Puppet Legend
Chapter 3 - Koharu and Homura
"So you had no idea that he was a fake then?" The Hokage said grimly, his hands interlaced resting on the desk in front of him.
"No! Although he did seem to be slightly more friendly than usual."
"Ok Naruto, you can go."
"Thanks old man, whose going to be on our team now? Can we go and look for Sasuke, I'm sure he had a good reason for leaving."
"We'll see Naruto, now get out of here, I need to have a meeting." The Hokage sighed, and massaged his temples. Once Naruto had left the room, he spoke again. "What did you think?"
Kakashi suddenly appeared out of his disguise in one corner of the room, along with the two elders, the Hokage's old teammates.
"Well it could all be a coincidence, maybe Sasuke used Naruto's prank as a distraction to get away, or if he did defect or get captured by Orochimaru, or another missing nin as you fear, then maybe they were the one to make the clone. We don't actually know when he even left, although I think he was acting funny when I met my team, three days ago."
"That would be the day..." The Hokage blushed slightly.
"...that Naruto did the prank." Kakashi completed, his smirk luckily hidden by the face mask.
"Just out of curiosity, how were you able to resist Naruto's Jutsu, especially with your... you know... hobbies?"
"I didn't notice anything; I was too busy reading my new book."
"You still haven't returned that you know." The Hokage said, before blushing again under the intense gaze of his old teammates.
"Anyway, I think we don't have enough evidence to either convict Naruto, or declare him innocent. I'll make sure a team of ANBU keep an eye on him for a while, but other than that, you're to continue as normal Kakashi."
"Who is going to be our new team member then?" The copy nin asked.
"A person called Sai. He's been closely linked with 'root' activity before, so make sure to keep a close eye on him. Follow him home sometimes. I want to know what he's reporting, and to who. This is the chance we need to get the evidence on Danzo. Konoha won't be safe till we've removed that old warmongering idiot from this village, and hopefully from this world."
Kakashi seemed a bit shocked at the Hokage's anger when it came to that particular subject, but didn't show it. "Hai Hokage-sama." He murmured, and was just about to leave when Koharu reached out a hand and tapped him on the shoulder.
"We're not finished yet, Hatake-san. We've been talking with the council, and have come to a different conclusion."
"Koharu! What are you doing? My word is law, and you'd do well to remember that." The third shouted getting up from the chair he'd been sat in.
"Not when the advisors, the Shinobi and civilian council all go against you. Plus we have backing from the Fire Country Daimyo, so Sarutobi my friend you're going to have to sit this one out."
"This is about the Kyuubi isn't it?" He shouted furiously. "Why can't you see Naruto is a different person, he's only a container. Must the world be full of ignorant people like you?"
"This is nothing personal Sarutobi, but the villagers demand protection. It is our duty as Shinobi, and as Councillors to keep Konoha safe, and if we have to go behind your back to achieve that, then so be it." She motioned for Homura to continue.
"Uzumaki Naruto will not be continuing as a ninja." He said gruffly, and held up a hand to stall the protests that Kakashi and the third were about to make. "That is, he will not become a good Shinobi. From now on, he will complete simple D-ranked missions on his own without a team, and will never surpass the rank of Genin. Sakura will join two other Shinobi, who have recently been moved into the top class in the Academy due to their ability, and will be finishing at the end of this year.
"But without the Uchiha, what's the point in me taking the team." Kakashi muttered, saying the first thing that came to his head.
"Are you not renowned for knowing over a thousand techniques? You're one of Konoha's best Jonin Also the two new members will be quite special. I hear that the current Hyuuga heir is not living up to expectations, so it is likely that soon she will become a branch house member, leaving her sister Hanabi to take the position. She is on course for becoming the rookie of her class. The other is Konohamaru, the thirds grandson, and no doubt one day the future Hokage. Both have been privately tutored, so are up to graduating level."
He turned round, and looked Kakashi in the eye. "I hear that Sakura is an intelligent girl, and has the chakra control required to become a medi-nin. I suggest you start to get her some training in this, as you will be going on lots of advanced missions, and a medic in the team would probably be useful. I want this team ready to show off to the world by the Chuunin exam after next, we need to show the other Shinobi nations our strength.
"But..." Kakashi tried to protest, but was quickly cut short by Koharu. "This group will become more famous then the legendary Sannin. You are being put in charge of their training because we trust you." She tried to smile sweetly at Kakashi, but it turned into more of a leer. "Besides, we aren't asking you, this is an order. If you don't do as you're told, and train these Genin to the best of your ability, then..." She trailed off. "We don't let traitors go free anymore, do we Sarutobi."
