Welcome back! Chapter two is here!
In this chapter, the ultimate showdown between Naruto and Mizuki will commence!
Again, I am not making any profit from this, I am writing solely for enjoyment.
I do not own any characters except for my OCs.
Hope you enjoy!
The Third Hokage sighed exasperatedly as he kept reading the page of his spare bingo book. (He seriously needed to find out how Naruto kept swiping his possessions.)
Jameson "Jay" Zaikiang
ANBU Captain of Kagotagakure, Bounty Hunter
Age: 18
Hair: Black
Eyes: Gray
Height: 6'2
Natural Chakra Affinity: Fire
Kekkei Genkai: Lava Release
Village: Kagotagakure (Village Hidden In The Shadows)
Special Attributes: Specializes in Nintaijutsu, Bukijutsu, Kenjutsu and Genjutsu. Seen to be using jutsu without need of chakra.
Hiruzen's slight scowl deepened. It was definitely an interesting one. A bounty hunter was just what they needed, and Konoha and Kagota were on rather good terms. However, this was the famous Obsidian Forger Shinobi. He was always unpredictable. But with the Chunin Exams coming up, they would need all the preparation they could get. The old man blew the loose scarf threads out of his face wearily.
Hiruzen just hoped that Naruto would be alright.
—XxX—
"You know, Naruto," replied Mizuki, "There is still a way to graduate."
Naruto's head snapped up. "Seriously?" he asked incredulously. Mizuki nodded. What a nitwit, he thought snidely. "You have to get a scroll from the Hokage's office. Bring it to Iruka's house at exactly 8:45 PM. Also, do not tell anybody about this, and make sure nobody sees you."
"Make sure nobody sees me? How come?" frowned Naruto.
"Well, this is a way to graduate, but it's usually frowned upon by the village. We can just save the trouble and have you become an official shinobi," lied Mizuki. "Anyways, I'll be there to help you learn at least one jutsu from the scroll. That's how you graduate."
Naruto nodded vigorously. "Thanks, Mizuki-Sensei!" Then he bounded off, probably to get ready to finally graduate this time. As the silver-haired chunin watched, he could mot stop the cold sneer crawling onto his face. "What a brat," he muttered.
Little did he know that a certain fox had listened in on the entire conversation.
Jay strolled down the sandy path, his eyes scanning the walls of Konoha. "Well, hasn't it been a long time," he thought. His cloak billowed behind him, the wind twirling its entrails through the black cloth.
Soon, Jay reached the entrance gate, and the two jonin guards tensed slightly as they saw the tall figure. "Name and reason for visiting Konoha," said the jonin with the neck gaiter. Jay's gray eyes seemed to gleam in the sunlight. "Name is Jay Zaikiang. The Hokage requested some assistance from Kagotagakure, and my village sent me," he replied. The other jonin on the left with the hat nodded, and rifled through the papers in the little counter. Finally, he pulled out a rather ancient piece of paper, and quickly skimmed through it. Then he looked up. "Right," he nodded, "Hokage's office is the big red building at the back. Any questions?" Jay hesitated, then shook his head. "Right, you're free to go then," said the capped jonin, handing him the paper. Jay said his thanks and walked through the gates.
—Xxx—
Naruto landed lightly on the balls of his feet, looking around. Mizuki-Sensei had told him to get to Iruka's home, but they both were nowhere in sight. "Well," Naruto sighed, "he said he would help me learn a jutsu, but I guess I could do it by myself." As he slipped the giant scroll off his back, he opened it up to see what jutsu were in store for him.
Flying Thunder God, Rasengan, Eight Trigrams Seal, Shadow Shuriken Jutsu, Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu… Oh, come on!" grumbled Naruto. "Another clone jutsu?! This is gonna be a long night."
"Ok, I think I've got the hang of it now, let's move on to another jutsu," said Naruto, slightly panting. Man, that Shadow Clone Jutsu took a lot of chakra!
