Chapter five: Graduation. Enough said
I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR THE PENGUINS THAT KICK ASS
Hey guys. Sup. Anyway here's the next chapter of my story. I gots a question for you though. Does anyone really care if Haku and Zabuzza live or die? Please tell me and I'll try to work something out. Also, I have another summon idea. Maybe more of a familiar. I'm thinking of a small robot with a three letter name. it will be funny and awesome. Wont appear until wave though.
"I can't set foot in Denmark." Skipper.
The following takes place between recess, and geography class. (not really)
It had been a week since the incident with the Iwa nins. Naruto and Hinata had to go to therapy for a week after the incident. They just couldn't get over the shock. Naruto turned into a recluse, just sitting in his room. Not even Raigin could get him to show any emotion.
Hinata was not much better. She also stopped talking. But she also wouldn't stop trembling, to the point where her bed also vibrated.
Realizing this was serious, Raigin had to call In the only person that could both shock and diagnose them at the same time. Anko Mitarashi. The slightly insane women owed Raigin a favor, something about a debt involving dango. Being part of the Torture and Interrogation department of ANBU, she was a qualified psychiatrist (this still makes me laugh) and she also knew just what to say.
Currently, Hinata and Naruto were sitting in a chair at Raigin's house. Anko sat across from them and just stared at them. Then she began her healing.
"GET OVER IT!!!!" she yelled. Naruto and Hinata jumped, and glared at her. She gave them a glare o her own.
"now listen, I realize that this was your first kill, but it's part of your job. And its even worse for you snipers. You have to look through your sight and watch your target die. I've seen the ballistics, and I know it's a brutal way to kill, but you guys cant do this to yourselves! It makes others worry." she said her tone softening. She sighed.
"listen brats, if you are going to keep freezing up like this, you cant be shinobi. The safety of yourselves, your team, and the village depends on how you react to these things. So either learn to cope or give up." she finished.
During the speech, Naruto kept his head low, his eyes in shadow. Of course Anko was right. You couldn't be a ninja if you froze up after every kill. That didn't mean he could just ignore it. But then he heard her say the two words that he swore never to listen too. Give up. The two words that haunted him as a child.
"Give up demon! You can't get away from us!"
"You'll never amount to anything."
"You'll never be loved…"
And suddenly, Naruto shot up and much to everyone's surprise, slugged Anko in the face. As Naruto looked up, everyone noticed that Naruto's blue eyes had changed to red. Not only that but his pupils were slits.
"GIVE UP?! GIVE UP?!?!! I CANT EVER DO THAT! IF I GIVE UP, THEN EVERY MOMENT I LIVED SINCE I WAS EIGHT WOULD BE COMPLETELY WASTED! THEN THE VILLAGE HAS WON! That just can't happen. Not now…" he said, starting to cry at the last part.
Hinata was stunned. Naruto had completely freaked out on Anko. Not only that, his eyes changed. he was obviously furious, and she did the only thing she could think of. She went and hugged Naruto. And he cried into her shoulder, all the repressed emotions finally flowing.
Anko got up from where she was laying. The little brat might not look it, but he is strong when enraged. She looked over to Raigin.
"well, there's one problem down, but I think you may have to explain a few things. Hinata definitely saw something. I personally think they need to hear the truth."
Raigin nodded. "I know Anko-chan. I was waiting until he became a Chunin, but if that power can leak out then this may be the best time." he turned to the two recently recovered duo. "okay Naruto, Hinata, it is time you both learned the truth on Naruto's childhood. I am going to tell you why you were chased all the time Naruto. Now, what I'm about to tell you is an S-class secret and is punishable by death if told. But as Naruto's legal guardian, I can tell him when I think its time. Now Naruto, the only reason I am telling Hinata is because she is your spotter and teammate. She needs to know in the event of a problem."
Naruto and Hinata stared at him. There was something involving Naruto that was an S-Class secret? And it was dangerous enough to force the information onto Hinata? Hinata just had to ask. "does this have to do with Naruto's eyes turning all red and demonic?" she asked, a little uncertainly.
"Yes, Hinata, it does involve that. Now, I want you both to listen to the entire story before coming to any conclusions. This is mainly directed at you, Hinata. To prevent any incidents, the room is sealed. We cant get in or out. So you'll have to listen until I unseal the room. Are you ready and listening?" both Naruto and Hinata nodded. "good, then I'll begin."
"twelve years ago, as you know, the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon, also known as Kyuubi, attacked our village. As you now it, the Fourth Hokage killed the demon. But unfortunately this is not the case. The Kyuubi was a being of pure chakra, so it couldn't, be killed, and so the Fourth sealed it into something. And that something, or should I say someone, is you, Naruto."
