Of Ninjas and Shadows: Chapter II
XXX
I am an amalgamation of machines
My stomach is the furnace
My lungs the blowing billows
My open throat the chimney
My heart the pumping engine
My veins the pipes pushing steam
My legs the rolling wheels
My mind the tracks that keep me moving on the path of right
But when my train of thought derails it seems there's nothing left
Still, I push forward till all I can give has left
Because working till I collapse feels so right
Three years later...
XXX
A bead of sweat slowly dripped from his chin. One hundred twenty three. His muscles ached in protest as he dipped down into another push-up. One hundred twenty four. His joints groaned as he peaked again. One hundred twen-ty. He finally collapsed on the grassy field.
He had been training for the past five hours non-stop. He knew Iruka would probably be mad at him for getting to class late in the morning, but it was worth it. Training made him feel alive. He had achieved a lot in the past three years. While his grades remained the same he has complete control over his shadows and can shape them as he pleases. He mastered the shadow possession, shadow imitation, shadow stitching, and he was almost as good as Satsuki in taijutsu and weapons practice.
Of course, she still held the position as class queen, while he was stuck as the epitome of mediocrity in the eyes of his peers. He'd show them. Come next Friday he will have that useless Clone Jutsu down to a tee and pass the final exam with flying colors.
Assuming he wakes up in time for it.
XXX
Of course she was on my team. I bet Jiji did it on purpose, under the guise that it would help one another understand the importance of teamwork. Ew. No thanks, I've done fine on my own thus far, and I don't need anyone now. The other girl I'm not so sure about.
Sakura Haruno seems competent enough if a bit timid. She lacked any practical skills though, and would probably end up a support fighter. I don't need her either.
XXX
Kakashi scanned over the next batch of genin the Hokage sent for him to fail. You'd think he'd get the hint by now? He could tell just by looking at them, as they sat across from him on the roof.
The blond was dressed in a grey T-shirt with black lining, the Nara clan symbol also in black embezzled on his right shoulder. His headband was wrapped around his left arm and his kunai pouch around the right leg of his black pants. His bangs hung over his face as he looked down, but Kakashi still caught him making angry eyes at the dark-haired kunoichi of the team.
Said kunoichi had her hair in a messy ponytail, with her headband around her waist. She wore a white kimono with navy blue lining along with a near black, navy blue skirt. She kept her kunai pouch on her left leg. She was purposefully ignoring her teammates, looking in the opposite direction.
The final member of the group was wearing a red dress with circles on it and her headband on top of her long head of hair. She was their best hope at working together, but probably too timid to get her teammates in line.
Pathetic.
Another batch with potential wasted, because they couldn't see what was right in front of them. Guess it doesn't matter now, might as well get it over with.
"Well little ones, why don't we take turns introducing ourselves. I'll go first. My name is Kakashi Hatake, I am a Jonin of Konohagakure. I enjoy reading in my spare time and I hope to be the best sensei possible for you three. Now, why don't you go next, mopy?"
Much to his amusement both Naruto and Satsuki looked up. Satsuki let out a "Hn" and turned away as she and Naruto made eye contact. She refused to acknowledge the nickname.
"I guess I'll go then," Naruto mumbled grudgingly. "My name is Naruto Nara. I like training and ramen. My goal is to become a powerful shinobi so that I can survive in a world where people choose to start conflict."
"Well done Naruto. You, next." He said nodding to Sakura. "M-my name is Sakura Haruno. I like studying, my friend Ino, and my Parents. I hope to become a ninja they're proud of."
Kakashi nodded "Good, last but not least?" Satsuki gave out a sigh but relented. "My name is Satsuki Uchiha. I like tomatoes I guess, and one day I'm going to shove a kunai down my brother's throat."
"...Well then. I suppose that wraps that up. Now, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the truth is, None of you are Ninjas. Sure you can do a couple of Jutsu and passed a test. But the enemy won't care what you've accomplished at the academy when you're face to face with them."
"Tomorrow we'll be doing your actual Genin tests. Be sure to wake up bright and early and meet up at training ground 7 at about nine." The trio seemed taken back by the news but nodded in understanding, none seeing a reason to argue.
Just as they got up to leave Kakashi gave his parting words "Oh, one more thing. Don't eat breakfast. You'll probably just throw it all up, bye now." He finished with a smile and a lazy wave.
Naruto was sure he was going to pass anything that lackadaisical Jonin could throw at him. He worked too hard to have it all go to waste now. With that thought in mind, he went home to prepare.
