Chapter 5
It was a mid morning as two figures walked through the mist. Both wore brown cloaks and reed hats. The shortest of the pair yawned.
"So... Tired..." Naruto yawned as they walked.
"You should have slept more. I told you we would be getting an early start if we want to reach the water temple by night fall."
"I know..." Naruto muttered. "I just wanted to work over the forms of chi-ken."
"You should be listening more to me teaching you chi right now. Chakra element based fighting can wait."
"I've heard what you told me..." Naruto yawned. "I know the fact I have to learn now to control the chi on the spot. And not let instinct summon it... Which... By the way. You won't say as to how I know its instinct to summon chi to that kamehameha."
"As I've told you... I will explain the truth one day. Just let everything flow as normal and when the time comes. Everything will fall into place. And you will understand everything that day. So don't ask what you won't get."
"You can't expect me now to wonder... Something so important, that's connected to me and you won't tell me. It's like you know when everything will happen."
"Maybe..." Naruto stopped and glanced to Goku. Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"Can you see the future?"
"...." Naruto watched Goku walk by. Naruto sighed.
"I'll find out one day..." Naruto muttered.
"Good boy."
Naruto sighed as he walked.
Over the past few days of travelling. Goku had been explaining to Naruto about chi.
Goku told Naruto that the fight was to push Naruto and show Goku what he wanted to see. He didn't explain what it was... But Naruto guessed it was some kind of instinct.
The fight had been much a blur. All he knew was that he summoned the kamehameha like a first time pro. His speed had tripled and his actions when he attacked were that of someone with years of experience.
Least that's what Naruto assumed. He could be way off. But Goku wouldn't say.
But what Goku did say was what he was trying to explain to Naruto that night.
Goku had shown Naruto the kamehameha and wanted to see if he could do as much as Goku could when he first did the kamehameha. With Naruto performing that attack. Goku could now begin to teach Naruto the better points of chi.
The first night away from the temple. Goku began to teach Naruto how to draw on his chi.
Much to Naruto's annoyance. He didn't draw on it straight away. But... With the three day's he's had since then. He's finally been able to draw on it.
Now was the part where he had to draw on it in an instant. Only then could Naruto move onto step two.
The day passed with no sign of the mist leaving... It seemed it was mostly misty in the land of water, due to the right temperature in the air that causes the water to release mist.
As night fell, Naruto began to realise that they hadn't even gone up hill... More like down a bit, but nothing steep like earth temple.
"Oji-san..."
"I know what you're going to ask. And no... Water temple isn't surrounded by a mountain. Water's closer to the earth."
"But... Wouldn't it be easier to get to...? After all, Tenchi-oji-san said, that temple's can only be reached by those most determined. So how does one get to the water temple?"
"You'll see." Naruto sighed as they walked.
It didn't take long before Naruto and Goku stood before a large body of water. Naruto glanced about.
"Oji-san... Where's..." Naruto blinked as Goku began to walk into the heavy mist. Goku vanished and a large splash echoed out. Naruto rushed forward.
"Oji-san!" Naruto yelled as he ran into the water.
He got no more than 5 steps before he lost all ground and went under. Naruto gasped in surprise and water was drawn in on instinct to breathing.
That last think Naruto remembered before blacking out... Was a dragging feel.
XXXXX
Down a light blue, grey hallway. We come to a door and find inside... In similar style to an earth temple room. Naruto lying in a blanket. Goku resting off to the side in his own.
The sound of the gong brought Naruto to his senses... He blinked as his vision came back and as he remembered what happened, he shot up and looked about in worry.
Upon seeing Goku he rushed over. "Oji-san!" Naruto yelled as he pushed at Goku.
"Naruto... Calm down..." Goku muttered. "You're in the water temple." Naruto blinked.
"W-we are?" Naruto asked looking about. Goku nods.
"We are... Maybe I should have mentioned before we entered... Otherwise I wouldn't have been so embarrassed when I was told off by the temple monk's for nearly drowning you..." Goku said rubbing the back of his head. He then stood.
