Naruto's week had been going relatively well, he got up, ate ramen, played pranks, ate more ramen, goofed off, ate more ramen then went to bed but this time he was doing it while carrying a huge ass sword so it was infinitely better.
"How has your training with your sword been going?" Ayame asked Naruto as he downed several bowls of ramen at once. If anyone was more observant towards Naruto it may have been noticed that in the three days since he got the sword he had gained an inch and a half in height and packed on around five kilo of muscle.
"Training?" Naruto asked confused "I already look awesome with it why do I need to train?"
Ayame frowned, she tended to forget Naruto's idiocy and how he tended to focus on looking awesome. "You train with it so you can use it properly" she tried to explain.
"It's a sword you swing it around, it's not that hard" Naruto said obliviously.
Ayame felt the familiar facial tick most people got while talking to Naruto, drastic measures had to be made or he just wouldn't learn. "I think you should go and get someone to teach you how to use it" she tried again.
"I'll be fine" Naruto grinned.
"Get a teacher" Ayame growled "or no ramen."
Naruto was out of the door in a flash. Ayame sighed "I feel sorry for whoever decides to marry the boy, he is sweet but so stupid sometimes."
…
Running around the streets of Konoha Naruto was desperate. "Where am I going to find someone who can teach me how to use a sword?" he thought. "Normally I'd ask iruka-sensei but I don't know where he lives and he won't be at the academy since there are no students...I know I'll ask that weird old man he seemed pretty smart" Naruto declared out loud "Now where was he again?"
it took a few minutes of walking before Naruto passed in front of a building and he stopped. "Konoha's Intelligence Division Headquarters" he mumbled to himself "I got the feeling that it's supposed to be important for some reason." After some though Naruto shrugged "maybe they know the old man anyway I'll just go and ask." His mind made up Naruto walked into the building.
The Intelligence Division headquarters was an interesting building. People didn't know it but through rigorous, experimental use of space seals the inside was bigger than the outside, it was a building that didn't fit any natural laws and if one wasn't thoroughly acquainted with it they could get lost in the many rooms. Several of the rooms were filled with lethal experiments and others with traps. The building it's self actually had very little security but there was no need as anyone who broke in would get lost, anyone who got lost would end up dead if they were lucky.
Naruto knew none of this and just walked in the front door to office. The secretary glanced up when she heard footsteps and glared at Naruto, she knew who he was, she knew what he was and she hated him for it. She hated that the first date she had had in years was ruined because of one of his pranks. Oh she knew about the Kyuubi but as one of the intelligence division she did know the difference between a Jinchuriki and a Biju. "What do you want?" she asked coldly.
Naruto ignored her glare and cold tone, he was used to it. "hey do you know an old man? He has all of these scars and is missing an eye."
"What do you want with the director?" she asked.
"He said if I ever need to learn something to come and talk to him, said something about working for it too" Naruto replied trying to remember the exact conversation.
The secretary fought to keep the smile from her face, finally the prankster would get his just desserts. "I need you to sign these" she said handing Naruto several forms.
Looking at them in confusion Naruto did as he was told not even bothering to read them. If Naruto did read the forms he would have found out they were waivers that claimed neither Konoha or the Intelligence Division was responsible for any burns, bruises, broken bones, death, loss of limbs, destruction of Chakra pathways, mental instability, loss of self, atomization of body or any other harm while he was on the premises or around Vaurien the director of the Intelligence Division. Luckily for Vaurien, Naruto did not read the forms.
The secretary snatched the forms once Naruto was done. "I'll summon the Director just take a seat and he should be with you in a minute" she informed him.
Naruto did as he was told and impatiently waited for Vaurien to show up. After a ferw minutes of waiting he appeared. "What the 'ell do ya want brat?" the old man asked.
"Hey old man" Naruto grinned "I need to learn how to use a sword."
Vaurien shook his head "so ya come to me?" he asked "Listen brat I'm a scientist, ya want to know about chakra and how it works I can teach ya. Ya want to try some experiments that can make ya stronger I can do that. I however do not know anything about fighting, ya will have to see a taijutsu or kenjutsu specialist if ya wish to learn how to use that thing there."
"Why taijutsu?" Naruto asked confused.
"A taijutsu specialist knows all about the body, what it can and can't do thus this makes them one of the best people to see when creating a new fighting style no matter what the focus is on" Vaurien explained.
