Chapter 17: Training and stalking
Naruto whipped opened the scroll Jiraiya had given to him and began to mull over it's contents dutifully. He had used twenty minutes to get deep into the forest so that meant he had forty minutes before Jiraiya's clones would come barging through the forest hunting him down.
Naruto stopped halfway down the list. This looks good. Okay they pressures on, it's now or never. He focused his chakra and then followed the directions of the jutsu.
Naruto performed the correct hand signs and began spinning wind enveloping him in a small twister. The twister Naruto created was weak and had places where the wind was vacant. The details of the jutsu said it was used for defense based on the Hyuuga heavenly spin. Having never seen the heavenly spin Naruto could only guess what it looked like.
Naruto continued practicing until he smacked his head remembering what Kakashi had taught him. I'll only have a few minutes the amount of chakra will alert Jiraiya's clone to my attention.
"Alright clones ten of you to each jutsu and hurry." Naruto growled, not having time to waste.
Naruto had only been practicing for ten minutes when the first of Jiraiya's clone charged into the horde of Naruto clones. Jiraiya using a fire jutsu took out a handful of clones without trouble.
The original Naruto ground his teeth in annoyance. That wasn't that much time. I don't know if I did it. Pocketing the scroll he took his fan off his back. Naruto then unleashed a powerful wind destroying Jiraiya's clone and a dozen of his own with the winds power.
Naruto cursed as two more Jiraiya's appeared among his clones both already forming hand seals. Naruto's clones began to make seals of their own and others charged the sannin. Naruto could see more of Jiraiya's clones dashing through the trees toward his position.
Shit! "Let's go!" Naruto sped off, slamming his fan into it's harness, with five clones guarding him leaving twenty behind to hold off the incoming sannin clones. It was too early to lose the scroll.
Jiraiya's clones made short work of the boy's doppelgangers and began to hunt him. Naruto knew they were getting closer to him and with his five clones turned as they came within feet of him.
It did not look good eight of jiraiya's clones surrounded the boy waiting for the first move. Sweat ran down Naruto's neck. It was early, possibly two in the morning and Naruto was tired but he did not hesitate in his motions and sent a fist toward the closest clones face and then switched to a kick catching the clone off guard and sending it away in a poof of smoke.
Naruto flipped back and landed side ways on the trunk of the tree surveying the landscape and mulling over his options.
A Jiraiya laughed heartily at Naruto's unease. Only two Jiraiya's had been lost in the skirmish and Naruto knew the toad sannin wasn't going hard on him.
Taking out his fan again he whipped it in the clone's direction sending a gale at the clones in the hope of dispelling them all. Unfortunately for the blonde the closest Jiraiya clone quickly countered by forming an earth wall.
The wind destroyed the wall and the clones were nowhere to be seen. Naruto braced himself for the attack and after waiting for over a minute he realized no attack was coming.
Jiraiya is waiting for me to let up my guard or make a mistake. I don't know where the clones are but I need to go find a place to rest.
Putting his weapon back in its harness he began to run searching for a place to hide. The sun was beginning to push it's way into the sky and that meant only one thing, It would be easy for Jiraiya to track him even if he hid his chakra presence.
He quickened his pace seeing shadows. Not knowing if he was being followed or if he was just imaging thinks he began to climb higher among the trees until he could see much of the forest from the top of a huge oak tree. Spotting a giant mound of stone Naruto began forming a plan.
Without checking to see if he was being followed he took off determined to hold off.
Naruto formed two clones and used shunshin to try and get to his destination faster. It took the next fifteen minutes but he found the huge mound of rock and stone. Forming rasengans he and his clones slammed them into a flat stone surface chipping away the rock. He continued on until he had formed a small cave, big enough for him and a few clones to sit in, the cave was only four feet high so it would be easier to cover.
It would be a lot easier if I knew a doton jutsu to form a cave. I'm really tired now. He crawled to the back of the cave and fell asleep while his two clones covered the cave entrance with brush and then sitting right inside to keep watch.
The day passed and in its place the darkness of night arrived. Naruto awoke hungrily and tentatively left the cave. His clones following him he searched for food and water.
Jiraiya's clones will be back soon, probably more of them too, I really need to find some food if I want to fight well I'm starving. Naruto created ten more clones and then split up searching for a stream or any type of food.
His clone encountered the first Jiraiya and after it's defeat. The urgency of the situation could really be felt.
