Author's Note: Well I am back with the next installment of my story. The action will pick up soon, and I apologize for those of you who may have been bored senseless with the last one. Alright, on with the story.
"blah" – talking
'blah' – thinking
"blah" – Miya talking through mental link or Summon Boss
'blah' – summon boss thinking
(note: When Naruto is within his mindscape Miya speaks normally!)
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Last Chapter: Sarutobi began planning Naruto training, both mental and physical. Also, Naruto was released from the hospital but fainted after hearing that he would be learning the way of the Shinobi.
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Naruto's Mindscape
"What the heck? How did I end up back here?" asked Naruto as he looked around for his "big sister." "Nee-chan, where are you?"
"Right here," said a calm voice from directly behind the boy. "As for how you got here, you fainted." Miya smiled slightly.
"All I remember is Jiji-san taking me into this big field and then… th-then TELLING ME THAT HE WAS GONNA TEACH ME TO BE A NINJA!!!!" shouted the enthusiastic blonde as the events of the morning finally returned to him. HE began bouncing around exclaiming what an awesome ninja he would become and other such things while Miya just watched.
"Naruto-kun, I am very proud and excited for you but you really should wake up. The sooner you do the sooner you can begin training."
"Yipee, thanks Nee-chan" declared Naruto with a hug as the mindscape faded from his view.
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Training ground 3
Naruto finally began to stir from his excitement induced blackout. When he stood up he noticed the small smile that appeared on the old man's face and responded with a bright smile of his own.
"So old man what are you going to teach me?" Naruto asked trying to conceal his eagerness.
"Before we begin Naruto, I need to explain a few things about the training to you."
Naruto stood quietly before the Hokage. First of all, I do not want to hear any complaint about what you will be taught, understood? We must pace your training, and I have my reasons for only teaching you certain things for right now, ok?"
"Yes Jiji-san."
"Alright, your training will consist of strength and physical training and considering that Yuugao has already taught you to mold chakra, you will also begin control exercises."
Before Sarutobi could continue Naruto interrupted. "Jiji-san what are control exercises?"
Sarutobi silently contemplated the best way to describe chakra control exercises in a way that even a small child would understand. "Well Naruto they are activities, little games that you do in order to improve your ability to mold chakra."
A simple "oh" was the only reply.
"We will work on these everyday from five to nine a.m. and after that you will be training with someone else."
"Someone else? Who?"
"Before I tell you how about we go get some ramen" stated the wizened Hokage.
"OH BOY!!!! RAMEN, I LOVE RAMEN!!!!" shouted Naruto as he started doing a rather disturbing dance while singing a song he wrote which outlines the wonders of the noodles and broth.
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Ichiraku Ramen
Naruto was in Heaven! Well, maybe not Heaven, but definitely his favorite place on Earth. The moment the young boy walked through the flaps into the stand he began to salivate.
"Hey Jiji-san, five bowls please!" said Naruto with a happy smile to the kind stand owner.
"Sure thing, Naruto. And for you, Hokage-sama?"
"Just one bowl of Chicken ramen for me please."
Light conversation developed while the ramen was being prepared, however, as soon as a bowl was set in front of him, Naruto forgot about everything else. With an enthusiastic "ITADAKIMASU" the young boy began to almost inhale his meal.
While Naruto was gorging himself on ramen Sarutobi was busy talking with the Ramen stand's owner, Teuchi Ichiraku. Without preamble the Hokage asked, "Teuchi-san, did your daughter happen to speak with you about my proposal?"
"Yes Hokage-sama, she was pretty excited when she returned from your office and told me all about it. We are honored that you thought of my daughter and I'll be glad to allow her to teach Naruto-kun. However, certain things are out of my control and I will still need her help here at the stand in the mornings to press the noodles and prepare the shop for the day as well as after lunch, cleaning the dishes before the dinner crowd. But if Naruto were to help with the dishes it would not take much time at all." Teuchi explained.
"Yes of course, I certainly understand. Running a ramen shop takes a lot of work; I plan to keep Naruto busy until nine a.m. would she be free around then?"
"Ah, that would be perfect. After the noodles have been pressed and the broth set to simmer the stand can be managed by one person easily enough."
With a smile the Hokage shifted his focus to Ayame. "Well Ayame-chan would you like to tutor Naruto-kun for me?"
"Hai Hokage-sama, I will do my very best."
