Chapter 22: 3 Years Later
The vote wasn't close, but it wasn't unanimous either. However, choice A won so the time-skip will begin.
Another note I got some odd reviews. Some saying the so called "cliffy" sucked. Telling me what sucked is only helpful if you tell me why it sucked, so thanks for nothing.
My computer crashed so updating will be weird. This new situation may make me work harder or not we shall see.
R&R
PLEASE FORGIVE THE LATE UPDATE. -gets on knees and begs- SO SORRY!
News finals are done. School is out I'm terrible. My computer has been broken that is my pathetic crappy excuse.
:( :( :( :(
News: I am going to a writing camp in two days for three weeks and am bringing my new computer which I get tomorrow. At the camp they force you to write for five hours a day so I'm guessing I'll be able to update constantly. I got a little distracted with another story idea... I trashed it... hahaha... er...
Hope you like the chapter. I really am sorry.
Here it is:
Three ninjas sat, perched in a large oak tree surveying a group of men below them. The three ninjas were part of a new sect of ANBU created by the Hokage. It took the elites and refined their skill. If one passed the test and made it in to the special section they were given special privileges like being taught some of the forbidden and secret jutsu of Konoha.
The men and women in the special group were called "Protectors of the Flame" or "PF" by Minato and "Satan's Souls" by everyone else. They were not recognized for everything they had done to protect their village but it didn't matter. All that mattered was the next mission.
The group that sat in the trees had only one thing on their minds- to finish their assignment.
The leader of the group shifted his eyes to each of his teammates. He moved his hand by a fraction of an inch- such a small amount, that even a fairly well trained ninja would have missed it. These were not normal ninja. They dropped from the air their black clothing camouflaged perfectly into the night. With the sound of a steady wind created by the leader five minutes before covering their fall they were not noticed until upon their victims.
Each protector pulled out a kunai and went to work, slitting the throat of each target.
The whole event which had transpired over three seconds was over. The leader adorned with a black fox mask grabbed the bodies and one by one sealed them in a scroll. Nodding he formed a few hand signs and disappeared into the night.
/
Naruto did not know how he was supposed to feel. He was taking a temporary leave of absence as captain of the first division in the ANBU section created two short years before. He would be the first retiree and at the age of fifteen.
He had completed his final mission the night before and handed the scroll, containing the departed, into chief administer of the organization a job he one day wished to hold. He put his ANBU PF gear into a box and carried it to the Hokage's office where it would be then sent to storage for when he returned.
The devilishly attractive fifteen year old boy would get to become a regular jounin again for a little while.
Damn, it sure feels weird to give up everything my life has been a bout for two years. He walked out of the Hokage's office feeling some what relieved. He would get to have emotions again. Ugh, fucking rules, so many of them and now I don't have to abide by them.He quickly ran through them thinking of all the freedom he now had.
Rules:
1. Your face must never be shown to anyone besides yourself.
2. Never show others your emotions, abandon them while on any mission.
3. Never speak your real name and only speak of your code name to other members of ANBU, the Hokage, and the council.
4. Always use simple attacks to avoid showing your true power.
He looked around awkwardly noticing how many looks he was receiving. It should be know it wasn't his fault he didn't understand. While in "PF" he never talked to anyone, he didn't even by his own food and other necessities all provisions were sent to his house. Since no one saw his face he was not told how he looked.
Now civilians passing him felt curios. Who was this handsome leaf ninja and where did he come from. Of course some knew it was Naruto, he had the same blonde hair and whiskers. But he was changed. The young man that stood before them was a foot taller and much more muscular and calmer.
After a few moments attention Naruto had had enough and went to search out his father who was visiting academy students. Naruto spotted his father talking to some students in a grassy field obviously talking about Hokages as all the children were faced to the carvings of the Hokage's faces.
Naruto stopped in place about a hundred yards from the class. Easily the hardest part of joining "PF" was not being able to see his father. His eyes began to water but his expression remained stoic.
Dad… It's been so long. He stood and watched his father answer questions from each of the students and occasionally laugh. Naruto wanted to rush over and hug the kind affectionate man who made each student smile but he retained his composure. He just watched happily the children and his father and Iruka their sensei enjoy themselves.
