Chapter 2
Naruto woke from his slumber (which had come late but with a Vengeance) sometime along noon. Getting up and suddenly remembering WHERE he was, he instantly went for the window.
Along the street that led to his house little flecks of fog were drifting (at NOON), as well as a hand full of people in mostly dark blue clothing.
He would have to get used to the dimness of Kirigakures almost permanently clouded sky and fogged streets, he thought. But first he had to see more of the town, as his chase the night before had left him no time to look out for anything but Zabuza. He went for the bathroom and took a LONG shower (after all, no need to be ecologically minded with water when the whole Village swam in it, right?) he put on some underwear and then proceeded to dress as a Ninja of The Hidden Mist for the first time. The blue fabric was smooth, a bit elastic, but luckily no Spandex like Gai and Lee wore, and fit him quite well. The shoulder pads also incorporated a small plate on his breast, offering additional protection without weighing more than 1kg, as well as sheaths for 2 Kunai per side..
And finally it was the Hitai-ate`s turn. Looking himself over in the mirror Naruto couldn't believe how much more intimidating (and less „Hello, please kill me") he looked, yes, he liked his new clothes. He then clapped the Ninja-to to his belt (at the back, parallel to the ground.), he would need to get used to the weapon being there, he thought, and put 2 more Kunai and 6 Shuriken into the small pouch on his left hip. All ready, a true Ninja of the Hidden Mist!
Now time for breakfast!
ZM
Zabuza stood hidden in the Mist (he...) near Narutos house. He had watched the brat put on his gear and therefore expected him to come out soonish.
Well, that had been almost 40 minutes ago, and it seemed he was STILL eating! Where did he put all that? After all, the boy was still rather short for a 15-year old. Perhaps the Kyubiis Fire insta-burned most of the food? Ah well.....there he comes, he thought to himself.
ZM
The Day was foggy and clamp, but his clothes were clearly made for such surroundings, as they didn't draw any water like his jumpsuit would have. So Naruto strolled down the street leading away from his house, looking forward to a nice, peaceful day of exploration without any troublesome "Demon! We'll show you why...." and other bullshit.
Man, was he wrong.
ZM
Zabuza followed the brat, still hidden, though not as much from Naruto, who probably would have overlooked a whole TEAM following him, but from the other villagers. No need to alert the boy by suddenly making most people on the street trying to hide, after all....
He now had reached the first crossing on his way and started down left hand.
Good, that would lead him to the smaller market. Time for the „Socializing Observation" the Mizukage had ordered him too. Hopefully it wouldn't take long, as he had scheduled a sparring against a Special Jounin for 2 o'clock......
ZM
Naruto slowly walked down the street towards a small market, thereby looking left and right. The round, rather short buildings were mostly painted in shades of blue and grey, the windows were many but mostly small, and all of them seemed like seashells had been used as model.
The people around him kept watching him from below hats, around corners and out of windows. All of them trying to be rather sneaky. Well, since HE could spot them, he really doubted that any Ninja were among them. What prevented all this from bothering him was the fact that they showed genuine interest and curiosity on their faces, littered with a bit of careful respect. Nothing of the fear or hate he was accustomed to from Konoha. Yes, this village really was nothing like Konoha at all....
At reaching the market he looked around, searching for a Vendor offering Ramen. Then he redoubled his efforts. Nothing!!
Was that even possible? How in the world was a Village supposed to run without a Ramen Stand?
"Excuse me", he approached a straw-hat wearing Vegetable Vendor, "Can you tell me where I can get Ramen here?"
The elderly man looked him up, recognizing his Hitai-ate, but likely not him, and answered: "Well Ninja-san, there is no Ramen Vendor in the Village, as far as I know." Seeing the despair mixed with anger in Narutos face he quickly added "But there is a stand for fried noodles and seafood snacks on the north side!" Glancing at the Ninja that stood before him the old man wondered „How long has it been since he was here? Doesn't he remember Ramen was banned after the „Chuzija-Incident?"
Naruto thought it over, deciding that fried noodles, although clearly non-ramen, would serve their purpose for a while, thanked the man and walked off to the northern rim of the market.
ZM
OK, Zabuza thought, he has spoken with one citizen, 3 more to go.......
Damn socializing-program. How the Mizukage always kept coming up with new ways to waste his time was impressive. And annoying. Impressively annoying.
ZM
After a little chat with the Noodle-Vendor (and little luck in convincing him to attempt some ramen) Naruto left with a bag of noodles. So what if there was no ramen in this town, he would go and make some himself!
Now time to get the other things he needed for his plan: Vegetables, Eggs, spices and meat....
