Noctis Eternum
Chapter Three: A New Home
Author Notes: So here's the next chapter. Enjoy.
Five hours Later
Konoha: 12:00 PM
Hiruzen breathed in deeply. The scent of blood, smoke, and death surrounded him like an age old friend. 'How long had it been since he was on the battlefield?' Like an old friend he embraced the battlefield. He grew up during the time before the first Shinobi world war and lead the village during all three world wars. He was the Sandaime Hokage. Right now he wasn't the professor. He was the God of Shinobi.
Right now the rebels were heading towards the village gates with thousands of bloodthirsty enemies on their tail.
His army was well formed and hundreds of squads were battling on either side as the army and refugees escaped. He overlooked the thousands of fleeing Konoha citizens with sadness. His army was trying to make sure that none got hurt but such was war.
He stood on a high vantage point. He was standing on a large tower that gave him a good view of the city south of him. He overlooked the chaos south of him and was surprised. His army was steadily holding off the Enemy ninja but they were being rapidly pushed back by the superior numbers Tsunade commanded.
He grit his teeth, "Damn you Minato. This is your fault."
Explosions dotted the skyline painting a grim picture. The southern outer wall needed to be brought down to ensure their escape. He would need to do it himself. He shunshined close to the southern wall where his forces were arrayed and sped through handsigns. "Kuchiyose No Jutsu: Monkey king Enma" Enma appeared and glanced at Hiruzen with curiosity, "Hiruzen have you finally decided to go through with the plan?"
He chuckled, "Yes my old friend. I wish it did not have to come to this. We must save pleasantries for later. We have a job to do yet again."
Enma looked at the forces arrayed against them. Kakashi was commanding the southern defense of one thousand chunin and genin. Enma scowled, "War never changes." Enma transformed into his staff form and sprung into Hiruzen's hand.
Kakashi and a Platoon of Konoha ninja defended the southern wall the rebels needed to get through to escape. The army was clinging vertically to the wall hundreds of feet in the air and using katon jutu's to bombard the rebels from a distance. "Don't let them escape!" yelled Kakashi. He started performing the hand signs for 'Katon: Fire dragon Jutsu'
A large adamantine staff shattered through the entire stone wall they stood on. The staff retracted and extended rapidly destroying entire formations and decimating Kakashi's one thousand strong army in moments, however Kakashi was a seasoned veteran and knew who he was dealing with, "retreat!" Kakashi yelled.
The rapidly approaching Sandaime went through hand signs along with the thousands of approaching rebels, "Katon: Fireball Jutsu"
Unfortunately for the Konoha Shinobi it was too late. With the sound of a roar thousands of fireballs launched forward exploding against the gigantic stone walls of the village, fire spreading onto the nearby trees turning those unfortunate enough to be in the fires path into ash's.
Kakashi had been fortunate to Kawarimi at the last second, but he had sustained a badly burned torso. The fire had burned through his right arm so badly the nerves were fried.
The silver haired Jounin winched as he retreated with a limp arm.
"The Konoha forces are retreating, hurry evacuate before they regroup and send in the rest of the Jounin", Yelled a random rebelling Chunin.
"Again!" Tobi barked.
Naruto continued doing pushups. He was sweating profusely. 'This man is a slave driver!" He thought.
It was weeks after his escape and Naruto was undergoing the most rigorous training in his entire life. After Tobi had evaluated his skills he had decided that Naruto needed to be taught from the ground up, lest he die after his first taste of combat.
The first thing Tobi had done was get rid of that abominable orange jumpsuit. Naruto had finally accepted Tobi's insistence that bright orange was not a color a ninja should use. He had finally settled on a dark orange and black camouflaged shirt and pants with black fingerless gloves and combat boots. As a bonus Tobi had bought him a light weight black cloak with burnt orange flames on the coattails.
Tobi had him begin on the most important subjects for someone like him at the moment. Taijutsu and chakra control.
Once he had informed Tobi he knew the Kage Bushin jutsu the man had immediately seen the applications for chakra control and jutsu, but that wouldn't help with Taijutsu since they dispelled after one hit and couldn't build muscle mass.
