Chapter 4-The Academy and the Massacre
Naruto was excited that he was starting his first day at the Ninja Academy, as he would meet new friends, and perhaps show some of the people that hate him that he was not all that they believed. Sesshomaru told him that to be wary of the teachers at the Academy, as they may try to sabotage his progress, or give him false information to make him fail. Naruto took those words to heart since he knew how much the people of the village hated him and wished for him to fail at learning anything so he wouldn't be strong enough to defend himself when he got older. Naruto had already and still was being trained on brief occasions with several Shinobi, who were already experts in specific fields of being a Shinobi, and when he wasn't learning from them he was learning at home. Naruto had no doubt that he would make Sesshomaru proud and become the elite among his classmates, but at the same time he had to remember not to let it get to his head.
Of course there had been a ceremony done by the Hokage to induct the new generation of potential Shinobi into the Academy with Sesshomaru himself attending. With the names being read off, many clapped for their sons and daughters believing their children would make a fine contribution to the village as a Shinobi, or at least make the attempt at it. It was when Naruto's names was announced that things got cold, as most of the people did not cheer, and even tried to throw things at him had Sesshomaru and shockingly enough Naruto, not used their energy whips to destroy the things they threw at him. Those said offenders were then taken by ANBU to Ibiki and Anko for interrogation so they could find out just who else hated Naruto and if any of them were teachers at the school.
The adults were scared by this demonstration of Sesshomaru's power and even more so by Naruto's, as his energy whip looked like it was made up of fire. The children were in awe at the both of them since they had never seen or heard anything like that in terms of Jutsu's. Among the group of children was Hinata, who was proud of Naruto for sticking up for himself against those stupid villagers. Another kid watching with the opposite and more negative emotion was Uchiha Sasuke, who felt jealous that this kid was showing off his skills.
'This kid is going to be troublesome just like dad said he would be. Though that doesn't explain why Mom him in the head with a rolling pin. Maybe its that 'time of the month' dad warned me about,' thought Nara Shikamaru since all Nara males were warned at a very young age about women and their tempers.
'That was pretty cool. Maybe he can be my friend like Shikamaru,' thought Akimichi Choji, who had been eating chips only to stop when he saw Naruto and Sesshomaru use the energy whip technique they each had.
'Mom said he was just the container, but its because of the Kyuubi that dad is dead. Mom may have found her peace in losing him, but I won't until I can beat, and humiliate that baka in front of everyone,' thought Kiba, who was seething at the demon technique the two used, and wished he had the strength to kill the blonde.
'Mom said to stay away from him. That he's evil or something,' thought Sakura, who after seeing that display of power believed her Mother was right.
'Dad said to nice to him and become his friend. He is kind of cute so why not?' thought Ino, who liked the whisker marks on his face wondering if it was part of a bloodline.
'My bugs tell me he his powerful for his age and Father said I should respect him as well as his adopted Father of a Demon Lord. Judging from the attack Naruto just used, he was somehow able to use demonic power as Sesshomaru-sama. Logically, that is not possible, but that still doesn't mean I cannot collect data from this, and learn how Naruto can do it,' thought Shino seeing the regal figure of Sesshomaru nodding his head towards his adopted son for a job well done using the energy whip.
"If we will have no more interruptions, I hereby induct this generation of children into the Ninja Academy in the hopes they will one day help protect the village from our enemies," said Sarutobi getting claps from the audience though he would make sure that those that were taken away were milked dry of any and all information they may hold by Ibiki.
The Academy was filled with all sorts of kids wishing to make their parents proud, but as the days progressed Naruto could clearly see, which students would pass, and the ones that would later fail. Some of the kids thought it would cool to be a Shinobi so they could become rich and famous for their heroic deeds that were constantly playing out in their own childhood minds. Those that came from Shinobi upbringings knew from their own parents, or their clans that the Shinobi life was hard work, and you had to really want it to become it.
Most of the girls just wanted to Shinobi because of Sasuke, who they found dreamy, and formed a fan club to show their support for him. Naruto thought such girls were going to be nothing, but trouble, as he had often heard Kurenai and Anko on occasion stating that the once great reputation of female Shinobi had been tainted due to "fan-girls". It was soon apparent to Naruto that these "fan-girls" were the said group having formed a club for the Uchiha boy.
The head of this Uchiha fan club was the boy's most fanatical fan-girl known as Haruno Sakura, who believed that the boy was a gift from Kami, and should be praised for his clan's greatness. As the days went by, Sakura also began hating Naruto like her Mother had wanted, and tried to slander the Namikaze name, calling the clan as a whole a family of demon loving whores. Her constant attempt at slander had earned her many detentions for her rude comments and was nearly sent to the Hospital when Naruto sent killer intent her way making the girl nearly have a seizure in the process. Several teachers had tried to punish the boy for his misgiving, but with Hinata being a witness to Sakura's misdoings, and several other students they couldn't.
Mrs. Haruno had a fit of course when she found out and demanded that Naruto pay both physically and financially for his crimes against her "innocent angel". Sarutobi stated that if he allowed such a thing to happen, then all of those that hurt Naruto in the past would have to go through the same things, and pay the boy in both manners the Councilwoman spoke of. Add to the simple fact that Sesshomaru would quite possibly unleashed a path of bloody destruction upon Konoha that none of the Shinobi in the village could stop also made it imperative NOT to bring up charges against the Namikaze Heir.
