Well, I could explain, but I don't want to.
Basicly, I tried, I failed, I'm sorry,
Time is a luxury I not have.
Poetry's really cool by the way.
A lone girl sat at a desk, mindlessly tracing the wood with her finger.
She didn't quite know where she was. It wasn't home that's for sure. And it definitely wasn't in the elemental nations, or she assumed. She didn't know what to make of this place, an oddity of nature.
But then again, the surroundings were the least bizarre feature of her new home. She had seen deserts before, awful stuff. They weren't pleasant in the least, not one bit. But her bed was new. The desk off to the side was new. And the barred windows were new.
But no matter how nice her room was, she just could not seem to shake the mystical feeling that emanated from her new residence. At least, that's what she thought. When she had come, she had found herself stolen and locked away. No trace of her sister nor her father.
No trace of anything familiar. If the miles of never-ending desert wasn't telling enough, the smooth black stone was.
Cool to the touch, it seemed to encase her little room.
It was a strange room. More of an office than a prison, she thought. It reminded her of her father's room, despite how contrasting it was. The small dainty little thing with its wooden floors, a small desk, and the thinnest, paper walls.
Well, if there was one thing familiar, it was the strength of those walls. She had tried when she was younger, to peel away the seemingly paper-thin walls, only to be stopped by its surprising strength. These walls looked as tough as they were solid. Nothing she did could ruin the polished stone.
Yet her room left much to be desired. Sure it was extravagant to any onlooker, but maybe it was a bit too much. For despite her lineage, she never really cared much for appearances, even with all of her father's comments. And even then she was sure even he would see this as excessive, besides, it resembled the homes of those pompous nobles far much for her liking. Had one of the nation's Daimyo's been here with her they surely would have wept tears of jealousy, she was sure of it.
While the walls and floor were made of black stone, the decor was vibrant. The desk was painstakingly carved, and she could make out figures in the wooden canvas. A battle, it looked like, and a fearsome monster; massive wings protruded from its back and covered the wooden desk, as if to swallow it whole. Nine gruesome heads could be seen off to the side. The chair was nothing like she had ever seen before. A dark shade of red seeped into the cushions, and the small, gold-trimmed carpet laid on the floor next to it. A fireplace rested across the room, and animal paintings covered the walls. An octopus-like creature and an odd cat were the only ones of the bunch she could sort of identify. Another seemed half-finished, with strikes of orange and red surrounding a lone slitted eye. White markings, perhaps of a claw or tooth, were painted below. The rest were faded and colorless.
She could probably double -, no, triple her family's wealth should she take even one of these items with her during her escape, she mused to herself. However, these dreams were quickly dashed away.
'That is, if I could even find my way out. Of course, I am the only prisoner to have a defunct cell.'
She mindlessly looked over the table, hoping to find something new.
Yes, despite all the priceless items that decorated her room, all the carpets and paintings and furniture, her room lacked one key feature. A door.
She had searched high and low trying to find an exit. Tearing away the carpets, the paintings, even the bed was not spared from her fury. When all else failed she even resorted to the fireplace. Casting aside the cold ashes, she squeezed through the soot-covered escape in hopes of freedom.
She got stuck halfway.
It wasn't painful, uncomfortable maybe, but it certainly wasn't pleasant. She had lost count of how long she was stuck up there, could have been days, could have been minutes, it all felt the same in this hellish cell. Eventually, the coal dust or something got her, she assumed, and she passed out. When she had come, the room was immaculately fixed once more, with no trace to her previous excursion.
She had torn this room apart in her search for an exit. Why the last time she had tried was -.
She paused and tried to think.
When was the last time she had tried to escape? When had she awoken in this odd place? She remembered her time before this room, of course. But when? She questioned.
She remembered her sister, her father, her room. She even remembered what she had for breakfast that day. Porridge really was the blandest of foods, wasn't it?
Standing up, she walked for the barred window, gazing out into the eternal sands.
'Come to think of it, when had I eaten last?' It wasn't like her captor fed her, how would they even get to her? Perhaps she was fed in her sleep? Surely, then there must be a way out, she was sure of it.
She wondered why she had been taken. There was much political gain from her kidnapping, but all of that was left behind when they had left the elemental nations. She doubted this land even had people if the barren desert was any hint.
Peering out of the barred window into the vast expanse of desert, she sighed.
'I wish I had my diary. Anything really, spare me from this hellish cell.'
A soft thump echoed behind her. Turning in surprise, she eyed the small red book that seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
A small child kicked a ball across the dirt road. A group of other children followed, each laughing in obvious joy. The small band of children kept advancing onto the road, and eventually, the ball was kicked towards someone. Luckily, this individual was trained in the ninja arts and was able to block it. Unluckily, this individual was not in the best of moods.
Mizuki grabbed the ball that was gearing for his head, pausing to inspect the makeshift softball. The kids stopped, partly to catch their breath and partly to get their ball back.
Mizuki just stared.
"What"
The kids were confused. The one leading the fray spoke.
"That's our ball mister."
"No, it isn't"
"Yes, it is! I just saw you grab it!" One shouted from the back.
"No this is a ball that fate gave to me, why else would it barreling for me." He stated in a deadpan tone.
The band of children was confused even further, and one piped up from the back.
