The Way of Heroes
Second Saga Begins - Gotta Get Stronger!
S2: A1/E1./1. Brand New Adventure Begins! The Chunin Exams and Return to the Leaf Village!
Gotta Get Stronger!
It was a bright cheerful day, but a lone swordsman leaned against a tree, waiting patiently by meditating at the end of a massive orange bridge with steel structure. This blader had two katana, each on an opposite hip, each were very long, nearly touching the dirt beneath him. His stitched and muscled arms were crossed across his chest, but a beady studious eye poked out of underneath his brow confidently. Despite being without an eye, Qi often saw things that others missed. They're gonna go far. They're going to become stronger and stronger, Akame and even Zabuza don't have a chance to stop them.
He touched his black eye patch, remembering the painful battle that it had resulted from. That swordsman beat Yu and I effortlessly. It wasn't even a contest, Yu was lucky I could take more than him, because that Demon Pirate Hunter came at me more. His hand coasted down his face and onto his clean shaven chin, then went down onto his muscled chest.
Wearing a slate colored kimono, Qi remembered when he had first been given it. Everything about his appearance told a story. It would take a lifetime to track the efforts that Qi had taken on and the fights he had taken. A long journey came for both Qi and his brother Yu since they had been given their swords, but now the swordsman was returning home, to put his best friend and partner's sword to rest. He scratched his thick brown hair, he'd cut his buns off in order to make a better impression for his homeland. Wano seems like forever ago. Lifetimes away along with Master.
How will his Sensei react to the path Qi and Yu were forced to undertake? What about the changes both had endured? Yu's death? Qi figured that Sensei would understand, and then have him do around 5000 Push-Ups or Sword Draws. He smiled at his master's hot blooded physicality. Hearing arguing between two boys, Qi knew that the Leaf ninja were very near now.
Leading the pack, Naruto Uzumaki sped ahead in his flamboyant orange, spiky blonde hair flying behind him in the wind from his quick movements. Luffy was close behind, his red vest unbuttoned to reveal his tight stomach and average colored skin and his signature straw hat nearly escaping his scalp if not for his hand holding it there. Sasuke walked with his hands in his pockets in the rear, while just in front of his Kakashi read from his book, which had an age restriction on the front, so Qi knew it was probably graphic enough to keep the Jonin distracted from his students' antics. Next to the Sharingan Hero was Sakura Haruno, whose red shirt was dark against her long pink hair.
Naruto was the first to notice Qi, stopping dead in his tracks as he saw the swordsman. Luffy passed him cackling and sticking his tongue out teasingly. Leaving the group behind, Luffy raced down the path to ensure his victory. Sasuke crossed his arms impatiently, having no idea who this blader was, with Sakura stopping curiously. Kakashi looked up, wondering what had stopped his crew, and he put the book down as he recognized the former hard case.
Qi nodded, and unfolded his arms. He bowed to the group, and explained, "I just wanted to see you off Naruto, for the next leg of your journey. I know you will just get stronger and stronger, but I hope to fight again on more equal terms." He touched the hilt of the blade on his right, "We weren't ready, and we shouldn't have been. We were in the wrong that day. But I'm glad Yu died before we could permanently stray from the path of warriors that our Master had taught us."
"What do you mean?"
"We're – or I was – a Samurai through and through, trained by a brilliant Master."
"Oh –"
"We will meet again Naruto, remember my name: Qi Lee of the Great Lee Dynasty! Face me on the Grand Line when you become even stronger! I'm going to rediscover my roots and find the rest of the Lee line in the South Blue. One even went to the Land of Fire, but that old geezer retired a long time before Master's place got destroyed."
"I will! I'll give you the best battle you've ever seen! I'm sorry your brother is dead now, but I'll become stronger like you wanted him to be!" Naruto swore, and tears flowed down the scarred swordsman's tanned cheeks, as he bowed, then vanished in a puff of smoke.
Gotta Get Stronger!
