Chapter 2: The Shocking Secret
Next Day: Training Ground 7
Naruto walks into training ground 7 and sees Sakura and Sasuke. Sakura once again trying to talk to the brooding Sasuke in a tree, but to no avail. Naruto just ignores them and sits by the training log and goes to sleep or rather planning for the test with his Sensei.
"What do you plan on doing for the test. You know Kakashi is going for teamwork for the test." Kyuubi says a little tired having just woken up.
"I am going to attach him myself in the beginning, then I am going to find Sakura and Sasuke so I can make it look like I at least attempted to try and bring us together. Whether they want to cooperate or not is up to them. If they do want to work together to pass then I will hold back so my true skill is not shown and give them a chance to do something. On the chance that they don't then I will have to show some skill and at least get the bells, however, I won't knock him out unless I have to." Naruto says analyzing the possible outcomes of the test to come.
"Good idea, but don't show too much skill otherwise he report back indicating that you are a higher level than you should be. The village will be not only suspicious of you but will be keeping a close eye on you to. You may be high chunin level now but deceit is part of being a shinobi and you still need to remember that." says Kurama a bit stern to get the point across.
Naruto on the other hand calmly replies by saying"I won't do anything foolish and show too much. I have not forgot about deceit and plan on only showing what I need to in order to pass. Also just because I will be taking my mask off I won't be showing everything I have to offer till it's too late and I'm dropping my henge, mine as well show them what I really look like." Kurama just says good and drops the connection saying I am going back to sleep.
Sakura and Sasuke having just noticed that Naruto has shown up notice he is dressed differently. They see he is wearing black shinobi sandals, black ANBU pants tapped at the ankles to his sandals, a mesh armor under a black form fitting shirt over top, a black and red jacket with the Uzumaki swirl on the back, and black finger less gloves with a metal plate on the back. They also notice that his headband is around his upper arm and that his features have changed also. His blonde hair is now longer and he has two bangs on each side of his face, his hair is still spiky as usual, he is taller also, and to top it off his whisker marks on his cheeks are more defined.
Sakura speaks first saying "What happened to you Naruto. You changed so much over night."
Naruto just scowls at her and says "To answer your question it was a henge I had to look like I did previously. What you see is the real me." in a cold tone.
Sakura doesn't say anything after. Mainly because she do not know what to say and is a little scared of him.
Sasuke on the other hand says "Just because you change your appearance does not mean that you're still not the dead last. To me you will always be the dobe and I will always be better than you."
Naruto just stares at Sasuke and shrugs thinking it's not worth his time to fight with the Uchiha. Instead he says to both of them "Kakashi won't be here for probably another hour so I recommend you get some rest and if you have not eaten, do so." Naruto then just ignores them once again and goes back to sleep.
Sasuke is fuming mad that he was ignored by Naruto, but stays in the tree. He once again found himself thinking 'how did he change so much and become strong. I have trained every day to the ground and I still can't figure out how he shifted his body an dodged my punches. Why, why is he stronger. I should be the one with the strength so I can avenge my clan, not the dead last. Why...' Sasuke continues his thoughts till he hears a "Yo."
Naruto wakes up and along with Sakura and Sasuke they finally see there sensei, Kakashi appear in front of them. Kakashi just pulls out an alarm clock and 2 bells and says "You have till noon to get these bells from me. The person that does not get one will go back to the academy. Oh and I advice you come at me with the intent to kill. Begin." Kakashi then pulls out his book and notices Sakura and Sasuke run into the bushes and hide, but he looks to see Naruto just standing there with his arms crossed staring at him. Kakashi says "You know Naruto you should hide and try to come up with a plan rather than stay in the open and stand there. Naruto doesn't respond, instead he dashes at Kakashi and jump trying to kick the jounin in the head. Kakashi just grabs Naruto's foot and throws him to the side.
Naruto flips in the air and lands a distance away from Kakashi. He then disappears and reappears behind the surprised jounin and kicks him in the back. Kakashi skids across the ground but stops himself, but before he can do anything else he gets a fist to the face and goes crashing into a tree.