Still, despite these certain setbacks, Naruto had still made friends with Shino, Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino even though she was slowly turning to the way of the fan-girl like Sakura. Hinata was already his friend though he was slightly curious as to her increase in facial color when she looked at him shyly from time to time. He had asked about what it meant to Sesshomaru one day out of curiosity, but the Demon Lord simply smirked, and told the boy he would know when he was older.
At least, Sesshomaru hoped the boy would know when he was older.
However, Naruto had more important things to worry about, then that of possible future love interests, even if he was unaware of who had an interest in him. Within the first several months leading into the Academy, some of the teachers were becoming a pain in his side. They were deliberately trying to make the boy fail by asking him questions no normal child attending could answer and even tried to find ways to take off points on his test for the smallest things. However, much to the surprise of the other students, and the anger of the biased teachers the boy answered all questions correctly without any room for error.
As the rankings went halfway through the first year, Naruto proudly held Rookie of the Year, Hinata held second place, and Sasuke was (infuriatingly) in third. The supposed "Uchiha Prodigy" hated being in his brother Itachi's shadow and wished he was as strong as his big brother. Everyone always called him "Itachi's brother" rather then just simply acknowledge him as Uchiha Sasuke and expected great things from him. Several teachers had gone so far as to offer Sasuke private lessons to help him rise above both Hinata and Naruto, but the increasingly growing in arrogance of an Uchiha just pushed them away believing that he could do things alone by himself.
Kiba was no better in terms of his relationship with Naruto, as he along with his loyal pet Akamaru were always in class trying to start fights with the Namikaze, and then pin the blame on the blonde boy. The Inuzuka even went so far as to secretly bribe the older kids at the Academy to fight the Namikaze Heir to show the boy was all bark and no bite.
The end result was the said older classmen being sent to the Hospital with one having his arm broken, the second boy had two broken ribs with a third one cracked on the opposite side, and the poor third classman unable to return due to several spinal fractures. Though it didn't matter if the three boys returned or not, as they were going to be expelled for the times they had been caught multiple times for cheating on tests, and due to all the fights they started with other students.
It was almost quite fitting that this fight with Naruto was the last one in every sense of the word for them.
"So what do you guys think of today's Taijutsu Exam?" said Choji eating a bag of chips, as he walled along with the others outside to test themselves in spars, and grow stronger under the careful eyes of the Academy teachers.
"It's going to be troublesome. Knowing my luck I'll have to fight someone like Kiba or even Sasuke. If I do and they win I'll never hear the end of it from my mom. She got the extra strength frying pan today that she ordered from the Strong Wife catalog she always gets every month," said Shikamaru, who shuddered at all the things his Mom was going to do to him, and his whipped old man when she grasped it in her hands.
"Just hope for the best Shikamaru. If you get me as an opponent I'll go easy on you," said Naruto since he knew of his friend's laziness and the brilliance he tried to hide that was a big thing with the Nara Clan.
"Thanks Naruto, but even your luck can't break my misfortune," said Shikamaru, as one of their instructors named Mizuki placed everyone against the other.
"Okay class get into your assigned spaces for sparring. Naruto, since you seem so good at sparring were going to have you fight in a 2 on 1 fight with Uchiha Sasuke and Inuzuka Kiba," said Mizuki inwardly smirking since Sakura's Mother had sent a doctors note stating her daughter was under the weather and would have to miss class.
That and the Haruno woman didn't want her daughter mingling with the "demon" today since she felt it was beneath the family to even have a child in the same class as him.
"Let's go then," said Naruto getting into fighting stance his feet moving left to right to keep his muscles constantly active.
"You're going down loser. I don't care if you are the Yondaime's son, you're nothing compared to an Uchiha," said Sasuke getting into the standard Academy fighting stance while Kiba went into a sloppy form of the Inuzuka style.
"If the Uchiha's are so great then how come not one of them is a Hokage?" said Naruto grinning a fox like grin at Sasuke, who scowled at the boy before him.
"It's time you ate dirt and learned your place in life Namikaze," said Kiba angrily at the blonde believing that he was stronger then Naruto and charged in first while trying to use his still developing way of fighting against the oppositions own.
Naruto moved out of Kiba's way, as well as the flying kick Sasuke tried to land on him behind his back, brought his hands up to motion them to try again. And again they tried only for Naruto to dodge their attacks separately or when they came at him at the same time. Soon both of Naruto's opponents were on opposite side of him and charging at him with the full intent of finally landing a hit on the blonde. At the last second, Naruto bent backwards causing Sasuke and Kiba to hit each other in the face, and breaking both their jaws along with losing several teeth in the process.
"Beating your opponent is easy, but forcing him to beat himself into submission is hard," said Naruto, as Sesshomaru had told him that during a session in fighting tactics.
"Naruto you fail the Taijutsu exam portion of today because you didn't fight back. I don't care what your dad says you have to fight back and since you didn't you can explain to him how you failed today's lesson," said Mizuki smirking with a sense of superiority at winning a victory over the demon.
"Really Mizuki? I thought the objective of a Shinobi is to be unorthodox in his or her own way of fighting," said the Hokage shocking everyone at his sudden appearance.
"Sandaime-sama?! What do we owe this incredible honor of you gracing us with your presence?" said Mizuki bowing his head, but inwardly was seething inside at the man's sudden appearance.
