Firstly, I have to thank imsabbel for the thoughts on this story. He really pointed out a few mistakes I made.
It's extremely annoying how all my interesting ideas (or at least the ones I think are interesting) won't be able to appear in this story until much much later.
There are also a few readers interested to know if there were pairings in this story. I'm actually already thinking of that and it's a definite "maybe".
Thanks to AelitaOfTheWolves, imsabbel and The True Not Important for the reviews!
"What the fuck did that guy do to... me?"
Zabuza coughed wildly after his sentence.
"You have a fever, Zabuza-dono."
The 'hunter-nin' took off his mask.
"Fuck that..." Zabuza sat up, feeling a headache coming on. "I'll need to learn how to fight while blindfolded."
"Fight while blindfolded?"
"Yeah. It turns out one of the ninja guarding our... cough... target is the..." The swordsman started coughing again.
"The?"
"Itachi Uchiha..." He snarled. "Itachi Uchiha... of the Leaf..."
"What can you do with the Mangekyo Sharingan, Itachi-sensei?"
After learning the Sharingan was a technique that could only be learnt by the Uchiha, Naruto's disinterest in the subject promptly grew, much to Itachi's amusement. However, Sakura was very much interested in the dojutsu.
"I get a few cool techniques," he shrugged. "Mostly genjutsu. But using the Mangekyo Sharingan can hurt your eyes."
Sasuke turned away at this point, frowning.
"Hurt your eyes?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah," her crush spoke up. Sasuke turned towards his older brother.
Naruto rushed into the room, practically ending their conversation.
"Hey, hey, Itachi-sensei! They say we can stay in the biggest room!" He beamed.
"That's... um, that's good, Naruto."
"What about me?" Sakura quizzed.
"Huh?"
Naruto stared at his pink-haired teammate. She glared back.
"Idiot," Sasuke smirked. "Sakura's a female. Obviously she'll need to be in a different room."
"Of course, I don't mind cuddling up to you at night, Sasuke-kun," she replied, giving him hopeful eyes.
Sasuke and Itachi shrank back in disgust.
"W-W-What?!" Naruto's eyeballs looked like they were about to pop out of their sockets.
"I was joking," Sakura scowled.
Taking a seat with his team, Naruto looked at Itachi. "Eh, Itachi-sensei. Who was that guy that tried to fight us? You know, the one that got killed by the hunter-nin? Zabuza?"
Itachi nodded. "Zabuza Momochi, sometimes dubbed the Demon of the Hidden Mist. He hails from the Hidden Mist Village, Kirigakure." The Jonin's eyes hardened. "When Zabuza was in the ninja academy, the Fourth Mizukage began passing the rule of a new style of graduation."
"Graduation? From the academy?"
Nodding, Itachi continued. "This 'new style' of graduation - was to pit all the graduates against each other in death matches as a final exam."
Sasuke couldn't hold a gasp back in.
"Students that worked with each other... ate with each other... made friends with each other... were all forced to kill. Zabuza... he slayed over one hundred of his classmates."
"What?!"
"After that, the practice was discontinued and he became known as the Demon of the Hidden Mist." Itachi sighed. "He's currently, or shall we say, he was a missing-nin, a ninja that defected from his village after committing a serious crime. Until his death, of course."
"Ah yeah, the hunter-nin killed him, right?" Sasuke asked.
"Yes, he did."
Somehow... I have a bad feeling about that hunter-nin.
"Hey... big brother."
Team 7 had just finished their dinner, with Naruto getting into yet an argument again with Tazuna's bratty grandson.
"Yes, Sasuke?"
"I was thinking... Gato should be calling more of his men to attack us. Shouldn't you teach us something new that we can use against these enemy ninja, just to back you up or something?"
Itachi looked back and smiled. "Are you sure this isn't just a new excuse to learn some new jutsu, Sasuke?"
"O-O-Of course not!" Sasuke's lips broke into an embarrassed and innocent smile.
"Well, right, since you asked. I'll be teaching you, Naruto and Sakura something new."
As if on cue, Sasuke's teammates arrived. The four went out into the back of the house, where there was a field. Itachi whipped out three plainly-decorated cards and handed one to each of his Genin students.
Seeing the confused faces, Itachi spoke. "I'm sure the academy didn't teach you this before. We are now going to find out the elemental nature of your chakra. Having a natural elemental nature allows you to use ninjutsu from that element more effectively."
