Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or anything from his universe. I only own Nazo who I created.
"Talking"
'Inner Thoughts'
You Can't Be Serious
Chapter 6
In Preparation
Nazo was sitting at Ichiraku slurping down ramen, lost deep in thought. Hiruzen knew his secret making the total people who knew five. The fact that Jiraiya had told his sensei about it wasn't that surprising, he was more surprised Hiruzen wasn't told before now. He was assured his secret wouldn't be told to anyone, but he was pressed to tell his genin. He wasn't too concerned with telling them, he planned on doing it anyways. The only thing was he didn't know how Sasuke was going to take it. Sakura and Naruto would probably think he was stronger and cooler respectively. Sasuke could either look at him with anger, jealousy, admiration or hate. Dismissing their reactions for now he thought on what their tests should be. He had the perfect thing for Naruto's test and he had an idea for Sakura. Sasuke he wasn't sure about though, so many possibilities to torture him with. He could make them do anything, they obviously wanted to see under his headband very badly. Nazo was pulled from his maniacal thoughts as he felt a chakra signature he recognized sit beside him.
"Nazo you're back from The Land of Waves I see."
Nazo pushed his bowl away as he took in the figure beside him. The guy had silver hair that was just as messy as his own, apparently great ninja didn't have time to comb their hair. His headband was slanted over his forehead to cover his left eye. Nazo only knew one such person, he knew the prank Naruto and him had pulled before they left was going to come back and bite him on the ass. "Can I help you with something Kakashi?"
"I was hoping you could tell me why all of my ANBU squads had to wear pink robes and why their masks had funny faces drawn on them. The guards said they saw our usual blond culprit, but it seems he had help sneaking in this time."
"I wouldn't know anything about that, sorry. Besides I'd think you would appreciate a good prank. Your sensei was good at it too, I seem to recall you helping him out a few times." Nazo smirked at him.
"I suppose you weren't responsible for talking him into half of those pranks either? I remember you being the one pushing him into taking me along too come to think of it." Kakashi seemed to reminisce as they mentioned Minato and pranks past pulled. "So Nazo, how are your eyes?"
Nazo choked as his eyes were mentioned. "I wasn't aware you knew, who told you?"
"Sensei did shortly after you left. I had asked why you left and he told me. You know I was kinda sad when you did, you were my favorite."
Nazo cut him off not wanting anyone passing by to overhear. "Kakashi stop there. Nobody knows outside of a very select few. I warn you not to tell anyone."
"OK. I'm sorry about your parents though. Sensei had a hard time proving anyone did it, and even when he could pin it to somebody it was selected scapegoats. We were pretty sure the council helped them cover it up." Kakashi put a reassuring hand on Nazo's shoulder.
"Favorite what? What are you two talking about? What happened to your parents?" Ayame had been listening to their conversation and couldn't help but ask.
"I'm sorry did you say something?" Kakashi looked up at her blankly. Ayame looked at him confused as Nazo laughed loudly.
"Does that actually work on anybody?"
"Actually yes, it works on Guy." Kakashi smiled as he thought of some of the times he had gotten a reaction from Konoha's Green Beast. The statement had brought forth more laughter from Nazo and an even more confused Ayame. "By the way Nazo I would steer clear from Guy. If you thought it was bad before now he has a student exactly like him, from the haircut and jumpsuit down to the eyebrows. Oh and that setting sun Genjutsu is even worse." Kakashi shuddered recalling the two ninja hugging and crying each others names as they shouted about youth and hard work in front of a setting sun.
"Thats a bit disturbing Kakashi, thanks for the warning. I have a small request for you friend" Nazo said smiling as he put a little too much emphasis on friend.
"Lets hear it" Kakashi sighed,
"Hiruzen wants me to let me genin in on my secret, but they asked about the headband earlier. I want you test their skills and loyalty."
"OK. I figure I owe you a bit from my younger days. Is that all?"
"There is one other thing. I'm going to allow them to enter the Chuunin Exam. If they get past the first two rounds I want you to help Sasuke get ready for the finals, he acquired the Sharingan while we were in The Land of Waves."
"Sure I can take a month off to train a brat, but why me? You're perfectly capable of training him yourself."
"I could, but I want to oversee Naruto's training if they pass to be honest. Something about the boy intrigues me, and he has more potential than anyone else I have ever encountered."
"Have you ever actually looked at him?"
"No not yet, but once they prove themselves ready and loyal enough to each other I'll show them. Why do you ask?" Nazo questioned him obviously not understanding.