As they came in through the Village Gates late at night, there was no welcome party as Naruto had expected. Luffy had made it to the Leaf far ahead of the rest, and he had already taken up slumber in the Hokage's building. He'd been interviewed abruptly by the Third, right before the latter fell soundly asleep in the cot he'd been allotted temporarily. Once Kakashi filled out the official forms and gave the leader a proper mission report, the payment would be divvied up amongst Squad 7 and Luffy.
In his white and red robes, the Third puffed out gray smoke from his pipe as he waited for Squad 7 to arrive. Iruka was in his office as well, sitting on the other side of the large desk in a chair. He nervously tapped his foot as he watched for his former students, craning his neck to watch the door. The Third Hokage thought to himself, Gato was worth 45,000,000 and 'Glassman' Akame had a bounty of 20,000,000 belis. It seems Zabuza has not collected the bounty money from the Marines.
Irritably eying Iruka's sandaled tapping foot, the Third Hokage coughed, drawing Iruka's nervousness towards him as he whipped around. Hokage gave Chunin Instructor a look, then shifted his eyes to the still tapping foot. Stopping awkwardly, Iruka apologized, "Sorry Lord Hokage." He got up a moment later and began pacing with jitteriness.
Gotta Get Stronger!
Just outside the Hokage's office, a noisy Konohamaru Sarutobi ran around waving his arms in the air. Ebisu rubbed his pounding temples wondering how he'd gotten stuck babysitting again. That brat Uzumaki Fox is coming back to the Village. Kakashi's mission was a success despite Zabuza Momochi still being alive according to Kakashi's Den Den Mushi report, though that only has the basics. Later after his squad is interviewed, Kakashi will have to give his full and official report to Lord Hokage.
Konohamaru's long scarf fluttered behind him as Naruto quietly came into view from the hall, with the younger boy charging his mentor and nearly tackling him, "BOSS!" He cheered, and Naruto patted the boy on the head. "Hey Konohamaru how's it going?" Ebisu watched the two interact, I can't do anything to that blonde bumbling oaf without upsetting Konohamaru, which will upset Asuma and Lord Hokage. And that Rubberbrat is almost as bad as Naruto! Corrupting the Honorable Grandson and making him as weird and bad as they are! UGH! I can't win!
Sasuke came with his hands in his pockets, Kakashi stooping to get into the short doorway behind him, and the pink haired Sakura Haruno was beside the Last of the Uchiha. The Tutor sighed, Why couldn't Konohamaru have met Sasuke Uchiha or even Sakura that day? They're much more grounded than Naruto or Luffy. Of course then again Sasuke's got an entire family of terrorists, so maybe he's better off this way…
Gotta Get Stronger!
A frail old man sat behind a desk far beneath the Hokage's office. The Leaf's symbol was burned onto the maple wood structure that he sat at, and his entire complex was shrouded in darkness. This is what Danzo wanted. He had been informed of the interviews between Squad 7 and the Hokage as the Third allowed his Anbu to record everything in his office.
Danzo had a white eye patch over his right eye, a simple bandage acting as one anyway. He had a long plain cane on the desk, and files were lined up in front of him. "Orochimaru had better not disappoint me, if what the Root has gathered is true, than the plan will come into fruition during the Chunin Exams. The perfect time for me to allow Orochimaru to make a fool of that idiot Hiruzen!" Angrily, the old man slammed his fist down as he thought of the Third Hokage's cheeky grin.
"Of course, he's going to live and see the idiocy of his actions, nothing his weak ninja can do to change that either. The new boy, the pirate, won't be an issue at all since he's a complete idiot. Hiruzen's going to pay for his hypocrisy, and his mistakes. Hell, even the Anbu are nothing more than babysitters most days for that Uchiha and the Jinchuuriki! After Orochimaru's plan succeeds, I will defeat him and Sarutobi will resign, giving his seat to me after I've waited so long for it!*"
Gotta Get Stronger!