He Hokage hung his head in shame. They had never let him forget him letting Orochimaru go free. He felt helpless. How could his old teammates go over his head to the council, and even the Daimyo. Unfortunately he knew the answer. Naruto had never been treated fairly. He'd been beaten so many times, the old Hokage couldn't remember, no-one had ever treated him as a friend aside from the kindly Ramen stand owners, who couldn't be there for him all the time as they had to work, and then finally a few months ago, Iruka had managed to see past the 'Kyuubi brat' identity he village had made for him to the lonely child on the inside. And now, they were shattering his dreams, keeping him as a Genin, and having him do chores for the rest of him career. He could only think of one thing at that moment in time: Naruto was not going to like it, and he was not going to be the person to tell him. Sarutobi tried to stop thinking about it, and looked up to see Homura patting Kakashi on the back.
"...you won't regret this Kakashi. It'll be a privilege to teach a team with so much potential. Remember training Sakura isn't important. It's normal for Kunoichi to be weaker members of a team, so not much attention will be focused on her. If you can get here to a level where she can heal the other two, and doesn't need protecting, then do so, as long as it doesn't affect the other two's training. We're under a lot of pressure from the Hyuuga's, and the rest of the village, so make sure you make no mistakes."
Kakashi merely nodded glumly.
Sarutobi glared at the two of them. "You'd sacrifice another's Shinobi career, just to further someone else's, and then destroy another's out of fear?"
"We only do what has to be done Hokage-sama, surely you can see that." Koharu frowned at the anger in his voice.
"Alright, it appears that you have won this round my 'friends'. Now I want to make some things clear. While Naruto will remain a Genin with no teammate, it still remains my responsibility to give out missions, and I can give him whichever rank I choose. Similarly with the new Team Kakashi, I will only give out higher ranking missions when I think they are ready, and not before. Konohamaru, and Hanabi are still young compared to the other Genin, and I will not give them a mission that may risk their lives. And finally, I will call for Naruto now, and you can tell him the good news. I'll be down the road having a drink, if you need me, then don't bother coming." With that the third walked out the room, putting a Henge on himself, and going to the nearest bar to drown himself in sake.
---
Naruto, unaware of what had just happened to his Shinobi career, had just collapsed to the ground in exhaustion. He had been fighting against about ten shadow clones. Only two remained standing, for some reason patiently waiting a few meters away. The blond shuddered as his muscles screamed for him to give up, but he ignored them, gritted his teeth, and slowly climbed to his feet.
One clone attacked, drawing a Kunai, and swiping at Naruto. Not fast enough to dodge; it nicked his face, drawing blood. Naruto wiped it away, annoyed at himself. This was the first time they'd drawn blood during the fight, and he was getting careless. Jumping back a little way, he drew two shuriken, throwing them at both the clones. The both jumped out of the path of the weapons in opposite directions, and the real Naruto chased after the one on the left, throwing two more Shurikans at it. Both missed narrowly, and he had to adjust his path slightly to avoid getting smashed into the ground by the clone's foot which had been aimed at the back of his neck. The two traded punches and blocks, until the other clone returned, the two of them forcing Naruto to retreat again.
If there was one thing this fight had taught him, aside from the fact that getting kicked between the legs twice in a row hurt, it was that his Taijutsu really sucked. He'd learnt some of the Uchiha moves, but they didn't suit him. He was clumsy when completing a combination of punches and kicks, and no matter how hard he tried he couldn't get the basic stance quite right. Sighing, he supposed he'd ask Kakashi-sensei to help him next time he saw him. Despite never helping before, Naruto hoped that with Sasuke gone, however much he regretted his new friend leaving, it would force Kakashi to focus on training him and Sakura more.
Naruto evaded the clones for a few more minutes, until he felt a small amount of chakra return. It just being enough, he waited till both the clones engaged him at once. Blocking a kick, he moved to punch it in the head, but twisted his hand at the last minute, pushing the clone backwards. He rushed through a set of hand seals, and raised his fingers to his mouth, breathing out a string of tiny fireballs. One clone was hit head on, and disappeared immediately with a puff of smoke, but the other managed to twist his body around the fireballs. Naruto quickly closed in on him, and a knock on the head sorted him out. Naruto grinned, despite the exhaustion he was feeling, and collapsed to the ground.
Half an hour later, Naruto was woken suddenly by a sharp pain in his side. Opening his eyes, he saw a Chuunin he didn't recognise glaring down at him, and kicking him again for good measure.
