Forged Bonds Arc 2
Chapter 2: Only the Beginning
5 Years Later
March 29th
Naruto sat next to Takeru and Shikamaru in the classroom while Iruka taught. They'd all grown up into preteens each 12 years old. Naruto wore his signature orange jumpsuit and goggles, while Takeru wore a black sleeveless gi with a leaf village symbol on the back and black wraps on his arms and legs and standard Shinobi sandals.
Alright class line up and perform the transformation jutsu. The whole class got up and Takeru went first succeeding in a perfect replica of Iruka, next was Sakura and then Sasuke both succeeding in the jutsu, Naruto was next.
"Next Uzumaki Naruto" Iruka called out
Naruto walked up, at the back of the line 'Good luck Naruto' was on Takeru's mind as he waited to see what his best friend would do. He just hoped it wasn't 'that' jutsu.
In the middle of the line the same young girl with beautiful white eyes who had grown a bit taller pressed her fingers together 'Naruto-kun do your best'
"Henge" Naruto yelled and in a puff of smoke he changed into a very curvy woman with blonde pigtails. Iruka's face froze, then he shot back with a huge nose bleed, the majority of the boys in the class all had smaller nose bleeds even Takeru and Sasuke.
'And of course it was that jutsu Naruto Baka' Takeru smiled as his face palmed
"Hahahahahahaha got cha that's my Oiroke no Jutsu I'm sorry I couldn't resist" Naruto laughed
"CUT THE STUPID TRICKS THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING" Iruka yelled back
Later that day once class was finally over everyone went home. Takeru and Naruto went home to the Yoto residence. "Baa-chan we're home" Takeru called out as they opened the door
"Oh good how was class today boys" Maruya asked
"Good till Naruto Baka made the teacher nosebleed" Takeru snickered as Maruya came out of the kitchen
"Wha...I didn't...TA-KE-RU" Naruto said as he was about to pounce on Takeru
"Naruto what have I told you about using that jutsu" Maruya said tapping her foot against the floor
"I'm sorry baachan I couldn't help it besides I didn't see Mr. Snitch over here complaining" Naruto countered smiling
"Why you little" Takeru said getting ready to jump on Naruto
"Take it outside you two beside its time for your training session anyway, now get before you break something" Maruya sighed as the two boys dropped their bag on the couch and ran to the big backyard.
As soon as they were outside they noticed Yoto Akoshi, Takeru's grandfather waiting for them.
"Jiji..." Takeru started but he noticed his grandfather's face as it held a serious look
Both young boys stopped and sat quietly in front of him, Akoshi cleared his throat.
"I have spent the last 5 years doing my best to help prepare you for what lies ahead. Tomorrow both of you are set to graduate from the academy from then on you'll be known as Genin, the first step in becoming Shinobi the road will be paved with hard times and tough choices but I have faith that you two will pave the way to greatness together" Akoshi finished with a smile "Now for a sparring match stand at the ready show me the efforts of all the training I've given you"
Both boys smiled and quickly jumped up into a fighting stance. Akoshi had begun increasing the boys training teaching survival skills, slightly more advanced taijutsu, better chakra control (even though Naruto still had minor problems with it), starting Takeru's kenjutsu training along with his godfather Gekko Hayate (Naruto would sometimes join in to learn something new) and even learning which chakra nature each boy had. Takeru had lightning and fire, while Naruto's was wind Akoshi wanted the two to be prepared.
Naruto rushed in first brash as always and swiftly punched Takeru to which he only evaded the attacks. They two boys went at it for an hour neither willing to give up, Akoshi smiled and halted them. "Good the both of you have come a long way I think you will do just fine tomorrow" he finished
"I believe so as well, Akoshi-san" a figure in the shadows called out stepping out was Iruka and Hayate who were secretly watching their pupils spar.
"Tou-san" Takeru said calmly panting excited to see his godfather
"Oi Iruka Sensei" Naruto yelled smiling rubbing the back of his head panting
"Yes you two *cough* boys will be fine shinobi *cough*" Hayate praised
Iruka smiled and nodded "Well Takeru anyway, we may hold Naruto back for that little stunt he pulled today"
Takeru snickered while Naruto's jaw dropped "AWWWWWW Iruka Sensei I was just messing with ya dattebayo"
"Yeah yeah well anyway why don't you two go get cleaned up we're taking you out for Ichiraku Ramen...you know the good stuff"
"AWWW YEAH" both boys yelled running into the house
LATER THAT EVENING
Laughter could be heard from the Ramen stand, Naruto and Takeru were so busy racing to see who could eat the most ramen they didn't hear Iruka ask his question and then Takeru almost choked.
