Naruto: Kung Fu Guardian
Chapter 2: The Awakening
Revised – Final Version
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or the 2 techniques described in this chapter.
…o.0.O.0.o…
(somewhere nearby the Monastery of the Ancient Manuscripts)
High in the sky, a soaring eagle eyed its prey splashing in the river below. It glided majestically from one hot air column to the next, letting the updrafts lift it to a higher altitude. As it reached its peak, it acrobatically looped backwards and dove towards its next meal. Perhaps aware of the fact that it might have an audience, the eagle twirled in the middle of its dive, adding a little showmanship to the already impressive feat. The eagle's beak easily navigated through the cold air columns, allowing their downward pressure to speed up its descent toward its target until it splashed down in the water. And then, just as quickly and gracefully, it surfaced with its desperately wiggling prize and sped toward the horizon.
On the riverbed, five spectators, monks in their early teens, sat in the meditative position. The oldest one addressed the youngest, "Fifth Apprentice Brother, what did you learn from what you just saw?"
Wearing a pensive expression, the youngest of them answered, "I'm not quite sure. Did it have anything to do with how to catch a fish?"
His comment about food was consistent with his ferocious appetite and elicited some stifled laughter from the Fourth Apprentice.
"Did any of you notice that the eagle did not flap its wings once during its whole flight until it reemerged from the water? Not once during its ascension or during its dive?" asked the First Apprentice, the acting group instructor.
"Now that you mentioned it … you might be on to something," concluded the Third Apprentice.
"Of course, you idiot, quit stating the obvious," chided the Second Apprentice as he punched the boy next to him. "First Apprentice Brother is teaching us how we can learn Kung Fu by observing the nature around us."
"Does anyone know how the eagle was able to do that?" asked their make-shift instructor, completely ignoring the Second and Third Apprentices' antics.
Seeing their shaking heads, the First Apprentice explained, "The eagle was able to glide without flapping its wings because it used the thermal air columns to its advantage. Its beak detected the slightest change of barometric pressure to find the rising hot air columns to elevate and the sinking cold air columns to speed up its downward dive."
"Excuse me, First Apprentice Brother, but what did that have to do with teaching us Kung Fu?" asked the youngest.
"Like this," he answered as he directed their attention to his Kung Fu.
Beginning with his hands resting on his knees, he channeled Qi around his body and began to slowly move his hands. As he made alternating circles in front of him, he weaved his arms through the crashing waves of Qi, generating a continuous gentle breeze around the group of apprentices in the process.
"When you channel Qi, you want to feel the way natural energy flows around you. That energy is a combination of Nature's Qi intermingled with your own. Like the eagle that let the thermal air columns work to its advantage, you too want to let Nature's Qi work to your advantage. You can do so by working with the way Qi flows. Remember: work with the flow of Qi, not against it."
At that moment, the clanging of the monastery bell resonated throughout the valley.
"Hurry!" ordered the First Apprentice as he leapt to his feet. "Let's get back to the mountain! The Grand Master Abbot has finally awakened from his solitary meditation."
…o.0.O.0.o…
(Naruto's mindscape)
Kyuubi had stayed up all night after healing Naruto. She was very frustrated with how weak her charge was, but really couldn't fault him for being in this predicament. Naruto didn't grow up in a family environment. He was an orphan from birth. Unlike other kids of his age born into a clan, he did not have anyone to watch over him or teach him how to defend himself.
As an orphan, he had no one looking after his diet. After all, how strong could he get eating ramen and drinking spoiled milk? Naruto could have benefited from adding meat and vegetables into his diet, but he was turned off by their taste since the shops only sold him rotten produce and maggot-ridden meat.
"Damn those village bigots! If something like last night ever happens to my charge again, I'll take over his body and finish what I've started," seethed Kyuubi. Never mind that her attack on Konoha was because of Madara.
Pushing aside her frustrations, Kyuubi finally let her curiosity got the better of her. With two of her tails whipping forward, holding Itachi's parting gift, she busied herself in deciphering those manuscript.
At first glance, they were exactly as described. The manuscripts were ancient and emitted a commanding aura around them. They projected the spiritual essence of those who mastered these powerful techniques in the past.
Finding her bestial appendages quite inadequate for combing through the pages in the manuscripts, she transformed herself into a beautiful woman with a presence commanding royalty. She examined the manuscripts more carefully with her graceful hands. She could have transformed into any shape or form, but hands were needed for this task and her pride would not allow her to transform into a form any less elegant.
