Chapter 6: The High Pressure System
"BLADE!"
A rush of energy surrounded the black clad leg as it and its owner descended from above, coming down hard against the Doryuheki that had been hastily raised in defense.
The wall shattered, and the technique continued, crashing into the wide-eyed caster, sending him crashing down into the earth, a spray of blood leaving his mouth as the swirling chakra lanced into him.
"Medic!" an aged voice came from the side, as a pair of medic-nins rushed forward to heal the fallen one.
Uzumaki Taro glared at the fallen Uzuki branch member, before stalking off to the side to grab a bottle of water. "This is getting me nowhere," he grumbled, "None here are strong enough to give me the challenge I need."
"That may be true, Taro-kun," the aged voice continued, as an elderly man walked forward, a short white beard trailing from his chin while his equally white hair was held in a traditional samurai que. "Still, you must practice to hone your skills. Your opponent may not be much, but a good showing is needed if we are to maintain the daimyo's favor."
Taro grunted. "That old fool is hardly worth my concern, even if he's the Fire Lord," the black haired boy replied, "His money may be good, but it's hardly worth it if I can't test my skills."
"Keep that tongue of yours in check, boy," the elder answered, rebuking the arrogant boy, "Such language can be construed as treason…"
"I won't speak like that before him, Kosuke-sama," the boy replied, "Still, can we please get me someone with REAL skill? I want an actual challenge!"
"Unfortunately, the only one's who could challenge you are not here," Kosuke replied, "Kagura-san has left on a brief courier mission for the Fire Lord, and Kanna-san is nowhere to be found."
Taro frowned. "She's been doing that a lot lately…" he muttered.
"Quite," Kosuke replied, "But that is not your concern. Your only objective…"
"Is to kill the outcast," the boy interrupted, "Don't worry, Kosuke-sama…I already have his number."
"See that you do," Kosuke replied, "Now, continue with the 15 Blow Katas. Twenty repetitions."
"Yes, Kosuke-sama."
oOoOoOo
Kanna walked toward the ramen stand with more than a little trepidation.
Eight years, she thought, It hasn't changed in all that time…but I have.
She lifted the flap covering the entrance, gazing at the simple, yet well kept facility. She recognized several of the pictures that adorned the walls, and noted a few new additions.
There was one scene with four people that caused her breath to catch in her throat.
Naruto was sitting there, his hands upon his hitai-ate as if adjusting it. On his left side was a good-looking young man sporting a chuunin vest, a distinctive scar crossing his face over his nose. He seemed to be laughing at something.
On Naruto's right side was a woman with the purple hair common among women of the Uzuki clan, the woman sporting the armor that the ANBU were famous for. Uzuki Yuugao, the blue haired girl thought, You at least…had the courage to stand up.
"Welcome to Ichiraku's!" a pleasant female voice sounded, shaking the young girl from her thoughts. She turned to see a girl in a white apron with a hankerchief tied in her hair, leaving just enough to show people her chocolate locks. "What can I…" the girl trailed off when she finally saw who was standing there.
"Ichiraku Ayame-san," Kanna muttered, "It's…been a while, hasn't it?"
Ayame frowned, her voice going cold as she replied to Kanna's statement. "Over eight years now, Uzumaki-san. I'm surprised you remember me…"
"I have a near photographic memory," she replied, "I…didn't ever want to forget you…or this place."
"Yet you saw fit to forget him," the young woman replied, causing Kanna to wince. "He's been our best customer for years now, you know? I think he'd have a fit if he knew we've been adding vitamin supplements to the broth just for him…but then, he can't exactly get a fair deal for fruits and vegetables at the stores here."
Kanna sighed. "That was not my decision," she explained, "I don't know what the elders or my mother…"
"Don't mention that woman in this place!" a gruff male voice sounded, as the pair turned to see Ichiraku Teuchi walk out from the kitchen area, "I don't ever want to even hear her name."
"Ichiraku-san…" Kanna whispered.
"I'm afraid we'll be closing soon, kunoichi-san," the old man went on, ignoring her hurt look, "If you have an order to place, please do so now. I'll have the bowls whipped up in a few moments for take-out."
"I…didn't come to order…"
"Then please leave," the old man replied, turning around and walking back into his kitchen. Kanna gaped for a few moments at the sudden dismissal.
"Consider it a small taste of what Naruto-kun goes through everyday, and has since you and your clan left," Ayame spoke up, "I heard about his match with the 'clan heir'…you do know that prick is going to get his ass handed to him, right?"
"It couldn't happen to a better person," Kanna replied, shocking the apron-clad girl, "I have no love for Taro…he's crazy, and he needs to go down."
Ayame blinked at the vehemence in Kanna's voice. "I never expected to hear you say that," she muttered.
"Like you said, its been eight years," Kanna replied, "I've had time to grow up…"
"Then why didn't you come for him?" Ayame growled. "He may have had Yuugao-san, and Iruka-san, and Hokage-sama…but as close as they are, you are HIS BLOOD SISTER!"
If she'd been capable of it, Kanna was sure the usually mild-mannered ramen girl would be generating an aura of killer intent.
"I stayed because I needed to find out the truth," Kanna replied, "There's something happening in the clan, and I don't know if its good or bad. All I know is, despite the fact that they left him behind, the elders want something from Naruto…"
Ayame scowled. "You people just can't stop hurting him, can you!?!" she growled, "Leave please."
"Ayame-san…"
"It's Ichiraku-san to you, Uzumaki-san," she replied, "As far as my father and I are concerned…there are only two Uzumaki and one Uzuki who are welcome in this establishment. We neither want nor desire your business."
Kanna frowned, but nodded. "I apologize for intruding then," she replied, turning to leave. "Before I go, can I ask one question?"
Ayame scowled again, but replied, "You may."
"Has he had some happiness?"
The question struck the brown haired waitress by surprise, but she found herself nodding. "Not as much as he deserves…but he has had some," she replied.
"Good." With that, the blue haired chuunin walked out of the stand. She looked over in the distance, staring at the Hokage monument, and the four faces engraved on its cliff.
Otou-sama, she thought, Would you be angry with me too?
oOoOoOo
Kin groaned as she came too, her back aching as she tried to sit up.
This proved to be a problem as she was lying on her stomach.
…it proved to be a very DISTURBING problem as she realized she was topless and sans her bandages.
Her eyes darted around before landing on the blond haired boy who sat a few feet from her. His head was bowed and his breathing indicated he was asleep.
"He pushed himself pretty hard in that fight with you," came the deep voice of the sannin Jiraiya, as he entered the room, causing her to flush with embarrassment. He noticed her distraught gaze and chuckled. "Relax…I may be a super-pervert, but I'm no pedophile. I took your shirt and bandages off to apply some healing solvent, and a seal to alter your chakra's flow."
Kin gasped. "You…sealed me?" she gasped. She was well aware of what seals could do, having watched the pain Tayuya had gone through when Orochimaru applied the jigoku no juin to her.
"Relax, its not a torture seal or anything like that," he replied, running a hand through his white hair, "What it'll do is slightly alter your chakra's flow pattern so my old teammate can't lock in on you. Its called the sakasa kawa fuin. It'll send your flow down a different path, inverting the natural way your chakra rotates. You'll need to practice your control to regain a few things, but this gets you out from Orochimaru's control…and frees you to answer a few questions."
Kin sighed. "My clothes?" she asked.
