Disclaimer: I do not own the "Naruto" series.
Author's note at the end of the chapter.
Ninko, Chapter 5: Of Councils and Teachers
The empty saucer of sake came to rest on the table soundlessly, as the three elders of Konoha's Council continued their conversation.
"Waiting around and leaving the boy in limbo would do nothing to inspire loyalty in the boy. Sarutobi would see him attend the shinobi academy in the spring, and there's little doubt his growth there will be stifled," Danzou stated evenly, ignoring the slightly agitated looks on the faced of the Sandaime's former teammates.
Clearing his throat, the crippled ex-shinobi continued. "The child has potential. It would be foolish to let it go to waste."
Mitokado Homura nodded, before setting down his own saucer of sake. "Fair enough. However, you're taking a great risk. Jinchuuriki are notoriously...unpredictable. It may be better to allow the child's potential to simply stagnate, there are other bright stars in his generation."
"That is assuming the child is only dangerous as a shinobi," Danzou replied levelly. "Even if he were to live life as a civilian, simply losing control of his body to his tenant would be catastrophic, knowledge of shinobi techniques or no."
"However," Danzou added, after a short pause, "if we manage to endear the boy to Konoha - inspire within him a desire to protect the village - then that is the ultimate safeguard. What use is a prison that has no urge to hold it's prisoner?"
At this, Koharu snorted. "Then teach him to be a med-nin. Keep him off the field of battle where there's less chance of the Kyuubi finding an opportunity to escape."
At this, Homura chuckled. "Come now, Koharu-chan, can you see the container of the Kyuubi no Yoko relegated to the duties of a med-nin? It would be a waste of potential. If we were to have the boy trained, we might as well make full use of him."
"Your opinion is noted, Mitokado-san," Koharu replied icily. "Nevertheless, he's too young. There's no reason to not just send him to the academy for a few years. We don't want another Itachi on our hands..."
Danzou sighed. "Don't tell me you've bought into the nonsense? You know very well why he did what he did..."
The old woman scoffed. "The boy was dangerous. He was a loose canon, it was merely convenient the way things turned out. And we're straying from the issue at had here."
At that, Homaru spoke once more. "Utatane-san does have a point. We could just let the boy stick with the academy cirriculum for now. Perhaps when he's older, or after he graduates..."
At this Danzou sighed. It was difficult swaying the opinions of these two. They'd been teammates for years, and their personalities functioned with a form of dichotomy that was nigh impossible to overcome. The only recourse left was clear.
"Your opinions are noted, but in the end, irrelevant," Danzou stated firmly, abandoning all pretense of discourse. "I'm not here for your opinions, I'm here for your support. I already have Sarutobi's, and with yours, the next council meeting will be a forgone conclusion."
"You went behind our backs?" Homaru queried, surprise clear in his bespectacled eyes.
"And Sarutobi agreed?" Koharu finished.
"Hai. Your support would be convenient, but it's not necessary. Understand, however, the price you two shall have to pay if you oppose me in this," the bandaged shinobi remarked ominously.
Sighing, Homaru glanced toward his female teammate, and they locked eyes for a mere moment, saying all that needed to be said wordlessly. "Fine, Danzou. You have our support. However, if you are wrong about this child, it's on your head."
"Understood."
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu?"
"Hai, Hokage-sama."
Sighing, the Sandaime Hokage brought his pipe to his lips and breathed in the cherry-flavored smoke, hoping the tobacco would allow him to master the incredulity dominating his features.
"He's not even a genin. In fact, he's not even an academy student, and you want to teach him a jounin-rank kinjutsu?" the Sandaime sighed once more, before locking eyes with Kakashi. His features showed he was clearly not amused, and despite himself, the former ANBU couldn't maintain the blase demeanor when confronted with the infamous "God of Shinobi".
"His chakra reserves are just too large, and unless you want to wait until he reaches puberty, he'll probably never be able channel chakra without damaging his chakra circulatory system. However, if he splits the reserves between two or three bunshin, his reserves should be equivalent to those of other children his age."
"Yes, and should he attempt to split it between a dozen bunshin, he could suffer fatal chakra exhaustion. He's a child, Kakashi-kun, they are prone to being irresponsible. He could easily endanger his life with that technique" Sarutobi replied, his voice somber.
"He doesn't have the opportunity to be a child, Hokage-sama. I'll make sure he understands the risks-"
"There's a reason academy students don't learn advanced jutsu, Kakashi-kun..."
"-and I'll watch him," Kakashi continued, as though never interrupted. "It's the reason you had me leave ANBU anyway, and..." the silver-haired ex-shinobi trailed off at the hardened gaze that the Sandime directed at him.
'I'm getting soft...' the old man realize woefully. He realized what Kakashi wanted to say, even though he couldn't. He wanted to be there for the boy, as Minato was for him, and as Minato would have been for his son.