Sakura and Sasuke who are hiding in a bush and a tree are shocked at what Naruto just pulled off against a jounin. Sasuke seeing this as an opening goes through hand seals has fast as he can and calls out "katon: fire ball jutsu". Bringing his hand to his mouth he sucks in air and lets loose a ball of fire from his mouth. The fire blares from the trees and speeds towards Kakashi, who is just now getting up. Kakashi seeing the ball of fire quickly substitutes with a log and appears in the middle of the field.
Kakashi rubbing his face and wincing a bit says "That was a good hit Naruto, but it won't happen again. You only got lucky because I was surprised. Sasuke good job seeing an opening and taking it." Kakashi puts his book away having underestimated his team and gets ready.
Naruto having seen Kakashi put his book away knows that he is getting serious. Naruto gets in his stance and gets ready for an attack.
Kakashi all of a sudden on instinct dodges a kick to the head and sees that it was in fact Naruto. Naruto using the momentum from his kick spins and aims a punch for the joins head. Kakashi seeing this in the corner of his eye just barely has time to use his arm to block the punch, but still feeling the pain from the strong hit. Kakashi flips back away from Naruto to get some distance.
Kakashi know thinking 'How is he moving so fast, I'm able to see him, but I'm still underestimating him. Not to mention the power behind that punch, it was bone rattling, but not enough to break the bone.'
Sasuke having moved from the tree he was in previously, because of his attack, is now on the other side of the field in yet another tree. What he is seeing is making him annoyed, no not annoyed that he was not strong enough more like pissed. What he is watching is Naruto once again fighting Kakashi and seemingly giving Kakashi a run for his money. Sasuke not wanting to stand by and watch any more decides to go for an attack of his own, but before he can he sees Naruto appear next to him. To say he was surprised is an understatement considering he almost fell out of the tree startled.
Kakashi having been left in the field since Naruto went and hide in the trees or so he thinks. He then decides to pull out his book and read again.
Naruto looks to Sasuke and in a stern almost commanding tone says "I can't do this alone we all need to work together and form a plan to get the bells. Don't tell me that you can do it alone because you're an Uchiha, because you know I'm right. We have to find Sakura so we can pull this off, but first let's go over a plan." So Naruto goes over his plan with Sasuke for a few minutes then they head off to find Sakura.
Kakashi being bored and feeling like he was forgotten decides to find one of his genin. He quickly dashes into the trees and finds Sakura in a bush about a minute later.
Sakura hears a voice calling here and walk out of her bush to find the source. She soon sees Sasuke and calls him over to her. She sees him turn around and take a step toward here until a barrage of kunai hit him in the back. Sasuke falls to the ground and Sakura quickly runs to him. She pulls his limp body up in her lap and cries over his dead body. She lets out a scream and faints.
Kakashi steps out from behind a tree nearby and frowns at Sakura. He thinks 'Yup she is a fan girl. I'm going to have to break her of that.' He then disappears.
Naruto and Sasuke having heard the scream run in that direction. They soon find a twitching Sakura unconscious on the ground. Sasuke says to Naruto "What happened to here." Naruto just shrugs and leans down to shake her awake. After few seconds she wakes up and says "No Sasuke." Naruto and Sasuke both confused both see Sakura suddenly jump at Sasuke and saying "I seen you die. How are you alive." Naruto just sighs and says "You must have been in a genjutsu. Probably Kakashi's doing. Anyway we need to work together to pass the test. Sasuke and I already have a plan." Sakura just nods her head and Naruto starts explaining the plan.
Kakashi sees Naruto shoot out of the trees with a big smirk on his face. Not liking the look he immediately puts his book away and gets in his stance. Completely focused on Naruto he misses Sasuke appear behind and gets kicked hard straight to an awaiting Naruto. The jounin quickly substitutes with a log and appears a good distance away, but having to dodge again from a thrown kunai from Sakura he dodged right into a punch to the gut from Naruto.
