Chapter 26

Chopping trees, probationary done

It's been an entire month. Throughout the month, Team Zabuza had been abusing the clone jutsu. Within 2 weeks, most of the once off tasks were done. Though most of their tasks were done through clone labor, it was quickly established that cutting down the trees would require the originals, of Naruto at least.

Flashback

"Woah! When Mei said the trees were extremely large… she didn't mention they were this large!" Naruto exclaimed.

Indeed, the trees were massive. It took 3 fully grown men together to even hug the circumference of the tree.

"… well I suppose it makes sense, they would need to be that big to fuel an entire camp of shinobi for two days straight" Fu mused

Next to them, a young boy with short, tuffy blue hair and dark eyes pushed up his glasses "well, umm they're impressive for here, but, umm not really when compared to the Leaf." he muttered weakly. "hi I'm Chojuro"

"Well, they're still impressive none the less." Haku commented "but how do we cut it down?"

"With ninj-" Naruto started.

"No!" Chojuro interrupted, "this place isn't far from the Mist village, not to mention that chakra attacks that damage it have to be pretty strong and alert the sensors and such attacks would damage the tree which isn't good because we need to conserve in case we need to ration."

"ok, clones then?" Naruto asked.

"not a good idea either, look closely at the trunks. They're covered in small thorns that somehow suck chakra. For a normal ninja it may not be much, but to a clone, well it usually dies out within a minute." Chojuro explained. "These trees were originally used for training the swordsmen. Their goal was to chop down a tree with a single strike with the use of a single wooden sword. Since the tree absorbs chakra, which means that just enhancing the wooden stick wouldn't be much help. They had to learn to either overload the blade with chakra and basically make it so that there is enough chakra for the blade to reach and cut through the trunk or to pack the chakra so densely together the tree would have trouble sucking the chakra. Of course, there were those who bent the rules a bit like Kisame with his monstrous strength and Samehada. I've heard that he achieved the task first time under the tutorship of Fuguki Suikazan. The rumors were that he used about 9/10ths of his chakra to feed Samehada and grew it to twice the size of this trunk and because Samehada also absorbs chakra, the tree couldn't take any from it and collapsed with the weight alone."

"To have such massive strength…" Fu muttered in awe.

"He must truly be a monster" Naruto continued.

"And Zabuza fought alongside him…" Haku added.

"awesome!" they cheered together.

"Alright!" Naruto hit his fist against his hand. If its swords this was training for…." his hand crept to the hilt of the sword he got from Mifune. "One-slash!"

All the shinobi who were preparing themselves and sharpening their saws looked up at the declaration. Their eyes widened and the faster ones reacted and formed handseals.

Naruto got up from his stance to see some shocked, awed and disapproving looks from the other shinobi.

"Did I do something wrong?" he asked, confused.

"Well for one, you almost wasted a perfectly good batch of wood" a muscular man said, pointing to the fallen tree which was being supported by a mixture of water and earth dragons as well as a few earth walls and a strange yellow substance. "The point was to cut down the tree, yes. But with that weight, it would've shattered and become useless, not to mention the sound of it hitting the ground will alert Yagura's forces."

Naruto gulped.

"but since you're new, I suppose you don't know that so I'll excuse you this one time." He continued. Do it again and there will be consequences. You hear?"

The blond nodded quickly and made to put away his sword.

"stop, you seem pretty good with that sword. And the move you did. That was the signature technique of Mifune of the Land of Iron. How did you learn it?" he asked.

"I trained under him... umm sir" Naruto stammered.

The man smiled "I'm Hiruku. Now why don't you chop that log into smaller pieces? Consider it your punishment."

"Yes sir" Naruto saluted.

Flashback end

It had been a month of many discoveries, but now that the probationary period was over, it's time to start real missions.

Or so they thought.

"What do you mean we're gonna be patrolling?" Naruto demanded.

"Well, since you are new to the area, patrolling will help you learn the geography better. Of course I will be assigning some shinobi that are knowledgeable in the area too." Ryuji explained.

Naruto crossed his arms and frowned. Still not at all pleased. He was a shinobi! A jailor to the most powerful demon in the elemental nations. Studied for 3 years under the tutelage of the Demon of the Mist and the Leader of the Samurai, a person feared even by most Jonin. Took on hundreds of opponents. Yet now he was being reduced to a mere patrol.

"You drive a hard bargain." Ryuji sighed, a faint smile on his lips "fine, I will also assign Mangetsu to you. We have covered most of the plans and I'm sure he would like to stretch his legs a bit. Besides, I believe he had something to talk to you about, Naruto."

At the mention on Mangetsu, the words of Zabuza rang through Naruto's head. "ask for Mangetsu Hozuki, if he wasn't the one to meet you, I've told him everything in case something like this happens. He will answer all you questions"

"We accept" Naruto agreed quickly, glancing at the other two members of team Zabuza.