"Right here," he replied, tossing a bundle to her, "I had them washed. You got them a bit bloody after the knuckle-head here hit you with that technique."
Kin wrapped her chest with quick precision, before donning her grey tank-top. "What was that, anyway?" she asked, "I've heard about those 'chakra kicks' the Uzumaki are famous for, but I've never heard of one like that…"
"Neither have I, and I'm a member of the Uzuki branch house," Jiraiya replied, "It's all new and all his. He hasn't even named it yet…or if he has, he's probably saving it for that punk Taro."
A loud yawn garnered their attention, signifying the orange-clad boys return to the land of the living. "Ugghh," he groaned, "I really need some ramen."
"Eat later, work now," Jiraiya replied, hoisting a large scroll from behind his back, opening it as he went. "You've got a contract to sign, and training to get to."
"Huh?" the blond grunted, looking at the paper. He spotted what he thought was Jiraiya's name on the parchment (the old perv's handwriting is as bad as mine, he thought), as well as a set of marks that looked like 'Arashi'…
"This is the Toad Contract," Jiraiya explained, "It's a part of the jutsu I'm going to teach you…Kuchiyose no jutsu."
Naruto looked at the scroll again, one of his eyebrows rising in curiosity. "Toads…" he muttered.
"Yeah," Jiraiya replied.
"What the heck are toads good for? I don't want to beat my opponent with warts!" the blond shouted, causing the sannin and the kunoichi to stumble and sweat-drop.
"The Toad contract is one of the three compacts that Konoha is famous for, gaki!" the white haired sage muttered after righting himself, "Only one of the Sannin, like me, can give it to another to sign. The toads are very damn useful too!"
"How?" the blond replied.
"Spying, defense, aiding in jutsu, transportation, the list is virtually endless," he replied, "Their also good on the battle field…in fact, of the three great contracts, Toads are the best suited for battle. Sure, the snakes have speed, and the slugs have incredible defensive powers, but the toads are the most well rounded; offense and defense, they're the best."
Naruto nodded. "But…"
"Yeah?"
"What about warts?"
Kin groaned while Jiraiya sweat dropped. "YOU WON'T GET ANY WARTS YOU IDIOT!" the older ninja shouted. "Just sign the bloody thing so we can get with the training!"
The blond jinchuuriki nodded hastily, unfolding the large scroll. He finally found an empty slot, next to a name that was barely legible. He wasn't sure, but the name looked something like 'Ara-bi', or something to that effect.
"Um, how do I sign this thing anyway?" he asked, looking up at the tall pervert.
"Bite your thumb, and use your blood to write your name," Kin spoke up, surprising the two. "I have a friend back in Oto named Tayuya…she has a summoning contract. I saw her sign it when we both lived in Tsuchi no Kuni."
Jiraiya nodded. "The way you were fighting," he muttered, "I thought so…you the use shiroi-shushou style Iwa taijutsu."
Kin nodded. "It's the only type of taijutsu I had any real talent in," she replied, "I'm a markswoman and a genjutsu user mostly." She frowned as she remembered her friend. "Tayuya has me beat on taijutsu and genjutsu completely though…I hope she's alright."
"If Orochimaru has a use for her, then she'll be alright for a little while at least," Jiraiya replied, "He loves to sacrifice his pawns, but only when he's ready to checkmate the king."
Naruto wasn't sure he understood what the old pervert was talking about, but he followed Kin's advice.
A few strokes of his thumb , an elaborate swirl on the and, and a bloody handprint soon decorated the empty slot on the rice-paper scroll. Jiraiya nodded, rolling up the parchment and tying it up.
"All right, now we get into the deep stuff," he spoke, turning once again to the dark haired Kin, "As you know, you can't ever go back to Oto now…my old 'friend' will kill you on sight." At her nod, he continued, "As it stands, right now you're a prisoner of Konoha, but I can pull a few strings with the old man and get you protection. If you prove yourself to be trustworthy, he might even allow you to be a kunoichi again."
Kin frowned. "And if I don't?" she asked.
"Interrogation, torture, imprisonment, and eventual death in the iron or copper mines of the Fire Lord," he replied, shocking Naruto. Kin merely nodded.
"I thought so," she muttered.
"Oi! I don't like that idea one bit!" Naruto growled, "I may not know this girl, but I know good people when I see them, and this girl is good!"
Kin felt a small rush to her cheeks at that. Wha… her mind railed.
"Besides, she's a good fighter, and I'd love another chance to spar!" Naruto continued, "How do we get the old man to allow her to stay?"
"You let me worry about that, kid," Jiraiya answered, "For now, we need to get to your training. If this is going to work, you need to focus on both your new Eigi style move…and on getting your 'prisoner's' power under control."
Kin frowned. "Now hold on…" she growled.
"I wasn't talking about you, girl," Jiraiya interrupted, "I'm going to nominally 'break' a law here, and tell you…"
"Oi, let me tell her."
The pair turned to Naruto, who was wearing a hard expression. Kin looked at his eyes, surprised to see the maelstrom of emotion carried in their blue depths.
His eyes are beautiful…but they look so sad, she wondered.
"You sure kid?" Jiraiya asked.
"If I tell her, you don't break any laws," the blond responded, "Besides, its my burden. I should get to choose who knows about it."
Jiraiya frowned, but nodded, taking a step back.
Naruto turned to Kin. "You were from Iwa, so I don't know if you've heard about Konoha's greatest tragedy," he began.
"The Kyuubi's rampage," she spoke up, surprising the two. "Every nation of the Elemental Countries knows about that. Hell, Iwa considers it a day of mourning - the Tsuchikage was pissed that the monster didn't get to finish the job."
Naruto frowned. "Sounds like a real jerk," he muttered.
"He's a pig too," Kin replied.
"Anyway, you probably heard then that our Yondaime killed that bastard Kitsune at the cost of his own life, right?" Naruto went on. At her nod, he continued, "It's a lie."
"A lie?" she asked.
"Yondaime-sama couldn't kill the bastard, so he did the only thing he could do in that situation…he sealed it."
Kin frowned, the gasped as it came to her. "You…" she whispered.
"Naruto is what is known as a 'jinchuuriki'," Jiraiya spoke up, "He's one of several in the world today. The son of the current Kazekage, Gaara, is possibly one. We're not sure yet. In Kumogakure, there's a girl named Nii Yugito. She's a chuunin at the moment, and the personal student of the current Raikage. She holds the Nibi no Nekomata as her prisoner. There's an old hermit somewhere near Sawagakure who's the oldest of all the jinchuuriki, and keeper of the Yonbi - I actually studied under him for a short time during my travels."
Naruto frowned. "Have they all had lives like me?" he asked.
"If you mean being shunned for something that's not your doing?" Jiraiya asked, "Yeah, most jinchuuriki do. You could almost be considered the 'luckiest' one of all, Naruto." At the boy's confused look, Jiraiya grinned. "Sarutobi-sensei may not have made the 'best' decision letting the villagers know what you are, but his law did let you make friends. You've had a chance to live as a human…most jinchuuriki are treated like weapons at best, and less than eta at worst."
