Here's chapter three!
I suppose I could write a disclaimer….but I won't…..
Way of the Blade
Chapter 3
A loud bang rang throughout the office as Tsunade slammed her fists down on her desk. "Absolutely not!" She all but yelled, standing sharply. Zenku kept his expression neutral. He had predicted a reaction like this. Naruto wasn't so silent.
"It's my choice Baa-chan!" He yelled right back at the kage. "I want to leave!"
"I won't allow it!" The blond kage said sharply. "Damn it, there are so many reasons why I can't allow that, I don't know where to start."
"None of those based on personal bias or preference, I assume." Zenku spoke, raising an eyebrow. Tsunade glared at the man.
"Stay out of this! This is your fault in the first place." Her mind was racing with all the things she wanted to do with that damn foreigner. Most of them violent. Zenku just sighed.
"Why not? Why can't I leave? I would have thought that most of this damn village would jump for joy to see me gone." Naruto spat, scowling. Tsunade blinked in surprise. There was so much bitterness there. Anger she had never seen in the boy before. Though she could hardly blame him. She sighed heavily and sat back down, rubbing her temples. She really didn't need this. Sakura had just spent the last half an hour in her office griping and yelling about how much of a monster Naruto was for hurting her 'Sasuke-kun' and how unfair it was that she was being punished. Tsunade had wanted to deck the girl then and there. At least, she wanted to drop her from tutelage; but medic-nin as talented as Sakura were hard to come by and practically speaking, she couldn't give the girl up. No matter how much she wanted to.
"Okay, brat. Listen up. One, you're a jinchurriki. Excuse the bluntness, but that bares a lot of weight. Do you know how many people out there would want to get their hands on you? I couldn't protect you." She didn't mention Akatsuki. That would be a last resort. Naruto snorted.
"I doubt I could be any less protected out there than in here. In case you didn't notice, I was beaten kinda bad not too long ago." Tsunade winced. Okay, fair enough.
"Fine. But that doesn't mean we can just let you walk away. What about people in this Canthan Empire? How do I know you would be safe there? We have no intel on what these people are like." She glanced at Zenku who shrugged.
"Hokage-sama, if I may," The man spoke up. "Naruto would be perfectly safe with me. My home is one of the safest places in all of Cantha, not to mention that I myself hold a bit of importance in Canthan society, based on power alone. Not to brag. I can assure you that Naruto would be well looked after." He explained. Tsunade fixed him with a glare.
"That requires a great deal of trust on my part, Ryuuken-san." She said flatly.
"Indeed it does." He met her gaze evenly. Tsunade looked back at Naruto, who was still glaring at her defiantly.
"Putting that aside for the moment, I cannot let you go for the simple reason that you are a shinobi of Konoha, Naruto."
"Why?"
"Why?" Tsunade snorted. "Because you'd be considered a missing-nin. Shinobi can't simply leave their assignments. It's as much an abandonment of duty as a security risk."
"Then I quit." The statement made Tsunade freeze. She stared at Naruto who, for his part, tried to look more confident in his decision than he felt. "I….I resign as a shinobi of Konoha, Hokage-sama." He said again, gaining a bit more confidence. Tsunade stared at him, dumbfounded. Never in a million years did she ever expect to hear those words out of Uzumaki Naruto.
"But, Naruto…what about your dream?" She all but whispered. "About being Hokage?" It was all the boy aimed to be. Everything he did was to protect this place, and become Hokage. To discard it so easily… was he really the same boy she knew and loved?
"Let's face it, Obaa-chan. Do you really think this village will let me, the demon, become Hokage? " He asked in contempt. His eyes hardened. "I tried, I really did. I thought maybe I could get them to realize me for Uzumaki Naruto, not the Kyuubi. But I realize now that it won't happen. People are far too short-sighted and foolish."
She stared at him for a moment, neither speaking. She stared into his eyes, shocked at the depth of pain and anger there was in them. No, she decided. This was not the same boy. He was changed. Broken. 'Oh Naruto. What have they done to you?'