"It's a funny story actually. You see I was doing paperwork, when I had a sudden urge or need rather to leave my office to give a well overdue surprise inspection of the Academy. Though judging how you failed a student for defeating not one, but two opponents in a fight, and without fighting back is a surprise in itself," said the Sandaime letting a brief flash of annoyance come across his eyes that made Mizuki uncomfortable.
"Can you override Mizuki-sensei's decisions to fail Naruto-kun, Sandaime-sama?" said Hinata, who didn't want the boy to fail because of how he won the fight.
"Of course young Hyuuga. I think Naruto passes with high marks for winning in a 2 on 1 fight," said the Hokage while Naruto gave a thumbs up to Hinata for helping him while the said girl blushed slightly at his praise.
"That's not fair! Naruto deserves to fail for making the Inu-baka hit Sasuke-kun!" said the group of fan-girls, who had watched the whole thing in horror.
"Are you questioning the authority of the Hokage? That could lead to treason and quite possibly punishment by death," said the Hokage making the fan-girls shut their mouths at his words.
By the day's end, Mizuki had been reprimanded for his way of grading, and told not to do it again or their would be Hell to pay. Naruto walked out of the Ninja Academy seeing his adopted Sesshomaru waiting for him like most parents would their kids and smiled at the Demon Lord before telling him about his day. Sesshomaru was proud of the boy for using his teaching in winning the 2 on 1 fight and took the boy out to get some ramen to celebrate.
Uchiha Sasuke looked at the two walking away and glared at the blonde before heading to the Hospital before to fix his jaw before heading home to talk to his Father. Sasuke wanted his Father's approval and the only way to get it was to be stronger then anyone else at the Academy.
As Sasuke walked to the Hospital, the sun was slowly setting, which would soon give rise to the full moon, and on this day of days a great event would occur. It would be so great, that it would be whispered for years to come, and be given one simple title in the history books.
"The Uchiha Clan Slaughter"
(Uchiha Clan District)
It was finally time.
Uchiha Itachi watched silently, as the Uchiha both the young as well as the old walked to the meeting room the Uchiha Estate. Itachi's Father had become suspicious of his actions for awhile now and had even ordered the spy's best friend to follow him to find out what it was that the eldest the Clan Head's children was doing. If one asked where Itachi's best friend was now and had the proper Shinobi level of clearance, which was quite high, the response would have been 6 feet under after the body recovered floating down the river, and with his lungs filled with water.
When the order from the Hokage was given for Itachi to do this, he was hesitant at first because not only to do this as an order by the Fire Shadow, but to do it in the name of the demon the Yondaime had sealed away. However, when he learned that the Kyuubi was brought to destroy Konoha by the once thought dead Uchiha Clan Founder, it soon put things in a whole knew perspective, and Itachi felt that in order for balance to be properly achieved his clan needed to be wiped out.
However, thanks to a small technicality there would be more then one Uchiha survivor that day, as Itachi had used his Sharingan, and its powers of persuasion to learn some interesting information concerning his Mother. While Itachi was sure the Kyuubi would be less then pleased with this slight alteration to the deal, it would ensure someone kept an eye on his little brother, who Itachi had admitted to the Hokage, the 8 year old was the runt of the entire family, and would be the one spared during the slaughter.
'Sasuke, you will one day come to see the truth with your own eyes, and I hope that in that moment you will not fall to the darkness like the rest of our family,' thought Itachi though he had his doubts that Sasuke would fully understand the reason.
Slowly, the moon had begun to rise, as expected with the moon becoming blood red, and looked almost ironically like a single Sharingan Eye.
It was time for the massacre to begin.
(Namikaze Estate)
Sesshomaru was in the Master Bedroom with the doors open to the well sized balcony and stepped out into the platform to admire the night sky. It had been a few years now since he setup residents in this place and while he was still getting used to the various things this world had to offer, it was proving to be an entertaining experience. Right now his thoughts drifted to Rin and how he missed her cheery face as she would smile around him while trying to get him to open up or her singing that would secretly melt his frosted heart as time passed. He promised himself he would see her again, talk to her again, and show that after so much time passed he still loved her as a Father loved his child. The time however, was not right, and until Naruto had secured a strong enough footing to let him depart for a certain amount of time back to his first adopted child he would stay in the Leaf village to protect his second charge.
It was then he noticed the bloody colored moon and smirked at it.
'The Uchiha Clan will fall and further balance will be restored to this world. However, even after all I have done, I sense the disturbance has only retreated back slightly, and has yet to be pushed back further then I wish it to be. No matter, as long as Naruto is strong enough to handle the challenges that await him when I am not around I can rest my demon soul knowing that this place is in good hands. I see a lot of Inuyasha in him, yet Naruto has learned at a young age to control his emotions rather then be an unorthodox ball of energy, and that will help him in the long run,' thought Sesshomaru before his ears caught the silent sound of tiny footsteps walking behind him.
"Hey dad, can I ask you a question?" said Naruto hoping he wasn't disturbing the Demon Lord from his thoughts.
"As long as it's not a stupid one," said Sesshomaru turning slightly to face the blonde haired boy.
"Okay. Um...I was thinking about this the other day about this when we passed that cool looking weapons shop. I know it will be a long time before I can even having a sword of my own, but I was wondering if I would get a demonic sword like your Tokin or maybe something like Tenseiga when I got older?" said Naruto wondering what his Father's take was on this question.