Suddenly, to his great relief Naruto came across a stream and immediately tossed himself into it. Gulping down as much as he could, he began to feel better. He crawled to the bank and lay there recovering and trying to figure out where his predators would come from. Taking out the katanas from his fan he lay them on the ground and opened the wind jutsu scroll once again.
He opened the extremely long scroll until all of it could be read and then he put it on the huge tree in front of him, a kunai holding the scroll in place on each end. "Tai kage bunshin!" Two hundred clones stood before him awaiting orders.
"Alright I don't have much time." Naruto began speaking aloud to help himself think. "I'll need half of you to keep guard and the other half to work on this final jutsu style."
"Katon: Lighting flame!" A small stream of fire shot out of his hand and lit a bush on fire casting a small but effective light on the area. Then with expert skill he threw a kunai into the stream and stabbed a fish. Retrieving the fish he burnt it with a fire jutsu and began to eat savagely. Jiraiya's clones began to attack but Naruto kept on eating. His top priority was not helping a hundred clones defeat ten Jiraiyas.
The clones put on guard, though most were gone, were victorious and defeated the ten Jiraiyas. Naruto took a final bite of a fish and threw the rest of it on the pile of bones he had made through his meal.
Wiping his hands on his pants he surveyed the content of the final technique which he had neglected to master the previous night.
The final technique was a sword technique the first that Naruto had ever encountered. Not sure what to do he picked up his katanas and got used to their weight and movement. He had spent a lot of time with his fan but next to none with his blades. Naruto having had no one to teach him and knowing nothing himself was now holding the sharp blades awkwardly and swinging them in brutal ugly motions.
He looked to the scroll and groaned grabbing a fist of his blonde hair and releasing it in frustration. I have some time. Jiraiya is obviously outside of the forest and sending more clones in whenever the ones in here are defeated. But I don't know where he is so I can't predict how long it will take for clones to get here. He clenched his fist until it bled. I will just have to practice until I'm attacked and since he knows where I am. The short ninja let out a powerful blast of chakra to make sure he was not bothered by creatures of the night. He remembered glimpsing some large animals and huge insects the night before and did not want to be interrupted.
Naruto grasped the Katana's letting the blood from his right hand run over the swords handle.
/-/-/
Jiraiya sighed in annoyance at having to send out more clones. "Damn Naruto you can be so annoying." The sannin mumbled. In truth he was proud of Naruto's success. It was good thinking to destroy all of my clones quickly even if it meant sacrificing chakra. Naruto will gain time, and if he's studying which I believe he is, he'll have a better chance of holding out.
Jiraiya laughed thinking about the jutsu he had put on the scroll. He had put mostly defensive jutsu on the scroll along with a wind sword style. Naruto would become a lot stronger by improving on his weaknesses, one of which was his limited knowledge of defensive jutsu and the second was genjutsu.
Jiraiya laughter echoed through the bar thinking about genjutsu, the only one who could teach Naruto great genjutsu out of his teachers was Itachi and the traitor was gone. Hopefully learning how to wield a sword will come in handy I'll have him get taught by someone when he get's back… I should probably also take him to the genjutsu prodigy what's her name. Kureina? Kurania? Whatever, the genjutsu mistress.
/-/-/
Spinning the blades he held Naruto created two tornados of wind which pounded through the forest ripping away trees and anything it came into contact with. Geez this place already looks like a horrific battle ground and the chuunin exams haven't even started. Naruto sheathed the Katanas in the fan and leaned back against the ground two clones keeping watch.
He would sleep out tonight and use the day to train.
As dawn pierced through the heavily vegetated forest Naruto awakened and quickly went to the stream to quench his thirst. An hour after bathing and eating Naruto shed his jacket and pants washing them and then setting them out to dry and marched to the area his tornado had ravaged the night before.
The ground was barren of vegetation the perfect spot for fighting.
Creating a hundred clones he began what he thought would be best for training. "Alright everybody get a partner and dual. The winning clones go on to the next round. It'll be a swordsman tournament."
A cry went up in the air as all the clones pumped their fists. "I'm going to win!" The cry blasted through the forest and the tournament began each clone rushing to find a partner.
The tournament was taken very seriously, but nevertheless the first round ended very quickly as none of the clones were very skilled and went down. The next round was better but only a little. As the clones fought and gained experience they found what worked and what did not and soon the real Naruto was not sure he could win.