So Tobi had developed a schedule for Naruto.
Every day Naruto would wake up at eight o'clock and train until night time in Taijutsu while his clones trained in the leaf floating, tree walking , and water walking exercises.
Now while these exercises would normally be easy for Naruto. Tobi had decided to make it more challenging by having the Naruto clones fight a copy of him while utilizing said chakra control technique. However Tobi knew that he could not create anywhere close to the amount of clones Naruto could including the fact that it only took one hit to make them disappear. These reasons mentioned would normally make the method seem impractical.
Tobi though had seen a way around this. He simply cast a high level area wide Genjutsu around the veritable army of clones and watched them reap the rewards fighting phantasms of himself.
Though it was only an illusion they still moved around fighting the illusions thus improving their control by simulating a real fight. The clones got the perks of training without dispelling, though they could never train in Taijutsu besides possibly gaining reflexes faster.
Naruto at the moment was training very hard having learned the first few stances of the style Tobi called the "Lightning Fist." It was a style that relied on fast movements and sharp precise strikes. He was working on this when he noticed his Sensei was talking to at what first appeared to be a plant in a coat.
It looked like a weird cross between a plant and a man. He decided to wait until his Sensei was done talking. From the sounds of it seemed like he was discussing something important.
He felt apprehensive about the plant man but he decided to withhold judgment.
III
Tobi was discusing with Zetsu about the latest news from Konoha at the moment.
"You're sure that this is correct? He asked with an gruff tone.
"Yes Konoha has just entered a civil war from what I have gathered. The city is in a state of chaos at the moment and the Hokage has been completely discredited. The rebelling side has fled the village with one fourth of konoha's strength to back it up and chances are high it might start its own ninja village.
Tobi laughed, "This is the best outcome we could have hoped for. While the major villages start panicking and make their alliances we can gather strength openly and finally become the sixth major village, though with the new rebellion in Konoha we might have seven or eight after all is said and done. Now while there's a slight chance the fourth ninja war could break out there's also an equal chance of fire country being put on lockdown similar to Kiri and lower the chances of that happening. Still the possibility of Iwa or Kumo, maybe even Suna attacking the land of fire in a territory grab are high."
Tobi paced around excitedly, 'Yes and my revenge on Konoha is finally beginning' , Tobi was interrupted from his inner musing by Naruto. "Sensei who is this", asked Naruto. He pointed at Zetsu with a questioning look.
Tobi decided if Naruto would be his apprentice that he should know the identity of Akatsuki's spy. After all who better to look after the Kyuubi Jinchuurki then the most amazing sensor ninja he knew of.
"This is Zetsu. He is the spy and information gatherer of Akatsuki. He is also the one who will be training you in the sensor skill, and stealth once you have reached Jounin strength." Explained Tobi.
"Why can't I train in stealth now? I think I have a little experience considering I stole the forbidden scroll." he asked with curiosity.
"That's simple" replied white Zetsu
"Although you have displayed impressive stealth for your age, especially in taking into account the fact you managed to steal the forbidden scroll of sealing while wearing a bright orange jumpsuit no less! However stealth isn't your most important priority at the moment. Your training has been sabotaged to the point you barely know the basics and you can't break a Genjutsu to save your life. At the moment you would die the second you encountered a Genjutsu specialist since you won't be able to fight them off." Explained Zetsu with a neutral expression.
Naruto realized that Zetsu was right. If he did not have the basics down it wouldn't matter how stealthy he was. The second he was discovered he would be killed.
"Sorry Zetsu-San for questioning you" Naruto said with embarrassment.
"Nonsense you are an aspiring Shinobi and should be curious. If you were not curious I would think you overconfident; especially with your lack of training." Replied Zetsu with a smile.
"Enough Naruto get back to your kata's and Zetsu let us continue this somewhere more discreet."
"Hai Tobi-Sama." Zetsu traveled to the far end of the training field and waited for Tobi.
Before Tobi left to join Zetsu he gave Naruto the last instructions for the day. "Naruto you have worked quite hard today so I will allow you to roam around the village and get acquainted to your new home. Report to the central tower when you decide you are done."