"So be it. You'll be given the C-rank mission of watching over Uzumaki Naruto, for an indefinite period of time. If he happens to see you using a certain kinjutsu...well, he always was an adventurous lad. Beyond that...I'll see what I can do."
"Arigatou, Hokage-sama," Kakashi said, standing with a slight bow. Though not in his distinctive "eye-smile", the gratitude was clear in Kakashi's coal-black eye.
"Things are changing on Konoha, and Naruto-kun is at the center of a maelstrom...be on your guard."
"Hai."
"Kuso!"
"Aren't you a little young to be using language like that, Naruto-kun?"
"Gomen-nasai..." the blond haired boy responded, eyes rolling and tone lacking in sincerity, "...Cyclops-sensei."
Kakashi decided to allow the boy to get away with his little quip, and instead focused on the situation at hand. As he pondered the situation, his eyes were drawn to the foliage, which covered every corner of the training ground. Crisp, green blades of grass danced in the light breeze as the occasional yellow-brown leaf descended from the branches of age and shinobi-worn trees. It was nearing the end of autumn, and it had been three days since Kakashi had spoken with the Hokage.
The Council was to convene early tomorrow morning, which left an almost alien feeling of anxiety settling in Kakashi's gut. He'd never been bothered overmuch by village politics in the past. Sensei had always kept a tight leash on the village during his reign as Hokage, or so it seemed. Doubtless, the Council was hesitant to take an liberties during a period of war. Now though, in a time or relative peace, they were more than willing to test their boundaries.
This is what led Kakashi to throw the previous day's caution to the wind. Should he be forced to cut his ties to the little blond-haired orphan after tomorrow morning's Council Meeting, he wanted to ensure the boy had the tools he needed to succeed. He owed it to the boy...
As it was, the boys progress was spectacular, not that he'd admit that to him, it wouldn't do to let him get a big head. His Sharingan eye spun lazily in it's socket as he watched the boy's latest attempt.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Despite himself, Kakashi winced. He'd have to break the boy out of the habit quickly. A shinobi who shouted their techniques was one unfit for duty beyond handling simple bandits. As it was, though, vocalizing the technique would help him concentrate, and at this age, he could use every advantage he could get.
Since Kage Bunshin no Jutsu didn't channel chakra through specific tenketsu, it didn't but nearly as much strain on Naruto's chakra circulatory system. As it was, Kakashi was able to see his chakra attempt to coalesce into a mass, yet it was moving in an orderly enough fashion to be able to create a stable bunshin. In the end, it would require practice. It would be far easier if the child understood the basics of bunshin, but as of now, he did not.
There was another alternative, of course. It would be more than possible to create a sealing array capable of draining the boys chakra, but it would be difficult to determine how exactly the seal would interact with the Shiki Fuujin that kept the Kyuubi sealed. The ability to combine seals is what separates a seal user from a seal master, and not even Jiraya had the capability the Yondaime did in that regard.
Sighing, Kakashi watched the boy make yet another attempt at the jutsu, once more resulting in little success. Spectacularly, the chakra that left the boys body returned after the bunshin dispelled. It was a trait that Kage Bunshin possessed, but Kakashi was surprised to discover it proved true with the unformed doppelgangers. If he hadn't been receiving the chakra back, he'd quickly fall into chakra exhaustion from constantly halving his reserves. The boy was clearly running himself ragged. His pallor was paler than it once was, and his eyes seemed to have lost a bit of their lively hue, likely due to fatigue.
Kakashi realized the boy's body had likely yet to recover from the ordeal that placed him in the hospital in the first place. To strain his body so quickly was ill-advised, regardless of his stupendous healing. However, there was nothing medically wrong with him, and it was a very real concern that if the boy had been kept in the hospital much longer, something would give. Likely expensive medical machinery.
Uzumaki Naruto was certainly determined, Kakashi would admit that. 'Minato-sensei always said Kushina was rather...bull-headed. Must be where he got it from.'
Naruto was clearly a natural with shinobi techniques, and privately Kakashi couldn't help but wonder what would have been had Minato survived. At Naruto's age, Kakashi was already a chuunin, leading adults into battle for Konohagakure no Sato. Would Minato have wanted his son to have a childhood? To grow up amongst peers, not comrades-in-arms?
"Yo, Cyclops-sensei..." Naruto ventured suddenly, his voice carrying a whining quality.
"Hai, Naruto-chan?" Kakashi replied.
Ignoring the honorific, Naruto continued, "why the heck isn't this dang clone thing working?" Sighing, the boy crossed his arms, falling gracelessly to the ground before crossing his legs in front of him.
"Eh, you must not be trying hard enough, Naruto-chan," Kakashi replied, his bored tone and slouched posture giving an appearance of total disinterest. "Perhaps you're just to young to learn shinobi techniques. Perhaps I should tell the Hokage you need to wait another year..."
