I do not own Naruto. I do own a television with cable. Toonami here I come.
As Naruto trudged through the thick vegetation of the Forest of Death, his senses were on high alert and the boy was ready for anything. He wondered what awaited him in the place that Konoha's top assassin frequented, and deep down in his gut he knew it wouldn't be good. He wasn't worried about food, as he had bought a few storage scrolls and filled them with supplies for his journey into the forbidden wilderness. It was obviously gated off for a good reason, most likely to keep whatever was inside from venturing into Konoha. The gate was certainly tall and thick enough to blockade a T rex.
His mind had been going wild since he'd entered 10 minutes ago, imagining ghosts and chimera monsters bent on devouring everything that moved. A small amount of fear had crept into the depths of his heart, but thinking of all his progress and his present capacities the blonde squashed all the doubts mercilessly. Anko certainly wouldn't be scared, and Naruto wanted to impress the kunoichi more than anything. He did want to rebuild the Uzumaki clan after all, and she was the prime candidate. Daydreaming of yellow haired boys and purple haired girls the young ninja to be tensed and readied himself as some bushes far to his left trembled from something coming toward him. As the creature revealed itself, his eyes widened before a large sweatdrop ran down the back of his head.
"Really? I got all worked up over a little squirrel!?"
The small mammal was apparently looking for food, shuffling around and scouring the plant life. It seemed to find some sustenance as it approached a large flower, but what Naruto saw happen when it got close made Naruto respect the Forest for what it really was, a battlefield. Several tendril like vines shot from the base of the flora, wrapping themselves around the startled animal and crushing it as the flower opened revealing sharp spines that formed some sort of mouth. Swallowing the rodent whole, Naruto heard the final squeaks signifying fear as the life was crushed from the unfortunate creature.
"Well... Shit." He said describing the scene in two words.
Taking a few steps deeper into the Forest Naruto's eyes widened and he halted as he heard a loud feminine scream. His mind racing considering the possibilities, Anko's bloody form came to the forefront of his thoughts sending a terrible sensation of trepidation throughout him.
"Anko hime!" He screamed dashing toward the voice beyond his full speed.
Adrenaline flowing through his veins, he entered the small clearing he had just traversed minutes earlier and didn't hesitate to draw his blade as he identified a large beast attempting to maul a small girl. Jumping high into the air, the last Uzumaki impaled the 12 feet tall hog with a downward stab pinning its thrashing body the the ground with ease.
"N-Naruto kun!?" Naruto kun!" Yelled Soi Fon as she leapt from the tall grass she had fell in.
"Soi Fon what are you!?-" Naruto exclaimed as she hugged the boy for dear life tears running down her face.
"I-I followed you here and then that- It tried to eat me!" She sobbed a fearful look in her eyes.
"Soi Fon you shouldn't-" The blonde started before another disturbance broke his attention from the shaken Fangirl.
Now sprinting through the bush was a tall boy with a pack of even larger hogs hot on his heels. The terrified boy that Naruto couldn't identify suddenly tripped and fell into the tall grass, and turned around trembling at the gruesome death he was now expecting to face.
"OH NO!" Naruto yelled his adrenaline once again rushing as he shook Soi Fon off off of him and performed a sealess replacement for the first time since learning the technique. The taller boy now where he was previously standing, the blonde looked at the 15 ft hog that lead the charge and performed three handseals with practiced ease.
"Wind Release Dust Cloud Jutsu!" He thought sending a forceful blast of dusty wind tearing through the pack. The first three hogs were torn from the ground and sent flying into the surrounding trees, two of them colliding so powerfully with the trunks that the entire trees collapsed on top of them crushing them. The third hog was like a thrown rag doll skipping and twisting unnaturally along the ground, effectively incapacitated because if the broken leg it sustained. Squealing loudly the sound of its suffering carried and reverberated throughout the large forest, causing several animals that hadn't already smelled blood to perk up in attention.
