Author's Note - Just so I don't have to do it again, I do not own Naruto or X-Men: Evolution. I'm not gonna waste page space just to repeat that. Anyway, Enjoy!
Chapter 2: Goodbye Konohagakure...
Naruto's apartment…
Naruto was flying, packing what little possessions he had in preparation for his trip to a place called New York. As he moved about his tiny apartment, his mind was racing, thinking of all the things he would get to do now that he would be living in a place where no one knew who he was. He knew there was a movie he wanted to go see, but couldn't, since the people of his village denied him business in any store or restaurant. Only the family at Ichiraku's let him eat whenever he wanted, going as far as to offer him coupons for free bowls of ramen anytime he asked. He knew that besides the few who treated him like a person, the Hokage, and Hebi among them, he would miss the ramen stand and it's owners the most.
Jean Grey, who Naruto saw as a big sister, watched him zip across the apartment, marveling at his attitude towards the change of scenery. She knew from experience that most kids his age would be reluctant to move from place to place. She was just amazed that a child who was hated for carrying a demon inside him, a fact that was beyond his or anybody else's control, could remain so innocent and still smile. While this was happening, she was brought out of her train of thought when Naruto asked her a question.
"Is it hard to control your powers Miss Jean" Naruto asked.
"Just call me Jean, ok Naruto" she said, he nodded. "Some days are better than others, but once you learn to control your powers it becomes a lot easier."
"Before I answer any more questions, I need to tell you something," she began, getting the young boy's attention faster than if she had mentioned free ramen, "Because of where we're going, you're going to have to change your name."
Naruto thought carefully about what he might change his name to, as Jean gave him a quick cursory glance at his meager appearance. "We're also gonna need to do something about the way you look," she said, circling him the way a shark might circle its prey. "First off, we gotta do something about all that orange you're wearing. You shine brighter than the sun on the hottest summer day."
He gave himself a quick look over, thinking to himself, "Well, it's not like I could afford a set of regular clothes. And just what the hell is wrong with orange, you red-headed witch," he asked indignantly.
She looked at the young boy, who, despite the difference in their size, blatantly called her a witch, 'I've never been called a witch before, this kid's got enough guts, but he's gonna need a little more brain.'
In the midst of packing his last suitcase, he feels the air around him become heavier, more malevolent, then quickly return to normal. Realizing that only Grey, being far stronger than he first suspected, could have been behind that dark and foreboding feeling that permeated the air. In an attempt to keep his manhood, he decided not to make any mention of what had just happened.
As Naruto organized his suitcases and boxes, waiting for the car to come around and pick them up, an uncomfortable silence fell between the two giving the young Uzumaki the chance to recollect what had gotten him here.
Flashback
"What should we do about Naruto?" Xavier asked.
"We should give him the choice, after all, he deserves that much after all he's been through." Sarutobi replied.
The door opened, allowing Naruto, who now led a down-trodden looking Inu, into the Hokage's office.
"Thanks for the ramen, Inu," said Naruto.
"You're welcome Naruto," he sighed. 'Where did it all go?'
"Well, speak of the devil, we were just talking about you Naruto." said Charles.
"What were you talking about me for?" he asked.
"Well," Sarutobi began, "we were just trying to decide whether or not you would go with Charles to the institute, but we believe it would be best if you made that decision for yourself."
The young Uzumaki pondered the choice that he was about to make, trying to justify both ends of the argument in his mind.
Little did he know that Charles was reading his mind, trying to plan out the conversation he might have to have with the boy about the decision, thinking, 'This boy is far more than we take him for, his thoughts are not leaning for either one or the other, but instead, he is trying to see the future in both options. He may be trying to pick the lesser of two evils. He could become very dangerous given enough time and training.'
He surprised everyone by replying, "I think that it would be best for me to leave Konoha. Professor Xavier, I will go with you to the institute."
'Very well, I guess I can't look after him forever. Besides, it may be good for him to go out and experience another lifestyle free of the bigotry the citizens of Konoha feel toward him. I sure am going to miss him though.' Sarutobi thinks.
"Very well Naruto," the Third Hokage began, "you have three days to say your goodbyes and prepare for your journey. Should anyone ask, you are to leave Konoha for a special training assignment, say no more than that. Dismissed."
"Alright Jiji!" Naruto exclaimed.
"On second thought, I could do with a break from that brat's antics." Sarutobi thought.
Flashback Ends
Naruto, being as deep in thought as he was, didn't notice that Jean was going to flick him with her middle finger until it was too late. He was sent backward, tripping over one of his suitcases, causing him to topple backward into the other boxes, sending all his stuff flying everywhere. Jean was laughing her ass off, thinking to herself, 'He is just too funny, messing with him is about to become my favorite sport.'
She moved to try another prank on him, when all of a sudden, he was up and signing away until he said, "Kage no bushin jutsu." POOF! As the smoke cleared, Jean looked upon half a dozen Narutos, thinking to herself, 'Well, now. This might just get a little interesting…I know, I'll up the ante.'