Before long, Naruto was slurping down his seventh bowl of miso-pork ramen. 'This is definitely one of the best days of my life' thought the young boy as he examined the growing stack of dirty bowls upon the counter.
"Naruto?" the Hokage called for the fourth time. It took a few moments before Sarutobi was able to capture the boy's attention. 'How can he possibly like ramen this much?' With one final slurp Naruto shifted his gaze towards his surrogate grandfather. "Naruto, now that we have finished eating I would like to introduce you to your other sensei." Naruto looked around with anticipation wanting to meet the hardcore ninja that would teach him.
"Well where is he?" asked the boy.
"She is right here, Naruto." Sarutobi said putting emphasis on the word "she" as he motioned to Ayame.
"EH?" was Naruto's surprised and confused response.
"Ayame is going to be your other sensei; she is going to teach you to read and write."
"What do I need to know that stuff for?" pouted the blonde.
"Well Naruto-kun learning to read is very important." said Ayame.
"Yes it is," agreed the Hokage. "Every successful person whether a businessman, a politician, or a ninja needs to know how to read. A ninja that cannot read is easy to manipulate because often times they receive written orders. Furthermore, you would have absolutely no chance of becoming Hokage if you cannot read and write because of the paperwork." Sarutobi pointed out with a slight yet noticeable cringe.
Naruto was startled by the old man's words. After all, who knew that reading and writing could be such important skills? "Ok, well when do we start?"
"As I was telling you earlier, you and I will work every day from five to nine a.m. at training ground three. After that you are to come here and Ayame will begin your studies." Adopting a more serious tone the Hokage continued, "And Naruto, now that she is your teacher you must call her Ayame-sensei, do you understand?" Naruto pouted a bit but nodded his head in the affirmative.
"Good. Well, since Jiraiya will not be available for at least another hour how would you like to go to the park, Naruto?"
"Oh wow do you think I could play on the slide?" asked the young blonde with puppy dog eyes.
"Of course Naruto, now say goodbye to Teuchi-san an Ayame-chan and we will go."
"Bye old man, bye sensei."
"Bye Naruto-kun, I will see you tomorrow at nine." And, with that the two began to walk towards one of the nicer parks bordering the high-scale residential area in which many of Konoha's clans reside.
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Konoha Park
Sarutobi and his young charge had barely been in the park for fifteen minutes and already the Hokage found himself becoming furious. The old man took several slow, deep breaths in an attempt to calm himself. He truly cherished spending time with the child that he viewed as a grandson, and Naruto was thoroughly enjoying himself.
Today, as a special treat, Sarutobi had brought Naruto to the largest park in all of Konoha. Not only was the park large but it was also well kept and had a huge area especially for small children. This was due to the sheer number of children from the different clans that needed a place to play and socialize. Surely Naruto would make a friend in such a crowded playground.
However, the Hokage's initial assumption was quickly disproved. Upon seeing the young demon vessel many of the children were swooped up and ushered home. Other parents kept their children close at hand to ward off the "monster." Of course, all of this was happening around a completely oblivious Naruto. Now that is not to say that he did not noticed the glares, and feel the slight killer intent radiating from many around him, but these attitudes were completely normal. Content that his "Jiji-san" and his new "Nee-chan" would keep him safe, Naruto soon blocked out the negative vibes completely.
Meanwhile, the breathing exercises were not helping the Hokage with his anger. As he noticed yet another person sneer at his charge with barely concealed contempt Sarutobi began to seethe. 'How dare they? How DARE they? Even in front of me they are willing to push my law to the absolute brink.'
The old man had had enough! "Inuzuka-san, I will see you in my office first thing in the morning; maybe a few D- rank missions will teach you keep your killer intent under control."
"Hokage-sama, I haven't done anything wrong. I was simply practicing for future use, so why should I be assigned D-ranks?" said the feral looking ninja trying to worm his way out of trouble.
"Three things." stated Sarutobi. "First of all, you and I both know that you are lying. You are a twenty seven year old Chuunin with plenty of experience with KI, therefore, you should know about the adverse effects that it has both physically and psychologically." At this point the Hokage was leaking KI of his own. "This leads to point number two—ninja techniques are to be practices in the training grounds not on a playground full of small children. Also, you would do well to remember that as Hokage I do not require a reason to assign you a full year's worth of D-rank missions." By the end of the Hokage's explanation the Inuzuka looked ready to wet himself at the killer intent flooding from the old man.