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, put a sock in it," said Naruto's newly formed shadow clone. The real Naruto rolled his eyes. "Right, so we got the Shadow Shuriken down, the Shadow Clone Jutsu, and we can do the first step of the Rasengan," listed Naruto. His eyes looked hypnotized as a seriously small amount of chakra swirled back and forth on his hand. Then he tore his eyes away. "Should we do the Eight Trigrams Seal, next? I mean, the Uzumaki were exceptional Fūinjutsu masters."
"Oh, I don't think so, Naruto."
Iruka had just leapt down from a tree branch, his face red with fury. Yet there was still a tiny twinge of pride in his face as he glanced at Naruto's shadow clone. "What in the name of Kami do you think you're doing, Naruto?"
But Naruto's expression just warped into confusion. "What do you mean? I'm learning a jutsu here from the Scroll of Sealing, just like Mizuki-Sensei said," said Naruto. This made Iruka freeze. It was now his turn to be confused. "Mizuki? Why would he tell you to do that?" Naruto shrugged. "He said if I learned one jutsu from the scroll here, then I could graduate."
Iruka shook his head. "That's not how it works, why would Mizuki tell you to-"
Then his eyes widened. "Naruto, get down," he yelled, as a dark figure threw a screw-you sized shuriken at Iruka. Luckily for him, he had pulled a two kunais, one in each hand, and blocked the ninja star from packing in too much damage. "Well, well, didn't think you'd be here so quickly, so I took my sweet time," dralwed a very familiar voice. Both Iruka and Naruto looked up to see looked up to see Mizuki Fūma, chunin instructor of Konoha Academy, glaring down at them, almost hungrily, one of his signature clan shurikens in his hand. "Naruto, very good. Now, toss me the scroll. Quick now," he added, jeering at his colleague.
Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Kurama was right," he hollered. "You're trying to steal the scroll for your own benefit!"
Mizuki just shrugged. "Who's Kurama? Anyway, since it's just the two of you weaklings, theft will be an assured success," he jeered dangerously. "Now," he yelled as he flung his giant ass shuriken, "Die!"
Iruka's eyes turned steely as he made to throw Naruto out of the way, but then Naruto's clone leaped in front of him, poofing into the null as the shuriken blunted into him. The Fūma star clattered onto the grass. "Naruto, run, I'll handle him!" shouted Iruka. But Naruto shook his head. "No, sensei. Mizuki started this, and I'll make him finish it! Believe it!"
"Shadow Shuriken Jutsu!"
Three kunai suddenly became thirty five, which alarmed Mizuki considerably. His shock made him a bit late in dodging, so several blades sliced his arm and flat jacket. The silver-haired man grit his teeth in frustration. Then he began creating hand signs. "Earth Release: Fist Rock!"
A giant gauntlet of stone formed on Mizuki's left fist, and he leaped toward Naruto. The blonde narrowed his eyes, and flashed to the right. Mizuki's rock hand smashed into Iruka's wall, which made him twitch in annoyance. He swung around, prepared to deliver a powerful backhand to the demon brat-
SLAM!
An orange blur rammed into Mizuki, a swirling blue ball of chakra drilling into Mizuki's chest. "Aaaaaaaaarrrgh!" he yelled. As he flew back, Iruka caught him. "Alright Mizuki, it's the end of the line for you," he snarled. But Mizuki only grinned manically. "Think again," he whispered, before poofing into a rock.
"Damn," Iruka whispered. Both Naruto and Iruka went back to back, trying to figure out where Mizuki was. Then, the chunin leaped out of the ground, a sword in his hand. "Eat this!" he shouted.
Before he could take a swing, however, a black figure blocked the blade. "What the-" Mizuki said breathlessly. Then he recovered from his shock, his face contorted into a growl. He leaped back and aimed a kick at the man's chest, but he easily dodged. Then he formed hand signs. "Lava Release: Eye Beam Wave!"
