Chapter 28: Training Day
A/N: Ah, yes, another training chapter. Though, in this chapter, you will be reintroduced to some things…and people.
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Morning rays of sunshine weaved their way through the closed blinds covering the central window of Team Urameshi's hotel room. Lying in the corner of the dark room was the youngest team member, Naruto Uzumaki, who had been asleep for the majority of the night and morning. It wasn't until mid-afternoon that he cracked open his eyes.
Yawning, Naruto stood up and rolled his eyes at the fact that everyone had already left to train or observe another match. "Maybe I should do some training too. Fighting Team Toguro doesn't sound like an easy thing."
After progressing through his morning routine faster than usual, Naruto made his way down the stairway to the main lobby, which had become vacant due to the many gamblers and rich associates that had left after their teams had lost. Now uninterested in the empty lobby, Naruto opened the double doors leading out and walked across the barren land towards the seaside. Arriving in a short time, Naruto immediately sent himself into Kyuubi's lair to converse with his residing inner demon.
"Kyuubi, I have questions and I want answers, now!" Naruto bellowed deep into the heart of Kyuubi's cage.
Awakened, Kyuubi approached Naruto as best as possible. "Yes, Kit?"
"What was that form that I had accessed yesterday? It was unreal. I felt a lot more power than usual and it felt as if I had become a demon fox myself."
"I know, I know. That is not a good thing. You've now got even keener fox senses. I advise you do not overuse this any longer. Anymore power abuse and you will die, as well as me."
"Does this mean I can no longer use any of your power?" Naruto asked, hating the fact that there could be a limit on his growing power.
"The answer to that question is yes and no. You will be able to my powers from time to time, but never again at the level you've used in recent times."
As he opened his mouth to answer, Naruto opened his eyes in the outside world. He cursed at Kyuubi before standing up and thinking about how to prepare himself for the forthcoming battle.
"Okay, so I can't use Kyuubi's power at all. I guess that means I need to rely upon my skills as a ninja. Wait, what am I saying? I am a ninja, not a demon warrior. It's time I show I am one," Naruto announced to the area around him.
"It's about time I heard you say that. I was worried about you for a while, Naruto. Welcome back to the shinobi way," Sasuke dropped out of the trees above Naruto after speaking.
"Oh, hey Sasuke, since you're here, do you want to train? I need all the help I can get."
"That's easily noticeable," Sasuke simply put it, tossing three kunai at Naruto, though all three of them missing.
Dodging most of Sasuke's early attacks, Naruto felt like he had a good chance tomorrow. "I think I may just have a shot tomorrow, Sasuke."
"I think you're getting a little bit cocky, Naruto. Think about it, you've relied on spirit energy for months now. What techniques do you still remember?" Sasuke paused the spar to speak to his comrade.
"Well, I know all my basics. Then there are my three main groups. I've never known a thing about genjutsu, my taijutsu is average, I know a few things about kenjutsu, and I've forgotten most of my ninjutsu techniques. I've become the anti-ninja. This sucks," Naruto fell back on his behind and rubbed his temples, mumbling.
"I don't know what to tell you, Naruto," Sasuke picked his three kunai out of the ground and shrugged.
"You might not but I do, Sasuke," a familiar voice said.
Naruto looked around and eventually noticed Itachi and Gaara walking towards he and Sasuke. "Hey guys. I thought the both of you went back to Konaha."
"We did for a short time," Gaara responded in a very quiet manner.
"Yes, that is true, though it was only for a short period of time. The Hokage needed help for a little while. We were able to get tickets to return for the finals," Itachi finished the explanation.
"That's good to know, but it still doesn't help me. I've got to fight tomorrow and I've got no strategy," Naruto continued to hold his head in his hands.
"I thought about that as I was in Konaha and I got these," Itachi finished by tossing Naruto Kazemougi and his ninja tools. "Think about it Naruto, you're a great ninja all by yourself, don't let anyone else tell you otherwise."
Over the next few hours, Team 0 discussed battle plans, strategies, and went over what the each of them saw of the Team Toguro members. Eventually, as night came, they made their way back towards the only hotel on the island. Once they arrived, all four of them sepearated.
"Good luck, Naruto. We will be cheering you on," Itachi bid farewell to Naruto and walked off into the night.
After leaving his friends, Naruto entered the hotel, ready to get some rest for tomorrow.