"Is it that you can't buy yourself a ball mister? My mom says we should be kind to those who aren't as lucky. You can have mine." He beamed at Mizuki, raising a small red ball in his hand.
This, of course, irked poor Mizuki.
"Ah what's that? Mhm mhm. Ok!" He pretended to listen to the air next to him, acting as if a voice was speaking.
"Good news kids! Fate just told me I should give you my ball! But beware, should it ever break, BAD luck will fall on you all!"
He moved his hands around and hunched over to make faces at the kids.
The children forgot the ball and bombarded Mizuki with questions.
"Wow! You can talk to air!"
"Woah, guess what number I am thinking of!"
"Are you magic?"
"That's weird, old man."
He ignored these questions and tossed to ball away, already growing tired of their interaction.
"Oh! What was that for old man, we're right here! C'mon guys, let's go!" The band of children ran off, and Mizuki resumed his stroll for the Hokage Tower.
Of course, not a second later, a loud burst of air could be heard behind him, followed by the sound of screaming children.
Skip
A door opened, followed by the sound of a singing bell.
"Name and reason for visit", the head desk lady droned on, caught up by her book.
Mizuki ignored this and cleared his throat, "Ah! Rose-chan! Tell me, how is your book going? Has the snake caught the monkey yet?"
The now identified Rose looked up, surprised to hear this.
"Mizuki? What are-?" She stared at him for a while before blinking." No. . . Not yet, the snake is setting its trap. I'd hate to spoil the book but I think it will soon be sprung."
"Oh, you couldn't spoil a thing! However, I'm here on official business. I need to see the Hokage, urgent summons."
She nodded and motioned for him to go ahead.
"I'm sure the Hokage will be free by now, go right ahead."
"Thank you, my darling Rose."
She only nodded in response to his proclamation, having already returned to her book.
Yet despite his apparent rejection, Mizuki was seemingly unbothered. He kept the cheerful deposition once he left and began his ascent. A small frown on his face was the only sign of his feelings.
'Soon'
"I don't like this."
"I didn't expect you to, but you have no other choice."
"Oh, there are a plethora of other choices, Hiruzen."
"We would be here for all eternity discussing them, as it stands I am, begrudgingly, willing to accept these terms if you are. I may be old, Hiashi, but I know neither of us will win in this match. All we can settle for is a partial victory."
"I could go rogue."
Hiruzen raised his eyebrow. "And I could find your daughter."
With a scowl, Haishi replied, "You seem awfully competent when it's to your gain."
"I've been at this game for many years, arguments are as plain as day to me."
"Shame the voices of your people aren't as clear."
Both men eyed each other. It wasn't until Hiashi spoke, albeit harshly.
"I'll say it again, I don't like this."
Hiruzen went to speak but was cut off.
"But! If you go through with your end first, I'll follow through."
Hiruzen sighed. "My end will cost quite a bit of time, are you willing to risk whatever may happen to your daughter during this time?"
"I'm sure someone with your amount of experience would be able to perform such a menial task, Lord Hokage."
"I can say the same for you as well Hiashi, please do not disappoint."
Hiashi scowled, "What you demand is easier said than done, you know not of the leaps and hurdles I will have to go through."
A knock came from the front door. An Anbu dropped from the ceiling awaiting orders.
Hiruzen waved his cigar, "I reserve the right to say the same, but we can fight another day Hiashi. I'll send a messenger when my end is complete, I hope you don't dawdle waiting for me."
"Very well Hiruzen, until then." Standing up, he moved to the door. Before he could reach out for the doorknob, a faint yellow glow briefly appeared, encasing the room, then vanished.
'Hmm.' Opening the door, he came face to face with a man he vaguely remembered.
Mizuki bowed, "Good Morning Lord Hyuuga."
Hiashi said nothing and walked away.
"Guess he's not a morning person. You summoned me, Lord Hokage?"
"Ah yes, Mizuki, just the man I wanted to see, come in, take a seat." He motioned to a small chair.
Mizuki nodded and took him up on his offer.
"Tell me, Mizuki, how's this year's class?"
He unceremoniously plopped himself on the seat
"Well, if I may be frank, they're quite disappointing in my opinion, we just don't train em like we used to."
"So harsh, not one of the students impresses you?"
"The Inuzuka kid looks like he'll grow up to be tough, as does the Uchiha. The Aburame, and maybe even the Nara also have a bit of a future. The others are all far too childish, not an ounce of determination or vision on any of em."
"Well, they are children. You can't come to expect more from them."
"More was expected from my class, and we were the same age."
"Ah yes, the war. Those were dark times, even in comparison to the era of clans."
Hiruzen reclines into his chair, the Anbu shift in their hiding spots.
"How are your teammates? I understand one of them perished during the nine-tails assault."
"Oh, you remember her? That's surprising, she wasn't anyone special."
"It's rude to speak ill of the dead you know."
"Well, there's nothing much to speak of, she died what could be considered the worst possible death. Hit twice by that beast."
"Such a tragedy, I am sorry for your loss."
Mizuki quickly replied.
"Don't need it, I've come to terms with her death long ago."
"And your other teammate?"
"Ibiki? He wasn't close to either of us so I'm not surprised that he didn't care when she died. We haven't spoken much after her death."