Sesshomaru was so surprised by the question he raised an eyebrow and turned to face the young blonde with an expression of slight curiosity. Sure the boy would eventually need something else in his arsenal and could have a sword later on after practicing with normal human ones, but a demonic sword? That in itself was a be a bit much even for his adopted son and Sesshomaru wondered how he could tell Naruto that he didn't believe in the boy to a degree that the child could handle a demonic sword? He couldn't lie. By the eyes of Kami he couldn't lie to this boy, who he had called a son in name, and in some demonic sense it was in spirit as well.
"A demonic sword needs a demon sword smith to make such weapon possible for use and even then it requires certain elements that make up the properties of the blade. Even after a weapon is forged it may decide to refuse the original owner it was intended for and find someone else it deems worthy of its power. I don't know if such a weapon could ever be yours and even if it did its power may one day overpower your own if it's strong enough. Until I see how strong you've become by your 12th Birthday I cannot permit you to wield demonic blade without my supervision or permission," said Sesshomaru, who saw the boy wanting to protest the decision even though the Demon Lord was right.
"But Tokijin didn't corrupt me!" said Naruto looking at Sesshomaru to explain that event, which allowed him to take the life of his hate filled Mother.
"I was there as well Naruto so the sword dared not take control in my presence and even if I wasn't there the sword didn't take over because you had channeled just enough of the demon fox's own power to combined with your to push it away from such a task. You are strong Naruto, do not mistake me deny you a demonic sword as a sign of weakness, but rather a Father siding on the air of caution for his son, and IF you prove yourself when you are older by showing me you are in fact strong enough to have one... then I will make the necessary preparations to have an old friend of mine make you demon sword," said Sesshomaru knowing it was a hard truth to hear, but the Demon Lord knew that Naruto would see that he was right.
"So all I have to do is prove to you that I am strong enough to wield a demonic sword and I can have one...right?" said Naruto wanting to make sure he heard Sesshomaru right.
"If you wish to make what I said simple sounding...then yes. If you can show me you are strong enough to handle a demonic sword by the end of your 12th Birthday I will see to it that you get a sword of demonic power made just for you," said Sesshomaru seeing this as a good motivator for Naruto push himself further.
Naruto's eyes lit up with hope and rushed over to Sesshomaru before hugging his leg in gratitude for giving him this opportunity. After a few minutes of affection, Naruto bowed to Sesshomaru saying goodnight, and walked out of the room to go to bed.
As for Sesshomaru, he turned to face the direction of the Uchiha District, and smirked at the blood bath that was no doubt unfolding in that area of Konoha right now.
(Uchiha District)
"Itachi?! What is the meaning of this?" said Fugaku glaring at his oldest son, as he saw the young Shinobi slaughter so many of his kin.
"For someone, who is supposed to be perceptive with his eyes Sharingan or not, you are very narrow-minded in not seeing the truth. With the exception of Sasuke and us, every other Uchiha of our clan is now dead. I am well aware of your talks with Danzo about an alliance to one day make Konoha an imperial dictatorship with the Uchiha Clan at the forefront of it. The Hokage knows of this as well and has ordered me to wipe away all that threatens Konoha from its enemies inside its walls. Its time to die," said Itachi before he beheaded his Father just as the doors behind him opened up, and one Uchiha Sasuke entered the room.
"Brother? W-What's going on?" said Sasuke shocked at seeing his Father and fellow clan members now dead.
"Sasuke! Run!" said Uchiha Mikoto, who was the Mother of the two boys in the room, and before she could plead more she was hit from behind with the back of the hilt from Itachi's sword.
"Mom!" said Sasuke frozen in fright before he tried to run away out of sheer fear for his own life only to bump into Itachi, who had moved in front of him.
"Have you no pride as an Uchiha little brother? Running like a coward when you should try to stand and fight. At least Mother had the courage to tell you to run to safety at the risk of her own life, but you? You didn't ignore her, you just ran like a coward, and cried the entire time. You truly are weak Sasuke," said Itachi anger at his brother for being so damn weak while thinking just like the rest of this damn clan.
Seeing that his brother needed to be taught a lesson to make himself into a better person, Itachi activating his Sharingan Eyes second stage and hit Sasuke with Tsukuyomi. After Itachi finished, he headed quickly for the Hokage's office to report what he had done, and then start the next part of the mission.
Spying on Akatsuki as one of its members.
(A Few Days Later)
The next day of the Uchiha Massacre had rippled through Konoha like a hurricane does to an island making some people fear that Leaf village was on the road to ruin. Danzo and several of the Council had tried to blame this on Sesshomaru saying the Demon Lord was a bad omen on the village. Others surprisingly disagreed since it was Itachi after all, who committed this horrible deed, and said that the Sesshomaru's presence in Konoha was now needed more then ever to keep villages like Iwa, Kumo, and the recently rumored Sound village that had just popped up at bay.
With the only survivors being Uchiha Mikoto and her youngest son Sasuke, the Councils wanted to make the boy powerful enough to avenge his clan before reviving it. They had planned on Mikoto to eventually help with that, but according to the medical records that Sarutobi showed them, the woman had complications with Sasuke, and resulted in her not being able to have children ever again. That hurt Mikoto, but after the meeting, she spoke to Sarutobi about her late husbands dealing, which she did not approve of, and learned it was because of inability to have children that she was spared.
Sarutobi told her to keep an eye on her second born child, telling her that he must not become arrogant, and consumed in the thought of wanting power only for his selfish desires. The old man had let it happen to Orochimaru years before and he didn't want it happening to the Uchiha with the possibility of creating a second Uchiha Madara. The woman complied with the Hokage's request since she didn't want the world covered in darkness like Madara or her husband wanted.
