Gurbnogfen: that, good sir (or madam) is exactly what I intend to do.
TigrezzTail (I am getting good at spelling out your name without having to look): It's not that he's been playing Genin. He was already in a high-stress situation, his nerves jumpy, when someone came running towards him at Shinobi speeds (this also goes for thor94) I've gotten a lot of reviews about how he's mentally stable. But I have a news flash.
No-one can be mentally stable after an extended period of time in the military, especially Elite Black-ops units. Naruto actually has PTSD (in my story) and he went into attack mode when Sakura sprinted at him at speeds only ninja can attain. His minds IFF (indication of friend-or-foe) didn't register Sakura. All he saw was a shinobi attacking him. Then when he was already in that state, he got the violent flashbacks. He didn't realize he was seeing the past, to him it was real, so he lashed out to defend himself.
Now, before anyone starts griping that I don't know shit about this; yes I do. My Dad was a U.S. Marine with PTSD, several of my friends have PTSD because of serious, life-threatening events. I myself suffer from a mild form of PTSD, due to an event I would rather not discuss. I mainly only get nervous when things start looking like said event, with occasional flashbacks, but my dad and friends described in VIVID detail how this stuff plays out. I saw my dad take down a cab driver on instinct because he moved towards him just a little too fast, and he almost broke my leg when I moved to help. On top of all that, I have studied mental disorders in excruciating detail. I know exactly what the fuck I'm talking about.
Okay, I'd like to say, I deeply apologize for all of you having to put up with my temper bullshit when it wasn't directed at you. Let's get to it, though.
Chapter 32: Assassination Formation!
Three hours had passed, and Naruto could sense the hatred and rage rolling off the Village in waves as word of his incident spread, from his current position in the Forest of Death. He was sitting on the roof of the Tower at the center, his knees pulled up to his chest and his arms wrapped around his legs for comfort in some form. He knew only four or five people would brave the forest to find him, but so far, none had come yet. No doubt it would be the two he least wanted to see at the moment.
"Naru," and speak of the devil.
"Go away, Tou-chan," Naruto whispered as he stared out over the trees before him. Instead, Asuma sat down next to him and snubbed his cigarette, resting his elbows on his own knees as he joined his son.
"Want to talk about what happened?"
"Not really."
"Okay then," Asuma fell silent as he sat with the teenage blond. He'd talk when he was ready. Thirty minutes passed before he spoke up again.
"Konohamaru's fine, you know. He'll have a cast for about a month, thanks to the Mednins, but he's really worried about you."
"He didn't seem like it when it happened. All I saw in his eyes was terror."
"Probably because you'd just broken his arm. Anyone's first reaction is fear to what injured them." Naruto sighed dejectedly, causing Asuma to look at him out of the corner of his eye.
"I know that, but the biggest thing was Gaara's face."
"The Sand Genin?" Naruto nodded.
"He wasn't hurt, but he was giving me that look, like he couldn't fathom my actions. Like I was..."
"A monster?" Naruto nodded again as silent tears trailed slightly down his cheeks.
"It hurt, Tou-chan. It hurt more than anyone else because he's experienced it. Suna treats him the same way, and yet he looked at me as though he was expecting me to kill him any second." he was about to continue, but the slight clink of ceramic brought his attention to Asuma, who had two sake dishes ready, and a pitcher of the rice wine already out.
"Normally I don't like you drinking, but I think in this case it's okay." the blond gave a humorless laugh.
"I can't get drunk, remember?" Asuma shrugged and handed him one of the saucers.
"It's better than you taking up smoking. Sis would kill me if she caught you smoking, because then Konohamru would probably try to start. He admires you so much." Naruto took the dish and tapped it to his dad's then downed it in one go, grimacing at the taste.
"I can never understand how people stomach this crap."
"Because most of us can get drunk, so we don't drink it for the taste."
"True enough." Asuma took one more drink, then put away the bottle.
"So, what happened?" Naruto sighed.
"Kono had just come running down an alley, and smack into Gaara's older brother. Kankuro decided he needed a lesson in respect and was about to hit him,"
"So you threatened him."
"I had my Katana at his throat before anyone blinked. Then, Sakura runs down the alley after Kono."
"At Shinobi speeds? Into a high-stress situation? With a seasoned warrior?"
"Yeah, Sakura doesn't really live up to her potential much. Anyway, I snapped and don't remember much after that. All I remember is seeing so much blood, and then I came to and Kono had his arm broken." Asuma sighed and ran his hand down his face.
"I told you to go see Inoichi for your PTSD, Naru."
"And I have been. But you should know, Tou-chan, you can never get rid of that baggage. It's hard enough to be able to function normally with it." Asuma sighed once more and lit a cigarette after placing it in his mouth. He remained silent until his first exhale after a long drag.
"Yeah, I know... and I wish there was something I could do, but unfortunately, there isn't."
"So, I imagine a lot of Civilians are calling for my head on a spit right now."
