Chapter 4
Smoke littered the rocky field as Naruto appeared out the smoke. He flipped and landed on a rock and quickly glanced about.
"Focus!" Naruto's eyes widen and Goku appeared behind him.
Another explosion appeared one after another as Naruto and Goku dashed along the rocky outcrop.
Naruto panted as he rested flat against the rocky walls. His body was bloody and covered in dirt and scars. His uniform was a mess and Goku was being heavy handed.
He never knew it would be this hard...
Only a week and ago... He never thought he would be in a situation like this...
"Here you will be staying." The elder of the temple spoke showing Goku and Naruto their room. The room was nothing but mats and a window. The elder was a bold headed man with a long white beard. He wore a white cloak over his temple garments.
"It's so bear..." Naruto muttered.
"We do all our tasks together. You will begin to get used to it. I will have your clothing ready soon."
"Clothing?" Naruto asked.
"Living under out temple roof. You must follow the example of the monks." Naruto nods.
"Ok..."
"The bell will ring for dinner and I will great you to the brothers." The room shut and Naruto sighed. Goku put his bag down by the wall and took a deep breath.
"Oji-san... What will I be doing for training?" Goku glanced over with a smile.
"For starters. You will follow the monk's example of life. Each of the temple's focuses on an element and they play their role too it. You'll understand that the earth temple will be different wind or fire."
"How will this help with me mastering... Err chi was it?" Naruto asked.
"Chi comes in all kinds of element's Naruto. But, unlike Chakra. You have no set amount of elements."
"Chakra... Elements?" Naruto muttered as he sat before Goku. The older male took a long breath.
"That's right; you're still too young for that. Actually, scratch that. You can only be a genin to begin to know something like this. Here... I'll try explain this to you." Goku took out a scroll and some ink.
"You already know about chakra... But I'll dip into the more technical bit. Each and every ninja has an elemental affinity. It could be one of the five. Earth, lightening, wind, fire and water. By the time your jonin you could have up to at least three main elements."
"Can I use all the element's though?" Naruto asked.
"Yes... But if you are not under the element your chakra is... It won't be as strong. Like say... Someone of a water chakra used a water dragon jutsu... Were someone who hasn't got that elemental chakra used the same attack. The one with suiton in their chakra would win."
"Oh..." Naruto muttered. Goku continued.
"But with these five element's. Each one work's against the other. Let's start with wind. That win's against lightening. But loses to fire. Where fire loses to water and water loses to earth."
"And lightening beat's earth?" Goku nods.
"You got it. It's best to know how to beat a foe by how they use a jutsu. So be careful. Otherwise if you used something like wind attack on someone and they attacked with fire. You would be no better than them rabbits we ate." Naruto shuddered at the thought.
"Now... with chi it's different. You have no set element with chi. So you can use anything you want. And the elements don't apply with chakra. And one last thing. There are two other affinities to chi. Light... And dark. These are all the main elements in chi."
"Question."
"Yes?" Goku asked.
"Can I use moves like say an ice attack?"
"Well... Not really. There is one way to do it with chakra. You need a bloodline."
"Huh? Bloodline?" Naruto asked. Goku sighed.
'This is going to be a long afternoon. And even I don't know everything. I wish I asked Minato more before doing something like this.'
The day went by and the pair was greeted to the rest of the temple before eating. Afterwards Goku and Naruto returned to their room and Goku spent the rest of the night trying to answer as many of Naruto's questions.
Sadly for Goku... They never came back to chi for the rest of the night.
Morning came on their first day and Naruto was sleeping peacefully only to be shaken out his bed by a loud gong.
"What the?!" Naruto yelled jumping up. He raced to the door to see monk's leaving. "What's going on?" Naruto asked monk's walked passed.
"Morning meditation. Best get ready and catch up." Naruto looked to the man pointing at the package by the door.
Naruto took the package into the room and shut the door. Goku yawned. "That our clothing?" Goku asked. Naruto nodded.
"We're supposed to get ready and go to morning meditation." Goku nods. He took the larger package and both got changed.
As both left the room Naruto looked at his feet as he gave a light hop.
Naruto wore light brown slack with a white sash. A long white flap rested on the front. The body of his clothing was covered in black jiggered patterns. He wore a white wristbands and sockless sandals. Goku walked out in the same clothing.
"We really have to wear this?"