"Ok now that your faces are stuffed I asked what would you like to be in the ninja world when you both become ninja, how about you Takeru?" Iruka asked
Takeru regained his breath and sat still before answering "I wanna be strong..." he paused as the rest of the group looked toward him "...strong enough to protect everyone I hold dear...and maybe have the rank of Tokubetsu Jonin!"
Hayate smiled at his godson as he admired the answer.
"Good I think you're already on that road, Takeru" Iruka replied smiling at his student "What about you Naruto?"
"I...I want to be Hokage" Naruto yelled out slightly everyone including Teuchi and Ayame paused for a bit after hearing that bold claim
"Naruto...you do know that it takes alot to become Hokage and who they are right..." Iruka begin
"Of course I do..." Naruto interrupted finishing up the last sip of his ramen "...everybody knows they were the greatest Shinobi of their time, the best of the best undefeated Ninja champs" he pause for a moment to think "and the Fourth Hokage is the one who saved the village from the Kyuubi, he was the most amazing."
"So why do you want to become Hokage" Hayate asked as he coughed
"I want to show the village that I am somebody and be recognized, also to get really really strong like Takeru said to protect my loved ones, but most of all because I'm going to be greater than any of them..." He paused and raised his chopsticks in the air "...me Naruto the next Hokage..." he brings his sticks down pointing at Iruka "...A NINJA LEGEND DATTEBAYO"
"Alright go Naruto" Takeru cheers and both boys high five in the air. Iruka, Hayate, Teuchi and Ayame looked at the two boys and could see them going far in the future as long as they had each other.
THE NEXT DAY
March 30th
"We will now start the final exam, when your name is called please proceed to the testing room...the final test will be on the Bunshin no Jutsu"
'Arrgh that's my worst my technique...great I'm never gonna pass...gulp I just have to remember what Jiji taught me' Naruto reels in his head
'Oh man I hope Naruto can pull this off' Takeru thought
Naruto's name is called and he makes his way to the testing room.
'Alright get it together Naruto you can do this, just remember what jiji taught you Dattebayo'
He makes the hand seal and gathers his chakra "BUNSHIN NO JUTSU" the whole room is covered in smoke and to everyone's surprise three actual clones appear beside Naruto, he was so shocked it worked.
"I never thought Id say this but finally you pass Naruto congratulations" Iruka smiled
"Yes congrats Naruto" the other teacher Mizuki said as Naruto leaped for joy
Later once everyone has passed their exams or not they all gather in front of the school celebrating with their parents and families. Naruto and Takeru were the exception as Takeru's grandparents couldn't make it and promised to celebrate with them at home.
"Man I was worried for you for a bit buddy" Takeru said to Naruto
"Me too but I did it, kinda wished I would have gotten better test scores so I could be at the top of the grades list with you and that Teme Sasuke" Naruto said excitedly
"Yea I guess...aw man I forgot something in class hang here for me while I go pick it up" Takeru asked
Naruto smiled "Alright I'll be at the swing"
Takeru ran towards the school and brushed past the remaining students then he bumped into a blonde haired girl. "Oh man I'm so sorry"
"Geez idiot watch where you're going will ya" the loud mouth girl said but quickly quieted as she looked up and saw Takeru, taking in his tan brown skin, onyx black hair and how it glistened in the sun light and that smile he had on his face and the scar under his eye. 'How'd that happen' she thought.
He extended his hand and she slowly took it. "Sorry about that, are you ok..." the ponytailed girl could only nod as he helped her up. Takeru looked her over to make sure she was, her curves, cute face and blonde hair stood out to him most "Good hey you passed too that's awesome...I'm Yoto Takeru" he says still holding her hand.
"I'm Ino...Yamanaka Ino" she blushed as he started lightly shaking her hand. He noticed it to and released her hand and embarrassingly rubbed the back of his head blushing as well "Well it's nice to meet you Ino but I gotta go..." he said as he begin to run off again "...hope to see you again soon" as he ran inside
Ino could still feel the heat of the blush on her cheeks then she smirked "Oh don't worry you will" she said to no one in particular and walked off
Naruto looked on as he swung on the swing. Two older women stood chatting and glanced over at him.
