Say that again?" said Kilowog although the tone was that of a warning; A last chance to back off.
Naruto didn't back down.
"You are mean, sadistic, son of a bitch." said Naruto. Next thing he knew Kilowog had hit him with a back hand that sent him flying.
Now Kilowog was pretty confident in his physical strength even without his ring. He expected to have Naruto being sent at least twenty feet away and on the floor first eating dirt.
He only had the first part right as Naruto managed to land on his feet and charged right at him. Kilowogs eye widened with how fast the boy was that he barely had time to raise left arm to block a right cross. The force of it surprised him as clinched in pain from the blow. Kilowog shot back with a right forearm aimed at Naruto's face but Naruto ducked under it, twisted around and landed his left punch into Kilowog's solar plexus.
The blow hit so hard that he had to hold his stomach, Which left him open for a flip kick. This time it was Kilowog sent flying at least thirty feet before landing back first on a tree and sliding down and landing on his butt. Shaking it off Kilowog stared at his opponent. Naruto had a small cut on his lip but he hadn't even wiped it off.
"Had enough sir?" question Naruto in a mocking tone.
Kilowog said nothing but wiped the blood off his mouth and stood up. From there the two charged at each other. Naruto noted that Kilowog was faster than he looked as he moved with another left hook. Kilowog blocked it and tried for a bear hug but Naruto slipped out of it by head butting him. Kilowog shook off the impact and dodged and high kick from Naruto. From there it became and stand off from Kilowog throwing jabs and crosses with Naruto able to block and dodge. He fired back with another to Kilowog's jaw but he couldn't sweep his legs from under him.
As they watched the fight Arisia couldn't believe her eyes.
'Kilowog is one of the toughest members of the Corps. And Naruto is not only holding his own in hand to hand with him but he's winning.' she thought to herself in astonishment.
"Kick his ass Naruto!" yelled Galius as Naruto fired another roundhouse kick which sent Kilowog spinning. Unfortunately, Kilowog spun and sent Naruto a right uppercut which Naruto recovered with a handspring as Kilowog tried to charge him again.
"Watch his left!" said C'hp as Naruto, still in handspring, used his hands to hit his chest with a dropkick in the chest to avoid said left hand. Forcing Kilowog on his back he then jumped off him and came down to punch him from above. Seeing this Kilowog rolled out of the way. He was lucky as he saw Naruto take his fist out the small hole he put into the ground.
The fight continued for some time as the two stared at each other and gauging their next move.
'This isn't good.' thought Kilowog to himself having some trouble breathing. 'I knew the kid was good but this is something else. I gotta have at least two maybe three cracked ribs one of them broken I'm sure. And he's not even breathing heavy.'
'Guess Kilowog can walk the walk after all.' though Naruto to himself impressed with the old drill sergeant. He may be as fast as he is but he was strong and big. More importantly, he knew how to use those attributes unlike other low level ninja back on his homeworld.
'Still doesn't mean he has a chance. Kick his ass Kid.' encouraged Kurama. Naruto smiled at his partner's words.
Naruto the charged at Kilowog again. Kilowog didn't back down however he did notice that Naruto was moving slower. Perhaps he damaged him more then he thought. Kilowog pulled back his right hand threw a powerful straight left at Naruto landing solidly on his face. However, as soon as he hit him he then puffed out like smoke.
"What the hell!?" said Kilowog. Whatever it was he knew that was not Naruto and immediately looked for him. It took him a full five minutes before realizing to look where most enemies would hit from.
Behind.
Naruto stood there with a smile on his face.
"Took you long enough." he said.
Kilowog immediately sent a right back fist to him which Naruto easily caught with his left hand. Kilowog then sent a rare left kick which unfortunately sent him spinning with Naruto still holding onto his arm. As he dropped down Naruto managed to nag the other arm. From there he used his chakra and funneled them into his hands and put pressure on Kilowogs arms. Naruto just hung there slowly bringing his weight and pressure down making Kilowog scream in pain. It got even worse with Naruto standing on the ground again. Only now he was pulling on Kilowogs arms.
For Kilowog it felt like his arms were getting pulled off.
"Had enough sir?!" Naruto called out once again.
"AHHHHHHH!" he screamed.
The others watched in horror as Naruto seemed to make himself a living torture rack for Kilowog. Even as they saw Kilowog grit his teeth and start to budge his way off it seemed Naruto always had more strength to pull his arms back and even further making him scream again.
