Chapter 1: Three Years Later...
"In our line of business, you need friends... Those that are capable, and those that don't... know how to stay in line."
-Naruto.
Four Years Later...
Outskirts of Fire Country's Capital.
Three men stood at the middle of the road, it was night time and all the sounds heard are the chirpping of crickets, and grasshoppers.
Two of the men were slightly taller than the third man, who is rotund and portley, wearing a brightly colored hakama, and with expensive jewelry, in contrast to the slightly ragged yet armored men who are his bodyguards.
"Tch, where are they? They should've been here by now." The fat man sneered, having waited for two hours.
After a few minutes, the fat man looked like he'd want to give up and leave when he suddenly spotted a horse drawn carriage coming towards them.
The carriage had one rider, and a small entourage of bodyguards protecting the carriage, which has it's goods covered in a blank canvas.
"Finally, some fucking good news." The fat man muttered.
The carriage arrived and it's driver dismounted, the fat man looked and was surprised.
'A kid?!' He was surprised at the driver's appearance.
The driver wore a hooded cloak that's been covered in leaves and thatch, but the driver's child height is what caught his attention.
"Mr. Kazuki Kouzou, It's a pleasure to meet you." The driver said in a distorted voice.
'Even with the distorted voice the driver sounds like a kid, what was that man thinking!?' Kazuki felt a bit insulted by the fact that AB didn't come himself and instead a literal kid comes in his place.
'Well, no fussing over it now.'
"You got the goods?" Kazuki asked.
"You got the gold?" The driver responded.
"Let me see it."
"Let me see the gold as well."
The atmosphere becomes tense.
The two then stared down on each other.
The fat man, then tilted his head to his men, when one of them whistled.
Then, two rogue shinobi appeared behind Kazuki carried a large chest. They then dropped the chest and slid it in front of the driver.
"There, now you see the gold now where's the goods." Kazuki said impatiently.
The driver however didn't respond and opens the chest and finds gold coins, bars, and necklaces made of jade.
Grabbing one of the coins, the driver then reaches under his cloak and grabs a vial full of transparent liquid.
Kazuki, seeing this his expression went from annoyed to a bit nervous as he couldn't see what his dealer is doing under his cloak.
Then, the dealer opened the vial and dropped a few drops of the liquid into the coin, then breaths air into it.
The driver then sees the gold coin and changes color from gold to greenish brown. The driver, not saying anything throws the coin in front of Kazuki.
"Do you honestly think that you could fool the Bakudai Organization with this bullshit, Mr. Kouzou?" The driver said bitingly, and glared at the man's face.
Kazuki sees the driver's visible eyes. The eyes went from blue to red which sparked a sense of danger to him.
"GUARDS! KILL HIM AND TAKE THE CARRIAGE!" He shouted to his men.
But before Kazuki's men could react, a sudden gust of wind blew right into them as Kazuki watches in horror.
The cloaked driver moved so fast passing his men like the wind, while streaks of blood followed.
The guards were cut to pieces by the attacker, they didn't even draw their weapons fast enough.
The cloaked figure then stopped in front of Kazuki, inches from his face. The figure, held a bloodied wakizashi, he flicked the weapon and sheathed it, the action coincided with the guards dropping down dead with cuts all over their body.
"Looks like your protection needs more protection, Mr. Kouzou." The driver stated.
"L-look, I can explain-" Kazuki stammered in fear.
The driver then unsheaths his wakizashi and places the blade around Kazuki's neck.
"You don't get to explain or demand you fat fuck, you owe our organization money. And it's in your interest that you pay us or we'll make you."
"You wouldn't dare threaten me! I'm a member of Fire Country's chamber of commerce, I'm a trusted adviser to the Daimyo!" Kazuki tried to threaten the driver but the cloaked figure just laughed.
"Haha, don't make me laugh! You're nothing more than a swindler, a liar, a pisspoor cutthroat, a greedy fat son of a bitch, you think I don't know your business ventures? You sell goods of lower quality for a high price, you sell crap to the poor while you charge fees for services that the ordinary joe couldn't pay back. You hire local goons to do your dirty work by intimidation if someone doesn't pay back. You're nothing more than a lesser version of Gato, you only got into the ears of the Fire Daimyo by bribing officials in his court, and in the Chamber of Commerce. Oh yeah, i know all about that, if the Daimyo knows about this, you're fucked."
"You don't have the evidence!"
"Oh? Who said anything about evidence?" The driver under his hood smirked. "Haven't you looked over your shoulder then?"
"What!?" Kazuki then looks behind him and his face whitened in horror.
He sees a robed old man, with an entourage of guards behind him, beside the old man are of his most trusted advisors. One is a man wearing a straw hat, the old a petite young woman.
"Fire Daimyo Shigekuni Genryusai Yamamoto, Advisor Shinsui Kyoraku, Head Fire Guardian Soi-Fon!" Kazuki shook in fear.
"Merchant Kazuki Kouzou, you are under arrest for charges of: money laundering, Bank Fraud, illegal racketeering, bribery of officials, embezzelement of funds, running an illegal and unlicensed loan-sharking business, and 33 counts of contract killing of 33 people. We have accumulated much needed evidence of your crimes, surrender now and you'll be taken away peacefully." The Daimyo said with authority in his voice.