As for Sasuke, he came out of his condition slowly within 2 weeks of being in a comatose state the help of the Yamanaka Clan, though it wasn't easy, and when the boy woke up it seemed that there was a change about the boy. A change that several people did not like, but could not do much about since many called Sasuke the "Last Uchiha" for being the last loyal male Uchiha, and would try to spoil the boy silly. Mikoto tried her best to keep her son's arrogance at bay, but she only seemed to slow it down only by a fraction, and nothing more.
When the "Last Uchiha" reentered the Academy, his fan-girls, which had somehow been doubled because of his status, were always swarming over him for attention, and as with all fan-girls they believed the boy could do no wrong. They believed all that threatened their image of him was their enemy and needed to be hated with every fiber of their being regardless of the consequences.
To them Namikaze Naruto was such a threat.
To Naruto, they were becoming a growing annoyance, as they constantly tried to heckle, shriek, and basically get their way in order to make Naruto quit wanting to be a Shinobi. Of course it didn't work against Naruto considering they were all weak with the ones that were strong from the older class knowing better then to fight a boy, who could create a whip of fiery chakra from his finger tips. Hinata was also a major factor as well, as she had taken it upon herself to defend her friend from the army of fan-girls that just wanted to beat on him in order to please the Uchiha boy.
Naruto was glad that Hinata was around since he didn't like beating up girls, who were weak, even if they were the Uchiha's fan-girls, and besides it would make Sesshomaru frown upon him doing something that tainted both their names. Strangely enough, Naruto found that for every group of people that hated him, he got at least one friend out of the ordeal, and this fact proved to be the truth one day when the blonde vessel encountered a boy that was hitting a training post harshly.
"Hey!" said Naruto seeing the boy turn to face him with sweet running heavily down the kid's forehead and face from trying to beat up the training post.
"Hello. You are Namikaze Naruto correct? I have heard many things about you from the people of the village," said the boy seeing the blonde nod at the mentioning of his name.
"Yep! Got it right and on the first try. What's your name?" said Naruto walking up to the boy knowing he had seen the kid somewhere before during the classes that had the lower and upper students learn in the same room.
"My name is Rock Lee. As you can see I was training hard in my Taijutsu," said Lee before he turned to fact the training post to continue.
"So you're in the Academy like me. I haven't seen you around much probably because you are in the upper class. Have you seen a friend of mine their name Neji?" said Naruto casually leaning his shoulder on a training post a few feet away from the one Lee was hitting.
"Yes. He is considered a Prodigy and is foreseen as the Rookie of the Year for when he officially graduates from the Academy," said Lee hitting the training post with a little more kick at the mention of Neji's name.
"What rank are you in your class? From the way you're working hard I figured you have to be at least in the middle of them somewhere," said Naruto only to see surprise on the other boy's face before it turned to sadness.
"No. I am unfortunately...the dead last," said Lee expecting the boy to laugh at him and call him a loser like many others did in the past.
"You are? How?" said Naruto surprised since he could tell the boy really worked hard and wanted to be a Shinobi badly to prove his worth.
"For some reason I cannot use chakra so I cannot use Genjutsu or Ninjutsu, which means all I can do it focus on my Taijutsu," said Lee doubling his efforts on beating the training post.
"That sucks dude. I have plenty of chakra then most Jounins have in their prime, but if I could I'd gladly give you some to help you out, though when you think about it, you are probably better off without those two handicaps," said Naruto getting into a thinking pose while Lee just looked at him like had a demonic head.
"Better off?" said Lee confused at Naruto's words.
"Well...I'm no expert or anything, but I have been doing a lot of training since Demon Lord of a dad Sesshomaru adopted me so I could take my family's last name. Anyway what I'm saying is that while you can't use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu it doesn't make you as weak as you think. From what I know of Genjutsu from reading in scrolls in my clan house and a promising Genjutsu specialist of a sensei, I think your lack of chakra in your body prevents you from being hit by Genjutsu. As for Ninjutsu, while Shinobi are making hand signs and molding chakra, you could hit them with your Taijutsu to beat them up," said Naruto seeing Lee's eyes widen at this news.
"Are you sure Naruto-san?" said Lee hoping this wasn't some kind of cruel joke.
"All you really need Lee, is a good teacher to help you with Taijutsu and I just happen to know the right person to do it. He's teaching me his fighting style as a secondary style to help me interchange with my clan's own. He's coming by the Estate later today and I'm sure he would be more then happy to teach you a few things to help you out. Though a word of warning his choice of clothing is not exactly...pleasant on the eyes when you first meet him. If you don't know where the Namikaze Estate is ask Neji and he'll tell if not show you," said Naruto before walking off leaving a stunned Rock Lee wondering if he was being messed with or if this offer was for real.
Lee hoped it was for real.
(Naruto's Mindscape-Hours Later)
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN TWO UCHIHA'S ARE ALIVE?! THE DEAL WAS FOR ONE AND ONLY ONE TO BE ALIVE! WHAT TRICKERY IS THIS IN THINKING YOU CAN ALTER ON OUR DEAL?!" yelled Kyuubi, who was beyond furious at this moment, as he paced his cage with Naruto, and Sesshomaru standing in front of the large cage.