She had once heard, from Jirayah as it was, that for a jinchurriki to truly live, it had to be filled with love. History had proven that humans hated and feared what they did not understand, and jinchurriki were often neglected and driven to darkness. Sabaku no Gaara was a very recent example of this chain of tragedy. A boy who was shown nothing but hatred, and in turn had become what people made him. And now, Naruto was walking the same path. Tsunade could not bare to see it happen.
'Very well." She said quietly, hoping she sounded much stronger than she felt. It was doubtful. "Shizune!" She called outside. "Please come here." The assistant was in the room immediately, and paused at the door, sensing the atmosphere of the room.
"Yes, Tsunade-sama?" She asked, giving the woman a confused look. Tsunade really needed a drink right now.
"Let it be known in records that on this day, Uzumaki Naruto officially resigns from active shinobi duty, and further service from Konohagakure no Sato." She said. Shizuna gaped at her, and then looked sharply at Naruto, who nodded wearily. The woman choked down a protest and nodded.
'So noted." She said shakily. "I'll record it immidatly." She turned and walked out the door, sparing Naruto a last, unreadable look before exiting. Tsunade sighed.
"Before you ask," The kage said, as Naruto opened his mouth to speak, "Yes. I grant you permission to leave Konoha, Naruto."
Hope leapt on Naruto's face, and he smiled; not his usual, goofy and boisterous grin, but a small truly happy smile. "Thank you, Tsunade-sama." He said.
"Call me Baa-chan, you stupid brat." Tsunade said, smiling sadly, tears threatening to spill over. He gazed her warmly.
"Of course, Baa-chan. Thank you so much." He paused, glancing at the silent Zenku. "I, ah, guess I should go pack…" he trailed off. Tsunade sighed yet again and waved him off.
"Go. And Naruto, good luck. Find a go d life for yourself."
"Of course." He flashed her a familiar smile, and slipped out the door. Tsunadegazed sadly at the space where the boy had stood for a long moment before she sank back into her chair, leveling a glare at Zenku Ryuuken.
"I should hate you for this, Ryuuken-san." She said. Her voice held nothing but exhaustion. "But, I want to see him happy. Give him a good life, Ryuuken-san. Please."
"You have my word, Hokage-sama." Zenku said softly, bowing. "I will always look out for him." Tsunade couldn't quite bring herself to nod.
"Thank you." She said no more, so Zenku took that as his cue to leave. He turned and strode for the door, pausing just as he stepped one foot out.
"I do hope that our nations can cooperate together in the future, Hokage-sama." He said. Tsunade didn't answer. Zenku left.
Two hours later, in the dead of night, Zenku and Naruto met again at Konoha's northern gate. There was no one to see them off; Naruto didn't want anyone to know he had left until he was already long gone. He would miss a few people, but he wanted to cut all ties with the village that had driven him to this. On that night, Naruto Uzumaki left Konohagakure no Sato, with intention to return.
They traveled hard for two days, making their way towards the northern border of Fire Country. Naruto remained uncharacteristically silent for most of that time, thinking back on his life in his old home. He quietly berated himself for his actions of past, all the foolish and downright stupid things he had done, just for the sole reason of gaining attention from that village. 'I was a fool.' He thought glumly.
On the third day, as they camped on the border, Zenku finally began Naruto's training.
Naruto, who had been thinking silently, jumped slightly as two objects landed in his lap. Zenku stood over him, gazing down with his arms crossed. "Pick those up, and follow me." He instructed. Naruto stood and did as ordered. He looked at the items in his hands curiously. They were daggers, slightly larger than the average kunai, and had straighter edges.