When he saw Naruto's 'I'm-so-confused' face, he sighed and decided to give a demonstration.
"Okay. Most of the Uchiha clan have a natural affinity with the Fire element," he revealed. "However, some have Fire as their second element, and their main elemental nature would be something else. For example, my main element is Water, so I can do Water ninjutsu with ease apart from Fire ninjutsu."
"You can have two elements?" Sasuke asked.
"Yes, you can. Most Jonin have two elements," Itachi nodded. "The main elemental natures a ninja commonly has are those of Fire, Wind, Water, Earth and Lightning."
"So how do we find out?" Naruto asked eagerly.
"You pour a little bit of your chakra into that card. If it's Fire, the card will burn. If it's Water, it'll be soaked. Wind chakra splits the card into half, Lightning makes it crumple, and lastly, Earth chakra causes the card to turn into dust."
Sakura concentrated and she was surprised as her card disappeared into dust.
"Does this mean my main element is... Earth?"
"That's right, Sakura."
Sasuke held his card up, and it crumpled. "Lightning!"
Naruto held his up as well, and it split into half. "Wind!"
"Wind?" Itachi raised an eyebrow. "Never mind. It's bothersome no one in the team has an affinity for Water, but I do know a few basic Earth jutsu," he nodded towards Sakura. "Unfortunately, I'll have to teach Sasuke and Naruto something else because I'm not good at Lightning or Wind."
Seeing Naruto's brows becoming a frown, the Jonin sensei couldn't hold back an amused chuckle.
"We don't have much time. Gato could send a ninja any time." Itachi's eyes narrowed. "So let's begin now. The first step for everyone will be to do tree climbing."
Sasuke and Naruto both pounced onto individual trees, and proceeded to climb up the giant plant.
"No, no, not that type of tree climbing!"
Confused, both teammates jumped off and landed on the ground.
"Channel chakra into your feet, and climb up the trees using only your feet," he instructed.
"That's impossible!" Naruto retorted. Itachi shook his head.
"Tree climbing is a good training exercise for those who wish to master chakra control. If you want to learn a new jutsu, you'll have to at least have a good grip on chakra control."
"Let's do it!" Sakura said enthusiastically, getting to her own tree.
The three Genin channeled chakra into their feet and raced up the trunk.
Naruto shrieked as he fell off after his first three steps, while Sasuke only managed to get to half the tree.
To everyone's surprise, Sakura managed to get to the top, but fell before she could make her final step.
"You did very well, Sakura." Even Itachi was surprised. Her chakra control is wonderful, but I can tell she would be below-average when it comes to defending herself in a battle. I think she'll make a fantastic medical-nin.
Itachi yawned. He glanced over at the clock in the room. 2 o'clock in the morning. Cursing his body clock, the Uchiha man turned to his side, and was astonished to see both Sasuke and Naruto missing from their beds.
Getting up, he opened the window to see Naruto and Sasuke still practicing their tree-climbing.
"Yes! I won!"
Naruto was at the top of his tree, shooting Sasuke a victorious look from above.
Sasuke glared, and started yet another ascend up the tree.
Well, I guess it's good that they're practicing, Itachi smiled, closing the window and returning to his own bed.
"There!" Sasuke finally found himself able to stand at the top of his tree. "I've got it."
"Not bad."
"Tsk. Dick."
"Dick?" Naruto raised an eyebrow. "What's that mean?"
"Read a dictionary," the Uchiha youngster started laughing, as he descended onto the ground with Naruto.
"Whatever," snorted Naruto. "Argh, I'm so tired! I'll see you in the morning."
"No, I'm sleeping too," Sasuke yawned, and the two Genin headed back into Tazuna's house.
After a good breakfast, Sasuke had been sent to protect Tazuna at the bridge, while Itachi stayed back with the two other Genin to train them for an inevitable battle.
Sasuke felt the small communicator he had in his ear. With it, he could warn his brother of any impending danger or threats to Tazuna at the bridge.
"So, are we going to the bridge?" He asked. Tazuna nodded solemnly.
"Are you sure one brat is enough to guard me?"
"I'm not a brat," retorted Sasuke. "And no, I'm not enough to protect you, but I can warn my team if someone dangerous arrives."