"Get dressed Naruto... We have to go meet the temple guardian."
Naruto nod's and dressed in the earth monk clothing. It wasn't much different but now he wore a black vest on with a circle patch with the earth symbol stitched in.
Goku dressed in his normal garb and both left the room. As both made their way outside. Naruto gasped in awe.
It was a cave... The water temple was in a cave...
"We're in a cave...?" Naruto asked as he looked to Goku.
"Yeah... Water temple is under ground. It's under that lake above us. See... that's where we entered." Naruto looked to the right to see a jet of water coming out the rock wall.
"The water under here is drawn out by special seal's made by the temple. It's dragged up back into the lake and the water is drawn back down. Any water that comes down in rain... Flow's off into the river connected for flooding." Naruto glanced back at the voice.
The person who stood there was a woman in her late 50's. She had short white hair and wore a white with light blue lacks. A blue sash round the waist like the earth temple. She wore long blue gloves with white fins on the sides.
"My name's Koori. I'm the temple elder and guardian... It's strange to have an earth temple student here... But you're not one are you?" Naruto shook his head. The woman walked up.
"I thought as much... I recognise the vest here." She said rubbing the cloth between finger and thumb. "So you've been learning the styles huh? You must have done something impressive to convince Tenchi-san." Naruto glanced down embarrassed.
"Oohh... You're so embarrassed. And so cute for a young man like young." Goku chuckled as Naruto blushed.
"My name is Son Goku and this is my grandson Gohan. We're travelling from temple to temple. But Gohan here seems to be trying to learn fighting styles."
"And you sir?" Koori asked Goku.
"To enhance one's knowledge of fighting. I'm merely studying styles."
"And why would you want to learn our style Gohan-kun? Seeing as you've learned chi-ken?"
"As I said to Tenchi-oji-san. As a taijutsu learner. One must learn more than one style. I'm no master of the earth temple but by having knowledge of one sort of style, I can switch as a fight goes on. This way I surprise and take advantage of a foe with a style more suited."
"You said that?"
"More or less... I've just tried to refine my explanation better." Naruto said grinning.
"How cute... But." Koori said as she rubbed Naruto's head. "It won't be easy to work with water. But we'll see. I can see a lot of potential in you. Goku-san. You don't mind Gohan coming with me?"
"As long as no harm comes to the child. And I can go about the temple as the other monk's would."
"Very well. And don't worry... We like all temples... Don't work on the same lines as the village or the land. We aren't like the people who want to kill off bloodline carriers or are like people of the mist village."
"I never said you were..." Goku said walking off. Naruto blinked.
"What did you mean?" Koori looked to Naruto.
"You'll learn soon Gohan... Please follow me." Naruto followed Koori into the temple.
"Is the earth temple the first you went to?" Koori spoke up.
"Hai..."
"And what land do you come from."
"Fire."
"I see..." Koori said rubbing her chin. "Young Gohan, did Tenchi-san explain in depth about learning the elemental styles."
"All he said is that it wasn't my style to master. He said I'm offensive,"
"Right... We earth is about power and defence."
The pair went quiet.
"What's your element?" Naruto blinked.
"Huh?"
"You're chakra element."
"Uh... I don't know."
"I see... Guess we'll have to look." The pair entered a temple room and the door closed behind them.
"Why?" Naruto asked as Koori sat on the large cushion. Naruto sat facing here.
"For one to learn the elemental style. You need the elemental chakra for it. Tenchi can use earth chakra. I use water chakra. Every temple elder and/ or guardian can use chakra elements to that temple. It's normally how they become that title for the temple... So he didn't question you?"
"He said a spar would determine. It's why he originally told me I can't learn the style."
"Well... He was known to see someone's potential through fighting. He's a cunning devil and a true master of chi-ken."
"So what will we be doing?"