The three genin appear in front of the jounin while he his heaving for air on the ground. Naruto quickly grabs the bells but Kakashi had already substituted.
"I really underestimated you guys, but you won't get me again. You only have 30 minutes left."
Naruto looks to Sasuke and they both disappear and reappear behind Kakashi. Naruto aimed to kick his head and Sasuke aimed to punch him in the gut. Kakashi grabs Sasuke's punch and easily dodges Naruto kick.
Naruto says "Know Sakura."
Immediately Sakura sets off the traps they set up earlier and a flurry of kunai and shuriken fly at Kakashi, Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto and Sasuke reappear by Sakura as Kakashi pulls out his own kunai and deflects or dodges the kunai. The attack soon stops and the clock rings.
Kakashi says "Looks like you did not get the be….what where did they go."
Team seven appears in front of a stunned Kakashi as Naruto hands the two bells to Sasuke and Sakura.
"How did you get the bells Naruto and why did you give them to your teammates knowing you will go back to the academy." Kakashi says.
Naruto stares at the jounin for a few with an impassive face and finally says "I gave them the bells because the point of the test was not really to get the bells, but to see if we could work together. That's why I left so I could get use together and make a plan. Which I might add worked quite well. Also I gave them the bells because we are a team and if one does not make it then none of us do because there are only three person cells and there team sensei. To answer your other question, I took the bells when you were busy with the shuriken and kunai. I just snuck in and did not get hit because you were deflecting them all and cut them off your vest with a kunai. Then shushined back to my teammates."
"You are right and I am proud of you all. I underestimated you three and paid the price. Know then you all pass. I would however like to leave you with a bit of advice. 'Those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon their friends are lower than scum'. Good then we will meet tomorrow for a mission at 8 am right here." Having said that he leaves in a shushin.
Hokage Tower
The Hokage was waiting for the jounin sensei to show up to report after they tested there genin. After a while they start to show up. Kurenai Yuhi was the first to show up, then Asuma Sarutobi showed up five minutes later. Kurenai has long black untamed hair, red eyes with a ring in them and wear what appears to bandages with a pattern on them and a mesh armour underneath. Asuma has black spikey hair and a beard, he wears the standard Konoha shinobi uniform. Some other jounin sensei cam in then Kakashi came in 10 minutes later.
"Know that we are all here report how your genin did."
"Team one how did your genin do."
"Fail."
"Team two your genin."
"Fail"
"Team Three."
"Pass."
"Team Four."
"Team Five."
"Fail."
"Team Six."
"Fail."
"Team Seven."
"Pass."
The room went silent. Their thoughts along the lines of 'Kakashi passes a team'.
The Hokage says "How did they do and this is a surprise Kakashi. To be honest if this team did not pass I would have taken you off as a jounin sensei."
Kakashi steps forward and says "Naruto did not hid like the other two did and instead attacked me. I underestimated him and he managed to get a few hits in during the test, but after a while he ran into the trees and worked with his teammates to make a plan. He brought them together and if he didn't they would not have passed. Naruto's plan had him and Sasuke attack me and once again I underestimated them and got hit once more, but after that they had a hard time and they called to Sakura who set off some trap they set up. The traps sent kunai and shuriken at me, while I was dodging and deflecting Naruto got the bells and gave them to his teammates."
"Well sounds like they will be a strong team. Team Eight how did your genin do."
"Pass."
"Since Team Nine is still in circulation how did Team Ten do."
"Pass."
"Good 4 of the teams passed this time around. You are dismissed."
Everyone left the office and Hiruzen looks at his pile of paperwork dreading the site of it.
A Month Later
Team 7 is in the mission assignment room. Hiruzen says "We have clean the gutters, paint a fence, catch Tora, and gardening." Sasuke suddenly yells "I want a better mission. Something that will challenge me. Not these stupid village chores you pawn off on us, especially catching that devil cat." Naruto cuts in before anything else can be said and says "For once he is right we have been doing mind less chores for the lazy civilians of the village. It pointless for us to continue doing them when it's getting us no were. Give us a C rank and see how well we do."
