Chapter 15
Tenzen was walking down the streets of Konoha happy as can be. He held his belly as he walked massaging the ramen baby he had created in his stomach from five bowls. Shiro walked next to his summoner filled with just as much glee for it was his first time eating Ichiraku's, and he loved it just as much as Tenzen.
"I told you it was the best food in the world. Old man Teuchi knows what he's doing." Tenzen said putting his hands behind his head as he walked with a hop in his step towards the edge of town. The foxy duo was heading to the forest excited at the prospect of testing what they have been learning, and get to see how far everyone else had come.
"So hey Shiro. I never asked, do you want to work together or work alone." Tenzen asked showing his confidence in Shiro's ability. The pup gave a loud yip in response.
"Jeez. Relax, it was just a question, you don't have to be so rude about it." Tenzen said putting his hands up in a defensive manner. The pup gave lower pitched yip. "Okay, so we will separately."
Tenzen had no problem working alone. His tracking ability had gotten better since working with the foxes. He even managed to track down Shiro before the young fox knew what was happening. Not to mention his ability to sense others chakra through nature chakra. It was like the world was one big organism. All chakras flowing together through invisible super high ways that only those with Seishin blood, or Sages, can navigate and exploit. Tenzen could even swear that peoples chakra and nature chakra connected like this, but Jiraiya said that wasn't true. But, Tenzen was skeptical.
The foxy duo neared their meeting spot and could already see some of the other kids waiting. He saw Rin, Kakashi, and Anko had already arrived. He also saw the Inuzuka from class and a couple other kids he recognized. Tenzen wondered where the ringleader of this whole thing was. He would have figured Asuma would be extra early. But, it seemed the Sarutobi was being as lazy as ever. Tenzen neared his friend and gave them a small have. Having noticed him Rin lit up and gave the white haired boy a big smile.
"Hey Tenzen!" Rin exclaimed her smile grew ever larger.
"Hey Rin. Kakashi, Obito Anko. Where's Asuma at?" Tenzen said shoving his hands into his pockets, and cocking his head to the side.
"Don't know. Haven't seen 'em." Obito said shrugging his shoulders. "But there's no way he wouldn't come. Considering it was his idea in the first place."
"Yeah, so just be patient." Rin said wagging her finger as if Tenzen had done something wrong and she was scolding him.
"Hmmm… okay." Tenzen said and then crossed his legs and sat on the ground. He closed his eyes and concentrated. His goal was to focus in on everyone's chakra signatures so that he could distinguish them from all the others. Sitting on the ground he could feel all his friend chakra flowing steady and evenly. Reaching out further he felt the hum of chakra emanating from all around. It was truly astounding how many shinobi there were in Konoha. It reminded him of the first time Jiraiya and Fukasaku showed him this ability.
Flashback
Tenzen was sitting near the small waterfall in the gardens of Seishingakure. Jiraiya was standing over him with a small green toad on his right shoulder. For five minutes now the old toad was looking at Tenzen intently. The toad shifted slightly and put his hand on his chin.
"So what do you think Fukasake-sama?" Jiraiya asked looking up to the elder toad. Shifting once again the toad scratched the back of his head.
"I'm not quite sure what to think." Fukasake said before he jumped off the sannin's shoulder and moved towards Tenzen. "He is quite strange."
"I'm strange!? You're a wrinkly old toad that can talk!" Tenzen exclaimed putting his palms to his chest.
"Watch your tone Tenzen this is…" Jiraiya started but Fukasake put his hand up to stop the white haired man.
"It's okay Jiraiya. I'm sorry my boy, I did not mean to offend you." Fukasake said. "It's just that I cannot feel your chakra."
Tenzen looked at the toad strangely cocking his head to the side. Then, he looked to Jiraiya to see if he agreed.
"It's true. It's almost as if you have no chakra." Jiraiya said with a shrug of his shoulder.
"But I do. I use jutsu's all the time." Tenzen retorted.
"I know gaki. But, no one can sense your chakra until you attempt to manifest it into a jutsu." Jiraiya said explaining himself to the young boy.
"Really?" Tenzen said incredulously. Jiraiya just nodded his head thinking that an exceptable answer. Tenzen then looked down to the small toad who was still eyeing him. "Is there something wrong with me."
"I'm not sure. One second." The green toad said crossing his legs in a meditative stance. "Do me a favor and mold your chakra."
Tenzen did just that and molded his chakra into his feet as he had done so many times. He always wondered why it was his friends always said it was hard to mold chakra. It was second nature to him and it was almost soothing.
"Astounding." Fukasake said opening his eyes wide in amazement.
"What is it?" Jiraiya asked just as confused as Tenzen. The toad paused looking over the boy one more time.
"It would seem that his chakra is unapparent because it's nature chakra." The old toad said. "I'm not sure how it is possible, but it is."