"Well first... We need to see something." Koori reached into a small pot and pulled out a slip of paper. She handed it to Naruto.
"Channel your chakra into it." Naruto blinked and looked at the paper.
"Ok..." Naruto closed his eyes and let his chakra flow.
"I see..." Naruto opened his eyes to see the paper in two.
"It's cut in two..."
"Meaning you're not going to be able to master this temple's style."
"How come... What does this mean?" Naruto asked.
"You'll find out when you enter the temple. When they ask, tell them that happened. That's all you need to know."
"I see..." Koori stood. Naruto slowly stood.
"Stay seated Gohan." Naruto slowly sat back down.
"Gogyou-ken. Art of the water fist... Is an offensive and defensive based style."
"Question."
"Yes?" Koori growled at Naruto. She was not one for being stopped midway into something.
"How come water is only defensive and offensive? When you mentioned chi-ken was defensive and power. But when I battled Tenchi-oji-san..."
An image flicked through Naruto's mind.
"His attacks didn't seem like all out power attacks..."
"Good of you to notice... True... Not all style's follow their categories..."
"How come?"
"It's the true masters who can bend the element to their will that they are the most powerful... And the rarest. Tenchi is one of them. Any normal monk's of the earth temple that can use earth chakra. Can perform powerful and strong defensive abilities... Tenchi can use them all, offensive, defensive, attacking and power." Naruto was amazed at what he was hearing.
"He is the strongest of all the elemental temple monks... But he is the most peaceful and kindest man there is."
"Didn't seem that kind when he sent me flying into the water..." Naruto grumbled.
"Trust me... I've seen him when he's had to fight to put an end to someone..." Koori closed her eyes.
"It's something no person should see... Ever." Naruto gulped.
"Ok... What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Can you do the same as Tenchi-oji-san? Master all the styles?"
"Sadly... I'm not as gifted... But I make up for the skills I lack."
"Oh..."
"Now... As I was saying... Water temple is offensive and defensive fighting. We move like the water, we flow our attacks out like a rushing river. Striking the foe with attacks that are hard to dodge. And we can defend without taking damage. We absorb the blow."
"Absorb?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah... I guess it would be easier to explain through showing."
"That's how I work. I learn from experience. Not by explanation."
"Good to here... Then you will follow me out back then." Koori walked to the door and Naruto followed Koori to an outside pool. Koori stepped out and Naruto remained by the bank.
"What you doing out there... Come on."
"Err... Ok..." Naruto said walking into the water.
"Oh for the love of... You don't know how to walk on water do you?"
"Nope." Naruto stated.
"Well that won't do. Until you can walk on water we can't do anything."
"Er... Is it like running on ice?"
"No... But it's not as hard I say."
With that Naruto was taken through chakra control on how to walk on water. She also used the incentive, that if Naruto couldn't learn water walking fast enough. Then no learning the water fist.
The incentive was enough for Naruto to focus and do it by the end of the day.
Morning came and before Naruto could rush off, Goku began to drag Naruto with him.
"Oi Oji-san! You're messing my new clothing!" Naruto yelled.
Naruto wore blue slack with lower cloak round with the front open up. A light blue cloth covering the right side of his body at an angle. With most of his right arm covered in cloth.
That was the male clothing. The female was a full white vest like Koori with no sleeves.
"But I thought you should see this..." Naruto blinked as Goku let go.
"What?" Naruto asked turning to Goku.
"Follow." Naruto followed Goku out onto the temple grounds.
"So... What we out here for?"
"Watch..." Goku said looking at the water.
"What am I..." Naruto shut up as the water exploded.
A small figure in a full blue ninja clothing appeared. Three older water monk's around the smaller one.
"Watch this..." Goku muttered as the smaller figure brought its hands together and instantly water shot up and spiralled round the figure before blasting the monk's into the water.
The figure landed and bowed.
"Woah... Who's that?" Naruto asked.
"The temple prodigy..." Naruto glanced back to Koori.
