I'm on another Negima hype so here's the next chapter! Well this will probably be the last chapter before the Mahora Festival (My personal favorite arc) and that will take three chapters at LEAST…hmm but anyway here ya go.
Ninja Magi Naruto
Chapter 6
Naruto opened the door to his teacher's apartment slowly, absorbing the incidents of the past few days in his mind. As if this mission couldn't get even more mixed up, now he had another problem.
And that problem was Chao Lingshen.
He sighed deeply as he entered the sparse apartment and closed the door behind him. The room wss just as he had left it, dark with his few possessions scattered about. He shook his head and slumped down on the small couch near the door.
'Well now, this is getting bigger and bigger with each day.' Naruto thought. Chao Lingshen. He never would have thought…
"I don't see what you're worried about. What she offered actually benefits you, brat." Kyuubi said from his mind. Naruto groaned and lay on his back, staring blankly at the ceiling. He thought back to that meeting on the veranda.
-Flashback-
"What can I do for you, Chao Lingshen-san?" Naruto asked the girl. He was a little surprised by the girl's visit, Chao had never really interacted with Naruto, save for briefly talking at her food stand with Ku Fei. The look she wore now was definitely different from the usual. Her face showed deep intelligence and a dark intent behind it.
"I have a proposition for you Naruto-sensei." She said. Naruto gave her an appraising look. A proposition? That was different.
"Oh?" he asked, unconsciously tensing. Something about the air that Chao gave off put Naruto on edge. "And what would that be Chao-san? Do you need help with your assignments?" Naruto humored her, hoping it was something so trivial. Chao smirked and closed her eyes in an aloof, all-knowing expression.
"Let's be honest with each other Naruto-sensei. Neither of us are what we seem." She said. Now Naruto visibly tensed. He quickly thought of the kunai pouch attached to his leg.
"Excuse me?" he asked. Chao chuckled.
"I mean this; I know that you are a ninja and an assassin." The words had barely left her mouth before Naruto had slammed her up against the wall with a kunai at her throat. All traces of the easy-going assistant were gone; in place were the cold snarling eyes of an elite assassin.
"How do you know that?" he growled, edging the knife forward. Chao did not seem at all fazed by the blade at her throat and instead, her smirk deepened into a full smile.
"Ah, one step at a time, Naruto-sensei. I am not here to expose you." She said levelly. Naruto blinked in surprise, though his grip on the knife never slackened.
"I'll ask you again, how did you find out?" he said, though now in a calmer tone. Chao simply chuckled.
"How I found out is of no importance. But like I said, I have a proposition for you sensei." She said. Naruto stared hard at her.
"What?"
"Maybe we could move somewhere more private…and without a blade at my throat." Chao said with a trace of bitter humor in her voice. Naruto stared at the girl for a moment longer before he released her, letting her slump to the deck. He motioned toward the hut door and both slipped quietly inside his hut.
Inside, Naruto faced the girl, his expression no less cold. "Alright talk."
So Chao did. She explained her plans. How she was from the future (which, Naruto noted, explained her knowledge of him) and her overall goals. She told of the upcoming Festival and the invasion plan.
Naruto stood completely still, processing the information silently. What this girl was doing….was immense.
"Well, Naruto-sensei? Will you join me?" Chao asked. Though she was pleasant enough, Naruto held no doubt to what she would try if he refused.
"What you are doing…this will more than likely kill people." Naruto began, looking past Chao. "These mages will die if they are discovered. People fear and hate what they do not understand." Chao nodded.
"Yes, I realize that. But for the good of the world, I am ready to take responsibility for that. Can YOU of all people judge me for spending lives for the greater good?" she had him there. Naruto found himself agreeing with Chao more and more. What this girl was planning did not directly interfere with the Elemental Countries either…
"What's in it for me?" he asked, rather bluntly. Chao smirked, as if expecting such a question. She seemed to predict everything.