Naruto spun slashing at his adversary in rapid succession. He was countered as his clone tripped him with a drop kick and pinned him with his foot. Naruto reaching out attempted to grab the katana which he had dropped. Stretching his arm he succeeded and just as the clone brought down the blades Naruto grabbed the katana and blocked the swords then without hesitation he hacked off the clone's leg sending it away in a poof of smoke.
Naruto wiped his sweated brow as he watched other matches finish up. "You take the bye next round." Naruto said, pointing at the last clone to win. With twenty-five clones and one with a bye Naruto did not feel his chances good.
Getting to his feet he began the next set of matches. The fights were lasting much longer as the clones were getting the hang of what the scroll said and more comfortable with the blades. After a half an hour of struggling Naruto stood before a final clone.
They both moved cautiously not wanting to make a mistake. The clone moved first slashing and hacking at Naruto's swords pushing him back as the scroll instructed. Then with a sudden change in motion the clone spun and swung both blades at Naruto's left side in an attempt to finish the fight.
Naruto barely threw up his swords to block in time and was knocked back by the blow tripping and hitting the ground. The clone jumped at the opportunity and lunged at Naruto. Unpredictable like the wind. Naruto's thoughts echoed the scrolls words.
Rolling into a one handed handstand Naruto whipped his katana out and knocked the clones katana away. Not wasting time Naruto spun and kicked the clone into the air where it disappeared. "I win! I'm the best me." Naruto mumbled not getting up from his toppled position on the ground.
Naruto awoke as water hit his face first gently and lazily and then with power and force. Getting up Naruto ran to get his clothes which he had left on a rock. Putting on the clothes Naruto took the scroll down from the tree and rolled it up then he ran to the cave he had made the previous day and hid.
Night was upon him and that meant Jiraiya's clones would hunt him once more. Naruto concentrated his vision to the dark wet forest for any signs of movement. He saw none.
Well why not set up some traps if he's distracted all night I won't have to fight him.
Creating four clones with kage bunshin. Naruto sat back and waited while his clones went to work setting traps to everything.
Naruto woke up from a fitful rest when he heard an explosion. He crawled forward to the edge of the cave to see a clone of his battle jiraiya's while kunai and shuriken flew at the sannin's clone with every trap set off.
Naruto watched in glee as Jiraiya's clone narrowly dodge a huge rock from falling on it only to be hit in the back with a kunai dispersing it.
Naruto wondered how many other clones had been destroyed but decided not to go out lest he be spotted. The choice of hiding was not up to him however as one of the sannin clones burst into the cave.
"Katon: Dragon flame!" A flame shot at the clone from point blank range and Naruto realized he would not be able to use the cave again. Diving out of the cave and into the thick of a roaring storm the blonde was surrounded by five enemy clones. As they all charged Naruto began the first move he had learned, "Heavenly twister!"
A thick powerful wind enveloped Naruto throwing back the clones and destroying trees and anything in it's way. As the dust cleared Naruto was alone.
Naruto let the rain grace his skin and happily looked up at the sky. He was nearly done with the test and he had learned a lot things were going well.
/-/-/
Jiraiya laughed heartily at the blonde sannin next to him, drowning some more alcohol and letting the night wash away.
Jiraiya was too drunk to create more clones to fight so he decided to wait until morning. Falling forward he let his lips land on her neck. When she didn't push him off he kept going trailing kisses up and down her neck. Then he realized she was asleep.
Laughing the old man threw his teammate over his shoulder and headed to the apartment she was staying in. He would drop her off and then go see his student.
-/-/-
Sasuke had heard his mother's call but he did not go in. He had to keep training, Naruto was.
He jumped into the air throwing several shuriken and the several fireballs before landing in a crouch seeing that he had hit all his targets. Damn it so what if I can do this? I need to unlock my sharingan and learn more genjutsu. I need to get stronger and no matter how much I try it seems like I'm only losing to Naruto worse and worse!
Slamming his fist into the target he cursed. "Naruto you and I vowed to get Itachi back but how can I if I'd only hold you back?" He slid his hands into his pockets and cast the storm a dirty look before heading to his house with his mom waiting for him.
/-/-/
The Yondaime sat at his desk preparing for the chuunin exam organizing proctors, forms, and seat arrangements for the final stage of the exams. It was not an easy job. He stressfully turned his head to the picture of Naruto on his desk and calmed himself. He had been working late into the night, every night since Naruto had gone to train.
Forcing himself not to worry about all the chaotic things in the village he formed the seal for kage bunshin and told the two clones to take over until he got back.