"Who is he?" Naruto asked. Koori growled.
"He..." Naruto glanced to the masked monk. Naruto then blinked at the fact it wasn't a guy's voice.
"Is a she you runt." The blue cloth dropped showing a dark skinned girl.
(Ok... I decided that I would use a Katara based person for this... Look's alone I mean. I think this is a good idea...)
"Uuhhh err...." Naruto was dumb founded and embarrassed at his comment.
Koori sighed. "Forgive Gohan... He's young and stupid... Like all boys their age."
"Hey..." Naruto, Goku and many of the male monk's spoke together.
"Whatever... Who is he anyway?" The girl asked.
"And you are?" Naruto asked annoyed with the girl.
"Nami..."
"Gohan..."
Both glared at one another. Goku put his hand on Naruto's head.
"Don't start a fight... It's not how you should act in the temple."
"The old man's right." Nami spoke.
"Hey! Only I get to call Oji-san that. Treat him with respect!" Naruto yelled.
"Dream on pipsqueak!" The girl huffed and walked by. "What ever... I'm going to get changed."
Naruto growled as Koori had a slight smirk.
"She's energetic. Unlike many others." Goku said with a smile. Koori sighed.
"She's the only one who seems to like bending the rules... So..." Koori said walking up to the monks. "What she say this time to get you so angry huh?" The men looked away before speaking.
Sadly Naruto couldn't hear it. But Koori's reaction.
"Ten lap's round the temple. Now get to it... And if you don't learn to control yourselves..." The men quickly scampered into the water and began swimming.
"Isn't it kind of wrong that they get punished while Nami walk's free?" Goku asked as Koori walked up.
"Oh she won't... But I let her do what she does so that I can see how far these monks can be pushed."
"Why's that?" Naruto asked.
"I want someone to put her in her place. She's all arrogant because her skills are so advanced. Even more so than me... But she'll show me respect. Seeing as I'm in charge."
"I'll show her!" Naruto growled.
"Not so fast small fry. You can't even control water... How can you fight someone like her, huh?"
"I'll show you! Give me one week and I'll beat her."
"And if you don't. You have to spend two more weeks here. Doing what she asks and not training. But if you win? Well, we'll see how much you've learned... Now come on small fry... Training a waits."
Goku sighed as Naruto was dragged off.
'I'm beginning to wonder if everything will fit in... But I guess I already know what will happen. But you never know...' Goku mussed walking to join the monks in meditation. 'Future's can change.'
"Ok..." Koori said looking at Naruto.
"If you want to even come close to beating Nami... You'll need to learn as much as you can in the smallest amount of time."
"I learned all I could of earth fist. This will be no different." Koori grunted.
"We'll see... Now let's begin." Naruto grinned and ran out onto the water.
"But first..." Naruto fell into the water. "Are you a hands on learner...? Or a listener...?" Naruto stood.
"Heh... I learn from experience... I learned Tenchi-oji-sans style by fighting him... And I'll learn this too."
"Then you best remember... This is not a front out attack. It's counter style."
"Gotcha!"
And so... Naruto's training began. It wasn't as easy as he first thought of course...
The water fist was a style that forced the body to move more than he thought he could. So instead... Naruto made it up with his unpredictable movement. And Koori was impressed of his way round that problem.
Koori didn't tell anyone but the people who know. So Nami was left in the dark about this fight.
She wanted two things out of this. Nami to learn that she's not all that. And to see how good Goku's student was...
She also had a few questions... Which she knows may go un-answered.
The wee passed with Naruto not only learning, but following the same conduct like he did at the earth temple.
Now... It was Naruto's time to shine.
Naruto stood ready and waiting. He was going to do this. Goku and Koori were in conversation about something and Naruto watched as Nami walked out.
"What's going on?"
Koori smiled. "Young Gohan-kun... Wishes to fight you. I think this would be good."
"Tch... This squirt..."
"You're not that much older Nami... What was it again...?"