"Naruto frowned "so you can't help me at all?" he asked.
The old man smirked, it was the type of smirk that made the secretary decide to go on her lunch break...she didn't return till the next day. "I can help ya brat, oh I can definitely help ya problem is ya need to earn it and for what I have in mind I need to do a little study."
"What do I need to do?" Naruto asked excitedly.
"I just need to place a seal on ya, it will record information about ya chakra and send the data to ma lab. Depending on the amount of information I receive I may be able to do ma experiment on ya within a couple of months" Vaurien smirked.
"Ok do it" Naruto decided.
Vaurien's smirk widened even further. A small pen came out of his pocket connected to a glowing blue line. Moving as if controlled by the line the pen floated over to Naruto and within a few seconds drew a symbol on his hand before the symbol disappeared and the pen returned to Vaurien's pocket.
"How did you do that?" Naruto asked excitedly.
"Chakra strings" Vaurien said simply "most use them to manipulate puppets but I use them to manipulate common objects the theory is the same it just requires better control."
"Awesome" Naruto exclaimed "can you teach me?"
"Ya have a taijutsu or kenjutsu master to find remember brat" Vaurien pointed out.
"Damn I completely forgot" Naruto groaned "where am I gonna find someone to teach me."
Vaurien sighed "figure it out ya self brat. I got to get back to ma work."
"Awww come on can't you help me a little bit?" Naruto begged.
Vaurien paused as if in deep thought "well I do need to test out ma golems some more..." he trailed off as Naruto was already gone "heh smart brat" he smirked.
…
"Taijutsu master, kenjutsu master where am I going to find one?" Naruto asked himself before pausing. "Didn't Tenten say something about a Taijutsu master?" he asked. It took him a moment but he finally remembered she said something about her sensei being a Taijutsu master, he couldn't remember the name though. "I guess I've got to find Tenten now. Maybe the shopkeeper from yesterday will know something" with a goal in mind Naruto set off once more.
After asking the shop owner for some help Naruto found himself walking to training ground nine in search of Tenten and her sensei.
Training Ground Nine was like a war torn battle ground. Jagged rocks were everywhere, most of them stained with blood. The ground had large craters and gashes in it and several tree's lay destroyed all over the place. Even Naruto was feeling a little hesitant in searching for a man who called this place his.
As he was debating on wether or not to leave a kunai was pressed against his throat "you aren't very observant are you?" came Tenten's mocking voice.
"Yosh has our lovely Tenten made a new friend?" a loud and idiotic voice asked. Naruto recognised the voice as belonging to Rock Lee, they were in different classes but Naruto could never forget a voice as loud as his.
"It's just someone fated to be a loser forget him" came a cold indifferent voice that Naruto didn't recognise.
"Are you going to attack me every time we meet?" Naruto asked wary of the blade at his throat.
In a flash the kunai was gone and Tenten was standing in front of Naruto with a smirk. "and if I do what are you gonna do about it?" she asked.
"I'll just have to kick your ass" Naruto growled out.
"Hah you couldn't even touch me a few days ago you don't have a chance now" Tenten laughed.
"Yosh Tenten won't you introduce us to your friend?" lee asked moving into Naruto's view.
Naruto blinked several times. He remembered Lee he had big bushy eyebrows, long shaggy hair and actually looked a little cool. This guy however was wearing green spandex, orange leg-warmers, had a bowl cut and looked lame, he still had the same eyebrows though.
"He's not my friend Lee" Tenten said rolling her eyes "I wouldn't be friends with someone as weak as him."
"I'm not weak" Naruto growled "you only got a lucky shot in last time, I could take you easily."
"Oh really?" Tenten asked dangerously "want to go again?"
"Tenten don't waste time with the loser" the other boy said, he had a formal appearance, a haughty look and the same pupiless eyes of a Hyuga.
"This will only take a minute Neji" Tenten said confidently "not even that."
Growling Naruto drew his sword. "Yosh that is a most youthful blade" lee shouted.
"Bring it" Naruto said ignoring Lee's outburst. Tenten got into a battle-stance, several shuriken in her hands.
"DYNAMIC ENTRY" a voice boomed as a man who appeared to be an older clone of Lee appeared right between Naruto and Tenten.
"Oi get out of the way old man you're interrupting our fight" Naruto shouted.
The strange man looked around as if confused "oh you and my lovely genin Tenten are having a spar?" he asked his face brightening "it is wonderful to see such youthful flames in ones as young as yourselves."
