Heads or Tails 2
Naruto took off his shoes and socks before carefully stepping out onto the water, ignoring his two teammates who were sitting on the bridge waiting for their new sensei. With the help of shadow-clones he'd gotten a decent start on water walking, but it would still take time and thanks to Kakashi he had most of the morning to kill.
As he lifted up his right foot and the water came with it he realized he still had a ways to go before it became instinctual. His next step was fine but out of curiosity he tried to make platform shoes using just water. It was hard to do as he'd never tried shaping water as he did wind, it was harder to move but easier to shape and he found flecks of ice forming if he let his concentration lapse and instinctively touched wind chakra.
A little experimentation showed rounder shapes were easier to form out of water than edges and that injecting a lot of wind chakra into water froze whatever you were working on.
By the time Kakashi had arrive, Naruto had turned a corner of a nearby park into a winter wonderland and was making a mint selling snow cones to the gathered civilians who didn't recognize his clone in his Haku henge.
"You're late," Sakura noted as she ate a cherry snow cone.
"I… what exactly is going on here?" Kakashi asked.
"Naruto discovered the formula for ice," Sasuke deadpanned. "And then he discovered the formula for becoming rich. If not for the fact that no infiltrator would ever be that obvious I would say he's been replaced." Sasuke went back to eating his green tea flavored ice pop.
"I'll go get him," Kakashi said.
"He's the one water walking," Sakura pointed out. "The rest are clones."
"Naruto!" Kakashi called out to the orange clad genin who was attempting to walk on his hands across the water.
Seeing Kakashi had arrived, Naruto returned to the bank and put on his shoes and socks before joining them. "I was sure you'd decided not to show after the first hour."
"How are you making ice?" Kakashi asked, knowing Naruto shouldn't have the Hyoton bloodline.
"Clan secret," Naruto replied.
"One person isn't a clan," Sakura said and then shrunk down as all three males glared at her.
"You're going to stick ice making under clan secrets?" Kakashi asked.
"I'm going to stick tons of crap under clan secrets," Naruto replied. "If I invent something it is a clan secret, besides do you have any idea how much money I'm making?"
Kakashi looked on where people were bringing juices and fruit and Naruto's henged clone was making ice treats out of them. He also noticed another clone using drinks it bought to make snow cones for children who couldn't afford it. "Good point. Is any of that going to distract you during training?"
"As long as no one attacks my clones I should be good."
"How many do you have out?" Kakashi asked curiously.
"About fifty," Naruto said.
"I only see four," Sakura said.
"I got a bunch working on a project," Naruto said with a shrug.
*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*
In the closed off sewers under the warehouse district Naruto had claimed.
"Cements ready," a clone announced stepping back so another could dry it with a fire jutsu.
*Fwoosh!*
"This section's done, the pipes have been connected to working sewage lines and the plaster and wood they used to seal off the basement has been replaced with ferrocrete," the clone reported to another clone wearing a hard hat and carrying a clipboard.
"Excellent," the clone said making a mark on the paper. "Another dozen basements and we'll have the whole district. Then we can start cleaning our new territory."
*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*
"It's not a prank, is it?" Kakashi asked warily, at the thought of what dozens of Naruto's together could accomplish.
"Unless someone screws with me I'm done pranking and at this point I'd rather just screw with their heads."
"I don't know whether to be relieved or horrified," Kakashi admitted after a few seconds of thought.
"Depends on whether you're a bystander or a target, really," Naruto replied. "OK, what's on schedule for today?"
"We'll head off to the Hokage tower for a D rank mission and after the mission we'll eat lunch and then train, time permitting," Kakashi said cheerfully.
Naruto nodded and followed Kakashi to the tower, ignoring his two teammates as he had been all morning not sure how he should feel about them, but their present attitude and future actions weighing heavily against them. He missed his friends, both Xander's from another dimension and his own from a future that wouldn't occur anymore.
Seeing Iruka handing out mission scrolls brought a smile to his face. "Iruka, got anything interesting for us?"
"Just D Ranks," Iruka replied with a smirk planning on playing a prank on his favorite genin, when a spider dropped down from the ceiling and turned into another Naruto, causing the present nin except Naruto to start, before it vanished in a puff of smoke as it fist bumped Naruto.
"The D rank mission to check on the sewers under the warehouse district please," Naruto said having received all of his clones memories from spying on Iruka.
"What the hell was that?" Sakura demanded.
"Use your indoor voice, Haruno," Naruto ordered. "That was just a clone under henge."
"You shouldn't spy on fellow nin," Kakashi lectured trying not to grin under his mask. "We have rules against that and it makes ANBU twitchy."
"I've got clearance to keep ANBU on their toes," Naruto replied. "My no-pranking-unless-provoked policy does not extend to them. If they can't avoid my pranks, how can they be relied on to keep the old man safe?"