Naruto followed his mysterious savior a little ways into the woods, into a small clearing. Zenku nodded at the daggers. "And now Naruto, you will begin to learn." He said. "You saw the way I moved and killed in Konoha. That was but a small fraction of what an Assassin can accomplish. Your studies will be more in depth and technical when we reach Cantha, but for now I will explain to you the basics." He reached into his cloak and withdrew a pair of daggers. They were pitch black, made from some strange metal that Naruto couldn't identify. Hooked and serrated, Naruto had no doubt they had seen innumerous battles and bloodshed. "An Assassin's daggers are his weapon of choice. The very definition of his profession. Quick, efficient and easy to use when trained properly." Zenku lectured.
Naruto looked down at his blades, frowning slightly. Compared to Zenku's weapons, his own didn't look like much. Zenku seemed to read his mind, saying, "For now, you will use those training daggers. When I see fit, you can have a true pair of your own. But this will do for now. "
"Zenku-sensei, if I may," Naruto asked, "Where did you get yours?"
Zenku stared at his own weapons fondly for a moment. "From an old historian in a land far across the sea. But no more questions until later. For now, I want to see your form."
Naruto slipped into a simple guarded stance, holding his knives in a typical reverse grip. Zenku hummed and walked over, adjusting Naruto's arms a bit into a closer stance. "It helps that you were already a shinobi beforehand. It makes teaching the basics a great deal easier." He frowned in contemplation. "We might be able to even squeeze a few years of training into months. But know this,: He reached down and took Naruto's daggers, flipping them upright and placing them back in the boy's hands. "Always hold your weapon like this. A reverse grip is a good way to surprise an enemy, or strike at an enemy behind you. But never for an all out fight. Your weapons need to be ready to strike quickly and cleanly. Move as a shadow, unseen and unheard. In time you will learn to pass through the shadows at will. Bow let me see your stance again."
So it went, their routine as they traveled. During the day they would slowly head further north, through Rice Country and Rock Country until they reached the northern border. In the evenings after making camp, Zenku would train Naruto in the ways of the Canthan Assassin. During dinner he would explain the ways of the outside world. Of the history of Cantha, its people, its problems and anything that Naruto asked him about. Zenku was glad to see the boy start to rise out of his grim funk as they traveled on. Naruto seemed to be very excited to see Cantha the more Zenku told him.
-Four weeks later, Northern border of the Land of Rice-
Naruto and Zenku stood opposite of each other, neither making any movement. Naruto clutched his daggers in a well practiced, grip. Over the weeks they had become almost as much a part of him as his hands. Considering that they were in his hands a lot of that time.
Zenku moved, surging froth with a slash of his right dagger. Naruto blocked, and the clearing echoes with the loud TANG of clashing blades. Naruto brought his other dagger up to strike, and was met with a quick block, followed by a vicious slash. The battle was a whirlwind of steel and movement as both combatants danced through movements. Naruto was improving daily, and could probably hold his own in a fight against any genin or chuunin he fought. But against Zenku, he was barely able to keep up, straining to block, never able to hit the elusive master.
After ten minutes of fighting, Naruto finally landed a hit; a small slash that gouged the armor of Zenku's right arm. The Assassin paused, glancing at the scratch for a moment. He nodded and then, without warning, swept Naruto's feet out from under him and pinned him there with both blades at his throat. The suddenness of the action startled the blond boy, and he realized with belated shock that the Assassin had been going easy on him. "You're definitely improving." Zenku said, helping his student to his feet. "Your grasp of basic knife play is excellent, and it's only a matter of time before shadow-movement makes you into a competent Assassin." He said with a hint of pride. Naruto's chest swelled with pride at the compliment.
"You can now hold your own against a newly inducted trainee." The air left him with a whoosh. He was only good enough to fight a beginner? After all that work? Zenku saw the expression on Naruto's face and shook his head. "The art of the Assassin, like any profession, takes years of training to master. Besides, you have learned in weeks what many trainees do lot learn for months, possibly even years. Your level of learning ability is truly remarkable." Naruto blushed at the praise, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
"Thanks. But it's still a little frustrating to know I've barely started."