Tenten sighed before putting away her shuriken "forget it the moods gone now anyway. What are you here for anyway idiot?" she asked Naruto.
"I'm not an idiot" Naruto shouted.
"Sure you aren't" Tenten said sarcastically.
"Not that I agree with my students unyouthful words but she does raise a point" the man said "why are you here?"
Naruto looked at the man then back to Tenten, the man then back to Tenten, the man then back to Tenten before deciding to just ignore it. "Tenten said you were a taijutsu master. I was wondering if you would help me learn to use this" he said holding up his sword.
The old man frowned as he looked at the sword and Naruto, deep in thought. "hold it straight out using your dominate hand" he ordered completely serious." Naruto did as he was told using the light gravity seal to make it easier. The man shook his head "don't use the gravity seals." Again Naruto did as he was told barely able to hold the sword up. "Now with both hands." Naruto followed the order this time with barely any effort. "Your off hand" the man ordered. Naruto tried to do it but had to use the gravity seal for fear of dropping it.
The man paused deep in thought "it's an unwieldy sword that much is clear" he mused "but you do have the strength to use it, albeit only two handed at this point. The use of gravity seals also allows for many different paths." shaking himself out of his thoughts the man gave Naruto a wide smile "now I want you to attack me with everything you've got" he ordered.
"Er are you sure?" Naruto asked uncertainly "you could be hurt."
"Fair not" the man declared "for I the beautiful green best of Konoha Maito Gai will be fine."
Naruto shrugged but decided to do as the man, Gai told him. What followed was pathetic, at least in Naruto's mind it was He didn't even come close to hitting Gai with his swings. After five minutes of Naruto swinging wildly Gai stopped him.
"You do not seem to posses much aptitude for that sword, I suggest that you stick to bare handed fighting" Gai declared.
"I refuse" Naruto growled out "I will master this sword, if you won't help me then I'll find someone who will."
"If Gai-sensei says you should give up then you should give up idiot" Tenten said.
Naruto was going to retort when a booming cry of "Yosh" was heard. "I see that your flames of youth burn brightly. I will help you to master that blade."
"Err thanks?" Naruto asked confused about what was happening, Gai had changed his decision quickly.
"Sensei we still have to start today's training" the Hyuga, Neji said.
"Right you are my darling Genin" Gai shouted "if you want young man you can join us and I'll try and help you afterwards."
"Okay" Naruto grinned.
"Yosh let's be on our way" Gai shouted with Lee giving his own "Yosh." "For our first exercise we will run five laps around Konoha" Gai declared.
Naruto gaped as Gai and his team ran off at high speeds, Naruto had ridiculous levels of stamina he knew that but running around Konoha five times? That was extreme even for him. Seeing that Gai's team was almost out of sight he broke into a sprint desperate to catch up to them.
After the run Gai set his team to do five hundred punches with each hand, five hundred kicks with each leg and for Naruto an extra one hundred slashes with his sword at it's normal weight.
"Yosh now that our warm up's are done my three lovely Genin will practice a three way spar, once a winner has been decided the two losers will gang up on the winner in the next spar. After that you three will have an hour to practice alone. Any questions?" Gai asked.
Naruto raised his hand from where he lay on the ground "what...about...me" he gasped.
Gai frowned as he looked at Naruto, while no one else would have noticed what he did. During the run Naruto's muscles took on a leaner mre compact form, one built for speed and endurance. The difference was minuscule but it was there and during the punches and swigs he gained a centimetre in height and his body frame adjusted just a little bit more to the task at hand. The boy hadn't introduced himself yet but every jounin recognized the Kyuubi Jinchuriki on sight. "I wonder is it a result of being a Jinchuriki or an Uzumaki that he adapts so quickly" Gai asked himself before returning back to the matter at hand. "We will be working together to create your own Kenjutsu style" Gai declared.
"Yosh let's get started" Naruto shouted jumping to his feet, unknown to him but Tenten and neji paled slightly at his cry. Gai on the other hand had tears in his eyes.
"It so sow beautiful to see such a display of the flames of Youth" he cried.
Naruto wasn't sure how it had happened but Lee and Gai ended up embracing in front of a sunset on the beach. "But there is no ocean near here" was all Naruto could think to say.
"Yosh let's get started" Gai shouted as he grabbed Naruto and dragged him over to an empty part of training ground nine.