"There you see him it's that boy, I heard he became a ninja too"
"Maybe he'll get killed on a mission or something, I mean he's the boy that..."
"Shhh we're not allowed to talk about that"
Suddenly as Naruto was putting his taking his goggles off Mizuki Sensei landed beside him
"Let's go talk Naruto" Mizuki said and Naruto followed him off to a rooftop
As they sat looking into the sunset on top of his old apartment roof Mizuki started.
"I was really surprised at you today you really have come far Naruto, Iruka thinks so too"
"Thanks Mizuki Sensei, I just wished I had better test scores to make it perfect" Naruto responded
Mizuki smiled "Then I guess I have to tell you...it's a secret, but I'm gonna let you in on it"
"A secret..." Naruto wondered
LATER THAT NIGHT
"IRUKA SENSEI WAKE UP!"
"What...what is it" the Chunin asked as he opened the door to see Mizuki standing there
"You need to come to Hokage-sama's right away...its Naruto he stole the sacred scroll" Mizuki claimed
"You mean the Scroll of Sealing No!" Iruka yelled in surprise
Meanwhile...
"I wonder where Naruto is, he left the school and he wasn't at the apartment hmmm" Takeru ponders while he lies in bed.
Suddenly a tap on his window got his attention, he looks up to see Naruto at the window
"Hey Baka where were you, you missed dinner…" Takeru started
"Shhh follow me I've got something cool to show you" Naruto said quietly as he begin to jump away
Takeru followed his friend all the way to the forest and he then noticed that Naruto was already on the ground reading from a scroll. 'So he sent a Clone to come get me, way to go Naruto' Takeru thought as the Naruto he was following disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"Takeru over here look what I got" Naruto said excitedly to his friend
"Cool an old scroll…" he gets a closer look "…with forbidden jutsu Naruto where did you get this?"
Naruto rubbed his head, that when Takeru noticed he had been practicing cause there were dirt marks everywhere "I kinda snuck into the Hokage Mansion and took it"
"Aw ok…WAIT YOU WHAT!" Takeru yelled as his head got bigger looking down at Naruto "…mad props for the stealth skills, but man do you know how much trouble you'll be in when they catch you Baka"
"Relax teme this was a secret extra credit test given to me by Mizuki Sensei he said if I learn a technique from this scroll I'll be in the #1 percent of test scores, and come on you cant tell me you don't want to peek I already learned one technique" Naruto replied with his foxy grin
Takeru hesitated for a moment and then went through the first page and on to the second the title of the page and the name of the technique was RAIKYU which means Lightning ball. Takeru was giddy but smart so instead of practicing right now he took out some paper and wrote it down to practice later.
"Ok cool but this is as far as I'll go and you too were not looking at anymore" Takeru stated as of matter of factly
"Fine buzz kill" Naruto says, pouting as both boys sit down next to each other under the same tree laughing.
Iruka quickly found Naruto and saw that Takeru was with him, but then noticed Mizuki closing in on them with two large Shuriken attached to his back. "Hmmm I wonder" Iruka said quietly and found a tree close to them to hide at. He looked to see Naruto and saw that he had been practicing.
'I can see how hard he's been working' Iruka thought
Suddenly a hail of kunai rained towards the two boys, Takeru being faster knocked Naruto to the side, but got hit in his left thigh as the other kunai got stuck in the tree.
"TAKERU!" Naruto yelled in horror as that scene replayed from all those years ago.
"So it seems you've found our little hide away boy." Mizuki called out "NARUTO give me the scroll now!"
'So that's the way it is I should've known' Iruka thought as he quickly jumped in between the boys and Mizuki
"Wait a minute what's going on here, Iruka Sensei"
"Naruto don't let Mizuki get the scroll, it contains forbidden jutsu that could put this village in grave danger, Mizuki used you to get the scroll for himself for his own power." Iruka warned
Naruto growled at Mizuki and Takeru simply glared at the man while holding his wound.
"Naruto, Iruka's just trying to scare you because he doesn't want you to have the scroll" Mizuki calmly replied causing to Naruto to turn his attention to Iruka
Iruka growled "Stop lying Mizuki; don't let him trick you Naruto..."