"Shouldn't we try and stop this?!" said Arisia.
"C'mon Arisia after everything Kilowog put us through its nice to see him get a taste of his own medicine." said Galius. B'dg was on the fence about it though.
"Maybe. But maybe we're just seeing the shoe on the other foot." said Arisia.
While they argued Kilowog was still gritting his teeth trying to get out of this hold that Naruto put him in.
"Not so much fun when you're on the other end of the stick is it!?" said Naruto.
Through the pain Kilowog started getting angry when he heard that comment. He turned to glare and saw what was behind Naruto was the forest. From there Kilowog had a way out. He used whatever strength he had left and pushed himself and Naruto backwards right into the tree. Hearing Naruto grunt in pain he loosened his grip on Kilowog's arms for him to finally get himself free. From there Kilowog turned around, grabbed Naruto by the front of his uniform and threw him across the field. Kilowog then knelled down and hoped that would be enough to get Naruto to slow down long enough to cool down.
Unfortunately, while Naruto landed on the ground with a hard thud he quickly recovered and from there launched himself at Kilowog. Naruto in his anger instinctively created a Rasengan in his hand and sent it right into Kilowog's gut. The force of the technique pushed Kilowog through the tree and into the forest through three others before he landed on his back in a heap.
The anger waning Naruto saw the destruction he left and suddenly hoped that the Rasengan was low powered.
The others saw the devastation he left in Kilowog.
'Oh Kami I think I killed him.' thought Naruto as he rushed to the still not moving body of Kilowog.
'What the hell were you thinking!? You know how devastating that jutsu is even in its base form!' Kurama admonished as Naruto came upon Kilowog with the others following close behind.
'I wasn't thinking! I just reacted I didn't mean to-'
Naruto's thoughts were interrupted when he saw Kilowog begin to move.
"Kilowog are you alright?" asked Naruto relieved to see him alive and moving.
"Ugh. Yeah just give a minute." said Kilowog now sitting up and clutching his stomach. "What the yoist did you hit me with kid?"
"A technique on my planet." said Naruto not wanting to reveal too much.
"One of them jutsu's your people use right?" asked Kilowog. Naruto nodded. "Well crap it hurts." said Kilowog.
Soon the rest of the group arrived. "Kilowog sir are you alright?" question Arisia.
"Yeah. Kid here really wanted to kick my ass and he did." said Kilowog putting a thumb in Naruto's direction chuckling to himself. "Seriously kid where did you learn to fight? I haven't been knocked around like that in years!"
"I had some good teachers." said Naruto again being evasive.
"Care to elaborate, cause from what I saw your people must have been born to fight." said Galius.
"Sorry rookie you're just going to have to learn from main battery. Naruto here is being tight lipped." said Kilowog. He then looked at them all seriously.
"Usually I'm standing when I say this but given that my arms are still numb and my gut is hurting I'm just gonna say it now." everyone turned to him Naruto with his arms crossed. "This is what my drill sergeant told me when I was in your position. You all don't like how I do things fine. I don't care. If you're all still alive and ring-slinging down the road and lucky enough to watch your family grow as you honor your oath then you'll understand." he then managed to barely stand up as the words seemed to give him some strength back though he still held his midsection.
"But getting old in my Corps is a privilege. We die so innocents don't. It just that simple. Once you put on the ring and wear these uniforms the life you lead-"
"Stops being our own." Naruto finished. Kilowog glanced his way and for once could see what John Stewart was talking about. And given that he had seen war himself at such a young age.
"So endeth the lesson. Get your rings. We're going back to Oa." said Kilowog.
"Wait what!? What about the ice canyons?" questioned B'dg.
"That won't be necessary. Truth is this was to make sure you poozers were ready for this job. You've passed. Now get a move on we move in five-" Kilowog groaned. "Make that ten minutes."
Arisia, B'dg, and Galius immediately left the forest to grab their rings from the rock that Kilowog had placed them. Naruto stayed behind and watched them.
"Naruto would you not challenge me on this?" said Kilowog.
"That's the second time you got my name right." said Naruto turning to face him.
"Yeah I did." said Kilowog with a smile on his face. Naruto knew he didn't need to say it to know that he had earned his respect. Which lead to another realization.
"You never intended for us to go those ice canyons did you?" asked Naruto.
"No I didn't." said Kilowog. He then looked down. "You should know that I never would have let any of you get killed on those planets. You gotta know that."
"I know sir." said Naruto.