"Y-you!" Kazuki only shook in shock and horror that he had been caught.
"How did you-?!" Then a sudden realization hits him 'AB!'
He was set up.
The driver being late had been intentional, the lateness was just the laying out of the trap.
The driver then went closer and whispered into his ear.
"AB had gotten a better deal between Bakudai and the head of the Chamber of Commerce, the boss was getting sick of you not paying him on time and frankly, I would prefer to have you dead for defying the boss" Then what would've been a smile under the hood he said next.
"But, the Chamber head had decided that all of your properties, wealth, titles, and businesses would be taken away and given to AB instead, as was the deal. And also, the people whose lives you ruined and sent to prison, they're waiting for you now... Have fun."
The last two words prove too much to Kazuki as his eyes rolled up and pissed himself, he fainted with a thud on the ground.
Disgusted at the pathetic state of the now screwed former merchant, The driver called out.
"Alright, take him away."
"Thank you for helping us with this problem, the Daimyo will reward you for a job well done." Soi Fon said professionally as she grabbed the unconcious fat man by the collar and shunshined away with him.
"As what Fon said, a deal's a deal." Shinsui said, handing over a scroll into the driver's hands.
"This scroll is a deed, transferring all of Kazuki Kouzou's properties, wealth, and business to the Bakudai Organization, this scroll can be opened to the boss only."
"Very well, thank you." The driver bowed.
"And as a request from the Head of the Chamber of Commerce, he wanted to meet with your boss sometime in the near future. Care to relay this message to him?" Shinsui asked.
"The boss would like this very much, thank you." The driver nodded.
"And one last thing: The Daimyo was impressed at the way you handled the situation, stalling the merchant long enough for us to arrive and distracting him. For someone so young..."
The driver was surprised but hides his expression quick.
"We sensed great power within you, the way you took down Kazuki's bodyguards is sensed by our Fire Guardians, we could only assume you're a shinobi from Konoha." Shinsui deduced.
"... How do you find out?" The driver said quietly.
"Everyone knows the power of Konoha's shinobi, the Fire Capital knows the reputation of Konoha just as thier history is interlinked with ours. In fact, The Sandaime Hokage's son Asuma Sarutobi was a Fire Guardian."
"So tell me, out of curiosity, are you a Konoha Shinobi?"
The driver was silent for a while then replied.
"No, not yet." He sighed, "But I'm undergoing early training before attending the shinobi academy."
"I see, you handled yourself well, I heard that Kazuki always hired rogue shinobi as his bodyguards."
"Oh, those guys?" The driver looked back at the men he killed.
"I can see that they're trained shinobi but, they're small fry since what I saw that they barely drew their weapons before I killed them, they must've been genin that didn't finish or fail at their chunin exams." He shrugged nonchalantly.
"Can we finish this business Sir, I need to go back to Konoha ASAP, the boss would need to hear the good news." The driver said with impatience.
"Wait." The Daimyo Genryusai finally replied, "Before you go, I would like to know the face of the person that did this noble service, as in the future, when the time comes, I would call upon you as to repay this debt. Take off your hood, that's an order from the Daimyo."
Then, after a short moment of silence, the driver finally lifts his hood and shows his face.
The expressions on Shinsui and Genryusai were only that of shock and surprise, it was a boy no older than eight or nine.
The driver had a youthful face with all the fat disappeared: Spiky blonde hair, icy blue eyes, and fox whisker marks on each cheek, but other features like small cuts and stitches around his face, a small scar on the left eye, and lastly, a stitch from his left chin down to the neck. His overall appearance made him look like a seasoned soldier, giving him a rugged appearance.
But one of the things noticed by Shinsui is the eyes of the kid, there was a bit of dullness and a faraway stare that the boy had.
'He must've seen some things, things that no one from his age should.' Shinsui concluded as he knows certain samurai from the Daimyo's court having that look, the look of a person that saw horror and experience trauma from battle.
But Yamamoto thought differently when he saw the boy.
'That blonde hair, and that face... there's only one person who has that physical appearance in Konoha!?'
"May I ask, what is your name?" Yamamoto needed to make sure.
However the boy hesitates, he felt he'd given too much information about himself and just wants to leave now.
"Do not worry about that secrecy boy." Yamamoto said, knowing about the boy's dilemma immediately. "I assure you that my word as Daimyo is as good as the Hokage, you're secret's are safe with me, only me and Shinsui knows."
The boy then felt that he can trust him, at least for now. 'He seems sincere.'
"... Naruto, Uzumaki Naruto."
'Uzumaki hmm? Just as I suspected.' Yamamoto now knows.
"Very well, Uzumaki Naruto. You may go, and safe travels back to Konoha. I feel we'll meet again in the future." Yamamoto dismissed.
Naruto then bowed respectfully to the Daimyo and went back to the carriage, he then turned the carriage back and rode away into the road toward's Konoha.
"Lord Daimyo? Genryusai? Care to tell me what's going on?" Shinsui asked the Daimyo casually, as Yamamoto is his oldest friend as well as an adviser.