His eyes flowed orange for a split second, then glowing hot lasers shot out. Mizuki nearly got his arm sliced in the process. He stumbled, and his face landed right on Iruka's knee. But Mizuki wouldn't give up that easily. As blood steadily dripped from his arm and nose, he body flickered away. Naruto immediately formed some shadow clones to chase after… wherever he went.
The cloaked shinobi turned toward them. His eyes were back to their normal stormy, steel-like gray. Iruka noticed the Shadow Village symbol on his headband. "Thank you," Iruka said, his hand stretching toward the man. His eyes studied the school teacher for a moment, then shook.
"Yo, yo, yoooo! That was crazy! What's your name? How'd you do that laser vision technique?"
Iruka sighed good-naturedly. The man pulled down his scarf covering his mouth to reveal a smile. "Sup. My name's James."
His eyes seemed even more stormy as he introduced himself.
Mizuki Fūma was fuming. (Pun intended.)
As he bandaged up he arm, he turned to his teammates. "Tayuya, I'll need you to summon those monstrosities of yours," he instructed. The red-haired girl sent a death glare at him, but nodded.
"Kidomaru, you watch from the trees for support."
The four-armed man with the vicious, intelligent eyes nodded.
"Jirobo, you're on the front lines with me. I want those scum dead as soon as possible."
The big, red-haired man grunted gruffly.
"Sakon, you and Kimimaro are enough to take care of that Kagota ninja. Let's make this quick," Mizuki added. "We don't want the ANBU on our tail, and put away the headbands. If they know we're from Otogakure, Lord Orochimaru will flay us alive."
"Alright Jay, stay here and watch Naruto. I'm going to call for reinforcements," said Iruka.
Jay nodded. Iruka flickered to the shadows.
Naruto looked at Jay. Jay looked back. This continued until Naruto stated, "You know, you look a lot older than eighteen."
Jameson just rolled his eyes. "Mmhmm."
Mizuki and Jirobo watched carefully. They could not afford to make a mistake here.
As Jay strutted forward to inspect the wreckage of Iruka's house, his eyes flashed and he tensed. He whirled around, and a chakra began to glow, and packed fire began swirling around in his hand. "Fire Release: Revolutionary Rasengan Flash!"
Jirobo and Mizuki leapt from the tree as a giant whirling fireball went invisible and static, two other smaller Fire Rasengans rotating around the original.
The miniature fiery solar system blasted into the greenery, exploding into giant balls of ash and gas.
Jirobo landed to the right of Jay.
14.20 feet northeast, chakra 78% ready to use an earth-style technique, Jay thought.
Before Jirobo could release his jutsu, Jay sped toward him, palm striking Jirobo in the face. The lump of a man flew backwards.
While Jay was preoccupied, Naruto was being stalked by Mizuki. He had to keep dodging, only flipping onto the offensive when he saw an opportunity. In the end, Mizuki managed to corner Naruto.
"Little brat," Mizuki growled. "I'll make sure you die for real! The Nine-Tails will die with you rightfully!" Naruto's eyes narrowed dangerously.
He had went over the line.
Mizuki thrusted his fist toward Naruto—and it slammed into Naruto's hand.
The boy snarled ferociously as monstrous red chakra seeped through him. Mizuki staggered back, partly horrified, partly furious. Naruto grabbed Mizuki's sword, which had fallen during their fight. Then he burst forward.
Mizuki could barely keep up with Naruto's strength, and it took all his willpower to block Naruto's claws and slashes. It was time to resort to drastic measures.
As Jay capacitated Jirobo in a cage of stone, Mizuki activated his curse mark, orange fur growing rapidly all over his body. His body now hulked over his opponent. "DIE!" he hollered as he brought a ginormous foot down on Naruto. He leaped back, his eyes flaring wolfishly. Then, the red chakra cloaking his body changed to golden. It flickered all over Naruto, creating a a glowing cloak for him to wear. Black markings appeared on the young Uzumaki, his hair flying, his pupils to slits, and his power shattering the scale exponentially.