Naruto looked terrified. The entire reason the village hated him was because of a fox demon sealed inside of him? It would certainly explain the hate he endured. He looked toward Hinata, who was looking back at him, her face showing comprehension, and a small bit of fear.
Naruto asked the question that was bugging him since he heard the truth. "so… what does that make me?" he asked, looking afraid. Raigin immediately said "You are not the kyuubi Naruto. You are merely the container. Think of it this way. A glass of water. Is the glass the same thing as the water it contains? Of course not. They are two separate things. The only thing this means for you is that you have increased senses, healing abilities, and the pontential to wield the Kyuubi's chakra as you see fit. You are and always will be Naruto Uzumaki." he said, trying to force his point across.
Naruto felt immensely relieved. He was assured that he wasn't the Kyuubi, and that Raigin knew and still considered him a son. This Anko lady knew and didn't hate him. Slowly he turned to Hinata. She had an unreadable expression on her face, and looked deep in thought.
"Hinata," Naruto began. "if you don't want to hang out with me anymore I would understand." he said, looking down. He expected a number of bad things to happen, her to yell, hit and even shoot him. But what he didn't expect was Hinata kissing him.
Hinata was kissing him on the lips. Hinata. Shy, timid Hinata.
Nice.
Naruto had a confused look on his face throughout the entire thing. When she was done he looked at her. "okay, I expected bullets, but I got a kiss. What exactly happened?"
Hinata was blushing scarlet. "Naruto, for as long as I've known you I have liked you. When we first met, it was a crush. As we trained together, it moved onto love. I love you Naruto. And some creepy dead thing in your stomach isn't going to change that fact."
Naruto had tears in his eyes at this. Hinata actually loved him. Know that he thought about it, it made sense. She was always fainting around him, and always blushed at him. How can he be so blind. He leaned in and kissed Hinata. "I love you too." he said, meaning every word.
A month had past since the whole revalation. Naruto and Hinata were officialy a couple, and Naruto had mustered the courage to tell the other snipers to be. Shikamaru looked a little surprised when he heard. He had expected something like this though. He was smart, and had noticed all of the negative attention Naruto received.
Ten-ten really didn't care either way. She knew Naruto well enough to know he wasn;t a demon.
The onl thing that changed was the response to the hostility that Naruto received. Whoever insulted or assaulted Naruto while he was with his friends, which was most of the time, bad things happened. Usually involving shadows and pointy things. Fun times. Fun times.
It was graduation day at the academy. Today was the day when they became ninja and snipers. The four snipers sat close to each other, Naruto inscribing something on a bullet, Hinata cleaning her pistols, Ten-Ten fixing a scope and Shikamaru was sleeping (big shocker), waiting for their names to be called. They had nothing to worry about. Raigin had them all trained in Taijutsu, and each of them knew at least one clone jutsu. Technically, they were officially snipers, but they couldn't be called for active duty unless they were ninja as well.
Slowly, the class began to get smaller, as the students began testing. Sasuke chose this moment to ask some questions. "hey dobe, what exactly have you been learning over the school year?" he asked. It was a rule in Raigin's class that the classes had to remain top secret, so no one knew what they were doing.
Naruto looked at him with a bored look. "still can't tell you Uchiha. Our orders are to keep it a secret until we graduate, and we havent yet, so no dice."
Sasuke was livid. It was fairly obvious that he snipers were quite a bit stronger than the average genin. He wanted that stregnth. "seriously dobe, this is a serious issue. I need to know what you learned."
"and how is it an issue? Last I checked, you were not interested in being a sniper. I know for a fact you would give up as soon as you find out how much patience this art takes. So, shut your trap Uchiha."
Sasuke started to slowly turn red. "patience? I'll show you patience!" he said, going in to punch Naruto. Suddenly, he heard a click, and felt something cold under his chin. Looking down, he saw Hinata had a loaded pistol held to his jaw, and while it wouldn't kill him, it would easily mangle his face if she fired. Slowly, Sasuke backed down. He knew when he was outmatched, as everyone has heard of Hinata's mastery of pistols.
Sakura however, couldn't take the hint. "Why are you threatening Sasuke-kun you bitch?!" she screeched, moving to hit Hinata. Suddenly she heard several clicks. She turned and saw that all of the other snipers were pointing their sidearms at Sakura. Well, almost all of them. The Shikamaru was pointing his weapon at Mizuki, who had taken this opportunity as an excuse to attack Naruto. Not a single person moved, the tension grew unbearable. And then…
"WHAT IS GOING ON IN HERE?!?" yelled a voice from the door way. Every head turned (minus the snipers) to the door way, where Iruka was standing, getting ready to call the next person in.