He cheered, "Woop, woop!"
Tobi sweatdropped, "You are quite the odd one aren't you?"
He rubbed the back of his head feeling a ting of embarrassment, "Ha yeah, but I'm your odd one."
Tobi chortled earning a smile from Naruto. The masked man simply shook his head in exasperation, "Here is the badge you will show the guards once you get there. It will identify you as an affiliate of the Akatsuki and they will let you in no questions asked."
Naruto nodded taking the badge.
"Do not lose this understood." Tobi said as he handed Naruto a badge with red clouds decorating it.
"Hai Tobi-Sensei I will make sure not to lose it, and I will be at the central tower before dark."
"Alright I'll be going but don't cause a scene" Tobi walked away with Zetsu.
Naruto was now alone. The softly blew in the deserted training ground he had been using. He took a few moments to appreciate the city. Spires of all shapes and sizes twisted through the air like behemoths reaching for the sky. "Wow I can't imagine how long it must have taken to build this."
He started walking through the city. The damp metallic ground beneath his feet reminded him just how far away he was from his birthplace.
"I still can't wrap my head around how easily Sensei got me out of that hellhole. One second I was in Konoha and the next I was halfway across the world."
Amegakure was a very different from Konoha. It was always raining but the city held a beauty of its own. The city was completely made of metal with skyscrapers rising into the sky. The metropolis had a maze of networks and crosswalks used to get from one section of the city to another. If he had a guess it was both designed to allow for easy travel and to provide a tactical defense in case the city was invaded.
Beyond that the various crosswalks also winded away from the city towards various small rocky islands that dotted the massive lake Amegakure was situated in. Legend had it the forty eight mile wide crater the city was built in had originally created from a duel between Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.
Having finished gazing at the skyscrapers he began to walk down one of the streets that was bustling with activity. The sights and smells of the various goods the merchants were selling amazed him. The crowd at this hour was sizeable with hundreds walking and scurrying past him with their own business to attend to. Bakers sold loafs of fresh bread on the street and people were loudly bartering for high priced foods. He spotted a young woman around his age with all assortment of jewelry adorning her.
He stopped a passing man in his thirties. "Hey can you tell me where I can find some ramen."
The man looked at him with a smile, "Sure kid." He pointed to a little stand past the bakery.
"Thanks." Naruto waved at the man and ran to the little shop.
When he walked in he found a heavenly aroma in the air. The scent of Freshly cooked ramen wafted in the air.
The bell jingled and a very familiar auburn haired woman turned around.
"Hello and welcome to the best ramen stand in- Gasp Naruto?." She said shocked.
Blue eyes widened, "Ayame?"
Ayame looked like she had seen better days. Dark bags lined her eyes and stress lines marred her face.
"It really is you isn't it?" Suddenly Ayame looked behind her and yelled, "Tou-San!"
Teuchi came out from the back of the stand looking haggard, "Yes dea- Plates dropped and shattered.
"You're alive" Teuchi said.
Anxious he rubbed his hair, "Ye-yeah. I got rescued."
Ayame quirked an eye, "Was it a mysterious masked stranger?"
"How did you know?"
She sighed, "The night after you got sentenced we packed up our stuff and left. We were thinking of heading to Lightning Country but a strange masked man appeared out of thin air and offered us a large salary if we took our business to Amegakure."
He smiled. 'Thanks Tobi- Sensei'
Teuchi began wiping a dish, "So what happened Naruto? How did you end up here?"
"Well...I was saved by Tobi-Sensei. He is that masked guy you met."
"Is he treating you well?"
Naruto laughed, "He's a hell of a slave driver but he's a good guy."
They smiled. He started salivating smelling something delicious. Ayame brought out a bowl of his favorite dish. The scent of salty miso ramen entered his nostrils and sent his brain into a frenzy, "Miso!" He yelled happily.
He picked up the bowl and started eating with gusto, "This place is already awesome. No one hates me so far and the food is delicious!" He thought.
The ramen stand owner and his daughter laughed seeing the happy orange blond eating away with gusto.
Finally done he rubbed his belly and sighed in content, "That was the best."