Minato noticed a boy watching them he didn't look directly at the boy too busy focusing on the class but he sensed him watching and waited. He continued talking about the villages history for a few minutes and then handed the floor to Iruka.
"Iruka if you'll excuse me, I'll be back in a moment." Minato said politely turning toward where Naruto stood. The Hokage hesitated, NARUTO! He used shunshin jutsu to arrive ten feet from his son. "It's been too long." He walked over and hugged the blonde haired boy whose cheeks were stained with dried tears.
Naruto embraced his father firmly digging his fingers into the Hokages cloak. "I really missed you dad."
"I missed you too Naruto."
Naruto broke the hug first. "Do you need to finish talking to those kids."
"Yeah, come with me, why don't you show me what you've learnt." Minato smiled graciously.
Naruto paled. "You're the first person I've talked to on a personal level in two years."
The Hokage laughed, "Alright then think of this as a mission."
Naruto paused for a second before laughing jokes no longer were easily understood. Man I've lost touch with my social skills "Sure."
He walked over to the kids behind his father and gave them a little wave.
Minato coughed. "Hello again everyone, I'd like to introduce you all to my son, Naruto. Feel free to ask him any questions"
"Hello Naruto." The class said in unison.
"It's nice to meet you all." Naruto said sheepishly.
A girl raised her hand, "Have you ever gone on an A ranked mission?"
A boy laughed near by."Well duh he hasn't! He's only a couple years older than us." The rest of the class laughed causing the girl to fold her arms inward and huff.
Naruto interrupted their laughter with his mission statistics "Actually I have been on an A ranked mission. I have completed successfully 7 "D" ranked missions, 14 "C" ranked missions, 26 "B" ranked missions, 22 "A" ranked missions, and 16 classified rank missions.
The students of the class fell silent while the girl who had asked the question, smugly, stuck her tongue out at the boy who had mocked her. Iruka was the most startled. Classified rank missions were missions either not given a rank or an S or SS classed mission.Naruto stepped back his posture rigid. He was dressed with a jounin jacket black pants. Three scrolls on his left hip and two katanas hanging loosely on his right. His headband glinted with numerous scratches and dents.
"Thank you Naruto," Minato said suppressing a grin, "anything else to add".
Naruto shook his head only for a hand to shoot up. "How old are you Naruto-san?"
"Fifteen and a half," Naruto answered.
"Well thank you for coming, lord Hokage and thank you Naruto." Iruka said. Naruto nodded and followed his father who began to walk away giving the class a no look wave.
The two blonde haired ninja walked silently for a while. Naruto almost as tall as his father was beginning to relax.
"Naruto, I think you should extend your break from ANBU for at least three of four months."
Naruto sent his father a questioning look.
Minato sighed thinking of how to make his point. "You spent the first half of your year as a 13 year old training with me, Anko, Gai, Jiraiya, and various other jounin and when you weren't doing that you were completing missions as a chuunin. At 13 ½ you passed the jounin test and trained even harder going to tea country once to train with Heiri and Gaara. When you got back you joined ANBU PF becoming the second member and stayed with PF for 2 ½ years."
Minato waited to see if Naruto could see what he was getting at. The slightly thick headed blonde did not.
"What's your point, dad?"
"Naruto you need to just hang out with your friends and have some fun. You may be one of the most powerful ninja in the village but you're still a kid. You haven't spent time with anyone of your friends since Sasuke left."
Naruto cringed. It was a name he did not like to hear. "Naruto you should forgive him. He was at a very difficult point in his life."
Naruto's eyes looked solemnly at the ground. "I'm gonna go for a walk."
Minato sighed again, "Naruto, I love you and I've seen too many other ninjas walk down a path for power and give up everything else. Don't do that even if it is for a good purpose."
Naruto turned down a dirt road. The road was empty and it pushed through some thick vegetation. The boy walked slowly down the beaten path. His thoughts of Sasuke, Itachi, and Orochimaru continued to haunt him no matter how hard he pushed to get them out of his head.
Finally the path opened up to a clearing. The path wove around a lake and Naruto ambled to a bench and sat down. He let his head lean back and his eyes search the sky for answers to his many questions. A gentle wind pushed back his hair and soon he was asleep.
/
Naruto sat in the Uchiha training ground a note in his hand.