Gnawing at a pork roast on a silver platter in front of him, Luffy chewed, "Sho… (munch munch) ish that awl you wantched to talk to me about? (munch munch) Ish the interview over?" Slightly disgusted, the Third patted his old lips with a napkin. "If you had money I would make you tip the cook extra," was the elder's only response. Luffy belched, then stretched his cheeks out inhumanly far, and stuck his tongue out making a face. The Third Hokage tiredly sighed, I really need to find this boy a tutor before I go insane… But who can I trust? Someone with ties to the Blue Government's culture perhaps. But she's not anywhere near here right now, and I haven't seen her in years after she got involved with them… Someone else, Sawk perhaps, or one of the Jonin without a Squad could use the practice. Definitely not Ebisu… Damn. I'll be stuck with him until a miracle.
Gotta Get Stronger!
Sun high in the sky, Naruto yawned as he awoke, still in his blue pajamas. His brown worn walrus sleeping cap hung lopsided on his blonde scalp, and the boy tiredly made himself some toast. In a few moments, he ate it calmly. An exhausted look in his normally energetic blue eyes gazed across the room with a glazed haze over them. The blonde stood up, and did several stretches before starting to change into his trademark orange jump suit.
A few minutes later, the Fox Ninja was completely out of his house, and was locking the closed door behind him. Now completely clad in his bright clothes, Naruto tightened his headband around his hair, and tapped the Leaf insignia on the forehead protector as if reassuring himself that it was still there. Doing a few more stretches, Naruto grunted, "Okay! Wake up – Here we go…" While this entire montage was for himself without an audience in mind, a few girls in ninja gear giggled as they walked by the now embarrassed blonde. Not conscious of the young women, Naruto cheered, "Let's rock and roll!" Before scampering down the path to his destination. "I'm rrrrrreeeaaaaddddyyyyy!"
Gotta Get Stronger!
Just arriving at the woodland training grounds, Naruto greeted the pinkette, "Good morning Sakura what's up?" Standing on a short bridge above a slow stream as they had been ordered to the previous day, the entirety of Leaf Village Ninja Squad 7 was now gathered, along with the Team Ally Monkey D. Luffy, who picked his nose as they waited for the Squad Captain to come, as the Legendary Kakashi Hatake was late as usual.
Now that the greetings for Sakura had been complete, Naruto glared uneasily at Sasuke, who returned the gaze with quiet grumbling. Sasuke Uchiha looked a different way, and the blonde did the same, huffing as they did so. Sakura's shoulders sagged tiredly, Not again. It's like they became worse to each other since the Land of Waves. Ignoring his comrades' conflict all together, Luffy had begun contenting himself by rotating around the base of a thick tree branch, legs wrapped around it as he spun round and round. Sakura noticed this, and it did not improve her outlook on the team's disposition, It's like being stuck with a bunch of children! YEAH! Hurry up Kakashi-sensei I've already had it with these guys!
It was a few minutes(or a few hundred rotations in Luffy's case) before the silver haired jonin appeared before his Squad. While Naruto and Sakura both watched the woods waiting for a sign of their sensei, Sasuke seemed to be pondering one of the universe's great mysteries. Out of nowhere, Kakashi came out from behind the trio of genin, and calmly apologized, "Hey guys, sorry I'm late. I must've gotten lost on the path of life." "AGAIN?" Sakura chastised, and from the branch that he rode on, Luffy dropped down laughing, "Hahaha! You guys are so dumb!"
Face turning green, the Pirate realized his error in spinning so much. Puking in the bushes, Sakura's face too became an odd shade, though hers was a disgusted pale rather than the lime nausea that Luffy's had taken on. After waiting a minute and staring at the sick Rubberboy, the future King of the Pirates wiped a yellow vomit covered hand on Naruto's orange jump suit. As Naruto turned a new color, his crimson fist crashed into Luffy's jaw, and the two tumbled into a wrestling ball of dust and spit and fists again.
Kakashi grabbed both of them out of the tussle by the scruffs of their necks, and the two stared at each other angrily. Dropping out of his Sensei's arms, Naruto pleaded, "What's our next mission Kakashi? I want a chance to prove myself, so it better not be another stupid errand. I'm talking a real mission where I can show 'em what I'm made of! I got a break and now I'm burning up!" Fires of passion burned around Naruto's form, and an inferno of excitement filled his pupils. Turning his passions into green, envious fires; Naruto turned around and growled at the cool and collected Uchiha, Ugh… Sasuke's always rescuing people acting all cool on missions so he can hog all the glory! I've had it with that! I'm gonna be the hero and he'll never get the edge on me! Not missing the stare down that Naruto was giving the brunette of the team, Sakura twitched, He's such a twerp! Leave Sasuke along Naruto!