"But Fukasake-sama, nature chakra his volatile wouldn't it deform his body in some way?" Jiraiya asked his eyes practically popping out of his socket.
"His body has adapted to it, much like us toads or the foxes." Fukasake said. "It may have something to do with his Chi kekkei genkai."
"Hmm…" Jiraiya started. "That could make since. The Chi's blood adapts and changes to work with any situation. Also, the Seishin were known for controlling nature chakra from birth. But, they did this by using their chakra to manipulate the nature chakra, much like a sage, none of them actually possessed nature chakra."
Suddenly everyone reacted to a new presence. It was Gekido, slowly coming towards the three. He looked hard into Tenzen's eyes and explained everything.
"Gekido says that my family knew this. When I was born I got very sick because of nature chakra flowing into my body. It dominated my chakra system and eventually took it over. It took several weeks until my body adapted to the nature chakra. He also says that you two were correct in assuming that it was because of my Chi kekkei genkai." Tenzen said staring back at the great fox.
"But, wouldn't that mean that Tenzen has an unlimited chakra reserve because he is constantly taking in nature chakra?" Jiraiya asked looking at Fukasake then to Gekido.
"He says that its true that I do have unlimited chakra. But, my body can only adapt so fast to the incoming chakra, and the less chakra I currently have the slower my body can adapt. So, when I use a lot up at once it takes time for my kekkei genkai to adapt, therefore volatile nature chakra simply sit within my body causing a lot of damage." Tenzen said repeating what Gekido was telling him. "So that would be why I felt like crap after using Minato-sensei's space time jutsu."
"It would also make sense why you have such ease with molding chakra and why you are capable of using such high level jutsu's at such a young age." Jiraiya concluded. "Why didn't the big fox tell us sooner?"
"He says because you never asked." Tenzen translated.
"That's a cheap answer." Jiraiya said glaring at the fox.
"He said not as cheap as your hussies." Tenzen translated causing Jiraiya to fume up at the white fox. "What does we mean Jiraiya-sensei?"
Jiraiya paused for a moment trying to think of an appropriate response for the boys young ears. He couldn't think of anything so he opted to just move on.
"Well anyways we should get started teaching you how to control nature chakra more effectively." Jiraiya said putting his hands on his hips in determination. "Now close your eyes and breath slow and even…"
End Flashback
When the two had returned to the house where Minato and Kushina were staying, Jiraiya told them that Tenzen need to stay a bit longer to make sure his nature chakra was in check. Suffice to say Kushina with Jiraiya for keeping Tenzen longer, and she was mad at Gekido for not telling them about the situation in the first place. She grew even angrier when Tenzen asked her what hussie means. The great fox boss sure got one bad bump on his head.
Tenzen opened his eye to see that several more people had shown up, including Gai, Kurenei, and Obito. A frown creased Tenzen face when he didn't see Asuma anywhere, and if Obito beat him here it automatically meant he was late.
"Hey Tenzen whatcha doin'?" Obito asked looking at Tenzen with a puzzled look.
"I was meditating. Jiraiya says I should do it every chance I get to be sure my chakra doesn't go out of whack." Tenzen proclaimed as he stood up and dusted his pants off.
"God you think you're so damn cool, don't you." Anko said scolding the fox summoner.
"Yes, but I still need to be sure my chakra levels stay moderate so not to cause a mutation or worse." Tenzen replied. "Jiraiya said it was a miracle of kami that I haven't grown fangs and claws."
All the kids looked around at each other wondering if chakra could really make you grow fangs and claws. Then they looked back to Tenzen for an understanding.
"Relax, my chakra's not the same as everyone else. It called nature chakra, which should only exist outside of the human body but for some reason my body absorbs it." Tenzen clarified then gave a shrug.
"I have heard of nature chakra, and you are right it shouldn't exist in the human body." Kakashi said with understanding. "I have also heard the it can be volatile."
"What?! Are you okay Tenzen?" Rin asked nervously. "I've been learning medical nin-jutsu, I can heal you if you want."
"I'm fine it's been like this since I was born." Tenzen said irritated, because he was sick of the questioning.
"Oh okay if your sure…" Rin said shakily.
"Anyways, can we get on with game Asuma?" Tenzen said looking over his shoulder at his best friend. Who wore a hardy smile and carried with him several ribbons.
"Sorry I'm late had to go pick these up." Asuma said holding up said ribbons.
"No excuses Obito even beat you here." Tenzen said mockingly.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Obito hollered.
"It means you are always late." Kakashi said dryly.
"I know he meant Teme." Obito countered.
"Enough guys, time to get down to business." Asuma said. "Now here are the rules…"
End Chapter 15
So now we know what's up with Tenzen's chakra. Sorry the game hasn't started yet but it will begin next chapter so keep checking up and keep those reviews coming. I may or may not be a praise whore. See ya.