"We'll all be chopped meat by then."
"Nah, ninja travel faster than you think."
Tazuna didn't look too convinced, but he dropped the issue.
Back at the house, Itachi watched on as both Naruto and Sakura got to the top of the tree on their first try of the day.
"Wow..." The normally stoic man had an expression of surprise. "You guys mastered this fast."
"Of course! Who do you think I am? The great Naruto Uzumaki!" Naruto yelled, jumping down from his tree. Sakura landed along with him, scoffing at his comment.
Itachi produced the weapon he had used in the battle with Zabuza, and handed it to Naruto.
The katana was studied closely by the Genin. It felt heavy in his hands.
"Naruto." Itachi's serious voice made Naruto's head snap up. "While we're here in the Land of Waves, waiting for any enemy to strike, I want you to be at least average in kenjutsu."
"Kenjutsu?"
"Kenjutsu is the classification for techniques that require a sword to carry out," Sakura immediately answered, reciting what she had learnt.
"That's right, Sakura," Itachi nodded, turning towards Naruto. "I want you to be able to at least use a weapon in battle, and if possible, at least one kenjutsu technique." Turning his head up to gaze at the sky, he continued. "We don't normally teach Genin about kenjutsu, but since we're on an A-Rank mission now, I'll make an exception."
Obviously, Naruto was excited. He started to fiddle around with the katana, stabbing the air awkwardly.
"You're going to learn an A-Rank technique. It's called the Leaf Style: Crescent Moon Dance." The Uchiha Jonin smiled. "I think it's perfect for you, since you have the Shadow Clone Jutsu."
"What's the Crescent Moon Dance?"
Itachi took the katana from Naruto, and requested the blonde for a Shadow Clone. Naruto complied.
Two Itachi clones appeared on either side of the original, and the three Itachi Uchihas were on the Naruto clone in an instant, stabbing him in the stomach and both hips, causing the clone to instantly disperse.
"Wow..." Sakura gasped. "You're going to do that, Naruto?"
"Yes," Itachi answered for the Jinchuriki. "I'm not asking for a mastery, since you're a Genin and all, but..."
"What are you talking about? I'm definitely going to master it! Believe it!"
Sakura and Itachi sighed, as Naruto started practicing with his clones.
"Sakura. I'm going to teach you a basic Earth Style jutsu. Do you think you're up for it?"
The pinkette looked up in surprise. She was going to learn a jutsu? "Of course I'm up for it, Itachi-sensei."
"Then let's get going," Itachi smiled. "I'm not very good at Earth Style since my affinity is Water and Fire, but I can at least do some basic ones. For example, the one you're learning... Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu!"
Itachi sank into the ground, causing Sakura to jump back in surprise. The next moment, a hand rose from beneath and pulled her underground. Itachi reemerged back onto land.
"What?" Sakura frowned. She couldn't move. Only her head stuck out of the hole that she'd been pulled into.
"The Headhunter Jutsu was, well, originally a method for easily beheading a target." When Sakura's face paled, Itachi quickly continued. "However, these days it's a simple D-Rank technique that is used to paralyze the enemy. While the enemy can break out of the ground himself, he'll take at least ten minutes to do so, leaving you with ten minutes to formulate a strategy or battle plan."
"So, it's not an attacking move?"
"It is. When the target is trapped beneath, you can just stab a kunai into his head. But of course, in friendly spars, no, it isn't an attacking move."
Sakura had a look of disgust on her face as she tried to imagine herself stabbing kunai into heads. Shaking her head, she shot her teacher a weak smile.
"There are no hand seals for this technique. Instead, you just channel as much chakra as you can to your feet."
Nodding at the Jonin, Sakura did as told. To her surprise, the ground around her turned as soft as sand, and she sank into the underground. She almost screamed, but resisted.
"Now that you're under there, just reach your hand up, and pull the target, me, under, while you dive up."
"H-H-How do I do that?"
Calmly, Itachi knelt down to the ground, knowing Sakura was below. He projected his voice as loud as he could. "When you channeled chakra to your feet, your feet in turn channeled the chakra to the ground, making it as soft as sand, something that ninja with the Earth affinity can do easily."
"Okay..."
"Next, reach your hand out through the same position that you sank under." He hoped his words were clear enough. Apparently, it was, as he soon saw Sakura's small hand poking out.
