Well! Here we're (super late but whatever)

This chapter was checked by Hikari no Okami, make sure to blame her for the dela- I mean thank her! (To tell the truth I'm the only one to blame I got a terrible case of Writer's Block, thats the reason this chapter is soooooo late)

Enjoy!

OoOoOoOoO

Advanced Training

Naruto-kun yawned, apparently bored.

"Don't yawn when I'm explainin'!" scolded him Anko-sensei and hit his head with one of the scrolls she was handing us.

"Hey!" the boy rubbed his head "theory is boring! I learn better by doing the stuff!"

"Well I don't like it either, but theories do work! Whatever we like it or not" continued Anko-sensei "so stop interrupting" she hit him again "now as I was saying, we'll continue with the training about bringing chakra to the feet, however this training will be optimized for each one of you, based on what I've seen to be the things you need to improve. So with that being said these will be your trainings" she handed us a few scrolls, one for each of us.

Naruto-kun had to make short dashes while Midori-sempai attacked him with rocks, this to improve his reaction, speed and reflexes; I on the other hand would be working alone, my task was to run at top speed while kicking a stone, the scroll said it was for stamina, adaptation and flexibility, when we asked Midori-sempai about her task she just answered that it didn't matter and that she would do her part once we had finished ours.

"Well then, I'll go guard old man Tazuna, shall you ran into some kind of trouble, Sunshine, use this" she handled Naruto-kun a small fireworks cannon "this will create a large yellow cloud in the sky, and if I see it, I'll come right along. Over the bridge I'll have one much like this, but it will create an orange one, if you were to see it you're to drop the training immediately and go to the bridge, ok? Any doubts? No? Well then guys, take care!" and marking a hand seal Anko-sensei disappeared.

We were in a forest near the bridge construction site, a minute or so from each other so that if the enemies were to try and attack us, Anko-sensei would be here in a second, and in case they targeted Tazuna-san again we could swiftly provide backup.

"Very well, let's get to work" proposed Midori-sempai "I'm sure you guys will be able to ace this training in a few days…so…why don't we go back to the old times? I'm going to teach you new jutsus!" and she gave us one extra scroll to each of us

"What? more theory?!" asked Naruto-kun worried

"Not for you…I'm getting to understand you, the jutsu you have there is the Chakra Spear" explained our older teammate

"Chakra Spear?" I questioned interested.

"Yup, it's much like the special Taijutsu attack Naruto-kun uses, but this one is better"

"But if it's similar then why learn it?" demanded the blond

"I said similar, not equal, your attack right now could be considered the first step towards the Chakra Spear. You deliver a hit to your opponent using tekken and then release a large amount of chakra to the body through your palm, this makes the attack stronger and allows for a little of internal damage to be done; this flow is released based on the speed of the punch and in a cone shape. However the Chakra Spear is an attack created to increase range, and maximize both internal and external damage, releasing the energy on a straight line; the attack is to be delivered by a charge, and the speed of the chakra is the sum of the dash speed and the punch speed. If you can mix this technique with your regular taijutsu your punches will be fearsome, capable of much more damage and your height problem will be solved because your reach will be longer"

"I'M NOT SHORT!" yelled Naruto-kun

"Yes you are, Hinata-san is taller than you" told her the white haired

"B-b-b-b-b-b-but! Girls are taller than boys in our youth and then the boys get taller!" I tried to say something that could ease Naruto-kun, maybe that way he wouldn't be angry because of our heights.

"Moving on" continued Midori-sempai "Hinata-san's jutsu is an analysis jutsu, the very one we, Anko-sensei and I, used to study the balm you provided us with, but it can also be used to analyze seals, enemies, weapons, and could also be used for techniques; however, it requieres a lot of time to fully analyze an object, so this technique isn't that useful in a battle. Still, the ability to see through solid material and at great distances which the Byakugan provides Hinata-san with, can get her to know a lot about the enemy before combat, which could give us an edge in battle"

"That sounds awesome! You'll kick butts Hina-chan!" Naruto-kun cheered me.

