Chapter 6: All that Training and Nothing to Show

I've been getting lots of story ideas recently and I appreciate them. People have been asking for Dark Corridors, I was thinking of making those fuinjutsu like the Hiraishin no Jutsu, only it would be for moving large groups and such he would still have to mark the exits as well as the entrances. I have my own plan for the Hiraishin, think Cloud's Omnislash Version 5.

Some readers would like me to incorporate the powers of the other Organization members but I have no clue how to work that in. Xaldin's abilities are a given with Naruto's wind affinity and I would also like to at least have him use Zexion's powers. So if anyone has any idea's that would be great.

And with that on with show, er chapter.

Naruto entered the classroom to find that he was the last one there, aside from Iruka. Most of the students checked to see if their Sensei had arrived but when they saw that it was Naruto they went back to whatever it was that they were doing. Or they would have except for one thing.

"Naruto where did you get that?" asked the ever fashion conscious Yamanaka Ino, noticing Naruto's new look.

What is she talking about? Naruto asked. It was then he remembered that he was wearing the coat Ichiro got him. Naruto had decided that if it was a birthday present, then he shouldn't wear it until after his birthday. Naruto had been afraid this would upset the monk but, Ichiro had just found it adorable. Ichiro attributed Naruto's decision to his status as a jinchūriki, he figured that Naruto believed birthday presents were just shy of sacred and the man couldn't have been more correct.

"It was a gift, isn't it awesome?" Naruto asked; his voice full of pride at finally being able to show off his new coat.

"If you're trying to look cool you should just stop," Sakura told the boy. You'll never be as cool as Sasuke-kun; I do like the split down the middle motif, Sakura and her inner self thought.

"I don't have to try, this coat is cool," Naruto shot back.

"It looks okay," Ino said, but the blush on her cheeks betrayed her real thoughts. I guess Hinata has a point, he is kind of cute.

"Whatever, I love this coat," Naruto said as he took his seat beside Hinata. He turned to his friend and said, "Hinata-chan, I don't think I'll be able to train with you after class. I need to talk to Sensei's girlfriend about a taijutsu style to go with my Ethereal Blades."

"That's alright Naruto-kun," Hinata said, a bit sad that she couldn't train with her crush. Gathering her courage, the young heiress asked, "Naruto-kun about what you said…"

"I think we should talk about that somewhere more private," Naruto said cutting her off. He went on to say, "But don't worry we'll talk as soon as possible. I probably need to talk to your father too, right?"

"Hai," Hinata answered, no longer worried that Naruto didn't like her. She was of course still worried about what her father would say, but she had a feeling that things would work out.

"Alright class, since it is so nice out today I think we should have a practical exam outside," Iruka told his class, as he and Mizuki entered the room. Knowing nothing of his ulterior motive his students filed out of the room and headed for the Academy Training Ground.

"Let's start off simple, line up for target practice," Iruka ordered. "Same as always, ten shuriken, ten kunai, Naruto why don't you start, get your equipment from Mizuki-sensei," Iruka explained, all the while thinking; Let's see what Mizuki has planned today.

Naruto got his supplies but after he had done so he stared at them, prompting Iruka to ask, "Something wrong Naruto?"

"I don't mean to be picky Sensei but I can't use these, the kunai are dull and the shuriken look like they were bent and then bent back," Naruto told Iruka.

"Let me see," Iruka said, upon inspecting the ninja tools he saw that Naruto was absolutely right. Now that's just insulting, Iruka thought. Turning to Mizuki he said, "Mizuki-sensei, I like a good joke as much as the next person, but I have a hard enough time getting these kids to take the lessons seriously as it is."

"Just a little harmless fun, Iruka-sensei," Mizuki said in his defense, although on the inside he was seething. Stupid demon isn't supposed to be perceptive, he thought.

"Let's try this again, and this time no games," Iruka said in an unusually stern tone.

"I need to head to the equipment shed Iruka-sensei, were one set short now that we can't use those," Mizuki said, hoping to buy himself time to come up with another plan.

"It's alright Sensei, I think I have an idea, I just need to try some things first," Naruto said.

"What do you mean Naruto?" Iruka asked.

"An idea just popped into my head, I just need to test it," Naruto said. With that he summoned Interdiction and pointed his right arm towards a target. With a little bit of focus Naruto was able to fire an Ethereal Blade as another took its place on his right hand. "Okay," Naruto said, clearly pleased with the result, "now if I can change the shape I'll be golden." With a little concentration Naruto changed his Ethereal Blades into a kunai on his left and a shuriken on his right. With that he fired ten of each, all of which hit the bulls-eye. Upon dismissing his Ethereal Blades the kunai and shuriken disappeared with them.

The class, sans Hinata, just stared at him, most in shock, one in anger, and one in jealousy. All of them were thinking, What was that? The class was shaken from its collective stupor when Naruto asked, "Sensei, do I get docked points or do I fail, because I didn't throw any of those I shot them?"

"I'll give you full credit for sheer resourcefulness Naruto, and they did hit the mark, but what were they?" Iruka asked.