Naruto clenched his fist, Today's the day! Then he went on to imagine a bleeding Sasuke falling to his knees, dropping with defeat. A kunai flew towards the downed Uchiha, only for it to be deflected at the last minute by a knife in Naruto's hands, as he heroically swooped in to rescue the Sharingan Survivor from sure death. "What's the matter? Can't take care of yourself Sasuke?" Naruto imagined himself taunting gallantly. Valor now burned in his eyes as the blonde screamed, "Believe it!"
"Let us know when you're done fantasizing okay Naruto?" Kakashi notified. "Then we can start the mission." "Ooo… A mission?" The Fox Ninja asked, intrigued. "Could you not be so annoying Naruto? Just this once?" Sakura whined, and the blonde tried his best to make a serious face and nod like a solemn vow had been promised to his maiden fair.
Gotta Get Stronger!
Several missions went by, along with the day light, so a tired Naruto was carried by his teammates. Luffy walked next to Kakashi, who was a bit behind his students. Sakura groaned, "Ugh! You're so hopeless Naruto!" Kakashi sighed, "Guess we're not making much progress on the teamwork thing are we?" Even as Naruto and Sakura stopped, Sasuke left the two in his dust as he kept up his pace. Naruto clenched his fist and scolded, "That's right our teamwork's all messed up and it's all because of you Sasuke!"
"You think you're better than everyone else don't ya?" Naruto continued his rant, with Luffy and Kakashi humorously silent as they watched the showdown. Sasuke, noticeably less interested in arguing, paused only for a moment to say, "Not everyone, just you. Face it. I'm better and stronger than you are. It's a fact."
"I could beat you any time anywhere Sasuke!"
"It's a fact. Unless you have what it takes to prove me wrong."
Sasuke stopped completely now as he got Naruto's complete attention while the blonde accepted the challenge. Standing by the sidelines watching worriedly, Sakura's thoughts were less than helpful, They're actually getting along worse than before, if that's possible… Those two better not ruin any more missions for me! Seeing as this was just another day at the office as far as he was concerned, Kakashi made his leave, "Alright guys, let's call it a day. I've got to file my report on our missions." Luffy followed, shouting, "Hey Kakashi, you wanna buy me some meat?"
And with that, the Sharingan Hero and the Rubber Pirate left the remaining genin trio. As the two dueling ninja prepared to square off, they both remembered the plain mask that Haku had worn while he easily thrashed both of them. Both grumbled at the thought of another pounding. I don't have time to worry about Naruto and these lame missions. There's still ninja out there who can outfight me, just like Haku and Zabuza. I've got to hone my skills so I can beat guys like them. I have to train as much as possible! Realizing this, Sasuke shook off Naruto's jealous glares and muttered, "Whatever, I'm out of here." Walking again with his back to Naruto, Sakura followed and said, "Wait Sasuke I'll go with you!"
Realizing he was being left alone, Naruto tried to say something to stop the pretty pinkette, but couldn't find the heart. Catching up to Sasuke, the kunoichi blushed as the Uchiha turned and looked at her. "So – um – I mean – Let's do something more personal!" Sakura tried, but failed to gain Sasuke's interest. "I mean to improve our teamwork and all," Sakura added. Shut down, Sasuke replied, "I swear you're just as bad as Naruto."
"Instead of flirting, why don't you practice your Jutsu? That would make the team stronger," Sasuke said, and the girl knew he was right. It seemed like he was always right, always cool about it too. Stunned into silence, Sasuke shot again, "Let's face it, you're actually worse than Naruto." Then the brunette walked away, leaving the enchanted genin to herself. Sasuke's words echoed in Sakura's head, "Worse than Naruto!" "Worse than Naruto!" NO! I have to become stronger to make Sasuke happy! Shooting onto the ground, Sakura went into a push-up position. Eager, she attempted one, but fell to the ground before she could push herself back up. She sat up quickly, in order to avoid Sasuke's curious glances, and struggled to do a sit up.