Iruka grinned. "And spying on the mission desk?"
"Just a happy coincidence," Naruto replied with a grin. "It's not like I was using it as an excuse to spy out the best mission for us."
"The sewer mission pays as much as three D ranks, but requires at least six genin and a knowledge of both the sewer system and basic plumbing," Iruka said. "Sorry, Naruto."
"Sorry for what?" Naruto replied smugly. "I already have a lot more than six clones under there, I know the area, and I have a thorough knowledge of plumbing."
"Really?" Iruka said doubtfully.
"The local sewer system in that area is where I escorted ANBU yesterday, which is why this mission was called for. I can create a lot more than just six clones to make up the numbers needed as you've seen yourself, and finally do you have any idea the number of pipes I've been ordered to fix because of my pranks?" he asked.
Iruka laughed. "OK, with your Sensei's approval."
"We'll give it a shot," Kakashi agreed. "If the scope of the job proves to be beyond their capabilities we'll trade it for another." Kakashi accepted the scroll, tucking it away in his pouch.
"See you later Iruka," Naruto called out, leading Kakashi off.
"So what's the deal?" Kakashi asked, as they reached the street.
"I was looking for a decent safe house where I could practice without worrying about being interrupted or spied on-" Naruto began.
"Who'd spy on you?" Sasuke interrupted, wondering about the changes Naruto had displayed recently.
"You'd be surprised," Kakashi replied. "Continue."
"I figured an abandoned or empty warehouse would fit the bill," Naruto replied, pausing to create a trio of clones who walked up to several clumps of glaring or sneering civilians and henged into someone in the group before grinning evilly and wandering off. "I created a couple of dozen clones and had them search the warehouse district-"
"What's with the clones?" Sakura interrupted.
"A little paranoia is healthy in a ninja village," Naruto answered.
"Decided to improve the health of the civilian population?" Kakashi asked grinning behind his mask.
"I'm a giver," Naruto said with a smile that made it look like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth.
"Go on," Kakashi said suppressing a laugh.
"So the clones found a warehouse that fit the bill and some problems in the sewers under the district," Naruto finished.
"And why do you have clones in there now?" Kakashi asked showing he had been paying close attention to what Naruto had been saying.
"I claimed the warehouse with ANBU assistance and noticed the plumbing problems and open area underground, so I made some teams of clones to expand my domain and make repairs," he explained leading them to a small cement structure that he picked the lock on so they could take the stairs down to a sewer inspection station, rather than using a manhole cover to gain entrance.
Sakura wrinkled her nose as they entered, even though all the place really smelled of was dampness and mold.
It was surprisingly well lit room with several doors leading out of it and a series of blueprints on the walls. There was two Naruto's there drinking coffee and making notes on a map of the area. "Hey, boss!" they chorused.
"How's progress?" Naruto asked.
"All seven inspection stations have been claimed and repaired, though we had to use sandpaper to remove the graffiti from the bathroom walls," one clone replied.
The second clone spoke up, "We got all the main lines fixed and are just holding off all the final connections until we get the smaller pipes repaired. The warehouse owners have actually been happy to sign off on everything as both them and their workers, like not having to run home to use the can."
"And construction?"
"Using the fire jutsu we copied off of Sasuke we were able to make ferrocrete as you theorized. It sped things up considerably," the clone began.
"Naruto!" Sakura growled. "You shouldn't copy your teammates' jutsu!"
Everyone just stared at her for a minute.
"Yeah…" a clone drawled out, "right."
"Wanna see?" the other clone asked Kakashi.
"We are supposed to do a basic survey," Kakashi agreed.
One of the clones held up his hands in a familiar symbol and another clone popped into being.
"Shadow clones using only a single hand-sign?" Kakashi asked, impressed.
"Since you learned my fire jutsu would you mind teaching me that one?" Sasuke asked, hoping Naruto's new-found maturity wasn't an act.
"No," Kakashi interrupted. "The chakra demand of that jutsu would kill you. Jounin don't toss clones around the way Naruto does."
"What's so special about you?" Sakura demanded.
"I'm an Uzumaki," Naruto replied. "It's not officially a bloodline, but we are known to have stupid amounts of chakra."
"What? But then how did you keep failing to make clones?"
"Too much chakra, too little control," Naruto replied. "Even now I'm still working on my control because it sucks." Naruto turned to Sasuke. "I'll help you raise your chakra till Kakashi agrees you can learn it."
Kakashi smiled under his mask at seeing Sasuke and Naruto exchange nods. This was the kind of thing that built up camaraderie.
The clone opened a door leading into the sewers. "This way."