"Seconds?" Ayame offered.
About to say yes he stopped, "Ah, Gomen, I am short on time today."
Looking disapointed Ayame sighed, "Ok but you better promise to come every week mister."
"I'll try my best Ayame-NeeChan.
Teuchi waved, "Good luck Naruto and come back anytime!"
He waved back, "Will do old man!"
Walking outside It was still daylight and he was already more happy then he had ever been in Konoha.
The life in this place was overwhelming. Certainly Ame was flourishing considering it was generally avoided by the other nations when they were not at war. Hanzo's presence scared off any invaders that dared to cross the border. The only fighting that seemed to have happened recently was that Hanzo had been overthrown by the new God of Ame called Pein.
While Naruto wasn't sure what to make of Pein. Tobi had assured him that Pein was a friend and that he would watch over him to make sure that he was safe at all times. He wasn't completely sure about that. He had seen Shinobi everywhere but none seemed to be paying attention to him. In fact he had never seen Pein at all. The only constant in his entire stay at Ame being the never ending rain. He did feel as if he was being watched, though whenever he looked where he thought he saw something he only noticed a shifting in the air; as if something big was moving in plain sight.
Looking through the throng of people he noticed some people his age wearing Ame headbands and decided to interact with them.
The children his age noticed the unfamiliar boy and beckoned him over. Naruto saw an opportunity to interact with kids his age, so he complied. There were around six or seven teenagers of various ages.
"Hey you with the blond hair, are you new around here" Asked one of the teens with brown hair. The guy who asked him the question was wearing blue jeans and a black shirt with the Ame symbol on the back.
Naruto blinked at the question. He had never been asked such a question.
"Ummm"
"Taru give him some room" said a blue and red haired girl standing near him. He paid attention to the red haired girl since she gave off an air of danger. She was wearing a black cloak and hood that covered her features and a dark mesh shirt with black pants and combat boots. When she lifted her head he caught a glance of leaf green eyes and a slim teenage face.
"Excuse me what's your name?" Naruto asked the red haired girl who looked about fourteen years of age.
She blushed "oh sorry my name's Mabui" she said with a blush.
"My name is Naruto. It's nice to meet you" Naruto said as he extended his hand.
"I am a Chunin under Sasori-Sama. It is nice to meet you too. Also these are my friends" Mabui said as she introduced the other seven kids standing around her. All were around fourteen or fifteen years of age.
Looking towards Naruto was one of the girls who seemed interested in him. She had green hair with tan skin and was wearing black biker shorts with a blue short sleeved shirt with an under armor mesh. He thought she was one of the prettiest girls he had ever seen.
She winked at him with her amber eyes making his stomach feel like butterflies. She stepped forward to the front of the group.
"My name is Fu."
He stared into her orange eyes and grinned. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto."
She giggled, "I see you are new around here."
He leaned back and crossed his arms, "What makes you so certain of that?"
She opened her half lidded eyes, "Weeeell. I was going by that new ramen shop earlier when I happened to notice a certain blond boy looking so lost."
Mabui muffled a laugh with her sleeve, "Fu since when did you pay attention to boys?"
"Since now." Fu shrugged.
"Where are you from?" Asked Taru.
He blinked, "I am from Konohagakure."
"That tree hugger village?" Taru laughed.
"The one and only." He replied.
"So how did you end up here in Amegakure?"
"Well..." How did he want to answer this? Did he tell the truth or offer an alternate version of events?
As it turned out he did not need to answer, "Guys stop. Look at the badge on his chest." Said one of the unnamed teens.
"huh?"
Everyone turned to look at the black and red badge he had pinned to his shirt.
"That's!" A hand muffled Taru's voice.
Mabui muffled the rowdy boy, "Quiet! Remember Civilians aren't supposed to know the significance of that badge" She hissed looking around at the villagers going about their business.
Taru nodded and Mabui removed her hand, "Jeeze Mabui"
"Don't start Taru."
The two continued to bicker and Naruto tuned them out. Now he only focused on Fu. The girl laughed, "Sorry this isn't the greatest first impression." She blushed.