"I see" Hiruzen pulled out a small stack of papers. "Well we all grieve in different ways, I suppose,"
Placing down his pen, he began to sift through the sheets.
"I'll be sure to visit Mars's grave later to properly honor her."
Mizuki gave a bitter smile.
"Well, now you've made me feel bad for not seeing her after all this time."
Hiruzen chuckled
"There's always time."
After a small while, he came across the file he was looking for.
"Here we go, now my concerns are simple." He points to the many red checkmarks that mar the white paper. "Naruto Uzumaki" could be seen scribbled on the top right of the sheet.
"This exam is an older version, one used back when the passing requirements were much stricter. Why is that?"
"Were you not notified, Lord Hokage? When the elders and civilian council held a meeting over the graduation rate, they decided that those who retook a year were to be given a stricter exam to balance out the extra year of education."
Hiruzen stared at Mizuki, trying to recall what should have been an important meeting.
"I attended no such meeting."
"The elders said you should not be bothered to attend such trivial meetings."
He continued his questioning.
"And you attended this meeting?"
"Yes, Iruka and I attended as instructors of the academy. More of a formality really, we just stood around all night."
"Then you received an overview after the meeting, no?"
"Afraid not, the elders did not want to wake the scribe with a meeting that wasn't addressing anything important."
Hiruzen chuckled and began organizing the files.
"I see, well now that you've told me this I almost feel bad for what I am about to do."
"And what is that?"
"You need not worry about such things, Mizuki. But let's get to the heart of what I called you here for."
He put the papers off to the side.
"What is your opinion on one Uzumaki Naruto?"
"The blonde kid? Nothing much, his stamina and strength are passable, but that's where all the benefits end."
"He never was one for books, was he? I trained him a bit you know, a fine student in my opinion."
"Really? Well, I mean you no offense, but he shows no signs of being trained by some such as yourself."
"None taken, even I admit he can be a bit eccentric. But that's beside the point, I am curious in this struggle to pass the academy."
It was Mizuki's turn to recline into his chair.
"There's not much to say, he passes the physical portion just fine, but the written and Jutsu demonstration bring him down."
"His chakra is far denser than what should be normal for one so young, so it is to be expected that he would have such troubles."
"That wouldn't excuse him from the written portion."
At this comment, Hiruzen motioned for his desk, concern in his eyes.
"About that," Hiruzen pulled a small file seemingly out of thin air, " I would like your personal thoughts, do you believe the boy will pass this year?"
"Not at all."
"Anything in particular that gives you this certainty?"
"I have seen no improvement in regards to his studies or his chakra control, I have no choice but to fail him."
Hiruzen placed the document on the desk and continued.
"I see, well then we have a problem because I need the boy to pass this year."
Mizuki sat up and straightened himself.
"I am unable to do that. If he is inadequate enough to fail his exam, he would not survive outside these walls. It is for the best."
"You know his express desire to become a ninja, failure will ruin him."
"I am afraid I am unable to show emotion or preferences to someone entering such a dangerous profession."
At this comment, Hiruzen raised an eyebrow.
"Unable to show emotion you say? So what are your feelings on the boy?"
"Mostly indifference, I have not interacted with him as much as the other students."
"Mostly indifference, you say? And here I was thinking you hated the young lad."
He raised his wooden pipe and began to light the tobacco.
"Why would I hate the boy?"
"Well, you did disobey a direct order and commit treason against the boy."
"I was unaware your previous comment on needing him to pass was an order."
Mizuki lent forwards, grasping his knees.
"Oh, that wasn't an order." He took a puff from the wooden tool. "But sharing his status as a jinchuriki to the villagers was, and sharing it with a village traitor is even more damning."
"I'm sorry? I have done no such thing."
He clenched his knuckles.
"Oh really," he flipped open the file and began to read, " So you're telling me you weren't talking to one 'mister Rahman' one the 15th of march, at exactly 2 in the afternoon in the 'Happytime" bar 8 years ago?"
"I've never known such a man before in my life." His fists became white.
"Is that so? Well," he turned the page, " we still have an extensive list of some of your other friends, shall I read their names?"
"No, I believe I have heard enough." Unmistakable rage filled his eyes, but he was sensible enough to know not to attack the strongest man in this village, surrounded by his guards no less.
'I was set up, it was a godforsaken trap! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!'
Hiruzen gave a small smile.
"Good, I believe we have an understanding. You are excused Mizuki, and I trust I do not need to repeat what I want you to do lest some loose-lipped villagers talk?"
Bolting upright, fist clenched and face white, Mizuki spoke through clenched teeth.
"No Lord Hokage, I understand."
Nodding, Hiruzen reclined once more.
"Good, that's good. Oh, and one more thing before you leave Mizuki."
He came under the steady glare of the traitor.
"Tell Naruto I said "Hi"."
Kindly waving, his only response was the forceful slam of his door.
Hiruzen's expression went sour.
"Why does no one respect the door? I spent good money on that thing."
Sighing and returning to his work, he motioned for his Anbu, many of which left the room upon his signal.
'Shit Shit shit shit shit shit!'
Running at his fastest speed, Mizuki sped on the rooftops of the hidden leaf, heart-pounding, and mind racing.