"I am willing to pay you for your services of course." She said. "Also, the confusion would give you a better chance at taking out Konoe." She said, though Naruto saw a hint of pain when she said the last part. She wasn't a heartless person, Naruto deduced, but was willing to face the pain of her tasks. Naruto respected that. "And..I can give you spells." She finished. Now Naruto looked shocked.
"You can use magic?" he asked in disbelief. Chao nodded, though her face showed a deep pain hidden.
"I can. And I am willing to give you knowledge as well, for your people." She said. Naruto bit his tongue. The offer was a good one. But still he hesitated. Chao must have read his pause because she said, "I can give you some time to think it over. Meet me at the Mahora college labs in two days with your answer." She said. Naruto nodded and without another word, Chao turned and headed to the door. "Choose wisely, Naruto-sensei." She called back to him, and slipped out the front door.
-End Flashback-
I should accept, Naruto thought. The offer was really good. And it was giving him a better chance at his mission. But then why couldn't he bring himself to do it?
"You still have doubts about killing Konoka." Kyuubi said. Naruto winced. It was the truth; Naruto was still hoping he would get a message back telling him to call off the whole thing. "You should just accept it brat. You're going to have to do it. It's your job and duty."
'Since when has killing innocents become part of my job?' Naruto snapped. Kyubbi sighed deeply.
"Since it became necessary for the prosperity of your home." Kyubbi returned. Naruto sighed and nodded. That was right. He would do it for that. He began thinking of Chao and her cold certainty of her goals.
"She doesn't falter from her task, though daunting as it is. Learn from that, brat."
Naruto would have responded, had he not been suddenly distracted by a suddenly puff of smoke appearing before him. Naruto jumped as the small fox Kaieru appeared from the haze. It was carrying a letter in its mouth. Naruto froze for a split second.
It was the message he had been waiting for. Naruto dismissed his summon and opened the letter quickly.
Fox,
While recent information of your mission does bring a certain caution into play, the mission overall will still continue. I don't have to remind you of our economic state as of now and we cannot afford to revoke this mission. Please continue as ordered.
-Sandaime Hokage.
Naruto sighed deeply as he read the letter. Well that was it then. The mission would continue. Naruto crumpled up the letter and stuffed it into his pack with all his gear. He had placed a henge over it so that if someone ever peeked inside, nothing would show. Naruto paced around his dorm-room floor for a moment. This was it. All stops were gone and he couldn't put it off any longer.
'I must assassinate Konoe Konoka.' He thought sullenly.
A day passed. School life was continuing normally. Negi was training with Evangeline after classes. Naruto had never followed him, but the blond-haired boy noted that Negi seemed to be returning home each day increasingly exhausted.
'What the hell is that girl doing to him?'
"Heh, if it's Evangeline, then it's no surprise the boy is wearing down. That girl is a slave driver. Not to mention she probably sucks his blood."
'Wha?'
"She's a vampire, remember? And if you look closely at Negi, he is more than just physically drained." Kyuubi explained. Naruto shuddered, thinking of Negi being preyed upon. Quickly he got ready for bed and switched off the lights.
The next day, Naruto nearly wanted to slap himself from exasperation. Negi was teaching as best he could, but it looked like the poor boy could barely stand. All of the girls saw it as well, and there was concern written on all of their faces.
When class ended Negi stumbled out, barely able to hold himself upright as he walked down the hallway. Asuna stood at the classroom door, watching him go with a worried expression written plainly across her face. Naruto walked up beside her and watched as well.
"Just what is he doing with Evangeline?" Asuna asked, though if it was to herself or him Naruto had no clue. He answered regardless.
"Training obviously. But damn…makes me curious." He said. Okay that was half true. He also wanted to get closer to see Negi's training for scouting purposes. One thing plainly obvious about Negi was his loyalty and protective nature towards those he cared about. While that was something Naruto found admirable, it also made him a threat for Naruto's plans. He sensed more girls walking up behind him. It was Negi's usual group of friends; Konoka, Setsuna, Ku Fei, Yue, Nodoka and Asakura.