"Fine... Let's get started..." Nami then got into stance.
Naruto got into his style. Koori smiled.
"Go!"
Naruto rushed forward. 'Let's see how good you are...' Naruto drew his right fist back.
Koori smirked and moved her stance to Naruto's left.
She caught Naruto's right fist and gripped his arm. With a twist of her foot she flung Naruto out into the lake.
Naruto flipped and smirked.
'Now we'll see who's got the better style. Earth or water.' Nami rushed out and quickly jumped onto the water.
The water moulded round her feet as she slid along the water like it was ice. Naruto crouched as Nami flung the water out in a giant wave.
Naruto jumped back and flipped. 'Remember... Focus...' Naruto looked at a spike coming down from the cave roof and kicked out.
With a fine cut of chakra. Naruto cut the rock away. Naruto then spun with his left foot and gripped it with chakra and threw it at her.
Nami scowled. "Like that will work!" She palmed the water and it shot up like a wall. The spike hit it and spotted just in front of her face.
Naruto blinked.
The wall had turned to ice.
Goku glanced to Koori. "Hyoton?"
"Yep... She's the strongest here..."
"She your successor?"
"No... Sadly not..."
"I see... So the rules remain the same."
"Yeah..." Koori muttered as she watched the ice shatter.
"No one can use two elements and become a temple guardian... It's one element purest..,"
Nami gripped the spike and flung it at Naruto.
Naruto smirked and deflected the spike up and turned it to rubble. Naruto flipped and landed.
"That all?" Naruto asked. Nami scowled. That changed to a smirk.
"Not really..." She stomped the ground and Naruto was blasted by a jet of water.
Naruto bounced along and quickly righted. Naruto quickly spun sideways as the water jetted at his side. Naruto jumped back and continued to dodge.
'There has to be a way round? I need to get in close...' Naruto growled. 'I have one way but...'
Naruto thought back to a few days ago.
"Hey Oji-san." Naruto spoke to Goku as they rested in their room.
"Yeah?"
"Can you teach me something about chi? I'll need it if I'm to beat Nami..."
"No..." Goku muttered.
"Huh? Why?" Goku glanced to Naruto.
"It's dangerous... Chi is not something to throw around... You saw what I did to that rock slid."
"Yeah..."
"That was only 1 percent of my full power."
"No way!" Naruto gasped.
"Yeah... Naruto what I'm teaching you is a last resort... You won't use it in this match. Got it."
"I... I guess..."
"You can't take stuff for granted. You have to understand this. Just because I'm teaching you chi... Doesn't mean you can freely use it."
"I understand... I'll beat her with my own skills."
"Good boy." Goku said going to sleep. Naruto lay there looking at the roof.
'But how?'
Naruto closed his eyes.
'Just like those times... I need something to give me an edge... I need that instinct!'
Naruto's eyes snapped open... But it wasn't what he wanted.
This time... He got nothing...
Water blasted Naruto into the Cliffside and Naruto groaned as he hit the water.
Nami smirked.
"That all?" Naruto put his hand on the water.
"No..." Naruto clenched his eyes shut.
'Why...'
"Then let's give you more then..."
'Why?' Naruto asked as he was blown by a jet of water.
'Why?' Naruto asked himself again as he was hit again. He lay on the water as he could hear muffled yells.
'Why?' Naruto watched water build.
'Why...' Naruto's vision blurred as he was blown into the water.
'Am I really that weak?'
Nami smirked as she turned to the adults. Naruto's body flopped to the surface. The monk's ran forward to help Naruto as Nami walked up to Koori.
"His own fault..."
"You..." Koori growled. She was about to continue when Goku stopped her.
"Well you won... So you get your prize..." Koori blinked in shock.
"And that is?"
"Naruto has to do what you want for a week." Nami smirked.
"Sweet..." With that she walked off. Koori growled.
"What you..." She stopped as Goku made eye contact. She fell silent as Goku walked off.
'....'