XXX
The next day he stood along with Satsuki and Sakura each leaning or sitting by a wooden post on training field seven. Naruto and Satsuki picked the ones opposite to one another to put as much distance as possible between them.
"Good morning everyone!" Kakashi poofed onto the scene emerging from a Shunshin. "It's noon now, where have you been?" Satsuki asked in her usual irritated tone. "Well, I'm glad you asked. I meant to show up at nine as we agreed, but I ran into an elderly woman who-"
"Save it. Let's just start this test already." Satsuki interrupted sounding even more irritated than before. "I was just getting to the good part. I suppose if you insist." he let an exasperated sigh and pulled out a pair of bells.
"Your goal is to take one of these bells from me. Whoever manages to do so passes, whoever doesn't, gets sent back to the academy, and doesn't get to eat the delicious lunch I made for you." Naruto's mouth started watering as he looked over to where Kakashi left the bento boxes and clock. "If you want to stand even a chance of succeeding you must come at me with the intent to kill."
Naruto and Satsuki set in their stances, a determined expression washing over their faces. Sakura only seemed panicked, she reluctantly got into her stance. She glanced between her two "teammates" she had been assigned. Doubting her ability to get a bell before them. Maybe they should work together? Yeah right, those two would never work with each other.
"Ready? Begin!" The moment Kakashi said those words Satsuki and Sakura jumped into the tree line. Kakashi's eyes moved towards Naruto. "Aren't you going to try and get the jump on me? Go for any advantage you can get?" Naruto shook his head "You would see me coming. Besides, I got you right where I want you."
Naruto grinned as Kakashi realized he was frozen in place. The moment Kakashi had said begin Naruto started running his shadow underground towards the shadow of the tree Kakashi was near. He then connected with the trees extending his distance and grasped on to Kakashi's shadow from behind. "So much for trying to kill you eh Sensei?"
Naruto waltzed forward, but right before he could take a bell the Kakashi in front of him popped into smoke. Naruto's eyes widened in surprise but before he could leap away, two hands emerged from the ground, grabbing his ankles and pulling him underground up to his neck.
Kakashi leapt out of the ground brushing dirt from his shoulder. "Lesson one: Never underestimate your opponent." Naruto could only glare at him, trying to wiggle free. "Lesson two: Don't rely on one ability. I knew from the moment I read your last name on the files you would try and use your shadows to get me. You need to expand your arsenal and create multiple avenues to accomplish your mission. Lesson three: You are put on a team for a reason..."
With that sinking into Naruto's brain, Kakashi walked off into the woods.
XXX
Sakura had thought about setting up traps but Kakashi refused to come towards her neck of the woods. She could hear that he was currently fighting Satsuki in the distance. She sighed, resigned to her fate that it was unlikely for her to get either of the bells. She left her hiding spot returning to the tests starting point.
She glanced down at a little patch of yellow across from the posts. "Naruto?"
"Hey Sakura," he said blowing pieces of grass away from his face. "Would you mind helping me out?"
"Sure, one sec." Sakura used what little earth style manipulation she knew to lift Naruto out a couple feet, before pulling him out the rest of the way. Naruto fell landing on his hands and knees, rising to brush the dirt off of him. "Thanks."
Sakura thought to use this opportunity to her advantage, she helped him so maybe he would help her? "Hey, do you think... Maybe we could work together?"
Naruto was about to refuse but Kakashi's words echoed in his head. "Go for any advantage you can get? - create multiple avenues to accomplish your mission. - You are put on a team for a reason…" " Y-yeah, I think that would be a good idea." Sakura was surprised but smiled in appreciation. "We might as well go get the bastard while we're at it." Naruto grunted.
XXX
Once they stumbled upon Satsuki buried in the ground Naruto wanted to laugh. He really did but held himself back on account that he was in a similar situation just a few minutes ago.
"Quit staring and hurry up and help me out, loser." Satsuki all but growled. "With an attitude like that why should I?" Naruto responded. Sakura glanced at Naruto but didn't say anything, She didn't think he would go back on their plan, at least not yet.
"Because I'm the only one who has a real chance at getting those bells!"
"Oh? You really proved that, didn't you? Is this all part of your plan?"
"Shut up! I can see the dirt on your shirt moron, you would still be stuck if it wasn't for Sakura."
"Yeah, well I bet I lasted way longer than you did against him."
"Really? Well, I actually touched one of the bells."
"So did I! It just disappeared before I could grab it."
"If it disappeared it wasn't real Idiot."
"Yeah well, you!-"
"Guys!" Sakura finally broke it up. Satsuki and Naruto just stared at her for a moment. That was the first time they ever saw her yell. Sakura's face flushed in embarrassment. "We n-need to get the bells before the time runs out. We gotta hurry." Naruto sighed, nodding his head in agreement. "You're right, here help me dig the bastard out."