"I wonder what he is doing." Asakura said, startling Asuna. She and Naruto turned and to the other girls. Each had a look of curiosity written on their faces.
"So, it's because of his training with Evangeline?" Yue asked quietly. Naruto nodded.
"More than likely."
"He was staggering a lot during our morning practice too, aru." Ku Fei added. Asuna frowned again, deep in thought.
"Just what is she doing to him?' Asakura began to rub her shin thoughtfully, a mischievous beginning to form.
"Hmmm, spending two to three hours a day with Eva-chan and then coming home worn out….do think they could be doing THAT?" she emphasized 'that' and blushed lightly. Naruto and the other girls blushed too as they got the meaning behind Asakura's words.
Naruto shook his head and just before Asuna could shout a response said, "I doubt it. He's only ten after all." 'Thought this school has to be the easiest place in the WORLD to 'get some'. He thought with a small giggle. 'I mean damn, these girls are always LOOKING for an excuse to strip.' He had figured that when the girls played a few rounds of their 'strip study session' during class. That was a good day.
The group trailed Negi off campus to the town, where they saw Evangeline waiting. The two set off and the group trailed behind a ways off. Soon they were back in the woods, at Evangeline's cabin.
They stared at it for a moment before Asuna spoke up. "So are we going in or not?" Naruto sighed ruefully. Truth be told he had been hoping to avoid Evangeline for a while longer. The glares she gave him in class recently were getting tiresome.
"Hehe, they went inside for some privacy. I told you, their totally doing it!" Asakura said, chuckling.
"Enough with that already! Jeez!" Asuna snapped at her, but Naruto noticed the worried, anxious look on her face.
'Ohoho!' he mentally chuckled, as if discovering some deeply hidden secret. This girl was like an open book.
Without waiting any longer the group crept up to the door and hesitantly opened it. Ku Fei peered inside. "It's empty, aru." She said, glancing around. Now they all walked inside, looking around for any sign of Negi or Evangeline.
There was none. It was as if the two had disappeared off the face of the planet. Suddenly Nodoka cried, "Hey, down here!" Everyone turned, somewhat surprised by the shy girl's outbust. Nodoka blushed quickly and pointed down the steps.
"T-there's a basement with something in it." As the girls headed down the stairs, Naruto paused suddenly, remembering.
Today was the day he had to give Chao his answer.
Naruto hung back until he was the only one left on the main floor. Glancing around quickly he formed a familiar cross handsign.
Kage Bunshin no jutsu!
Another copy of the blond ninja appeared in a burst of smoke. The naruto clone nodded to his original and headed back outside. Once there he promptly disappeared, leaping through the trees back to campus.
Satisfied, Naruto turned and headed down the basement steps. When he got to the bottom, he stopped in surprise. There was a single room with a large glass sphere situated in the middle. Inside was a miniature resort of some kind. But what Naruto noticed first was that all the girls had disappeared, save Asuna who was glancing around wildly.
"Eh? Where did everyone go?" she asked to the air. Naruto walked up with a frown.
"What happened?"
"I don't know. They were all here a second ago and then there was a flash and-" she never finished. The bright light returned and engulfed Naruto and Asuna.
Clone-Naruto ran down the path as quickly as possible without attracting unwanted attention. It was raining now, and Naruto ran faster. He slowed a bit when he saw two figures a bit further ahead.
It was Chizuru and Natsumi.
Natsumi looked up in surprise as Naruto approached. "Sensei? What are you doing out here?" the girl asked. Naruto was about to respond when he noticed the dog at their feet. It was wounded from the looks of it, but there was something about the black canine that made Naruto edgy.