-Naruto, please forgive me for leaving the village. I'm not betraying you, but I can't stay here. I need to get stronger and Orochimaru is the only possible resort. I'll return and when I do we can go after Itachi together. There are so many reasons to leave and only one to stay. I don't think I can forgive my clan and the village, so just wait for me. And try not to hate me, please.
-Sasuke
Naruto crumbled the letter in his hand and sliced it with wind into a thousand pieces. "DAMN YOU SASUKE!" Naruto screamed angrily. Birds fled from their nests and Naruto stood up his head facing down.
"I can't forgive you."
Naruto woke up in a jolt. Maybe an hour or two had passed and it was about noon. He closed his eyes. Orochimaru will pay for all the pain he has caused this village. He will suffer.
/
Orochimaru watched as Sasuke took down a group of sound chuunin who had failed a mission. He had survived thanks to the skill of Kabuto and the luck that one of their prisoners was a gullible medic who transferred a hand from another prisoner on to Kabuto who was then able to transfer Orochimaru to a new body. Kabuto watched Sasuke impressed the boy had improved ten fold since he had come to Orochimaru, now easily jounin in strength.
Sasuke had not broken a sweat as the final chuunin fell to the ground. He would be ready to bring Itachi back soon. Orochimaru smiled evilly soon he would have Sasuke's body. Very soon.
/
When Naruto opened his eyes again he was surprised to see a girl with long flowing hair sitting next to him. She sat leaning forward on the bench her hand on the edge as if she was about to stand up.
"Hello Naruto-kun, it's great to see you again." The girl turned and smiled at him with an innocent face.
"Um… who are you?" Naruto asked. The girl was extremely pretty and he thought he would remember someone like her if he had met her before.
"It's me… Hinata." The girl squeaked out the line embarrassed that she wasn't recognized.
Naruto stood up and backed away. "Hinata?" He stepped closer, and then rubbed his eyes. The innocence was the same and the eyes but not much else.
"Wow you look so different. You're very beautiful." Naruto said honestly, after being in ANBU for two years where being blunt and straight forward was important subtlety would take time to get used to.
Hinata blushed a deep red. "Thank you, Naruto you look very nice yourself."
"Do I?" Naruto asked, in an uncaring tone (looks were not important while in ANBU).
She nodded her face still bright red, "you've been gone for quite a long time, where have you been?"
Naruto rubbed the back of his head, "sorry, but that's classified information."
"I understand…" She opened he mouth to say something and paused then shut it and began to think. "So who have you seen yet, since you've come back."
"My father, some academy students, Iruka, and you." Naruto was still looking at her and by now Hinata was extremely red. Naruto finally relaxed and sat back down convinced it was the Hyuuga heiress. "How have you been."
"Good, I'm a chuunin now so is everyone else… What are you doing here Naruto?"
The blonde smirked and lifted his left hand to rub his eyes, "contemplating what to do with my life."
Hinata giggled, "well I know something you can do. I'm going to visit Heiri-kun in a couple days why don't you come with me."
Naruto smiled, "I'd like that."
Hinata stood up. "Well I'll see you later, Naruto-kun."
Naruto sank back into the bench and added more chakra to increase the power of the wind. He closed his eyes and let the wind play with his hair. Wait she was going to visit Heiri? Well that's strange. I didn't know she was that close to him. He shrugged letting his natural affinity soothe his skin. It wasn't much later when he sensed some people coming toward him. He opened an eye and looked at the group. One of the members of the group was Shikamaru, he looked the same, one member was a big fat guy and the other was a very hot girl with long blonde hair. The fourth member of the group was Asuma who followed a short distance behind the group, a cigarette dangling from his mouth.
Naruto waved at the group, it must be the former team eight. Ino recognized him first and ran over suffocating him with a hug.
"Naruto, I've missed you." Ino said. Chouji and Shikamaru took their time knowing full well that Ino would take her time with the dramatics.
"Good to see you guys." Naruto said after being released from Ino's hold.
"You too," Chouji said. Shikamaru gave Naruto a wave.
Asuma smiled as well, "Hello captain Naruto".
Naruto shook his head. "No need for the formalities, besides, you know I'm on leave." Asuma nodded, he wouldn't see Naruto if he was still in ANBU.