"No reason, no reason" Kakashi smiled knowingly. 'Wait until his sees the resemblance. I think I need to be there when he shows them, wonder where my camera is?' "So did you have an idea in mind for testing their loyalty?"
"Your bell test should work fine. Don't go overboard though, please." Nazo said then turned to a slightly upset Ayame. "Sorry Ayame I wasn't ignoring you, but it was an important discussion involving Naruto's future as a ninja" He smiled at her hoping he wasn't in trouble.
"I guess that's fine then" Her anger dissipated hearing it involved her friend, probably her best. "What were you saying about your parents now?"
"I'd love to tell you but I'm supposed to meet my team and give them their respective tests. Would you like to come with me? It won't take long I promise and afterwards I can tell you over dinner." Nazo asked simply. 'Smooth Nazo, smooth. That sounded just as cool in reality as it did in my head.'
From across the counter Teuchi figured he would have some fun with him. "Did you just ask my daughter out Nazo?" The audible gulp from Nazo was the reaction Teuchi had hoped for. He didn't have a problem with the man at all. He was a good guy and treated Naruto better than anyone else had, excluding that teacher from the academy, he was also a strong ninja apparently. He could certainly keep Ayame safe, so long as he treated her nice it was fine.
"Yes?" Nazo answered as if he was asking a question.
"Just remember who makes all the ramen you eat. You make my daughter unhappy, I'll make your stomach pay for it." Teuchi gave Nazo an evil glare as he slid another bowl of ramen in front of him.
"Daddy stop" Ayame giggled "I haven't even answered him yet." They heard Kakashi laugh at his friends misfortune as he walked out of the ramen stand. Left alone Nazo gave it a brief thought. Risk upsetting Ayame and lose the ability to eat the best ramen on the planet, or keep his ramen safe. Nazo reached the obvious answer but didn't get a chance to voice it. Ayame tossed her apron to her father and took his hand dragging him out of the stand. "Come on, aren't your students waiting?" She giggled pulling him along as he cried inwardly about possibly losing ramen.
As Nazo stood in front of his three students he knew he couldn't question their commitment or resolve. Naruto was shaking silently from ramen withdrawals, Nazo had told him he couldn't eat any ramen today or the day before. Sasuke was blushing and lost deep in thought, Nazo had made him take every fan girl that had ever asked him out on a date. Sakura only had a scowl on her face, Nazo made her cut her hair really short so her prominent forehead was more distinguishable. He knew how each of them felt about their respective tests, but ninja were supposed to have undying commitment for their villages. So he made them each do something they hated. Naruto, like himself, knew ramen was the best food on earth, so going without it proved himself. Same went for Sasuke dating those horrid fan girls. Sakura was slightly different though. She was very self conscious about her large forehead, so cutting her hair that short to show it off showed her resolve. He also wanted her to get over what other people thought, she would grow into her body eventually like everybody does. Figuring it was enough he decided to go ahead and get it over with.
"OK, there is no need to ask if you each did what I told you. Not only because of how you each look, but I had followed. I won't go into it too much, but congratulations. Now I actually have plans for today so I'm just going to inform you of what to do. Today your free to do whatever you want, however Sakura and Naruto you're both to go to the hospital for that whole how to deal with death thing. Now tomorrow meet back here at about nine am. You're going to meet my friend for your final test. He suggested you be here at seven and skip breakfast. Listen to him or listen to me, up to you." Nazo began walking away as soon as he finished talking. "See you tomorrow night if you pass."
Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke all showed up to training ground seven together. They had met up together earlier that morning for breakfast. They were all curious about what their final test would be, each thinking it would be something different. They looked around and didn't see anybody other than themselves. Checking the time Sasuke figured it was a good thing they had listened to Nazo and showed up closer to nine. As luck would have it though they didn't have to wait long, listening to your sensei usually pays off, as someone appeared in front of them. A tall slender man with spiky, disheveled, silver hair. He wore an all black combat suit with a Konoha jounin vest, his face was covered by a mask and his headband was tilted to cover his left eye.
"Morning, I'm Kakashi Hatake. According to your sensei you need to be tested, so listen up these are the rules. You have the next three hours to try and get these bells" he pulled out two bells and jingled them slightly. "There are two bells which means simply one of you won't be learning that secret." Kakashi pulled out a small orange book and leaned against tree "You can use any skills you know, but you better come at me with the intent to kill if you have any hopes of getting a bell. You may begin" he began reading his book as he finished. All three genin jumped backwards into the trees as soon as he said begin.
"So what do we do first?" Sakura asked the two boys once they were hidden amongst the trees.