Hiruzen just stays quite for a few moments and finally says "I will give you your C rank mission. Let's see what we have. Ah here we go. You will be escorting a bridge builder to wave country. Please bring me the client." A chunin leaves the room to get the client.
Naruto notices a glass ball on the desk and asks "What is the glass ball for." pointing to said object.
The aged Hokage looks down at the ball and says "Ah this is a crystal ball and it lets me see the village. Mainly if anything is wrong in the village."
Naruto just looks at the Hokage for a few seconds and a pained look comes across Naruto's face. Hiruzen immediately realizing the mistake he make was about to say something, but a ki falls upon the room and everyone, but the Hokage and Kakashi, drops to one knee having trouble breathing and sweating profusely. The Hokage sweating bullets from the ki along with Kakashi. Everyone quickly realizes that Naruto is the one that is letting this much ki out.
Naruto takes a step forward and in a borderline demonic voice that makes everyone shiver says
"You're telling me you knew that I was being attacked every time and let it happen. Only to come when it was all over. You one of the few people I actually trusted and was comfortable around you're just like the rest of the village. You let me get beat almost to death each time. I was burned, stabbed, cut, and poisoned all because of you." and towards the end his voice takes a demonic edge and the ki spikes even more. The ANBU hidden in the room are now on the floor along with everyone else, except Sakura and Sasuke who are the only ones unconscious, sweating and gasping for breath, even the Hokage.
Naruto letting up on the ki some, to the point where they could breath, and calming down only thanks to the Kyuubi telling him to keep his cool. Then the door opens and the chunin from before along with a man with a sake bottle, drunk, walk in the room. They soon see the two genin on the floor.
The Hokage quickly says "This is Tazuna and he will be the one you escort to wave." trying to get passed the incident that just occurred.
Tazuna turns and looks at the team 7 and says "What is this I get two sleeping shinobi and a half decent brat."
Kakashi just eye smiles at Tazuna and says "I assure you these genin are strong enough to take you to wave and if there is anything they can't take care of I will be there." Tazuna just grunts and says "Fine we leave in an hour. Meet me at the gate." and leaves.
Kakashi turns to Naruto, who is still pissed off and is still calming himself, and says "Pack for at least two weeks and meet at the gate in a hour." he then turns to the still Knocked out Sakura and Sasuke and shakes them awake. He tells them the same and disappears in a shushin along with the two.
Naruto having still not left the room turns and looks at the Hokage and glares at him and says "I'm not done with you but it will have to wait till I get back. I guess you could say you're lucky I get a chance to calm down." and then shushins away.
Hiruzen lets out a breath he did not know he was holding and sighs in relief for the moment. Thinking 'Fuck I screwed up big time. Know I have to rethink my plans and find a new way for Naruto to stay in the village.'
With Naruto
Naruto appearing in his apartment sits on the couch thinking 'How did I not see it. I should have known this was happening. It still does not change my plans, it only adds to the fuel. This village is digging itself into a bigger pit.'
"Don't beat yourself up over this, there was no way for you to know what was happening. It was good that I got you calm before you did something stupid." Kurama says in a kind of sympathetic tone, well for the Kyuubi.
"I know I could not have known, but still how could he do this to me. Thank you for calming me down I don't know what would have happened had I done something." says Naruto a little sad at first but back to his usual cold tone after.
"Just remember to keep you emotions in check. Pack up for your mission I have a funny feeling about it." says Kyuubi a little giddy.
Naruto just gets up and starts packing.
Hour Later
Naruto walks up to the gate and waits for the rest of the team. He leans against the wall and closes his eyes until a few minutes later he hears footsteps and opens them to see Sasuke walking up.
Sasuke walks right up to Naruto and looks him right in the eyes for a few moments. Naruto just staring back at Sasuke until he sees Sasuke about to say something, but stops as if he is nervous. Naruto thinking that this is odd for Sasuke speaks up and says "Is there something you would like to say Sasuke" in a mellow tone rather than his cold tone.