"Earth temple is the main focus of one's body." The elder spoke behind the pair. One's body cannot improve if it is covered up. And it must face the elements like everyone should. Now please follow, we must join our brothers..." Naruto glanced up to Goku.
"But we're not staying her full time. Why do we have to wear stuff like this?" Naruto asked.
"Remember. We follow their rules. It would be an insult to them if you wore what you wanted after they let you in." Naruto hung his head.
"Sorry..." Naruto muttered. Goku patted Naruto's head.
"You'll learn. And just be careful not to catch a cold."
"Why?" Naruto didn't get his answer from Goku as they stepped out into the courtyard. A sudden chill rushed in and Naruto shivered. It was like he was in ice.
"It's so cold..."
"We are high in the mountain's... Course it's going to be cold. Now come on... We must be quiet and join the rest." Goku said walking over.
Naruto watched as Goku sat cross legged and sat with his eyes closed like all the others. Naruto sat down beside Goku. The body shivered as the wind howled. He glanced about and found no one shaking in the cold. He glanced to Goku and found the same. Naruto closed his eyes again. If they could do it, so would he.
Time went by quietly. Naruto let his mind wonder as he wondered why he even had to sit here. Why did they have to sit in quiet and close their eyes? It made no sense. Slowly Naruto began to lose focus with his thoughts and all became quiet in his mind.
He listened to all that was around him. The bird's that flew over head. The fish in the pond to the side of the temple. Naruto had not yet realised yet. That the reason for doing this task. Was to clear one's mind. To become one with the surroundings and sitting around the rocky outcrop, was to help one mould with earth.
Naruto had become so calm that he jumped when he heard this noise.
'Brrrrp' Naruto blinked as he realised what just happened. Slowly all head's turned to him as he became red with embarrassment.
No one sniggered. If it had been someone else. Naruto would have laughed his ass off. But right now he just wanted to vanish.
But... He guessed it was a good thing no one laughed. Maybe at one time or another they had let it rip by accident. Guess it just surprised them that it was so loud.
Naruto couldn't focus after that and when the bell rung everyone stood and began to leave.
"Don't worry... It's happened to us at one time or another." A monk said to Naruto as they walked by. Naruto blinked as some gave thumbs up. Like saying nice one. Naruto now didn't know how to feel.
"I must say..." Naruto jumped as the elder cropped up again. "It's been a long time since that's happened."
"S-sorry..." Naruto muttered. The old man chuckled.
"Don't worry. You're not the first... And won't be the last. It's happened to nearly everyone. But they've learned to control so not to distract people. But then again... When something like that happens... It brings people back to a sense of normality before becoming a monk again." Naruto blinked.
"What?" Naruto blinked as Goku put a hand on his shoulder.
"He's saying that thing's like this is good to always bring out a more human side. You saw people's reactions. They're doing something they rarely get to do. Seeing as it must be rare to some emotions outside of the calm quiet persona of the temple."
"Oh..." Naruto muttered as Goku walked off.
"But..." Goku spoke as he stopped.
"Don't think about doing it as a constant thing. A temple is supposed to about centring one's body. Trying to be funny will do no good for the temple. No matter how boring it is..." Naruto frowned.
'To live out here with no means of fun? Is that what temples are like?'
Naruto sat quietly through breakfast before the gong rung out. Slowly monks finished eating and cleaned the mess. Naruto quickly finished off his food and followed. Naruto glanced to Goku. The old man he knew would have shovelled food down. But he ate so little to normal amounts and eats it calmly.
It was like Goku was a different person. Slowly the monk's entered the outdoors and Naruto watched as slowly monks paired up and quickly began to spar.
"Woah..." Naruto spoke. He flinched as he felt as if someone stood behind him.
"The morning begins with light sparing. It is not technically meant for people to fight after just eating. But that is the factor to this."
"Huh?" Naruto asked as he regained his cool.
"People could be attacked at anytime young Gohan. One has to be able to control their stomach and fight back. It's about focus on the inner body. Just look at your grandfather..."
Naruto watched as Goku blocked a right downward swing with the left arm and gripping tight with his left arm and pressing the right hand under the man's stomach. Goku used the momentum to force the man over his head onto his back. Goku bowed as the man groaned.
"For a man his age. He's well trained..." The elder muttered.
"Err... Is there a style to this fighting? Or is it anything goes?" The old man glanced to Naruto.
"There is a style... Do you wish to learn it?" Naruto nods.
"The style you will learn is chi-ken. The earth's fist. It's not an easy art to learn... But then again, none of the temples arts are."