"And you would be correct. The Merchant's Guild is being especially vocal. Fortunately, Pops dissolved any form of Civilian Council a few years ago, on your insistence, so they have no say at all, and the shinobi council has been bumped down from power to an advisory capacity."
"Yeah," Naruto scoffed. "Try telling Danzo he has no power anymore."
"That doesn't count," Asuma pointed out. "Danzo has been delusional for years."
"Fair point. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if he tries something. The sooner he keels over, the better."
"Unfortunately," came a cold voice, making both Naruto and Asuma quickly assume a defensive position. "That will not be happening." The Sarutobi duo were faced with none other than Shimura Danzo and his four elite bodyguards from Ne. Naruto growled deep in his throat at the sight of the man.
"Wouldn't count on it, you old fart. Sneaking up on an Elite Jounin and a Jinchuuriki tends to be bad for one's health."
"True, but only if one is unprepared for the backlash. I am not unprepared for such. You," he pointed his single hand at the blond. "have been deemed to dangerous to let live. A defective weapon is no weapon at all. And of course, we can't have a witness running off to tell that idiot Hiruzen." Naruto growled even more, his voice becoming dangerous and feral, as Danzo unknowingly signed his eventual death warrant. Naruto wasn't sure if he could actually take the man in a fight, but damned if he wasn't going to try.
"No-one," he said as his voice took the demonic edge that indicated he was channeling the Kyuubi's chakra. "Threatens my family. And what's more, Sarutobi Hiruzen is a smarter and better man than you could ever be, you wrinkled old fuckstick." With that, Naruto channeled all of Kurama's chakra that his body could handle safely and formed four seal-less Kage Bunshin, one for each of Danzo's guards. The eight of them jumped away, shockwaves echoing from where they clashed in the forest.
"Asuma," Naruto said in a growl as rust-red fur began sprouting from his flesh. Asuma flicked his eyes in acknowledgment. "I'll hold him off. You go get Jiji and the ANBU." Asuma was gone in a flash, and Danzo smirked smugly.
"You are sixty years too young to be able to hold a candle to my skill, Genin." Naruto barked out a laugh as his transformation finished.
"That's where you're wrong you imbecilic, narrow-minded warmonger. I've been in ANBU for the past five years. Right. Under. Your. Nose." the Jinchuuriki wasted no more time or breath as he rushed forward, unsealing both of his Katana and swiping furiously through the attack stances of his Kenjutsu style, forcing Danzo to dodge and weave through the blades. Then, Naruto upped the ante by channeling his and Kurama's chakra through the metal, extending the reach and adding the deadly corrosiveness. Danzo's eye widened as he heard the slight screech of Wind Chakra on metal.
"So, there is a third Wind User in Konoha. Unfortunate that the number will drop after today."
Naruto grinned his fanged grin as he sped up his attacks. He had one advantage over the older Shinobi; he wasn't crippled and slowed by old age. And he had both arms and eyes, but the fact of his age was the biggest thing. Danzo was undeniably a strong Shinobi, but he was also old. Hiruzen himself had said multiple times he would a lose a spar to Naruto for the simple fact that his body wasn't as strong or as fast as it had been in his prime. And he was a few years younger than the man in front of the Teen now. Danzo dodged another attack and saw an opening, or so he thought, and rushed forward, a wind blade forming on his hand, going for a lethal blow for his first strike.
"Checkmate, motherfucker. Bunshin Daibakuha!" Danzo didn't have time to ponder the fact that his target was exploding, or contemplate when the Weapon had made and switched with another clone. He was thrown back, mostly unharmed, and as he landed he realized his head wrap and his kimono were on fire. He quickly removed both, revealing his false arm, and kept his eye closed. He snapped it open with a snarl of rage as the real Naruto landed in front of him.
"So," Naruto, who was now back to normal, said after looking at Danzo's revealed secrets. "That's where Shisui-nii's eye went." Danzo was about to retort when the corpses of his Ne members clattered onto the tiles around the two, followed by the Naruto clones they'd been fighting. His face turned a bright red, and only got more so when soon after, ANBU members began landing on the Tower as well as Hiruzen, Itachi, and Asuma.
"About damn time you assholes showed up," the blond commented dryly. Hiruzen clucked in admonishment, but kept his gaze on Danzo. He was still wearing his Hokage robes and hat.
"Anything to say for yourself, Danzo?" Danzo summarized his final words by spitting at the Hokage's feet.
"You have ruined this Village, Hiruzen." he was about to rush forward and attempt to at least take out one of the two, Naruto or Hiruzen, in a kamikaze attack, when a Katana blade speared through his chest from behind. He looked down in shock at the blood-covered blade as Naruto's voice whispered in his left ear.
"It seems you were right, Shimura. The number did drop." as the blond dispelled, revealing itself to be a clone, the twenty ANBU members around Danzo all sprinted forward, spearing the man with their Tanto's, waiting until his body went limp before removing them. Hiruzen strode forward and, after borrowing one of Naruto's Katana, removed the head of the body, ensuring he was dead.