"Sensei, can you help us get him back to our dorm?" Chizuru asked as she scooped the dog up in her arms. Naruto hesitated for a moment. He needed to go meet up with Chao.
"Sure." He said. Together the three of them managed to bring the wounded animal back to Chizuru and Natsumi's dorm without any trouble. Inside Naruto set the dog out on the floor and watched as Chizuru began applying ointment.
"What do you think happened to it?" Natsumi asked. Naruto had no clue and didn't care. He NEEDED to go.
"If that's all, I need to get going. "He said. "I won't tell anyone about it being here either so don't worry." He said as he headed for the door. Chizuru gave him a warm smile.
"Thanks sensei."
Naruto waved as he opened the door and left. Almost as soon as he did, Natsumi turned back to the do and gasped in surprise. The dog was gone, and in place was a ten-year old kid. He had black hair and two dog ears sticking out from the top of his head. And a tail.
"Wha?"
"N-negi." The boy muttered. Chizuru walked up with a look of mild surprise.
"Oh my."
The boy mumbled again. "Gotta..tell him…danger…coming…"
Elsewhere, in the abandoned streets of Mahora, a figure began to form out of the rain. Two glowing eyes appeared, followed by a shadowy figure. It looked up at the leering Academy. "Negi Springfield….Asuna Kagurazaki, I finally found you.
The original Naruto blinked rapidly as the world came back into focus. He gaped when it did. They were no longer in Evangeline's basement. Instead they stood on a circular tower, which jutted out from a large cylindrical resort.
It was the resort from the model, Naruto realized with a start.
'What the hell?!" Asuna yelled as she looked around. She stood up next to Naruto with an amazed expression.
"Sensei, Asuna!" Both looked to see Yue waving to them from the bridge. "This way. See what we found!" Asuna and Naruto joined her and they began heading towards the main resort buildings.
"So where are we exactly?" Asuna asked Yue. The other girl didn't even blink.
"Somehow we are in the same resort as in the miniature model." She said calmly. Asuna sighed.
"I'm really trying not to be surprised by these things anymore." She said with exasperation. Naruto didn't, instead looking around carefully. It was a luxurious place, with a waterfall pouring down forever in the background.
"We looked around for thirty minutes before you arrived." Yue explained. Ku Fei was waving to them from the main pavilion. Naruto and Asuna paused.
"Thirty minutes?" Naruto asked. "But you were only gone for, like, two!"
"Guys!" Ku Fei called. "I think we found them, aru!" Asuna, Yue, Naruto and Ku Fei crept down the stairs from the pavilion, leading to a large set of rooms underneath. Nodoka, Setsuna and Asakura were at the bottom of the stairs, hiding behind the entrance. There were voices from inside the room.
"You're at your limit already?"
"Just hurry up and let it out!"
"But Evangeline-san,"
"Hehe, call me Master."
All the girls were blushing heavily as they listened. Nodoka looked about ready to go into cardiac arrest. Naruto just smirked and edged closer to the door. Asuna finally reached her limit and jumped out into the open.
"Just what the hell are you doing to him you little…" She started but then stopped when she saw the scene. Negi and Evangeline were seated on a couch with Chachamaru standing quietly behind. Evangeline had her teeth sunk into Negi's arm, a look of annoyance on her face as she saw the intruders.
Asuna facefaulted.
"What do you people want?" Evangeline sat up and sweatdropped. Asuna jumped back and shouted,
"Just what are you doing?"
"What does it look like? He's just letting me suck his blood as payment for his lessons." She she got an evil look in her eyes. "Why, what did you THINK we were doing?" she asked suggestively.
"Oh shut up!"
Clone Naruto arrived at the Mahora college and saw Chao standing out front. She turned to him with a smile that Naruto was becoming increasingly familiar with. "Naruto-sensei, there you are." She said. Naruto nodded and glanced around.
"So about this offer.."
"Have you given it some thought?" she asked. Naruto nodded and looked at Chao with determination. She stared right back and Naruto was struck by the sheer amount of deception and intelligence that lay within them.