"Trust me sir... I'll master this art before I leave." The old man chuckled.
"We'll see if you have that energy to say that after you get half way." He turned and walked off. "Follow."
Naruto made one last glance to Goku before following.
They made their way down a stone path till they stopped by the lake. Around Naruto were rocky outcrops.
"Why we down here?" Naruto asked.
"Chi-ken... For one to master the basics must work in that element's environment." The old man glanced to the rock pillars.
"Take that rock pillar." Naruto looked over to it.
"While ones who can use chakra could crumble it. A user of the element of doton. Could turn it to dust."
"You can use earth style?" The old man glanced to Naruto.
"It is that reason I was given the title of temple guardian. I protect the temple with my mastery of chi-ken."
Naruto glanced about. "So what am I going to do?"
"I would like you to spar. I want to see what you can do." The old man spoke. Naruto grinned.
Last night Naruto got to finally feel what it was like to be rid of his weight. And he felt so light that he spent most of the time trying to control his body movement. Now he was going to show the old man what he was made of.
"I'll try not to hurt you oji-san." Naruto said. The old man chuckled.
"It should be the other way round."
Naruto pushed forward and dashed with awed speed the old man had to move fast to deflect Naruto's right fist.
'His speed is impressive...' He ducked Naruto's jump and right kick. 'But he's still just a boy...' The old man slid back along the ground as Naruto landed. Naruto rushed forward as the old man slid his right leg across the front. Naruto stumbled as he ground left his feet. Naruto looked up and he didn't even get time to react as a large chunk of rock slammed into his chest. Naruto bounced along the groaned.
'Ouch...' Naruto moaned in his head.
"Stand up lad. Is that all you've got? I haven't even begun to fight!" Naruto put his right hand down and flipped himself to his feet. Naruto patted his chest.
'Ok... This guy is really good. I'll have to be careful.' Naruto rushed forward again. The old man dodged the right fist. But before Naruto could turn and attack. Earth cracked under Naruto and he stumbled. A knee came to his face and he was kicked to the water. Naruto growled and twisted. He skidded onto his hands and feet only to see a large rock again.
The monk's stopped as a large plum of water shot up.
"What's going on?" One of the monk's spoke.
"Seems that boy is fighting Tenchi-dono." Another monk spoke. Slowly, one by one each made their way to the cliff edge and looked down to see what was happening.
"You're fast..." The old man spoke as Naruto panted. The ground beside him was blown away by the rock.
'Is he trying to kill me?' Naruto asked himself. Naruto growled as he stood. 'No... he's just toying with me, not taking me serious. I'll show him!' Naruto smirked. 'Let's try something different.' Naruto rushed forward.
'Same moves again boy...' The old man dodged to the left and Naruto slid beside him. Naruto smirked as he hopped and flipped out the way of the crack and spun. He twisted as he was still moving and as he landed pushed forward. The old man dodged again as Naruto slid with his right fist and quickly rolled to dodge the ground.
'I've just got to keep moving. Staying still will only throw it in his favour.' Naruto turned and rolled as a rock shard shot passed him. Naruto quickly dodged the next.
"You're good... But let's see how you handle this..." Tenchi scrapped the ground and multiple shards of rock jumped into the air. Naruto could only blink as the old man's right hand blurred hitting each one of the rocks. Naruto brought up his arms as he was rained on by the shards. His vision was blocked by his arms and he was struck in the chest by a large rock. Naruto was blown back into the water.
"The kid did well... But Tenchi-dono is a master of the chi-ken. Ever we are nowhere near good enough."
Naruto gasped as he surfaced. Slowly he made his way to the bank with a glum look. Tenchi stood before Naruto.
"Young lad... You are rather unique. But... After fighting you, I can tell that the art of chi-ken is not your style."
"Huh?" Naruto blinked.
"Chi-ken. Is a power based art. You're not the sort yet to learn this style. You're body is more to offensive. Which is covered in the arts of fire, wind and water. Earth is power and defence."
Naruto sighed. "But... Can I at least learn it? After all... Don't all taijutsu based users learn different style's if one is not effective against a foe? And by moving from that style to another, it throws the enemy off by not expecting the change?"
The old man smiled. "Very well... But, as I've said. It won't be easy. And all of you." Tenchi spoke looking at the monks. "Back to your training. Or suffer the punishment."