Sasuke still staring at Naruto and still finding it hard to form words. The reason being is for a few reasons, one he sees the hurt and betrayal in Naruto's eyes, second because Naruto has made a drastic change in such a short amount of time, and third because he is not used to confronting people about feelings. The Uchiha finally in a small voice says "I can see the hurt and betrayal in your eyes and you have suffered a lot in your life. I just wanted to say I'm sorry for how I have treated you up till know. I know it won't fix anything, but I wanted to be a better person. Like you said you have to see through people and I have realized everything I have done is for the wrong reasons. Can you answer me one Question. How did you become so strong?"
Naruto standing there pondering what to say for a second. He then looks at Sasuke and in a mellow tone again says "I do not hate you and I forgive you. The reason you see the hurt in my eyes is because you yourself have the same feeling. I am glad you have realized what you were doing wrong before it was too late. By the way what do you plan on doing know that you have changed? To answer your question I have an awesome sensei and I train to the ground every day. Also I train to protect those precious to me. That is why I have become so strong." Naruto then waits for Sasuke to say something.
Sasuke to say the least was a bit surprised to find out that Naruto had a sensei and why he trained in the first place. He thinks for a few minutes until he finally says something. He again looks at Naruto and says "I plan on restoring my clan and training to become stronger. As for my brother I don't want to kill him anymore rather I want to find out why he did what he did, there has to be a reason. Can you help …. train me."
Naruto still somewhat surprised at these turn of events wonders if he should help train Sasuke or not. He thinks 'If I train him he could be a great means of power and support for later. He has changed and want to be better for the right reasons. On the other hand if I train him it could turn around and bite me in the ass later. I could think about it for a while, but I don't really feel like it. Let's see how training him turns out, if it starts to go bad then I will stop.' Naruto coming out of his deep thought finally says "I will train you, but you can't complain and you have to listen to everything I tell you. If you fail to follow this I will stop training you. Let's start by putting some gravity seals on you. This will bring your speed and strength up. The seals with start off low and will gradually increase as you get used to each level." Sasuke just nods.
So for the next few minutes Naruto puts the seals on Sasuke's body. Once finished Naruto tells him to test them out. Sasuke tries to walk around but finds it quite a task to move his legs, but after a few minutes he gets used to them and can move around somewhat.
All of this having taken place in about 15 minutes.
After a few more minutes Sakura arrives to see a surprising sight of Naruto and Sasuke talking as if they have been friends forever. Confused by this she was about to say something, but Tazuna appears along with Kakashi not far behind him.
Kakashi and Tazuna know at the gate along with everyone else. Kakashi says "Good we are all here. Is everyone packed for at least 2 weeks." Kakashi receiving nods from all three genin then says "Well then why don't we get going."
So Team 7 and Tazuna walk out the gate and on their way to wave. Naruto and Sasuke still talking to each other as they walk, while Sakura is still confused as to what happened between them, but decides to leave it for later. Kakashi having seen the interaction between the two is happy, but also confused what changed so fast between the two. He thinks 'I'm really going to have to keep a close eye on those two.'
Kakashi looks to Tazuna and he smiles. Kakashi notices that he keeps looking around as if waiting for something to attack. Kakashi decides to watch him and the area to make sure nothing happens.
Kakashi suddenly stops and turns around "We are going make a formation around the client. Naruto on the left, Sasuke on the right, and Sakura in the back. I will be behind Sakura. We protect the client till we get to wave and he finishes his bridge." Team seven just nods and they continue on their way in there formation.
A/N
Thats the second chapter. Please review. I hope you like how the story is progressing. Next chapter will be starting the wave ark. I hope to get more reviews. I am happy at how many people have read the first chapter so far and thank you to BigBossVince for your review. I am still undecided on the pairings for this story but I will most likely have it figured out by the fourth chapter. let me know who you would like to see in the pairing and why.
Xigbar94