Naruto frowned. "I…I want to meet them, someday," he muttered, "The ones like me…"
Jiraiya frowned. You may get your chance sooner than you think, kid, he thought. Shaking his head, he made a motion to get the blonde's attention again. "Okay, punk, if you want to get stronger, now's the time to start," he grinned. "You've got your contract…now you need to summon. There are five seals to the Kuchiyose - buta, inu, tori, saru, and hitsuji. First, spread some blood on the hand that you used to sign the contract." Naruto proceded to do so. "Good, now, perform the seals, and mold the chakra into the jutsu. Once you finish the hitsuji seal, slam your contract hand on the ground."
Naruto blinked. "That's it?" he asked.
"Well, normally, yes," Jiraiya said, "But in your case…no."
Naruto and Kin stared at him for a few moments, before toppling over in a dual face-fault.
"WHADDA MEAN 'NO'!?!" the orange clad ninja shouted.
Damn this guy's got some pipes, Kin thought, He'd have made a great Oto-nin.
"You need to use chakra other than your own, kid," the gama-sannin replied, "The whole purpose of this exercise is for you to learn how to control the Kyubi's chakra."
Naruto gaped. "Wha…how the heck do I do that!?!"
"You're probably still quite tired from your fight with…sorry, what's your name again, girl?" Jiraiya asked, turning to the dark haired kunoichi.
"…Tsuchi Kin, Jiraiya-sama," she replied.
"…with Tsuchi-san here, right gaki?" he continued.
Naruto frowned. "A bit, but what…"
"That means you've used up most of your own chakra," Jiraiya replied, "This will force your body to seek out the next most ready supply of energy, so you don't kill yourself…and you have the most intense source of chakra known to man inside your gut."
Naruto gaped, then stared at his stomach. "So, my body will drag it out?" he asked.
"Exactly," Jiraiya replied, "Your chakra control is lousy kid…but my father had a rule for situations like that. He always told me, 'Son, never force anything…get a BIGGER HAMMER.'"
"…" was Naruto's response.
"You've got more chakra than any genin I have ever known, and I've known THOUSANDS," Jiraiya continued, "People with kekkei genkai, people with secret family jutsu…heck I even knew a guy in Takigakure who drank a full dose of their Hero water. Proportionally, even with that boost, he STILL had only about two thirds the chakra you do now." The sannin bent down, kneeling next to the boy. "Even with your own natural reserves, though, you can still be beaten…your poor control means you spend too much chakra on any one technique. The Kyuubi is practically an eternal chakra battery…and he's your 'tenant'. So…"
"…he should start forking up his rent!" Naruto concluded. "OKAY! LET'S DO THIS!"
Kin and Jiraiya jumped back as Naruto focused his energy, calling on what chakra he had left.
"BUTA, INU, TORI, SARU, HITSUJI!" Naruto shouted, his chakra surging as he slammed his hand to the groung. "NINPOU: KUCHIYOSE NO JUTSU!"
A web of seals flowed out from beneath his bloody palm, and smoke billowed around him.
Did he… Kin wondered.
That was a lot of chakra alright, Jiraiya thought, But it didn't…
A strong breeze blew the smoke away…
…leaving Naruto and the other two stairing at the small pink toad sitting there with a blue jacket draped over its back, and a blue bow resting atop its head.
"Hiya," the toad spoke up, a light soprano signifying it as a girl, "I'm Gamaairashii! Wanna play?"
The three ninja groaned. This…was going to take a while.
oOoOoOo
Hinata winced as the cold water flowed over her aching hands.
Her knuckles were covered with scabbed over wounds. All around her, broken stones and bit of rubble covered the training area.
It…hurts…more than…I ever could…have imagined! she thought, as the young branch house maid patted down her hands with a clean cloth, wiping away the dried blood and caked on dirt.
"Hinata-sama," the young girl spoke, "Perhaps…you should take a rest now. Your hands…"
"I…cannot," the blue haired girl replied, "I…promised myself, and Shiori-sama…I would never give up!" She stood, walking over to the pile of rocks that the white haired elder had left her.
"Hinata-sama!" the maid protested, "You need rest!"
"I…will master this!" Hinata spoke, ignoring the young girls protests and picking up another of the stones. She began focusing her mind on the explanation that the elder had given before leaving.
"The real secret to the Futai no Kiwami isn't that you are using all of the force in one blow," the wizened old woman explained, "No matter what you do, its truly impossible to destroy something in one blow."
"Then, how can I do it?" the nervous heiress asked.
"Think on it, Hinata-chan," she replied, "I've seen your grades from the academy…you were only one point behind that Haruno girl. You have the book smarts, so now you need to apply them to real life." She turned. "I'm going to go get some tea. Think on what you've seen and what you know, and you'll figure it out."
I can't do it like this! Hinata thought as she broke the stone with another close-fisted strike, I can only break it…why? I've increased the power in my blows several times now!
Shiori watched from the shadows of the house as the girl stalked over to the rock pile yet again. Beside her, Hiashi stood gazing at his eldest in concern.
"Are you sure teaching her the Futai no Kiwami is the right choice?" he asked, "She has yet to grasp the concept you are trying to instill. At this rate, she'll cripple her hands…"
"You need to relearn to have faith in the girl, Hiashi-kun," the old woman chuckled, "She'll figure it out. She already knows the answer…she just doesn't know that she knows."
Hiashi merely raised his eyebrow in response.
"She's still thinking about what I did, not what I said," Shiori explained, "The pain will cause her to think…and then she'll see the answer." She looked out over the yard, and smiled. "Maybe sooner than we both thought…"
Hiashi turned and stared…as Hinata started laughing.
"Oh, I am so DUMB!" she shouted, causing her father and the attending maid to face fault.
She said one blow won't do it! How could I have missed that! the blue haired girl thought as she sat down and stared at the new stone in her hand. If one blow won't do it, then I need to use TWO!
"Figured it out, huh?" Shiori spoke up, walking out of the shadows with Hiashi in tow.
"It makes sense," Hinata replied, "The name itself should have told me…two blows."
"Heh, about time too," the elder replied, sitting down, letting out a groan as she did, "Damn, I'm not as spry as I used to be…Anyway, that's the true power of the Futai no Kiwami, Hinata-chan. The first blow shatters the resistance, while the second blow uses the full power to destroy the object."
Hinata nodded. "But, how do I do that, Shiori-sama?" she asked.
Shiori picked up the stone from Hinata's lap. "The blows must come in such rapid succession that it seems like just one attack," she explained, showing the girl her fist. Instead of her knuckles all lining up, the second knuckles of her index and middle fingers were slightly extended. "By striking the object with your fist in this manner, you can use the initial strike with your knuckles to break the resistance. Then, the second blow follows immediately afterwards with the rest of your fist, using 100 of your power to pulverize the object."
She demonstrated once again, turning the stone into powder. "You already have the power you need from your own natural strength," she went on, "What you need now is speed. The blows must flow together so completely that it seems as if you are only striking once." Hinata nodded, moving to grab another rock. "But that can wait till tomorrow."
Hinata stopped, glancing over at the elder. "What?" she asked.
"Kimoki-chan here is right," Shiori explained, "You need to rest. After all, if you cripple your hands, you'll be unable to learn the technique."
"Shiori-sama is right, Hinata," Hiashi spoke, "Go and relax. I believe that the kitches just finished making some keihi higashi. Go have some before Hanabi gets to them."
Hinata smiled, then walked off.
Shiori smiled. "…those were Shikuko's favorite treat as well, weren't they?" she asked.
Hiashi nodded. "She couldn't get enough of them while she was carrying Hinata, and again when she carried Hanabi," he replied, "She'll do it, won't she?"