'Tonight! It has to be tonight! I'll get the boy to steal the scroll, and I'll be out of this hellhole in no time. By the time that dumbass old man learns of this, I'll be long gone.'
Running through his plans once more, he raced for the academy in search of a familiar blonde.
Said blonde was running laps, pondering his future.
'Man I should really thank Iruka for that coffee, but how?'
He turned quickly, keeping in pace with the rhythmic running exercise.
'Maybe a high five? No, that's too little. Perhaps an autograph? That could work. Surely that would be worth millions one day. "The original Naruto signature, before he became so great", man that sounds so cool. But is it enough?'
He turned once more, the laps slowly becoming faster and faster.
'Why only three men have the honor to claim to have trained the future greatest man to ever live, and Iruka being the only worthy academy teacher had to be worth something.'
He turned again, keeping in pace with his two classmates.
"Maybe a title? Oooh! Honorary teacher! And I can give a mug to celebrate."
He turned once more, more muscle memory than actual thinking, far to lost in his thoughts.
'And I could hire someone to serve him coffee every day. Genius!!'
Any more brainstorming was cut short when the world began to fall before his eyes.
"Ah!" He gave a brief shout before moving his arm forward to catch his falling body and gave a strong push to jump back in the race.
"Whoops. Sorry man, tired feet ya know?"
Turning to his left, he saw the grinning face of one Kiba Inuzuka.
"What the hell man! Iruka, disqualify this cheater!"
Pointing his hands, he turned again for his next lap, never bothering to count them.
"Hmm?" Iruka turned away from the other students, each throwing a variety of bladed weapons at a poor pair of wooden dummies, and turned to Naruto. "What was that?"
"He tripped me." He pointed once more.
"Hey it was an accident, I mean we're on what? Lap 100 now? 200?" Kiba fought back.
The speaker system gave him his answer in the form of 223.
Turning to his watch, Iruka sighed. " If we stay here any longer we won't be able to move on to the chakra portion. We'll call it a tie between the three of you and you'll all get full points for the ranged weapon test, come on everyone. Back inside."
He waved for the other instructed, nodding off and returning to his room.
Following their teacher, the resting student got up, and the running three broke pace to follow.
-
Soon all the students filled in and into their correct seats, whilst Iruka took out all of their written exams, flipped the first one to the last page, and sat on his desk.
"This is the chakra portion, to pass is simple."
He raised three fingers.
"To pass, you must show three techniques, the transformation technique, the substitution technique, and the clone technique."
He took out an attendance sheet.
"All must be performed to a sufficient level, and while it is possible to pass only performing two of the three techniques, I advise you to not place all of your faith in the other exams. Another exception is substituting one technique for a family or another learned technique."
"We'll do this based on alphabetical order, last name first. First up, Choji Akimichi."
-
" I see, very good Sasuke."
He finished writing down something on his exam, before setting it off and grabbing the last test.
"Up next we have Naruto Uzumaki."
Jumping down, Naruto gave a big smile to his teacher.
"I'm ready!"
"I see, well then, please perform the substitution Jutsu first. And please don't do the same thing as last year."
"Alright alright." Naruto lazily waved his arm, before he made a cross with his hands and activated the ability.
"Ha!"
Nothing changed and Iruka stared unimpressed.
"Uh Naruto, are you okay, you usually do this first try?" Iruka asked.
Naruto sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, grinning. "Yeah, I guess I just need more chakra, I was just warming up, don't worry."
Flexing his arms and stretching, he began performing the hand signs once more. A sudden cloud of smoke burst from his body, and in it's clearing laid a confused Kiba.
"The fuck."
He looked around confused as to why he wasn't in his seat, and turning around revealed a grinning Naruto, a sleeping Akamaru resting on his blond head.
But then the Inuzuka got an idea. An awful idea. The Inuzuka had a wonderful, awful idea. Quickly, he shouted to his partner.
"Quickly Akamaru, secret attack number three!"
Unfortunately, Naruto had fallen prey to this attack before and performed a substitution before Akamaru could go through.
Swapping back with Kiba, a dog yelp could be heard, and a yellow liquid ran down Kiba's head.
"What! Wait! Shit, no, cancel! Awwwwwwwwww fuck, my jacket."
He shook his hooded arms whilst the other students watched.
"Very impressive Naruto, but please refrain from soiling your classmates."
He scribbled something down, ignoring the poor clan child's misfortunes.
"Now perform a Henge please."
"You got it Iruka!"
Performing another hand-sign, he turned into an older, blond woman, covered only by the few remaining strands of smoke, and striking an odd, janky pose.
"Is this good enough Iruuka?" She slurred his name, attempting to get a reaction out of the man.
Iruka only stared blankly, clearly tired and expecting of the boy's antics.
"The form is too big for you, so it's movements are unnatural, but regardless of that, congrats. Now make a clone."
Iruka had entered "Proctor Mode", and despite his feelings for the boy the classroom of his other students, as well as his training, forced him to remain indifferent.
"Do I have to? You said I can still pass with only two of the three." He dispelled the technique, disappointed he didn't get the reaction he wanted.
He brushed off the boy's attempts
"Do you truly believe you aced the written portion?" There was no malice in his voice, only curiosity.