"The Hokage advisors want to see you."
"Why?"
"I don't know, and don't really care, so shut up you demon brat, and get moving."
Naruto returned the look the older nin was giving him, and climbed to his feet, being as slow as possibly to annoy the Shinobi. He knew that the man had just broken the Hokage's law, and could probably go to jail if he told the Hokage, but the council would find a way to get him out of it, and he'd simply be accused of lying. He followed the man to the Hokage tower, receiving the customary glares and abuse from the villagers and less tolerant Shinobi he passed.
When they arrived at the office, the chair the Hokage usually sat in was vacant. Instead an old man and woman stood to one side of the room, looking out the window.
"Where's the old man?" Naruto asked cheerfully as he entered the room.
"A bit more respect wouldn't go astray." The woman turned round and looked at Naruto with a steel gaze. "Now let me get one thing clear. The Hokage is not here, and we have the backing of the council and the fire lord, so we can do whatever we want."
"Baka, no-one's more powerful then the Hokage." Naruto shouted.
"At the moment, I'm afraid we are." The old man entered the conversation. "Could you leave us?" He added addressing the Chuunin standing at the door. When he had left, the old man motioned for Naruto to take a seat in front of the desk, and the two sat down in seats on the other side.
"What am I here for?" Naruto asked impatiently. "I've got training to do."
Koharu smiled humourlessly. "We've got some bad news for you. Due to your potential involvement in Uchiha Sasuke's escape, your obvious lack of Shinobi conduct, and other reasons that we can't mention, you will be remaining a Genin for the rest of your career."
Naruto jumped to his feet sending the chair skidding across the room behind him. "That's bull shit! You're doing this because of the Kyuubi. I'm not it, it's just sealed inside me, can't anyone see that."
"How do you know about the demon, boy." He said sharply, ignoring Naruto's outburst.
"Mizuki-teme told me about it, but who cares, I'm still a human."
"Every seal will eventually break, then you'll be a demon, or a human wielding the demons powers." Homura said, ignoring Naruto's outburst.
"Don't you trust the Yondaime? He was the strongest Hokage Konoha had ever had, and you think he'd let the Kyuubi escape."
"That seal is very advanced. Who knows what could happen, especially with it being on you. We don't want to take the chance of you using the power on an advanced mission, or another Shinobi releasing the beast, so you will only do D-ranked missions, and will not be taught any further techniques as that could trigger the seal."
"But that's stupid. I don't want the dam foxes power. I've never even known about it till a few months ago, and nothing out of the ordinary has ever happened to me."
"Hello."
Naruto glanced round. "Whose there."
"I'm sorry for the misery I've caused." The voice continued, in a low melodic voice.
"Who is it, where are you." Naruto was looking round the room frantically trying to find where the voice came from.
"What are you talking about kid? There's no-one here but us. You'll be doing two D-ranked missions a day, on half pay, as you should be able to complete them easily. You can leave now."
"I look forward to meeting you Namikaze Naruto"
Naruto sat completely still. What had that voice called him?
"We said leave!" Koharu shouted at him.
Naruto eyes slowly focused on the two people in front of him. "Uh yeah, well see ya later then." He said quietly, his confusion fortunately keeping his temper in check.
Naruto walked to his apartment in silence. Where had that voice come from? Why couldn't the old farts hear it? And finally, he was thinking back to Sasuke's words:
'In the end it will get to you... If I were you I'd leave'
Funny voices or not, Sasuke was right. He'd had enough of being treated like a demon. Maybe it would be better for everyone if he just left. Then he remembered Sasuke's warning about the Att-ak-ski r whatever they were called. At least in Konoha the Hokage would protect him. Would he? He hadn't been there this afternoon, hadn't done anything about him being a Genin for the rest of his life. Naruto sighed, and tried to stop thinking about it, it just made his head hurt.
He arrived at the apartment, quickly prepared and ate some instant Ramen, then lay down on the thin mattress he'd managed to salvage from the village dump, and shut his eyes.
He shivered slightly; it had suddenly gotten very cold. His felt something on his back, a few seconds later identifying it as water. He jumped to his feet; all sense tiredness seemed to have completely left. Looking around, he found himself in what appeared to be a giant sewer; a few inches of water that he'd been lying in covered the floor, the walls glowing with a strange orange light.
"Welcome to my home."
AN: Thanks for the reviews people have been sending in. They help give me motivation to write this, and give me ideas. I know roughly what's going to happen next, but haven't got anything solid written down, so seeing people's thoughts really help.