The monk's quickly rushed off. Tenchi looked to Naruto. "I'll let your grandfather know you'll be spending the next week with me. Is that ok Gohan-kun?" Naruto nods.
And so it began...
For Goku... It just made things more difficult. But he could wait. Learning one on one with masters of a temple were hard things to achieve. But for Naruto. Goku wouldn't be surprised if he learned all the elemental fighting arts.
So Goku's lesson's on chi was put aside. And Naruto trained under master Tenchi. But apart from learning what he could. He still had to follow the monk's rules.
Naruto and Goku worked together on the tasks with the other monks.
From cleaning room's, to cooking food. Which amazed Naruto that one could do so much with just rice based meals. (I don't know what you could do... But I'm sure there's plenty right?)
Other tasks such as washing clothes and sweeping the out door's also followed under the tasks.
Naruto also began to take his meditation more seriously. Tenchi had fixed him with that. Naruto also took part in the jog's on the Wednesday and swim on the Friday.
Tenchi could only watched amaze as Naruto grasped each one of the basic forms of the chi-ken. True he was no master of each form. But he was like a sponge.
He couldn't understand by being explained. He grasped his knowledge by watching and seeing how it's done. This was how Naruto worked.
As he watched Naruto destroy the rock pillar. The old man nodded with a smile.
Time to put him to the test.
As the sun rose the monk's stood side by side. Goku was chatting to the elder as they walked out. Naruto stood in the middle of the two rows. The two men stopped and looked to Naruto.
"Gohan... I can only say that you are one of the most unique students to ever come to the temple. Not as good as me back in my day... But still gather unique." Naruto smiled.
"You have shown me you can grasp the art of chi-ken to the level many here have attained. And in such a short time. Though it's not perfect. It is time for your final test." The old man took a breath.
"You will spar one on one with one of the monk's of this temple. And by lasting as long as you can, if not winning. I will then decide if I can label you as the true monk of this temple. Please turn round and walk to the end Naruto. Once you have, turn around and face your foe." Naruto nod's and turned.
Every step he took was nerve racking. He just hoped he could do this. Naruto stopped at the end and took a breath. 'Here goes...' Naruto turned and froze.
"Ready...?" Goku asked as he stood at the other end.
"B-but..." Naruto muttered as he pointed to Goku. The elder spoke.
"Goku here requested the only person fit to fight you. Was your own grandfather. And if you ask any of the monk's here who have spared with him. They would agree he is the best choice. Now stand straight Gohan. And prove your worth! Begin the trial!"
A loud gong rung and Naruto gulped. Goku smiled.
"Show me your resolve Naruto. Fight me with all you've learned... For I won't hold back." Goku shifted his left leg forward. His left arm followed resting above it. Goku's right arm bent up behind him. Naruto nods.
'Here goes...' Naruto took a breath. 'I maybe still may not have fully mastered the arts as sensei said. But I will prove my worth.' Naruto's right leg rested forward in a sort of crouch as Naruto brought his right arm forward with his palm out flat. His left back and his hand clawed.
Goku vanished and Naruto's eyes widen. He didn't have time to react as Goku's right hand connected with his chest and Naruto was flung back out and over into the rocky out crop. Naruto growled and twisted his body in the air and flipped and landed. Goku stood and faced the elder.
Tenchi nodded and Goku jumped into the air.
"You're training begins here!" Naruto looked up as Goku flew into the sun light.
'What?' Naruto's body jumped back at the sense of danger. Goku's fist impacted the ground throwing up dust.
Naruto shot back and tapped onto a rocky platform. He glanced and flipped back and landed on a tilted rock face.
'Where he go?' Naruto glanced about quickly.
"Focus..." Naruto froze as Goku spoke from behind him. His left arm back ready for a swift chop.
Naruto glanced back and shifted his right foot round. The rock cracked and jumped up in front of Naruto as Goku swung.
Another explosion whipped up and was quickly followed as Naruto ran.
'Damn...' Naruto covered his face as he lost his footing. Naruto flipped forward as Goku swung with his right leg. Just skimming pasted the strong kick. Naruto's hand slid along the ground and rock shard's hoped up. Naruto didn't get time to fight back as Goku was in front of him.
The earth was blown up again and Naruto slid onto all four's. His body covered in scratches. 'He's leaving me no opening. I've got to fight back!' Naruto stomped his foot into the ground and a shard of earth jumped up. Naruto spun and kicked out. The rock flew and Naruto heard a thud.