Once they were alone Gai turned to Naruto his face completely serious. "Many fighting styles depend on different things" Gai lectured. "Some focus on strength, some focus on endurance, others on speed, some focus on accuracy, some on redirecting the opponents attacks, some on predicting their attacks, some on evading and a few focus on taking the attacks and ignoring them. Your sword is one made almost entirely for a strength based style. Speed will be important as well but you will be focusing on doing as much damage as you can with each individual attack. Once we have the basics down then we can focus on other aspects to incorporate into your fighting style."
"What do I have to do?" Naruto asked eagerly.
"First we must test what you can do" Gai declared as he directed Naruto to a large stone. "Doing an overhand swing I want you to attack this stone, do not use the gravity seals."
"Hai" Naruto announced as he moved into position.
Hefting his sword over his head, Naruto prepared himself. When he was ready he swung forward with all of his strength. A loud clang filled the training ground and a chip of stone broke off.
"Good good" Gai said with a wide smile "now this time but make it as light as you can."
once more Naruto did as he was told, he pumped chakra into his sword lightening it as much as he could before he sent the sword once more towards the stone. This time the clang was quieter but still a small chip fell off the stone.
"Last time but when you are swinging forward increase the weight as much as you can" Gai ordered.
Preparing himself Naruto got into his stance and tried to control his breathing, when he was ready he swung the sword with all of his might. Just before it hit the rock he sent a large burst of chakra into the heavy gravity seal, the result was incredible. A booming sound was heard over most of the training grounds as Naruto completely destroyed the large stone, leaving a small crater in the ground as well.
"AWESOME!" Naruto shouted excitedly as he stared at the damage he had done.
Gai smiled at Naruto's response "it is pretty amazing, your destructive power increases with more weight. Now I want you to attack this tree with a horizontal slash."
Naruto stared blankly at him "a what slash?" he asked confused.
"It means a slash from side to side" Gai explained kindly.
"Ohhh" Naruto said "why didn't you just say that?" he asked as he moved into position. "So just a slash no changing the weight?" Gai just nodded and Naruto did as he was told. Slashing from right to left Naruto attacked the tree, his sword got buried three inches into the trunk.
"Again but this time as light as you can" Gai ordered.
"Hai" Naruto said pumping chakra once more into his sword, this time as he slashed the tree he actually cut right through it. "Awesome" Naruto grinned.
Gai gave a small smile as well "get a new tree and this time just before you hit the tree make your sword as heavy as possible."
"Hai" Naruto exclaimed getting into position he prepared himself for the destructive power that he knew he would unleash. Just before his sword hit the tree he did as Gai ordered and promptly dropped his sword. It was too heavy. "Awww man" Naruto groaned "sorry about that Gai-sensei I'll try again with less weight this time."
Gai shook his head don't worry about it Naruto-san I thought that might happen. Tell me did you notice the difference between your overhead attack and the horizontal slash?"
Naruto frowned in concentration it took a minute for him to realise th answer "the overhead attack did more damage while heavy but almost none while light, it was the opposite with the horizontal slash" he announced. "Why is that?"
Gai smiled happy that Naruto got it "an overhead attack like you did is one that puts your entire strength and weight behind it, the more weight behind it the stronger it is. A horizontal slash on the other hand is meant to be quick and light."
"But Tenten said yesterday that when my sword is light it has less force" Naruto said in confusion.
"That is true" Gai said "but a horizontal slash is meant to cut and thus you don't need force what you need is speed. However the lighter your sword is the easier it will be for an enemy to parry or block it."
"So how what do I do when someone tries to block or parry me?" Naruto asked.
"We will leave that for another day when you have the basic attacks down first" Gai said "For now there is one more thing I wish for you to try. Make your sword as light as possible while we practice this and move slowly I don't want you to accidentally hurt yourself."
"What do you want me to do?" Naruto asked excited.
"First I want you to move so you have enough space" Gai ordered "and when you do I want you to do an overhand attack, when the blade touches the ground I want you to leave it there."
Naruto did as he was told being careful to move as slowly as he could, once the blade was on the ground he asked "now what?"
"Let's say you missed the enemy or there were more what would you do now?" Gai asked.
"I would attack him again" Naruto answered, it was obvious after all.
Gai nodded "show me how you would attack him. Remember to keep it slow."
Naruto nodded and moved his sword in a position for a horizontal slash before doing it. He paused once he was done.