Naruto's eyes burned with fire and he jumped back to his feet. "Not on your life, Cyclops-sensei! I'll learn this stupid jutsu before the day's end! Dattebayo!"
Smirking beneath his mask, Kakashi refrained from responding: it wasn't needed. Already the boy was putting his hands into the familiar cross-shaped seal, and shouting out the technique at the top of his lungs. Frankly, the veteran shinobi was glad he'd chosen a remote training ground for this little escapade, the blond-haired orphan had no tact or delicacy.
Resolve, though. That, he had in spades.
The night's bitter chill did little to bother the boy, though he was lightly clothed. He was on a mission. Sure, it was a mission of his own design, but still! What kind of want-to-be-shinobi would he be if he failed his first mission?
The day had ended in failure, a fact which left him feel disappointed, the weight of failure setting upon his shoulders like a mantle made of stone. He thought Cyclops-sensei was a bit disappointed too, but it was hard to see when he kept his face covered. He might have just been bored.
'Focus, dangit! I have to do this!'
Naruto couldn't help but ignore the fact that every second wasted felt like a precious commodity lost. The deadline he'd set for himself seemed so important, so very important, and honestly he couldn't say why! He hated to break a promise, but this felt...different. Alien. As though the need was not his, rather he was a puppet moving as another beckoned...
His thoughts were interrupted by a cough, and then another, and one more, until he was having a full-blown coughing fit. Naruto had never been a sickly child, and the feeling of illness settling into his body was unnerving. He knew he should probably tell Jiji, but if he did, he'd end up going back to the hospital, and if he had to spend another day in that room, he'd go stir-crazy.
Looking around despite himself, Naruto made sure noone was around before he got started. It wouldn't do to get stumbled on by Kiyone-obasan, now would it? Then, he'd be in trouble.
'Heh, another perfect escape. I'm practically a ninja already!'
Forming the unique handseal, Naruto announced - more quietly then before, though - "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Once again, a puff of smoke appeared at his command, and he felt the chakra leave his coils, and it felt as though a great pressure had been released. However, no more than a moment later it returned, and the smoke cleared to reveal nothing.
"Kuso! Why won't this stupid technique work?!"
It sounded so simple when Cyclops-sensei explained it! Just form the handseal like so, say the technique and poof! Instant clone! The lazy ninja had even demonstrated, and he made it look easy! Putting his fingers into the cross-shaped seal, Naruto prepared to channel his chakra for another attempt. 'I'll show that one-eyed jerk! Not trying hard enough huh? I'll not only make clones, I'll make more than he did! I'll show that masked wierdo I have what it takes to be a ninja!'
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Suddenly, Naruto felt the chakra leave his veins far more rapidly then it had before, and instead of one puff of smoke, there were several. As the smoke cleared, he saw them. Bunshin!
Sure, the skin tone was off, the hair was drooping and quite a bit more subdued a shade then his own, but they were there, and moving! All six of em! Wait a minute...six? 'Didn't Cyclops-sensei say something about...'
Suddenly, the mantle of stone that rested upon his shoulders turned into a boulder, and he let himself collapse into the soft green grass beneath him.
"You know, gaki..." a voice ventured, as Naruto gradually became more aware of his surroundings, "...we really have to stop meeting like this."
Opening his eyes, Naruto was met once more by the dreary expanse of his mindscape. And standing within the bars of of her prison was his tenant, a look of exasperation clear on her face, while her ruby-red eyes shone with barely-suppressed joy,
"Nevertheless, I see the old monkey kept up his part. It's good that you're here, I have something I need you to do."
Japanese Term List/Jutsu List:
Kage Bunshin no Jutsu: Shadow Clone Technique. Since Naruto is roughly half the age he was at the beginning of the canon series, it's going to take him quite a bit longer than a few hours to learn this technique. I skipped most of the build-up, though, since it would only serve as filler. And I hate filler.
Kuso: Roughly translating into "damn" or other similar profanity.
Bunshin: Clone.
Kinjutsu: Forbidden jutsu.
A/N: Well, when I read out on the world wide web that Kakashi had become a chuunin at age 6, I felt like a lot less of a failure designing adolescent personas. Naruto still seems a bit too mature to me, but hopefully I'll be able to mitigate that in the next few chapters.
Anyway, I'm doing some updates to the previous chapters of this story, and those should go through at roughly same time as this chapter, so if any of your alert boxes get spammed, I apologize, I miss things on the first couple run throughs, and I haven't found a beta yet.
Sorry for this being a bit on the late AND short side, but I just got back from a vacation, and so my writing time was cut short, since I didn't have easy access to a computer while I was away. Just a warning, updates might be a bit sporadic from now on. I'll try to keep up the once a week pace, though.
I have a question for you all though: Anyone know a suitable Japanese term for cyclops that I can use? My extremely limited knowledge of the language basically begins and ends with what the handfully of terms I've sprinkled into this fanfiction.