Chapter 13
"My... destruction...?" The knight chuckled as he stood. "Very funny... So you changed your looks... But you're still no match for me..."
Naruto chuckled. "Kukuku... Seems you don't know what you're up against... How foolish. Let me show you the difference another thousand years will never help you achieve!!!" Naruto then rushed forward, his right arm back. "Hargh!" The shield connected with the kick and the knight was along the ground. Naruto landed with ease as the glanced to the knight. He smirked. "Want to say I'm no match for you again?"
"...Ugh... Damn you.. What the hell are you..." The knight growled.
"You're worst nightmare..."
"Bull shit...!!!" The Knight roared rushing Naruto.
'What happened to the blond?' Enkou could only blink. "He was done for a second again."
"He's a jinchurriki..." Goku muttered behind Enkou. "And whatever happens. Don't tell him. He will find out soon enough..."
"Why aren't you doing anything... That thing will turn on us next."
"He won't... Trust me..." Goku stated as he watch the fight.
"Argh!" Naruto vanished from the knight's sight and delivered a powerful kick to the right side of the helmet. The knight flipt in the air and as he touched the ground, vanished.
Naruto didn't even more his head as he looked to the direction his foe was coming. Naruto ducked with strong right swing and twisted. Naruto drove a strong left kick to the same side of the helmet he struck and it shattered as he knight flew across the ground.
"Y...you're a demon..."The knight growled as his shaking right hand rested on the broken part of his helm. A black beast like face glared back as Naruto smirked.
"What's it to you? Like you really care."
"Perish!" The knight brought his shield up and fired a powerful beam of lightning.
"Naruto!" Enkou roared.
Naruto smirked as he put his hand up. The lightning hit a wall and burst out to the sides. As it faded the wind could be seen rushing in front of the blond like a shield. Naruto smirked. "That what you call lightning...? This..." Naruto pointed his middle and index at the knight. A red orb sparked. "Is lightning..."
A power burst of lightning shot out, cracking the ground. The knight raised his shield to block. Only for it to shatter from impact.
"Impossible..!!! That shields demonic energy should have absorbed anything demon or human could dish out..."
"That primitive thing? You really are a knight... Time's change you fool... And it's time to put your days as a knight in retirement..." Naruto crouched and rushed the knight. "This is the end..." Naruto ducked under the sword and drove a powerful right punch to his gut. Causing it to crack. Naruto slid to the side and jumped up, delivering a left knee to the neck. Then with a twist kicked the front of the helm. The knight stumbled. His helmet shatters showing a boar like face under it. He growled...
Naruto smirked as he flipped back along the ground. "This is the end for you...!!" Naruto roared as he skidded back on his feet. His arms shot out wide as two orbs of lightning red chi orbs appeared. "Welcome..." He slammed them together, aiming them at the crouched knight.
'My body... It's paralyzed, his lightning got through the armour... Damn him...' "Damn you!!!"
"To oblivion!!!" A beam fired out and the knight could only watch it come.
The ground shook before a towering smoke cloud erupted. A barrier of wind swirled stopping Naruto's vision being blocked. As the smoke faded Naruto walked forward.
"C...curs-s-sssee..." The knight muttered as his body shook. His armour melted under the heat of the attack. Naruto gripped the knight by the neck.
"Answer me this..." Naruto said looking into the slowly dying demon.
"What...?"
"Who put you up to that job? I know full well no demon can't pass anywhere but here. Unless you were summoned."
The demon spat at Naruto. "You'll know nothing..."
"Pity... I was going to let you die with no more pain... Shame..." Naruto slowly rose from the ground and threw the demon into the air. "Humph..." Naruto shot hit index and middle forward and the demons body convulsed and exploded. Naruto landed and continued looking over the lava. "Ahh... That felt so good to do that... It's been so long." The sound of foot step caused the Naruto to glance back. He smirked.
Goku gave an annoyed look at the blond. "You've had your fun... Let go of him now."
"Tch... I was going to... Can't you give me a break?"