"... The boy, he has the blood of Uzumaki and Namikaze in his veins."
Shinsui looked shocked.
"Namikaze and Uzumaki, you're telling me-?!"
"Yes old friend, I have always known that those two: Minato and Kushina would get along and finally marry despite their clashing personalities, ever since they came here during missions I've always seen them argue, which I assumed that they would end up together."
"So the boy is Minato and Kushina's son?!" Shinsui concluded.
"Yes, I'm certain of it, but the problem is why the Sandaime Hokage didn't inform me about this boy?" The Daimyo wondered.
"And one thing worries me Yamamoto, the boy... I've seen his eyes, those are not the eyes of a child... those are the eyes of a seasoned fighter." Shinsui said.
"I see... The boy must be experienced then." The Daimyo rubbed chis beard.
"We must keep tabs on him Shinsui, I have a feeling that this boy may become important to us in the near future."
Two days later...
Konoha Projects.
"So, how did it go?"
AB or Abe, is sitting on his leather armchair looking at Naruto, who looked a bit sleepy.
"The mission was a success, the portly pig Kouzou got caught with his pants down. And the Daimyo personally congratulated me for my actions."
Abe smiled "Good, anything else?"
Naruto then took from his cloak and brought out the two scrolls that Shinsui gave him.
"The two scrolls came from both the Daimyo's adviser Kyoraku, and the Head of the Chamber of Commerce, only you're allowed to privy this information."
Abe then opened each scroll and read them, then as he read Abe began to smile and it grows wider as he read more of them.
Then Abe laughed softly.
"Hahaha! it seems that we're finally moving on up the ladder to success!" Abe said.
"Boss?"
"While Kazuki Kouzou's wealth now belongs to Bakudai is a great boon, The message from the Head of the Chamber takes the fucking cake!" Abe explained.
"The Commerce Chamber Head, Horogai, has invited me to become a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Apparently the deals we made for the last two years has caught his attention."
"And this is important because???" Naruto tilted his head.
"We're finally going legit now kid, our businesses are now finally getting the legitimacy it deserves. No more backroom deals, we're now dealing on the table, all thanks to you." Abe smiled with praise to Naruto.
Exposition:
In the Elemental Nations, military power is centered around two distinct groups: Samurai and Shinobi.
Samurai for their prowess with the way of the Sword.
And Shinobi, their use of Chakra and discrection.
As such, In the Elemental Nations each country's economic power is defined by a three factors: Economic growth and output(GDP), Free Markets, and the Black Market.
Economic growth and output or GDP, is the total value of everything a country products and sells. This factor is interlinked with the other two, Free and Black Markets.
Free Markets, is one where voluntary exchange and the laws of supply and demand provide the sole basis for the economic system, without government intervention. In the Elemental Nations, any products and services from any country are exchanged freely without any government invlovement, with one product/service being a sole exception: The services of a Hidden Village.
The most valuable service a country must have is the services of a Hidden Village's shinobi, as their services are quite valuable for all who acquired them.
Having a Hidden Village inside a country has many advantages, proximity, cost, and loyalty are the key advantages, as a Daimyo can call upon the services of the hidden village residing in his country, the Daimyo can even establish connections with the Village's Kage to ensure not only protection but also wealth should the Country need it.
However there is one economic factor that is often overlooked, The Black Market.
Often associated with criminals, the Black Market is often frowned upon by many free market countries, but in the Elemental Nations the services of the Black Market is just as essential as the shinobi services provide.
The Black Market, they operate similarly to the Free Market with the only difference is that they trade on officially controlled or scarce commodities illegally. In the Elemental Nations, these Markets while illegal, are often looked the other way by the government for five reasons:
1.) The Daimyo and his government recognize the value of the Black Market as a means to generate income, so they tax the Black Market at a much higher rate than legit businesses.
2.) The Black Market have essential services and products that people need that they couldn't get in legit markets.
3.) They are a valuable source for information, many a spy and spymaster including Jiraiya of the Sannin, have gathered important information through black markets. However, information has a price so It depends on the value, if the price his high then it's considered not only valuable but legit as well.
4.) They have services that even a Shinobi doesn't provide.
5.) They are a cheap alternative to Shinobi contracts.
In the fifth reason, there is a much less known type of contract in the Black Market that is similar to shinobi but much cheaper and questionable quality: Black Contracts.
In poorer Countries, where one can't afford a shinobi in contract. The Black Contract is a good alternative. Where one can hire a skilled individual with a specific skill set, however this individual can be either a shinobi or a civilian, though mostly a civilian.
However unlike the Shinobi contracts, where a Shinobi has a much higher rate of success. The Black Contracts have a much lower chance of success due to the quality of service and high mortality rate.
The Bakudai Organization was small at first based on Konoha only.
But ever since Naruto had joined the organization three years ago, everything changed.
Abe began training the boy personally in the basic skills in the shinobi arsenal:
•The 3 Cs: Combat, Concealment, and Contingency.