"Well, today has been eventful, ne?" Hiruzen stated jovially, to which Naruto scowled. "Oh, come now, Naruto-kun I already know it wasn't your fault, and Konohamaru-kun doesn't blame you." the ANBU dispersed after removing the bodies, and the three Sarutobi began on their way back to the Village proper.
"The fact remains, Jiji, I hurt someone I love. I couldn't control myself, and Kono got hurt. Then a delusional old fart tried to kill me for it, and no doubt the civilians are going to try roasting me as soon as I pass this gate," Naruto said bleakly as he stared at the gate surrounding Training Ground 44. "No matter what I do, no matter how much blood I lose for this Village, they will never accept me. They won't be happy 'til I'm dead. I'm finding it really difficult to find a reason to stay. Even my family and friends can't shield me from the hate, try as they might." at this point, the blond was talking more to himself than to his father and grandfather.
"Really, what's the point? I could go literally anywhere in the elemental nations and be just fine. I could live in the wild far from any other humans, and I would be fine..."
"Naruto," Asuma said, catching the blond's attention with the use of his full name. "Just promise me one thing."
"Wassat, Tou-chan?"
"Even if you decide to leave, please don't go Nukenin." Naruto snorted.
"Yeah, I really want to live on the run. What do you think I am, stupid?"
"No, Naruto-kun, we don't think you're stupid, Hiruzen said gently. "We're just concerned." Naruto sighed.
"Yeah, I know. If I'm totally honest, I'm seriously considering resigning after the Chuunin exams and moving to Uzu, try rebuilding there." Asuma and Hiruzen's eyebrows shot into their hairlines. "What? I'm an Uzumaki by birth."
"Yeah, we know Naru, you just caught us off guard. If you do that, what'll happen?"
"In what regard?"
"How would you view Konoha at that point?" Naruto shrugged.
"Not sure. I know for sure I'd extend a military hand, because despite the Civilian population being full of idiots, a lot of Shinobi here have been good to me, or at least indifferent."
"You talk as if you'll have a full Village in mere moments of arriving."
"Well, Jiji... remember that side-trip I made?" Hiruzen nodded and narrowed his eyes. "I might have... maybe, sort of found another Uzumaki. Plus, I'm sure once people start hearing about another Village, it will flourish. Everyone wants to get on a Shinobi Village's good side."
"Another living Uzumaki... incredible. What's their name?"
"At this point? Classified as fuck."
"I see."
"I'll tell you at some point, Jiji." before another word was said between the three of them, two simultaneous poofs of smoke appeared before Naruto. One cleared to reveal a small messenger toad holding a scroll. The other cleared to reveal a lynx that was slightly larger, with a scroll tied to it's back. They spoke at the same time, not having noticed each other.
"Are you Uzumaki Naruto?" the two summons then snapped a look to each other and bristled slightly.
"Uh... yes?"
"Gama-san, you may go first."
"Thanks, Lynx-san. Okay, so Uzumaki Naruto, Jiraiya of the Sannin extends the formal invitation for you to sign the Summoning Contract of the Toads." the large cat snorted a small laugh.
"Uzumaki Naruto, your cousin sends the message that he is holding for you the Summoning Contract of the Uzumaki, the Osprey."
"Of course he does. I have to ask, are you his summon, or..."
"Nagato-san does not carry a Contract in his blood, I am the personal Summon of Konan."
"Nagato? Why does that name sound familiar?" Hiruzen said in contemplation. Naruto facepalmed.
"Fuck me sideways... okay... uh... Gama!" the toad snapped to attention. "Return to Ero-sennin and tell him to meet me in three days on the Hokage Monument. Lynx-san,"
"My name is Rinaru," the cat supplied pleasantly.
"Rinaru-san, please return to Nagato and tell him to send Deva to Konoha and have it meet me on the Hokage Monument in three days." both summons nodded and vanished in a puff of smoke.
"So, this other Uzumaki is named Nagato?"
"Yes, Jiji."
"Which Contract will you sign?" Asuma asked, slightly deflated because he'd been thinking about having Naruto sign the monkey contract. Naruto sighed heavily and rubbed his face vigorously.
"I don't know. I really don't. On one hand, the Toads are a legacy from Minato, but on the other, the Ospreys are from my birth clan..."
"You could try to convince them to let you sign both," Hiruzen said. Naruto looked at him. "It will be difficult, but not unheard of. In fact, I once met someone who held three contracts. Which by the way,"
"I'm not signing the monkey. It doesn't suit me."
"I wasn't going to say that, Naruto-kun, though I know Asuma-kun here wanted you to." Asuma provided a sufficient amount of pout. "I was going to say that Itachi-kun has mentioned the Crow contract for you."
"Why would I want the Crow Contract?"
"Kushina signed it before Itachi." Naruto was silent for several moments, his mouth slightly open.
"Well... shit."