Mizuki chuckled interrupting Iruka "Oh I'll tell you who's really lying"
"NO MIZUKI!" Iruka yelled and both young boys pondered what they could possibly be talking about
"They've been lying to you your whole life Naruto, since the decree 12 years ago" Mizuki retorted
"What decree" Naruto asked genuinely confused
Mizuki smiled "Everyone knows except you and that other brat, Iruka's trying to hide it from you even now he'd do anything to shut me up"
"What is this decree...?" Naruto asked as Takeru limped over to his side "...why does everyone else know about it?"
"DON'T TELL HIM IT'S FORBIDDEN!" Iruka screamed
Mizuki finally let it loose. "The decree is that no one can tell you the Kyuubi no Yoko is inside you..." Naruto's and Takeru's eyes widened but for two different reasons "...the fox spirit that killed Iruka's parents, Takeru's father and destroyed our village has taken over your body...YOU ARE THE KYUUBI!"
Takeru's eyes widened more 'The Kyuubi...the one that killed my father when it attacked while I was just a new born baby...is inside my little brother' he thought as he unknowingly slowly backed away from his friend trembling he tripped and fell looking at Naruto with horror in his eyes
"STOP IT!" Iruka yelled
"They've all been sneaking around hiding things from you your whole life, didn't you think it was strange how they all treated you, like dirt like they hated you for just being alive...even now I can see hatred bubbling up in Takeru's eyes you're the reason he doesn't have a father" Mizuki taunted at the blond haired boy
"No no no no no!" Naruto gritted through his teeth as chakra begin to flow around him
'NARUTO!' both Iruka and Takeru thought to themselves over the obvious pain and confusion Naruto was going through
'I...I won't live in the past...Naruto-kun is my friend...my family…' Takeru thought
Mizuki went on "That why you will never be accepted in this village even your beloved Sensei and so called brother hate your guts"
"No!" Takeru yelled out "It's not true...Naruto I was like you yes I had my grandparents but I never knew my tou-san either and my kaa-san died soon after, I was hurting inside too even though I never showed it...but then you came into my life and I've never been happier...this thing the Kyuubi being inside you doesn't change the fact that you are still my best friend practically my brother we are family now." he finished tears streaming down his face
"Enough of this die Naruto" Mizuki yelled as he spins and tosses the big shuriken right at Naruto.
The blonde struggles to get out of the way "NARUTO!" Takeru yells trying to move slowly up the side of the tree to help him as the shuriken grows closer.
"NARUTO GET DOWN!" Iruka yelled as the boy knelt down the blade finally hit but instead of him it hit Iruka in the back who had dove back in front of Naruto to protect him. Blood trickling down his back and lip small drops of blood landing on Naruto's face
"IRUKA SENSEI!" Takeru yelled out
"Wh...why?" Naruto asked Iruka
Iruka's tears fell down his face "Because we're the same when I lost my parent no one seemed to care they didn't have time for me, they forgot I was there...my grades dropped I became the class clown, I just wanted them to see me, to know my name my school work wasn't good enough to get there attention...so I did crazy things then I had to pay for it. It was hard, I know that how you felt Naruto, you felt lonely and it hurt inside but then you met Takeru and I saw some of that loneliness fade away...I just wish I could have been there for you more I let you down I'm sorry" he paused to look at Naruto and Takeru "No one should have to suffer that much, no one should be alone like that"
Mizuki chuckled again "Don't make me laugh, Iruka always hated you even Takeru hates you now, they both lost someone close to them because of the Kyuubi and that beast is now inside you he'd say anything to get the scroll from you"
Naruto looked so confused so many thoughts raced through his mind so he slowly turned his head and dashed off deeper into the forest.
"NARUTO!" Iruka yelled "NARUTOOOO!"
Mizuki jumped down from the tree "Hahaha you know once he makes up his mind nothing can change it; he's going to use the scroll to take revenge on the village"
"Takeru...hng...go after Naruto now" Iruka ordered
"Hai Sensei" said the black haired boy as he dashed off after Naruto, some of the feeling in his leg coming back.