"So, why are you on leave Naruto? I heard you were doing wonderfully, and you had one of the best success rates in the history of captains." Ino, Shikamaru, and Chouji were now at full attention all thinking the same thought. Surely Asuma didn't mean Naruto was an ANBU captain.
"Well my father believes I should just relax and be social. Supposedly at my age I can't take the pressure. I'm also taking a class on foreign relations and another with Ibiki for torture and investigation techniques."
"Ambitious are we?" Asuma laughed. Naruto rubbed the back of his head slightly embarrassed. "Well I wish you luck, its no secret among the ANBU that you're looking to take over Jiraiya's position as head ANBU coordinator."
"I didn't know that was a position." Shikamaru stated interrupting the conversation. "What's the ranking system in ANBU?"
Naruto looked at Asuma who nodded. "Well," Naruto began, "first there are regular ANBU then there are captains then there are chief administer of each section of ANBU, then there is Head ANBU Coordinator, and above him is the Hokage. HAC is the only position Jiraiyas held that he is great at and enjoys. He's held the position for three years."
Shikamaru looked surprised, Naruto teaching me? Interesting.
"Well we're going out for barbeque, you can come with us if you want." Chouji said.
"I'd love to." Naruto replied. Ino in happiness latched onto his arm and walked with her arms wrapped around his left arm all the way to the restaurant. By the time they had sat down and ordered a boy had come in wearing all black with a broken katana on his back.
Ignoring everyone save for Naruto he sat down next Chouji. "Are you Namikaze, Naruto?"
Naruto who had been paying almost no attention looked up. "Yes, who are you?"
"My name is Sai and I have been nominated to join a team with you and Haruno, Sakura." The boy spoke in a stoic tone that for some reason Naruto respected.
"It's nice to meet you Sai." Naruto said, bowing slightly. "Around me are Asuma, Ino, Chouji, and Shikamaru."
"Would it be alright if I eat with you?"
Naruto glanced to Asuma who nodded. "Sure," the blonde responded pushing toward him some food which Chouji quickly stole.
"So why are we being made a team?" Naruto asked curiously. I thought dad wanted me to take a break from work.
"The Hokage has been informed by a messenger from the Sand that Akatsuki have captured the Kazekage."
Naruto went white and a pained expression adorned his face, "They have Gaara!? When do we leave?" The blue eyed teen asked, already exiting the restaurant with Sai right behind him.
"We leave in one hour, as it is the kage of another village in trouble your father will be accompanying us as our leader."
Naruto had no more questions to ask, he went to his apartment packed his things and rushed to the gate. He would save Gaara. Minato and Sakura appeared at the gate right after Sai. Minato did not waste time talking issuing his iron firm command, "Move out!"
For the first half an hour of the group's mission everyone was silent. But that silence was interrupted by Minato. "Naruto I came partly for Gaara and partly to see your improvements make me proud… Now you all need to inform your teammates of your strengths and weaknesses so we can fight well as a team. Sakura you go first."
Sakura pushed her long pink hair out of her face. "Well I'm a medic ninja trained under Tsunade in a class with my best friend Ino and-."
"Skip to essential things only," Minato said in a directing parental way.
Sakura blushed, "Sorry I'm good at close range combat with super strength and am knowledgeable about injuries, I don't know a lot of jutsus and my genjutsu use is average at best. But I have nerely perfect chakra control."
Minato nodded, "Sai you next, then Naruto, and finally me."
Sai nodded and quickly drew something on paper. A bird began fling with them. "I have the ability to draw creatures and bring them to life with chakra. My taijutsu and genjutsu is high chuunin level and I know many of the enemies we may encounter."
Naruto waited a second to see if Sai was done before beginning. "I excel in ninjutsu and am at high jounin level with taijutsu. My genjutsu is weak however mid chuunin level. I am a master swordsman and am skilled with my fan. I excel in combat and assassination. My weakness is identifying how to stop an enemies strength and countering special techniques."
Minato nodded satisfied. "I as Hokage am a master at ninjutsu, seals, taijutsu, and genjutsu. However, the combat technique I employ the most is an almost instant transportation technique from which I got the name the yellow flash. But remember though we all of skills which we are great at some people are still better than us in those aspects. For example Gai a jounin you all know would kill me in a battle of pure taijutsu. Now… proceed with caution."