"The thicker manuscript is entitled, The Nine Yangs of Qi. The first few pages explain what Qi is," said Kyuubi to herself. Opening to the first page, she read, "Qi is, was, and always will be. The essence of Qi exists in all things breathing, plants and animals, large and small. Qi is the force of nature, the reminiscence of creation, the balancing of opposites, breathes of gods. It moves to and fro without hindrance. It can be channeled but cannot be contained."
"Many foolish humans think that Qi and chakra are the same, but Qi is more primitive and untamed. Actually, raw is a more fitting description," Kyuubi mouthed to herself as she flipped through the rest of the pages.
The rest of the manuscript was just as riddled. Kyuubi didn't find any ninjutsu or taijutsu techniques. It was merely a plain manuscript that contained mostly theories and prayer chants. It had nothing on chakra or elemental manipulation. In fact, the ideas it contained were different to the foundations of the shinobi arts in every way.
"This will be completely revolutionary for that pathetic vessel of mine," Kyuubi concluded with a smirk.
Kyuubi had known about Qi.
'It is different from chakra and acts independently of it. Chakra is what results from combining physical energy that the body normally produces with the spiritual energy that's gained from experience and meditation. Qi, on the other hand, is the energy that exists from the beginning of creation and is found in all things natural. It moves in a balance of plurality in negative and positive, namely, Yin and Yang.'
In fact, many believed that the bond between the positive and negative Qi, Yin and Yang, to be the strongest bond in existence. And, according to the manuscript, separating that bond would unleash unfathomable power that could be harnessed if one knew how.
THAT was what made the Nine Yangs of Qi remarkable: The ability to harness that power.
Kyuubi elatedly concluded, "My vessel will become powerful once he learns this. It may even help him use more of my demonic chakra with less damage to his body. Too bad this is too advanced for an eight-year-old to understand or perform. He would need to learn about Qi and how to channel it first."
Tossing the larger manuscript aside for later, she moved on to the second one.
"The Swordsman's Four Decrees: A swordsman is his sword. A sword is its wielder. A swordsman and his sword are one. A swordsman and his sword are none," mouthed Kyuubi as she glanced over the first page.
Looking at the cover again, she read its title, "The Sword Art of Nine Lonesome Stances."
Flipping back to the first page, she learned more about the origins of the spiritual aura emanating from this manuscript.
The Nine Lonesome Sword Stances were created centuries ago by a swordsman of no equal: DuGu QiuBai. Using the sword art he developed, he defeated every martial artist alive, sword welders or not. Once he commenced his attacks, he was never forced to defend. At first, he was quite happy to see how his genius and hard work paid off, and he relished in fighting worthy opponents and testing his sword stances against them. The better his opponents fought, the more brilliantly he manifested his sword stances. But after he defeated all schools of martial arts, he found fewer and fewer worthy opponents and loneliness soon overtook him. It was for this reason his sword art was named. For the rest of his life, he journeyed across the world looking for opponents that could last three seconds with him or capable of forcing him into a defensive stance and found none. Finally, depressed and nearing insanity, he became a hermit and was never heard from again. His legend lived on as the Lonesome Hermit of the Nine Sword Stances.
'Great, a nutcase who wrote in riddles,' sighed the frustrated Kyuubi to herself. 'These insignificant old fools must have thought they were pretty intelligent in coming up with these riddles to pass on their weak footsy plays as "great" martial arts.'
Kyuubi tugged her lips to the right for a pensive smile. If Kyuubi was honest with herself, she would have admitted having been impressed by the "simple yet complex" duality in the poses of both manuscripts.
The bijuu was hoping to just hand off the manuscripts to Naruto and be done with it. That was if she found a way to set up their long awaited meeting. Yet, having seen just how these manuscripts were heavily riddled, she knew that hell would freeze over before her jailor could figure out what those sages of martial arts tried to convey.
To get her charge worthy of being her vessel, Kyuubi resigned to the fact that she might have to take a more hands-on approach than she would have liked to.
Fortunately, the rest of the sword art manuscript proved to be helpful toward Kyuubi's purposes. In addition to its riddled written explanation, the sword art manuscript contained comprehensive illustrations on sword attack patterns, the human anatomy, and a map of all existing pressure points.
"Yes, finally, illustrations!" exclaimed Kyuubi with relief washing over her face. "I think I'll have him start learning the sword art first."