The smoke cleared and Naruto watched as Goku appeared. He held the rock shard in his hand.
"That it?" Goku vanished.
"That all you got!" Naruto's felt like it hit a wall as Goku's knee connected. The cliff wall exploded as Naruto pounded into the wall.
"This what person who wants to become hokage can do? This all my training been good for?" Naruto panted as he rested against the cracked wall. Goku scowled.
"This what you made of? If so... How will you ever be able to protect anyone!"
Naruto clenched his fist. "Don't you... dare!" Naruto growled.
"Don't you dare look down on my dream!" Naruto yelled.
"Then where is the student I've trained? Is this all I've got for a student when he's truly put to the task." Naruto took deep breaths.
'Come on Naruto...' "The person who gain's the title of kage has to protect the village! If you can't even stand after a kick like that and come back... You're not worth the title. You're not worth anything."
"Don't... You dare..." Naruto growled as his body glowed. "Mock me!" Naruto yelled as his chakra burst round him. Goku kept up a scowl.
"Then prove it." Naruto glared and rushed forward with a burst of speed. Goku caught Naruto's right fist and pulled him into his right left knee.
Naruto's hand shot up and caught it pulled his leg's up and kicked Goku in the face.
Goku released Naruto to dodge the double kick and as Naruto flipped Goku spun with his right leg to kick Naruto.
Naruto turned and tucked his body in to block the kick with all his body. He exploded through three rocks. Goku lowered his leg and gave a small smirk.
'That's it Naruto. Let it become instinctual. Let them dormant memories flow. Let them take control and use your skills.' Naruto slowly stood in the rubble. The three rock pillars resting behind him. Naruto had cracked them three times over in under a second to soften his impact.
His body was shaking as he found it painful to move. But he wouldn't give up. He will show what he's made of. He was going to become hokage and he will do everything to do it. No one will speak ill of his dream!
Goku watched Naruto's eyes flicker to light blue and fade as Naruto crossed the ground in under a second. Goku smiled and vanished. Naruto flipped and landed on the rock face and flipped up into the air. He glanced about. He saw Goku standing down in the rocky area and Naruto growled.
"Take this!" Naruto roared as he cupped his hands back. "The Kamehameha!" Naruto yelled firing the attack in a bright blue aura.
"You're still not good enough yet Naruto..." Goku said as he batted the attack away. Naruto appeared in the bright light and punched out. Goku caught Naruto's right arm with his left.
"Well done..." Naruto's mouth gape and Naruto flung Naruto into the rock face. It webbed out and Naruto panted heavily.
"You ok..." Naruto slowly opened his eyes. Goku smiled at the exhausted look. "You're strong Naruto... All ways remember that." Naruto grinned. And chuckled lightly before it died down and he passed out. Goku pulled Naruto free.
"You're on your way Naruto. Soon you'll be ready to tap into your true power. It's only a matter of time."
Up above the elder monk smiled. "All of you who saw this fight. Will never speak of this to anyone. Let it remain with us till we part from this world."
"Hai, Tenchi-dono!" The monk's spoke in agreement.
The day's passed as Naruto recovered. It took a full week for him to recover and now he and Goku stood before the temple monks. The elder stood in front of them.
"Thank you for visiting. I will not forget what has passed. And I hope one day to see you both again."
"Me too Oji-san! And when I return. I'll be as strong as you. So I can fully fight you with giving your all." The old man smiled.
"Let us see. I still have years ahead of me." Naruto watched as the old man gave Naruto a package.
"Wear this when you visit a temple. The elder's over the temple will understand it." Naruto nods.
"Thank you."
"We best be going Naruto. Our next stop is the water temple." Naruto nods as he turned with Goku. Both begin to leave and Naruto turned back and waved. The monks waved as the pair disappeared from sight.
"I do hope he returns. I would like to see his improvement's before this old man passes on. Now... Everyone back to your task. Meditation."
"Hai!"
XXXXXXXX
And there we have earth temple. Not back I say.
What is Goku talking about? Heh, like I'll tell you yet.
I'm sure some of you would say it had a slight avatar feel to it... But I think it's a good idea outside of the ninja arts. And after all... It's a monk's secret trade. Not even Naruto learned everything.
Tell me what you think and I'll see you later.
Ps: As of right now. I've lost my word stuff because of spyware. So I won't be doing any work anytime soon. Which is taking the piss. I have tonnes of ideas... And I can't do a bloody thing.