"Hn." "Why won't the loser ever say my name?" Satsuki thought as she was freed.
XXX
Kakashi sat against a tree, reading his favorite novel. It sure had been a while since any of the kids had come at him. What were they up to? His thoughts were interrupted as he heard a faint whistling sound approaching him.
He used a quick replacement jutsu narrowly avoiding a barrage of kunai and shuriken. He ended up at the edge of the tree line, no longer a sitting duck in the open.
Sakura, however, anticipated this and he was immediately met with another barrage of weapons. This time Kakashi decided to take out a kunai and block and dodge the projectiles. The moment he lifted a foot to dodge the last few Satsuki appeared in front of him and engaged in a kunai battle.
She was slashing aggressively pushing him further into the forest. After he took a step into the shadows a tripwire was set off and another array of weapons was sent at him, courtesy of Sakura. He jumped away into the trees but the moment he landed he was frozen in place.
He looked to a branch on the same tree and saw a grinning Naruto. "This time I'm staying put." He said grin widening as he sent a shadow tendril to take the two bells and bring them to him.
Kakashi closed his eyes and resigned to his defeat. "Well done Naruto. You got both the bells so only you pass."
Naruto released his hold on the cyclops "What? But we al-" "Your bento box is waiting for you."
Before he could say another word Kakashi was gone and was tying up the pink and midnight haired girls. After the fact, Naruto joined them. "Hey listen Kakashi-sensei I don't think-"
"Congratulations Naruto!" Kakashi announced putting his hand on his shoulder. "You are the first person to ever pass this test."
"But I-"
"Now remember, you are not allowed to feed either of those two or I may just change my mind. I'll be back in fifteen minutes after I'm done reporting to the Hokage." With that, he Shunshined away.
Naruto just sat there against a post for a moment contemplating what happened. "Hey, uh…" Satsuki turned away from him, and Sakura just continued to look down.
"Mmh," Naruto grumbled looking at his bento box. His stomach was begging him to tear into it, but it didn't feel right. He didn't want to win like this.
"Here." He held up a piece of food to Sakura. "Wha- no Naruto you can't, Sensei will be mad." "So what, he's not here. It's not right. You guys did just as much as me. And it was your plan that got us the bells." Sakura hesitated. "Still I'm not sure…" " Come on, just eat it."
Sakura finally gave up and munched down on the offered food. She was hungry.
"Here, your turn bastard." He held up another bite for her. "I don't want your pity food." The second after she said that her stomach let out a loud growl.
"Haha, just take it already. It's not pity food if you deserve it, Suki." She paused at that. "What did you just call me?" "Uhh, Suki? It beats your full name." "Tch, whatever, give me the food already." The color of her face returned to its usual tone. "Sheesh so rude," Naruto said as he fed her the bite.
The sky seemed to darken around them and Kakashi appeared with a furious look on his face. "You! After I gave you my praise and food this is how you thank me!? That's it, you all pass!"
The three of them continued to stare at him with surprised expressions.
"I thought you guys would be a little more excited," Kakashi said smile dropping.
"You- I- why?" Naruto managed to get out.
"Because the test was never about getting the bells. It was about teamwork. As corny as it sounds it's true. Your teammates are your most valuable assets. Even the greatest Shinobi need to rely on one another. I want you all to remember this mantra till your dying days. Those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon even one of their comrades are worse than scum."
"Ok… That's all well and good Sensei but we had already started using teamwork, so why did you tie us up and take our food?" Sakura asked. "Oh, that? That was just for fun of course!" Naruto was amazed that this guy had made Jonin and not even a minute ago, gave a heartfelt speech on the importance of teamwork.
"Well, Naruto you may free your teammates, and they can grab their lunches. Tomorrow I want you all to meet me at the red bridge right outside the training area at nine AM sharp. We will go on our first mission tomorrow."
He stepped back and gave a small wave. "Later my cute little Genin." *Poof*
…
"This was going to be one hell of an adventure with this dysfunctional band of Ninja," Naruto thought as he went to cut his team members down.
XXX
Kakashi looked on as his students left the training field. He hadn't expected these results. And he certainly didn't expect to be happy about having a team. Yet he was. He was proud of those three.
It wouldn't be easy getting them to behave and molding them into great Shinobi, but with this bunch, he anticipated many more surprises.