•Combat, which is explanatory by the name, it dominates many fighting and non-fighting disciplines such as hand to hand combat, weapons training and profiency, dirty fighting, physical training, endurance training, anatomy, psychology, martial arts, and mental endurance, all which Abe had trained Naruto on.
•Concealment, which is the ability to hide from enemies, there are two types of concealment: In-nin and Yo-nin:
•In-nin is "Concealed" which involves in covert infiltration/ intelligence gathering operations with the goal of gathering intelligence involving troop movements, fortifications, and other important details, here shinobi would have to conceal themselves and are trained in various stealth and disguise techniques, though this is never a problem due to the use of Henge, which Naruto is already proficient at thanks to Abe.
•Yo-nin however is more direct action, it means "Night", it involves in the art of assassination, sabotage, and other forms of direct action. This direct action is carried out after the In-nin has gathered information to carry out attacks on enemy targets, disrupt supply lines, or destroy important enemy infrastructure. this approach involves more on "hiding in plain sight" as the means to get closer, to blend in to approach the target, which Abe taught Naruto very thoroughly.
• And lastly, Contingency, the ability to build up layers upon layers of planning, to prepare, to expect, and to execute operations, as well as create backup plans in case. Here, Abe taught Naruto on how to plan operations, offering nuggets of wisdom Abe had said that "No plan survives contact with the enemy."
And so, Abe gave Naruto lessons on Military Strategy, Political Strategy, Economic planning, and Criminal Conspiracy to help his young protege survive in a world where the shadows are much scarier and more cutthroat compared to missions given by the Kages.
Of course there are many other lessons that Abe taught Naruto, all which the blonde kid had soaked as much as possible, proving that Naruto is a prodigy. All of it will pay off as Naruto helped expand the Bakudai's operations beyond Konoha and spread throughout the surrounding towns and villages in Fire Country.
Here in just three years, the Bakudai went from being a small organization and became a big fish in a small pond where the group now controlled eighty percent of the Black Market in Fire Country.
Loan Sharking, Money Laundering, Prostitution, Smuggling, and Drug dealing were many of the trades the Bakudai Organization has the monopoly on Fire Country.
"Why thank you Boss." Naruto embarrasly said while he scratched his cheek.
"And to think just only two years, you were just a low level grunt in my organization, now you're one of my most valuable enforcers." Abe smiled with pride, "And to think, all that takes for me to teach you was a forbidden jutsu and you only do the rest."
"Well, the Shadow Clone Jutsu helped me soak up all that knowledge." Naruto said.
Flashback: Two years ago
Six months after joining the Bakudai, Naruto under Abe and SC were training Naruto in hand to hand combat. While Abe helps formulate a training regimen, SC teaches Naruto a Taijutsu long forgotten by centuries.
"Alright kid, this Taijutsu is simply known as "Krav Maga", it's not as fancy as many of the known Taijutsu you know, like the Hyuga's Gentle Fist, but it does save your life in a fight. This Taijutsu relies on three key points: Aggresiveness, Simplicity, and Adaptibility. Here, any form of moves or techniques is applied, both offensive and defensive: Strikes, Kicks, Throws, Joint Locks, ground and dirty fighting, every dirty move you could think of is applied, there's no such thing as Honor when it comes to Krav Maga, the purpose of Krav Maga is to end a fight quickly and efficiently." SC explains.
"I understand" Naruto nodded.
"Hold up for a sec SC, I have a task for Naruto. Kid, come here." Abe ordered.
Naruto went to Abe, wondering what his boss want from him.
"Naruto, I know you've just joined us, and that you're having problems in creating a Bunshin (Clone) right?" Abe said.
Naruto nodded but has a face of frustration.
"Well, I figured out that the problem isn't your technique, nor is the way you performed the technique... I think it's your chakra reserves."
"My, chakra reserves?" Naruto tilted his head.
"Yes, you have chakra reserves the size of a kami-damned ocean, and add that you have little to no chakra control, it's no wonder that you can't even create a proper clone without creating an unhealthy clone." Abe explained.
'And perhaps why Killer Bee, the Eight-Tailed Beast jailer and my 'dear' cousin, had been training on chakra control ever since he's
four, he was groomed prepared compared to Naruto here.' He thought. 'The Uzumaki Clan are known to have ungodly amounts of Chakra in their reserves, not just for their Chakra Chains and Fuinjutsu, and they have little to no chakra control, couple with the Kyuubi's volatile chakra, it's impossible to train Naruto on Chakra Control.
"So, because I have little to no control and because of my large chakra reserves, I pumped too much chakra on instinct and created an unhealthy clone?" Naruto guessed.
"Correct." Abe nodded, impressed at Naruto's growing intellect, "Pumping too much chakra on a simple clone technique and adding not the right amount could damage the clone and leave it weaker when summoned, most bunshin techniques are required to have a limited amount of Chakra, and unfortunately your chakra control is so horrendous that any bunshin technique you'll attempt will only result in failure."
"... So that means, It's impossible for me to make a Bunshin." Naruto deflated, his ambitions seem to deflate a bit.
'But luckily, I know the solution... That solution is located on the Hokage Tower.' Abe smirked.
"No, there is a way, but it's risky." Abe said, Naruto's face lit up with hope.