"You saw that look in his eye didn't you; those are the eyes of the beast" Mizuki taunted
Iruka yanked the shuriken out of his back and slowly stood up "No...*pant*...Naruto isn't like THAT HAAA!" he tossed the weapon back at full speed towards Mizuki who promptly side stepped to dodge it
"You're a joke as soon as I eliminate Naruto and get the scroll, I'll be back for you" Mizuki said as he shishuned off towards the boys
"I won't let you" Iruka claimed trying to get up
ELSEWHERE
"This is not good, Mizuki has a big mouth he made Naruto feel so bad worse than he's ever felt...it could unleash the power inside of him, if Naruto keeps tampering with the scroll the seal that locks the Kyuubi inside of him could be broken, and the beast could come out if that happens I fear for us all" the Hokage thought as he watched all of this unfold on his crystal ball
Back in the forest Takeru finally caught up with Naruto. "Naruto, everything Mizuki said was a lie, give me the scroll hurry he'll be here any moment to take it away". Naruto caught the last step and kneed Takeru in the gut, knocking him away. Naruto landed and sat against a tree.
"It can't be…how did you know Naruto, how did you know that it was me and not Takeru" Mizuki asked panting
Naruto smiled and then disappeared in a puff of smoke "Because I'm Takeru Mizuki Baka"
"You're a fool why are you protecting that freak he's the one that killed your father" Mizuki finished then side stepped again dodging a couple kunai from Iruka who had finally caught up and landed by Takeru both injured
"We don't care what you say we care about Naruto and we want let you get your hands on that scroll" Iruka replied
"Hmph as if either of you could stop me, don't you get it Naruto is just like me"
"How's that?" "Takeru asked
"He wants the scroll for his own power and his own vengeance, that's how beast are he'll pour all his rage into the scroll and destroy everything"
"You're right..." Iruka started
'So it's true Iruka Sensei never believe in me he thinks I'm some beast…some kind of freak' Naruto thought saddened by it
"...that is how beasts are, but that is not who Naruto is he's nothing like that. Naruto is one of a kind works hard puts his whole heart into it, sure he messes up sometimes and everyone jumps on him but his suffering only makes him stronger, that's what separates him from being a beast" Iruka started again
"So you're wrong he's nothing like the Kyuubi, he's Uzumaki Naruto of Konohagakure" Takeru finished
"You both really believe that dribble; fools I was gonna save you for later but I've changed my mind..." Mizuki pulled out his last big shuriken "...YOU'RE FINISHED" he spins it and dashed toward the pair
'So this is it' both Takeru and Iruka thought but then the both heard and saw Naruto knee Mizuki dead in the face as he released the blade and it went flying upward
"Naruto!" Takeru yelled
"Not bad, for a little punk" Mizuki said wiping the blood from his face getting up
"If you ever lay a hand on my Sensei or my brother...I'LL KILL YOU" Naruto replied with a deadly look on his face
"Such big words, I could completely destroy you with a single move" Mizuki stated
"Take your best shot fool I'll give it back 1,000 fold" Naruto said making a hand sign
"Lets see you try…show me what you can do KYUUBI!"
"KAGE BUNSHIN NO JUTSU!" Naruto yelled out
Takeru, Iruka and Mizuki's eyes all widened at the amount of clones Naruto had made, there had to be at least 1,000 solid clones.
'Naruto, those aren't just illusions they're solid clones, he's mastered an extremely advanced jutsu' Iruka thought
"Wow!" Takeru said as he gazed at all the Naruto clones
Mizuki stumbled and looked all around, he was completely surrounded and he saw no way out.
"If you're not coming, then we're gonna come after you" the original Naruto said and all the clone agreed they then all pummeled the traitor
20 Minutes later
Naruto stood over a beaten and bloody Mizuki. He rubbed his head with a foxy grin on his face "Sorry I kinda got carried away, are you ok Nii-san, Iruka Sensei"
Takeru smiled and nodded while Iruka responded "Yeah" he smiled 'He's amazing he wants to surpass all the Hokage and I'm starting to believe he might do it' he thought.
"Naruto…you did well worthy of wearing that headband with pride" Iruka smiled to his students "You too Takeru, now let's all go home" he says as he gets up slowly
Naruto tears up and tackles Iruka back down and hugs him "IRUKA SENSEI!"
"OW that hurt" Iruka chuckled Takeru stood against the tree smiling and laughing at his now brother and teacher as they wrestled.
'Naruto, Takeru this is only the beginning, the road gets tougher now that you're Ninja but if I told you that it'd ruin the moment so I'll tell you both later over Ramen'
Ch 2 Updated