"He said only two of us would get a bell, so one of us doesn't get to find out Nazo-sensei's secret" Naruto threw in his input.
"Think about it dobe, he was lying. Sensei said he would tell all three of us once we passed his tests and he is always trying to imprint teamwork on us" Sasuke stated calmly as Naruto tried to take it in. "He wants us to turn on each other, the exact opposite of what sensei wants."
"Oh I get it" Naruto smiled scratching the back of his head. "So whats the plan?"
"I have an idea" Sakura said before explaining it to them both. When she was finished all three of them were smiling.
Kakashi looked intrigued as the three genin appeared around him and the tree. 'So their not going to fall for the two bells thing. Seems like Nazo got the point across about teamwork.' Kakashi continued reading his book as Sasuke leapt toward him. He ducked under Sasuke's kick and had to twist to the right, narrowly avoiding a sloppy hook from Naruto. As he dodged both boys attacks Kakashi looked helplessly as their female teammate threw a handful of kunai at him. 'What is she doing? Their both going to be hit too.' Kakashi watched as both boys kicked off of each other, clearing the small area the kunai were about to hit. As the kunai hit him Kakashi exploded into smoke, leaving a small log embedded with the sharp projectiles. He had to take notice that not only were they more skilled than the average, but their teamwork was better as well. Kakashi found his thoughts brought short as his precious book was kicked out of his hands. He turned to see Sasuke smirking at him, his hands in the Tiger Seal.
"Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu."
Kakashi looked in disbelief as flames raced toward him. He shushined away and looked around for his book. He found it in the hands of a certain blond genin, who currently had a small trickle of blood running from his nose. 'That book isn't for kids' is the only thought Kakashi could muster. He walked up behind Naruto and gave him a hard tap on the head to retrieve his book. As he grabbed his falling book Kakashi realized that Naruto was a Kage Bunshin. At that same moment the real Naruto charged him along with Sasuke and Sakura. He avoided the few shuriken and kunai tossed his way as the three closed the distance and engaged him in Taijutsu. Blocking simultaneous kicks from the boys Kakashi grabbed hold of them and threw them at Sakura ,who was attempting to grab the bells. Sakura flipped over the boys and reached for the bells at Kakashi's waist, only to have her arm twisted behind her back and shoved away.
Naruto and Sasuke both hit the ground and rolled before grasping the ground and sliding to a stop. Naruto quickly made a seal and two Bunshins appeared beside him. Shooting Sasuke a quick glance they dashed toward Kakashi. Sasuke threw two shuriken at him before jumping into the hand of the Naruto Bunshins. Kakashi deflected the shuriken and saw the Naruto's throw Sasuke toward him. Sasuke performed the same seals as before and Kakashi readied himself for another jutsu. As he prepared he was grabbed around his midsection. Glancing behind him he saw Sakura smile and tighten her grip on him, not allowing him to move away. Looking back toward the boys he watched as Naruto went through his own hand seals. Kakashi winced as he heard two jutsu called out.
"Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu."
"Futon: Daitoppa."
Kakashi used chakra to absorb most of the futon enhanced katon, but was still stunned. Taking a last quick glance behind him to check on Sakura he didn't see her. Hearing a jingle he looked back toward the boys. There he saw two Sasuke's, Sakura, and four Naruto's, one of which held the two bells in his hands.
"Good job dobe."
"You too teme."
The three genin were beaming at the look on the jounin's face. The Naruto Bunshins dispersed in a poof of smoke as Kakashi checked his waist, the bells really were gone. He was perplexed, but they were skilled so he wasn't overly surprised. "How did you do it?"
"Sensei showed me how to swap places with my Bunshin. Add that with a few henge of my teammates and well, you know." Naruto said scratching the back of his head. "Teme said we wouldn't be able to get the bells from you until you were occupied, so I waited until right before the fireball hit to grab the bell and swap with a Bunshin."
"So that explains why Taijutsu was used so much, you must have a lot of chakra" Kakashi said to Naruto before turning to Sasuke "and you have quite a bit of insight." Kakashi turned to Sakura last "and I'll venture a guess that you came up with the plan?" Sakura nodded at his question. "Quite the strategist, not bad considering you came up with it so quickly." Kakashi took a pensive look before talking to them again in a serious tone. "I'm impressed at what you're capable of genin, I'll inform Nazo. I'm sure he'll want to see you tomorrow at the usual time and place. Bye" Kakashi said before he disappeared in a swirl of leaves. The three looked at one another not sure what they were to do now. After a few moments of arguing they decided on some team sparring, which broke down into guessing at what the secret was after several minutes.