"You could turn any time... You're still not safe to be out of your cage too long..."
"Geez give me a break... But I understand... You know when I'll be free of this..."
"Sadly... I can't fully predict that time yet... Sorry..."
"No matter... I know you will some day. When you do... I'll be waiting." Naruto smiled. "He's trained well... Don't worry about him, I'll make sure he keeps up his work."
"But don't do anything yet. Give it a year still. Then you may talk to him."
"I best go... See you round..." The red aura faded as did the black hair and chakra. Naruto stumbled back and Goku caught him.
'Heh... I best just say I step forward and handled the demon.' Goku lifted the blond onto his shoulder. The swords on the ground flew to Goku and he carried them with him as he passed Enkou. "Well be heading home. Take Enkou, and don't let anything seen here be spread from this temple."
Enkou looked to Goku. "But what exactly happened? You seemed too..."
"That will be left with me alone. Sorry Enkou, but this is something I won't be telling anyone. Take care..." Goku said walking off. Enkou sighed.
'Damn you old man... Hm... And you Naruto better find out who was one that caused the death of my village. I just know it, you'll find out soon. And I want you to let me know when you do...'
XXXXX
"Ugh..." Naruto grumbled to himself as he found the ground moving below him. "Where am I...?"
"You're awake." Naruto glanced to Goku.
"Oji-san... Where are we?" Goku mused a minute.
"About between konoha and the temple now."
"Eh?!" Naruto quickly jumped down. "What happened? What happened to the temple?!"
"Relax... I dealt with the knight. Seems he was working for someone. So you better keep training. You may cross paths with someone that strong."
"You got it..." Naruto blinked as his swords were put in front of him.
"I don't want you to lose these blades just yet."
"Just yet...?" Naruto muttered as he put them away. "What do you mean?" Goku glanced back.
"The time will come when the blade can't meet the users improved skills. That's when you will have to upgrade."
"But you gave me these. Like hell I would get rid of them."
"It won't be a matter of choice. The blades will do what they can for you. But you will meet a time when you find your skills don't fit the blades design. It's the whole point of improving. A swordsman has to know that when the time comes."
"But about your katana?"
"The blade has reached my standard. I can't improve anymore."
"....?" Naruto looked confused. His blade has reached his standard?
"I'll explain when the time comes. But for now, let's get home. You have studies to return to. And we must train when we get everything back in order." Naruto sighed as he walked along.
"You said you would train me kaio-ken and give me that katana, the 1st star right? When I became a ninja?"
"Yep."
"I have to ask you something."
"Hmm...?" Goku glanced to Naruto. "How are you going to give me time to learn, I'm guessing I can't really take time to learn kaio-ken while I'm a ninja? I have missions."
Goku smiled. "Don't worry, you will get time. But we have to wait it out... Oh and Naruto. I might have to change the time of when I tell about that secret... The future's changing a bit."
"Really? What will happen?"
"Not saying."
"No fair..." Naruto muttered. "If it concerns me, I should know."
"I'm sure you'll figure it out." Naruto sighed.
'Geez, he really likes keeping me in the dark.'
The days from there passed quietly through the months. And one day while training...
Kaboom!
Naruto sweat dropped at the long trail of earth dug up. "Shit I over did it..." Naruto yelled as he ran down the path. "I hope I didn't hit anyone." Naruto reached a road and glanced about. "Good, I didn't..."
"Ouh... What hit me?" Naruto blinked as he saw two orange poles in the air.
Well, they were poles till they bent over and a green spandex wearing man stood. He had massive black eyebrows, black eyes, and a black bowl hair cut.
"I'm sorry about that." Naruto said grinning as he rubbed his head. "I guess I over did it a bit." The man shook his head.
"No worry's young lad. But er... What was that that just hit me?" The man that Naruto had guessed by the jacket a jonin asked.
"Oh, that was a training pole. I sort practice taijutsu out here. And I didn't know people travelled so close. If I did I would have gone out farther..." Naruto muttered.
