Chapter 6
Upcoming Exams and New Team?
Beta: Old man of the mountain/Darklord331
One month of training was exhausting.
Naruto hated to admit it but he was way weaker than he thought. Lady Kure sure kick the shit out of him for the month.
He was not allowed to remove the restraints, he had to fight with them all day and all night. Sleep was a rarity, getting no more than 10 minutes at a time, and then right back to it. On top of that, he had to counter and fight back against the hag who was going faster and harder than normal and sending Naruto flying back with ease. The beatdown was so intense that he really did feel like he was going to die at points.
But thankfully he finally got the idea of the practice; it was meant to push him to the very brink. To make his body learn, adapt, and become stronger through this method of breaking him down and rebuilding. It was painful, it was exhausting, and he was sure there are points his heart did stop. The training was worth it, he finally felt like he achieved a new level of fighting with his teacher's guidance. Thanks to this, he also learned how to harness his chakra faster and was able to cut down on the need for hand signs for certain moves and techniques. So much, that he only needed one hand sign for certain moves. Some restrictions still apply but he wasn't one for overly flashy techniques as sometimes they were more trouble than they are worth.
Why waste all that chakra into a move you're not 100% sure is going to kill someone in the hit? But if you can use moves that require less wind up and are faster than your opponent, then it doesn't matter if they have a power move in their back pocket. It all is the same, you'll land the finishing blow before they can even get close. Or more appropriately, before they can finish their hand signs.
While it was true they were taught in the academy the faster you can do the signs the better, but he felt that if he could concentrate on the move, visualize it, and cut down on the number of hand signs for the move, then it works the same. Might not have the same flash that all those hand signs might create, but it still works so why fix it?
Walking away from the house he was stretching his arms above his head. He was ready to get back to his boring life as a genin. Lady Kure sent a letter to the Hokage informing him that Naruto would be doing different kind of training with her for a month and she didn't want interruptions. He knew that his former father probably didn't take that very well and his team was probably not happy about it. But it wasn't like they went out of their way for him either so why should he make all the effort if there is nothing to be gained?
Entering the training grounds, he raised an eyebrow.
There was Obito standing there with a smile on his face and cheering on the girls.
Tara was sparring with Yakumo and both were sweating hard from the intense fight while a third person was also there observing.
He had long blond hair tied up in a ponytail, he had blue eyes, and seemed to have a lighter complexion than himself.
"Huh?"
Obito turned his head and frowned.
"Naruto glad you could finally join us." He sighed, "Although I guess you can see things have changed."
The girls stopped and glared while the guy just stood up and rub the back of his head. He looked to be about Naruto's age.
"So, am I going to get an explanation?"
Obito sighed,
"Yes." He turned to him, "After you disappeared for a month, I went to the Hokage about wanting to do missions but without a third person we couldn't. So he made the suggestion we pick up a new genin that has been solo for the last year. It turns out our team was moving smoothly with him and seemed to have a better dynamic." He gave a apologetic smile, "Which is why I pushed for him to take your spot on the team."
"What did you expect?" Tara walked up and glared, "You took off without telling anyone."
"Actually the Hokage knew where I went."
"Yeah but you didn't tell us."
"Would you have cared?"
Tara growled, before Yakumo put a hand on her shoulder,
"Regardless," she glared, "Since you are not part of this team anymore there is no point in your remaining and this is considered trespassing on OUR team training. So leave."
Naruto tilted his head.
"You know, you got quite cocky since graduation. I wonder why that is? Can you even beat anyone in our class in pure Taijutsu?"
Yakumo sighed,
"I said leave your already disgracing yourself by being such an asshole. You want to sully your name and the name of that master of yours further by acting like a child?"
Naruto twitched.
"You know, you should be careful with that mouth of yours Yakumo." He gave a wrly smile, "You never know who is listening." Naruto raised his arms above his head in a stretch, "But if I don't have to be here then that is fine too. That just means me and the hag can train even more together. Hopefully she can show me that one move she has been using want to see how it works."
Naruto turned on his heel and walked while waving back,
"See you all later. It was fun while it lasted, that is what I want to say but that would be a lie."