The transformed fox found that there was more to these nine stances than she had initially thought.
"The Nine Stances are the Composite Stance, Sword-Conquering Stance, Knife-Conquering Stance, Spear-Conquering Stance, Whip-Conquering Stance, Kick-Conquering Stance, Palm-Conquering Stance, Missile-Conquering Stance, and Energy-Conquering Stance," read the faux beauty with raised eyebrows. Looking through the narrative explanation and the sword attack illustrations for the first few stances, her jaw dropped. "Holy crap! Can these stances do what their names claim they can do? … Each of the stances has hundreds of variations! First stance alone has three hundred sixty variations! No wonder this sword art is undefeated."
She continued reading the Nine Stances. Once finished, she moved back to reading the Nine Yangs. Already long lost the track of time….
Finally, light shined through the windows that were Naruto's eyes into the cage and welcomed the transformed beauty the arrival of another day. Having read both manuscripts and pondered over how to train Naruto, Kyuubi devilishly grinned at how powerful her vessel would become once he mastered them. She resolved to make another attempt to communicate with him tonight.
…o.0.O.0.o…
(Konoha)
True to Itachi's words, the Sandaime assigned Naruto another ANBU to personally watch over him. Naruto found that out when he visited the Hokage tower after he woke up. He was looking for some explanation from the aged leader about where Weasel-san was going.
The Sandaime's secretary ushered Naruto through two Mahogany doors to be greeted by an aged, wrinkled man with receding hairline sitting behind a paper-pilled desk and a spiky silver-haired ANBU standing with a dog mask attached to his face.
Sarutobi Hiruzen briefly introduced them to each other.
"So, Doggy-san, you are going to watch over me now, huh?" asked Naruto with a quirked eyebrow.
He was trying to get a feel for his new protector. With all that Naruto had to endure in his short life, he found it hard to trust people. But if the old man was okay with this good-for-nothing-looking slacker, then Naruto was going to give him a chance.
"Hai, Naruto," answered the ANBU with a huge sweat drop. Then with a mental sigh of relieve, he thought to himself, 'I'm glad I'm not a female.'
"Do you know where Weasel-san went and when he's coming back?" asked Naruto.
Itachi was Kakashi's successor a few months ago who had recently asked the former captain to replace him, saying it was only to be temporary until he got his life in order. Thus, when Kakashi heard Naruto's question, with raised eyebrows behind his mask, the newly re-assigned ANBU captain looked to his Hokage for answers. Naruto, too, turned his attention to the man behind the paper-piled desk.
If Hiruzen was surprised by Naruto's inquiry, he did not let it show. With his wrinkles showing experience, the aged man dismissed both puzzled faces, "He requested a mission that will take him away for a while."
The Third's answer did not satisfy the dog mask ANBU. He had more questions, but he would have to ask the Hokage later ... if the aged leader was willing to tell him.
Seeing Naruto's dejected face, Hiruzen quickly added, "Naruto, would you like to bef strong like your Weasel-san?"
"Would I ever! Tell me what I have to do old man!" shouted the perked up bundle of energy in orange jumpsuit, barely able to keep his feet on the ground.
While the ANBU was frowning behind his mask at Naruto's lack of respect, the Hokage was grinning inside that he got the desired reaction from Naruto.
"You'll have to join the Ninja Academy. How about let me tell you more during dinner at my place?" asked the Sandaime with a satisfying grin, one not unnoticed by the ANBU.
This time Naruto lost it completely. Pumping his fists and jumping into the air, he shouted, "Yatta! I'm one step closer to become a Hokage!"
Having picked up Kakashi's suspicions, the aged Kage pretended to ignore his presence. He offered an explanation for his invitation, but directed his comment toward Naruto, "My son Asuma recently returned from his training mission with the Guardian Monks. The family planned to have dinner to celebrate his return. Why don't you meet me here at 5 and we'll go there together?"
Naruto bobbed his head up and down before saying and waving his good-byes to the old man and the masked ANBU.
"Hokage-sama, about Weasel-san," Kakashi began, wanting to ask about what had really happened to Itachi, but was stopped from continuing when he saw his Commander-in-Chief's raised hand, signalling his unwillingness to continue.
"That'll be all, Kakashi," said the wizen leader. "Dismissed."
"Hai."