"Do you know what you did wrong?" Gai asked.
Naruto frowned "I didn't do anything wrong" he exclaimed.
"Very well in that case I want you to attack me with your overhead attack and then your horizontal slash, put all of your effort into it" Gai ordered.
"Fine" Naruto said, he would show Gai he did nothing wrong. Moving forward he prepared himself and did an overhead attack forcing all of his strength into it and all of his chakra into the blade making it as heavy as possible. Gai easily sidestepped the attack ignoring the crater right beside him. Naruto instantly lightened his blade and brought it to his side ready to do a horizontal slash only for Gai to reach out quickly and tap him "you're dead" he said plainly.
"What?" Naruto asked in shock "no fair. You attacked me before I was in position."
"We are ninja" Gai pointed out "as unyouthful as it is we do not fight fair and neither do our enemies?"
"So what do I do then?" Naruto asked frustrated "if I can't attack you a second time."
Gai gave a gentle smile "you had the correct idea" he said kindly "but what you need to do is make it so every action you do is an attack or block of some kind. You can't leave yourself open in the middle of battle it will get you killed."
"How do I do that then?" Naruto asked annoyed.
"Don't worry I'll show you how" Gai smiled first get into position and do an overhead attack again and remember to keep it slow."
Naruto did as he was told in frustration "now what?" he asked rudely, Gai just ignored it he was used to Neji and Tenten being rude as well.
"Now I want you to move forward and to the right of your blade in one quick step" Gai ordered" make sure to keep the point of the blade where it is."
Naruto did as he was ordered and got into position "now?"
"Now slowly bring the blade up in a diagonal slash, over your right shoulder and then down to you a position where it is in place for a horizontal slash."
Naruto did as he was ordered and finished with a horizontal slash. "Hey it worked" he said in realization, the middle part would attack an enemy and prepare him for a horizontal slash as well "Thanks Gai-sensei" Naruto grinned.
"No problem Naruto-san but now the question is how would you attack from that position?" Gai asked.
Naruto frowned in thought "I don't know" he admitted after a few seconds.
Gai smiled kindly "no problem Naruto-san I have an idea. I want you to do a horizontal slash and when you are roughly three-quarters of the way through it I want you to increase the weight of your sword so that it is a bit heavier than normal. I then want you to allow this weight to drag the blade down so that the tip is touching the ground."
Concentrating Naruto did as he was told so that the sword was touching the ground to his left "what do I do now Gai-sensei?" he asked.
"Now I want you to lighten the blade and just using your left hand bring it up diagonally until it is over your head, you will need to twist your upper body so you are facing right as well." Once Naruto had done as ordered Gai said "now you twist your body back so that you are facing forward and using both hands you can do an overhead slash."
Naruto did as he was told and then realised that he could keep the attacks going for ever if he followed the two patterns Gai had shown him. "Thank you Gai-sensei" Naruto said giving a big smile.
"no thanks necessary Naruto-san it is my pleasure to help your flames of youth burn brightly" Gai beamed. "now I want you to practice this combo two hundred times using the proper sword weight, speed and strength that you would use in battle. If you make a mistake then you are to start again."
naruto's smile dropped off of his face. Gai was a demon sent straight from hell, there was no other alternative no one could be that evil. "Hai" he muttered getting into position.
Four hundred and tweny six tries later Naruto was finished as he slowly, weakly trudged his way home to fall into bed. Gai had told him that if he ever wanted to join them for practice they met up in training ground nine each day, Naruto wasn't sure if he would ever take the Green Demon of Konoha up on his offer but he had to admit Gai had taught him well in the one day.
That night as he slept Naruto's body was working once more repairing all the damage and improving his body. The next day he ate close to sixty bowls of ramen just for breakfast to help make up for all the nutrients and energy used up.
So yeah this is Chapter 2 up, next chaoter team assignments.
I am trying to make the sword attacks as realistic as possible but i'll be honest what i use to practice them is only a third of my height, i have a very cramped room and I have no idea how they will hold up in actual combat so if they are unrealistic sorry but i do try my best.
sorry if you believe gai is not cannon and while it is true i am trying my best with him but you have to admit when he is actually serious he is a prett cool guy :)
to Ultima-Owner: Damn right it's epic, nothing more badass than a huge ass sword, well maybe a huge ass chainsword. Also I'm not done with the sword or Naruto yet :)