"This is my gift to you, Naruto. You did say we needed to work together, yes?"
Naruto grinned. "Of course," he whispered.
Mizuki pulled out a giant, crude knife from a hidden compartment in his Fūma shuriken. Tayuya, who had appeared in Curse Mark 2 form, had summoned her three creatures. Kidomaru had his hardened web bow, while Jirobo broke free of his restraints. Kimimaro and Sakon both had their mark activated.
"Where the hell were you?" Jirobo growled to Kimimaro and Sakon. "A little business had to be taken care of," replied the bone-covered man.
Jay watched the scene with interest. Finally, a good fight. He hadn't had this much fun since he had encountered Zabuza and Haku.
As a group of Leaf shinobi raced toward the scene, they could hear the really loud sounds of battle. "This way," shouted ANBU Captain Zō.
By the time they arrived, the battle was nearly over. Only a man with spiky-ass bones protruding out of his body was fighting. And was the Jinchūriki golden?!
Kimimaro saw the ANBU and silently cursed himself. "Retreat!" he yelled, and the rest of the shinobi body flickered away. Immediately, Zō ordered four ANBU and Asuma Sarutobi to chase after him.
The rest turned toward Naruto and Jay. Jay only had a scar or two, while Naruto was still in his aura of Kyuubi chakra.
"Is anybody hurt?" asked an ANBU.
Both Jay and Naruto shook their heads. "Right," said Captain Sō. "We're heading back to the Hokage. Follow us."
—XxX—
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, his eyes sagging slightly with weary. Seriously, why did being the Hokage have to be so stressful?
Then, several Black Ops ninja walked in, escorting Naruto and Jay. "Hey Gramps," Naruto chirped. "Gonna hand over that hat yet?" Sarutobi chuckled. "No, I don't think so, Naruto. Now, can you explain the recent events?"
Naruto started off with a detailed explanation, talking about how he went to his sensei's house, but realized he was tricked by Mizuki. Then Jay jumped in, his side of the story building up. When they finished, Hiruzen was silent. After some time, he spoke. "Did you know the identities of the shinobi?" he asked. He was looking half-expectantly at Jay. Of course, he answered immediately. "There were six shinobi, including Mizuki. One of them appears to be from the Kaguya clan, with a unique Kekkei Genkai that allows him to protrude his bones from his body, and he can regenerate his spine, as well as using it as a sword. Anyways, they all had a curse mark, and they all did not have a headband. I assume they are from the Village Hidden in the Sound."
The Hokage's expression turned stoic halfway through this. He gave Jay a knowing look before turning to Naruto. "Naruto, are you alright?" he asked, slightly tentatively. Naruto nodded. "Really, Gramps, I'm fine," he added when he saw his guardian's expression. "But one thing's still bothering me," Naruto said glumly. The Third raised his eyebrows. "I didn't get to graduate," said Naruto.
Hiruzen's eyes softened. "I think we can change that," he grinned. Naruto looked up, the light of hope and disbelief shining in his eyes. "Really?" he breathed.
"Really," repeated Hiruzen.
Iruka stood in front of his student, his hand outstretched. Naruto stared at his sensei's forehead protector. He had finally done it. He had become an official shinobi, protector of the Hidden Leaf. Just one step closer to being the Hokage.
Naruto slowly took off his green dusty goggles, and adjusted the Uzumaki clip on his shoulder. He smiled brightly at Iruka, and Hiruzen behind him.
"Congratulations, Naruto Uzumaki. You graduate."
And those were the best words he had heard in forever.
Anddddd… Finished!
Phew! That was quite the chapter. What'd you think?
ethancyh—No, this is not a yaoi.
Please let me know what Naruto's adventures should bring him next.
Again, feel free to leave a review and ask any questions you have.
See you next chapter!