Chapter 1

I'm back! Welcome everybody to chapter 1 of 'Ninja of Mochi'. In this one, we are going to see a new important character get involved in Naruto's life. If you read well the title of this chapter, you might already find out who he is. But enough about clues and let's get this chapter started!

Legend:

"Talking."

'Thinking...'

Chapter 1: Protégé of the Hawk

Naruto was walking across the village, while doing one of the exercises to train his observation haki.

Walk to the Hokage monument blindfolded.

The first times, it was hard. Really hard. He bumped with people, trees, animals and all between. But after some weeks of failure, he finally started to get it down.

One year has passed since he found Katakuri's diary and the control over the mochi-mochi fruit and his haki only had increased, and now can use both, observation and armament haki. He even can coat his arms and legs with armament haki to certain degree.

What he wants to achieve, is too reach the levels that Katakuri had with it. Use observation haki to see the future, coat his arms with a powerful armament haki and try to get the conqueror's haki.

The latter seems to be the harder to achieve. According to the diary, conqueror's haki only a few have it and even fewer can use it more than once. There is a chance that he doesn't even have it at all.

He took of his blindfold and sat on top of the deceased third hokage statue. This is one of his favorites. If it wasn't for him, he and his family would had died the same day Kyoka and him would had been born. He also sealed the Kyubi inside his sister preventing it to cause more havoc in the village.

"May I help you sir?" Naruto asked to a man that he felt that was watching him from the shadows. He turned his head to see who it was, and it was an old man with bandages over his face, arm and a cross-shaped scar on his chin.

"How did you detect me?" The man asked and Naruto shrugged.

"Haki."

"Haki?" The old man asked and Naruto nodded.

"Yes. It is something I learned to replace the chakra I don't have." Naruto explained and the man nodded.

"Interesting. So, tell me; This... 'haki', works like chakra?"

"Kind of, but it can mold elemental energy. Only spiritual." Naruto answered as the man sat next to him.

"For someone that was deemed as 'useless', you seem to be full of surprises."

Naruto smiled at him "Thanks. Name's Naruto."

"Danzo." Danzo introduced himself and Naruto nodded.

"Dad and mom told me to stay away from you." Naruto said and Danzo raised his visible brow.

"Then why are you still here?"

"You don't seem like a bad guy. You don't have any hostile intentions and you haven't made fun of my mouth. You are good by now." Naruto explained and Danzo chuckled.

"You can detect my intentions with this haki too?"

Naruto nodded "More like your killing intent."

Danzo nodded. He can tell the kid is suspicious of him, so if he is going to make his move, better do it now. "Naruto, is there anything I can do to help in your training?" Danzo asked and Naruto raised a brow.

"You know about haki?"

Danzo shook his head "No. But, I can teach you strategy and how to fight. Maybe you can't control your chakra, but with haki, I think you can become a strong ninja under my tutelage."

Naruto watched at him and tried to sense if he had any other intentions. After some second in silence, Naruto smiled at him "Okay! Thanks, Danzo!" Naruto exclaimed as he rushed to get back home, eager to tell Kyoka what happened today.

Danzo watched as Naruto put on his blindfold back and evaded people on his way. He smirked. Maybe more than another soldier, he might have a successor.

*Namikaze Estate, Dinner Time*

Kyoka was eating with a smile her ramen. She wanted to eat with Naruto again in his room, but it had been a while since she ate with her parents, so for tonight, she will be with them.

You might be wondering why Naruto eats alone in his room. It is because he feels shame when other people watch him eat. He feels like some sort of animal. He knows that Kyoka doesn't mind, so he allows her to eat with him.

"You look happy Kyo." Kushina noted and Kyoka nodded.

"Hm. It is because something good happened to Naru." She said and Minato smiled.

"Really? What kind of thing exactly?" he asked and Kyoka grinned.

"Someone is going to train Naru!" She exclaimed and her parents looked at each other with worry.

The fact that Naruto can use haki, isn't really known in the village. And the powers of his fruit are even less known. They find out about the mochi-mochi fruit when they saw Naruto transform his arm into a spear and with his haki when he coated that spear with it.

They told him to not share it, because it might be dangerous, but he shrugged it off, thinking it was some paranoia of his parents.

"You know who this person is?" Kushina asked and Kyoka looked to the roof.

"Ehm... Hanzo... no wait... Panzo...Ehm..."

"Danzo?" Minato asked and Kyoka grinned and nodded.

"That! Thanks daddy!" She screamed and continue to eat her food. Kushina gave her husband a worried look and Minato nodded.

He will have to get answers tomorrow.

*Next Morning, Hokage Office*

"You called, Lord Hokage?" Danzo asked and Minato nodded.

"I thought I was clear when I told you to not get close to my children." Minato said and Danzo nodded.

"You were. Is this because my encounter with Naruto yesterday?"

Minato narrowed his eyes "It is. That and your offer to train him."

"I don't see a problem. After all, I am not planning on inducing him in the ROOT program."

"Oh, really? Then what are you after?" Minato asked and Danzo looked at him to the eye.

"A successor."

Minato raised an eyebrow "Explain."

Danzo cleared his throat before continuing "You see Lord Hokage. I am old and I don't know how much time I can continue serving to the village. So, I am in the look of a successor that one day can take my place. Teach him all I know about the ninja arts for him to be the new leader of ROOT and help this village."

"And why Naruto?" Minato asked and Danzo smirked.

"I can let someone with that much talent and hidden power go unchecked." Minato narrowed his eyes, knowing that Danzo knew about haki or the devil fruit his son ate.

"I see in your eyes that you know about this haki too." Danzo said "If you let me take him under my wing, he will become strong. I assure you that."

"There are more better people to train him that you." Minato challenged and Danzo scoffed.

"Who? I had lived three wars and have more experience than most in this village and in others. I am the best pick and besides, if your son takes my role, you will have complete control over the more clandestine operations. Don't you think?" Danzo said and Minato closed his eyes. Danzo smirked knowing he already won.

"I will allow it. But if I notice that my son was brainwashed into your ANBU program, I will kill you personally." Minato warned and Danzo nodded as he left.

*Namikaze Estate, Kyoka Room*

Kyoka was happily humming a song as she was sewing her gift to her older brother. October 10 was coming quickly and she needed this done.

She stopped and grinned liking her work. It was a massive scarf of a light color and with irregular edges. She hugged the scarf, hoping Naruto will love it as much as she does. Her plan is for him to use it, to hide his mouth that he is so ashamed of. That way, he can eat with them, go out with them, and play with her and her friends without needing to feel ashamed or that he isn't good enough.

Kyoka nodded. Yes, this is the perfect gift.

And done! That was chapter 1 of 'Ninja of Mochi'. Hope you enjoyed. Now, some things first:

Danzo. Danzo more than trying to make Naruto an emotionless drone, he will try to make him similar to him, so once that he gives him the power, things will not change.

And that's all I had to say. Sometimes I think there is more but I only say one or two things... meh. Remember to leave your Review that it helps my motivation, PM me for any doubts or suggestions, Follow and Favorite me and the story.

Till Next Time.

Roy D. Harper.

Next Chapter: The Monster Awakens