Yet his only response was a sigh as Naruto got in position.
"Alright I get it, but get ready to witness the best clone jutsu of all time dammit."
'Alright alright, you can do this, just like we practiced, just give it a shitload of chakra, no holding back, I've gotta pass this year.'
Breathing in, he began channeling his chakra, forcing it out of his body and into a mental mold of himself.
To the outside eye, his chakra began to become visible due to its sheer mass and volume, encasing the boy in an almost opaque wall.
A small breeze began to kick up in the room, a result of the orb of chakra.
"Haaaa!" With another shout, the chakra grew denser and started to leave this sphere, forming a shapeless blob.
The winds began to kick up.
Iruka was noticeably concerned, as were his classmates, beady-eyed, and silent due to the mass of energy.
"Hey uh? Naruto? That's a bit much ain't it!? I don't think we're supposed to see the chakra. Are you sure you're making a clone?
Iruka's questions went unheard, as the chakra went from a light blue to deep red.
"Oh shit, that's definitely not good! Hey Naruto?!"
Unfortunately, Naruto had other concerns, and despite the change in chakra, the only thing he felt was the pain of his empty stomach, now returning with vengeance. Gnawing and breaking his concentration, he almost broke the technique halfway due to the pain of starvation.
'Damn it not now! Gotta power through, I'll get some more coffee or something later but shit this is not the time! I need to finish this now, more chakra it is!'
Squaring his feet and puffing out his chest, he gave it his all.
"Haaaaa!!!!" His shout grew louder, and though Iruka wanted to get closer to the boy, he didn't know what would happen if touched the red, violently swirling chakra that appeared to be searing the wooden floor.
Fortunately, the front door opened, revealing Mizuki, red-faced due to running.
"Hey guys I'm back and- the fuck is this ball doing here?" His mind briefly flashed back to the red ball offered by one of the children but he quickly shook away the thought.
Iruka had thoughts besides children offering grown men their balls.
"Mizuki!!! Call someone, Naruto is doing this thing and I don't know what will happen should he stop or finish. I'm going to get the kids out of here!"
Flashing through some hand signs, two clones appeared beside him and began grabbing the students. Those not stricken by fear of the mass of chakra quickly scampered out of the room, fearing the end.
The thoughts of these ninja wannabes varied, from the standard (read generic) "What is he doing!?" and "Why is it changing colors?", to the more specific, "Why the fuck does he have so much chakra!?", "Who did he kill to get this strength!?", and of course, "God I'm gonna smell like dog piss all day."
You see, the winds helped spread it around.
Mizuki himself just made a mad dash out to who knows where, a string of curses left in his wake.
Naruto, meanwhile, just kept pumping out chakra. The red orb had begun to grow, and Iruka, carrying one Sai NoLastNameGiven out of the room, managed to evacuate just as it violently condensed.
Unfortunately, it didn't explode. Instead, it took on a new color, a light green, with small streaks of white here and there.
The smaller sphere barely surrounded Naruto, now on the brink of collapsing due to the sudden fatigue, among other things (*Cough* Starvation *Cough*). The sudden wind also died down to a gentle breeze, no longer fueled by the corrupt chakra.
This eerie new color reacted differently to the surroundings. Taking in the red chakra that it superseded, a faint heat could be felt from it. After a brief moment, it condensed once more and splintered, most of it being absorbed by Naruto, some residing on his skin as a 'healthy' green glow, and some did the job it was meant to do. A clone of Naruto sprung up next to him.
To Iruka's eyes, however, the orb just vanished, leaving behind a collapsed Naruto, raggedly breathing and clawing at his stomach.
Running towards Naruto, he was unpleasantly surprised when he hit something, and tripped onto the collapsed boy.
"Hah, look at it Iruka! I did it, at long last." He pointed at the spot where something had knocked him over.
Iruka glanced back at the spot, red-faced due to not only being ashamed at tripping over himself like a child but still stressed out over the whole "Evacuate! Save the women and children"' thing.
"I don't see anything, Naruto", he looked away from the empty room to the ground where Naruto laid and found it empty, Naruto nowhere to be seen.
"Naruto!?" He looked around frantically, standing upright.
"Ugh! Stop stepping on me Iruka. My stomach hurts enough."
Looking down, the boy was once again visible to him, his face scrunched up in pain and Iruka's foot over his stomach.
"What the -, what happened, where did you go!?" He got off the boy.
"Stop talking crazy Iruka, I've always been here, but forget me, look!" He pointed again at a clone. To his eyes, it was a perfect replica of him, standing motionlessly AND emotionlessly next to him.
"God I'm so fuckin' cool, you should just give me your headband right now." He wheezed out. Eye's barely cracked open, he looked on with a smile.
But Iruka saw nothing, before opting to reach out, grasped at something, but felt nothing.
"There is nothing here Naruto."
"What are you talking about? Your hand is in his chest right now!"
Naruto groaned, angry that Iruka refused to acknowledge his work.
Unfortunately, Iruka was also angry. He remembered the situation they were in.
"Dammit Naruto, you scared me and the class half to death with this little stunt of yours!"
"I didn't mean to!" He retorted. "And I did what you wanted, look, the clones right there."
Iruka sighed. "There. Is. No. Clone. There. Naruto. I do not see anything."