"It was not my suggestion to spare a second Uchiha amongst the dead clan, but rather the slayer himself wished it. He felt she would be the exception to being killed given the fact she has a condition that prevents her from having anymore children," said Sesshomaru since it was only fair to give the Demon Fox Lord the information.
"Can she activate her Sharingan Eyes?" said Kyuubi curiously frowning at slightly or what Naruto thought was considered frowning.
"No. From my understanding the Uchiha women in the clan cannot call upon that power like the males do and were only used mostly for breeding stock," said Sesshomaru, as he found out this from old Fire Shadow.
"Oh that's where you're wrong my fellow Demon Lord. The Uchiha women can indeed activate the Sharingan Eyes, but they do it a little differently. In fact, the only Uchiha female ever to activate those accursed eyes was none other then Madara's own eldest daughter. However, the way she unlocked it was different from the way a normal male Uchiha does it," said Kyuubi seeing the shock on Naruto face while Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow to indicate his surprise.
"How?" said Sesshomaru wondering how the woman could activate her Sharingan since he would have to report it to the Hokage.
"Quite simple really. While a male Uchiha brings out the Sharingan to the surface via near death experiences or intense anger, Uchiha women must feel the exact opposite of that, and by doing so would result in a rather potent set of Sharingan Eyes," said the Kyuubi grinning viciously at the two before him.
"How would Sasuke's mom achieve 'the opposite'?" said Naruto since he didn't really know the answer to that little riddle.
"I assume the kit hasn't had 'the talk' yet?" said Kyuubi getting a shake of the head "no" by Sesshomaru.
"He's still too young to know that so keep it simple," said Sesshomaru since he felt the boy did not need to know about such things yet.
"Very well. You Naruto, while Uchiha males must feel pain of the flesh, the females of the Uchiha Clan needed to feel pleasure of the flesh, and before you ask me I'm not going to tell you anything else until your old enough to figure it out. Though I will say this for the woman if she can't activate the eyes, her husband must not have been very 'active' in helping her unlock her bloodline," said Kyuubi laughing at what he said and the hidden meaning behind it.
"Huh?" said Naruto scratching his head before looking at Sesshomaru, who let out a sigh of frustration.
Sesshomaru could only wonder if Inuyasha was having better luck with Rin in learning such adult things if she asked.
"It's something that I will explain to you when you are older Naruto," said Sesshomaru, who shot the Kyuubi a glare that told the fox to not push his luck again.
"Back to the matter at hand. You said this female Uchiha couldn't use her Sharingan Eyes correct? Make sure it stays that way and make sure she keeps that Uchiha runt of hers in line. Despite this technicality the deal is fulfilled and I will assist my vessel in getting stronger to exact my vengeance on that accursed Uchiha Madara!" said Kyuubi before retreating back to its cell to slumber.
"Easier said then done. The guy is back after what happened and they worship him like he's a God," said Naruto frowning at the Uchiha being praised for surviving something after running away like a coward.
"Don't worry about it Naruto. In time they will see the truth one way...or another," said Sesshomaru, as the two exited the mindscape.
(Namikaze Estate-Training Grounds-Some Time Later)
Naruto was training with Gai again when Lee came to his home to learn from this part-time sensei of the blonde juggernaut. Lee was shocked and in awe at Naruto's skills with the Taijutsu specialist, who had to agree if only slightly on the man's choice of clothes, and yet the boy wondered if he could wear something like the man as well.
"Hey Lee! I see you made it," said Naruto while fighting Gai in the spar.
"Yes. I asked Hyuuga Neji about you and said that if I wished to progress further in being a Shinobi I should listen to your advice," said Lee seeing Naruto get sent on the defensive by Gai before pushing back against the Taijutsu master.
"Good call on his part. Hey Gai-sensei can we stop sparring for a bit so you can meet my new friend from today," said Naruto since he wanted the Shinobi to spend some time with Lee today rather then himself.
"Very well Naruto. I see you have progressed well and your Flames of Youth are quite strong in the progression of your growing skills. Now let's see what new student I can work with today," said Gai giving a thumbs up, which made Naruto sweat drop, and the blonde wondered if the man knew he was as weird as his fashion sense.
Probably not.
So for the next few hours Gai heard Lee's problem and wish to overcome it by using Naruto's suggestion of focusing on Taijutsu in order to make his weakness into a very powerful strength. Gai was more then willing to take Lee on as a student along with Naruto, which in itself would prove useful for both, as the two could be sparring partners, and progress even faster. Lee even got to meet with Sesshomaru, who understood the boy's desire to become stronger despite his limitations, as Inuyasha had done so for years when surviving against many half and full blooded demons.
Sesshomaru himself included.
To that end, Sesshomaru welcomed Lee to the Namikaze Estate and told him that he was allowed to come back for more training at the Estate. Of course, the Demon Lord had set a single stipulation that the boy's skills must show that they have increased noticeably throughout his time spent training, and that any form of lapse in it would result in Lee not coming back to the house until further notice.
It was a tough pill to swallow, but Lee wouldn't, and couldn't give up this chance to get stronger in order to prove he wasn't the loser everyone thought he was at the Academy.
He accepted the stipulation.
(4 Years Later)
"Okay everyone settle down as I read off the top three students of this years graduating class," said Iruka, who had spent the time of watching many of Genin-to-be in his class grow into fine Shinobi potentials with the exception of a few fan-girls here and there that slipped through the cracks.