Shiori nodded. "If I'm right about her, then she'll do more than that," she replied. "I think…she'll be the one to complete it."
The pair turned to watch the sunset.
oOoOoOo
Almost two weeks.
Two weeks had passed since the training began, and Sasuke was groaning in pain.
His arm was numb, his legs felt like they were being steeped in hot lead, his back was screaming at him, and his breath was coming in short, hard gasps.
He was having the time of his life!
Kakashi stood off to the side as the Uchiha boy collected himself, standing up shakily. "Maa, maa," the silver haired jonin muttered, "I said you could rest for a bit, Sasuke. I can tell that you're at your limit."
Sasuke shot a hard look at his sensei. "If…I'm…ever going…to…beat him," the boy growled, "I…have…to go…beyond the limit!"
Kakashi frowned underneath his mask. "You know if you go any further you could risk you life, right?" he asked.
"I'm…a shinobi," was the only response.
Kakashi nodded. "Fine," he said, pulling out a soldier pill and tossing it to the weakened youth, "That's the only one I'll give you for the rest of the month. When I say we stop, I don't want any arguments."
Sasuke nodded, swallowing the pill. He felt the sudden rush of energy flood his aching muscles, driving the pain away.
"Now, once again," Kakashi instructed, "Focus the chakra…you have to 'see' it forming a point. Lightning chakra is a piercing energy, while fire is a consumer. Your natural affinity is fire, so you're forcing your body to go a different route. That's why its fighting you."
Sasuke nodded, forming the seals as Kakashi spoke.
O-ushi, usagi, saru. "CHIDORI!" the boy growled, thrusting his left hand towards the ground. He felt the chakra gathering in his palm and finger tips, and he forced the image of a spear into his mind.
"Keep it going, Sasuke," Kakashi spoke, "Keep the point in your head!"
Sasuke roared, shooting forward, and thrusting his hand into the cliff face. A burst of energy flowed out, and dust billowed outward. When it finally settled, a new crater was embedded into the rock face, this one almost double the size of the previous ones.
"Excellent!" Kakashi called out, walking up to the panting boy, "You kept it going perfectly. A few more sessions like that, and your Chidori will be complete."
Sasuke grinned, even as he panted. "Then…lets…"
"Hold on that," the silver haired jounin spoke up, turning to the side. "Come on out, I sensed that intent of yours a while ago."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed as the red-headed visage of Sabaku no Gaara walked out from behind one of the boulders.
"You…and that other one," Gaara whispered, causing the Uchiha heir to stiffen, "Where…is he?"
"If you mean Naruto, I'm afraid that I don't know where he is," Kakashi replied, making a subtle motion with his foot, telling Sasuke to calm down, "Why do you want him? That killing intent of yours is pretty strong…you wouldn't be planning on killing him would you?"
"…I'm looking…forward…to claiming your blood," Gaara whispered, addressing the Uchiha once again, "You…and this Naruto…I can tell you both are strong." He bowed his head, and emitted a frightening sound.
Sasuke and Kakashi both stiffened…as Gaara's LAUGHTER chilled them to their bones.
"…I'll…see you…in the arena…Uchiha Sasuke," the redheaded boy chuckled, "…Get even stronger…and prove my existence." The boy vanished in a swirl of sand.
Suna-shunshin, Kakashi thought, rubbing the back of his neck with his right hand, trying to restore some warmth to his body. He turned his gaze to Sasuke.
The dark haired boy's sharingan was activated, and Kakashi was shocked to see something he didn't expect…
…the boy had 3 tomoe in each eye.
Well, this may actually help matters, the silver haired jounin thought. "Sasuke," he spoke up, snapping the boy out of it, "From now until the finals, your training is going to be about speed. You've got the Chidori…now you need the speed to use it."
"How are we going to do it?" Sasuke asked.
Kakashi's visible eye curled, signifying that he was grinning. "I'm so glad you asked…" the jounin replied in a sing-song tone.
Sasuke found that he liked Kakashi's tone even less than Gaara's laugh…
oOoOoOo
"Magen: Kurobara Ken no Mai!" the pink haired girl whispered as her hands flowed through the seals.
Anko smirked as the world around her seemed to darken, and rose bushes seemed to spring up out of no where. She 'felt' vines from the plants wrap around her limbs, and even winced as the 'thorns' pierced her skin.
The girl, Sakura, appeared before her, holding what looked like a giant rose with a sharpened stem. The girl began to sway to some unheard music, before spinning towards the bound woman and stabbing the pointed flower into her captive…
…who dissolved into a puddle of mud.
"Not bad, girl," came a breathy voice behind the panting Sakura. The girl stiffened as she felt the tip of a kunai press into her neck, even as the person holding in used their other hand to fondle her rear.
"Anko-sensei…please don't do that," the girl replied, her breath hitching slightly as the crazy kunoichi pinched her left cheek.
"Why? Would you rather I grope your front?" the demented woman asked, causing the girl to blush, "I got no problems with that." She began to slide her hand forward…
"Sempai!"
Anko cursed. "Damn it Yuugao-chan!" she growled, "You never let me have my fun!"
TheANBU operative walked forward. "You're supposed to 'train' Sakura-san," the purple haired woman replied, "Molesting her is not training."
"Depends on the situation," Anko replied, grinning, "Those special courses at the academy don't really teach girls the right stuff…I keep telling Hokage-sama we need a better seduction class."
Sakura blushed at the idea. Maybe if I had to take a course like that, Sasuke-kun would help me 'study'…
"Get your mind out of the gutter, pinky!" Anko suddenly snapped, smacking the girl on her ass, "We've still got work to do. That genjutsu still needs work!"
Sakura absently rubbed her abused rear. Why is it she always has to spank me to get my attention? she bemoaned to herself.
Yuugao smirked. Then she stiffened, and turned to the side. "Come on out, Reika," she spoke, surprising the pink haired girl.
Another girl with purple hair walked out from behind the trees, ignoring the glare leveled at her by Sakura. She had replaced her outfit from the prelims, and now sported a purple outfit similar to Ino's, but sans bandages and with black lycra shorts to keep her modesty.
"Its been a long time, little sister," Yuugao spoke again, "How are you?"
"I've come with a message from the clan, Yuugao-san," the girl replied, ignoring the disappointed look her sister gave her, "Kosuke-sama and the council demand your presence immediately at the clan compound."
Yuugao frowned at the mention of the leader of the council. "I am on assignment at the moment," she replied, "Until Hokage-sama relieves me of said assignment, I cannot leave my post. Besides, I'm an 'outcast' like Naruto-kun, remember? The old man can demand all he wants, I'm not his puppet."
Reika frowned. "I'm no puppet either, big sister," she replied, "I'm one of the most trusted new genin in the clan…"
"Who got her ass kicked by the clan's outcast," Sakura interrupted, "Or should I say got her ass shown off? That tattoo was interesting…I know Kiba-san was happy to see it."
Reika glared at the pink haired girl. "That…boy…got lucky!" she growled, "I am stronger that he'll EVER be!"
"No, you are not, Reika," Yuugao replied. The girl glared at her sister, and the ANBU woman glared back. "You will never match Naruto-kun in strength. You may have more jutsu than he does, and you may know more about the Uzumaki ryu than he does…but you lack something that he has."
"And just what would that be?" Reika asked.