Bulbs in the ceiling secured behind glass and steel to prevent gas explosions made it almost as bright as the break room and despite Sakura's fears it didn't smell much of anything as they walked on the ledges above the empty channels. The clone pointed out various tunnels on the map he was carrying and explained the reasons behind the way everything was designed as if he was a tour guide, something that had Sakura actually listening to him for a change.
"Wait," Kakashi said turning and examining what appeared to be a blank wall to the genin, before pushing on it in several places and causing it to swing open revealing a large room with a dozen Naruto's sitting around on various couches or tables reading or writing but obviously hard at work.
"Do you mind?" a clone asked glaring at Kakashi and shoving the wall closed in front of him.
"That was a bit rude," Naruto and his clone chorused.
"You can't just claim sections of the sewer and build hidden rooms," Kakashi said shaking his head.
"You can if you fill out the appropriate paperwork," Naruto corrected him. "It's all clear and aboveboard if underground."
The clone shook his head. "Let's get this finished so you guys can go to lunch."
The rest of the tour went pretty quickly with Kakashi inspecting the new stonework and repaired plumbing with some surprise. "This is professional work."
"We aim to please," the clone said smugly, handing his map to Naruto and dispersing himself.
Naruto marked some changes on the map. "We could poke around some more, but that's all the main points. I hope I don't need to tell anyone what you all saw down there was secret."
"Excepting the Hokage," Kakashi reminded him. "I need to check with him about all of this."
"Of course," Naruto agreed. "Let's get our money and go to lunch. I'm starving!" He led them out another inspection station and into the daylight.
"So all the piping is fixed?" a man asked a Naruto clone, who was dressed in a faded red jumpsuit and who lacked his whiskers and had brown hair and eyes.
"Every drain you showed me has all been fixed and all three bathrooms. As soon as they reopen the mains you'll be good to go."
The man laughed. "Good to go!"
"The partially collapsed basement has been sealed off and your foundation reinforced. Sign here and here, certifying your quit claim on the basement and agree to the changes made to your blueprints," the clone said.
"A small price to pay," the man said signing the forms for the clone, who shook the man's hand and left to file the papers.
Team Seven turned to stare at their blond teammate.
*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*
Iruka accepted the scroll initialed complete by Kakashi and handed him a payment chit. "Excellent, the city workers are anxious to repair the area but needed the completed survey first."
Naruto handed Iruka a map. "Repairs have already been completed, have them compare maps with this one and let me know if they need anything more done."
Iruka examined the map. "Trying your hand at construction?"
"shadow-clones mean I'm a one man work site," Naruto said with a grin. "It's even more fun to build things than it is to blow things up."
"Now that's what I like to hear," Iruka said proud of his former student. "Oh, the Hokage will see you now."
Naruto nodded, he'd figured that Kakashi had some unnoticeable way of sending word ahead.
"Hey, old man," Naruto said cheerfully as they entered the Hokage's office. "You wanted to see me?" Naruto got a rush of memories from a clone dismissing itself letting him know a dozen ANBU were surveying the sewers and his secret rooms.
"Naruto," the Hokage replied cheerfully. "What's this I hear about you building an underground kingdom?"
Naruto laughed and pulled a map out of his pouch that he spread out on the Hokage's desk. "Hardly, but I legally own nearly everything beneath the warehouse district in exchange for plumbing and foundation reinforcements with a little electrical work here and there." Naruto handed him one of the contract blanks he used.
"Unbelievable," Sarutobi said as he looked over the contract and then back to the map five minutes later. A cow masked ANBU appeared and placed a report on his desk before vanishing once more. He quickly paged through it and looked at Naruto over the tops of his glasses. "Fully furnished with both shower and tub?"
"If you'll check the contract you'll see I get salvage rights on all goods found below the surface. Thanks to stasis seals being so cheap in nin villages the majority of cargo that was in those collapsed and sealed basements were intact."
"I could house all of T & I and ANBU in there," the Hokage said.
"Those blank sections marked off next to each one are empty rooms. There was a lot more room than I had furniture for, so I walled them off for later use."
The Hokage looked over the map again and drummed his fingers on his desk for a minute before replying, "Having all your eggs in one basket is rarely a good idea."
"Point," Naruto conceded. As much fun as it was to build and furnish the equivalent of an apartment complex he really didn't need it. What he needed was a fraction of that amount spread throughout the village.
"What'll you take for it?" Sarutobi asked.
Naruto marked off one large square in the center and a small one on the edge of the warehouse district.
"Training area and fallback?"
"Yep. The rest of the area I can let go, since I mostly just got carried away building things, but those two were why I was there in the first place."
"Agreed," the old man said lighting his pipe. "How much for the rest?"
"Free passage below ground, access to everything in the civilian department dealing with the sewers, and free reign to file my hideouts with you alone," Naruto said after a moment's thought.
"Done and done," Sarutobi said shaking his hand.