ZM
"And that's number 4, finally I can get off this damnable boring observation." With that thought Zabuza teleported to the training area Nr. 7.
"Well well, there you are. Been waiting almost an hour. " A female voice greeted him at arrival.
He turned around, only to feel the finger of somebody poke him in the neck. "Gotcha! You need to work on your perception, "Demon"." The same voice added with an almost audible smile from right behind him.
This time he turned around slowly, seeing a slim, roughly 5.7 tall woman with auburn hair standing right in front of him, obviously very relaxed and smirking.
"The old man told you to expect me?" she asked.
"No, the Mizukage didn't mention whom I was to meet here for training, but I'm looking forward to beat the crap out of you, Nahema!" with that he drew his Sword.
"Ts, ts, man relax, why my Grandfather keeps on depending on you is a mystery to me. No, we're not to fight here and now. You re to tell me....." At that the huge sword almost beheaded her.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?!" she shouted while sidestepping Zabuzas next blow.
"Having some long due fun." he grunted, continuing to swing in changing patterns at her.
He would be damned if he'd let her off without a scar this time! While still swinging his sword with his right hand, he made 3 signs with his left, firing a Water Bullet at the woman. Sadly however, she avoided that too. And even worse, she suddenly vanished. Frantically looking around, Zabuza suddenly heard Water rushing towards him. "Great, a Water Dragon." he thought to himself. Ah well, wanted to show it to her last time already, so.....
The Demon made 2 handsigns and channelled quite some Chakra into his sword, then he lunged towards the Dragon, attacking the water-made beast midair with a vertical slash that spluttered it all across the training ground.
"Now, Nahema, your favourite Jutsu won't work against me. Come out and fight me!!" Zabuza shouted, his trademark mad, glaring smile plastered onto his face.
What he didn't see was the woman doing another Jutsu, hidden behind a small rock to his left. Suddenly the earth cracked below his feet and a fist made of stone shot out, connecting with his chin. He was thrown into a backflip, but managed to land controlled, immediately slashing at the "arm". However, other than the Water Dragon, this Jutsu held, at least until he attacked a second time. Mid swing however he suddenly heard a "OK. You win, big guy!" from right behind him. Too late to abandon his swing for another attack to that direction, he went through the arm with full force, thereby shattering it, following the flow and spinning around, brandishing his giant sword, ready to attack again.
Only to witness Nahema sitting there, grinning.
"So, the Old man told me I'll be getting a new pupil soon. You're gonna tell me about him now or not?" she inquired, her eyes twinkling.
Grumbling he put his sword back onto his back. No use fighting after the opponent admitted defeat, after all. Even if he wasn't so sure if the Granddaughter of the Mizukage had been serious. But well, he HAD dispelled her favourite Jutsu with ease. Good enough for today.
"OK girl," he began, "Your new Pupil is Naruto Uzomaki. He's.. Wait, do your "Antispy" Jutsu first!" That got him an intense glance from her, but she obeyed and went through the 15 hand seals.
"OK. We're safe from curious ears now. Spill it!" she said, interest clear in her voice.
"Good. As I said, his name is Naruto Uzomaki, he is a deserter from Konohagakure." At that Nahemas Eyes widened. "Wait, it gets better. He has the Nine tails sealed inside him."
Zabuza watched the female Special Jounin closely as he said that. He was not disappointed, as she shot upwards, glaring him into the eyes. "WHAT!? Are you joking? No, not you. Damn, how is that even possible?"
Sighing Zabuza went through the same explanation the Mizukage had given him, closing with "So, now we have a boy of 15 years with almost unlimited stamina and Chakra reserves but no skill whatsoever except the Academy Basics and Kage Bunshin. A free slate for Kirigakures best Ninjutsu-Specialist to fill."
That silenced her for a while. While he watched her pondering what she had just learned, Zabuza mentally made a note. He would have to warn the brat of Nahemas habits with pupils. Otherwise a very unhealthy admiration would be the result.
"Good." she finally spoke up, "I'll train him starting in 4 days. Who will be the other trainers?" At that Zabuza smiled madly. "Great," Nahema responded. "Just please be sure for once not to damage him too badly, ok? I need him to be able to move his hands at least, after all....."
Zabuza kept smiling. Nahema admitted defeat by raising her brows.
Then he added: "I'm not entirely sure who will be his Genjutsu trainer, but I assume the Mizukage will choose Genzo or Hohiro, as secrecy is paramount. So, please spill it to the wrong people, so that I can finally kill you, k?" he added. No humour detectable in his voice.
Nahema sighed and turned her eyes upwards before teleporting away......
The Swordsman lay under his makeshift roof, raindrops falling through the spaces between the pieces of shattered tree he had used to build it.