"A real reason to fight," Yuugao replied, "Naruto doesn't fight for glory anymore. He used to be an attention hog, and he still is a bit, but now he has a different reason to fight…and that reason pushes him beyond limits that you can't even begin to approach. Taro? He's a spoiled brat with some skill…against any other opponent, even I'd say he's likely to win. Against Naruto?
"…like the rest of his friends, I'm looking forward to seeing his ass handed to him."
Reika frowned. "And what's this reason?" she asked, "Is it revenge against the clan?"
"No," Sakura spoke up, "Naruto doesn't believe in revenge. He doesn't even consider the clan worth it. Naruto's reason to fight? He does it to protect his precious people."
"What…are you blabbering about?" Reika frowned.
"You fight for recognition, don't you?" the pink haired girl asked, "Have you really gotten stronger when people praise you?" Reika opened her mouth to reply, but Sakura continued. "On our very first C-Rank mission, Naruto and our teammate Sasuke faced a nuke-nin from Kirigakure. The guy had a kekkei genkai that allowed him to manipulate ice…he was faster, stronger, and more skilled than the three of us combined. In the end, it was Naruto who beat him…Sasuke couldn't even touch him, and I was too scared to really do anything. Naruto, who I had insulted and laughed at the whole time we were in the academy, wound up saving our lives…and he did it because he wanted to protect us."
Anko smirked. "The kid sounds more and more fun to be around," she muttered, "And his blood was tasty…"
"Naruto-kun's strength is his ability to care," Yuugao replied, "He cares about people more than he does himself, even when he as every right to only care about himself. Because he cares, he'll overcome any limits there might be…you, on the other hand, sister, only care about people praising you.
"Naruto wants people to respect him, but he'll earn it by protecting them. Until you understand that, you'll never be as strong as him."
Anko snorted. "Now, we were in the middle of training here, so since your message is delivered, you should leave," she spoke up, "Go tell you elders that their want's take a back seat to Hokage-sama's orders. Now get!"
Reika snarled, then frowned as Yuugao turned her back to her. "Anko-sempai is right, sister," she said, "Right now…you're not wanted here."
The smaller purple haired girl frowned, but walked away. He fights to protect…how does that make him stronger? It doesn't make sense…
oOoOoOo
"KUCHIYOSE NO JUTSU!"
A large cloud of smoke billowed out from the bleeding hand, and proceded to shroud the orange clad blond.
"That one was bigger than before…" Kin muttered.
"But it still wasn't right," Jiraiya groaned.
"Boy, big brother's not too good at this, is he?" Gamaairashii chuckled from her position on the dark haired girl's shoulder.
The cloud blew away with a gust of wind, and the group was left staring at the red toad sitting on the ground.
"Hey! I'm Gamakichi! Got any sweets?" the toad spoke up.
"Gamakichi! You know grandma said you need to cut down on the candies!" The pink toad shouted.
"Huh? Gamaaraishii?" the male toad, now identified as Gamakichi, replied, "What are you doing here, little sister?"
"I'm helping train our new brother here," the girl toad replied cheerfully, "He's strong, but he's not too good at summoning."
"Hey! I'm trying my best here, damn it!" Naruto growled, "Why won't that stupid fox's chakra come out!?!"
Jiraiya sighed. He's improved his new kick, and his control is getting better, the white haired sage thought, But without the ability to control the fox's chakra, he won't be ready for the problems that are coming… His eyes narrowed. I may have no choice but to try THAT method…
"Huh, so you're trying to summon someone like pops or Uncle Gamaken?" Gamakichi was speaking, "You'll need a lot more chakra than what you're trying to use to do that."
"I know," Naruto groaned, "I'm trying to pull it out, but it just won't come."
Kin frowned. "Maybe that's the problem," she replied, "Maybe you need to just 'let' it come out, rather than 'force' it to come out."
"It's a good thought, but wrong in this case," Jiraiya replied, "Demon's like Kyuubi are like forces of nature. If Naruto just 'lets' it flow, the fox will try and overflow into his coils. It can't escape the seal, but it could try to take over his mind."
"Oh…that would be bad," Kin muttered.
"On epic scales," Jiraiya replied, "There's one last option, but we'll try that after lunch. You kids take a break. I'll head into the village and get some food. What's your pleasure?
"Some okonomiyaki would be nice," Kin replied, "Vegetable style with a fried egg."
"Miso/Pork ramen with a boiled egg!" Naruto replied, grinning.
"I'd like some caramel candy!" Gamakichi spoke up.
"Some apple slices would be nice," Gamaaraishii replied, giving the toad equivalent of a grin.
"Got it," Jiraiya nodded, "I'll be back in a bit." A quick hitsugi seal and he was gone in a swirl of leaves.
"I have just GOT to learn that jutsu!" Naruto grinned, "The pranking possibilities alone…"
Kin smirked. This guy is a complete goof, she thought, But…he's a nice goof. She heard a faint sound near the tree-line. She slipped a senbon into her hand, and turned to the trees. "Naruto-san, we have company," she said.
"Eh?" the blond boy muttered, "Who's there?"
"A…ano, I didn't…mean to disturb you," a quiet voice came out. Naruto's eyes widened, and he smiled as he identified the voice.
"Oi, Hinata-chan!" he grinned, surprising the dark haired Kin, "Come on out! You don't need to hide."
Kin stared as the Hyuuga girl walked out from the trees. She didn't have a chance to see the girl's fight, but she had heard about what the Uzumaki heir had done, so she restrained herself from attacking.
"Ano, Naruto-kun," Hinata spoke up, "Why…"
"Is Kin-chan here?" he interrupted, "That's a…long story, Hinata-chan. It's…something I don't know if I can tell you about without Ero-sennin here…"
"Is it…dangerous?" she asked.
"…No, I don't think so," he replied, "I just don't know if telling you would break any rules…"
"Why not let me tell her, Naruto-san?" Kin spoke up. At the blonde's look, she continued. "I'm not technically part of your village, so I'm not bound by the laws. You rest up, and I'll talk to…Hinata-san, was it?"
The blue haired heiress nodded.
"Okay…I guess that works," Naruto replied, "I'm going to try the jutsu one more time…" He walked off, Gamakichi and Gamaaraishii hopping after him.
Kin nodded, then turned to the smaller girl. "How about I introduce myself first?" she asked. "My name's Tsuchi Kin…and, I guess as of about a week and a half ago, I'm a nuke-nin from Otogakure."
Hinata gasped. "A nuke-nin?" she muttered, "But, your village was competing in the exam…what about your teammates?"
"If there's any justice, they're dead now," Kin muttered, "If I hadn't agreed to join Konoha, I'd probably be either dead, or used as a broodmare back in Oto. I'm betting the former, given how Orochimaru acts."
"Orochimaru…of the Sannin? The traitor?" Hinata gasped again, "He was your leader? Then…Otogakure…"
"Is Konoha's enemy, yeah," Kin replied, "Come on, lets take a seat. This is going to take a while…"
The shorter girl nodded, walking over to a fallen log with the former Oto kunoichi, sitting down next to her.
"I was originally from Tsuchi no Kuni," Kin replied, "I ran away with a couple other girls before the leaders could turn us into whores…kunoichi are little more than slaves in Iwa, and not much better in Oto. We joined Orochimaru because he promised us power and respect. I was the weakest of our group, but I still got some special training in genjutsu and taijutsu. I was useful, beyond being a breeder.