Naruto was the first to answer. "we are diffusing hostilities in an efficient manner sensei." he said pleasantly, never moving his weapon from Sakura.
Iruka just groaned. "alright you little smart ass, everyone put down their weapons."
The snipers complied, and went back to what they were origonaly doing. Iruka sighed. "okay Naruto, your testing next, so If you would come with me?" Naruto got up, and kissed Hinata "wish me luck" he said, then he went to the testing area.
Naruto entered the testing room. Iruka and Mizuki were waiting for him. "all right Naruto." said Iruka. I believe you know how this goes. Please perform a substitution, henge, and clone jutsu and you pass the test."
Naruto nodded, and began molding his chakra. With a cry of "Henge!" he was turned into Raigin. Iruka nodded and wrote something down on a clip board. Naruto focused again, and in the blink of an eye, a chair was where Naruto was standing a second ago. One final effort and Naruto cried "Earth Clone Jutsu!" and a clone rose from the ground, and bowed to the sensei's.
Iruka looked at Naruto proudly. "congratulations Naruto, you passed!" he said, handing him his hiate. Mizuki however was not so thrilled. "whoa whoa hold up Iruka. Naruto didn't perform an academy jutsu. He shouldn't pass." he said, glaring at Naruto.
Iruka just gave him a stern look. "Mizuki, Naruto filled all the requirements of the test. He passed, so get over it." Mizuki sulked, and Naruto left the room.
Naruto reentered the classroom, and went back to the sniper group. He continued his carving on the bullet. Shikamaru looked impressed. "so you managed to pass, eh? How did you do on the clone test?"
Naruto didn't look up from his carving as he answered. "I passed. Used a rock clone. Thought I may fail for not using an academy jutsu, but no one but Mizuki cared."
Hinata was looking at the bullet Naruto was carving. He was carving a what looked like a seal into it, but she still wasn't sure.
"Naruto-kun, what are you doing to that bullet?" she asked. Naruto looked up, gave her a smile, and explained.
"I'm trying to make the bullet explode when it hit's a target. I'm just copying the seal on our explosive tags, and due to the bullets small size, the effects wont be quite as massive. You never know when a tiny spark could save your life." he explained proudly, holding up the now finished bullet.
"I don't know if it works yet, I'm going to have Raigin test it for me when I get home, wanna come?" he asked.
"sure Naruto-kun. I'd love to see it." said Hinata.
After everyone else had passed, Naruto was waiting outside, sitting on his swing, watching the other graduates talking to their parents. He wasn't alone of course. Raigin was right next to him, keeping him company.
"hey Raigin. Can we test this bullet out when we get home?" asked Naruto, holding it up to Raigin.
Raigin looked closely at the bullet. He noticed there was a seal on it. "sure, but you have to tell me what this seal is."
"fine. Its an explosive tag seal scaled down. I figured if I could make the bullet explode on impact, or maybe give it a delayed effect like the real tags, I could increase my combat potential. Think about it, all the bullets that missed, and are stuck in the ground, blowing up a second later. You'd need to be careful of friendlies in the area though." Naruto explained.
Raigin looked at the seal. It looked structurally sound, but it would need testing for sure.
"sounds like a great idea Naruto! I'm not so sure about the missed bullet idea though. Not only would the explosion most likely be too small, but you forgot the bullet will warp on impact, and the seal will become useless. But lets see where this goes."
Naruto smiled at him. It was really great to have a guardian like Raigin.
"speaking of testing, because you have passed the Gennin exams I will teach you a technique that only you can master fully Naruto. Due to your "fuzzy problem", you have enough chakra to use it." said Raigin. "I also need you to round up the rest of the snipers. There are things I need to tell you now that your on active duty."
"alright then. See ya at home." said Naruto, going off to find his friends. The first person he found in his search was Shikamaru. He and his father were leaning against the fence outside the academy, while his mother was, by the sound of it, nagging him.
"Hey Shika!" called Naruto. Shikamaru looked relieved. Finally, a distraction from his mother. "Yo Naruto! Come here I want you to meet my parents." said Shikamaru. "Naruto, I want you too meet my mother," Yoshino Nara smiled and shook Naruto hand. "and my father." Shikaku Nara just nodded at him.
"nice to meet you Naruto." said Shikaku. Naruto smiled and bowed slightly to Shikaku.
"likewise Nara-san" he said. Shikaku just waved his hand. "it's Shikaku to you, Naruto. Any friend of my son is a friend of mine." he said. Yoshino took this moment to say her piece.
"as long as you keep Shikamaru busy I'm happy. Nice to meet you Naruto. She said kindly.
Naruto was puzzled. Wasn't Shikamaru always complaining that his mom was hard to deal with? She seemed nice to him. "Shika, Raigin wants to meet with us. Can you help me look for the others?" asked Naruto.