He's right… What have I really done so far on any of our missions? Even the easy ones it seems like I'm only there for the show. Luffy's not even a ninja and he does more for the team than I do! I have to get stronger! I'll show them! I can do it too! Sakura thought to herself, and fell onto her back as she failed her sit up attempt. Naruto watched as the pinkette tried to work out, interrupting, "Don't worry about Sasuke Sakura! You and me can train together and work on our teamwork all day!" Jeez… With Kakashi Sasuke and Luffy gone, it seems like it's the perfect time for alone time with my and Sakura. Naruto realized, drooling at the ideas that now flooded his young brain.
Gotta Get Stronger!
"So… What can I do to get Sakura to go out to dinner with me?" Naruto wondered, then Sakura ran after him, yelling, "What makes you think you can trick me into going to dinner with you Naruto?" Legs pounding beneath him, Naruto blindly tried to escape the angry girl that chased him. Though this pursuit was much more violent than his own pursuit of said girl. Soon Naruto ran head long into some tall figure, which knocked him down completely, leaving him feeling like he had hit a brick wall. Sakura gasped in fright when she saw the tall figure, and tried to stutter out some excuse, but couldn't find any words.
Gotta Get Stronger!
In a small room filled with Jonin like himself, Kakashi looked as if he belonged in no better in any other place in the world. Surrounded by colleagues, the Jonin approached Iruka, who greeted him with the open arms of a wide grin, which Naruto seemed to have taken on from his mentor. Iruka looked over the filed report that Kakashi handed him, and asked, "How is Naruto doing? Is he getting along okay with the other students?"
"Hm? Well uh… Little by little."
"It's been so busy around here, I haven't gotten to take him out to Ramen in a while. I meant to when you came back from the Land of Waves but I had to run some things down for Lord Hokage. I'm a little worried about Naruto."
"Huh… Ya know Sasuke's also in our group. Naruto sees him as a rival which puts a constant strain on the group. But it also pushes Naruto to excel, so he's becoming stronger and stronger. Someday his skills will match the person he respects most in the world."
"The Fourth Hokage you mean."
"No I mean you Iruka."
"Ya don't say… I'm flattered Kakashi."
"I talked with my Squad, but I just wanted another teacher's opinion. I know you and I are thinking the same thing, Squad 7 is definitely ready for the Chunin Exams."
"Naruto cannot take those tests! He's nowhere near ready!"
"I've already made up my mind, but it's always good to have a similar opinion backing you up. I'm sorry you disagree."
Gotta Get Stronger!
Elsewhere in a wide field, a trio of Genin were lying in green grass, sweating profusely and thoroughly exhausted. Standing above them, their clear Jonin Captain, was a red eyed woman in a tan colored vest over a red blouse with skirt, who looked at the sky and saw a great bird cawing above them. She couldn't make out the exact species, but she had a pretty good idea of what type it was. Looking at her students, she took in each of their tired glances and short breaths. They're ready¸ She thought with a smile, and she watched the bird soar again.
Gotta Get Stronger!
Sitting at the bar of some food shack, another group of upstart ninja chowed down on food. One of the larger members scarfed through a whole bowl of noodles as the instructor looked to the skies, seeing the same bird that his fellow Jonin had seen across the Village. Already? The elite thought, and he looked at his students and nodded. A motley crew, but I know they can handle anything that Exam can throw at them.
Gotta Get Stronger!
Kicking his feet in the air, Naruto struggled against a vice-like grip on his collar. Hoisting the blonde into the air, Naruto got a good look at his assaulter. Clad in a long black cloak from head to sandaled feet, the teen had a big passenger wrapped in bandages slung across his back, it reminded the Fox Ninja of a coffin. In the older boy's face, were cold eyes and purple make-up in a spider-like pattern around his features, and a strange symbol on the forehead protector that just peeked out of his eared hood. A slightly shorter, but still intimidating blonde kunoichi ordered, "Put him down Kankuro, or you know you'll pay for it later."