When Iruka first met Naruto, he was a little angry at the blonde considering the fox killed his parents, but after the Hokage spoke to the teacher privately, things were cleared up, and decided to judge the boy on his actions rather then what was inside of him. The boy was well mannered though there were a few unexplained "incidents" that made him be wary of Naruto should he be angered. During the second year at the Academy someone in the Upper Class had managed to get hands on some poison from one of their parents, who worked at the Hospital, and tried to poison the fox vessel's as well as Hinata's food at lunch.
The said boy was later sent to the Hospital after Naruto force fed the poison food down his throat putting him in critical condition. The parents of the child were later sent to Ibiki to find out why they gave the boy such a powerful poison and what other things they told their son.
As for Hinata herself, she was forever grateful to Naruto when he had stopped her when she was about to eat the poison laced food, and in doing so found herself developing strong feelings for the blonde. Hitomi and Hiashi were pleased with Naruto with how he had saved her and how he delivered poetic justice to the stupid child that dared do such an act. So much in fact that Hiashi asked that Naruto become Hinata's bodyguard when Neji could not after he graduated, which the blonde accepted with honor, and made poor Hinata faint as such upon hearing the news.
Now as it stood, both Naruto and Hinata stood as the top students of their class next to one Uchiha Sasuke, who felt the world owed him everything it held. Iruka wished the boy had not received the deck of cards given to him at the hands of his older brother, but the Academy teacher saw no reason for the boy to simply believe that he needed to be better then everyone else, and hoped that Sasuke would make friends for support.
'If Sasuke is pissed now, just wait until after he finds out the results of the ranking for the students right before the final exam test,' thought Iruka seeing the boy was brooding in the corner while Naruto sat with Hinata a few rows higher and Kiba behind them several more rows up trying to burn a hole in Naruto's head via pointless glaring.
The Inuzuka boy had yet to let go of his hate for Naruto and like the Uchiha had stayed with the boy throughout the 4 years since they entered the Academy. There had been several altercations between the two, but not so serious as to get their respective parents involved in this.
"Hey Hinata-chan! After all our classes are over, you want to head over to my house, and hang out or train?" said Naruto, who was excited about tomorrow's graduation exam.
"Sure Naruto-kun, I would love that," said Hinata knowing that her Father and Mother would be busy running the clan and would not mind if she was with Naruto since they trusted him completely with her.
"Okay class today we announce the records for who our top 5 students are," said Iruka seeing everyone waiting to hear the news.
'Now is my chance to prove that I am superior to all these fools just like Itachi did with his class,' thought Sasuke smirking at his claim to fame in Konoha's Academy history.
"In fifth place, we have Inuzuka Kiba, due to his test scores not being as high as other," said Iruka hearing the boy scoff at that since he felt his strength came from physical work rather then mental.
'As if brains could overpower my Inuzuka Clan brawn,' thought Kiba since he felt that he was invincible.
"In fourth place, we have Aburame Shino due to him doing better on his tests scores then Kiba," said Iruka seeing the bug using boy nod his head though his insect already spied on the papers in Iuka's hands already knowing the results.
'The Uchiha will not like this one bit,' thought Shino his bugs telling him to be wary of the Uchiha as he is not to be trusted.
"In third place, is Haruno Sakura for her book smarts and her perfect test scores along with her average form in the standard Taijutsu taught here," said Iruka seeing the pink haired girl cheer in the back next to Ino, who pouted because she had failed gotten an average C- on her test since she forgot to study, and had to have a major cram session the night before.
"In second place, is Hyuuga Hinata for her near perfect scores as well as her well above average Taijutsu though coming from the Hyuuga Clan I'm not surprised," said Iruka seeing Naruto and Sasuke frown slightly since they seemed to spot what Iruka knew they would hate, but for Sasuke would be even worse.
Uchiha's were never ones to share things.
'Is he doing what I think he's doing?' thought Naruto and Sasuke at the same time before eyeing each other with disdain since neither boy liked the other one.
"And finally, the Rookie of the Year at Konoha's Shinobi Academy is...both Namikaze Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke before sending an apologetic smile towards Naruto, who he knew would accept this.
If it wasn't for the Shinobi Council members like Danzo and the Sandaime's two former teammates, Iruka would have gladly named Naruto Rookie of the Year and Hinata in second place, but the Council wanted to inflate the Uchiha's ego into thinking he was getting stronger in Konoha. They were possessed by the fear that if Sasuke wasn't given everything he desired by the people of Konoha, then he would leave to head somewhere that he could. The last thing the Council wanted was an Uchiha Clan in Kumo or possibly in Iwa so the only thing they believed was best was to fatten the Uchiha's ego up in order to keep him loyal to Konoha.
They also said it was to keep the "demon" in line, but Iruka didn't buy that at all.
"WHAT? Iruka-sensei, how can you allow that trash be with Sasuke-kun. Everyone with half a brain knows that the Uchiha Clan is superior to the Namikaze Clan," said Sakura being the fan-girl that she was.
"Sakura it was not my call in the end and if you rechecked Konoha's history books not a single Uchiha has become the Hokage yet. As for the Namikaze Clan, I believe a certain 4th Hokage would disagree with your outburst, and I believe his son several rows away from you would too," said Iruka folding his arms and frowned at Sakura.
"Damn right! Also note that no Uchiha has stopped a Demon Lord either. So if anyone here wants to try and compare the Namikaze Clan to the Uchiha Clan, you better get a long ruler because my family goes way beyond them," said Naruto glaring at those that would try to put the Uchiha Clan higher up then the Namikaze Clan.