"I apologize, Hokage-sama. Of course I should have known better." He declared before quickly vacating the area.
Throughout this ordeal Naruto had been happily playing on one of the many slides. However, there was one problem, Naruto was quickly becoming lonely and bored. The blonde always loved when his grandfather would take him to the park but he could only run up a set of steps and zip down the slide so many times before it got old.
'Well, maybe I will do it one more time. I wonder if Jiji-san will push me on one of the swings later?'
Naruto climbed the metal ladder once more. As his small behind made contact with the smooth metal, it appeared as though this time would be exactly like all the others. However, soon after pushing off from the slide's apex Naruto caught sight of three familiar people amongst a group of strangers off in a distant corner of the playground.
Upon landing, Naruto immediately set off to greet the others without so much as glancing at the Hokage.
When he was almost to the group Naruto called out, "Hey Hinata-chan!!!" full of joy and excitement. Finally he had found someone who might play with him.
Things did not happen quite as Naruto had anticipated. In the blink of an eye two teenage boys in bland white robes, with Konoha hitai-ate tied around their foreheads jumped between the children. These things barely registered in his mind as the young boy gazed at the faces of the two teens. Naruto inhaled sharply. Although they had the same weird eyes as Hiashi, they were different and scary. Their eyes were surrounded by bulging veins and held none of the kindness that Naruto had seen within the eyes of Hinata and her father.
Almost immediately after it began, it ended. "That's enough you two." came the stern command of Hyuga Hiashi. The two guards jumped away and the clan head rested his eyes upon the young blonde. "Well hello Naruto, I am glad to see that you are out playing again."
Naruto smiled brightly. "Hello Hiashi-sama, Hana-sama. I am very happy to see you again."
"It is good to see you too Naruto-kun" exclaimed the beautiful woman at Hiashi's side.
"Umm… can I ask a question?"
"Sure you can Naruto."
"Umm… d-do you th-think it would be al-right if h-Hinata-chan and I play together?" asked the clearly nervous boy.
Hinata was absolutely shocked. 'H-he actually w-wants to p-play with m-me?' the small girl thought to herself. 'No one e-ever w-wants me to play games.' So of course the shy girl began to poke her index fingers together while looking to her parents for approval.
"Well…" Hiashi began, "we were just about to return home."
"Oh" came the quiet and defeated response as the small boy looked away with glistening eyes. As much as it pained Hiashi to upset the child he really did have business he needed to attend to at his estate. However, suddenly Hiashi saw something that made his heart ache to the extent that for one of the few times since becoming clan head Hiashi decided that his work could wait.
What Hiashi had seen was the look of pure distress and disappointment that passed through his young daughter's eyes. 'I can't do this to my Hinata. She has a hard enough time making friends. How can another hour hurt?' he thought quietly.
"I tell you what Naruto, we can stay for a little while longer and if Hinata wants to play then I have no problem with it."
Naruto's attention quickly averted to the shy little girl standing beside her mother. Slowly a gentle smile graced her lips as the realization that she had a playmate set in. Hana looked down at her daughter and calmly asked, "Well Hinata, would you like to play with Naruto-kun for a while?" In answer Hinata happily nodded her head as a slight blush spread across her checks.
"Wow thanks Hiashi-sama! You are the GREATEST!" proclaimed the excited blonde as he ran forward and hugged the man's thigh. After declaring his thanks Naruto turned to Hinata. "Come on Hinata-chan, let's go swing." And with that he grabbed the young girl's hand and led her towards the nearest swing-set.
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With Hiashi
"I am glad you could stay for a while longer Hiashi" stated Sarutobi as he revealed himself from behind one of the many bushes. "I was beginning to think Naruto would never find a play partner, and things appear to be getting worse for some reason."
"Idiots." Hana huffed under her breathe. "I can not believe so many treat poor Naruto like this." Hiashi looked down. As shameful as it was, even many members of his own clan treated Naruto poorly, one of the best examples being the council of elders.
"Anyways, since you are here I would like to speak business with you briefly." announced the old man.
"Of course, Hokage-sama."
"I think you should know that a delegation from Kumogakure will be arriving on the day after Christmas to begin peace talks. Considering the Raikage's interest in the Byakugan I believed I should give you ample notice."
"I appreciate your concern Hokage-sama, and I will use the time wisely."
Hana Hyuuga leaned into her husband and softly whispered, "That may in fact be the cutest thing I have ever seen" as she pointed towards Naruto and their daughter.