"I think I've got it," he heard her say. Smiling, the Uchiha man nodded, although he knew she couldn't see him.
"Good job, Sakura. Just grab onto my leg and pull me into the ground as hard as you can."
"How do I see where your leg is?"
Sighing, Itachi called, "the nearest solid object that you touch will be my leg."
He soon felt a hand grasping his left foot. There was a hard yank, and Itachi's body was soon concealed, with only his head poking out. Sakura jumped out back into the air, coughing.
"Very well done, Sakura," Itachi said in surprise, wriggling. "You got it right on your first try."
"I-I did?"
A smile and a nod was her reply. "Could you get me out, now?"
Sakura's face fell. "The thing is, I don't know how."
Chuckling, Itachi continued wriggling. "No matter. I'm out." With a burst of strength, he forced his body out of the trap and leaped into the air, before landing on the ground in style.
"I thought you said the target would only break out after ten minutes tops," the kunoichi raised an eyebrow.
"Actually, I meant most ninja break out of the Headhunter Jutsu in ten minutes. Some really skilled ones can break out in a matter of seconds, however," Itachi turned away, hoping his student hadn't noticed the self-praise.
"Did you just self-praise yourself?"
"Of course I didn't!" An innocent smile tugged on Itachi's lips. "You still look a bit awkward with the Headhunter Jutsu though, so I suggest you keep practicing till you get the hang of it." When he received no rejection to his idea, Itachi made a hand seal. "Shadow Clone Jutsu."
An Itachi clone appeared beside him. "Have fun," he waved to his clone and Sakura, proceeding to check on Naruto.
Okay, I got this. I got this, Sakura told herself repeatedly, trying to sound confident.
"Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu!"
"How's the practice coming along?"
Naruto turned to see Itachi walking towards him. He grinned broadly.
"Great!"
The orange-wearing Genin turned back to his tree.
"Leaf Style: Crescent Moon Dance!"
Two Shadow Clones appeared beside Naruto, and the three closed in on the tree, then leaving three cuts on the trunk. Itachi nodded, and decided to afford his blonde student some applause.
"I mastered it, huh, Itachi-sensei?"
"Not quite," Itachi shook his head, making Naruto frown. "To execute the Crescent Moon Dance perfectly, you must be fast. You're anything but fast, Naruto."
Naruto sighed.
"Don't worry though. Other than speed, you're pretty much settled. The execution of the technique was rather accurate. Maybe we can work on your speed sometime again. For now, how about a friendly spar using only kenjutsu?"
"You've got it!" Naruto smirked. "I'm going to pound you so hard, Itachi-sensei!"
"Don't get too confident, Naruto," Itachi winked in reply, drawing another katana, showing he had two. "Let's see what you can do." He charged forward, something rather uncharacteristic of him.
"Woah!"
Naruto picked up his katana, as Itachi brought his up. Both katanas clashed with a loud clank.
Raising his foot, Naruto kicked his sensei in the chest to force him away, before bringing his katana forward and hoping he looked like a pro. "Leaf Style: Crescent Moon Dance!"
The self-claimed future Hokage leaped at Itachi with his clones, but the three identical boys only managed to slice into a tree. As his two clones dispersed, Naruto turned back.
Itachi-sensei is right! He was able to dodge my attack so easily!
"Leaf Style: Crescent Moon Dance." Itachi formed two clones and the three rushed towards Naruto.
He's using the Crescent Moon Dance! Naruto thought, scrambling to get away, but unlike his student, Itachi didn't miss. In the blink of an eye, Naruto was pinned down with all three clones waving their katanas dangerously at his neck.
"Whew," the 12-year-old breathed a sigh of relief. He had expected to get three cuts or stabs. But then the blonde scolded himself.
Of course Itachi-sensei wouldn't hurt me! A big toothy grin crept out onto Naruto's lips. Itachi stared at him, but decided not to ask.
"Who's pounding me?" He teased, and Naruto's grin disappeared into a pout.
I feel that Kakashi should have taught Naruto more cool jutsu, so I'm making it like that in here, except the one who does it is Itachi, obviously. Sakura is also extremely "useless" as haters would call her in Part I, and I really like her character so I just want to make her a little stronger in here. I can already feel all the reviews chiding me on how Naruto and Sakura progressed too fast.
Anyway, until next time! :)