"sure. Why not. I'm bored anyway." said Shikamaru. Apparently Yoshino took offense to this comment, because she immediately pounced on Shikamaru.
"Bored!?!? What do you mean bored?!?! Your family is here to congratulate you and you say your bored?!?! Of all the laziness and ungratefulness…" shouted Yoshino, beginning to ramble. Now Naruto understood why Shikamaru was trying to escape his mothers range. She was scary when angry.
After their escape from Yoshino's wrath, the two boys immediately went to find Ten-Ten. She was with her father, Krieg. He was a nice man, fairly muscular, and had burned hands. He smelled slightly of a forge.
As t turned out, Krieg was the main supplier of weapons throughout Konoha. He was also the man who supplied the bullets for the snipers.
Now they were off to find Hinata. After a few minutes of searching, they found her standing with her father and sister. Her father was speaking to the head of the Inuzuka clan, Tsume Inuzuka.
Naruto approached warily. While he didn't think he'd have anything to fear with the Inuzuka clan, the Hyuuga were a different matter. While they were mainly neutral towards Naruto, there was the occasional Hyuuga assaulter. Naruto and Hinata both agreed that it may be for the best that her father didn't know that they were dating.
"hey Hinata-san." said Naruto. "Raigin wants to see us. Could you please come with us?" he asked.
"of course Naruto-san." said Hinata. "father, I am needed by my instructor for awhile. May I go?" Hiashi merely nodded.
Now that they were all together, they made their way to Naruto and Raigin's house. This was where they usually went after school for miscellaneous things Raigin needed to tell them. The academy would have been fine, but it was hard to concentrate with Iruka yelling in the next room.
"alright." said Raigin, looking at each sniper approvingly. "I am proud to say that you are all qualified marksman and ninja. And now that you are all official ninja of the village, there are several rules you must follow." said Raigin. Seeing that he had everyones attention, he continued. "rule number one. You must carry at least one side arm at all times. Personally, I carry at least two on me at all times. This is to ensure that you are ready to atleast respond to a threat to the village even when not on duty. Do NOT SLEEP WITH ONE UNDER YOUR PILLOW!!! This is very important. You can shoot yourself in your sleep.
"rule two. All weapons must be suppressed while in the village. I will be giving you all standard issue weapon suppressors. Just screw it on to the barrel and then your weapons will barley make noise. This is to prevent panic in the event of an enemy encounter within the village.
"rule three. This is a personal rule. Never leave a man, or woman, behind. If someone goes down on a mission, do all in your power to bring the body back. We will give you a full military burial. Any questions?"
Naruto raised his hand. "are we allowed to carry our primary weapons while not on missions or on duty?" he asked.
"yes. Though they have to be suppressed as I said. Now, you are also expected to keep a sniper rifle on you at all times. But I can solve that. Before you leave here today, I need to inscribe two seals on you arms. One for your rifle, one for your ammunition. It is really a lifesaver when you don't have to carry all of that heavy gear on you backs and in your clothes." said Raigin. "any more questions?"
"I got one." said Hinata. "where do we go for ammunition? Or do we make our own?"
"good question. Now, to get ammunition, you go to Krieg's Weapon shop. He will be supplying our ammunition. But you have to load it into your clips yourself. I would suggest using clones to do that, because I'm fairly sure none of you want to spend hours loading hundreds of bullets into clips. Okay, now that there are no more questions, please hold your arms out for your seals."
After being sealed and given a crash course in using them, Raigin had one last thing to tell the snipers.
"before you go, I need you all to take a look at these." he said, pulling apart a curtain as he said so. Beyond the curtain was a small stage, and on the stage, were several instruments, two guitars, one bass guitar, and drums. "now, I want you all to form a band. Now before you say anything, it is for mental therapy. Being a ninja is mentally straining, and in my experience, playing an instrument relieves stress, and is useful on certain assassination missions. The reason your forming a rock band is because rock is a violent music form. The more anger or activity you put into your music, the less stressed you'll be. Now, I want Naruto and Hinata to play the guitars. Shikamaru, you'll play the bass, and Ten, you'll play the drums. Now I want you all to be able to read music in a few weeks, got it? Good. Now take an instrument and get out of here."
With a bit of grumbling, the group took there assigned instruments and left the building.
But unfortunately, Naruto's day wasn't done. "so Naruto," said Raigin, in a sickly pleasant voice, "what do you know about shadow clones?
And that's a wrap people. Sorry about the update time, but I tried, and I finished. Now before you all say I'm going too fast, I actually have never written any thing like a date or the kyuubi revelation. I just wanted to get it out of the way, and not have it hanging over my head. So, please review and recommend to your friends.