"Yeah." said Kilowog walking over to him. "It just...this job tends to push your limits and force you to go beyond them. Not many can. Some even quit and more then you might think."
"So this was just to prove that we could handle the hazards of being a Green Lantern then." said Naruto.
"For the others yeah. You on the other hand were breezing past those situations. I had to give you something that would give you some kind of challenge." Kilowog explained.
"Like yourself?" said Naruto with an eyebrow raised. Kilowog suddenly felt really stupid along with being in pain.
"Yeah not so smart now. Course if I had known you fought like that I wouldn't have done it." said Kilowog. Naruto then looked down at his feet. He saw that they were shaking barely able to hold him up.
Naruto put Kilowog's arm around his shoulders and proceeded to help him leave the forest.
"What are you doing?" asked Kilowog.
"Giving you a hand back to camp." said Naruto as they walked.
"Don't think this is gonna make me go easy on you. The real training is about to begin Naruto." said Kilowog.
"Wouldn't want you to and I don't need you to." said Naruto.
Kilowog just grumbled about stubborn fools while Naruto just helped him out the forest with a small smile on his face.
(Ajnin)
It had been a few days since Orochimaru saw the three green lights that flew from Konoha. The former Sannin sat in the forest of death trying to piece together what had happened since the war's end.
After Naruto had played his monumental role in defeating Madara and Obito, Orochimaru immediately went underground. However, he kept his ear to the ground concerning his former pupil Sasuke and his death at the hands of Naruto Uzumaki.
'Good riddance I say.' thought Orochimaru to himself. While it was true that Sasuke was at least equal to or superior to Itachi in terms of power Sasuke was inferior when it came to maturity.
Orochimaru acknowledged this when he was training Sasuke. His thoughts then turned the one responsible.
'Naruto how we all underestimated you.' he thought to himself. As he looked back on the days where he first met them Orochimaru had become one of the many that did not see Naruto for what he would become. Even after seeing him master the Rasengan and using it on Kabuto he still admonished him although granted to a lesser degree. Seeing him now as he fought in the war Orochimaru couldn't help but wonder why he thought the Uchiha bloodline was the path to power. When even the mightiest of their clan wanted to be what Naruto was.
A Jinchurriki. That was one path to power.
Which lead to Orochimaru's current issue. He had meant it when he said he had no interest in destroying Konoha anymore. But now with Kaguya was sealed once again. The Tailed Beast's were free to roam save for two that had chosen to stay within their hosts. And neither facing Killer Bee or Naruto or facing any of the Tailed Beasts were a good idea currently.
'Which leaves me with my original goal: To find and create new jutsu.' he thought to himself with a sigh. 'Unfortunately it doesn't seem to have the same appeal to me as it did before. And what's the point of having Jutsu when one of the paths to power is forever shut out?' he continued.
But there was nothing else to do was there?
True enough it seemed that with the war's end peace would be sure to follow. Orochimaru rested his face on his palm and just stared at the fire. It would become so boring now. He supposed he could rebuild the Sound village again but what would be the point? Besides it would be too obvious now!
One thing was clear: as long as he had lived and would continue to live Orochimaru still had an eye for more power.
As he got lost in his own thoughts a sudden bright yellow light appeared in the sky above. Orochimaru looked up but the light was so bright he had to shield his eyes from it. The light eventually dimmed down and Orochimaru could see something come down to him.
As it dimmed further Orochimaru could see that the object coming to him was a ring. When it was floating right in front of him he could make out a strange symbol on it. And then it spoke in an automatic and computer like voice.
"Orochimaru of Ajnin you have the ability to instill great fear. Welcome to the Sinestro Corps." it said. Then it slid straight onto Orochimaru's right middle finger. Then the energy of the ring flowed through him and he felt the power of it.
Soon he stood with his clothes changed into a skin tight yellow uniform with the same symbol that was on the ring in a black circle on his chest.
Orochimaru opened his eyes and they glowed yellow. Feeling what he had just become he could only laugh.
In joy.
End Chapter
A couple months ago a coworker and friend of mine past away. I have been dealing with that while dealing with work. That said I hope to get my update speed faster for your guys.
Things are finally moving ahead. Next chapter I hope, really hope, to start and finish Naruto with his training and get his first mission before I do the time skip. Be prepared though cause I am trying my absolute best to make the chapters not too long.
Finally, credit for any corrections in grammar or any added bits go to my beta austinjak0.
Thank you all for your continued support.