"Sadly…that jutsu does have a lot of theory. It's not as physical as the Chakra Spear"

"It's ok" I reasured "I'll be ok, I don't mind theory" and I really didn't mind at all, after all the extenuating physical training I passed in my youth in order to learn the Jyuken, theory was just fine with me, thank you very much.

"Ok, let's get to work" said Midori-sempai

Without delay we focused on the exercises Anko-sensei had given us, Naruto-kun dashed a hundred yards at top speed while Midori-sempai threw rocks at him from a hidden position in the woods every 10 yards or so, and Naruto-kun had to catch them all without getting hit by them. On the other hand I had to run around the forest as fast as I could while kicking a little rock all the way. It sounded easy, but it was not.

The speed made it complicated to see a small rock bouncing in front of my feet, plus the rock often bounced to the sides or got trapped by roots or something like that, and I had to change my direction (thus slowing me) to go after the rock and continue as fast as I could. This fast-slow routine and the constant direction change added to the concentration needed to bring chakra to my feet to run faster, as well as focusing my sight on the road and on the stone made this an extremely tiring training exercise; I was not prepared for such stamina demanding practice. I finished my first 5 mile circuit around the forest and saw Naruto-kun and Midori-sempai still working hard, the determinated look on the blond's blue eyes made me regain my standing and my breathing, motivating me to do the remaining circuits.

The afternoon came fast; with our heads focused on the training we failed to notice the pass of time. But when we were finished with the regular exercises and took a little rest we noticed that our body had kept check of how many hours we had been working. I thanked for the chance to just sit down, relax a little and read the scroll for that analysis jutsu Midori-sempai had given to me. Just as I began reading mine Naruto-kun stood up faced a tree and started to punch it, just as if he was trying to practice his taijutsu but I knew he was practicing his new jutsu, however after several failed tries he had to sit don't and read for several minutes how the jutsu was done, but I'm sure he re-read it a couple of times because he remained there several minutes… that and I had checked the scroll with my byakugan and realized that it had almost no theory at all, just a short explanation on how it was to be done. After a while he stood up again, went a little further into the forest and kept practicing. Midori-sempai had excused herself saying she had to do the exercises Anko-sensei had given her, and thus she had vanished into a nearby shadow.

I kept practicing by myself, the jutsu Midori-sempai had gave me functioned exactly as she had explained, the chakra flows on whatever object was to be studied showed the diferent information according to color, intensity, speed of the flow, etc; however no matter how much I tried that jutsu I couldn't get a clear reading.

And once the night fell and we were going to sleep I trained with Habataku, practicing her special Taijutsu Style inside my head.

The next morning after having breakfast (which was quite eventfull because of the fights between Naruto-kun and Inari-kun), Anko-sensei gave us an unpleasant surprise.

"Weights" she said smiling holding several dark green weightbands in her hands.

"WHAT?!" complained Naruto-kun

"Yup! You are going to wear these, one on each wrist and one on each ankle; you will begin with half a pound in each one of them, so you will be carrying 2 extra pounds today. Tomorrow we will add another half a pound, and keep adding weight all the week. You can't remove these 'cept when bathing or sleeping, ok?"

We continued like that for a few days: In the morning we would do Anko-sensei's hellish training (which after the second day changed to me doing the running in zigzag), in the afternoon we would practice Midori-sempai's exercices and in the night I would have my regular sessions with Habataku, so that even if at night my body was resting I was decaying fast mentally. By the fourth day (and with2 full extra pounds on each arm and leg) I kept falling during the morning training…

"Ugh!" I fell to the ground as tall as I was.

"Hina-chan, are you ok?" asked me worried Habataku.

"Yeah, it's notting…" I said slowly getting on my knees.

"Maybe you should take a few minutes rest?" proposed the older female.

"No, I'm ok, really" I lowered my head to see the necklace and smiled at it.

"If you say so"

"I can't rest now, if I do so my mind will think about giving up…and I promised myself I would be strong, would be usefull, would made him praise me"

"He already praises you enough"

"But only as a friend…and I'm looking for other kind of praise"

"Hinata…" replied Habataku surprised.