"When my team failed to pass the third stage, I was contacted by Orochimaru. He ordered me…to kill Naruto-san."
Hinata growled, and her hands (which were bandaged, Kin now noticed) clenched into fists. "Easy there," Kin said, "As you can see, I didn't go through with it. I did fight him, but that was more personal than anything else. He…beat me, and Jiraiya-sama put a seal on me to hide my chakra signature from Orochimaru. Now, I'm helping Naruto-san train."
Hinata nodded. "I'm…not happy that you were sent to kill Naruto-kun," she replied, "But, you didn't go through with it, and I thank you for that." She turned to watch the blond, and suddenly blushed deeply.
Kin raised a delicate eyebrow, and turned to where the girl was stairing. She smirked as she noticed that Naruto had decided to take off his jacket and shirt. Oh, so THAT'S how it is, she thought.
"You…like him, don't you?" Kin asked.
Hinata blushed again. "I…I've liked him for a long time," she muttered, "Ever since we were academy students. At first…it was because he just seemed so free. He did what he wanted, and he didn't care what people thought.
"One day, I followed him to a run down training ground near the village outskirts. He started training, and…that's when I saw it. He was lonely, and no one would help him…yet he kept on trying."
Kin smiled, as the pair watched the half-dressed blond.
"I started leaving little lunches for him at the training ground," Hinata continued, "But, no matter how hard I tried, I never worked up the courage to just TALK to him. Now…now I've seen how his own clan has treated him, and I can't let it go on."
"You hate the Uzumaki clan too, huh?" Kin muttered, "They took my elder sister from me, raping and mutilating her. I've hated them since practically the time I could walk. Now I've seen that there are some good people in that clan." She smiled as she watched Naruto perform the jutsu again, only to summon something too small to be seen. "Another tadpole," she muttered, "Naruto-san…he's something else. I can see why you like him."
"I…I want to be there for him," Hinata admitted, "He…deserves so much…and no one wants to give it to him."
"Well, maybe you two can," came a deeper voice, causing the petite girl to squeak cutely. Kin turned to see Jiraiya standing there, holding several cartons. "Glad I got some extra okonomiyaki, or things might have been awkward." He placed the cartons down. "Nice to meet you, Hyuuga Hinata-san. I'm Uzuki Jiraiya."
"J-Jiraiya-sama!" the pale eyed heiress stuttered.
"Ah, my fame precedes me!" the perverted hermit chuckled. "Tell me, how's Shiori-sensei these days? She still kicking about?"
"Ano…you know Shiori-sama?" she asked.
"Yep, even studied under her for a short time," he replied, "She was more Tsunade-hime's teacher than mine, but she was always a great lady. Even inspired some of my works."
"Works?" Hinata asked.
"He writes perverted stories," came the voice of her crush, as he walked up, "The same one's Kakashi-sensei and Hokage-jiji read."
"Ano, you mean the Icha Icha books?"
Naruto and Kin STARED.
"Ahhhh, my father reads them!" Hinata replied, waving her hands wildly, "He says they were…educational for him and mama."
"Eh, I always knew Hiashi-kun had a wild side," Jiraiya grinned, "So, how's about you join us for lunch then, Hinata-hime?" The girl blushed slightly. "It might help inspire the gaki here when we try that new method for his jutsu."
Hinata nodded, "I don't want to impose…"
"Its no problem, Hinata-chan!" Naruto grinned, causing the girl to blush again, "The more the merrier! Besides, you can help me prepare to kick that jerk Taro's ass!"
Kin smiled. "Besides, it'd be nice having another girl around," she added her opinion, then leaned forward to whisper in her ear, "And I think you just might find some of that courage you've been looking for." Hinata nodded vigorously.
Naruto just blinked, and Jiraiya laughed.
oOoOoOo
Sarutobi glared at the pile of papers. He was sorely tempted to use a katon jutsu on the pile, but he was almost certain that the papers would feed off the flames and make the pile even bigger.
Arashi, how I wish I had you and your son's stamina, he thought as he recalled a time when the blonde Hokage had used the Kage Bunshin no jutsu to knock the paperwork down.
At his age, the jutsu was too great a risk to use in any situation other than battle, and even then the elderly ninja wasn't sure he'd want to use it.
Still, the thought was tempting…
"Hokage-sama?" a voice interrupted his musing.
"Hmmm? Yes, Kotetsu-kun? What is it?" he asked, starting at the bandage wrapped chuunin standing in the doorway.
"You have a visitor," he said, "She said its important."
"She?" Sarutobi prompted.
"He means me, Hokage-sama," a light alto came from behind the grey clad ninja. The girl stepped out from behind the man, and bowed to the village leader, her blue locks obscuring her face.
Sarutobi kept his face neutral, despite his surprise. "Uzumaki Kanna-san," he muttered, "It's alright, Kotetsu-kun, she can come in. Could you tell Sayaki-chan to bring a tea service please?"
"Right away, Hokage-sama." he replied, stepping to the side.
Kanna walked forward, and bowed again to the aged leader. "I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you, Hokage-sama…" she began.
"Heh, any excuse to get away from these blasted papers is fine with me, Kanna-chan," the old man chuckled. He spared a glance at the adolesent girl. The resemblance to Kagura was stagarding, but only Arashi had that particular shade of blue for an eye color.
Well, him and Naruto, of course.
"You know, there was a time when you used to call me uncle," he spoke, "I used to bounce you on my knee. Hard to believe you've grown into such a beautiful young woman."
Kanna resisted the urge to smile and blush. "I miss those days too…Sarutobi-otooji," she replied, "I wish things had been different…"
"For Naruto-kun as well?" he asked, "It's been difficult for him, you know. I did what I could, but I always had to put the village first." He sighed. When he learns the truth, he'll have every right to ask for my head too, he thought, Not that I can blame him. I wonder if Asuma is ready to take over the clan…
Kanna frowned. "I know," she replied, "I know he's…had some happiness. I haven't had a chance to talk to Yuugao-sempai yet, but I did talk to the Ichiraku's…I don't think they'll ever forgive me."
Sarutobi frowned. "I don't think its that bad," he replied, "It will just take time."
Kanna shook her head. "Ayame-san was the one who kicked me out of the stand," she replied, "I don't blame her in the least." She stood straight. "I need to talk to you, Hokage-sama. I…I don't know what's going on, but there's something happening in the Uzumaki clan, and I think its bad."
Sarutobi frowned. "Sit down, Kanna-chan," he replied, "Talk to me."
oOoOoOo
Jiraiya kept his face cheerful as Naruto made the two girls laugh with tales of his more infamous pranks. Arashi…I hope you can forgive me for what I'm about to do, he thought.
"…but then, just when I think I'm in the clear, Iruka-sensei show's up out of no where!" Naruto shouted. "I don't get it! He ALWAYS knew where I was! Even when I didn't know where I was! The guy can read minds like the Yamanaka clan, I swear!"
"Okay then," Jiraiya spoke, getting the attention from the children and toads, "We've got about one more week to get your techniques up to par, and to get you to control that 'other' chakra." He stood, motioning for the group to follow.
"Oi, Ero-sennin!" Naruto grumbled, "Where are we going?"
"You'll see," the white haired sage replied.
The group walked along a trail for a while, Hinata and Kin chatting about different types of fighting styles, while Gamaaraishii, Gamakichi, and Naruto talked about different types of sweets (though both Gamakichi and Naruto disagreed with the pink toad about apples being a 'sweet').