"I told you, you would feel it as well." A deep and elderly voice spoke from behind him. "Yeah, I suppose so." He replied with a sigh of acceptance. Hiruzen chuckled at his subordinates demeanor "The Will of Fire burns brightly in those three. I entrust them to you for a reason Kakashi, I expect solid results yes?"
"I will give my all Lord Hokage, blade, and blood." The Third grunted in acknowledgement. "Be wary of the Uchiha and Nara, their loyalty is being held by a thread, stretched far too long for ones of their age."
Kakashi responded, "I understand Lord Hokage."
XXX
Obito was sitting in his office, going through papers. Filling his time with menial tasks helped him forget about everything, even if it was just for a moment.
He didn't know what he was doing. He didn't really have a goal. He hated this world and everything in it. First, he lost everything-everyone worth living for. Then he was given a purpose, only to find it all folly.
When he took this position he had gone through the mission reports from that day. The series of events never sat right with him. How the mist knew Minato was on a mission. Why they chose Rin in particular. When reading the reports he found that some Shinobi went on record saying the Mizukage was acting strangely. The Mizukage himself writing that he didn't fully remember everything from that day or what compelled him to launch the mission. Stating he had received an anonymous tip that the fourth was on a mission. He said he remembered red eyes…
Obito knew it was Madara. He knew why he did it as well. He knew he couldn't trust Madara's Moon Eye plan nor could he trust Black Zetsu "Madara's will."
So he killed him. And burned his strange corpse to ash. He gave the White Zetsu a choice: Join him or end up like Black Zetsu. They chose the former. Tobi in particular was ecstatic to do so.
Left with no purpose he decided he wanted nothing to do with this world. Fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a kage meant nothing to him. He wanted revenge on the whole Ninja system, but how would one take revenge on the entire Shinobi world?
Simple. Burn it to the ground.
XXX
After picking trash out of the Naka river, walking the Inuzuka clan's younger dogs, and helping an old woman pick weeds from her garden, Sakura and Satsuki had it for the day. Naruto on the other hand still had some energy left to spare.
So after reporting to the Hokage Naruto approached Kakashi outside the office. He wanted to ask about something that had been plaguing his mind since yesterday, however, it had been swept away in the rush of things. "Hey Kakashi-Sensei, I have a question."
"Question away, my dear student," Kakashi replied without even looking from his book. "Yesterday I trapped you in my Shadow Possession Jutsu and you disappeared without replacing yourself with anything. What Jutsu was that?"
"Before I tell you the Jutsu, you need to understand what I really did. I was never truly trapped in your Jutsu, to begin with."
"But, I attached my shadow to yours, so there must have been a chakra system." Kakashi finally looked down at Naruto as they exited the building. "That was a Shadow Clone. Shadow Clones are more advanced than Earth or Water Clones. The user splits their chakra in half and the Shadow Clone becomes a carbon copy of the original. It was originally created to use for recon missions but serves many purposes. The downsides are that the moment it gets hit it dissipates and it requires a large chakra reservoir. It's considered a B ranked Forbidden Jutsu, because of the risk Genin and Chunin may have with chakra exhaustion."
"So I can't learn it?" The blonde asked. "I'm afraid not, at least until you become a Jonin." "Hmm" Naruto wasn't that disappointed he couldn't learn the Jutsu, but the name still kept ringing in his head. "Shadow" should only be at the beginning of a Nara technique.
"Can I still learn how it works? I promise not to try and teach it to myself." Kakashi looked at him for a moment, considering the consequences of telling him. "I suppose. I'll give you a scroll with the details tomorrow." Naruto was satisfied with this and nodded in thanks.
XXX
Once Naruto got the scroll he stayed up all night studying, the complex design of the shadow clone. Sure it looked easy enough to perform, but creating the Jutsu must have taken ages. He wasn't surprised when he read it was the Second Hokage that created it.
The name kept bugging him. He kept looking at it, pondering the word choice.
Then it hit him.
What if he made a literal Shadow Clone. Made up of the Nara Shadows. It would take a ton of chakra to physically manifest into a person-sized clone. Not to mention the control necessary to keep it as such and have it stay transformed.
The most challenging part Naruto had was coming up with a name. Dark clone? Ugh, he decided the Second Hokage was now his least favorite for stealing the name.
He'd work on it.
XXX
Beta'd by: VeldtRevengeance
An: Can everyone see the skiwiggley thing I used to separate scenes? I couldn't see it on the fanfiction app. I decided to make Sakura different in a lot of ways. Her personality is closer to what it was like as a little kid. She will grow and mature as time passes of course.
PS: If we have the phrase "sitting duck", why don't we have a counter phrase "swimming duck?" It matches perfectly! Would it take you out of the story if I used that?