"Really!? tell me! I'll do anything!"
"I know a jutsu that could help with your Bunshin problem, but that jutsu I'm talking about is located in the Hokage tower, more specifically in the Hokage's office... It's a forbidden jutsu called "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu", It may very well be the only Bunshin that can handle your chakra reserves, unlike the many bunshin that you're taught with, this bunshin requires a godly amount of chakra for it to be effective, any Jounin or Chunin attempting it once will have his or her chakra drained till empty which will leave them tired or worst dead."
"Wow, is it that dangerous?" Naruto questioned.
"Only with those of smaller chakra reserves, and it eats large amounts of chakra when used, you however are an exception, your chakra reserves is enough for you to create not just a perfect clone, but enough to create a hundred, or a few hundred perfect clones." Abe explained.
This excited Naruto very much, now knowing that he has a chance, however the thought of stealing from his benefactor the Sandaime, made him hesitant.
"But Jiji-"
"Don't worry about the Sandaime kid, I'm sure that he wouldn't know none the wiser as long as you're not caught."
'The Sandaime's health has been declining over the years, He still strong both mentally and physically despite his age, his sense of judgement however has been on a decline, revealing Naruto's Jinchuriki's status, The Uchiha Massacre, not suspecting Danzo's shady dealings with Orochimaru, and most recently my cousin's idiotic attempt in Kidnapping the Hyuga Heiress resulting in the death of a Branch member, all tell tale signs that Hiruzen Sarutobi showing weakness.' Abe concluded.
"Naruto, what do you reckon is the Hokage's preferences? You were close to him so you should know."
Naruto pondered, "Hmm, there's this book that he frequently reads when on his free time, he would often make this funny look when he reads, muttering 'Ika-Ika' or something..."
'... You've got to be kidding me? The Hokage's THAT type of person, didn't know he's that lecherous! Make sense, since Jiraiya's his student after all, but still!' Abe was annoyed by the info, which is something HE doesn't know.
"Wait a minute..." Naruto had a lightbulb moment.
"If I could enter the Hokage tower without alerting the guards, it would have to be in a way that many wouldn't expect. I could Henge myself as an inanimate project, like a book... A few days ago, I eavesdropped Hokage-jiisan and I overheard a conversation about a package coming in from somewhere, and it contained a book... So, if I could get inside the Hokage office, I would have to replace the package and Henge myself into that package and I'll be brought to the office no problem." Naruto explained.
"... But the guards, and staff. They would notice."
"Abe-sensei, I know each and everyone of these people, and I know the layout of the office well, Hokage-jiisan use to take me around the tower when he visits, he trusts me."
'The fact that the Sandaime is willing to let Naruto roam around the Tower is a major security risk, what if Naruto had suddenly turned rogue!' Abe shook his head at Hiruzen's approach.
"... Alright, we'll go with your plan, this will be your first major test as a member of this organization as well."
"Don't worry, the guards won't notice me as I get in, In fact they're complacent despite their training as they don't really expect that someone will infiltrate the Hokage tower." 'However, the ANBU will prove to be a challenge.' Naruto began to form his plan into action, as he was trained to do.
"... Very well, at 1800 hours we'll begin."
A few hours later...
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Sandaime Hokage felt the weight of the world on his shoulders, just as the weight of paperwork is stacked on his desk.
'Curse you to the pits of hell you stacks of kindling!' He glared at the mountain piles of white paper, his glare if it were a flamethrower would've burned the stacks into said Kindling.
However, he sighed as he has somone on his mind as of late.
He thought of Naruto, the son of his late successor. He wondered just how much had things gone so wrong, and how much he felt guilty that he didn't do enough.
He thought that by revealing Naruto's Jinchuriki status would help the people see him as a hero, it had the opposite effect.
Many of Konoha's population viewed Naruto as the Nine-Tails and looked at him with hate, and distrust. No one wanted to do with him, no one wanted to be friends with him, some even attacked him, even the orphanage that he resided in at first kicked him out and left him to the wolves.
Sarutobi felt that it was his fault, and his fault alone why Naruto is in such horrible conditions and rightfully so, so he tried the best he could to protect him. But his duties as Hokage had prevented him from doing just that and sadly, the abuses continued.
There were many times that Naruto was nearly killed by the civilians, and Hiruzen did make an example out of them, but it did nothing and sadly only made things worse.
And as of late, when he came to see Naruto recently, something changed.
While Naruto was all friendly and cheerful, but Hiruzen felt a small cold ambience behind Naruto, while Naruto smiled it was not a bright sunny smile that Hiruzen used to see, it was a cordial smile, watered down.
He dosen't know why but Hiruzen was afraid, afraid that Naruto sense of joy may have been destroyed, as he wanted to give him a normal childhood.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Who is it?"
"Lord Hokage, you have a package from Lord Jiraiya, we've inspected the contents and it looks like a book.." One of the ANBU answered.
"Alright, alright take it inside." The Hokage immediately said, knowing what the contents of the book are since Jiraiya was the one who sent it. "And have ANBU leave my office for a moment, and no one should get inside this office for the next few hours."