"We're just about there," Jiraiya spoke up, "Gamaarashii, Gamakichi, hop on my shoulders for a moment."
"Okay, Ero-senin!" the pink toad replied cheerfully, earning snickers from her brother and the three genin.
"Damn gaki teaching them that nickname," the pervert grumbled as the two toads hopped onto his shoulders. He turned to the confused orange-clad genin. "Alright punk, listen up." Naruto and the two kunoichi stood straight as the white haired man spoke. "To draw out that chakra you need to be in a life or death situation. We've been trying to simulate that with simple exhaustion, and it just isn't cutting it. With only about a week and a half to go, we need to do something drastic."
Kin and Hinata looked confused, while Naruto frowned. "I'll do whatever it takes!" Naruto growled, "Taro humiliated Hinata-chan here, and the clan needs to be taken down a few dozen pegs! Teach me this other method; I'll master it today!"
"Funny you should say that," Jiraiya replied, pushing the boy roughly through the brushes.
"HUHWAUGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!" the blond cried, as he tumbled through the foliage…and came out in midair, just out of reach of the cliff he found himself staring at.
"NARUTO-KUN!" "NARUTO!" the two girls shouted, rounding on the white haired man. Jiraiya's eyes widened as Hinata punched the ground he had been standing on, forming a small crater filled with dust. So, Shiori-sensei's teaching her THAT move…
He casually caught the senbon flung by the former Oto kunoichi. "Relax!" he shouted, "The kid will be fine…and this will do the job we need!"
oOoOoOo
Naruto tried to grab onto the outcroppings, focusing on the lessons Kakashi and Jiraiya had taught him, his chakra glowing around his hands.
Damn! Its too slippery! he thought as he continued to tumble down the ravine. He could make out the bottom rushing up to him quickly. I'm going to die!
He closed his eyes, bracing for the end.
"Gaki…gaki…come to me, gaki…"
Naruto opened his eyes, and was shocked by what he saw.
It looked like a sewer. There were rusty pipes all along the ceiling, and his feet were almost totally covered in murky water.
"What…what is this?" he muttered, "Am…I dead?"
"Come gaki…come to me…"
The voice penetrated the atmosphere, dark and forboding, yet oddly tempting as well. Naruto found himself moving deeper into the 'sewer', following the pipes as they fed into a hallway.
He came out of the hall, finding a giant chamber, staring at a large pair of ornate gates. Along the border were symbols like the ones he'd seen on sealing scrolls, and in the center of the gates was a piece of paper with the word 'seal' engraved on it.
His eyes widened as he finally realized where he was.
"At last…we meet, gaki," the dreadful voice came again, this time followed by a pair of malevolent red eyes and a giant set of pointed teeth, "Come closer young one…let me see my jailor properly…"
The blond swallowed, before stepping slowly up to the cage. He kept his eyes on the dark red orbs of the Kyuubi, forcing himself to stay calm even though almost every fiber of his being was screaming at him to flee.
He paused a few feet from the doors, looking up at the sharp teeth and demented grin.
There was a pause, where only the breath of the two could be heard, before a flash of white forced Naruto to leap back. He glared at the objects that had startled and tried to destroy him.
The Kyuubi's claws.
"Relax, boy," the deep voice boomed, ""The seal prevents me from harming you. If I didn't hate the man so much for trapping me inside your worthless hide, I would almost admire the Yondaime…
Naruto growled. "You better damn well admire him!" he shouted, "A single human took you down, you damn fox! What's that say for the 'mightiest' of demons, huh!?!"
The fox chuckled. "Don't be too proud of that man, gaki," it muttered, "Shinigami-sama did the real work…though I will admit, I never thought I'd see a human with enough courage to summon that foul god to the battle field."
"Whatever, fox," the boy growled, "It doesn't matter to me! All I care about is protecting those I care about, and proving that I'm not you!"
The fox stared at the boy. "You could never be as great as I," it growled, "Not that you could even be as great as even that fool Shukaku…still, I can see potential in you, gaki." The fox's grin widened. "You could be very great indeed…if you accept my help."
Naruto frowned. "Accept you help? BULLSHIT!" the boy shouted, "I don't need you, demon, you NEED ME! If I die, you go to hell where you belong!" He raised a fist towards the cage. "You've been the reason I was abandoned by my clan, and hated my whole life, and what's more you've been FREELOADING IN MY BODY!"
The fox stayed silent.
"You OWE me, you damn fox!" the boy went on, "I want your chakra as rent! You got almost 13 years of payments overdue, and I'm here to collect! So unless you wanna die…"
He was shocked when the fox…laughed. Not some sinister chuckle or perverted giggle, but a genuine, full blown belly laugh.
"I LIKE YOU!" it bellowed, "Such blatant rudeness, and disregard for circumstance…you ARE interesting!" It laughed some more, as red smoke began to billow from the dark prison, encircling the boy. "Take my power then, Uzumaki Naruto…stay living, and become strong. I won't have a weak landlord…"
Naruto's eyes opened again, but his normal blue was replaced with a kind of purple, and slits now rested where his pupils had sat.
He bit his thumb, and quickly ran through the five seals.
"KUCHIYOSE NO JUTSU!"
oOoOoOo
Jiraiya looked down at the two restrained girls, chuckling as they tried to escape from his Shinju Zanshu no jutsu. "I told you, everthing will be fine," he muttered, "You don't really think I'd risk killing him unless I had a plan to save him, do you?"
Kin glared at the white haired man. "And just how would you save him, old man!?!" she growled.
"You don't even know what's happening to Naruto-kun!" Hinata cried, tears leaking from her pale eyes.
"In fact I do, Hinata-hime," he replied, "I sent a few Kage Bunshin down into the ravine earlier…all one has to do is dispel itself and I'll know everything."
"Huh?" the two girls replied intelligently.
"Oh, you wouldn't know about one of the fringe benefits of that jutsu, huh?" he asked, rubbing the back of his head, "Truth be told, I doubt even the gaki knows either…"
He paused for a moment, wincing slightly, before his eyes widened.
"Oh…damn…" he muttered, "He just had to summon THAT one…Even I can't control him."
"JIRAIYA!!!!!" a great voice boomed from the ravine.
Kin and Hinata tried to turn their heads to see…only to witness a giant brown toad with a blue and white haori leap from the ravine.
"WHERE ARE YOU, JIRAIYA!?!" it bellowed, shaking the ground and the trees. "WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA OF TELLING THIS KID THAT HE SUMMONED ME!?!"
"Oh, big bro called Daddy!" Gamaaraishii squealed happily, "Now we can really have some fun!"
Gamakichi gave his little sister a wry look. "If he doesn't squash bro first," he muttered.
Jiraiya freed the two girls, before leaping with them to the top of the giant toad's head.
"Oi, Gamabunta, long time no see," the old sage shouted, "Now, what's this about me summoning you? I haven't done any summonings for over two weeks. Didn't Gamadaisho tell you I let someone else sign the contract?"
The giant toad, Gamabunta, snorted. "That forgetful old coot?" he muttered, "He'd forget his tongue if it wasn't in his mouth." He turned his eyes towards the pervert. "So, did this boy really call me out?"