"I'll do it." He said. Chao's smile broadened.
"Excellent. Now then, follow me. I want you to meet with your other business associates." Chao led him into the building.
After following through staircases and hallways, they stopped at a set of double doors. Chao pushed them opened and Naruto stared.
There were mechanical marvels everywhere. Machines, robots and data charts littered the room with desks and computers set about in all directions. And there were two figures in the room waiting.
It was Mana and Hakase.
Now that struck Naruto as surprising. Okay maybe he wasn't surprised my Mana being there, but Hakase? How did Chao sink her fangs into that one?
They looked up at Chao's approach and nodded to her, but then their eyes landed on me.
"Naruto-sensei?" Mana asked in confusion.
"What is he doing here?" Hakase asked. Chao nodded at Naruto in a way of indication.
"Naruto-sensei has joined our cause, girls. His skills can be of great value to us." She said. Mana and Hakase looked even more surprised.
"Skills?" Mana asked. "And just what is that?" The question was more directed at Naruto. The boy felt a slight air of hostility coming from the girl and smirked. Before either could blink he was behind them, a kunai in each hand, aimed at their throats.
"I'm more than I seem, girls." He said, enjoying the wide-eyed looks of the two students. Mana recovered first and whipped around.
"What the hell?" she half screamed. "I've only ever seen movements like that from Kaede-san. She's a kunoichi of great skill. How can this guy-"
"Naruto-sensei is a shinobi." Chao cut in. "A ninja like Kaede-san." Mana and Hakase looked at Naruto in awe as the boy smirked again. He mentally stored that bit about Kaede away for later.
"So are you going to start this or stand there staring at me all day?" his voice broke the two girls out of their stare. Chao nodded.
"Yes. We are here to discuss your roles in the upcoming invasion." She said. She would have continued but Hakase cut her off.
"Hold on! I'm not done with him." She pointed at Naruto. "What are you doing at Mahora in the first place?"
Naruto gave her a piercing glare that made the girl shrink from him. "That is none of your concern." He said, voice cold as ice. Hakase made a small noise and backed off, feeling his aura of death. Mana frowned and studied Naruto, but said nothing.
"If I can continue.." Caho said with trace of annoyance. "Your roles in the invasion. Now then…"
A half-hour later, clone naruto left the building, walking at a slow pace. It was still raining, but the boy didn't seem to notice. Everything was coming together.
He headed off the path into the woods. Clone Naruto glanced around quickly and then dispelled himself, leaving behind a faint wisp of smoke that was quickly washed away in the pouring rain.
At Evangeline's resort, Naruto suddenly jerked up as his clone's memories came rushing to him. He absorbed the information quietly as Evangeline explained how the resort worked and its purpose.
The plan was a go then. The invasion would happen in a couple weeks time. 'Game on.' Naruto thought.
'Game on.'
AN:) Ahhh another chapter done. I'm thinking only one chapter left until the Festival arch starts up and the REAL fun begins! Also, it seemed I wasn't clear about the pairings. This is a vote for the SECONDARY pairings. Naruto/Ku Fei and Negi/Asuna is still solid.
Now as for the results of the pairing votes….
Naruto/Setsuna won by a landslide.
Seriously I didn't even have to bother counting them all. I did enjoy some of the other ideas though. I got a few votes for Naruto/Yuuna, Naruto/Mana, Naruto/Kaede and …..Naruto/Evangeline? Eh whatever.
Well then Naruto's pairings are a go then. Naruto/KuFei/Setsuna it is!
As for Negi; it's Negi/Asuna, Negi/? I'll let you vote on that one too. I'm leaning towards a less emphasized girl though. Like Ako, Akira, Anya..something like that.
Well then I hope you enjoyed it and see you next time. Remember to review!!!!
Arrivederci !
-TheHiddenAssassin