This mystery ninja wore an identical headband to 'Kankuro' and a purple shirt with skirt, and was armed with a massive weapon strapped to her back. Quivering, Sakura managed to squeak, "I'm – I'm sorry. The whole thing was my fault." Who are they? What are they? Naruto kicked and screamed, "Take your hands off me right now!" Noticing the headband on the blonde's forehead, Kankuro shook with anticipation, So these are the Leaf Village's genin… Turning to the blonde girl next to him, Kankuro said, "We've got a few minutes till he gets here. Let's mess around a little with these punks huh?"
"You're feisty," Kankuro commented, "But not for long…" Tossing Naruto into a wooden fence, the blonde stayed on the ground, concerned about their clear difference in strength. "You Leaf Village ninja are all wimps haha!" Kankuro taunted, but Sakura kept a cool head, They're outsiders… Ninja. But what are they doing here? Naruto jumped back onto his feet, pointing and yelling, "I'm gonna take you a part fool!" Locking her friend in a headlock, Sakura scolded, "You're the fool fool! Can't you see he's much stronger than us? We need Sasuke here… Even Luffy!"
Kankuro squinted his eyes, sighing, "You're annoying. All of you." "I don't like wimps or scrawny weaklings, so when a rook like this starts shooting off his mouth," the mysterious man continued, "I just wanna break him in half." The girl behind him sighed tiredly, "Uh fine. But I'm not involved with this." Sakura's eyes darkened in concern, wondering, What's this guy's problem? This is getting ugly… "First I'll take care of this little squirt, then I'll waste the other one!" Kankuro said, making a Hand Sign as a now berserk Naruto charged him.
Before the angry blonde could reach the teen, something shot through the air just above his head. Kankuro screamed in pain, and held a wrist that had a bit of blood on it. Naruto stopped in his tracks, and saw the rock that must've been the object that had whizzed past his head just a moment before. In a tree, Kankuro saw a cool hand tossing a pebble of a similar size to the projectile that had stopped his attack. Following the hand to the rest of the arm and up to the owner's face, Kankuro saw a serious looking brunette who challenged, "You're a long way from home and you're way out of your league Sand ninja."
Blushing at the return of her hero, Sakura cheered, "SASUKE!" Naruto grunted as he saw his thunder snatched away again by his rival. Kankuro spat in disgust, "Oh great - another one of you here to tick me off," but the girl beside him had other ideas as she blushed and thought to herself, Well well… Look at hottie over there. Catching the rock he'd been throwing, Sasuke crushed it to dust and scoffed, "Get lost weakling." Sakura's blush heavied, becoming a strong vermillion as she went in awe of her crush's skills, while Naruto could only feel useless again. Ugh! Sasuke you're always trying to make me look bad in front of everyone! Kakashi, Iruka-sensei, Sakura, and even these losers from who knows where!
Kankuro scowled, growling, "Hey punk. Get down here. You're the kinda pesky punk I hate the most, all attitude and nothing to back it up." As he said this, Kankuro undid a shoulder strap, and his cargo fell with a thud on the ground. His fellow foreigner ninja gaped in shock, stammering, "What – you're gonna use the Crow for this?" An overly soft, yet grave voice quietly murmured, "Kankuro, back off." Everyone heard the dark voice, and everyone turned shocked, even Sasuke, to the tree branch that was on the opposite side of the branch that the brunette crouched on.
Standing completely upside down using the Chakra Control Technique, the red haired boy's palest of electric blues cut through Kankuro like butter. The boy wore his hair short, and had a simple brown robe around his body, with a huge tan-orange gourd on his back. He muttered, "Put the Crow back. You're an embarrassment to our Village." Though he was small, a single flash of darkness in his eyes brought all attention to his stern looking form, with small arms folded across a meek looking chest. Kankuro tried to grin, but could only manage a weak chuckle, "Hehe, Hey Gaara."
