Finding the Right Path

Same as the others. Hoping to get a chapter out prior to Christmas. Might get another done soon, but we'll see

No pairings for now, but that may change.

I do not own Naruto or any other aspect that reference people who could sue me...

Enjoy

Chapter 8

It had been over a month since Menma became a fully-fledged shinobi. He had spent most of his time with his teammates, either training or completing missions. He was out at sunrise and home after dark, each day every day. He hadn't seen or spoken to Naruto since the day after taking his 'first' life.

A part of him wanted to go to his brother and fix the broken bond, but he felt that distance was probably for the best. Beside, his team was one of the best Genin cell in Konoha. He knew this as a fact, as he, Sakura and Sasuke had challenged the other teams to constant contests. These contests where based on Kakashi's rivalry contest with one of the Jonin sensei's, Gai. Team 7 had demolished the other two Genin teams, they hadn't gone against Team Gai, but they were content with claims of being number one.

Kakashi had also taught them some of the skills needed to survive. They learnt to track, set up traps, which Menma exceled in, and how to gather/hunt, kill, skin and prepare food. They also learnt how to water walk, and climb trees using chakra, though Menma already knew these as well. These skills contributed to their overall abilities.

Kakashi even taught them a jutsu each that they were to practice, this was after finding out what their affinity to chakra was. Sasuke had a split affinity between Fire and Lightning, making him a strong offensive type shinobi. Sakura had a split between Earth and Water whilst Menma had an affinity for wind, but Kakashi could feel that Menma had an affinity for Yang release as well. Something which manifested itself in the way Menma lived. He knew that this would be advanced, so he didn't bother explaining this to them yet. Knowing full well that the three of them could become a competent Genin cell.

So instead, Kakashi tried to teach them Genjutsu. Menma, however, wasn't able to complete this part of the training. This wasn't much of a problem, as Kakashi assumed this to be the case. He also taught them how to disrupt a Genjutsu. Something that might save their lives in the future.

Team 7 were making their way to the Hokage Tower, after capturing their target and accomplishing another task. Menma was grumbling that the tasks they were assigned were too easy and that he wanted something challenging. Sasuke smirked, showing that he agreed and Sakura nodded her head up and down.

"Ne, Kakashi-Sensei, why can't we do a higher mission, something that would at least get us out of Konoha and explore the world?" At Menma's outburst, Kakashi laughed.

"I don't know, you still haven't beaten me in a spar yet, and until you do, you may have to remain in Konoha forever." Here Kakashi smirked, whilst going through his favourite book.

Sasuke and Sakura were quietly observing the conversation. They both wanted out of Konoha for a while, and this cat that they had captured, only added to their dislike of D-rank missions.

Arriving at the Tower, Team 7 walked in to get another mission from the Hokage.


Naruto had also been kept busy over the past month. He knew that things were still shaky between him and his twin, but he sincerely believed that Menma would seek him out and try to mend those bridges. As each day passed, however, Naruto felt as if their connection was slowly slipping. They could still feel what the other was doing, and their emotions often played out through the other's minds.

Naruto had learned to mask his emotions well, to ensure that he became a truly magnificent ANBU operative. He had mastered many skills over the month, and met his 4th sensei. Most of the time he spent with Anko. Naruto regarded her and called her sensei as opposed to senpei. She was his main sensei, and the others were back-ups. He had spent more time in the Forest of Death, getting the lay of the land and harnessing his skills.

Naruto had found that his Chakra affinity was Wind but asked his sensei about Yin and Yang Release. He always had a creative mind. Many of the pranks that the twins came up with, were directly from Naruto's arsenal. He thought quite a few steps ahead, to ensure everything went off without a hitch.

Anko had explained that he might indeed have Yin Release as another affinity. This confused her and Naruto understood why. It was believed that he and Menma both had the Nine Tailed Demon Fox sealed within them, issue was, they didn't know much about it.