"What do you say we make this interesting, eh Naruto?"
"How so?" he asked.
"How about this, whoever loses must do whatever the winner says. If you want to you can back out now, but if you agree to this, no backing out. Agreed?"
"Same goes for you," he replied, grinning very strangely Jean thought.
They got into ready stances…they were moving in a circle, slowly going round and round.
At an unseen signal, they lunged.
CRASH!
The door flew open and in the doorway, sat Professor Xavier, looking very upset at the turn of events that nearly took place here. "Jean Grey, Naruto Uzumaki, this is neither the time nor the place for such rash actions. It is time we left, before we destroy anything."
Naruto and Jean exchanged a glance that silently communicated that they would pick up the fight later. Together, they loaded up all the suitcases, and boxes, and the three of them head towards the south gate.
They reached the south gate without a hitch, and there to say their goodbyes were Sarutobi, and Iruka-sensei, along with a few ANBU black ops members he didn't recognize. The car stopped and Naruto stepped out of the car to see what it was they wanted.
First to step forward was Sarutobi, who held something in his hand. "Naruto, could you close your eyes for a moment?" The young boy did so, feeling a cold chain move over his head and down his neck, to rest around his shoulders, weighted down in front by two cold rectangular shapes.
He opened his eyes to inspect what the Third Hokage had given him. With a curious look, he gazed upon two dog tags, one inscribed with the Konoha Leaf symbol, the other with the Kanji for change. "What's this for?"
"Those dog tags have very special properties. Its main function is to provide you with the power to change the way you appear to others. For example, if someone wanted to fight you and you were weakened, all you'd need to do is retreat to a safe enough distance and perform the handsign for dog while looking at another person, or while thinking of another specific disguise."
'Oh what a troublesome gift you are giving this boy Sarutobi,' thought Xavier.
Across the village, the Nara men both sneezed, 'Troublesome'
Naruto's eyes teared up a bit before he replied, "Thank you Jiji." The young boy then hugged his adoptive grandfather, who, surprised at first by the boy's reaction, proceeded to return the kind gesture.
"Third Hokage, our apologies for interrupting this moment, but we must teach the boy a new jutsu that may prove useful in the future." The Third Hokage let Naruto go, stepping back a bit. "The ANBU black ops members have a jutsu that we use in the most extreme circumstances. To perform this jutsu, form the handsigns for monkey, rat, ox, snake, ram, and tiger."
Inu and Hebi stepped forward, "Now, Naruto," Inu began, "you know that under normal circumstances we wouldn't reveal our faces to you –"
"Inu-"
"It's cool Jiji," Hebi said, "We've thought long and hard about this, and we trust Naruto enough to let him in on this secret."
"Hai, Hokage-sama," Inu added.
Inu and Hebi exchanged a glance, and removed their masks, revealing Inu as Itachi Uchiha, and Hebi as Anko Mitarashi.
"Itachi-Oji-san, Anko-Oba-san," Naruto exclaimed, leaping forward to hug the pair who had watched over the boy for years. "Thank you both, for everything you've taught me. I'm glad I got to see you both before I left!"
As Itachi rubbed the boy's head in a fatherly manner, he thought to himself, 'I envy you Naruto, you get to start over, wipe the slate clean. You won't have to deal with the bigotry and hatred of these villagers, who should be treating you like a hero for keeping the Kyuubi under lock and key.' "We're excited for you Naruto. This is going to be a wonderful trip for you."
"And when you get back, if you've improved enough, both mentally and physically, maybe I'll take you out on a date."
At this, all the residents of Konoha, save for Naruto, face-planted, knowing the Snake Mistress' idea of a date usually ended up bringing her arm candy to her place.
As Naruto started getting in the car, he turned and waved goodbye as he turned back, Sarutobi noticed what looked like a tear about to fall.
As the care drove away Naruto began to ask questions, inquiring about what life was like at the institute and what their powers are. With a slightly exasperated expression Scott said " Naruto let's play the quiet game." Naruto responds. "How do I play that game." Scott smiles and says. "You just lost." Naruto whined a little about his loss. Jean watching the whole scene giggled lightly at Naruto's antics.
They arrive at the X-Jet and Naruto was astounded by what he saw. Xavier in preparation for Naruto's shock began telling him some basic explanations about the jet. As the Professor droned over the explaination that he believed was simple enough for him, Naruto just gazed at the marvel that sat before him. The sleek design, mat black finish, and high tech look was enough to make any boy, young or old, drool. Once Naruto's boxes had been loaded onto the X-Jet, they took off, leaving behind the Hidden Leaf, moving at supersonic speeds to New York.
Naruto, who decided to keep quiet for the duration of this trip, began contemplating his next move. 'After all, it'll take a lot of training before I'm ready to become Hokage.'
Author's Note - That's right! I'm gonna keep a few things canon, if I can. I also decided to make him super smart. Yet like all geniuses, his common sense will be in drastic need of an overhaul. Just a couple more chapters before the fun begins... ; ) R&R!