The entire ANBU guard disapproved, but reluctantly left their posts, leaving Hiruzen alone in the office.
Forgetting all his worries for a moment, he was eager to read the latest draft of Icha-Icha.
"Hehe, let's see what you've made here..." As he opened the package...
*POOF*
The package exploded, in white smoke Hiruzen coughed.
"What!?"
His instincts reacted, ready to fight whatever or whoever attacked him.
"Show yourself!"
"Muu... Is that how you treat a lady who wanted a good time, Hokage-sama?"
Then as a smoke clears, Hiruzen comes face to face with perhaps the most sexy woman he'd ever lay his eyes upon.
The woman was in her late teens, has a cute but sultry face, blonde pigtails, blue eyes, and an hourglass figure to boot, along with D-sized breasts. And naked to boot
"Humina, humina, humina..." Hiruzen only murmured, jaw dropped, nose bleeding, and eyes almost separating from his eye sockets, he can only stare in shock, and in a state of perverseness.
'Wait, why does this woman look a lot like Na-'
"Come on you sexy old man, why don't you light my world with that 'pipe' and 'blow me away'" The blonde woman swayed her hips as she walked slowly as her naked body finally touches Hiruzen.
"Uhh..."
"Come on Hokage-sama, we can have a good time, maybe you could 'ride me' along the Hokage tower, you could collar me like your pet since I'm a very, very, very baaaddd giiirrllll... Would you take me as your P... E... T... Ho... ka... ge... sa... ma...?
All of this prove too much to Hiruzen, his younger self could've handled this much better, but as he's older his libido is much stronger than his mental will.
And so, the only logical thing that Hiruzen's body could do.
"Pwah!" He fainted, with streams of blood gushing from his nose, his eyes rolled back, and drooling from his mouth. If you look closely, he was smiling in euphoria despite fainting down to the floor.
The girl simply giggled and exploded in a puff of smoke.
"Hah, good thing that Abe-sensei taught me on the art of seduction, 'teach?' more like torture." Naruto said to himself as he emerged from the smoke.
"Can't believe he fell for that." Naruto shook his head at the now unconcious Hokage. He then brings out his latex gloves.
"All right better find that scroll, he said it's located at the most inconspicous section of this..."
Naruto searched the entire library shelf inside, examining each scroll, for a while his search didn't bear fruit.
"Oh come on, where is it? It's got to be here... Wait, I got it!"
Naruto sees a scroll on the last shelf that looked out of place and looked worn out, figuring out what it does he pulls it out of the shelf and the entire shelf moved.
The scrolls and books in that shelf began to disappear and in it's place, three black scrolls appeared.
Naruto smirked "Jackpot!"
Wasting no time, he reaches in his a fake scroll that looked a lot like the scrolls on the shelf. He then looked for the scroll he was looking for, and there he finds a scroll that says: "S-rank Forbidden Jutsu: Kage Bunshin No Jutsu."
Naruto then takes the scroll and placed the fake one in it's place, then Naruto placed back the worn out scroll and the entire thing went back to normal, the three fake scrolls disappear while the normal books and scrolls appear.
"Alright, now time to head back down, the way I went in is a no go, better take the scenic route."
Grabbing in his bag, a long rope with a grappling hook on one end, Naruto went through the scenic window, hooked the rope on the window and rappeled down the tower.
As he rappels down, he looks around to see if someone was watching him, being nervous he looks around again to see if anyone's watching him.
Nothing.
Paranoia kicks in, Naruto tries again this time, using a trick SC taught him.
'Sense your surroundings, not with eyes, not with sound, but through chakra.'
He closes his eyes and channels his chakra, heightening his senses and letting the chakra flow through him.
Naruto may not be good in controlling his chakra, but he can let chakra flow through him like a waterfall.
SC taught Naruto a technique called "Chakra Sensing" it acts like an in-built radar that detects the chakra of other individuals, plus it not only detects chakra, but also helps differentiate chakra that depends on elements, emotions, or it's nature.
There are those who trained to be a chakra sensor, and there are those who are born to have such an ability.
Naruto is both, he learned the technique so quickly and so well it felt second nature to him after a few tries. This ability is a boon for the blonde.
And this ability shows right now.
'Hmm, seems no one's watching.
No guards, probably sent home for the night. No ANBU too, the Hokage must've sent them home as well.' Naruto thought as he sensed no nearby presence.
"Clear, no Shinobi in sight. Not taking any chances this time, better make a run for it, the alleyways the best bet to escape to the projects." Naruto said as he runs for the nearby alley, navigating down the narrow paths like the back of his mind, knowing each path, back to his boss.
Then an exhilirating feeling washes over Naruto, feeling a sense of accomplishment as he smiles.
He had infiltrated the Hokage Tower, stole something of great value, and escaped successfully, with no Shinobi coming after him or noticing him.
'Take that Konoha! Naruto Uzumaki just robbed the Hokage blind!'
He then felt a pang of guilt over the fact he stole from someone he considered his grandfather, but he ultimately shrugged it off.
'Oh well, as long as I return this scroll after I finish learning the Kage Bunshin, there wouldn't be any problem.'
Later...
"Excellent."