Nazo arrived at training ground seven a little later than he had hoped. Team Seven normally met at ten, but Nazo had been out late with Ayame. He had no idea she was such a heavy drinker. He noticed the smiles on each of their faces as he walked up to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. He figured they deserved it. Kakashi might not have been fighting too seriously, he was still captain of ANBU and they took the bells from him pretty easily.
"Nazo-sensei! You're gonna tell us now right?" Naruto yelled excitedly as Nazo reached them.
"I suppose so, you did earn it. Before I tell you I need to swear you to secrecy. Only a few living people know my secret, for good reason I might add. Anyone I didn't like knowing has died by my hand. I would hate to kill your friends because you couldn't keep a secret" Nazo told them in a cold, serious tone. "It makes my life much easier when people think I'm blind. I want to keep it that way." Seeing each of them nod in understanding Nazo reached up and removed his headband. All three of them looked up to see the milky, white eyes of a Hyuuga.
"You're from the Hyuuga clan sensei?" Naruto asked with a confused look on his face.
"No Naruto, but my mother was."
"What about your father?" Sakura questioned him.
"No, he was from a different clan."
"Which one?"
"He was Uchiha." Nazo said bluntly. That one statement caught Sasuke's attention more than anything else since the night he became the last Uchiha.
"Uchiha?" Sasuke asked him. "How can you have the eyes of a Hyuuga then?"
"Actually it's pretty simple Sasuke, or it is once it's explained. Since my parents both contained a Doujutsu I received both. The Sharingan is passive until activated, which is why my eyes are normally the white of the Hyuuga. Once the Sharingan is activated though it is more dominant. I can use either the Sharingan or the Byakugan, not both together. I'll also never be able to acquire Mangekyou Sharingan, which is fine with me."
"Why not?" Sasuke was truly intrigued, he would learn everything about his sensei's unique condition and why he wanted it a secret.
"I'm not exactly sure, but it does have something to do with Byakugan. Somehow it interferes with the ability for the Sharingan to advance."
"Can you show us sensei?" Sakura asked timidly. Nazo nodded his head and his eyes instantly turned red. Sasuke took note that each of his eyes held three tomoe, just like Itachi's.
"Why do you keep it hidden? Why not use it in battle?" Sasuke pushed for more answers.
"While both of those Doujutsu are powerful and useful, using them too often can make you dependent on them. I have seen many ninja beaten because they believed they could win with a Kekkei Genkai alone. Relying on one can make you think you don't need any other skills. The Hyuuga clan is a perfect example. They believe themselves so superior because of their Byakugan that it is the only skill they are taught. Now I have nothing against using them, I have had to use each of them a few times. The last time I used them though was during the war. I will help you train with it Sasuke, but I want you to use it only when you are outclassed by an opponent. I also don't want you to ever use it to copy the jutsu of fellow Konoha ninja." Nazo made sure he understood and was content as Sasuke nodded.
"What about your parents sensei?" Naruto questioned. "You said you left for a long time, what about them?"
"They are the reason I left Naruto. You see both the Hyuuga and the Uchiha thought themselves superior to the other. Neither clan would allow a member to fraternize with a member of the other, suffice it to say when my parents fell in love and had me they were furious. During the war both clans decided to get rid of my parents. They worked together and helped some Iwa nin set a trap for my parents. When I heard about it I left the village, but it gets lonely out there so I came back."
All three of them stood in silence as Nazo finished talking. He had just told them that two clans committed treason and had two Konoha ninja killed. Nazo let his eyes revert back to their normal milky, white and tied his headband back over them. "Now if there are no more questions about me, I have a bit of good news for you. I was informed the Chuunin Exams are coming up soon, and I'm entering you all in it."
Naruto was instantly back to his over excited self "Really sensei? You're the best!"
"Yes Naruto I know I'm the coolest sensei ever!" Nazo yelled as he struck a heroic pose and began laughing manically.
Sakura sighed at the sudden change in both idiots. They were both serious moments ago and now they were, well idiots. Having enough of it she walked away muttering a phrase that was becoming as frequent to her as troublesome was to a certain Nara. "You can't be serious."
Jutsu List
Futon: Daitoppa; Wind Release: Great Breakthrough
Gokakyu no Jutsu;Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique
Byakugan; White Eye
Mangekyou Sharingan; Kaleidoscope Copying Wheel Eye
Sharingan; Copying Wheel Eye
Author's Note: As always I hope you enjoy reading the inner workings of my mind. Again I ask that if you like what I write to leave a review to let me know what you think, good or bad.