Yakumo growled.
"Asshole."
Tara sighed,
"Ignore him, he is gone and now he won't be able to participate in the exam. So we can get promoted and lord it over him soon."
"Yeah your right."
The other blond smiled,
"Yep so lets get back to this practice and hopefully we can progress!"
The team returned to their practice, not knowing someone was watching them with a narrowed eye.
"Ku!"
It disappeared into the trees before heading out to tell someone what it saw.
Naruto, walked through the village bored out of his mind. He went back to the house and found that the hag wasn't there, something about something in the Fire Capital or another. He didn't know what was happening but didn't care.
So he was left to his own devices and that was kinda boring.
His stomach grumbled and he frowned.
"Guess I could go and get something to eat."
Naruto walked through the market place in town and saw the multitude of stands that were in the village.
He vaguely saw the Ramen stand that his family use to frequent and thought about going there but the chances of running into his siblings or his mother was too high so he shook his head.
He looked at half a dozen place but either they wouldn't serve him or were 'booked' even when there were tables available.
Naruto figured this be the case but knew that eventually he would get some food.
"Here."
Turning around Naruto's eyes widened when he saw a man standing there with a bored expression.
"You look hungry and I saw the previous stall turn you away for some reason. So, I bought some while getting a discount for how rude they were being."
Naruto raised an eyebrow, who the fuck was this guy?
"Um thanks."
Naruto took the kabob of meat and looked over at the stall he was talking about and he was surprised the owner giving him a strained smile. Like, not one you give when your angry, but one when you are terrified about something.
He didn't know what this guy did but he wasn't about to turn away free food and plus, that guy was an asshole so fuck him.
Naruto took a bite of the meat and his eyes lit up.
"Nice."
"I know right?" He sighed, "I wish more people could learn to enjoy the smaller things in life."
"Right?" Naruto could only look up while chewing on his next piece of meat. "Everyone is so dramatic these days that it is kinda irritating. I mean; fighting for peace, fight for supremacy, fighting for love, fighting for something? Or doing something for something or someone." He sighed, "Honestly hearing all the shit that we are supposed to do or how we are supposed to think, it gets old."
The stranger nodded.
"Yes, enjoy the little things. Because if you do the bigger things will fall into place eventually."
"Exactly." Naruto smiled, "Names Naruto."
The man smiled,
"You can call me Ji."
"Huh interesting name? Family name?"
"Yes it is."
"Cool. But never heard of your family, just civilians or something."
He shook his head,
"No we have a long dynasty but we are not the type to parade it. We see that as more of a stupid person's game." He sighed, "Although, I was recently appointed as the successor to my father about two years ago."
"Really? So you're a clan head now."
"Yes. Unfortunately, it was not my choice someone made that choice for me." He sighed, "My brother wanted the position but the others told me he is too weak to actually run the clan."
"That sucks." Naruto leaned back, eating another piece of the meat, "So the person that picked you, did he tell you why?"
"He just said that I was meant to lead and that I was to learn from life and experiences."
"Hm, I guess that makes sense." Naruto took another bite while the man looked over at him.
"How so?"
"Well experience is one of life's greatest teachers. You will make mistakes and life will show you why it was a mistake. Thus allowing you to learn and evolve past that mistake to hopefully never make it again. But if it happens again, that means you were unsuccessful in your goal and must relearn the lesson or understand something you are missing. In the end, we grow from life's lessons and whether that makes us better people or not is irrelevant. It is all about being better than the person that made that mistake."
The man stared at the teen. His eyes, he could see something in them and he wasn't sure what.
'But looking at him, he's just like,' He saw a visage overlap and shook his head with a smile.
"That is wise words for someone so young. You know that is exactly what he told me too."
Naruto smiled,
"Great minds think alike."
"You have no idea." He finished his food and stretched his arms above his head, "So mind showing me around the village a bit, I have some time to sight see before I have to leave."
Naruto nodded,
"Sure I'm not doing anything and it might be fun for you to see the real side of Konoha the rest of the world doesn't see."
Naruto walked away with the food in his hand and the man followed with a small smile on his face,
'Edward was right he is an interesting one.' He could see it, this boy he might just be what they are looking for.