Abe said to Naruto as he handed over the scroll.
"I always thought that the Hokage tower is impossible, but all I needed was information: what is the layout of the tower, and what is the Hokage's dirty secret, turns out oji-san's a pervert." Naruto said.
"You learned quick, 'knowing your enemy, this case a target, and knowing yourself, and you'll win a thousand battles' the important factor in any battle or war is information, if one goes into battle without any knowledge of the enemy, he'll only meet constant failure."
"I know Abe-sensei, a shinobi must know what he faces before striking, just like you taught me."
Abe then handed over the scroll.
"Alright, learn this technique as soon as you can. We'll use this technique as a tool for your training as soon as possible, the Shadow Clones will prove to be important in your studies. You passed, congratulations. Now get out of here and get some rest, you've earned it."
Naruto nodded and left the room...
Flashback end.
It was then that Naruto had learnt that when a shadow clone gets destroyed or disappears, the information the clone gathers will automatically be sent back to the original.
So, by abusing the technique, about a few hundred clones to learn many essential skills and knowledge relating to his training. What took decades of information to learn and absorb, was learnt in a few months.
"That's the beauty of the Kage Bunshin no? Solid clones that help you in a fight, while also an excellent information gathering tool." Abe said.
"Okay, but when will I learn jutsus? Not the ones I already know but the most powerful ones! Can't wait to get into the good stuff." Naruto said with a slight impaitence on his voice.
Despite the amount of maturity and training he had over the years, Naruto still has that excitement as a young kid (being 9) and is eager to learn something cool for once.
Abe chuckled.
"Sorry kid, you're still not ready for the big ones, the training I put you through exceeded beyond your contemporaries in the academy, however if you really want to learn more complex, and dangerous jutsus then you have to earn them. Which means, more dangerous missions on territory unfriendly to Konoha... But I think it's time for you to move to the next level."
"A few days ago, one of my clients in Earth Country had put out a black contract on the market, apparently this man's had a daughter that was kidnapped by bandits, he initially tried to hire a shinobi for help, but this man had many enemies within the Earth Daimyo's court and in Iwagakure's Governing council, hiring shinobi from Iwa would be a sign of weakness from the Daimyo's government and use this as leverage against him, and hiring shinobi from another village would label him a traitor and would risk retaliation from Iwa, however you're not a Shinobi from Konoha yet, which puts you under the radar... So, your mission: Find the client's daughter and bring her home safe, and the reward will be a A-rank jutsu that will be very suitable for you."
Naruto's eyes twinkled at the rewards, but composed himself from jumping in excitement.
Taking a deep breath, Naruto asked.
"What's the client's name?"
Abe replied, "Lao Beifong, his daughter Toph, she's blind. Here's a picture of her."
Abe takes a picture from his desk's drawer and gives it to Naruto, he checks it out.
'She looks a lot like a Hyuga.' Naruto sees the picture of Toph, she wore a white colored robe tied with a sash. She wore her hair tied into a bun with a green headband and two sticks holding the hair together, she had that stoic non-smiling blank face that most Hyugas are known for, but the most noticable features is her eyes, colored white due to her blindness.
"She's cute." Naruto said.
"You fancy her?" Abe teased.
"I fancy and respect the opposite sex boss, but never lust. Besides, I have a girl-friend not a girlfriend." Naruto references his friend within the Hyuga clan.
"All right, I'll stop." Abe smiled, "But now you know your target, best prepare immediately, in 12 hours cause Toph does not have much time before she disappears permanently."
"Sure thing, boss." Naruto nodded as he left the room and closed the door.
"The kid sure grew up fast." SB said as he suddenly entered the room, opening the door.
"In this world, you have to grow up quickly... We did, back when we're in Kumo." Abe replied.
"True, but send Naruto to Earth Country? You know that place is considered suicide for the boy, given his father's history with Iwa, he'll be targeted on the spot just for his blonde hair alone..."
"I know, I taught the boy the history of Iwa's hatred of Minato and advised him to dye his hair black in order to protect him if he's even in Earth Country, he'll be fine."
"... Alright, but is it neccesary? You and I both know that Lao's daughter is more than capable of handling herself, there's a reason why Toph earned the nickname 'The Blind Bandit.'"
"I know." Abe then sat down on his armchair, and smoked his pipe. "But you should know that the Beifong's have a secret history with the Hyuga clan, the Beifong clan back in the Warring Clans Era were feared for their Samurai, and their Ashigaru. They were one of the most powerful clans in Earth Country, second to the Tsuchi clan in Iwa in terms of political, economic, and trade power. However, 60 years ago Lao Beifong's grandfather Shin Beifong had married to Haruno Hyuga, a former member of the Hyuga Clan..."
SB then looked in shock
"Wait, Haruno Hyuga!? Isn't she..."
"The main heiress to the clan at that time, she's a radical and would often defy the Hyuga Elders and would defy the Traditionalistic ways of the clan, she was given the Bird Cage Seal, blinded and banished away from Konoha, an apostate in every sense of the word. Haruno Hyuga is one of the Hyuga Clan's dirtiest secrets due to the way on how they treated her inhumanely during her trial. Haruno's twin sister Harumi was held under the elders' eyes and suspicion, along with Harumi's children Hiashi and Hizashi whom the elders also held hostage, and extended to Hiashi's daughters Hinata and Hanabi."