"Iruka-sensei, I refuse to have this inferior person share my spot as Rookie of the Year," said Sasuke while Naruto scowled deeply at the Uchiha and even allowed some demonic chakra to channel into his mouth to show his slightly sharper fangs to intimidate him.
"Well if that is how you feel, then I propose a match between the two of you, and the one who wins that match will be named Rookie of the Year with the loser becoming the dead last of the Academy allowing a certain Nara to rise above his family's status quo,' said Iruka turning to see a sleeping Nara Shikamaru, who upon hearing his name during his time asleep flipped off Iruka.
"Fine with me since I'm not going to lose. An Uchiha never loses," said Sasuke walking out of the classroom with Naruto following along with everyone else since this fight was too big for it to be held in the classroom.
"Tell that to the Shodaime, who kicked Uchiha Madara's carcass all over the Valley of the End," said Kyuubi inside Naruto's head having heard the boy's arrogant words.
Once outside in the sparring area Sasuke got into his own Taijutsu stance while Naruto just stood still with his hands at his sides in a very confident like manner. Sasuke was by all means insulted as well as infuriated by this and wanted the boy before him to be badly beaten before him while whimpering like a dog. His Mother kept telling him not give into his hatred of Itachi or to be arrogant as it was what led to the fall of the clan in the first place, but Sasuke couldn't let go of such things, and what was more is that he believed that everyone that stood in his way of revenge should be removed one way...or another.
"What are you waiting for Uchiha? If you believe you are as all powerful as you claim to be, then by all means me, and show everyone how powerful you are," said Naruto clearly preying on his opponent's arrogance and superiority complex.
"Prepare to be dead last in both title and name Namikaze!" said Sasuke rushing forward with his arm cocked back to land on Naruto's face only for the said boy to catch it and breaking the hand at the wrist before kicking him back.
"If that's all the skill you've got, then you might as well just give up before I go ahead embarrass you in front of everyone of your loyal fans," said Naruto seeing several of the would-be fan-girls that would try to become Shinobi with them soon.
"Screw you loser! I don't care if your old man was the Yondaime; at least my Mother was an Uchiha while yours was some no named whore," said Sasuke smirking at the face of Naruto whose eyes widen at that remark, and the Uchiha expected to charge blindly at him.
Hinata herself was now leaking out killer intent at the Uchiha wishing that her morals as a Hyuuga would slip this once so she could Gentle Fist the arrogant prick back to the era of the Shodaime.
As for Naruto, he held no love for his late Mother, other then the simple fact that she had brought him into this world, but after leaving him to fend for himself rather then try to make an attempt at raising him cut off any form of emotional ties to her. Still, apart of his heart felt that because of that remark it dishonored his Father as well, and as much as he wished his Mother would burn for her betrayal to his old man, he unfortunately had to defend her honor along with the Namikaze name.
It didn't mean he had to like it though.
"So you want to go along the lines of family Sasuke? All right I'll play dirty if it's only just this once to make you angry. While I have no love for my Mother for betraying my Father given his dying wish for me, at least my Father was considered a hero throughout the world and wasn't some stuck up, limp dicked, power desiring asshole descended from a line of power hungry assholes. So all things considered Uchiha just because you think that your clan is better then mine simply due to having family left is a plus for you. Its not!" said Naruto raising his right hand and after channeling some demonic chakra into it made them seem like he had claws making a cracking sound as the arms extended.
"Oh and why is that," said Sasuke smirking, as he got into his Taijutsu stance again.
"Because I can say for a fact that no Namikaze ever killed off our clan while yours...well I think Itachi explained everything in that manner didn't he?" said Naruto his blue eyes flashing red with slits before rushing forward faster then Sasuke could see and in a mere instant was sent flying into the Academy wall hard leaving a spider webbed impact sized crater.
Everyone with the exception of Hinata was in shock at what just happened, as they saw Sasuke sliding to the ground with a large chunk of his face covered in blood, and when they turned to Naruto they found out why. Naruto's clawed hand was covered in flesh, skin, and muscle tissue of his Uchiha of an opponent. As for Naruto facial expression, it was like looking at stone face filled with seriousness, and of someone that didn't take crap from anyone clan or no clan.
'Well that settles that,' thought Iruka knowing that the two Councils were going to be upset by this and slightly at him for allowing this, but the Uchiha did demand it, and that in itself would no doubt the only reason he kept his job as a teacher at the Academy.
After all who was he, a simple Chuunin school teacher, to say no to the simple demand of the near Heir to the Uchiha Clan?
"Tell the Uchiha he has two choices. Either he simply admits defeat or that a "dead last" beat him," said Naruto knowing that neither one would sit well with Sasuke, but as he walked with Hinata back inside it was clear to everyone about what just happened.
Regardless of whether or not he was declared the winner of that fight...Naruto didn't give a damn.
(A/N: YAY! I finished another chapter for all of you. I'd do Jiraiya's dance, but then I would be administering cruel and usual punishment upon you. LOL! Seriously, I hope you like since it was difficult to write. My creative well is feeling quite drained right now so I may need some time off to fill it up again. Hopefully not too long of course since I know you are all dedicated readers. As for the conflict between having this become a NarutoxHarem or simply NarutoxHinata can be decided by voting at my profile. Nothing will be decided until during or after the Chuunin Exams get underway so don't worry about it ending so soon. Until next time...PEACE!!)