The jonin looked surprised by the fact the boy was practicing taijutsu out here. He looked down the path. 'Hmm... If he did this...' A smile began to form as he rubbed his chin.
"What's your name lad?" Naruto looked up.
"Naruto Uzumaki!"
'Ah yes... The boy who contains the nine tails... Fascinating.' "My name is Maito Gai. A taijutsu specialist to Konoha."
"Really?! You're a specialist?" Naruto asked in excitement. He had wondered this, but never really thought to ask. Who would have thought he would meet one before he became a ninja?
"Tell me Naruto-kun..." Naruto blinked at Gai. A smile appeared. "You seem a skill taijutsu user."
"Hehe, I'm skilled in ninjutsu, taijutsu and kenjutsu. But my skills are vastly in my taijutsu. Ninjutsu right behind it with kenjutsu some distance to catch up with."
'I like this kid... He has them same energy I see in that boy Lee. Hmm...' "You interested in sparing?"
"Err... I don't know... I don't really want to hurt you."
"Hurt me huh? Then I'm even more interested. Tell you what, you show me what you've got and I'll do something for you."
"Err... Ok, if you insist." 'This guy's odd now. But then again, I guess I had it coming with the fact I said I'd hurt him...'
"Let's go..." Gai said walking down the path.
"Give me a minute..." Naruto said hopping into the bushes. He then pulled out the training long. "Need to put this back."
Later that day in the hokage tower.
"Man... Gai's late..." One of the jonin muttered as he glanced at the door. "He's normally early but he's even later than you today Kakashi..." Kakashi glanced up from his book.
"True, this is unlike him. Even his training doesn't stop him when we have to meet for this, where is he?"
"Gai will have to find out later... Now we'll go over this year's next genin teams. Let's see first team is..." The hokage and the jonin looked up at the door as Gai entered.
"Gai..." Kakashi blinked. "What happened to you? You look like you've been hit by a cart."
"That is true... Gai what kept you?" Gai smiled.
"I have something I wish to discuss with you after this meeting Hokage-sama. It's important." Hiruzen blinked.
"Err... Very well then... Now let us continue..."
Meanwhile...
"Geez Naruto... Where were you this morning? It's gone passed break..." Shikamaru muttered at the blond.
"Yeah... I met this jonin while I was training this morning... Man he kept going." Naruto sighed as he rested on the desk. "I think I'll just sleep this lesson. If I miss anything important let me know..."
"Tch... If you're sleeping... So am I." Shikamaru said as he leaned back. "Like I'll be your reminder..." He said sleeping.
Iruka sighed as he watched the pair. 'Geez...' He mused palming his face.
XXXXXX
"Naruto did this to you?" Hiruzen asked surprised. To think Gai looked like something that got hit by a runaway horse cart was stunning. But for the cause to be the young blond? He didn't know Naruto was that good. "Are you sure it was Naruto-kun?" Gai nods.
"He matched the description that I've been hearing round the village. This is the first time I really got to see him up close. He is extremely gifted in taijutsu. And his abilities in ninjutsu and kejutsu are just as good. Hokage-sama. I know this may cause you some trouble. But I wish to take Naruto in my team with Lee."
"Now Gai... Can't really change teams now. Not after I balanced them out."
"I understand, but Naruto is far too skilled to be stuck in the academy. You don't know what this boy is capable of... Hokage-sama, please here me out."
'Gai's never been this determined before... And just for even someone like Naruto-kun...' "Okay Gai-kun. What's your idea...?"
Gai smiled. "It's like this..."
Meanwhile it's just after lunch back at the academy.
"Ahh... That was nice, I feel full of energy again..." Naruto sighed happily on a full stomach. Shikamaru sighed as he sat down. Naruto glanced over with a smirk. "Shikamaru..."
"Yeah..."
"Up for a game before class begins?"
"The way we play Naruto, the class will finish long before we do." Naruto grinned.
"That's the point..." With that he unclipped the board. "I'm just wondering... How many times have I won against you since we started playing...?"
"Well... From what I recall... Once, when we first played."