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With Naruto and Hinata
The children were having an absolutely wonderful time. Naruto honestly could not remember ever being happier. He finally had a friend.
At the moment Naruto was gently helping Hinata onto the swing. As soon as she had a firm grip on the chains he walked behind her and gave her a small push, then another. Slowly Hinata began to gain both speed and height. The young girl was enthralled. She had been on a swing many times, but never before had it been so much fun. Briefly forgetting her shy nature, Hinata called out to the boy. "Push me higher, Naruto-kun!"
Naruto quickly obliged as he added just a bit more power to his pushes. By this time he had a steady rhythm going. He would push her forward and then run backwards so that she would go right over his head. Then when she started back towards the ground he would run forward again just I time to give her another push.
Everything was going fine until Hinata lost her grip as she was traveling backwards over Naruto's head. Normally this was her favorite part of swinging because she would get butterflies in her tummy every time she reached the zenith of her ascent. This time however, she screamed as she lost hold of the chains and began to fall from the rubber seat.
A sudden scream surprised Naruto and he looked up at Hinata just in time to have the young girl fall directly on him. He was able to catch the girl but given his size they both fell on the ground with Hinata on top of Naruto. "Are you OK, Hinata-chan?" Naruto asked full of concern as he held his new friend.
"I think so Naruto-kun. Are you OK?"
Naruto rubbed the back of his head as he smiled at her. "Of course I'm OK Hinata-chan."
The two children were dusting themselves off as the three adults arrived at the swing set. After checking to make sure the two were alright Sarutobi spoke to Naruto. "Well Naruto it is about time for us to leave. Say goodbye."
"Buh bye Hiashi-sama. Bye Hana-sama."
"We will see you later Naruto-kun" said Hana.
"Bye Hinata-chan, I had a lot of fun today and I hope to see you again soon."
With that the Hokage and the blonde started their trek towards Konoha's Hot springs as the Hyuuga family headed the opposite way to the clan house.
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Konoha Hot springs
After several minutes of searching without any luck the Hokage and his young charge heard a perverted giggle that alerted them to the position of their prey.
"Jiriaya would you please drop the jutsu?"
Jiriaya sudden appeared before the two, startling Naruto greatly. "Hey kid, how are you feeling?"
"I feel great! Especially since I am going to learn to be a ninja!" replied the blonde with a bright smile.
"Here Jiriaya. This is everything from Naruto's room that he may need while he is with you." said Sarutobi while extending a scroll towards the old pervert. "Well Naruto I will see you in the morning, make sure you are on time to the training ground."
"Hai, Jiji-san."
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Konoha Forest
Roughly half an hour after they left the hot springs Naruto and Jiriaya came to a halt in the middle of a small clearing well secluded from Konoha-proper.
"Alright Naruto first things first, I am going to teach you the proper way to erect a tent."
The sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon when the two finished setting up camp. Jiraiya was a tiny bit annoyed that it had taken so long but understood that it was important to do things slowly and carefully to teach Naruto. Currently the old pervert and the young blonde were relaxing and admiring the many shades of purple and orange cast across the western sky.
When the sun finally set Naruto looked over at Jiraiya with a confused appearance.
"What are you thinking about gaki?" asked Jiraiya.
"I was just trying to think of what to call you. You are old, but I can't call you Jiji-san and Jiraiya-sensei just doesn't sound right."
"Just call me sensei, kid. Don't worry about the Jiraiya-sensei; sensei works just fine."
"Oh, I guess." Naruto said, a tiny bit disappointed that he could not give Jiraiya one of his affectionate nicknames. He had already decided on names for both Yuugao and Tsunade. Because of his treatment in the hospital, Naruto decided he would refer to Yuugao as "nee-chan" since she looked after him and was quite young. Also, he dubbed Tsunade, "Baa-chan" do to the fact that, although she looks young, Miya-neechan had revealed that she was in fact as old as Jiraiya.
Jiraiya and Naruto talked for a few minutes so that Jiraiya could get to know his Godson better and Naruto could sate some of his curiosity concerning ninja. After a while though Jiraiya decided that it was time for bed considering Naruto's early morning.
"Alright Naruto, it is time for bed."
"Aww man. Why I gotta go to sleep?" Naruto whined.
"You don't want to be tired for your first day of training do you?" Naruto shook his head adamantly. "That's what I thought. Now get in your sleeping bag so you will be rested in the morning."