The group moved in silence and soon darkness had fallen but they pressed onward. A ninja was trained to withstand natural enemies such as hunger, pain, and fatigue.
Naruto led the group with Sakura in the middle of Sai and Minato. Sakura was struggling to keep up. This is a pace Lee would have trouble keeping up with! And why is Naruto so… She studied his rigid forceful motion castching his eyes as he turned. So fierce. Is this the person he changed into or is it because of Gaara?
She let the thought pass feeling lucky to be on a team with such a strong group of individuals.
Dawn had already broken over the group when they crossed over the border into sand country. And by the time they were halfway to their destination Sakura needed a break. Needless to say Naruto was extremely pissed off. Damn Sakura. He looked back at their trail to see a set of foot prints obviously Sakuras. He had been too preoccupied with his thoughts to notice what was going on.
Like all ninja who had experience in sand country he, Minato, and Sai did not let their feet sink into the sand when running instead they sent chakra to their feet and ran over the sand it was a bit tricky to learn the technique combining the aspects of water walking and tree climbing.
Naruto lifted Sakura to her feet. "Sakura you said your control is perfect, right? So it won't take you long how to learn to run on sand." Naruto pointed to his feet and start walking around the sand never rising on the sides of his sandals. "I'm not a good teacher but I'm sure you can figure it out. You are a medical ninja."
Sakura smiled at the comment while inner Sakura was feeling embarrassed at holding the group back. After a few minutes she thanked Naruto and they continued on their break neck pace. Time was not on their side.
It was noon when they reached the village entrance. And Naruto did not let the gaurds stop him he pointed to his head band and pushed by them. "Wait," one of the guards called, "we're supposed to take you to the hospital."
Naruto did not reply it would be a waste he knew where the hospital was. It took him all of thirty seconds to find Temari who was standing over Kankuro.
"Naruto," Temari yelled holding back tears. "Kankuro is dying. Gaara's kidnapped and I feel useless." She hugged her friend before stepping back and bowing to the remaining ninjas.
"Naruto this is Chiyo a village elder and ninja." Temari said introducing the old woman to the group. "She will assist your group in retrieving Gaara."
Naruto, Sai, and Minato bowed and stepped back. Sakura was already working on helping Kankuro.
Chiyo stared intently at Minato averting her gaze when he looked at her. "So you are the legendary Yellow Flash."
Minato nodded, rubbing the back of his head nervously, realizing that Chiyo was not happy to see him.
Baki looked at Chiyo uncomfortably. She had already expressed her disappointment at having Konoha help them. The only thing keeping the old woman from saying something rude was her fear of the Hokage. Though he looked a nice enough man, he was the one who killed an entire brigade of Rock ninja in the Ninja war in less than a minute ten years back.
Baki's attention turned to Naruto who stood over Kankuro opposite Sakura his frustration present in how firmly he held Kankuro's hand. He caught the boy whispering encouragement to his poisened student and smiled.
"Lord Hokage, I realize that there is certain information that we need from Kankuro but could we proceed on if I leave a shadow clone to relay the information as soon as it is available." Naruto asked, not looking up from Kankuro's pain stricken face.
"One, Naruto, you don't have to address me so formally in public. Two, that is an excellent suggestion. Sai are you ready to leave?"
Sai nodded and stood up. Naruto formed a shadow clone which took it's place at Kankuro's side. "Sakura," Minato began, "catch up with us when you're done."
"I'm coming as well." Chiyo stated forcefully.
"No," Naruto said, "you wait with Sakura. We're dealing with Akatsuki and they're too dangerous to leave a teammate alone. Leave with Sakura."
Minato nodded. "Let's go." The three ninjas disappeared in a blaze of smoke and ink.
Chiyo looked helplessly around the room. "Told off by a kid, I really am getting old. I've lost touch with the newer generation."
Sakura smiled at the old woman, almost done healing Kankuro. "Don't take it personally, Naruto is just a really strong ninja. Plus lord Hokage is his dad so Naruto knows what he's doing."
Chiyo's eyes widened. She had noticed the resemblance, but there was no more affection or informality between Naruto and his father as the rest of the group. She would see for herself about this Naruto boy.