"Ah yeah, I was looking for you and asked for your best resting places. And then offered the idea of a game of Shogi... Hehe, I only won that first game because we were going over the rules of the book and just won... Too bad after that you won from then on." Naruto muttered as he leaned back. "I wonder if I'll ever win again..."
"You winning again, is like you giving up ramen... Never going to happen..." Shikamaru said with a smirk.
"Hey, ramens a gift from the gods!!" Naruto and Chouji yelled together.
"Naruto!" Naruto looked to Iruka.
"Hai sensei?"
"Come with me. You won't be coming back, so say your goodbyes..." Naruto blinked.
"Heh, what did you do this time? Give the 1st and 2nd hokages moustaches too?"
"Noo.... But I like that idea..." Naruto mussed rubbing his chin. 'I wonder if it's because the old man still hasn't fully got that moustache off. I mean he looks really stupid right now with that small block there. Should get that part shaved away...' Naruto followed Iruka out of the room.
"Later Shikamaru, Chouji!" Naruto called waving.
"Geez... There goes my fun... Unless Chouji."
"Shikamaru, if Naruto can't win against you. Then I have no chance." Shikamaru sighed.
'Troublesome...'
Naruto glanced to Iruka. "So... What have I done then?" Iruka glanced to Naruto.
"What makes you think you've done anything wrong?" Naruto blinked.
"Well, why would you take me from class? You said I'm not going back?"
"That's true... But this is a good thing." Naruto blinked as they entered the heads office.
"Hello Naruto-kun." Naruto turned to see the hokage sitting at the desk.
"Huh? Oji-san. What you doing here?"
"I'm here Naruto to offer you a proposition."
"What sort?"
"How would you like to become a ninja?"
"Nani?! You really mean it?"
The hokage smiled with a nod. "But hear me out. You will become an official genin and work under a sensei with one other student. But you won't be going on anything but the d-rank missions because of this. When you are finished with missions or training for the day. You will meet Iruka-kun here after classes are over with. And continue your studies. And when it comes to get a third member for your team. You will be tested to properly grade your abilities."
"Hmm..." Naruto mussed crossing his arms. "Be a ninja by day... Study at night... Well, as long as I get to have fun. Sure, I guess we can do this." The hokage smiled.
"So you'll become a ninja?"
"Yeah! I'll become a genin. So what do I do now?"
"First you will have to fill a form in. Then tomorrow, you will meet your sensei, I will give you your location of meeting after you finish your form."
"Gotcha... Who is my sensei?"
"You'll meet him tomorrow."
"Right! So where's the form..." Iruka smiled as he watched Naruto.
'Well done Naruto... You've done well, we were so much alike once, but you've improved in the last year. Heh, you make me proud to be your sensei...'
"Hehe... Yatta! Hey what do you think Iruka-sensei?" Naruto asked as he grinned with his new headband.
"Suit's you... Make sure you keep it in good condition. Being a ninja will be harder now." Iruka said with a smile.
"Don't worry, they'll need to be really strong to knock this off my head..." Naruto blinked. Iruka blinked.
"What is it?" Naruto turned to the old man.
"Am I done?"
"Hmm... Just need a photo... But I just happen to have one ready to take for you. Stand in front of that wall. Now, smile..."
As soon as the picture was taken, Naruto was out the door and off into the forests around the village.
'Katana, katana, katana...' Naruto mentally chanted as he raced to Goku's place. As he jumped into the opening. "Oji-san! I'm a ninja!" Naruto yelled jumping in the open space. Naruto blinked.
There was no farm... Or cabin. They'd gone!
"What the?" Naruto blinked as he looked about. He saw a not being stuck onto a tree by a bladed weapon. "Hmmm...." Naruto pulled out the tanto and glanced at it. It had one start and the blade was completely white. He turned back to the note.
'Naruto... I already know you've passed. That's why I've gone off for the time being. I will be back someday when I know you're ready to learn kaio-ken. And keep that tanto on you. You'll soon see one day.' Naruto sighed.