Five minutes later the handsome Hokage was walking through the wet streets in search of an open restaurant or bar.
Damn I still can't figure out how to remove the seal! You can't go in through the front because his heart would give out and you can't go through the back because that stupid seal will explode. Perhaps the seal I was working on could simply destroy and contain the blast at the same time… THAT COULD WORK! Then again that's not a simple seal to make I should look up how to contain explosions before I try it.
Well on the bright side no one has attacked Naruto for some time maybe they don't intend to do anything. Minato smiled, no matter how small a chance that was it still felt good to acknowledge.
Minato stopped seeing Anko sitting on a stool eating dango at her favorite dango shop. He walked over and sat next to her knowing she was upset. "What's the matter?" Minato asked, gently grabbing the woman's shoulder.
Anko turned to face Minato a troubled look in her eyes. "I'm not strong enough to beat Orochimaru, Minato. I'm not strong enough to beat that dog of yours Kakashi. What am I going to do about Orochimaru in the exam?"
Minato knew that she was afraid of the snake sannin and even more afraid that she wasn't nearly strong enough to protect people against him.
Anko had never gotten intimate with people beside Kurenai, Minato, and the twerp. In fact only a few people knew the horrors of her life. Most people were afraid of her and therefore no one ever helped her train except for the Third Hokage and she was beginning to wonder if the distance between herself and others would kill her.
I feel like I'm going insane. Whenever I am asked what's wrong I say Orochimaru but that's not it anymore. I am in my late twenties and I'm still feared by most of Konohana and I've never had a boyfriend or even a lover. What's wrong with me?
Anko shivered, hating herself. She was tough but some blows were too much and she hugged Minato the one father figure who had never betrayed her and held on.
-/-/-
Naruto was cooking a snake when two clones appeared.
Naruto smirked at the clones now ready to fight. "Ready to get your asses kicked?"
The clones smirked back and looked menacingly at the boy. "This time we're not holding back!"
Naruto hesitated for a second, he had been afraid this would happen. "Well neither will I."
Naruto immediately created twenty clones. "Futton: Cutting wind!" Some clones yelled. Others took out their fan or katanas. Naruto formed a rasengan in each hand.
The fight for the scroll was on. Naruto was not disappointed by the enemy clones performance. They wasted little chakra to take down his clones and they paid attention to every move and trick Naruto tried to hit them with.
When Naruto had only five clones left and was losing badly the tide swung in his favor as one of his clones used water bullet to throw the clones off balance giving Naruto the chance he needed to punch one of the clones out of existence.
Naruto grinned as he saw the other clone look surprised from the attack. Then he turned and attempted to slam the back of his hand into the clone only to miss and feel a fist connect with the back of his head.
The four Naruto clones seeing the real Naruto down each used a technique. "Futton: Cutting wind, Katon: Grand fireball, Suitton: Water bullet!" The final two tossed shuriken and kunai in the hopes to prevent escape however all were dismayed as the clone set up an earth wall and disappeared from sight with the real Naruto who was knocked out thanks to Jiraiya's seal of consciousness.
"You were close." Jiraiya said to the limp form on his shoulder, "Very close."
Jiraiya finally relaxed as the blonde's clones 'poofed' out of existence.
The following day
Naruto awoke in annoyance remembering the previous day's failure. I didn't win…
He pushed himself off the bed and immediately regretted it. Naruto lay on the ground for a minute feeling faint. Crap I feel tired. He pushed himself up and walked downstairs where his father and Tsunade were waiting for him.
"Hey dad!" Naruto said hugging his father before turning the blonde sannin. "Hello granny."
Tsunade twitched angrily pounding her left hand with her right in a threatening gesture. "Well brat, I came to give you a check up but if you call me that again I'll end up having to give you surgery for the beating you'll receive."
Naruto gulped and nodded rapidly showing he understood. Tsunade gave him a dubious look and then put two finger to Naruto's head and emitting a green chakra.
"What are you doing?" Naruto asked.
"Giving you a check up, brat, I'm seeing what's wrong with you."
Naruto waited until the woman was finished. "Well, Naruto, you have low blood sugar and are suffering from malnourishment but other than that and a few bruises you're fine."
Naruto grinned, "So then the fainting I did upstairs was caused by malnourishment?"
The sannin shook her head, "No, that's low blood sugar make sure you eat something right away. Now I have to go see you at the chuunin exam."
Naruto grinned at his dad who moved to the kitchen to make him some food. "Well Naruto I'll make you some healthy food for breakfast, and I'm sorry about this but no ramen today."