"Remember what I said two weeks ago?" Naruto asked.

"About what?" Iruka asked.

"Nothing," Naruto answered.

"Naruto you should…wait, you mean Mu?" Iruka asked, after remembering his chakra lecture.

"Yeah, those were my Ethereal Blades, blades made of nothing," Naruto said proudly.

"What else you do?" Iruka asked.

"Not much, just make barriers," Naruto said.

"Well keep at it, I'm proud of you Naruto," Iruka said.

"Thank you so much Sensei," Naruto choked out as he held back tears of joy.

"Alright, next up Uchiha Sasuke," Iruka called out.

Sasuke stepped forward to take his turn but his mind was still on what had just transpired, I need to know how the dobe did that, no one could stop me with that power, not even 'him'. Even though he was distracted, Sasuke was able to get a perfect score and was treated to accolades courtesy of his ra-ra squad, not that he cared. Most of the other students did as well as could be expected; until Hinata's name was called.

"Hyuga Hinata," Iruka called out.

"Hai Sensei," Hinata responded.

"You'll do great Hinata-chan," Naruto encouraged as Hinata made her way past him.

Naruto-kun, thank you, Hinata thought when she heard that. "Hai," she said with confidence that only Naruto seemed to give her. Hinata grabbed the tools provided and got a perfect score just as Naruto and Sasuke had done. Then, feeling daring she attempted to form an ethereal weapon of her own, a senbon needle between her index and middle finger and shot it, just as Naruto had done with his kunai and shuriken. The reaction to this was the same as it had been with Naruto's display.

"I told you that you were awesome Hinata-chan," Naruto said to his friend.

After recovering Iruka congratulated the young kunoichi hopeful, "That was excellent Hinata." Seeing that no one was left Iruka said, "Alright class we'll take a break and then some sparring matches, you have one hour, dismissed."

"Hinata-chan, I've got something to show you," Naruto said as soon as the break began.

"What is it Naruto-kun?" the young girl asked.

"Let's eat first and then I'll show you," Naruto told her.

Hinata was curious but lunch sounded more appealing than a surprise of any kind at the moment. The two sat next to each other eating in silence until a voice said:

"Dobe, what was that you did during target practice?" it was Uchiha Sasuke.

Naruto ignored him and just continued eating as though it were still just Hinata and himself.

"Naruto-baka, Sasuke-kun asked you a question," Haruno Sakura "informed" the blonde.

Naruto ignored his former crush as well. By this time Sasuke's entire fan club decided to demand some form of response from Naruto and received none. This went on until both Naruto and Hinata had finished lunch by which time Hinata said, "Naruto-kun, I think you should answer them."

"I don't know Hinata-chan, if they can't ask nicely they can't want an answer that bad, right?" Naruto asked companion.

"I suppose, now what did you want to show me?" Hinata asked.

"Watch," with that Naruto gave a small hop and just seemed to stand in midair.

"What is it?" Hinata asked.

"This morning two a jonin named Maito Gai and one of his students, Rock Lee, let me train with them. I got to spar with Lee, something I don't think I'll be doing again for a while, but I jumped to avoid one of his sweep kicks and found out I can create a barrier under me. Try it, just think that you want to stay in the air, that's how I did it," Naruto said finishing his explanation.

Hinata did try, so did some other members of the class for that matter, but only Hinata succeeded in copying Naruto.

"I did it Naruto-kun," Hinata said obviously pleased with herself.

"I never doubted you for a second Hinata-chan," Naruto said ignoring collective grumbling of the peanut gallery.

Deciding to be funny a random student tried to push Naruto, hoping he would fall on his face. Much to his chagrin, Naruto just seemed to slide through the air.

As he came to a stop inspiration struck Naruto, "I never would have thought of that, thank you, uh, what's your name again?"

"Kenji," the now identified student asked.

"Thank you, asshole," said Naruto letting Kenji know he did not appreciate what it was Kenji tried to do. Turning to Hinata, Naruto said, "Hinata-chan I think we can control the amount of friction between our feet and the barrier." As if to prove his theory Naruto began to skate in midair, "Hinata-chan, you have to try this, just will the barrier to be smooth like ice."

Hinata tried to do exactly as Naruto had said, and with grace only practitioners of the Jyuken seemed to have, Hinata began to skate.

"Fun, huh?" Naruto said as he caught up to Hinata, who simply nodded.

"Okay, couples skate is over, line-up," came Iruka's voice.

The class lined up as Naruto and Hinata struggled to get their blushes under control. Once that was accomplished Iruka figured he would remind his students of the rules:

"When I call your name step forward; these are strictly taijutsu matches; I see a hand sign or a weapon you are disqualified; same goes for leaving the ring. First up, Uchiha Sasuke and…"

"Uzumaki Naruto," Sasuke interrupted.

"Sasuke, don't forget, number one in the class or not, I am still the instructor," Iruka reprimanded.

"Ah come on Iruka, let the boys fight," Mizuki said.