"Wha-? Did I say something weird?" I questioned blushing a little.

"Not at all, I just, I was thinking how much you had matured, I'm proud"

"Thanks" now my blush covered all my face, my mother was proud of me "I can't stay here or I'll finish late" I stood up and continued with my training, suddenly noticing how something was changing.

'What's this? That was very good! If I can continue to do this…it will help me with my other technique!' Was this the result of Anko-sensei's training?

Having witnessed a remarkable improvement, I continued the training, not letting my determination be disturbed by my continuous tripping.

That night Habataku let me off the hook really early, letting me have some rest.

On the fifth day (and with 10 extra pounds over us) Anko-sensei paid us a quick visit to check on our training. I really gave it my very best effort to show her how I had improved: I could keep up the pace longer now, and I could turn and change the direction I was going to follow up the irregular bouncing of the little stone perfectly, plus I could run faster no matter the terrain I was standing.

After a few minutes of watching each one of us she turned towards me and smiled "Bright-Eyes, congratulations, you have finished your training, good job" after that she turned around towards Naruto-kun and Midori-sempai "you two on the other hand should be ashamed! You have improved so little in these days there's still more training for you, and I'll double your weights!" Poor Naruto-kun; he still had to suffer that hellish training.

That day I was released from torture and allowed to be bodyguard with Anko-sensei on the bridge. I saw the multiple men work carrying materials, mixing them and put them together into the slow process of building the bridge, meanwhile I continued reading the scroll of my new technique and practicing (this training was less extenuant, but also more frustraiting; however, I wasn't the only one who had a hard time). On my first day there, 3 men quit the building of the bridge; apparently they were too afraid of the moment Gatou would strike down the bridge with zelous intention. And by the face Tazuna-san showed, that scene was somehow part of a routine. At the end just before the sun hid in the horizon, the Labor Day was finished at the bridge and we began the walk home.

"I'm going to check on those two" said Anko-sensei "Bright-Eyes could you please escort Tazuna-san? We'll catch up with you guys soon" and after that the Jounin left me alone with our client. I released a sigh, was it really ok to be so relaxed? shouldn't she stick to the client? What would happen if an enemy was to attack us now that she left him alone?

"Let's go Tazuna-san" I said letting him lead the way

"I have to bring some things for dinner tonight, we'll make a stop by the store" explained Tazuna-san. I followed him into the town.

This was the first time I had come, usually we just walked on the outskirts to reach Tazuna-san's house. But what I saw today really shake me to by very core.

The suffering of the village was very clear; as poorness and hungryness was striking this land, people would sit down on the streets, some of them begging, most of them too tired, too depressed and too hungry to even raise a hand. Several unemployed men were walking the streets asking for any kind of job; anything in order to obtain something to buy some food. Desperation was clear in everyones eyes, eyes dull, without any shine, without any hope. Those eyes no longer held any dreams.

"This is terrible" I said shaken "these poor people…"

"Here's the store" announced Tazuna-san, who, apparently, hadn't heard me.

The store was as depressing as the rest of the town. There were almost no vegetables, and the few carrots and tomatoes that were there were small and didn't look that healthy, even if they were still eatable. I started to wonder if it would have been easier for Tazuna-san and his family to get the money to hire a B rank mission or feed the four of us, ninja, which was staying with them.

While I was checking the little products they had in exhibition a man approached Tazuna-san from behind and stretched a hand with sinister intentions towards him. I didn't act, I reacted; nearly no thoughts crossed my mind in that moment.

I channeled chakra to my feet and rushed at the two men activating my Byakugan, and I landed three hits to the man, one in the backside of the knee, turning his articulation numb, forcing him to stand on his knees due to lack of support, the other one between his shoulder blades, introducing some chakra in his system, making his upper body shake and finally I hit the side of his head, disturbing his middle ear causing him vertigo. He was completely harmless right know…however the fact that all of my attacks had reached him made it clear that he was no assassin. After begging for forgiveness he admitted to be a mere thief…and I really felt bad for the poor man, it wasn't his fault to be forced to steal in order to try and eat something. The only one to blame was Gatou.