Menma often visited the Fox in his seal and spoke to him on occasion. These, Naruto stated, were dreams that Menma made up. Of course, Naruto knew the truth. He and Menma were Jinchuriki. This, he had kept from Menma, until that fateful day.

"Hey brat, we got another assignment from the Hokage." Anko stated, disrupting Naruto from his thoughts.

"Hai sensei." Naruto responded. Anko saw the image of Naruto disappear in front of her eyes, as if blown away by the wind.

"Haha." Anko laughed. "So you finally did it. Now you know that you can make after images. It's like I told you, you have a knack for Genjutsu." Anko intoned, impressed with the progress that Naruto made.

"I never actually thought that I had an affinity with Genjutsu because of, well you know, but maybe this is meant to be. Genjutsu suits me more than Ninjutsu." Naruto concluded, reappearing in front of Anko

"I'll have to take you to Konoha's Genjutsu Mistress, hopefully she'll teach you a thing or two." Anko stated, before disappearing in a swirl of leaves. What Naruto didn't tell her, was that he already knew he had an affinity to Genjutsu. He was only playing the role of student, to ensure no suspicion would arise in his 'team' members, or the Hokage for that matter.

Naruto followed Anko a second after the thought passed. They both wound up in the Hokage's office. Naruto was fully masked in his ANBU gear, while Anko remained the same in her large trench coat, fishnet coverings, and orangey/brown skirt. Naruto still disliked the Hokage. Ever since that day, Naruto has not bothered with seeing the Hokage, other than for missions.

"Ah Anko-chan, Fox, here for another mission?" The Hokage asked. He got a nod in reply from both, with Anko showing a huge smile. "Well it's a simple mission."

At that moment the door burst open and Team 7 entered the room. Naruto's heart started beating slightly faster at the revelation that his twin was in the room. Menma caught the feeling and signed in their secret language.

Naruto responded, meanwhile, making it look like nothing important.

"Ah Team 7. What can I do for you?" The Hokage asked, ignoring Fox and Anko completely. The other members of Team 7 looked at the other people in the room. Kakashi knew at that moment that Fox was Naruto. He still hadn't gotten over Naruto trying to challenge his authority in front of the Hokage and Anko. His face remained impassive, and he didn't give his emotions away.

"We just completed a mission and are seeking a new one." The Hokage looked through his scroll and found the perfect candidate.

"Here we go." The Hokage exclaimed, tossing a scroll to Kakashi. "It's a simple C rank mission, escort a bridge builder to Nami no Kuni." At that, the Hokage motioned towards the door, where an elderly drunken fool entered, breathe stinking of Sake.

"Hmph, so this is the team that is going to protect me. Good to see you know how to take care of your clients." The Bridge Builder whistled softly, looking at Anko. At that moment, he felt extreme dread, and looked into the face of the Fox.

"Ah there seems to be an issue." The Hokage stated. "This is Team 7, they will be escorting you home, not Anko and Fox." The Hokage explained, gaining the attention of those in the room.

"So it seems." The Bridge Builder announced. "I'm Tazuna and I am a super bridge builder from Nami no Kuni. You'll have to escort me all the way home, and guard me whilst I complete my bridge." The Bridge Builder exclaimed.

"We are to convene down by the main gate in an hour, ensure you have everything you need for a two week mission. Dismissed." Kakashi dismissed his team to get ready, meanwhile staying behind to converse with the Hokage.

Tazuna left at the same time as the Genin of Team 7 did. Menma looked at Naruto prior to leaving, and smirked when Naruto signed, "Be Careful". The smirk was caught by the Hokage, Kakashi and Anko.

"Yes Kakashi?" The Hokage asked, wanting to see why the Jonin sensei of team 7 stayed behind.

"I was wondering if I could have a word with you… in private." Kakashi stated, looking in the direction of Fox and Anko.

The Hokage thought for a second, before smiling and nodding to Anko and Fox. At his nod, Fox and Anko disappeared in a swirl of leaves.