"Sensei, maybe I should just fight Sasuke, it will be less of a headache later on," Naruto added.

"Alright, but this is the only time that I will allow this," Iruka said.

"Let him use those weapons of his too, I think he could use a handicap," Sasuke said smugly.

"No weapons Sasuke, remember," Naruto said appearing to clap Sasuke on the shoulder, but if anyone had been paying attention they would have seen Naruto's hand turn transparent, and sink slightly into Sasuke's shoulder before being pulled away. Thanks for the info Sasuke; I'll put it to good use, Naruto thought.

While that was going on memories Sasuke though he buried long ago came flooding back as a result of what Naruto had done, although he didn't know that. Now is no time to think about the past, I need to put the dobe in his place, Sasuke thought taking his position.

"Opponents, make the Seal of Confrontation," Iruka ordered.

Both Naruto and Sasuke raised a hand and made a half ram sign.

"Hajime," Iruka said.

Thanks to Naruto's new knowledge he was able to dodge just about everything Sasuke threw at him. And what he didn't block he managed to parry, which infuriated Sasuke to no end.

"How are you doing this?" Sasuke half asked, half demanded.

"I spent an hour-and-a-half this morning sparring with a genin that uses Goken and looks like a green blur when he moves, if I couldn't keep track of his movements I would probably still be unconscious," Naruto explained. That much was true, twenty minutes into his spar with Lee, Naruto was able to follow his movements. A minute later, Naruto said, "I can't keep this up, I forfeit."

This stunned the whole class; Naruto never gave up no matter how badly he was getting beaten. "Why?" Sasuke asked angrily, he hadn't landed a single hit on Naruto and thought that the blonde was mocking him.

"I think I might have cheated," Naruto said.

"How do you not know if you cheated?" Sasuke asked positively seething at this point.

Naruto held up his hand, turned it transparent, and started to explain," This is another technique I came up with, when my body, or even a part of it is transparent and passes through someone I can see all of their memories. I know about every technique you've ever learned, and the tells in your taijutsu style. When I clapped you on the shoulder I looked through your memories, and although the match hadn't started and even if I could beat you now it would leave a bad taste in my mouth. I thank you for the lesson though Sasuke."

"What lesson?" Sasuke asked, angry that Naruto had invaded his memories and that said blonde used the knowledge to make him look foolish.

"Just because I know what you can do doesn't mean I can win, I lack the skills and strength necessary for that right now," Naruto said. As an afterthought Naruto added, "Maybe if I had my ethereal blades."

"Well, the match hadn't started so technically it wasn't cheating," Iruka mused. He then continued, "Winner by forfeit, Uchiha Sasuke, now make the Seal of Reconciliation you two.

Naruto made his way to Sasuke and extended his index and middle finger, and Sasuke begrudgingly did the same.

This isn't over, Sasuke thought.

"Okay next up,…" Iruka continued.

"I hope I didn't let you down Hinata-chan," Naruto said.

"Naruto-kun, you could never let me down," Hinata said as if it were a fundamental truth.

"Alright everyone, that's enough for today, dismissed," Iruka told his class, who had returned to the classroom after the final match of the day.

Everyone had filed out until Iruka, Mizuki, Naruto, and Hinata were left.

"You can head home Mizuki, I need to speak with these two," Iruka told his not-so-helpful assistant.

"Alright, see you tomorrow," Mizuki said. And just like that he was gone.

"So what do you think?" Iruka asked.

"I think Mizuki will make some inmate an excellent girlfriend one day," came Anko's voice in response.

"Agreed, but what I was talking about Naruto," Iruka said.

"If he's still up for it I'll teach him," Anko said.

"Just like that?" Naruto asked.

"Your integrity won me over gaki, so what do you say?" Anko asked.

"I say, 'Nice to meet you Anko-sensei'," Naruto responded.

"Okay, now what about her?" Anko said pointing to Hinata.

"Anko-sensei, Hinata and I developed Mu techniques together, I know it may be a deal breaker but, I'm afraid I have to ask if Hinata could train with us," Naruto answered afraid of what Anko would say.

"Sure, I think I could teach her a few things," Anko said.

"Thank you anyway Ank..., wait, really?" Naruto asked.

"I said yes didn't I?" Anko asked the boy.

"Thank you very much Anko-sensei," Hinata said.

"It's no problem; I think it's sweet that your boyfriend over there can't train without you," Anko explained.

"Well, that's not entirely true Sensei," Naruto mumbled.

Hinata was just in shock, girlfriend, was the last thought on her mind when she passed out.

"I think I'm going to have lots of fun with you two," Anko said to her only conscious new student.

And done.

I know some of you might not like how the match with Sasuke went but honestly, with how much Naruto values the Will of Fire, I think he values integrity just as much. If it had been a match at say, the Chunin exams, it would be different.

About the Naruto keeping up with Lee thing, the Chunin Exams aren't for a while yet, so Lee isn't as fast as he would be then. Also I like to think this was around the time he started emulating Gai.

Anyway read and review, and don't be afraid to send me ideas for Mu techniques.