He waved her off, "It's ok I've been in a team before." He pointed at the two rowdy friends, "This is nothing compared to my last team."
The former confident girl turned a cheery red. He hoped she wasn't catching a cold. She averted her eyes. He wanted to stay and talk more but he wanted to get a lay of the village before he turned in for the day.
He made to leave but felt a hand grab his cloak. He turned around to see Fu with red cheeks, "Yes?"
She fiddled with her fingers, "H-Hey, would it be cool if I should you around?" She closed her eyes.
'She's so cute.' He thought. Her pursed lips and red-tinged cheeks made it impossible to say no, "Sure"
Her amber eyes lit up in excitement, "Yeeeeee!"
III
Fu was like Naruto in a way. She had been brought to Amegakure by Akatsuki much like Naruto, except she had encountered them completely by chance when trying to escape from Takigakure. Takigakure had treated her terribly. The Shinobi had stopped her from interacting with any of the villagers and on the rare chance she did they looked at her with fear and scorn. Fu had been loyal to the Akatsuki ever since that day, henceforth viewing them as her saviors.
Konan had informed her of the blondes arrival and the circumstances behind it. However this was the first time meeting him.
She was excited that Naruto appeared interested in her offer. 'He's so cute' she thought staring at his whisker marks. She resisted the urge to pet them.
"Naruto before we do that would you like me to show you around the village."
Naruto nodded "Sure thing Fu I would be happy to see the village."
Seeing that Naruto was willing she turned to her other friends "Hey I'm going to show Naruto around the village okay."
"Sure thing Fu we will see you later" replied Mabui.
Fu motioned for Naruto to follow her. "The area we are in right now in near the center of the village called the Market district. Every major village has one and Amegakure is no different." Fu explained.
She pointed her hand to the south. "This direction is where the majority of the residents live, though I live in the central tower."
Naruto was surprised "Hey I also live in the central tower. My Sensei told me to show the guards a badge to let me in if I needed anything." Naruto explained and showed the badge.
"I see that you must be special for Akatsuki to have brought you in. Are you a Jinchuuriki like me?" She asked.
Naruto taken back now realizing he had been conversing with a fellow Jinchuuriki.
He felt a strange form of kinship begin to develop. One not seen since he had met Gaara. "Yes I'm the Jinchuuriki of the nine tailed fox. I was betrayed by my former village" He spat the last word. "I will never return to that pit."
Fu understood his pain. It was similar to her own. She decided to trust Naruto, though she didn't really know him. "Naruto believe me the people here are very kind and would never hold your burden against you. They have felt pain too and aren't like the dumb villagers you know.
"Thank you Fu. I think we might become great friends."
Naruto held out his hand, "shake on it?" He said.
She winked, "Definitely" They shook hands and a beautiful friendship was formed.
'Naruto huh' He seemed trustworthy so far and Chomei would have told her if he harbored ill intentions. She could count her friends on the fingers of her hand.
She showed him around the southside. The residential district housed over a hundred thousand Ame villagers and twenty five thousand shinobi.
III
Naruto felt what could only be happiness. 'I can't believe how happy my life has been since joining Tobi. I've already made a new friend.'
He followed Fu on a journey he would not soon forget. He walked through busy airborne streets connected by girders and steel beams. He spied a nice three storey house that looked luxurious. She looked at him with her mischievous orange eyes and he felt his heart speed up. He tried not to show it.
Naruto was inwardly sweating, 'Get a grip on yourself. You've just met her and she's probably not interested in you.'
The metal pathway took them out of the village proper and to one of the small islands that made Amegakure lake. On one such island the road took them to a two storey building that had a chimney and was primarily constructed out of wood. Fu whistled at the nice log cabin. "Naruto would you believe how much this cost?"
Naruto turned towards her, "No clue."
She huffed, 'Your no fun." She gripped his hand and lead him to the next house. He was feeling completely awkward but he dared not voice it. Naruto never had a girl take interest in him, so this was very new to him.
Her warm touch made him feel alive in ways he had never imagined. He struggled to understand these new feelings. 'What is wrong with me? I feel something for someone I just met. I don't like Fu, Do I?