"Damn it Oji-san!!! I wanted my katana..." Naruto muttered as his tears fell like a water fall. 'I wanted that blade so much... Now I have to wait...' "No fair...!!!" Naruto's voice echoed out through the forest.
XXXXXX
The sun rose the next morning and Naruto groaned as the sun hit him. 'Damn sun... I was having such a nice dream where I was wielding a katana... Now you've taken it from me...' He grumbled as he looked at the orange orb. 'If it wasn't for the fact I need you to live... I'd blow you up...'
Naruto sighed as he lay back on his bed. He glanced over to his headband, it reflexed the light back at him. Naruto grinned.
"I'm a ninja!" Naruto yelled as he jumped off his bed,
A morning's set of tasks later and Naruto was eating his breakfast. 'I wonder what I'll be doing as a ninja...?' Naruto mused with a gulp.
"Being d-rank the mission's will be easy. Heh, I'm looking forward to showing what my skills are made!" He said as he raised his fork. He blinked. "Wait... Where do I have to go again?" Naruto muttered to himself.
"Oh well, I'll remember soon enough." He said as he continued to eat his breakfast. 'I wonder who my team mate and sensei is?'
He was broke from his musing with a knock at the door. Naruto gulped. "It's open! Come in!" Naruto called.
Like he would have to worry, the second he sense any intent aimed at him. He knock them out the window with a swift kick.
"Hello...?" A voice called out.
"I'm in the kitchen..." Naruto called out as he finished off his food. "Who's there?" Naruto called back.
"You're Naruto Uzumaki right?" The voice called as it got closer.
"Yep! Naruto Uzumaki's the name. The future hokage... And you are?"
Naruto saw a lad about a year maybe above him enter the door way. He wore white formal martial arts clothing with had a long black pony tail. What was even more surprising was that he had back eye and big black eye brows. Which remained him right off as a sort of mini Gai.
'Creepy... Least he doesn't look completely like him...'
The lad eyed Naruto over. 'So he's the best taijutsu user in his year. Naruto Uzumaki...'
"My name is Rock Lee. I'm your team mate."
"Nice to meet you Lee... Ugh, why you here anyway?"
Lee blinked. "Oh yes, Hokage-sama met me after you. He gave me your address and also told me to say, that you should have waited to know where you are to go next time. Seems you were in a hurry for something."
"Yeah I was... Well anyway, where do we go?"
"It's in the middle of town. I know where it is... You ready?"
"Just need to put something on my feet. Then we'll go."
"Right. I'll be outside." With that Lee left.
'Rock Lee... I could hardly sense a presence from him. It's like he has no chakra... He much be skilled at hiding his chakra...' Naruto shrugged and quickly met Lee outside.
"Let get going Naruto-san." With that the pair took off across the roof tops.
"What do you specialise in Lee?" Naruto asked.
"Taijutsu and weapons will be my specialty."
"Really? I'm skilled in taijutsu."
"I know, you're rumoured as someone far beyond even the top genin in konoha. I'm interested to see how good you are." Naruto grinned.
"How about a spar after we meet our sensei..."
"That would be good." Lee said with a smile as they reached the area to meet their sensei.
"So... He's not here?" Naruto muttered as he glanced down to the street a floor or two below.
"We may as well wait then. I wonder if he's Gai-sensei?"
"You know Gai-sensei?"
"Hai, I met him while I was training at the academy... How you meet him?"
"I sorter... Beat the tar out of him." Lee blinked. He chuckled.
"That's funny Naruto... I'm being mean, but Gai-sensei is a jounin. You could be that skilled, you're only rumoured to be as strong as a chunin."
"Well those rumours are false Lee-kun..." Lee and Naruto turned to see Gai behind the young lad.
"Gai-sensei!" Naruto and Lee yelled as Naruto pointed at Gai.
"Gai-sensei, what you doing here?" Naruto asked in surprise. Gai smiled as he crossed his arms.
"I'm your sensei Naruto-kun... I told you I would do something for you..." Naruto blinked a couple of seconds.