Kakashi left Hokage's office with lots of questions on his mind. First, there was "Weasel-san," the former ANBU captain. Kakashi wanted to know why Naruto, an eight-year-old boy would know more about the activities of one of the elite ninja in the village than a former ANBU captain did. Then there was Hokage's reaction to Naruto's knowledge or disclosure of this. Something about this did not sit right with the silver haired nin.
Another thing that bothered Kakashi was Naruto himself.
No, Kakashi wasn't someone ignorant of the difference between a prisoner and a jailer, between a scroll and something sealed in it, and the Third knew this or otherwise wouldn't have selected him as Naruto's new guardian.
What Kakashi did not understand was the relationship between the boy and the aged Kage. It was too familiar, like the relationship between a grandfather and his grandson. Sure, a kind and caring Kage would protect the village well, but something was bothering Kakashi. Why would the Hokage go the extra miles to invite him to dinner? And tonight of all nights?
Things just did not make sense to the ANBU. Feeling quite frustrated by his uneasiness, he reached into his side utility pouch and pull out his little orange book. Somehow he knew something big was going to happen tonight and his easiness would turn for worse tomorrow.
…o.0.O.0.o…
Our hero was seen walking with the Hokage towards the Sarutobi compound, which was on the opposite side of the village from the Uchiha compound. Later on, something unexpected would happen to Naruto that prevented him from returning to his apartment. Tonight was also the night of the Uchiha massacre.
Naruto had never been invited to another's home before. Surely, the aged Kage had shown him hospitality before by treating Naruto to Ichiraku Ramen when he wasn't busy tending to the village. But this invitation to the Sarutobi compound solidified their close relationship even more.
The normally hyperactive loud-mouth knucklehead wore a solemn expression as he followed behind the Sandaime and stepped through the compound doors. He knew this was an important and rare occasion for him, even though to anyone else it was just a casual family gathering. Naruto would be on his best behaviors tonight.
Arriving at the dining hall, a mouth-watering aroma greeted the two late arrivals. The Sandaime quickly introduced Naruto to those present. About twelve persons were there, some seated and some brought rest of the food to the table.
"Jiji! You're here! Who's that?" shouted five year old boy with a brown pineapple hair as he ran open armed to greet his grandfather, only to stop suddenly to point at the newcomer.
Hugging his grandson, the aged man answered, "This is Naruto. You can view him as an older brother."
"Okay!" responded Konohamaru. He was eager to play with someone closer to his age and demanded with a droopy-eyed pout that would make his future girlfriend proud, "Naruto-niisan, can we play ninja after dinner?"
Naruto looked at Hiruzen, unsure if doing so would overstay his welcome. Receiving a nod from the Sandaime, Naruto gave Konohamaru his foxy smile and said, "Only if I get to be the good guy."
The rest of their dinner continued smoothly with Naruto in his best behavior. The Sandaime had Asuma relate to everyone his training with the Guardian Monks in their temple located in a remote part of the Fire Country. He paid attention to the conversations around him and interjected his own comments when appropriate.
Unbeknown to the village pariah, those present were watching him closely. Those who had unfavorable opinions of him slowly warmed up to him.
Meanwhile, Naruto was making a mental recording of the night's activity to be filed away later as "what family life should be." He vowed to do what he could to have his own family one day.
…o.0.O.0.o…
Kyuubi had tuned out most of the sounds echoing from the two drums that were Naruto's ears located on opposite sides of her cage. This was no easy feat and took her years to perfect. To phrase it nicely, Naruto was enthusiastic about everything. He was stamina personified. The kid was not known for keeping still; in fact, Kyuubi did not even think it would be possible due to his inherently insane stamina and large chakra reserves and the enhancement from the addition of the Nine Tails. This hyperactivity affected his speech and volume as well, which was unfortunate for the sealed bijuu who had a closer proximity than anyone to the high volume from the loud-mouth Knucklehead.
However, tonight Naruto was quieter than usual. This suited the Nine Tails just fine as she executed her plans. Prior to coming, Kyuubi had made forty attempts to get through the Yondaime's seal. It had not mattered how much chakra she put behind her efforts, all of her attempts had failed.
'I know I probably won't be able to get around this damnable seal, especially with him not being weakened or emotionally derailed,' mused Kyuubi.
'Since this Asuma character trained with the Guardian Monks, he might just be the right person to train Naruto in these two powerful techniques. If I can get Naruto to ask him to be his sensei…'
Deciding that ramming chakra of any amount against the seal was unproductive, she analyzed her options.
