Chaptah 4: Naruto

We walked around Konoha. The atmosphere felt so warm and lively. It felt kind of nice.

"We should go check in at an inn now."

I nodded.

We looked around for the best inn we can get, and we found it. Kitashi insisted that Lea and I get our own room. Lea wanted that we all stay in one room. But we ended up getting two rooms; One for the girls and one for me.

I sat down on my bed and put down my bag. At least now I can study my scrolls at day and at night.

There was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?"

"Hiruka-kun, we're going out to walk around the village."

It was Lea, obviously. I know her voice. And besides, Kitashi doesn't used the '-kun' suffix when addressing me anymore. I wonder why.

"Do I have to come?"

"Yes"

I groaned.

Well, I could still study when we get back.

I went outside and locked my room.

"Great! Come on"

We went out of our inn and walked around the village. The people were really nice and friendly. There were a lot of foreign ninjas walking around the village too.

"Alright, what do we do next?"

I stood up. "I'm going to find a place where I can train."

Lea grabbed my by the wrist. "No"

"Lea-san, we've been going around the village all day."

"Why do you need to train, anyways?"

"Because we're the only group form our village. Our village is small and new. We have to prove to them that we're just as great as the major countries."

"He kinda has a point." Kitashi said while still munching on a stick of barbeque.

Lea sighed and let go. "Fine"

"I'll see you two back at the inn."

I left the small stall we ate at and went back to the inn. I went in my room, got my bag and left.

"Excuse me, sir, are you checking out?"

I turned around. The lady at the reception counter was smiling at me.

I shook my head.

"Oh. Then, will you like to leave your key with us to ease your burden?"

People around here really are friendly.

I wore my bag and tossed my key. "Thank you"

I went outside and walked around to look for a place to train. There were a lot of big empty spaces, but I wanted a space with grass, trees and water.

"Hey, you, whitey!"

I turned around to see who it was.

It was a blond kid in an orange jumpsuit. He was a konoha ninja. I could tell by his forehead protector.

"You're not from around here, so, um.." He faced his back on me. "Damn. I forgot what Sakura-chan said before." He whispered to himself.

"Do you want me to state my business?"

He quickly turned around and pointed his finger at me. "Yeah, that!"

I laughed. I pulled down the zipper of my turtle neck and revealed my forehead protector.

He looked down and thought for a moment then, looked back at me. "Is there any chance you're here for the Chunin exams?"

"Actually, I am here for the Chunin exams."

"Great, come with me!" The kid dashed off.

Do I follow him? What does he want?

I followed after him, since he told me to come with him.

He was fast.

Where is this kid going?

We arrived at a big space. It was kind of like a park. It had a river and a lot of trees. This is perfect for my training! But why did he take me here? If he's going to challenge me..

"Listen, since you're not from here that means you don't have any friends in Konoha. This is really embarrassing, but.." He turned away from me and put his head down. "Can you help me train for the Chunin exams?"

I laughed. "Why me?"

He faced back at me. "You look strong and older. You probably have a lot of experience."

I was kinda hoping I could practice alone, but there is no need to now. I'm not in my village anymore, so nobody knows about the dark arts. If the story spread until here too, I doubt this kid would know about it.

I smiled. "Sure"

His face lit up. "Yeah!" He jumped up and down. "Thanks, whitey! But you better not tell anybody."

I scratched the back of my head. "I don't know anybody, so you can relax."

"Great. Let's get started."

I thought him how to control his chakra better. I thought him a few techniques, but none of my signatures. There were times when I lectured him about things like Kekkei Genkai, genjutsu and taijutsu. We spent most of the time with the basic knowledge and lectures. But I was surprised how fast he learned when it came to fighting.

"Hey whitey, what about I help you with your training now?"

I thought. "Uh, sure"

"Great!"

He just stood there and smiled. How could he possibly help me train?

"I don't really know what to do." He scratched the back of his head and laughed.

"Well, all I really do is learn new jutsus."

"Oh, can you teach me while you're at it?" He got excited.

I laughed. "Alright, then."

I sat down and he sat in front of me. I got my bag and grabbed a few scrolls.

"These scrolls look really old."

"They are. Don't touch them."

"No problem. I can stay still."

No he can't.

"Good kid"

I continued reading the scroll I haven't finished. The one that would be a great help in the Chunin exams.

"Hey, what's your name?"

"Setzuka Hiruka" I answered without looking at him.

"Oh, sorry I kept calling you whitey, Hiruka-san."

"It's no problem."

"Why are you so white, anyways?"

I sighed and looked away from the scroll. "I'm from the village of shadow. We only get sun from morning to noon, so we're just usually under the cold moon."

"Oh, that's weird!"

I sighed. "Yes, it is." I got back to my reading.

He was about to say something, but noticed my concentration on my scroll.

...

"I can't read it!"

I slapped my forehead with my palm. "It's written from right to left, so you would have to use a mirror."

"Why?"

"To keep it secret!"

"Why does it need to be kept a secret?"

"Geez! It just does!"

He pouted his lips. "Well, that explanation doesn't help at all."

My eye started twitched.

"Hey, Hiruka-san, it's getting late." He stood up. "Come with me. There's something I want to show you."

He was right. It was getting late and I would need light for this jutsu. Maybe I could just study back at the inn.

I stood up and packed my things.

"Follow me!" He pointed forward and dashed away.

I sighed. I picked up my bag and followed.

He stopped and stood in front of a small stall. "We're here"

I stood beside him and read the sign. "Ichiraku?"

"Yeah, they have great ramen here!"

"No way? I love ramen!"

"No way? So do I!"

He dashed in and I quickly followed. I sat beside him.

"Hey, old man, two bowls of ramen over here!"

"You got it, Naruto"

He must be pretty well-known here.

"Hey, kid, I didn't get your name."

"Oh, yeah. I'm Uzumaki Naruto. You better remember that name because one day, I'm going to the Hokage, and the best one ever!"

I laughed. "Gee, all I asked for was your name, but that's fine too."

Our bowls came and he ate viciously.

It's clear now that he offered to help me train because he was tired. When he said it was getting late, he was just hungry. He's a really stubborn, but determined kid. He doesn't like showing weakness. I've only known him for a few hours, but I've read him like a book already.

He told me stories about himself and his team. In return, I told him about me and my team too.

He both had 2 bowls, but stayed and kept talking.

"You should really get going now. Your parent must be worried."

He looked down and whispered something.

"Excuse me?"

"I have no parents."

I was shocked. He's just like me, then.

"Hmph"

He looked up. "What?"

I turned around and started walking. "Nor do I"

I got back to the inn and got my keys from the reception. I walked to my room, but stopped in front of Lea's. I put my ear on the door.

They're asleep

I got in my room and took off my shoes. It's time to train more..