"You really surprised me back there" praised me Tazuna-san "there're no women in this country who can fight like that"

"I'm sorry for that poor man…luckily he will only feel bad a few hours" I said blushing

"I was very surprised when you let him go"

"Well he was just trying to live another day right? …Tell, Tazuna-san, what happened to this country?"

"It has been like this since Gatou got to this country, there are no roads that connect this island to main land and Gatou controls all the trades by sea. He sells all the products at high prices and people cannot buy basic items, like medicine or food. Even worse, people have lost the will to oppose him. That's why we need the bridge, once it's finished a trade route to mainland will be open and we'll be able to buy and sell with other villages and everything will get better…Gatou knows this and that's why he's trying to stop the bridge from being finished"

"Don't worry" I assured Tazuna-san "We'll protect you, we'll make sure you save this country" my voice came out packed with determination, almost as if it wasn't my own, but Naruto-kun's. That made me smile

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"Why do you keep saying stupid things! Playing to be heroes!" Inari almost yelled at dinner that night.

"Inari, I've already-" his mother, Tsunami, tried to calm him down with no results.

"Gatou has thousands of men at his disposal, what will a bunch of loosers do? You'll all die and no body will-"

"SHUT THE HELL UP!" yelled at him Naruto-kun "WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING THERE COMPLAINING LIKE YOU'RE A POOR VICTIM IN A DRAMA?! IF YOU WANT TO STAY HERE AND JUST BE A CRYBABY THEN YOU CAN CRY UNTIL YOU DIE FOR ALL I CARE! I WON'T DO THAT!"

We stayed in silence for several seconds, Inari was trembling and Naruto-kun and he were glaring at each other. After a few seconds Inari stood up and left saying nothing.

"Naruto-kun…" I said to him…those words were…

"That wasn't polite Naruto-kun you shouldn't talk back to him like that" told him Midori-sempai taking a sip of her tea.

"Pfff like I care" answered the blond crossing his arms.

"What's the matter with the kid?" asked Anko-sensei "in the picture you have on the wall he looks so happy and his smile is so wide, but now…"

"That's a story from before all of these began, when the people of this country still knew the word courage, when that man, the man called "Hero" lived in this country"

"A hero?" asked Naruto-kun suddenly interested "who's this hero?!"

Tazuna-san turned to see the picture Anko-sensei had mentioned. It showed Tsunami and Tazuna-san, almost like they were today, so the picture couldn't be too old; between the two a very happy looking Inari was smiling as wide as his mouth allowed him. A fourth person had been in the picture however it had been ripped apart purposely.

"It was my daughter's husband" answered Tazuna-san, we all fell into a surprised silence "Inari once had a dad not related by blood, his name was Kaiza"

We listened to the story of how Kaiza and Inari met, how their relationship grew more and more, they were as united as if they were real father and son. Neither Naruto-kun nor I were experts in that field, but we knew the meanings of that bond. Kaiza was a foreigner; however, he saved the town once from a great flood risking his own life. And he tried to do so again once Gatou reached this country, but he had been publicly executed when he had opposed the schemes of the business man.

"Since then Inari hasn't smiled and he spends most of his time alone" explained Tazuna-san

Naruto-kun and I knew what that phrase meant, especially after we had seen the boy in his room the very first night we got here. Blinking twice Naruto-kun stood up.

"This is no time to train Sunshine; it could be dangerous for you to use more chakra today" warned Anko-sensei

"I'll prove it to him" he said loudly "that in this world Heroes do exist!" and with determination he stood out striding towards the woods

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The next morning Naruto-kun missed breakfast and he wasn't in his room, so I finished my small breakfast as fast as I could and went to the woods where we usually trained looking for him…but I could feel my heart being squeezed when I found him there with another girl!

Editor's adventures: Okami's reading the chapter.

"You can't remove these 'cept when bathing or sleeping, ok?" Hey, I wouldn't mind that training.

"…10 extra pounds over us…I'll double your weights!" Ok, maybe I would. O-OU