Fire Capital
The Fire Daiyamo had inherited a lot from his deceased brother. All of his debts, issues, and political problems for the most part. But the worst thing he was dealing with was his lack luster control of a certain village.
Konoha, it was a great village don't get him wrong and a important part of their military. But lately, it seemed to be that the Hokage was acting almost independently, with no restrictions whatsoever. He even almost soured the relationship with the Kure family due to his actions with Lady Eriah and her student Naruto. While he didn't understand completely what was going on but it had stirred up the Kure family to the point they were demanding blood for this insult.
So he swiftly dealt with the issue and gave Naruto all the political protection he could to prevent the Kure's from getting angrier. But he too was in the dark about what exactly the nature of the relationship Naruto had with Eriah but he was not one to poke his nose where it doesn't belong. While he might rule the land he knew that sometimes you don't mess with the people that stand with you especially since the Kure family had been protecting his family since the Second Shinobi War.
Funny, no wars with the samurai or other nations, but Shinobi? Three wars and counting. He was sure a fourth is coming and he was just dreading it.
But going back to the point; keep the Kure family happy and he stays safe. Even if that means bending over backwards for a child he didn't know.
However that was not the issue he was facing at this time.
Standing before him was Minato, Eriah, and the current head of the Kure family, Erioh.
He was going over the message he got from the nation known as Wave about how angry they were with their treatment at the hands of Konoha and how they were refusing trade agreements.
Learning this he demanded the Hokage come to the capital immediately or he would remove him from power along with all of his allies and place the Kure's in charge.
The man was here in a flash with that one.
"So let me get this straight," He glared at Minato, "Your team, not just any team but the one that you personally have been hyping due to having your children and your wife on it, basically turned down the job from Wave? Instead of negotiating new terms, trying to showcase what they could do, or just calling for back up, they abandoned the old man? Leaving him to return to his country broke and without the very help he paid for!"
Minato flinched,
"Well we were hoping that he would offer a better trade agreement for the land in the whole if we held out for a bit. We didn't think something like this would happen."
Erioh sighed and pulled out his pipe before looking at the ruler. He nodded his head and he lit the pipe taking a small inhale.
"You truly are foolish child." He looked at Minato with a condescending look. "You could have at least protected the man and sent in the letter for reinforcements and new trade agreements. If you thought this through you would understand their land routes are tremendous boon to their economy thanks to them also owning the water ways. To not even consider this makes me question how you became the ruler over your village."
Minato glared and stood up,
"Want to find out?"
He raised an eyebrow and laughed,
"Children these days really think too much of themselves. You think just because you have this one move and some fancy nickname with a reputation the rest of the world fears, I will cower in fear?" He took a small inhale, "But I am curious, please show me what you can do."
The lord slammed his hand down,
"No, no fighting in my throne room! If you two wish to continue this do it outside! We are in the middle of this issue and I will have order!"
Lord Kure sighed,
"Very well." He took a small hit of his pipe, "I think the point stands; you failed in securing a powerful trade agreement that could have help the country grow. On top of that, you happen to leave their rescue to someone that didn't ask for anything and now has grown their own reputation while smearing our countries reputation. A nation that always prided in helping those in need with few demands and being open minded to all." He glared, "You smeared then name of our lord and the Kure family for your shameful behavior. Have you learned nothing since the departure of your child?"
Minato frowned,
"Naruto's behavior is not the talk of this meeting."
"No but it does raise questions why you should continue to run things."
The lord nodded,
"I agree, your behavior has been questionable at best. But that is not the source of this meeting as we have also learned not only have you disregarded the boys work but you also have replace him from his team meaning he can't participate in the Chunin Exams."
"He was gone for a month! The team needed to work they couldn't just wait for him!"
The lord shook his head,
"No, they could other teams have done this in the past. If they were worried about money they could work on small D-rank missions or ask for their clan's help."
"But-"
"I will not hear another word about this. Because of you another prospect can't participate in the exam due to your incompetence."
Minato gritted his teeth, all he needed was a second and this lord's head would roll but he knew that was suicide. His village wouldn't survive the night.