"I also wouldn't mind access to our corp of engineers," Naruto said, "but that's just curiosity."
"Our what now?" Sarutobi asked.
"Ninja corp of engineers," Naruto said. "Destroying things is fun and all but a good construction corps can make a huge difference in war and peace. You mean we don't have one?"
"Ninja builders?" Sasuke asked doubtfully. "How would they be useful?"
"How would they be useful?" Naruto asked in shock. "A group of nin who can build fortification and bridges in war are invaluable. Let the enemy destroy or take a bridge thinking it's gaining them an edge while you're actually building another one where it helps you? Plus, who better to take things apart than one who knows how it's put together?"
"And in peacetime?" the Hokage asked curiously.
"Emergency dams, shelter, bridges," Naruto rattled off. "How much good will would we generate saving a town from a flood or providing shelter after a disaster?"
"And you assumed we'd have something like that?" Kakashi asked.
"Yeah," Naruto agreed. "The benefits are obvious and it's a good place for nin who are loyal, but lack killer instinct. Haven't you ever run across nin who are great at jutsu, but lousy at killing?"
"A fair amount," the Hokage agreed.
"Bet they don't have any moral problems supporting their fellow nin or attacking enemy structures."
"I've run into a couple," Kakashi said thoughtfully. "They make great backup."
"See?" Naruto said. "They already exist, it's just not formalized. Imagine how much more effective they'd be if they were given those jobs and worked with each other on jutsu designed for that purpose."
"Would you be interested in that position?" the hokage asked, thinking that Naruto might have been talking about himself with the amount of thought he'd put into the subject.
"Nope, though I would like to get in on any good will missions like that, cause I could really use the good karma."
"I'll make a note of it," Sarutobi promised. "Now, go enjoy your lunch."
"Will do, old man," Naruto replied cheerfully as he left to get lunch with the rest of team seven following along.
Sarutobi turned to the cat masked ANBU in the corner of the room. "Tell Ibiki about Naruto's idea of an engineering corp and have him check on the feasibility of it."
*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*
By the time Team Seven had caught up with Naruto he was on his second bowl of ramen.
"Well, today has been full of surprises," Kakashi said as they took seats at the counter next to Naruto.
"Yep," Naruto agreed. "Just remember the events of today's mission are classified. A rank, unless I miss my guess."
"The Hokage didn't say anything about that," Sakura said with a frown.
"That's because he trusts me to do it," Kakashi said signaling for a bowl.
"I'm on a diet," Sakura said waving off the waitress.
"Well?" Naruto said after a moment's silence.
"I'll give a lecture on security after lunch," Kakashi assured him.
Naruto sighed. "I meant about Sakura."
"What about me?" Sakura asked.
"You're our sensei," Naruto said, ignoring her question. "It's your job to prevent us from making mistakes that can get us killed."
"The problem will correct itself long before that," Kakashi assured him.
"Unless you can see the future you can't guarantee that," Naruto groaned. "This just sounds like laziness."
"Then you'll really hate what I'm about to say next," Kakashi said, the corner of his one visible eye curling up. "You've got the rest of this week free."
"Why?" Naruto asked suspiciously.
"Because I'm going to go over your files with a fine toothed comb and then I'm going to do the same with your academy teachers."
"That… that's actually a decent reason," Naruto admitted. "Mind if I spend the next six days increasing my teammates' chakra slowly?"
"What's the plan?" Kakashi asked.
"Wall, tree, water," Naruto rattled off. "And some cooperative games where they have to put themselves in their teammates' shoes and still complete missions."
"Agreed," Kakashi said thoughtfully, before vanishing and leaving Naruto with the bill.
Sakura and Sasuke just stared in shock until Naruto broke them out of it, "You heard the man, your asses are mine for the next six days. Pack for camping, but I'll supply food. Expect to suffer near complete chakra exhaustion on a daily basis, but by next Monday you'll be begging for more control exercises to keep up with your growing chakra supply.
Sakura looked horrified while Sasuke looked hopeful. "You can really pull this off?"
"Easily," Naruto said. "But I'm not kidding about the chakra exhaustion. Your week is going to consist of pain and sleep."
"Excellent, back in ten," Sasuke said before leaving.
Sakura gave Naruto a sickly smile.
"Remember to bring a sleeping bag that can zip together with another one, because it'll be easier to monitor you two if you're sharing one big bag."
Sakura vanished almost as quickly as if she had teleported.
Ayame chuckled and gave Naruto the bill for everyone's ramen.
Naruto laughed and paid it.
He'd started out trying to change what team he was on and now here he was making the steps to change his team instead. Privately he could admit he missed the days he was living now, if that made any sense, but he was still going to change them beyond any possible resemblance to who they had been going to become.
"One more for the road," he decided.
Typing by: Bankrupt Samurai!