"It will pass. I am confident that you will make an excellent Assassin in the years to come, Naruto. We usually don't even accept trainees into the Monastery until they are sixteen years old. You are a special case." The Canthan assassin explained s the two of them headed back to camp. Naruto smiled at that. Zenku had explained to him of the workings and ways of the Shing Jae Monastery, where Zenku himself had come from.
Naruto had inquired as to what exactly Zenku did at the famed Monastery, but his only reply was, "You will find out once we get there." Which only doubled Naruto's anticipation and impatience to arrive.
Sneaking through Rice Country had been an..interesting task to say the least. At first, Naruto was against sneaking through Orochimaru's territory, until Zenku offered him the choice. "It's either that or Rock Country." The Assassin had said. "And trust me, I visited the place on the way through the Elemental Countries. They really hate Konoha-nin, retired or otherwise. Besides, if what you've told me is true, this Orochimaru fellow is too busy drooling over his new boy-toy to worry about two random travelers." Naruto conceded the point, and two managed to sneak through the country with little difficulty. Soon they were out of the Elemental Nations, and on their way to the land of Cantha.
As the days passed, and they traveled further, Naruto noticed a subtle change in the way the land looked. It was a great deal wilder here, in the borderlands between the Elemental Nations and Cantha. But on the third day of traveling in the strange territory, Naruto saw something truly odd.
He stared at a cluster of trees to his right, not really believing his eyes. "Are they…is that….?"
"Completely petrified." Zenku said with a nod. And sure enough, it was true. The entire forest, beginning almost in a solid wall of foliage was pure stone. The trees, the plants, everything was made of stone. "We're at the very southern tip of the Echovold Forest, a land made entirely of stone." The man concluded. "Which means we are getting very close."
"How?" Naruto asked in wonder, eyeing the anomaly of nature.
"I have told you briefly of the struggle between Cantha and the man known as Shiro Tagatchi." Zenku said, grimacing as he said the word. "When he was finally struck down, his death throes physically altered Cantha, turning the Forest into stone, and the sea into the Jade Sea. This event was nown as the Jade Wind." The man explained. Naruto frowned.
"Was this man really that powerful?"
"Oh yes." Zenku's eyes grew distant, as if reliving some painful memory. "Terrifyingly powerful." He murmured. He shook off his thoughts and continued walking. "Come. I estimate we will reach the city within the day. From there, we might be able to catch a boat directly to Shing Jae."
Naruto followed his master, casting a final glance at the petrified forest. Shiro Tagatchi….the name, for some reason, made him shiver. What man could possibly hold enough power to physically alter a nation? One thing was certain, Naruto planned to learn more of the subject.
It was near the end of the day that Naruto first saw his first glimpse of The Dragon Empire. He and Zenku stood, staring at the wall of urbanization that stood before them. Naruto was amazed. He for as far as he could see was nothing but buildings, walkways, bazaars and ports. It was by far the largest city Naruto had ever seen in his life.
"And this is just the barest tip." Zenku said, once again somehow knowing what Naruto was thinking. "This city runs all the way up to Cantha's northern tip. It's literally a city the size of a country." The thought made Naruto feel small and insignificant. A city? An entire city the size of a country? Impossible! "Of course, Cantha is divied into three main factions; the Dragon Empire, which you see before you, the Luxon nomads, of the Jade Sea, and the Kurzick houses of the Echovold Forest. But come, we should go ahead in. We're finally here. Welcome to Cantha, Naruto."
Naruto stared out across the city, bathed in the fading light of twilight as the sun set over tall buildings. It was strange, alien and almost impossible to even comprehend. But it was now home. His home.
Naruto walked forward, towards the cityscape, and took his first step into the Dragon Empire, and into Cantha.
AN:) Here ya go folks, I finally got Naruto in Cantha! Now the real story begins. Yeah, it's been a little while since my last update…and honestly I'm not sure when my next one will be…but fear not! For it will come! Until then, my dear readers, enjoy!