But it wasn't easy to hear people not understand how he was running things. More, everyone was happier in the village and thriving, what right did they have to question him? Plus he was the greatest hokage next to the first and second.
He will admit the issue with Naruto aside, he was now focused on his goal of accomplishing the vision of peace in the future.
Erioh sighed,
"Well I guess the boy could participate in the exam."
Everyone turned to him while he took a small hit of his pipe.
"Lord Kure, Naruto can't enter the exam without a team-"
"Then the Kure will send two of their own for him to compete."
Minato stood up,
"This has gone too far! You are doing this just to spite us!"
Erioh raised an eyebrow,
"Really, no more than what you did to Naruto and others that have come to you in the past. Your dismissal of his side of the story when attacked, attempting theft of our secret arts, trying to bully him into paying for the actions of a previously mentioned brat, and not to mention his abysmal treatment of him by his team and you. At this point, I think we are helping to even the playing the field so to say rather than hindering it."
"Enough." The lord sighed, he had a headache. "Who did you have in mind."
"My lord you can't-"
"Another word and I'll have you sealed."
This shut him up.
"Oh just our own black sheep and the heiress."
The lord sweated.
"Oh, how interesting."
Interesting but how would this turn out he was dreading the answer.
Land of Kusa
The blind girl that saved Wave was relaxing in a nearby bar. She had just finished up the payments she got for some missing ninja and even claiming this cool sword in the process. But she was called here for some reason even after being given her new assignment thanks to her master.
Simply put; she was made to travel to Sound, join their forces, and force her way into the Chunin Exams.
Why? She still didn't know but her master made it clear he wanted her to do this and she would. No matter how much he hated the man, he gave her free reign to do as she pleases.
Eventually she heard the chair next to her scrape the floor and someone sitting in it.
"So, ready to head to Konoha?"
"Yeah." She turned her head slightly and could see the chakra outline of their body. "So you guys going to tell me what the fuck I'm doing in Konoha other than putting some boot lickers in their place?"
"Yes." The person took a sip, "Your job is simple; we want you to test someone for us. His name is Naruto. He is trained by the Kure family and seems to have killed one of your fellow disciples on a mission about a month ago."
"That punk ass was a disciple but he was no friend of mine. That weakling was going to get killed sooner or later, just happen to be sooner." She took a swig, "So, what is so special about this kid that you had me and Jacob Wu tagging together on this mission?"
"No reason, just orders from the leader." The person sighed, "Although apparently Edwards has a vested interest in the kid, due to something he had seen. On top of that your master now has one as well since he seemed to learn two moves of the Niko style he created."
Now she was interested.
"Tell me more."
The person smiled,
"Simply put the kid is an enigma he is about your age, and he is a dangerous opponent. From what we can gather, sending grunts after him would be pointless. They would be killed quickly and nothing would be gained from it. So, you going after him makes more sense, after all the Blind Bandit is quite the infamous figure these days. Especially with Wave."
"Hey that asshole had it coming and plus, I was orders to kill that fucker Gato anyway."
"True." He sighed, "But either way test the kid out; if he dies fighting you then so be it. But we need to know what he can truly do when pushed against a wall."
The girl snorted,
"You'll know soon. After all; some of us had to do some horrible things when that happened and if he hasn't done that yet." She gained a blood thirsty smile, "Then he isn't ready for me."
"We shall see." The man stood from his chair while putting something by her hand. Touching it she could feel coins, before turning to the person.
"Your expenses, don't spend it all in one place."
"I won't."
"See you later, Blind Bandit."
"Stop calling me that." She could sense eyes on her.
"Right sorry, see you Toph."
The girl sighed.
Feeling people eyeing the bag next to her, she could only role her eyes.
"Okay, thanks for the money and the workout."
She smirked, "Lets get this party started."
Hour later
Toph is walking out of town with a small bag of coins in her sleeve while walking away from the bar she was in.
Everyone was mutilated to the point they were barely recognizeable and some were turned into mince-meat.
Others impaled on spikes of earth and some just crushed underneath earth slabs.
Another story to be told of the Blind Bandit, Toph Beifong.
Chapter End