"I knew you would, pack for two weeks and meet by the edge of the west camp in two hours. Mangetsu and the rest of the team will meet you there"

"Mangetsu Hozuki. Do you really have the answers?" Naruto wondered.

Xxxx

It's been almost two weeks and Naruto was getting frustrated. Ryuji said that Mangetsu wanted to talk to him, but every time Naruto tried to talk to him, Mangetsu just avoided him, dodged his questions or gave him a task to do.

They were currently camped in the last sector of the forest they were patrolling. From what they had been told, there was just a small group of Yagura's troops ahead. "a good way to end off a mission. Killing a bunch of Yagura's troops" Mangetsu had said.

Naruto was snapped out his thoughts by a hand on his shoulder. "If I was an enemy, you would be dead Naruto" Haku mused "what's on your mind?"

"Haku, do you think Mangetsu can really answer my questions?" Naruto asked, "I mean, he's been avoiding my questions ever since the mission started."

"That's because in order to explain, you need to know the full details. And telling you that will take time. Not to mention it will keep your mind occupied. We cannot have you distracted in battle. I will tell you once we've finished clearing Yagura's forces." Mangetsu's voice was heard from above them. "For now, just concentrate on preparing for the upcoming fight" and with that, he melted into a puddle of water.

"Well, you heard him Naruto, prepare for the battle. Looks like you gonna get your answers soon enough" Haku said, standing up and patting him on the shoulder.

Xxxx

"Piercer attack" Mangetsu whispered into the headset. "Team 2 to the left, 3 to the right. Team 4, cut off their escape. Team one attacks head on."

"Team 3 ready"

"Team 2 ready"

"Team 4 ready"

"Team one, go!" Mangetsu ordered.

"water style: great waterfall jutsu" Fu called

"ice style: coming of winter" Haku followed

"shadow clone jutsu" Naruto finished, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword, "one slash"

The teams situated around nodded in approval of their teamwork. The waterfall jutsu stunned most of the shinobi. The ice jutsu made it unusable for them and had the added effect of them losing their balance. Then comes the actual attack. The amount of clones all charging easily dealt fatal wounds to the less experienced ninja. Quantity over quality indeed. The only ones that made it out alive were a few experienced Jonin or lucky chunin. Those were quickly taken care of by some well-placed Kunai with explosive tags and the other 3 teams surrounding them.

"Good work. Impressive teamwork you three. Zabuza taught you well. Secure the area, we set up camp here tonight. Naruto, walk with me. I believe there is an explanation I owe you." Mangetsu commanded.

AN: I'm sorry for the short chap. Next chap is gonna explain some history, not much more planned than that.

Need more filler arcs

Current planned: snow/spring, shion, Uzumaki exploration

Still debating: blood prison, isaribi

To be reviewed: amaru, kazehana, Karin/tayuya rescue,

Summons news(only 1 will be chosen): many of you have a different variety of summons, ranging from badgers, demon birds, flaming kamikaze birds to Panthers, Eagles, Lions, or Salamanders. Of course, the majority seemed to like wolves. Now for the next part. The summons are still open to add, but for now, I would like everyone to state:

a reason for their choice

how Naruto would get the contract

the summon special abilities

Boss summon.

I think I covered everything… well on to the reviews!

Reviews:

Wyrtha: hmm, that sounds a little like something the two tails would have lol. Also I deaged Mei cause pedophiles aren't cool xD. Remember, if Mei went full against Fu full, it would likely end in Fu's win. she's still got weights on and she's a Jinchuriki. Mei is a mid-ranged ninjutsu specialist and those lava jutsu are quite chakra costing. As for supervising the group, you never know, there are ninja everywhere, maybe even a few ANBU hiding?

Thor94: haha yeah

Devanta1: thanks, your summons input have been noted

BlackDragonShinigami: thanks

MiseryWolf: arcs and summons noted

Jacklvmage12: eh 3000 tasks, over a period of 31 days, with most of them being reasonably simple like getting water or checking the birds, with the help of clones ain't very tough. Remember Zabuza had come before so it's likely they already knew the trio would use clones.

Yagura was the 4th Mizukage. The young looking child with a staff and had the 3 tails in him.

Lol demon bird noted!

(lol I got your first review anyways)

AndiDuel: those jutsu, maybe (near the end, around 4th shinobi war). Dunno who would teach him if he does. Probably learn the jutsu himself and sage mode through summons or outside (not saying any names) forces. Ironically I had similar ideas with Naruto comforting Mei after a breakdown, though I never quite got to the part of Fu getting kidnapped xD.

Antex- The Legendary Zoroark: yes he will.

Post Watermelone: LOL flaming kamikaze-ing birds!

Guest1: badgers noted

Noahendless: thanks

.3950: glad you thought so