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Training Ground 3
Naruto was so excited about his ninja training that he arrived at the training ground twenty minutes early. After only a few minutes of waiting Sarutobi arrived and sent Naruto a smirk. "Wonderful, I am glad to see that you are here on time, early even. Very good!" Naruto smiled proudly as the old man continued. "Now we have a few things to discuss first and then I will begin your actual training." Sarutobi asked Naruto about his evening with Jiraiya, suspicious that his student may have broken his promise to limit his teaching to simple camping. After Naruto explained what the two had done the night before, Sarutobi was satisfied and changed the subject.
"Alright Naruto, your training begins now. I would like you to put these around your arms and legs please." he said handing four weighted belts to Naruto. "These are small weights that will help you grow stronger as you train."
Once Naruto had secured the belts around his limbs, Sarutobi continued. "Now Naruto I would like you to run around the edge of this training field as many times as you possibly can for the next thirty minutes."
"Ok, Jiji-san" was Naruto's only reply as he took off around the perimeter of training ground 3.
The Hokage stood beside a tree silently as he waited for Naruto to finish the laps. Sarutobi hoped that thirty minutes would be adequate depleting some of Naruto's massive stamina.
With the laps completed, Sarutobi began to teach Naruto the proper ways to punch and kick a target without hurting yourself. After Naruto had the basic idea the old Hokage set him in front of one of the many training posts and instructed him to strike the log fifty times with each limb respectively.
Sarutobi watched as the boy practiced his punches and kicks. Every time Naruto improperly struck the post he would correct him and ask the blonde to restart the set a zero. He was proud of his "grandson." Although Naruto's hands were clearly in agony from punching a solid object so many times, he still tried to hide the pain and completed his exercise with only a flinch. By the time Naruto had correctly completed two hundred consecutive strikes, it was already almost eight o'clock.
"Alright Naruto, since it is almost time to go I would like you to practice running around the edge of the field again as a cool-down exercise. Naruto nodded his head and silently began running once more.
Thirty minutes later Naruto collapsed to the ground exhausted. He had given his training everything he had. He held nothing back, and it felt good! "Naruto it is time for you to go meet Ayame-chan at the ramen shop."
After saying goodbye Naruto made his way back into town. Within minutes he arrived at his favorite place on Earth, Ichiraku Ramen.
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Ichiraku Ramen
"Good morning Jiji-san, good morning nee-chan."
"That's 'sensei' now Naruto" said Ayame with a teasing smile.
"Oh, oops. Good morning Ayame-sensei!" the boy corrected sheepishly.
After a quick bowl of Naruto's favorite ramen the two went into the back room where a small table with a thin textbook, a pad of paper, and a brush and ink pot had been setup.
"OK Naruto, today I am going to teach you the proper way to write Kanji and I will also show you how to write several important words. Sound good?"
"Great, sensei"
For the next few hours the two studied. Ayame instructed Naruto in the proper stroke order for writing Kanji and explained that this was important because it not only made them more uniform but also made it quicker to write. They only stopped for short breaks during the study session. Ayame discovered that despite Naruto's amazing potential he would quickly lose focus without something to keep him attentive. So, Ayame decided to reward the blonde with a bowl of ramen after every five words he could write.
After the lunch crowd had dispersed the two children helped with the dishes before returning to work. That afternoon was mostly spent by Ayame showing Naruto a common word and asking if he recognized it. Unsurprisingly, one of the few words that the young boy knew was "ramen."
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Konoha Forest
As usual Naruto had eaten dinner with the Ichiraku's and now he was settled in his sleeping bag with droopy eyes. In his first day Naruto had learned to write twenty different words, several of which consisted of multiple characters. He was proudest of two words in particular; "Uzumaki" and "Naruto", and he couldn't wait to see what tomorrow would bring.
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Author's Note: OK, so that was chapter six. I hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter the action will pick up. OK, I HAVE DECIDED TO MAKE THIS STORY A SLIGHT CROSSOVER, HOWEVER, IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THIS IDEA I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR OPINIONS. Anyways, please read and review!!
P.S. I AM BEGINNING TO WRITE A SECOND FANFICTION WHICH TAKES A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TAKE ON THE ENTIRE NARUTO UNIVERSE. UNFORTUNATELY I CAN'T THINK OF AN APPROPRIATE NAME. WHEN I THINK OF ONE I WILL INTRODUCE THE NEW STORY. -- Historywhiz