He shook his hands once more, trying to convey his frustration with the boy. Any further nagging was cut short when a familiar bell began ringing around the academy.
Iruka looked at his watch in surprise, before sighing.
"Looks like time's up Naruto." He looked down on his favorite student, now very clearly on the brink of tears.
"Look. I - " Iruka paused.
'Oh God he's making that face again'
Said face in question was not one of bursting emotion. There was no steady stream of tears, no puffed up cheeks, and no begging.
It was a saddened face, one only worn once a year, on this very day, for the past three years.
He had accepted his fate, his failure, and his future. A life of solitude and sorrow, one that Naruto had already begun to live, a sting far worse than the painful cries of famine.
It was a fate Iruka knew all too well, having already experienced the same fate as his favorite student. Despite his duty to be an unbiased instructor, he allowed himself to feel pity for the boy.
"Look." He placed his hand under the boy's arm and hoisted him up.
"You'll get credit for the impressive chakra light show you kindly put on for us." Despite his pity, Iruka was still salty regarding the almost dying part.
"And I'll try to mark up your final score, but no promises. I'll do what I can, and what I see fit." He sat the blond down on one of the wooden seats.
"Let's go get some ramen, I have time to spare before I need to begin the grading process." He offered his hand to the dejected blond.
But through his pain and disappointment, Naruto remembered an earlier promise.
"I- I can't right now. I promised Teuchi I would go to the hospital with him."
This comment concerned Iruka, for he would hate for one of his student's only friends to fall ill.
"What has happened to him? Is he sick?"
"No. it's not him. He's worried that I am not eating enough."
Naruto began to rub his stomach, trying to at least calm his stomach.
"When was the last time you ate?"
"Um, uh. A few days ago? Maybe more like a week or so?"
At this, nearly all of his pity for the boy's sadness left, replaced with deep concern. Concern that could have mistaken for anger, with the ferocity that it had.
"How have you not collapsed yet!" Iruka nearly (read loudly) shouted.
He hoisted the boy onto his back and began his march out the door.
"Oh!" He grasped his stomach in pain, before returning to his sensei.
"Hey Iruka, can I get some more coffee? Please?"
Iruka's response was to do a complete one-eighty, heading deeper into the academy in search of the faculty room.
Back inside the classroom, the motionless clone turned its head for one of the open windows. An Anbu had entered the room.
"Where is Teuchi?" He asked him, just leaving the academy gates.
"I don't see him, he must be here though . . .."
Iruka moved around, mainly looking for an apron or hat when the sound of slurping and light curses reached his ears. Something about hot coffee.
"Careful there Naruto!" Another voice came from behind him, and turning did Iruka find Teuchi.
"Ah Teuchi, long time no see, how are you?"
Teuchi casually waved at Iruka.
"I'm doing quite well Iruka, I would love to catch up but I'm afraid I have a blond troublemaker to take to the academy. Have you heard of him? Goes by the name of Naruto?" He asked with a chuckle.
"Oh? I don't think I've ever heard of him? Is he the greatest ninja to ever roam the land?" Iruka continued their little joke, one born out of the constant speeches Naruto would give them, most regarding his future infamy and status.
"Hey! I'm right here!" Naruto piped in, feeling much better with something in his stomach, however fleeting a feeling that may be.
"We know." Both adults responded.
"Well I'll be seeing you Teuchi, I have some exams to grade. I leave him in your care." Waving at one another, Iruka left for his classroom and Teuchi turned to Naruto.
"Well, come on now, we don't have all day. We still have to get back to celebrate. I'm sure you passed this year." Grabbing his shoulder, both men began walking for the hospital.
But small talk was non-existent. Teuchi had regretted his reassuring words if the blond's lamentful expression was anything to go off of.
It wasn't until a few minutes into their walk did Teuchi finally speak.
"Is everything alright Naruto? Is there something you want to talk about?"
Naruto remained silent for a second. He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by a third party.
"Oh, there you are Naruto! I was beginning to fear I wouldn't find you in time!"
Both men turned to see a ragged Mizuki, exhausted from running around all day, far too content and untrained in his uneventful academy life.
"Phew! Man, I'm feeling the burn. Excuse me Mr. ?" Mizuki extended his hand to Teuchi, who took it warily.
"Teuchi. And you are?"
Mizuki looked briefly surprised before answering.
"Mizuki. I am one of Naruto's teachers, as well as one of the proctors for his exams."
Unsatisfied with the answer, Teuchi turned to Naruto.
"Is this man one of your teachers, Naruto?"
The boy in question nodded, not in the mood to talk.
"I see. And what brings you to Naruto today?"
"Well you see, It's about his exam. I need to speak with him regarding some supplementary work."
"Ah I see, and I hope you don't mind if I stick around for this?" Teuchi was still untrusting of Mizuki.
Unfortunately, there is more than one way to skin a cat, and Mizuki had oodles of ways. Putting on his best 'I'm sorry, but kindly leave' face, Mizuki smiled cheerfully.
"Unfortunately, you are not his legal guardian, and so you are not permitted to attend this meeting. Do not worry, I intend to be brief with this meeting, no more than five minutes will be needed."
But Teuchi refused to back down to the man who ticked off all the boxes on his 'dangerous test'.