"It seems that the boy is not even aware of my attempts," muttered the Kyuubi to herself. "That means the amount of the boy's chakra feeding into strengthening the seal remains constant. The amount of chakra required to enforce the seal doesn't need to adjust proportionally to the amount of force I use against the seal. This also means that the seal can sense my presence or the presence of my chakra."
Pausing for a moment to reflect on this new conclusion, the Nine Tails came up with a new approach using the Qi that she read about. She pensively stated, "What if I suppress my chakra and channel Qi into him instead?"
…o.0.O.0.o…
As the family meal continued on to desert, the two only shinobi present noticed a sudden energy spike coming from Naruto before his face slammed unconsciously onto the table.
"Hey, Naruto," said the woman sitting next to him as she rocked him gently. "Are you okay? Wake up or you'll miss dessert."
"What's wrong with Naruto-niisan?" shouted Konohamaru from across the table with a worried face.
Asuma and his father both rushed to the boy.
"I think we should take him to the hospital," suggested the worried Jounin.
"Not yet," his father said as he walked over to check Naruto's vitals and examined his seal. Detecting nothing apparently abnormal, the Sandaime announced to the rest of the worried faces around the table, "Don't worry. He's okay. Just need a little rest and he'll be back to normal."
"We're going to take him into spare room. Please continue in our absence. We'll be back soon," reassured the bearded Jounin as he picked up Naruto bridal style. The three left the dining hall and headed toward the sleeping quarters.
Turning to this son, with a lowered face the Third whispered, "Did you feel that chakra too?"
Both men chose to be secretive in everything abnormal about Naruto since Asuma's nephew Konohamaru was also there at the reunion dinner.
"I don't think it's that chakra. Actually, it might not even be chakra," Asuma answered it in an all-too-innocent vagueness, enjoying every bit of feeling he knew something that his dad the "Professor" didn't.
"All right, Asuma, spill it," Hiruzen urged with a playful annoyance.
"It's the same as that thing I experienced during my training," Asuma added, milking the situation.
"Whatever it is," the aged Kage continued with a worried tone, "I don't want him anywhere else tonight. Besides, it would be wise if we both keep an eye on him, just in case."
Once they set Naruto down into the spare bed, the Third did a few hand seals to activate a sound barrier. Turning to Asuma, he demanded, "In the meantime, explain how THAT is related to your training with the Guardian Monks."
They never returned to the dining hall that night.
…o.0.O.0.o…
A/N: Qi is pronounced "chi."
I'm now giving credit to Jin Yong for writing about those two techniques in his WuXia novels. I'm not sure if he's the creator/originator of these techniques, but his writings are the only ones where I've read them in.
Jin Yong is regarded as one of the greatest novelists of the WuXia genre. While his novels (9 or 10 – not sure, but you can check in wikipedia) may not number as many as his contemporaries, his writings exuberate the classical elegance of Steinbeck, the page-turning pace of Grisham, and the addictiveness of Rowling. I know I'm putting him on a high pedestal, but if you've read him before, you know what I'm talking about… He's that good. (I taught myself to read Chinese just to read his novels that haven't been completely translated into English.)
If you find Jin Yong interesting or would like to read more about the two techniques (9 Stances and 9 Yangs) in his writings, you'll like these two novels of his:
1.) The Smiling Proud Wanderer, 笑傲江湖, translated by Lannyland. Just add dot com to him and you'll get his page. Chapter 10 is entitled, "Sword Training."
2.) Heavenly Sword, Dragon Slaying Sabre. 倚天屠龍記. A collaboratively translated version can be found in wuxiapedia dot com. Chapter 21 is where the protagonist showed off the power of 9 Yangs.
If you want to read these in raw Chinese, PM me.
Sorry, just realized I hadn't explained WuXia yet. WuXia is by far the most popular genre in the Chinese literature. It features awesome kung fu fights in a setting of antiquity China where its peoples base their actions, views on justice and revenge, decorum, behaviors toward love and friendship, and virtually all standards of honor and righteousness on the philosophical code of morals heavily tinted with how nature is embodied in all martial arts. If this is still not clear, and it wouldn't be, you can read wikipedia's wordier explanation. A long elaboration on WuXia is not my idea of a brief A/N.
Let me know what you think about this chapter.
By the way, I reply to ALL reviews.
Next… Chapter 3: Sword Training 101