XXXXXXX
Naruto groaned as he woke up from his bad hang over. That's probably what he could best describe it.
"What happened?"
"You lost..." Goku said sitting by the wall.
"I noticed... But..."
"This all you're good at?" Naruto looked at Goku.
"I trained you to use your skills."
"I..."
"No... You tried to draw on something you can't control."
"But I used it..."
"Before..." Goku sighed. Naruto hung his head.
"Your training is supposed to make up for that hidden potential till you are ready."
"I don't understand what you mean? What do you mean ready?"
"It's something that can't be told to you yet."
"Oji-san... When... When will you tell me? Are you just making this up as you go along huh? Do you not even know and are just trying to figure it out?"
"You trained the fourth... Would this be different if it was him huh?"
Goku frowned.
"...." Goku let out a low grunt. He stood and left.
"Oji-san? Oi where you going?" Goku glanced to Naruto.
"To think... You start working for Nami tomorrow... So rest." With that Goku left.
'Oji-san...'
XXXXXX
Goku sighed as he sat by the lake. 'I'm too old to be getting worked up by a gaki... But... It comes with the price made that day... And I promised I'd do it.'
"I've just got to remember what I'm doing this for... And why..."
"For someone so old... You seem, even now... So mysterious." Koori spoke as Goku glanced to her.
"Koori-chan..." The woman sat beside Goku.
Both remained quiet.
"It's been too long old man..." Goku chuckled.
"Still use that title for me huh?"
"It's been nearly 25 years... The old man was right about you..."
"I'm surprised he even told you..."
"All those of the temples... When the next takes their place. Learns the truth... About Son Goku. The guardian of earth." Goku sighed.
"It's not my world to protect... I gave that up nearly 500 years ago."
"Yeah... Yet you still stay around."
"No one's ready to take my place."
"What about Gohan? Or is he someone else? Come to think of it... He looks like one of your students... Minato right? The gaki with blond hair?"
"You remember him?"
"That hyper gaki? Course... Who was the other with him?"
"Kushina..."
"Ah yes... But I can't remember their last names... Damn my old age."
"Tenchi was the same. Guess I should explain myself.... You see..."
"Oji-san..." Goku and Koori looked to Naruto.
"I want to say sorry... I just..." Goku smiled.
"It's ok... Go rest." Naruto nods and ran off.
"How old is he?"
"Ten... nearly eleven now. And Nami?"
"13... 14 I think... Age really begins to vanish with the amount of time you stay here..."
"Bet it's hard for those who have to leave?" Koori nods.
"All those who reach 50 leave the temple... Only the one chosen as guardian can stay. It's only then that they become the elder of the temple... If the other hasn't passed on."
"What happens to those that leave?"
"Join normal monasteries... Or travel the world to seek answer's... But they will always follow the rules of the temple."
"Do they ever come back?"
"Some... But only to enlighten themselves and then move on.
"So... You were going to tell me something." Goku nods.
"It started 10 years ago..."
XXXXXXX
Naruto growled as he walked behind Nami. "Keep moving brat... You're my personal slave for the week."
"I hate you... I didn't think monks ever treated people like slaves... Where's your temple rules?" Naruto growled.
Nami smirked. "What rules? Like anyone can do anything..."
"Why did you even come to the temple huh? Doesn't seem your sort of thing."
"Like I'll tell... So shut up and be quiet!"
Naruto growled.
'I'll find away round this... You better believe it...'
XXXXXX
Wow... I'm happy to be back.
Now I bet this has opened some plot holes for a lot of you?
I will leave you to ask the question on what you think is my true story line. Because it's not what you think.
I will give small hints here and there... But I don't know if you'll get your answer.
I still can't think of a decent ending... I hope to find one by the end of the training arc. Which I think will be near ten chapters...
What is the truth behind Goku...? And is connected to everything?
And what about Naruto? Will he escape...? And continue his journey?
Only time will tell in the Naruto's path of chi...