The final two hogs were merely clipped by the jutsu, and they tumbled to the side losing their footing before righting themselves up again and resuming their charge. Seeing the drooling rabid beasts drawing nearer Naruto quickly pulled a brace of shuriken and threw them with all his might, channeling excessive amounts of imperfect wind chakra into the sharp metal disks. While most of the shaky chakra tapered off before reaching their targets, the deadly steel still tore into the tusked pigs thick skulls, hides, and legs causing them to slow momentarily. Enraged by the attack, the first hog to come within range lifted its head up strongly trying and failing to pierce Naruto with its tusks. Rolling to the side Naruto transformed into his crow form confusing the animals which lost sight of him. Spotting Soi Fon and the boy a ways away they began charging at them instead intent on feasting upon everything the humans had to offer, bone and all. Screaming at the top of her lungs Soi Fon only stopped and stared wide eyes as a crow flew in the side of the unsuspecting beast and transformed into her self declared husband, the blonde shinobi cutting horizontally through both of its legs and sending it crashing to the ground squealing. The last hog noticing its brother suddenly collapsing stopped its assault to scan the area. Looking all around, it never saw the boy who leapt off of its sibling until the steel he thrust downward was entering its cranium, penetrating deeply into the brain and causing everything to go black.
Pulling his bloody blade from the last of the pack, Naruto turned his attention to the surviving one next to it which was thrashing around in a pool of its own blood. Stabbing it in the face, the deranged animal finally ceased its movements and went silent. Looking to Soi Fon to check if she was alright, the boy let out a sigh of relief but didn't drop his guard. This forest WAS dangerous. Walking up to the pair of frightened people he looked very angry and chided them yelling." What the fuck are you two doing out here!? Are you trying to get killed!?"
Soi Fon looked to the ground with tears falling from her eyes when the other boy seemed to finally compose himself." I only came here to investigate the reason of my kikaichu's strange behavior. It's only logical that I'd be interested since they've always obeyed my commands without question." He coolly stated in a monotone voice.
"Kikaichu?" Naruto questioned now very confused.
"I am Aburame Shino, the heir of the Aburame clan. My family specializes in using various insect species for reconnaissance and combat. I was studying new insects when one of the female beetles from my new hive began following you and ignoring my orders. As a result, half of my hive followed her and I was forced to come since losing that many of my allies is most undesirable." He explained allowing a few of his insects to exit his sleeves to demonstrate.
"Wait you're a ninja too!? Why didn't you defend yourself!?" Naruto asked.
"I am entering my final year in the academy a few weeks from now, so I will be a genin within a year. As for the reason of my ineffectiveness, my mind was overwhelmed from the panic of my kikaichu. It was most...unexpected."
Processing the information Naruto replied." Well its nice to meet ya Shino. I'm Naruto Uzumaki, heir of the Uzumaki clan. My clan specializes in kenjutsu and sealing, and I'll also be in the academy soon. You're bugs are pretty cool by the way, but I think you should leave before more Shit shows up. This place is fenced off for a reason."
"You mean you won't be coming?" What business do you have here Naruto Uzumaki?" Shinobi questioned his cool tone oozing curiosity.
"Just Naruto Shino, we are friends after all right? And that's my business!" Naruto said pointing at the hogs with his shirasaya and sounding quite badass.
His round dark spectacles slightly raising in surprise, Shino replied saying." I see.. So you come here to train?"
Nodding his head Naruto said." Yeah, but it's my first time here today. I've been getting stronger and stronger and I need to test myself. Push myself and move forward. Always forward until I'm Hokage!"
Soi Fon had stopped crying to find out more about her crush and she now had stars and hearts in her eyes at once. Her hubby would be the Hokage!? Trying to get back in his good graces she declared to him with a large blush." I believe you can be Hokage Naruto kun! You're the strongest person I've ever seen! You saved our lives and you looked so awesome with your sword! The girl started swinging I her arms in the air like she had a sword trying to imitate her crush.
"Soi Fon...thanks." Naruto said with a small blush. No one had ever said they believed he could achieve his dream before. Even the old man only gave him advice about what it took to become the leader. Though thinking about it, he always mentioned the Will of Fire and he had said on more than one occasion that Naruto was the the Will of Fire incarnate. Smiling with genuine happiness, Naruto grew serious again as he heard a chorus of howling not too far away.
"Get out of here you guys. I'll hold off whatever is coming so you can escape!" He commanded.
"Uh uh. I won't ever leave your side Naruto kun! I love you and I'd follow you into hell to show my devotion!" Soi Fon protested jumping on the blonde and hugging him tightly.
"Shino take Soi Fon and get out of here! Now!" Naruto yelled.
"Its too late now. "He calmly said although he was visibly trembling again.
"They're here." He finished as the sound of twigs snapping and leaves rustling drew closer and closer.