"The boy is an orphan, he has no parents to speak of. I am the closest he has to a caretaker."
Mizuki took him up on that challenge. "That may be true, but you have not filed the proper paperwork to be considered as such. As of now, the only person able to claim participation in this meeting is an academy instructor or the Hokage."
Unfortunately, here is where Teuchi had to give in. He had no way of speaking for the leader of the village, and his office was a good hour away on foot. By the time they reached his office, he would have retired for the night. Knowing this, he turned to Naruto.
"I'm heading off to the side. Anything happens, just scream. Mkay." Patting the boy's head, he began waking to a small cafe off to the side of the street.
Mizuki motioned for Naruto to follow and made his way up to a nearby rooftop. The boy followed suit.
"Alright!" Mizuki clapped his hands together, maintaining his helpful facade.
"Let's cut to the chase. You failed."
And like that Naruto felt like dying. The pain of starvation, the pain of waking up alone, of watching others happily existing with their families. None of that could compare to the absolute dread he was now feeling.
Slowly, he crouched down to his knees, wrapped his hands around himself, and began to cry.
It was silent, the tears fell like a quiet rain, as he stared off into nothing. Mizuki looked on with fake remorse, gleefully cursing the beast he saw in lieu of a young man. He almost forgot his next line, relishing the broken face of the monster that he believed had taken everything from him.
But all good things must come to an end, and he had to continue if he wanted to live last tonight.
"But!" He loudly exclaimed, trying to shake the boy from whatever existential dread he had fallen into.
"There is a chance you can still pass."
Naruto looked up, still sobbing silent tears, but with a faint hope in the back of his eyes.
'Man this is too easy.' Grinning to himself, he continued.
"The Hokage has decided to give you a task. If you succeed in this task, you will automatically pass. Interested?"
He gave a small nod.
But both Naruto and Mizuki failed to notice someone else appear beside them. Rather bored, he watched their little exchange.
"Great! I thought you would. Here's how this will work. Your task is to go to the Hokage Tower and enter his office. In his office, behind his portrait, is a safe. Your mission objective is to get the scroll inside that safe, and bring it to me by midnight."
Reaching into his pouch, Mizuki pulled out a small scroll and placed it on the ground next to Naruto.
"Inside that scroll is a map of Hokage Tower, the location of a small cabin you will meet me in, along with some information you may find useful. But remember, don't get caught! If you do you will automatically fail! Got it?"
Smiling, Mizuki was inwardly praising himself for his stellar acting performance.
Naruto on the other hand, despite being initially warry, was almost back to his old self. Eagerly opening up the scroll, he began reading the information given, which included guard routines and the safe combination, among other things. A pair of eyes behind him also drank up this information.
"So all I have to do is get it to you by midnight!?" The tears had dried up, and he looked at his least favorite, quickly becoming second favorite, teacher excitedly.
That is. Until a voice spoke up from behind.
"Wow. Really? This sketchy job gets your hairs all up in a twist, yet old and honorable me makes you paranoid. I'm hurt, Naruto. To think my pupil would betray me in such a manner."
Mocking a fake hurt pose, Adam placed an arm over his face as if to cover up tears.
In response, Naruto jumped to Mizuki's side, glaring at the old man.
"You! How are you still alive? And where's the big hole in your face from the kunai!?"
Mizuki, unable to see Adam, looked on confused by the boy's sudden shout and current inane ramblings.
"That's a lot of questions for me and my old brain you know." He lowered his hands and struck a thinking pose. Not a second later he raised his head in an exaggerated motion, sand rising from the tip of his head to form a lightbulb figure.
"Oh, I know! Let's play a game. It's a fun one I tell you. Here's how it works, you ask me a question and I'll answer with full honesty, then I'll ask you one, and you answer." He explained to him.
But Naruto had other plans.
"Fat chance. See ya later tonight Mizuki!" Leaping away from the building, reinvigorated by coffee and a chance for success, Naruto moved with purpose.
Mizuki had zoned out, a side effect of hearing Naruto talk to himself, and watched as the boy leaped away, confused but ultimately uncaring. He did care for what happened next, however.
The very earth shot up from the ground beside them, grappling the boy's leg and dragging him back rather forcibly. Once he was grounded, it wrapped around him, binding him to the ground. Mizuki could say only a parting curse until he too was forcibly detained, still unable to see the perpetrator.
Walking for his blond successor, Adam raised the earth enough to act as a proper seat before plopping himself down at eye level.
"Come now, we can be more civil than that. Here, as a sign of good faith, I'll let you ask the first question."
A very angry "Let Me Go!" was shouted at his face.
"Not a question but I'll take it anyway." He put his hands together and leaned forward.
"I'll let you go when all my questions have been answered. I'm being generous enough to give you the option to ask your own."
Yet he paused, and recalling his young benefactor's memories, he decided to try to draw the boy in with promises.
"In fact! I'll make it better for you. Not only do you get to ask me questions, but I will also give you a gift at the end of this AND help you with your food situation. See? I'm a nice guy."
But Naruto didn't trust the man in the slightest. However, despite whatever feelings he may have had, he was still tied up at the mercy of an arm stealing old man. He wasn't completely stupid ya know, just a little stupid.