"I want to know more about what happened at Naruto and Menma's birth." Kakashi stated, looking the Hokage in the eye. The Hokage gauged Kakashi's question while taking out his pipe and lighting it, so the contents filled his lungs. He blew out a puff thinking on how to answer.

"What happened to the twins is an S-Rank secret. Their birth remains the same." The Hokage said, looking Kakashi in his lone eye. "Though certain aspects of their birth was revealed to the public, the rest remains thus, an S-Rank secret." The Hokage intoned, taking another puff of his pipe.

Kakashi stood in silence for a second, before explaining his reasoning's. "I found some anomalies surrounding Menma and his chakra network. In particular, his extraordinary strength and stamina. What is of concern is that he cannot use any form of Genjutsu what-so-ever. I have an inkling that Naruto would be the complete opposite to his twin." Kakashi stated, seeing the subtle change in the Hokage's posture. To the untrained eye, it looked like nothing, but Kakashi saw the tell-tale signs of… something, maybe surprise. "I dare say that if we do test them against each other, we would find the difference in their power's outstanding. This is the reason why I wanted to know more about their birth, as it seems like something that could potentially inhibit my students' progress." Kakashi finished, explaining the reasoning behind such a question.

"There is nothing more I could tell you about that Kakashi." The Hokage stated. Kakashi looked dejected by such a reply, but hid his emotions well. Nodding his head to his leader, Kakashi was about to leave the room. "Another thing before you leave." The Hokage stated, causing Kakashi to look over his shoulder. "Gato is not to be harmed. He is a business partner of Konoha, one that could have far-reaching consequences if something were to happen." The Hokage exclaimed, before dismissing Kakashi completely.

Kakashi nodded once more to his leader before exiting the room.


Fox and Anko returned to the Hokage's office a half an hour later. Both went their separate ways after their dismissal. What Anko didn't know was that Naruto spent his time spying on Kakashi and the Hokage. He wanted to know what Kakashi was going to ask the Hokage. He was slightly surprised by what Kakashi and the Hokage discussed, and wondered what it could mean for him and his twin. He was also confused regarding the Hokage's last statement. He knew of a Gato, but didn't know much more than him being a businessman. This intrigued him.

"I have a mission for you Fox. It is a simple reconnaissance mission." The Hokage stated, gaining Fox's full attention, before continuing. "You are to gather information and report it back to me directly." The Hokage said once more, taking his time to relay the mission. "You are to travel to the border of Hi no Kuni and Ame no Kuni. You are not to infiltrate Ame no Kuni, only to observe." The Hokage stated, ensuring that Fox understood the message. "You are to report on any activity vital to Konoha."

"Border security?" Fox asked in a confused manner.

"Yes. Look at it as another form of training." The Hokage stated smirking slightly. "You are to remain for a week and then report what you found."

Beside Fox, Anko couldn't help but laugh. It was just too funny, knowing that Fox wanted to go on more solo missions.

"You are dismissed Fox." The Hokage stated, nodding to fox. With that, Fox poofed into smoke, the shadow clone relaying every detail to the original. "Your mission is simple Anko. You are to keep an eye on Fox. You are not to reveal your position, no matter what." The Hokage stated.

"Another baby sitting mission?" Anko asked, sounding slightly irritated.

"You are not to be seen. Complete discretion is a must. Fox must think that he is on this mission by himself. You will fail if he knows you are there." The Hokage said. His face was serious, telling Anko that this was a somewhat important mission, and that the Hokage was up to something. Anko nodded once, before she too poofed into smoke.

The Hokage grumbled about shadow clones, before another presence made himself known.

"You are to keep an eye on Anko and Fox. No doubt that Anko will get herself found out. You are not to reveal yourself for anything." The Hokage intoned, ensuring that the ANBU agent knew that he was serious about this mission.

"Hai Hokage-sama." The ANBU operative responded, before disappearing into the floor boards.