Naruto's eyes filled with tears and the most innocent look came on his face. "N-no ramen?!?"
Minato almost relented. "Well… No I'm sorry Naruto but not today you have to be in peak physical condition for the exams. So you'll eat really healthily to day and begin carbo loading and you can have ramen tomorrow."
Naruto stayed solemn all through breakfast and lunch.
Finally in the late afternoon after a long shower Naruto went out to see Yamato for some element training.
The next day went by extremely. Naruto was briefed about his mission he trained and ate enough ramen to feed a small town. When the day of the chuunin exams came Naruto was ready.
He walked to the building where the first exam would take place to see Lee intercept a kick from Sasuke and an examiner and already he was interested. Lee was fast and strong and needless to say better than himself in taijutsu something he did not expect to see.
Today Naruto wore a cloak hiding his features and a mask making his look like a miniature grim reaper with a fan on his back instead of a scythe in his hand. He hid his chakra signal as well and bathed he hoped most of his scent away.
If I'm lucky only three or four people will know it's me. He stood against the opposite wall from the skirmish behind the crowd hiding himself. He hoped that Jiraiya's training had prepared him.
Soon the crowd was moved along into another room to wait before being administered the first part of the test, the writing portion.
Naruto sat quietly off to the side of the room where he would be less noticed. Jiraiya had given him explicit orders take the exam like a true ninja use stealth and cleverness not upfront attacks and fight only when necessary.
He watched patiently at the crowd and then to his horror saw the medic who had put the seal into him. Naruto paled under his fox mask frightened. The medic wore glasses with large circular lenses and a pony tail. He wore purple and Naruto learned, watching him closely and listening, his name was Kabuto.
Naruto thanked Kami and his father his name was not put on the list of participants. Kabuto doesn't know I'm here yet. Naruto told himself. He became more fearful as Kabuto befriended the Konoha rookies and showed them cards containing information on students.
Naruto calmed a little as Sasuke began asking for people.
"So those are Gaara's skills." Sasuke mumbled, after Kabuto finished showing him the card. "I need to see two more people's cards." Sasuke demanded.
"Sure. Who do you have in mind?" Kabuto asked, patiently.
"Kazama, Naruto."
Ino and Shikamaru eyed Sasuke suspiciously. "You already know Naruto's stats, Sasuke. You two are as close as brothers." Ino yelled at the Uchiha in annoyance.
Sasuke shrugged off the comment. "I don't know how good Naruto is because he's never fought me all out."
"Well," Kabuto began, "I don't have anything recent but I have information from when he was eight. He pulled out the card of a young Naruto. Taijutsu high-gennin, genjutsu very weak, and high-chunnin level ninjutsu. He fights with head on tactics preferring hand to hand combat and going all out. He has no missions under his belt I believe even now. However I do know that he went training with Gaara in tea country."
The group gaped at Kabuto. "High-chuunin level ninjutsu, at eight?" Kiba muttered, "Holy crap."
Sasuke nodded, "The other guy I want to know about is Heiri… I don't know his last name."
Kabuto smiled at Sasuke. "You know how to pick 'em. You just asked me for the three strongest competitors well three if Naruto is here but his name was not on the participation list."
Naruto's heartbeat rose and he closed his eyes trying to forget about the pain he had felt four long years ago.
"Anyway," Kabuto continued, "Here is Heiri." He pulled out a card full of stats. "I've kept a close eye on him. Heiri, high-chuunin level genjutsu, mid-chuunin level taijutsu and high-chuunin level ninjutsu. The kid is just an overall average chuunin with an added bonus. He's a strategic genius. He prefers to fight only when necessary and when he fights uses the quickest way to win."
Naruto controlled his breathing. Kabuto has dug up Heiri's info same with Gaara and their information is guarded really well. The only reason my information is not there is because only two people are allowed to few my ninja profile, dad and Jiraiya. Even the council can't view it. I'll have to be careful. He's probably with Orochimaru but I should check the others as well.
Naruto snuck down the wall spying on each group stopping on some sound ninjas. "See that's the kid Orochimaru told us to kill." One of them whispered to the others. "Shut up!" The other whispered back. "You want to give us away?" The two looked at each other fiercely before stopping.
Naruto went back to his original position. Those guys are definitely with Orochimaru but dad didn't say the snake bastard only had one pair of eyes in here. I should still watch out for Kabuto. Hell if I can I'll kill him.