"Damn, so that's how the Hyuga elders held power."
"Which is why Toph Beifong is important to our plans, we need Naruto to convince Lao Beifong to send Toph to Konoha with him, convince Lao that Toph is very capable of handling herself on her own, and with Toph as Naruto's "apprentice" she'll be trained under Konoha's aegis and would be instrumental in freeing the Hyuga Clan from the elders' control."
"I dunno man, we're now interfering in Konoha's shinobi clan affairs, this could backfire on us and we would be caught."
"Which is why I have an interest in the Hyugas, if we could help the Main and Branch families free themselves from the Elders' we would have a backer in Konoha's government."
"But the Hyuga is just one clan, you need about 4 clan votes in the Shinobi council for this to work."
"Which is why I plan on revealing Naruto's heritage soon, his connection with both Uzumaki and Namikaze Clans is enough to get a vote from each, along with the Senju Clan as the Uzumaki and Senju Clan were tied by blood and by written will, Hashirama had created a blood oath with the Uzumakis that anything that could threaten the Senju is a threat to Uzumaki. So that makes four: Hyuga, Uzumaki, Namikaze, and Senju."
"Okay, but how about the Civilian Council..."
"Don't worry, I have my plans with them." Abe made an evil smirk.
Elsewhere...
"Alright, I'm here."
Naruto stood in front of the Hyuga Clan doors, wearing his usual 'disguise.'
He wore a orange jumpsuit, an opposite to what he wore. The suit screams "Kill me, I'm right here" vibe.
"Why do I have to wear this crap? Damnit."
Ever since he joined Bakudai, he had to put on a facade of a class clown and village idiot that would put the village people's suspicions low, and not investigate his other activities.
Wearing an orange jumpsuit, and have a loud, boisterous attitude, would make people less suspicious of him.
Even in the academy, where he had a clone take his place whenever he's on missions, had to act like a damn clown in front of others. There are a few people he liked and a lot of people he disliked:
Mizuki, a bastard setting him up to fail, and hated him.
Iruka, an okay teacher though he needs to lighten up.
Shikamaru, a Nara kid who is hella smart but lacking in motivation due to sleep.
Chouji, an Akimichi who had a love for food just as Naruto loved Ramen.
Ino, the Yamanaka who acts like a bimbo sometimes and is often motivated by looks.
Kiba, the Inuzuka that Naruto considers his 'rival' though he's just a mere annoyance.
Shino, the Aburame that is quiet and easy to go along, if not for the bugs that make him look like a creep.
Hinata, the Hyuga that Naruto saved during a kidnapping and became very good friends though she would turn red everytime she sees him.
Sakura, a civilian girl who is a good student, but she lacks motivation and that reason for is...
Sasuke, an Uchiha that Naruto can't help but dislike, for a multitude of reasons.
All in all in Naruto's eyes, the Ninja Academy is crap, no other questions.
What the teachers teach is crap, the method of instruction is crap, and the quality of the education is crap. Compund that the Teachers hated him and intentionally set him up to fail just puts the cherry on top.
The blame can be laid upon the civilian council, to have civilian children who are not prepared to enter the academy, diluting the quality, lowering it to meet the standards creating genin that don't last a month.
But enough of that...
"Hinata-chan!! Are you there!?" Naruto shouted.
Receiving nothing, he then decided to do the next thing.
*Knock! Knock! Knock!*
END OF CHAPTER 1
BONUS:
CLASSIFIED DOSSIER
SUBJECT: AB/Abe
DATE OF BIRTH: UNKNOWN
PLACE OF BIRTH: CLOUD COUNTRY/KUMOGAKURE NO SATO
OCCUPATION: ENTREPRENEUR, SHINOBI (FORMERLY), SMUGGLER, INTELLIGENCE OFFICER.
NICKNAME: "THE ALL SEEING EYE."
AB or Abe as his friends call him, Is one of the most mysterious men ever to come out of many Black Market circles, born perhaps at the time during A's birth, Abe is the cousin of the future Yondaime Raikage, despite this the two don't get along very well as AB or Abe and Ai disagreed on a lot of things. However, if one who knew AB very well, his friends would tell you that AB is perhaps the gratest military strategist Kumo has ever had, his intelligence and cunning would rival many of the Nara clan's strategists. And that AB had also one of the most effective spy rings which shows his skills as a Spymaster, known to rival Jiraiya's. It was said by yhose who knew him that if they hadn't screwed AB over and had him in full command of the entire shinobi forces, Kumo and Iwa would've won the Third Shinobi World War. However, many also said that AB had in fact betrayed Kumo and Iwa and supplied information to Konoha and disappeared after the war, calling him an apostate. But many wouldn't know why AB left Kumo, and many wouldn't even figure out why he left. But one thing is clear, AB and the Yondaime Raikage's relationship had been a factor as to why AB never committed to the war, and perhaps their soured relationship had in fact been a factor why AB left...
(To be Continued...)