All around the night was full of the noise of falling rain. But no other sounds were audible, as if there was no life left at all in the area.
In his dream there must have been a dangerous situation, because his right hand tightened around the grip of his sword, causing a sad little sound from the completely wet bandages around his hand and the swords grip.
It didn´t take long however, and he relaxed once more, finally some more soothing sleep perhaps?
Whatever the reason, his breathing slowed and he slept on, more quiet and peaceful, for a time at least.......
Naruto had just returned from his search for a spice shop, when he saw 3 Ninja of Kirigakure coming his way. They all looked around his age, 1 wore shoulder pads like himself, the other 2 only the blue Ninja suit. "Probably these pads are Kirigakures version of a Chunin vest?" he pondered.
He kept on walking until the three closed the street in front of him.
"Hey there, new guy," the obvious leader said. "How about you tell us, as our newest member, where you´re from and why you´re here?" The tone in which he said it was all too familiar for Naruto. The boy was out for a fight and thought himself in the stronger position. Setting his bag aside, he relaxed his neck a bit, while thinking about valid solutions for this problem. "The Mizukage said nothing about any law prohibiting brawls, nor did he forbid me to use Kage-Bunshin. So, why don't I go and make the right impression from the start?" he was oblivious to the fact that the last sentence came from his "inner voice", and answered: "I´m here because I have a very good chance of strengthening our village. By the way, Zabuza Momoshi-sama brought me here." At that one of the Genin made a step backwards, but was stopped by a glare from his superior.
"So, the "Demon" brought you here? You must be a hell of a fighter then...." the muscular Ninja drawled. At that Naruto realized that all other people in sight had retreated. No sense in waiting then....
With a small (for him that is) burst of Chakra he shouted "Kage Bunshin". Instantly the three offending boys were surrounded by roughly 60 Narutos, all drawing Kunai from their shoulder pads.
He left them 3 seconds to become afraid, then all 60 of him jumped them.
It didn't take long until the three were beaten senseless.
Well, that had been fun, Naruto thought, as he picked up his bag, and would certainly help him get the respect he so desperately wanted. He wasn't entirely sure if he had acted correct, but it had been fun (and good for his soul) so he didn´t care much. Now, time to go to his house and try to make some ramen. After all, he had watched Ichiraku do it for hundreds of times right in front of him, knew all needed parts and had a kitchen too.....
ZM
As Zabuza returned to the village, he saw a small number of people standing in the middle of the street. At getting closer he noticed that they surrounded 3 downed Ninja, ah, the Kuran-Brothers and Umo Karai. They were troublemakers, akin to Zabuza in spirit some said, but lacking all the prowess you needed if you honestly wanted to travel that road. "So, lets see who knocked them out this time", he thought.
At his arrival all but 2 of the citizens scattered back to their houses. Eyeing the 2 remaining, Zabuza lifted his left brow. No need to speak, they would answer him anyway.
"Zabuza-sama!" the smaller of the 2, a stocky man around 40, bowed, then spoke up. "They, they tried to bully the new Ninja, the blond you led into the village yesterday. He told them you had brought him here, but they didn't retreat. He then suddenly made an, an Army out of, of....himself and knocked them out...:" the man staggered to explain.
"Ah." Zabuza thought. "he got it all by himself. Perhaps the brat had promise after all......."
To the villagers he only nodded towards the three, then down the street. They understood and hastily went to get a small wagon to transport the 3 to the infirmary.
ZM
Meanwhile Naruto had gotten fully into his first try to make ramen. His kitchen held all items he needed, so he went to work as soon as he got home. However, he soon noticed, it was a completely different thing WATCHING ramen be made and making it himself. Even with the help of 2 Kage-Bunshin he was unable to prevent noodles and fat from falling into the fire. That itself wouldn´t have been that bad, had he immediately noticed. But it took the fire to rise considerably until the distracted blond realized his new kitchen was on fire! He made more Kage-Bunshin and sent them to form a chain and get water. Even so, the smell of charcoal and burnt fat would linger for a while, and the thick smoke didn´t go unnoticed either. No, that was not the Impression he wanted to make.
Zabuza stood near Narutos house, pondering his new "pupils" actions.
Only one day in the village, and already the boy had proven his worth by showing his strength. Indeed, promising
Yes, Zabuza was rather pleased with Narutos Actions. That is, until the brat managed to set his kitchen on fire while trying to cook ramen. Some days it simply didn´t pay to get out of bed.......
ZM
Attention Readers: Please review! I need more feedback after all!
Forgive the crappy formating, FF wont keep the one I did in the actual Document......