Still focused on himself, Sasuke wondered, How did he get there without me noticing? I didn't hear a single sound! Only Jonin at Kakashi's level are that smooth… Sasuke looked the boy once over again, and took note of a strange marking on his forehead in red ink like an intimidating tattoo. While the boy's pale eyes were neither bored nor interested, Sasuke found a terrifying cold in them that only a pessimistic old man should have.
Gotta Get Stronger
In a tall building in a far off window, a trio of figures in long black cloaks adorned with crimson clouds stood in shadow. One talked into an orange Den Den Mushi with several piercings in his nose and chin, with his shell black with a white spiraling pattern on it. A deep voice concluded something, and another replied with a sound like a smooth silk, "The two Jinchuuriki have been identified. One is fairly weak, but the other will pose a substantial threat." Another snorted like a swine, then added, "I think it's best to bide our time and wait for the Chunin Exams. Both are taking them, we may as well wait for them to conclude so they'll be much weaker."
"As planned, we will infiltrate the Exams tomorrow as Genin."
Gotta Get Stronger!
Luffy pounded his fists, scarfing down the food laid out before him. Broiled or cooked, loins or rounds, sauced or plain, it didn't matter. The entire ensemble serenaded the senses, and Luffy devoured the feast. His waiter would walk up to him, and then the Rubberboy would point to an item on the menu, only for the server to run into the kitchen as the kid didn't even look at him, just opened his jaws superhumanly wide and stuffed more meat down his gullet. The bistro was a pretty popular shop, it sold cuts of meat at the deli, but they could be eaten at like a regular restaurant that sold almost exclusively meat. Luffy had never been happier.
Once the gorging had subsided, the Future King of the Pirates's stomach was inflated like a balloon stuffed with a watermelon. His chair gave way, and the Rubberboy realized that the place had emptied out in wake of his appetite, and he looked around to see that there was a pile up of waiters all passed out from exhaustion of tending to their customer. On top of the pile were a half dozen men in chef's outfits, with the one at the very top waving a white flag, begging for a break from the gluttonous pirate.
Hearing the kitchen's door close, Luffy struggled to get to his feet, then after he gave up that hopeless venture he struggled to left his head to see who was coming towards him. Out of nowhere, the enormous pirate was hefted onto his feet and into a new chair. A massive man built like an ox with tanned skin and a long blonde ponytail appeared to Luffy, and handed him a ridiculously long piece of paper. The man had a bloody apron on which barely stretched over his exposed, deeply muscled chest, with a five o clock shadow only occurring above his lip, and his right hand wore a green oven mitt, while his opposite wore a blue rubber one soaked in blood.
Luffy laughed, "You idiot I was on a mission the other day! I don't have to pay for dinner HAAHAHAHA! The old man said I'd get beef-hits for being a citizen who went on missions! STUPID!" The giant stooped over, brown eyes widening and blood vessels popping as he scowled at Luffy with a browless face. The fattened pirate laughed and laughed, rolling on the floor and only stopped when he started choking on his hoots. The man held him by the shoulders, and squeezed him in a bear hug, "You're just an ankle biter talking apple butter. You think you're a big tickle but you gotta give me the bread kid. You went through all the cooks in this joint."
The big man didn't miss the worriedness in Luffy's eyes only for the boy to shrug it off, and attempt to get to his much too small legs and return to his usual cheeriness. "You can't leave until you pay!" the butcher howled, yanking the boy to his feet and shaking him aggressively. Luffy struggled against the man's vice like grip from hands as big as the Rubberboy's skull. "I can't! I don't have any money!"
"Then you'll have to work it off, before I flip my lid!"
"I can't do that either."
"So how are you gonna pay for all this?" The butcher threw the long bill into the air, which took a few seconds to go entirely into the air thanks to its enormous length. Luffy was thrown into a booth, and the butcher yelled, "I'm Wagyu the Butcher! I've owned this bistro for twelve years now and don't think I don't know how to throw down with this classy chassis! You're gonna work for me or pay off your debts!"