"So all I have to do is answer your questions?"
"That's right!"
Satisfied with himself he sat back and asked his first question.
"Who are you?"
"Why I'm none other than Mr. Adams. Who else would I be if not for me?"
He ignored his student's deadpan expression and carried on.
"How come you don't like me?"
"Because you kidnapped me!" Naruto forcibly shouted, hoping to draw the attention of someone, preferably Teuchi.
"Well first off, I prefer the word 'saved', not kidnapped. And secondly, no one can hear you, except for us three right here." He motioned for Mizuki.
"My turn. Why aren't you wearing the suit I made for you? It's very good quality, you know. Cost me an arm and a leg, it did!" He laughed to himself.
Naruto, conversely, was surprised. "That was your suit!? I thought the old man gave it to me!? But it's covered in vomit now." His face went from shock to a sly smirk, but the other man didn't appear particularly hurt.
Now that it has his turn, Naruto shot his own question.
"What are you?"
With a smirk of his own, he replied. "I'm the Sandman."
"My turn again, what is that drink you had earlier?"
"Drink? You mean coffee?"
"Ah, coffee. It's quite a delicacy where I'm from."
Ignoring Adam's musings, Naruto shot another.
"Why is your arm back? And that hole in your face? I saw that kunai hit you!"
Adam raised his hand as a demonstration.
"Well, the arm was a donation from a rather nice young lady. Far more mannered than you. You know you could learn a thing or two from her." He motioned for his face. "The hole was filled courtesy of a helpful young man."
Lowering it, he adopted a stern expression.
"This one is important so listen up. Do all of your people have funny looking men inside of them?"
It was an odd question, one that Naruto didn't understand hearing it.
"What? Little people? No. People don't live inside other people, that's weird. And impossible." He answered, unsure if that was what he wanted to hear.
Adam simply nodded.
"That's all I want to know. Games over, I won. I'll answer any other questions some other time. But for now -."
Standing up he lowered the bindings on Naruto down to his waist, can't have him running off on him after all.
"Which do you want first? The gift or the solution to your hunger?"
Skeptical of any gifts from the stranger, Naruto asked for the answer to the problem that contributed to his failure in the academy.
"What do you mean the solution to my hunger?"
"Well, to be honest, it came as a surprise to me as well. You assimilated far faster than I ever did. But to put it simply, you no longer need to eat. Or, in other words, you don't have to or are even able to eat human food. Your body now requires a different type of energy for you to live."
Naruto was about to ask a whole slew of questions but was cut short by Adam's continued explanation. There was also the earth moving to cover his mouth. That probably helped in shutting him up, just a little.
"But luckily enough for you, my gift includes the fuel you so desperately need to survive." Raising his new hand, he placed it on Naruto's head, much to his protest, and closed his eyes.
Seconds later, said hand once more dissolved into fine dust, which stuck to Naruto and was absorbed in a very bizarre way. Almost forcibly, they entered his throughout his body, yet no blood was drawn or pain nerves set off.
Immediately after absorbing them, the pains of hunger that had racked Naruto's body disappeared as if they had never existed. He could not even remember the pain of starving that had plagued him moments ago.
In its stead, however, came a new headache, this in the form of the gray that became his world. Almost as if the color had become sucked out of the earth itself.
It was a weird feeling, for a boy who never had special moves or powers, to be able to look at his captor's face and his own ass at the same time. Naruto could see everything, this new vision allowing him to see beyond what a human eye could, reaching around and through everyone and everything.
Of course, the headache that immediately overtook Naruto was enough to almost make him wish he was starving once more. The human brain wasn't used to suddenly having true 360 vision. Well, more like 359, but the boy was still far more distracted with other things to notice a small gray blindspot.
But the sense of wonder and discovery almost made up for the pain. Anything that wasn't a person, he noticed, became a sickly gray. Differentiating between objects took time, and he couldn't tell any person at all from one another.
In the stead of faces or clothes, he could only see a blue web, crossing in on itself, circulating throughout the bodies of those he looked at. This web varied both in size and, oddly enough, brightness. People who rested on the rooftops shined brightly, ya' know? Like a rainbow in the dark; while those who walked on the ground only gave off a faint glow from their webs, Naruto noticed.
"What is this." He asked himself.
Wearing the same grin he always does, Adam answered. "Well, I'm glad you liked it, my star pupil. I believe your people call this wondrous eye 'Byakugan'."
Incase you think I forgot. Mizuki is just chilling behind them, confused as fuck.
Well? Complaints? Is it too boring? Angry at me? But honestly, I'd like to hear something since I am stumbling in the dark here, regarding writing.
This is my first story ever, and some feedback would be cool, however hateful it may be.
Don't feel obliged though, I'll keep writing regardless if anyone comments or not, I like the practice.
A small confession, writing is so surreal to me. Few things sound 'right', if that makes sense. Not that I don't like to write, but things that sound good one day read almost foreign the next. Maybe I just need an editor or something.
Also, everything formatted weird when I copied over the text. Maybe it's just me but every paragraph has two spaces inbetween, and I was too lazy to change it. So yeah.
Anyways, as for the next chapter. I don't want to make any promises, but I think I should be able to get it by early next week, if all goes well.That's about it.