"I sure as hell did!" said boy groaned, standing on the toad's back, "I called you, so now you have to do what…"
"OI! Don't finish that sentence, gaki," Jiraiya shouted, interrupting him, "Gamabunta here is the leader of the Toad Clan. You try and order him around, and you're likely to get squished like a grape."
"Heh heh heh, this kid's got spunk, Jiraiya," the giant toad chuckled.
"DADDY!"
The giant eyes turned to see the smaller pink toad hop over. "Huh? Gamaaraishii-chan? What are you doing here daughter?"
"Bro was learning the jutsu, and I was the first one he called!" she replied, sounding rather proud, "My first time being summoned too! It was fun!"
"Hey pops," Gamakichi spoke up, hopping over to sit next to his sister, "I've been keeping her out of trouble. That kid Naruto's a pretty fun guy."
Naruto, hmmm, the toad boss thought as he stared at the orange clad blond. He chuckled slightly as the two girls fussed over him slightly, despite his protests at being fine. So, that's Arashi's boy…looks like you chose well my friend. I see a great ninja in the making. "Oi, GAKI!" he shouted.
"Huh? Yeah, Gama-oyabun?" the blond replied.
"My daughter and my son both say you're a good kid," he went on, "I trust my kids, so I accept you as a subordinate."
"ALRIGHT!"
"Hold it!" the toad bellowed, knocking the boy down and causing the two girls to stagger. "There's a couple of conditions!"
"Name'em!" the boy grinned, "I'll prove I'm worth it!"
"The first is that you gotta get yourself something better than a bright, 'kill me' orange outfit," the toad replied, causing the four humans to face-fault, "I'm a ninja as well, boy, and I let me tell you…that outfit is an eyesore."
"But I like orange!" the kid whined.
"THEN GET A DARKER ONE!" the toad boss bellowed, "No one said you COULDN'T wear it…just not so BRIGHT a version!"
"Oh."
"Yeah, 'oh'," Gamabunta replied. Kid's not as smart as his father, that's for sure. "The second condition is that you gotta share a cup of sake with me…we need to toast our new arrangement or its bad luck!"
"Sake…but…I'm underage!" Naruto replied.
"Uh, kid," Jiraiya replied, "As soon as you put on that hitai-ate, you became an adult in the eyes of the law. You can buy booze if you want."
"But…"
"Look, just share the drink with him!" Jiraiya said, "I'll even provide it, and we can all sit down and have a quiet drink."
"Now that's the ticket!" Gamabunta chuckled.
oOoOoOo
"…the unusual orders, the re-arrangement of assignments, it all seems strange," Kanna finished, "I can't PROVE anything…but I know Kosuke-sama and the elders are up to something. I just don't know what."
Sarutobi frowned, even as he sipped the green/jasmin tea Sayaki had brought in. If what she's saying is true, then there's signs of a build up of arms in the Uzumaki clan, he thought, But that in of itself could be explained away with their contract to bodyguard the Fire Lord…
"Can you get anything solid, Kanna-chan?" he asked, "Suspicions alone aren't enough for me to act. If I don't have anything to prove such accusations, then the Fire Lord will be personally insulted. He chose your clan personally…that gives them a protective 'cloak' almost when dealing with such things."
Kanna frowned, but nodded. "I can try," she replied, "But I know the elders are watching me…ever since it was decided to start sending our new genin to the Chuunin Exams, the elders have been edgy. I don't know if its just because of my brother, but something has them concerned."
Sarutobi nodded. "In that case," he muttered, pulling out a mission form, "Uzumaki Kanna, I'm assigning you an A-class observation mission. I want you to continue to watch the dealings of the Uzumaki Clan. Report anything suspicious, and try to find some concrete evidence of either wrong-doing or reasonable explanations for their actions. You'll report such findings to a jounin of my choosing. You'll know whom by a simple hand seal…the tori seal."
Kanna nodded. She knew what she was about to do would almost be considered treason against her clan…but something needed to be done.
"I accept the mission, Hokage-sama."
oOoOoOo
12 Days later…
Naruto stood in line with the remaining chuunin hopefuls, his eyes darting from side to side as he observed his friends and enemies alike.
Sasuke had yet to show up, but given that his training was with Kakashi-sensei, it was almost to be expected.
Shikamaru was grumbling about something being so troublesome, and Neji simply stood silently.
The three Suna-nins stood side by side, and Naruto found himself once again repressing a shiver as he glanced at the red headed Gaara. He had seen him a few times in the past few days, walking about town.
The boy was…scary.
His eyes landed on the main target of his ire.
Uzumaki Taro.
The dark haired heir had his usual smug look on his face, and he gave Naruto a jaunty wave. Naruto felt his fists clenching.
I'm going to enjoy taking you apart, he thought.
He turned his eyes up to the stands, his face brightening as he spotted Hinata, Kin, Sakura, and his other friends/rivals. They waved and cheered, and he smiled knowing that some of those cheers were his.
His blue eyes gazed over the arena, before coming to a stop on the Fire Lord's booth.
There they were.
His eyes hardened as he observed some of the elders of the Uzumaki clan. He didn't know them, really, but he could see a similar arrogance in their eyes that Taro held in his. He spotted Reika and Kenosuke sitting off to the side, and Kanna standing behind them.
Then he saw HER.
Blue eyes stared into blue eyes, as a distance that seemed greater than the eight years separated them. One set was hard and cold, reflecting the pain and anger that was the result of abandonment.
The other was equally cold, distant, yet held an undercurrent of…curiosity.
I wonder…just how far have you progressed, Naruto, the woman, Uzumaki Kagura thought.
Watch me Okaasan, watch the child you and your clan forsook so that you may know the depth of my hatred, Naruto thought, I'm going to show you all who I REALLY am.
The jounin in charge of the finals, Shiranui Genma, noticed the tension in the orange clad Uzumaki boy. Hayate, who was recovering from a sudden flare-up of his disease, had spoken of him several times.
This kid's gonna surprise a few people today, he thought. "All right, kids," he spoke.
"The Finals of the Chuunin Exam…are about to begin."
End Chapter 6
Here's a list of the terms used in the story for those who would like to know.
1)
Magen: Kurobara Ken no Mai - Demonic Illusion: Dance of the Blackrose
Sword. B-Rank genjutsu (my own creation). The caster traps the victim
in a thorn bush, and stabs them with a weapon that appears to look
like a giant black rose with a sharpened stem.
2)
Keihi Higashi: Cinnamon Cookies. They're actually my nieces
favorite as well.
3)
Shiroi-shushou: 'White Palm' style. A type of Iwa taijutsu.
4)
Sawagakure: Hidden Marsh. Is it a real village in the manga? I wasn't
sure.
5)
Eta: The old word for 'burakumin', the people who handled corpses
and slaughtered animals. Considered to be 'less than human' in
feudal Japan (and there's still some prejudice towards those
descended from them today, unfortunately).
6)
Takigakure: Hidden Waterfall.
7)
Gamaairashii: Roughly comes out to "Pretty toad". A change of
pace from Gamatatsu and Gamakichi.
8)
Jigoku no Juin: Cursed Seal of Hell (I think that's what Tayuya's
seal was, I'll look it up to be sure)
9)
Senkasa Kawa Juin: Reversed River Seal. Not sure what rank it'd be,
but probably 'B' at least…after all, messing with another
person's chakra is risky business.
10)
Kuchiyose no Jutsu: Art of Summoning…did I really have to explain
this one?