An idea came to mind as Luffy grinned, "How about we arm wrestle meat guy?" Scowling, Wagyu nodded, sitting down at the same booth he'd easily tossed the Rubberboy into. He's legs were so massive that the table was lifted off the floor, despite being bolted to the white tiles. Wagyu rotated his wrists, ready. Luffy put his elbow down, and Wagyu did as well. "If I win then you work for me for five years."
"If I win, I don't have to pay for any of the meat I ate today!"
"I'm going to trash your candy ass, so don't flip your wig."
Then they both flexed and the contest was off! From outside the building, one instance the establishment was entirely silent, but then the next a blast like a dozen cannonballs being shot off in unison sounded from within the bistro.***
Gotta Get Stronger!
As a hawk was perched on the top of the Hokage building, the Third announced, "As you all know, I've summoned you all here for a single important purpose. Seeing your fellow Jonin Captains here, I'm sure you realize what this is about." Despite the fact that he was mortified, Kakashi hid his emotions in his thoughts, What? So soon? I thought we'd have a little more time.
In the crowd of elites, in the front a man with dark hair and a matching headband smoked from a cigarette, puffing, "I take it the other Lands have been notified of the coming event…" He had a thick goatee with small sideburns and bored brown eyes, he mentioned, "I noticed some of their genin have already arrived." A soft, elderly woman's** voice whispered to the Third Hokage, "The Land of Rocks has refused the invitation, but doesn't want the other Villages to know of it's weakness…" The Third craned his neck, and saw a small lady bug perched on his shoulder, "Which is?" He appeared to ask himself, and the bug murmured, "The Tsuchikage's son has gone missing and the entire Land is on high alert in finding him."
"And I assume the other Villages have also declined as usual."
"Of course my old friend. Other than the Kazekage, who will be joining you in a few days for the Final Exam."
The Jonin kunoichi in red with matching crimson eyes asked, "When do we start?" "In one week," The Third said. Smoke blew out of the old man's breath as he took his pipe out of his mouth. Kakashi, though his voice was relaxed commented, "Pretty short notice." "Maybe if you were late to every meeting you'd know beforehand Kakashi," A smooth voice coughed, and as soon as he heard the words, the Sharingan Hero recognized the owner of the tongue. He turned, mock blushing and he apologized, "Sorry for disappointing you Master Kawarimono."
Kakashi bowed sarcastically, eye never leaving Kawarimono. This Jonin had impossibly long legs, and long arms to match. He had a scraggly mound of blonde hair and side burns, with a jo staff on his back, a green Leaf headband covered his forehead right above his honey colored iris. Kawarimono grinned, as his tanned skin cracked like leather as he muttered, "Where did I put that hat?" Absentmindedly searching for said hat, Kakashi teased, "You're always forgetting stuff like that Kawari, maybe you should get a pen to write everything you do down on a pen. You probably left it at your apartment for the meeting."
"Yeah you're right Kakashi haha. Just like the good ol' days back at the Academy huh?"
Flinching at memories of the other students from his time at the Academy, Kakashi stopped as the Third Hokage coughed. Interrupting Kawari's memoir, the old man puffed, "In just seven days you two should be ready for the Exam." Turning from the Sharingan Hero and the Long Legged Ninja to the larger group of Jonin around them, the leader announced, "Now go, ready your students!"
AN:
*I wanted to have Danzo featured and prominent early on throughout the series unlike Naruto, which only created his character later on. Here he is the Head of the Village Council, and the ROOT Division of the Anbu, though the latter is 'defunct'.
**She's gonna be important later.
***The next time Wagyu appears, the winner of the fight will be made clear.
I hope to post a second chapter on Wednesday or Thursday this week. On Saturday expect an edited version of the 'Journey to the Land of Waves' Chapter, a new chapter, and the second Episode of the anime adapted into this story. In about two weeks from now I'll be posting a completely new story as well: so you can look forward to that if you're a fan of my work in general, or if you just want to get into a new story.
NEXT CHAPTER: Identify Yourself: the New Opponents! New fighters and ninja are revealed, with Sasuke being their main target, and a longtime friend of Kakashi's is going to show up as well to shake things up.
Please remember to read, review, and get your game on!