"Wait, you're the reason I passed a year early?" Gai grinned giving Naruto the thumbs up.
"It was a task I wasn't about to let the hokage stop me from doing. You're skills are far more than ready to be a ninja... Now then..." Gai started as Lee sat down. "How about we get to know each other. Simple things like likes, hates, hobbies and your dreams."
"Me first Gai-sensei!" Lee called out, Naruto jumped at Lee's sudden increased energy.
"I want to prove I can be a splendid ninja as well, even if I can't do ninjutsu or genjutsu!" Naruto blinked in surprise.
"Wait... You can't do ninjutsu... But I can barely sense your chakra..." Lee blinked at Naruto.
'So... Young Naruto can sense chakra also... You're full of interesting skills Naruto...'
"So you can't use chakra at all...?" Naruto asked. Lee shook his head.
"I was born with under developed coils. So I can't mould chakra... But I'll prove I can become a great ninja in taijutsu."
"You know what, I'll help you, I'll help you become a great taijutsu user." Naruto said rising his fist.
"Really?"
"I'll make this promise; I'll teach you as much as I can." 'Though I am sorry Lee. But I'm not sure Goku-oji-san would be happy me teaching you chi...'
"Good to see you two getting along." Gai spoke up. "Now Naruto, what can you tell us about you?"
"Well, I'm just hoping to improve on what I know. Learning unique jutsu and hopefully master the art of dispelling genjutsu. Which is sort of my weakness. My hobbies are working in my kenjutsu. My dream is to become this village's protector as hokage."
"It's good to know your weakness... It will help to be able to cover for the team mate's disadvantage. Now, I shall go next. And explain what we'll be doing..."
XXXXXX
"Chours... That's d-rank missions..." Naruto muttered as he walked along.
"It would seem so... Who would have thought as a ninja we would be doing people's work..." Lee muttered as the pair walked down the street. Both bummed out with idea that d-rank missions would be simple work people could do.
"Well... I guess we have to face the fact till we have a teammate we have to do this..."
"I guess... So, you up for that spar?" Lee asked with a smile. Naruto nods.
"That might cheer us up... Know anywhere quiet, the last place I sparred in is a war zone..." Lee rubbed his chin.
"I know a place... Come with me..." Lee said as he led Naruto to a training ground. "This place is the one Gai-sensei said we could train at..."
"So this is area 12... Not a bad little area... So, you ready?" Naruto asked as he walked some distance. "Also, you can attack me with anything you want. Weapons as well. I'll just fight with my taijutsu."
"Then I too Naruto-san. Shall do the same..." With that Lee slipped into the academy trained style. Naruto nods.
"Very well..." Naruto said slipping into his trained style by Goku. Lee rushed forward.
"Ha!" Naruto leaned to the right of Lee's punch and pressed his palm to Lee's just and sent him flying. Lee slid to his feet and took a breath.
'No way... He didn't even hit me; just the pressure between us hit me. Amazing... He really is far better than he lets on...' Lee stood with a smile. 'Then I shall find away to get passed that speed and power.'
Naruto smirked. 'He's already gathered how I hit him... And he's coming back. I'm going to enjoy working with you Lee...' Lee rushed forward.
"I'll beat you Naruto!"
"I hope you can Lee!!" Naruto said as he blocked Lee's right elbow. Naruto dropped and swept his right leg out under Lee's feet, letting the boy fall.
'Damn...' Naruto smiled as he continued his spin and thrust another powerful palm at Lee's body and the teen flew back again. Naruto stood as Lee hopped to his feet.
"That's it Lee... I want to see what you've got!" Lee panted as he stood. The lad smiled.
'I'll do just that... To become a ninja of taijutsu alone. I will continue to train till I you will have to hit me, to put me down.'
With that, the pair continued to train till late at night. Meanwhile, Gai watched with a smile.
'These two will do very well. I can see these two doing well in a year's time for the chunin exam... Let your youth push you forward! And I hope to be proud of the ninja you become. That's my duty as your sensei...'